Hachinan tte, Sore wa Nai Deshou!

A method to restore a noble household which had its peerage and territory confiscated? (Roderich)

Right. (Wendelin)

Is it about Katharina-jou? (Roderich)

Yea. (Wendelin)

Katharina had that speech and behaviour the first time we met due to that loss, but she was a quite excellent magician. Once I tried to get along with her, she wasnt such a bad person either.

Since thats the case, its not like there are no way around it.

After all Im a noble bearing responsibility for a huge territory.

Also, there is the reason that Im a person who considers stability.

I got many allies in order to live a good life.

And there was a method to create an obligation for gratitude from her, though theres only one.

It will restore the Waigel households peerage and territory.

Given that its almost impossible for women to become nobles, it wont do if she doesnt look for an agreeable method.

The best one would be the possibility of the children, born by her, to inherit peerage and territory.

However, are you really asking the humble me? (Roderich)

Im asking Roderich who is the head retainer since its a problem whether it will increase the friendly nobles of the Earl Baumeister household or not, however his expression becomes bitter.

Thats because next week there will be a marriage interview meeting held.

Moreover, those marriage interviews are scheduled to become quite large-scaled.

Erw will participate as well. It turned into an obligatory participation for the the young fellows who were working for us while having no wives.

Although the nobles got psyched up as well and sent more than 1000 marriage interview photographs, I think that most of those will be in vain.

At the time I asked them Its no problem even if it our young folks?, almost all of them accepted it.

Before I noticed the retainer group of the Earl Baumeister household had taken form, however the upper echelon was blended with all the children of cabinet ministers and each of them did the task which suited their homes fort.

Even that child of doushi, Cornelius, has become the leader of the guard unit.

Their way of working was excellent, but there were still many singles since there were so many third sons and below among them.

Therefore we decided to hold a large marriage interview meeting based on the fact that they will become busy from now on.

Even if I say so myself, but I believe it to be a nice idea. However, for Roderich who advances the preparations for his own marriage interviews, there might be some parts he cant agree with.

How about it? Once you accept her as wife, Roderich, doesnt it mean that your child will become a noble? (Wendelin)

Why me? Isnt it no problem for Erwin either? (Roderich)

Given that it has been finally settled that Roderich will become the father of the next eras Baron Rckner households family head after many turns and twists, it wont be any kind of problem if he makes a child with Katharina and that child becomes a noble.

However, it seems Roderich doesnt want to be burdened with any more hardships.

Thus he tried to force it upon Erw.

Erw is, you know (Wendelin)

He is a nice guy, however him ending up learning womanising thanks to Burkhart-san was no good.

Katharina is sensitive in such matters and therefore has distanced herself from Erw.

Shes alright with him as companion in the same party, but apparently she refuses him as husband.

That foolhardy one is unexpectedly innocent. (Roderich)

Certainly, compared to gaining top class achievements among the adventurers, which is a gathering of many rough fellows, and rejecting fellows like yakuza and parasites, who have tried to steal a share from her, with ability, she doesnt seem to have much immunity towards men.

Just recently too (Wendelin)

After Erw practised his archery in the early morning, he cooled himself in the courtyard by taking off the upper garment since it was hot. I ended up getting complaints from Katharina who practised her magic at the same time.

Wendelin-san! It might be the way of nobles, but something like undressing outside is no good! (Katharina)

Wasnt it only his upper body? (Wendelin)

Even if its only the upper half, isnt it always no good!? (Katharina)

Her way of talking was as usual, but Katharinas face was deep red.

In short, she likely doesnt have much tolerance in such things.

Erw will be difficult, I believe. (Wendelin)

Then, isnt all well if its you, my lord? (Roderich)

Me? (Wendelin)

Yes. She fits the requirements nicely as well. (Roderich)

Since she is an elite adventurer to begin with, she can accompany me on my hunts.

Even from Katharinas view, a child made between me and her will smoothen the manoeuvring at the royal palace to make it the family head of the Waigel household.

Both of you will profit from it, Roderich says.

I feel like it gives off a slightly dry sensation if said by a former Heisei Japanese, but you couldnt call this an incorrect evaluation criteria in this world either.

As marriage served as connection of fellow households, things like affinity of the marriage partners themselves was secondary.

I think that its not bad to love for the loves sake, but this might also be the reason for the problems of declining birth rates and the low marriage ratio in Japan.

Either way, its difficult to persist as single in this world.

It will be pointless if Katharina doesnt prepare herself for it either, Roderich stated.

Its necessary to deepen the line-up of the Baumeister household by treating the Waigel household as quasi-family. (Roderich)

Since Roderich is the head retainer he apparently wants to quickly tackle the issue of stabilizing the Earl Baumeister household which changed into a large-scale household rapidly.

After my death the Earl Baumeister household will continue with the next generation and the ones after as well.

However, that might also be the will of the person herself. (Wendelin)

Saying that, its also necessary to meet and frankly speak about it once. By the way, cant you do something about the mark remaining on your cheek? (Roderich)

Hm~~~m. For some reason Elise refused to do that. Im not allowed to heal it myself either. (Wendelin)

As a matter of fact, in the early morning today, after finishing my daily routine of practising magic, I entered the bathroom to wash off my sweat.

There I ran into Katharina who entered the bathroom before me after likewise finishing her training.

Furthermore, she was taking some kind of pose in front of the mirror in the wash-room while being stark naked.

Since the meals, provided at Wendelin-sans house, are delicious, I seem to have recently gained weight (Katharina)

Is that so? I dont think so though. (Wendelin)

Eh? (Katharina)

I was probably an idiot to immediately answer her at that point.

Katharina, who ended up meeting me in the wash-room when no one but her was supposed to be there, stared at me, who came entering carelessly, for several seconds and a strange mood drifted between the two of us.

Wendelin-san? (Katharina)

Men wont notice little fluctuations in the weight of a woman. (Wendelin)

(Katharina)

There are also variations in the ideal figure of men and women. If a woman becomes too thin, men wont feel attracted instead. (Wendelin)

Wendelin-san? (Katharina)

Well, thats all from my side. (Wendelin)

Somehow I seem to have missed the Bathroom in use note which hung at the entrance to the bathroom.

To be honest, I do that occasionally, but since Erw is a man, there no problem either. It was the same for the times of the other female members.

Wend, are you really not doing that on purpose? I dont particularly mind though. (Ina)

Its a disaster. Im getting attacked by Wend who craves for my nude body~~~~. As if, you arent easily influenced to join in on the mood. (Luise)

Wendelin-sama, we will do such things after holding the official ceremony. (Elise)

Wend-sama, lets go in together. (Wilma)

Since the four are my fiances, there was absolutely no problem, however my deception didnt work on Katharina after all.

Wendelin-san (Katharina)

Sorry, I messed up a bit. (Wendelin)

Do you plan to let it finish with you looking at the naked body of a maiden before her marriage!? (Katharina)

Although Katharinas magic didnt appear here, I ended up receiving a slap on the cheek with all her strength.

I probably could have dodged it if I felt like it, but I sensed that it would be wrong to do that and thus I simply took the brunt.

How to call it? Is my lords luck good or bad? (Roderich)

Those were the impressions of Roderich who is also a man.

The slap on the cheek is unfortunate, however he said it like that since I was able to see something nice.

Since doing something like slapping a noble was disrespectful, punishment wasnt impossible either, but if I do that, my act of peeping will get exposed.

If its officially announced, the one who will carry the disgrace in society will undoubtedly be me.

Moreover, Katharina is unexpectedly, you know (Wendelin)

After giving me a magnificent slap, she wept and clung to Elise which was totally unlike her.

I cant become a bride anymore! (Katharina)

You arent that kind of character Sorry, its nothing (Wendelin)

If you cant get married anymore just because a bit nudity was seen, most of the marriageable women in Japan will disappear.

Or rather, I ended up thinking that its a surprise for such woman to actually exist outside of Light Novels and Anime, but Elise was Katharinas ally in this matter.

The women in this world; the higher their social standing, the higher their sense of virtue.

Therefore, I, who had seen the nude Katharina without her being my lover or wife, apparently became a sinful man.

Wendelin-sama. Please leave your face as it is for the whole day today. (Elise)

As expected, as it is (Wendelin)

Its for you to reflect on your actions, Wendelin-sama. (Elise)

Being unusually strongly told by Elise to do so, I consented to not even heal the hand-print imprinted on my own cheek for today.

Its no good. Wend. The times when Elise speaks forcefully are special. (Ina)

Certainly, its as Ina said. Although she usually is an old-styled woman who stands up for me, she has imposed a calm punishment upon me while comforting Katharina who is currently clinging to her tearfully.

I didnt know whether this part of her was also a reason why she was chosen as my first wife.

Although its no problem if its us, Katharina is no good. (Ina)

Shall we add a name column to the note for bathing use? (Wendelin)

Wont you then enter if its anyone else but Katharina? (Ina)

No comment. (Wendelin)

Its difficult for the nobles of this country to have premarital sexual relations due to the annoying regulations of the church.

Therefore I think its a cute mischief to at least occasionally peep at their nude bodies for a bit while pretending to have made a mistake.

The other party are my fiances anyway.

Wend, you are doing it on purpose after all (Ina)

Well, I wonder about that? (Wendelin)

As a matter of fact, this is actually quite the problem. (Elise)

As expected, if its such a situation, it will result in a composition of the serious Elise and Ina giving me a scolding.

Hey, say Wend, how was Katharinas figure? (Luise)

Those were Luises feelings.

She told me about the figures of the other women who entered the bath together with her occasionally. I consider her to possess someero oyajicomponents in her mind.

Shes a good match to Elise as they go boin boin like this. (Wendelin)

As expected. Dominique is quite amazing too, but shes no match for Katharina. (Luise)

Hee, Dominique is nicely stacked, huh? (Wendelin)

She is fairly amazing. As she is Elises childhood friend, does it have to do with the environment? (Luise)

According to Luise, a self-proclaimed womans body critic, Dominique, who serves as maid in this mansion, seems to have a disposition of looking quite slender in clothing as well.

I was told that she has a truly nice figure.

As expected, its completely as I feared (Katharina)

Luise-san! Wendelin-sama! (Elise)

However, Katharina wept once again due to this blunt old man talk. Luise and me got once again scolded by Elise.

Anyway, you will reflect for today. (Elise)

For that reason it has been decided that I would spend my time with a hand-print imprinted on my cheek for the whole day today.

Wend-sama. (Wilma)

Whats up, Wilma? (Wendelin)

The hand-print on Wend-samas cheek is similar to the grilled starfish you can get at a shop in the capital. (Wilma)

I see (Wendelin)

And, as expected of Wilma, she apparently didnt understand why there is such an uproar.

Looking at the hand-print on my cheek, she is delighted that it resembles the Grilled Starfish sold at a shop in the capital and gulps down due to hand-print.

Furthermore if you ask why grilled starfish*, maple leaves* cant be found anywhere but in a small region in the north of the Helmut Kingdom.(T/N: What I translated as hand-print, as thats easier to understand in English, is actually momijii or a red maple leaf. Wilma calls it a starfish due to its shape)

It means that theres a problem of popularity.

Dont be immediately kept on a short leash. (Roderich)

Elise usually doesnt speak in such strong way. (Wendelin)

I guess. As Katharina is aiming for the revival of her household, she learned for her treatment to follow that of a noble daughter. (Roderich)

Therefore I was rebuked for having carelessly seen her naked body.

At any rate, no matter how much effort Katharina puts into it, she wont become the head of a noble household herself. (Roderich)

On top of it being no good if it isnt discussed with the royal family and other nobles, she wont receive a favourable answer if she doesnt agree to the condition of taking a husband and giving birth to children no matter what.

If you turn that around, as long as she just swallows that condition, its not such a difficult issue either.

Therefore you should properly discuss those matters with Katharina as well. It will be a loss if we dont win over a magician of such degree. (Roderich)

You, gradually you have become like a nobles retainer. (Wendelin)

Let me take that as compliment. (Roderich)

Anyway, it was decided that I would once speak with Katharina about those matters.

Thats the reason why (Wendelin)

I will discuss it with everyone and then decide. (Katharina)

Everyone? (Wendelin)

The representatives of the former Waigel territorys population and all the former retainers. (Katharina)

When I conveyed Roderichs idea to Katharina, she replied that she will decide once she discussed it with everyone.

The everyone she means are apparently her former retainers and fiefs inhabitants.

Nonetheless, even though her peerage and territory was taken away in the generation of her grandfather, they have a frightening level of loyalty.

In case of the former Baumeister territory, they have grown accustomed to the new feudal lord and governor within one year. (Wendelin)

Thats because its a different territory Can you accompany me since I will discuss it with them? (Katharina)

Got it. (Wendelin)

After sweating at public works once more for around 2 days since the story with Katharina, we travelled to the former Waigel territory with the usual members.

Be that as it may, because Im not very well-versed about places in the former Waigel territory, we cant transfer with teleportation.

The Waigel household was a Knight peerage in the same way as my family has been originally. Their territory was at a place which is approximately one day walk away from the capital.

It was pretty prosperous as Knight household with a population of around 1.000 people.

Cultivating vast agricultural land, they supplied the capital with food. There were many people and goods coming and going as the highway connecting the capital and the West ran through the territory. The territorys condition was very good with it even having shopping districts and post stations.

Certainly, it seems to be a good place with easy access since we arrived at the area in around half day after teleporting to the capital.

If its this location (Wendelin)

Its as you have feared, boy. They were treated as nuisance by the management under the direct control of the kingdom. (Burkhart)

Burkhart-san, who has accompanied us, had heard about the circumstances of the Waigel household from Margrave Breithilde.

In order to change everything in the vicinity of the capital into being under the direct control of the kingdom, a forced relocation of several smaller feudal lords was ordered. (Burkhart)

In exchange they prepared a larger area than their previous territory in the new region.

Apparently there were such conditions, however the location of the former Waigel household is really great.

Its overwhelmingly more appealing than increasing the agricultural production by extending the territory. It seems they really hated to leave this fantastic location with the highway running through it.

No matter which era, its a fact that agriculture isnt very profitable.

It carries importance because people wont survive without food, but its a truth that taking hold of the distribution channels yields a good profit.

Nonetheless, its wrong to refuse an order by the royal family.

Grandfather-sama had no intention to refuse it. (Katharina)

If nobles in the Helmut Kingdom receive such order to relocate to a different domain, they will always decline it at least once.

Even if small, they are nobles after all.

The first time they refuse is to sound out behind closed doors and the next time they will attempt to officially sound out about improving the conditions a bit more.

If one was to ask why they are doing such thing, its because they have to uphold their honour in front of the people below them, even within their own noble household.

We refused it once, but the other side certainly improved the terms.

With such an excuse, they would be able to accept the forced relocation with a peace of mind.

How, troublesome (Wendelin)

Its because thats how nobles are. (Burkhart)(T/N: I swear, the author loves this sentence. Pops up at least once every chapter, should make a hotkey for it.)

Its probably just as Burkhart-san says.

My face has a cramp, but everyone else seems to agree with it.

I might still not have gotten used to this world in those matters.

However, when Grandfather-sama refused once following the custom (Katharina)

He suddenly lost his peerage due to the crime of ignoring the royal familys order.

Once they investigate why something like this happened, they found out that the former Marquis Rckner was involved in it.

Indeed, its no good if customs are violated, no matter whether its an important noble, I end up judging.

Katharina-sama! You have returned!?

As we are walking within the former Waigel territory following the highway while listening to Katharinas story, an elder man, who seems to be around 60 years old, comes running from the direction of the post-station town.

Heinz, you mustnt unreasonably strain yourself since you are already at an old age. (Katharina)

Dont mention it! I will still be in active for quite some time to come. (Heinz)

He seems to be around the same age as Klaus, but it looks like he is still energetic.

Since you are everyones mediator, its indispensable for you to be still in good health. (Katharina)

One way or the other I will last for at least 10 more years. By the way (Heinz)

This is the Dragon-slaying Hero-san from the rumours in the capital. (Katharina)

Katharina-sama has a large, diverse circle of acquaintances. (Heinz)

Thats only natural. (Katharina)

Although she returns to her usual way of speaking again, our meeting was by chance. The impression after seeing her for the first time was the worst.

Therefore its troublesome even if she puts on airs, we thought.

However, its the first time for Katharina-sama to travel with others after you went to the adventurer prep school in the West at the age of 12. (Heinz)

Im picky about choosing my friends. (Katharina)

(Hey, if its about that) (Ina)

(Ina! Dont! Any more is not allowed!) (Wendelin)

Although the first impression of her was really bad, theres a reason why I havent excluded her.

Thats probably because she has spent her childhood in the same way as I did.

Expending hours on magic training, she was basically a loner even in the days at the adventurer prep school. Even when she became an adult, she always acted by herself.

There likely wasnt any true friend to invite to come along and thus she always returned home by herself.

(She is a loner! Just like the old me, she is a loner!) (Wendelin)

A loner will recognise another loner.

Because she fully reminded me of the loner style, I unconsciously ended up inviting her on various occasions.

Moreover, even though she came along while saying it cant be helped as if that was a preface at the beginning, it actually cant be seen as anything but her style to look forward to act together with us more than anyone else.

She didnt once refuse doing jobs like public works either. She was also popular among many workers at the construction sites.

Her tone was the usual one, but it seems she was called Funny nee-chan by many of the rough construction workers.

Also, the slightly haughty speech and conduct of a young lady was similar to their own daughters and thus made them laugh by treating her as joking material.

Katharina-sama, its this hole. Id like you to dig it a bit deeper.

I guess theres no helping you. Carefully observe my grand magic. (Katharina)

As expected of you.

For someone like me thats only natural. (Katharina)

I have a request to such wonderful Katharina-sama.

Leave it to me. (Katharina)

Furthermore, it seems they also asked her to do additional work by skilfully flattering her.

(Wend. You)

(I was a loner until the age of 12. Well, Katharina is even now continuing to be one) (Wendelin)

(Wend, I think thats cruel).

How about some tea for our important guests as well? (Heinz)

Being led by the elder called Heinz, we head towards his home.

Along the way there was a mansion which was more gorgeous than my home although we were a Knight household as well, but that mansion was originally the main residence of the former Waigel household.

Now it has become the residence of governor-sama. (Heinz)

Heinz tone was cold.

From his point of view, someone like the governor is illegally occupying the mansion of his lord and is at the same level as yakuza, I guess.

Its a provocation that a relative of the Rckner household always acts as governor. (Heinz)

Its not like he is taking taxes illegally by ignoring the law, but for him only the feeling of the Rckner family indulging in the governors wages by crushing the Waigel territory exists.

The fiefs population and the retainers wont do something like rebelling, however they kept their association with the governor extremely dry.

This here is my residence. (Heinz)

The household of Heinz seems to originally have a family lineage of being the Junior Commander of the Waigel household.

The size of his mansion ranked next to that of the mansion of the former Waigel household.

Moreover, once we entered the grounds, around 20 men of various ages lay in wait there.

According to Heinz, all of them are people from families such as retainers, subordinate warriors and village headmen.

Ooh! Katharina-sama has returned!

You have become even more beautiful.

It looks like theres guests as well.

They say he is the Dragon-slaying Hero-sama. (Heinz)

Hee, despite being this young, he is an important personage.

Everyone, I have returned today because there is something very important to discuss. (Katharina)

Although being a loner, it appears that Katharina has been dearly loved by her former retainers and fiefs inhabitants.

Once listening to Heinz-san, she, who possessed talent in magic, earned money by hunting and such while training her magic from a very young age in order to revive her esteemed household in this city. Then she went to a western adventurer prep school, where the eyes of the hateful Marquis Rckner household doesnt reach, and became a money-earning adventurer in the West.

Her grandfather, who was the family head, died from illness immediately following the shock of loosing the peerage. Her parents overworked themselves for the sake of reviving the household, fell ill and followed her grandfather into death before long.

She, who remained behind by herself at the mere age of 5 years, conducted herself as family head of the Waigel household from then on.

Katharina-sama continues to put great efforts into the revival of her household as she understood the suffering of the previous generation and the regrets of future generations at a very young age. This Heinz will stay a loyal retainer of the Waigel household until Im reduced to ashes. (Heinz)

It seems to be the same for the other people gathered.

They refused the invitation of the governor, who has been dispatched by the Rckner household to retire from his high-ranking government job by taking a lucrative post, and while making a living as merchants, craftsmen, hunters, wealthy farmers and such, they didnt miss training and studying for the time when the Waigel household would be revived.

Moreover, without people dropping out even if there was a generation change, there were also many young people among the bunch that has gathered here.

(A threatening loyalty! Are you guys Mikawa samurai*!?) (Wendelin)(T/N: Warriors serving the Tokugawa household as retainers. Google if you want to know more)

Or rather, although its not like he has been imposing misgovernment, the side of the governor, who isnt able to do anything but the least amount of associating with them up until now, is slightly pitiable.

As a matter of fact I was able to seize a clue for the revival of my esteemed household. (Katharina)

Is that the truth?

Great! While Im still alive, the Waigel household will

The room has been wrapped up in great joy in an instant.

It turned into a state where the elder people are shedding tears in delight.

I have put earnest efforts into becoming a noble by raising achievements. But, even though I saved up money, the revival of my esteemed household didnt get any closer at all. Thats because Im a woman. (Katharina)

Due to Katharinas statement, everyone quiets down in an instant.

Probably all of them had actually realized that very fact in the innermost depths of their hearts.

Accordingly, I decided to change my thinking. I will become the wife of Wendelin-sama, who is standing here, and our child will succeed the Waigel household. (Katharina)

Ooh~~~~!

Thats wonderful!

As expected of Katharina-sama!

It seems Katharina has chosen that path after all.

If she aims for the revival of her family by marrying the second or third son of some strange noble, there is the danger of it being usurped by their home, but my home doesnt have such leeway. Even me myself, I dont have the spare time to intervene in the territory of someone else while my own territory is in such a state.

From Katharinas standpoint Im the better choice.

However, there is no way for it to happen in this territory. Its necessary to change our residence. Therefore its no problem if its only those who want to follow me. Those who wont come with me will receive an appropriate reward from me. You have my gratitude from the bottom of my heart for serving this temporarily collapsed household up until now. (Katharina)

Katharina has probably received education for such a situation as well.

She brought it to a finish with a speech befitting of a noble daughter.

I will follow you! Even to the furthest hinterlands!

Me too! My family should agree with it as well!

I will accompany you, too!

There arent any inconveniences in regards to things like shopping, the capital is close and the agricultural land is abundant as well.

I have a feeling that this place is similar to a divine realm, however there wasnt a single person among those gathered in this room who wanted to stay behind.

Everyone seems to greatly enjoy relocating to a new territory if it means the revival of their esteemed household.

Its a mystery, isnt it? (Heinz)

Yes, its convenient to live in this place after all. (Wendelin)

Isnt everyone excitedly cheering in great joy? It looks like Heinz noticed my surprised expression.

Certainly, its a fact that its easy and convenient to live here, but (Heinz)

The former Waigel territory has a population of 1000 people.

Since it couldnt support any more than those, it seems that the cases, where children and such had to relocate to other places, increased.

Even though its normal for a child to leave their parents, its also lonely being unable to see the faces of their grandchildren owed to being apart very far. (Heinz)

In regards to that, the land, which I will likely distribute from the Savage Lands, has a big leeway for exploitation.

Even regarding its convenience, it will probably improve largely once the development of my territory advances.

Its future prospects are definitely superior. I believe there will be many coming along. (Heinz)

Since thats the case, the match will be decided tomorrow, I guess? (Katharina)

The match? (Wendelin)

I will go to request the relocation from the household which fabricated the cause of the Waigel households change of rank. (Katharina)

Its a request, or rather laying the necessary groundwork.

Although they have the permission from the royal family, it will become troublesome if they hinder the relocation in anger due to not being consulted with beforehand.

I see, thats important. (Wendelin)

That day we enjoyed the party organized by Heinz group and stayed for the night in an inn managed by a former retainer.

The next day we transferred to the capital with teleportation once again and met with a certain person.

Son-in-law-dono. Its a great pleasure to see you in good health. (Hohenheim)

Umm (Wendelin)

At present Earl Baumeister-sama has a momentum not loosing out to a flying bird. It also cant be helped if you increase the number of wives by one. (Hohenheim)

We met with Cardinal Hohenheim who calls me Son-in-law-dono for some reason despite being a non-consanguineous grandfather, but even while not expressing any complaints about the increase of my wives, he pointed a sharp and proper look at Katharina.

Im honoured to meet you. My name is Katharina von Waigel. (Katharina)

The daughter of that Waigel household which is a famous magician in the West, huh? (Hohenheim)

Im much obliged to meet you today. (Katharina)

Currently son-in-law-dono is still lacking many people. Katharina-jou will support son-in-law-dono and your child will support the Earl Baumeister household as family head of the Waigel household. If you can bear in mind your duties, I wont be averse to cooperate with you either. (Hohenheim)

Thank you very much. (Katharina)

As expected, even Katharina got apparently overwhelmed by the aura of an important noble who survived in the central government for many years.

She gave her greetings meekly.

Also, its probably because he truly holds his granddaughter, Elise, precious.

In order to not shake her position as first wife, he will certainly cooperate with us.

You seem to be doing fine as well, Elise. (Hohenheim)

Yes. Its because Wendelin-sama is very kind. (Elise)

Is that so? Im looking forward to your wedding then. (Hohenheim)

Usually he was a cardinal of the church, which is a den of demons, and an important appointed noble of the central government, but he changes into a good-natured old man doting on his granddaughter if he is in front of Elise.

Therefore one can expect him to not show any mercy at all towards fellows who try to endanger her position as first wife.

Katharina, who sensed that, immediately became obedient.

Well then, lets go? By the way, you are quiet today, Burkhart. (Hohenheim)

Im merely acting as guard. (Burkhart)

Lets pretend it just like that, I guess? Whats Margrave Breithildes thoughts on this case? (Hohenheim)

He is thinking that it was quite fortunate? (Burkhart)

Well, I guess so. Even for Finance Minister Rckner the wrongdoings of his predecessor are something troubling. Also, the Earl Liliental household acted quite foolishly. (Hohenheim)

I was able to follow vaguely.

In short, if his predecessor didnt force the change of ranks, there wouldnt be any reason for Minister Rckner to be hated by the useful magician called Katharina. Thats because she would be under the control of the Earl Liliental household.

Did the Earl Liliental household mention anything after you became famous, Katharina? (Wendelin)

Yes. Coming from the third son who is around 40 years old, it was Since Im able to revive the Waigel household, become my wife. (Katharina)

And? (Wendelin)

I told him to sleep-talk while he is asleep. (Katharina)

Since he is the third son of a big noble so far as it goes, it might have been wrong to use such reckless remark, however Im able to understand her notion quite well.

So, will I become your husband? I dont particularly believe that Im such a handsome man either though. (Wendelin)

Arent you dependable and dont you have a big wallet, Wendelin-san? Theres nothing as important as this as requirement for a husband. (Katharina)

Since this place is different from Japan, it rarely happens that the spouse is chosen for loves sake.

That doesnt mean that Katharinas view is too dry either.

Besides, its fun to be together with you, Wendelin-san. Because you treat even a woman like me normally (Katharina)

Saying this much, Katharina casts her eyes down while her face turns bright red.

She became dere*.(T/N: showing a lovestruck/affectionate side, as she is atsundere, the tsun part would be her being defiant.)

She became dere, yes.

She turned dere.

She became dere.

Hey, Elise. Is that word dere a fad in the South? (Hohenheim)

Of course it didnt become something like a fad in this world at all, but since I unconsciously ended up referring to her as such, it reached the point that even Inas group was using it in regards to Katharina.

Oh well, I guess its fine? Lets quickly go to the mansion of Minister Rckner. (Hohenheim)

For the sake of negotiating the revival of the Waigel household, we hurried towards the Rckner mansion.

That Cardinal Hohenheim?

That man has many worries recently.