ALL NOVEL Chapter 175
175. Arranged Marriages Are Just Part Of The Deal For Big Shots, Isn’t It?
Nobuna’s bombshell left all of us utterly dumbfounded.
Well, all of us except the person in question—Myrna—who simply looked up with a puzzled “Huh?”
Nobuna, either oblivious to the stares or deliberately ignoring them, pushed forward without reading the room.
“I think Myrna and Kanetsugu are a good match age-wise. If the kingdom really wants to foster goodwill, this is a solid idea.”
Myrna, finally grasping the situation, turned pale and clung to Persia.
Seeing this, I couldn’t help but leap to my feet.
“No way!”
I wasn’t even sure why I shouted. I just instinctively knew it couldn’t happen.
The thought of a terrified, trembling Myrna shook her head stuck in my mind.
“Myrna’s off-limits!”
At my protest, Myrna blinked in surprise before giving me a small, happy smile.
I vowed then and there to protect her.
But Nobuna tilted her head at me in confusion.
“You’re not Myrna’s parent or sibling, are you? Marriage is decided by the parents, isn’t it? Or is it different in your kingdom?”
“Uh?! Well, that’s…”
Even among us commoners, marriage is often arranged by parents. For nobles, it’s even more the norm.
Nobuna wasn’t wrong. But still…
As I fumbled for a reply, Shingen jumped in.
“Hmm! That sounds splendid! Kyle-dono, your sister is a fine match for Kanetsugu—truly a treasure! What say you?”
Without thinking, I blurted out a response.
“Shingen-sama! Unfortunately, Myrna’s grades are terrible!”
“Hmm?”
“While Kyle excels spectacularly, Myrna tends to slack off in her studies at school!”
Silence.
A heavy silence descended on the room.
…Wait, what?
Some people stared blankly, others groaned while holding their foreheads, and Persia looked at me like she wanted to murder me.
And Myrna? She glared icily, her gaze colder than the depths of winter.
Aaaahhh!
I’ve really done it now!
I grabbed my head and rolled on the floor in despair.
Kyle, wearing a strained smile, straightened up and addressed the room.
“Shingen-sama, while Myrna is with me as my sister today, she is actually the daughter of Margrave Veil Road. Thus, decisions about her marriage rest with her father, the Margrave. I cannot provide an answer here.”
“Hmm? I see. Then at least relay the proposal.”
“I’ll convey it, though I expect it will be difficult.”
As the two discussed, I exhaled in relief.
No matter who it is, I want Myrna to find a partner she’s truly happy with.
“Then, Kyle-dono, how about Nobuna as your match!”
This time, Shingen dropped his own bombshell!
“Hm. Kyle is cute, but I’d prefer a warrior.”
Nobuna murmured, revealing her own feelings but not outright rejecting the idea.
Ultimately, parental decisions took precedence.
“Shingen-sama, I appreciate the offer, but discussions are underway for me to marry someone from the royal bloodline.”
What!?
This is news to me!
But thinking about it, it makes sense. With Kyle’s status, there’s no way Van would let him go easily.
Still, wouldn’t that mean Kyle might end up with someone the same age as his dad’s wife?
Most of the eligible brides would be just barely adults…
“Hmm. Then there’s no forcing the matter. Still, pass along the message.”
“Understood. I’ll inform His Majesty and my father.”
“I hope something moves forward on either front. Gwahahaha!”
Despite his words, Shingen had clearly already moved on.
He quickly shifted back to talking about food. Hanbei, looking disappointed, began discussing politics with Kyle.
Phew. Crisis averted.
“Anyway, could you show me Raidoc’s sword? It looks like quite the masterpiece.”
Raidoc, sandwiched between Solar and Eva while wolfing down food, raised his head.
Solar and Eva leaned protectively toward him, wary of Nobuna.
Apparently, Nobuna wasn’t entirely dense and immediately grasped the dynamic between the three.
“Relax. I’m just interested as a warrior. I’m not going to take it.”
At her words, Solar relaxed while Eva remained suspicious. Their contrasting reactions were amusing.
“I don’t mind showing it, but may I retrieve the weapon?”
Raidoc gestured toward his sword, propped up near the entrance.
Except for Persia’s, all weapons had been stored in one place.
Kyle had explained to me that this practice was more symbolic than practical.
Even without weapons, there were countless ways to attack—magic, bare-handed skills, and so on.
Thus, people with influence typically relied on a large retinue of guards.
That’s why it was surprising to see only Shingen, Hanbei, and Nobuna present at the earlier meeting.
With permission, Raidoc retrieved his weapon and handed Nobuna his prized Orichalcum sword, crafted by Leefan.
As she slowly unsheathed it, the blade glimmered, catching the flickering candlelight.
Waves of light rippled across the polished surface.
After staring at it silently for a while, Nobuna finally whispered.
“…Incredible.”
She let out a slow breath, seemingly out of words.
Noticing this, Shingen lumbered over to inspect the sword himself.
“Oh… This is…”
With a soft hum, the sword flashed through the air, accompanied by a faint ching.
Despite swinging it, the blade was suddenly sheathed.
Moments later, a nearby candle split into three pieces and fell.
“Huh?”
As we struggled to grasp what had happened, Raidoc calmly explained.
“Impressive, Shingen-sama. Cutting just one of a row of candles without using swordsmanship—what a feat. Even slicing through all of them would be challenging.”
Apparently, Shingen had swung the blade faster than my eyes could follow. This old man is terrifying!
“Gwahahaha! I didn’t expect you to dodge, Raidoc! Well done!”
“I’d lose my charm without my bangs.”
Wait, what?
My confusion must have been obvious, as Nobuna leaned in to explain.
“Grandpa tried to snip a few of Raidoc’s bangs. But since he dodged, Grandpa took his frustration out on the candles. Even I could barely see what happened, but Raidoc avoided it effortlessly.”
Seriously? I didn’t see a thing.
“Shingen-sama is amazing.”
“But that guy dodging Grandpa’s sword? That’s even more amazing. Kingdom swordsmen are monsters.”
“No way anyone could use Raidoc as the standard.”
Even among adventurers of the Golden Dawn or Elixir soldiers, Raidoc’s strength was in a league of its own. Comparing them to him would be cruel.
“That Kunoichi’sgirl must be pretty skilled, too.”
“Well… those guys are exceptions.”
“And being with them doesn’t make you one?”
Who knows?
In my eyes, I’m still far from catching up to Jabeel-sensei.
Thanks to my crest, I can create many things, but my teacher has elevated alchemy through knowledge and research.
He’s the real deal. I have a long way to go.
“I’m just tagging along because my position allows it.”
“Hmm?”
Nobuna leaned in, scrutinizing me closely.
Uh, too close!
Even though I knew she didn’t mean anything by it, part of me couldn’t help but wonder, “Does she like me?”
Stop messing with my head!
As I leaned away, my gaze accidentally met Eva’s.
Yikes. Her icy glare chilled me to the bone.
Then Myrna suddenly stood, marched over, and began lightly kicking me.
Trailing behind her, Persia stared down at me with eyes colder than the deepest, frozen abyss.
Why do girls look at boys who approach other girls as if they’re dirty!?
I have no ulterior motives! Really! Believe me!
Nobuna looked at Myrna’s actions and the gazes of those around her, then said, “Hmm?” with a smile of amusement.
“Craft, you can just get away with it.”
Jitarou… you’re mistaken about something.
And so the lunch, which lasted until the night, came to an end.