Reincarnation of a Hunter Chapter 46.2 - The Ducal Succession War

She, too, had an air of being born with a silver spoon.

 

“You hold 12.5% of the shares in Rosso Bank. If you are unsure, you can call your maid to confirm.”

 

“I will check immediately.”

 

When Countess Kioja rang the handbell, a maid rushed in and, following instructions, found and brought the securities from Rosso Bank.

 

Without delay, I quickly prepared the stock transfer contract and received those securities into my hands.\

 

‘Am I getting this too easily? I should at least pretend to offer some advice.’

 

I said to Countess Kioja, “Go to the Veneto Lord’s Manor right now. The Duke is likely persuading your husband. If you join in persuading him, your husband won’t be able to hold out. Go quickly and tell him I got scared, gave up the succession war, and am returning to my territory.”

 

“Ah! Understood.”

 

The Countess sprang to her feet. She’s become impatient.

 

“I will go to the Lord’s Manor immediately. Thank you, Count Marseille.”

 

“Don’t mention it.”

 

I smiled, watching Countess Kioja hurriedly step outside.

 

Both husband and wife were equally gullible.

 

‘Even just one Seagull Droppings Island would have been excessive compensation. For things to work out this well…’

 

Of course, if Duke Veneto finds out and flies into a rage, I’ll have to take a step back. Then, I’ll just replace it with another form of compensation.

 

Anyway, it’s a situation that benefits me.

 

I went out of the drawing-room and said to Diego and Martin.

 

“Dinner’s on me tonight. Tell me what you want to eat.”

 

“Huh? Did you get a money purse from the Countess or something?”

 

I waved the securities and contract to show them.

 

“Something like that.”

 

“Oh! Meat, definitely for me.”

 

Martin, being a knight, loves meat.

 

“I’d like to go to a famous bakery. I heard there’s bread loaded with lots of sugar.”

 

Diego wants something sweet.

 

“Let’s have both. Come on, get your things!”

 

The two followed me out, chuckling. They probably sensed that things had gone well, even without knowing the details.

 

Our steps were light as we headed to the carriage.

 

💫

 

That night.

 

Count Kioja, who greeted us upon our return to the lodgings, looked haggard.

 

It seems he finally gave up on the succession battle.

 

“Count Marseille, it seems my incompetence has led to this.”

 

I answered his powerless words with a smile.

 

“Just pass the troublesome matters to Vincent and have a drink with me.”

 

“Haha! I suppose it is troublesome.”

 

A bitter laugh.

 

For a son who isn’t acknowledged by his father, and especially one who is compared to his younger brother, it must have been a devastatingly difficult day.

On top of that, the Duchess he admires is the culprit who killed his own older brother.

 

“I am truly sorry that Viscount Marseille was threatened by your father.”

 

“Think nothing of it. Still, I did feel that Duke Veneto truly loves Lord Kioja.”

 

“…Is that true?”

 

“Yes. He said, ‘It’s true I am more fond of that boy Matteo.’ He said he is his most cherished child.”

 

“Aah—”

 

Lord Kioja, standing there, dripped chicken-shit-like tears drop by drop. Not wanting to see a grown man cry, I quickly ushered him to the reception room.

I signaled a servant to prepare alcohol and snacks.

 

“Here, have a drink.”

 

The quick-witted servant swiftly brought wine and poured it into Lord Kioja’s glass. He gulped down the wine repeatedly and quickly got drunk and collapsed.

Seeing him like that, my heart softened a little.

 

‘I’m sorry, father-in-law, you easy mark.’

 

Today’s lesson.

 

Choose the wrong son-in-law, and get extorted.

 

💫

 

Even with 〈Status Ailment Immunity〉, a hangover can’t be helped. While immune to all poisons, alcohol is an exception.

Perhaps it’s a divine judgment based on ‘feeling sorry for someone who can’t even drink and live.’

 

Anyway, I woke up with a headache as if an axe had struck my skull.

 

I heard a knocking on the door since a while ago, and when I forced myself to get up, I had a terrible headache.

 

“What is it?”

 

The attendant who was knocking entered.

 

“My apologies. There is a message from the lord’s manor. They said to come without being late for the succession ceremony.”

 

“Is it morning already? Oh, my head.”

 

“The carriage is waiting, so please come out as soon as you are ready.”

 

I quickly washed my face, changed my clothes, and combed my hair while walking down the corridor.

 

On the way to the carriage, I ran into Count Kioja, who was also roughly washing his face with a wet cloth.

 

“Haha! It seems even Count Marseille is not immune to a hangover.”

 

“Alcohol is my enemy. Let’s hurry.”

 

“I apologize for dragging you into such a dishonorable affair.”

 

Even though we had agreed to withdraw from the ducal succession ceremony, the ceremony itself needed a conclusion.

 

After all, to appoint the youngest son, Vincent, as the successor, a pretext was necessary.

 

Count Kioja seemed to consider intentionally losing the match as a ‘dishonorable affair.’

 

“It’s fine, as it is for the peace of your house.”

 

“Thank you for saying that.”

 

The swiftly moving carriage arrived at the lord’s manor, and soon the succession ceremony began.

 

The event for the third day was chess, and Vincent and Count Kioja faced each other directly over the chessboard.

 

Since Vincent was clearly the expert in everyone’s eyes, he forced a surrender after just a few turns.

 

“Vincent’s victory.”

 

Duke Veneto’s declaration of victory.

 

Followed by Count Kioja’s declaration of defeat.

 

“Vincent is far superior to me, so I withdraw from the succession ceremony.”

 

“I accept.”

 

It was truly a mere formality. But it was also a tense moment that made everyone gathered at the lord’s manor breathe a sigh of relief.

 

If Count Kioja had fought to the very end, the outcome would have been uncertain.

 

Thus, the next lord of the Veneto domain was decided to be Vincent.

 

Of course, regardless of the outcome, the benefits I gained were substantial.

 

‘I need to return to my territory and start working quickly.’

 

There’s even more to do now.

 

Why does it seem like the more I accomplish, the busier I get?