By Zephyria 
I listened blankly to the steady stream of words. My mind was hazy, and I couldn’t tell if what she was saying was right or wrong. According to Poplar, acting like a helpless baby bird was the way to easily catch her eye, but would one act so weakly in front of their mother-in-law? Traditionally, a son-in-law should be reliable and steadfast, someone who can protect one’s daughter… no, son, wouldn’t he? I wondered if Poplar Kiadris didn’t know any better because she didn’t have children yet. She couldn’t possibly feel the same way about a potential son-in-law as she would about a cute woman.
Furthermore, Hestia Yeldidus was Ruben’s close friend and colleague. I was worried about causing trouble for Ruben’s acquaintance and getting caught in the crossfire, so I couldn’t immediately agree.
“Do you intend to harm her?”
“No.”
“…Then, why go out of your way?”
“I want her to cry and cling to me, begging for my affection. I want her to regret not holding onto me when she had the chance.”
“…How?”
“That’s what I need to figure out starting now.”
“So, what Lady Kiadris wants is… Duke Yeldidus to beg you for love… is that right?”
“…”
“…”
A faint, creaking sound was heard.
“I don’t know.”
“Hmm… I’ll think about it for now.”
I absolutely must seek advice from those who would know about this.
Still, the remaining time was spent quite fruitfully. Poplar Kiadris taught me how to converse with the Empress Dowager, including Fan Language. She taught me the Empress Dowager’s favorite and disliked foods, her preferred and disliked actions, and how to respond by mimicking her subtle habits, such as her behavior or expressions when she was tired or happy, like an actress.
For example, she explained that when the Empress Dowager wanted to test someone, she would pretend to be left-handed during the first meeting, turning the teacup. If one acted gracefully, handling the teapot or utensils with their left hand in response, they would receive bonus points.
When I asked if I could take notes while listening to her explanations, I was told it was absolutely impossible as these were tips that should not be recorded. She said she would repeat them many times, so I should memorize them properly, and I dejectedly nodded.
If I unfolded the fan to show only two ribs and tapped my right cheek, it meant I was joking. If I unfolded it to show four or five ribs and simply held it in my hand, it meant a secret conversation was needed…
❖ ❖ ❖
I was utterly exhausted.
If I had channeled my renewed spirit into sword practice, I wouldn’t have been tired even after a full day, but conversations in high society were like a game of Go; one could easily lose their home without realizing it. While learning incredibly delicate and trivial movements and actions since morning, my heated head felt warm.
So now, right after finishing lunch, I, who was receiving a more comfortable guest, lay half-reclined on the sofa in a completely relaxed posture. Marianne and Damian, sitting side-by-side opposite me, listened to my story while munching on snacks.
“…The same thing happened.”
“Wow… I really couldn’t imagine. Lady Poplar Kiadris didn’t seem like that type at all.”
“What type?”
“She seemed like someone who wouldn’t utter the word ‘love.’ Like she’d been hurt quite a bit.”
Who didn’t know about the complicated family history of the Duke Kiadris family? I just smiled bitterly.
“Come to think of it, Edwin Kiadris also said he would demand a dowry from Hestia. I wonder if Poplar’s misunderstanding wasn’t due to that…”
“What? No, originally, the Kiadris family should be preparing the dowry, right? That senior is truly amazing.”
“Does it work that way?”
“If the spouse of a title holder does not legally produce an heir and the title holder dies, the spouse, whether husband or wife, has no inheritance rights. This is to prevent cases where a spouse murders the title holder immediately after marriage to embezzle the title and fortune.”
“Hmm.”
“In such a difficult situation, people marry with a dowry and precious jewels packed to sustain the family and look towards the future. So, in your and the other person’s case, it’s right for Lady Poplar to bring the dowry. Hestia is a Duke, after all.”
“…Uh-huh. Then, what about my and Ruben’s case?”
“Well, one is the Emperor, an omnipotent ruler, and Mikael is also scheduled to receive a Dukedom, so you both have a lot to bring. You just need to find a good financial manager or a suitable person.”
“…I see.”
As my status was restored, my existing assets also became mine again. It was an amount that seemed endless for one person’s consumption, but as I thought about rebuilding the vast ducal territory, it felt somewhat tight. I had never lived frugally after being reborn, so I didn’t know how much I needed to save. Ugh, I let out a pained breath and covered my face with both hands. Even while I was still, Marianne and Damian’s conversation flowed into my ears.
“Do you have anyone to recommend, Damian? Someone passionate who feels they’ve fallen into a rut working at the Imperial Palace and wants to build everything from scratch in a more passionate and chaotic territory?”
“Haha, everyone around me is content with the comforts of the city and sings praises of the Empire’s peace.”
“Honestly, that’s why law students are like that.”
“However, it might be different in about 3 to 4 years when a certain level of safety is guaranteed. I have high expectations too. I heard that the land lease rights are being distributed preferentially after identifying the land deeds of the existing Grimsvein retainers, is that correct? I’ve already heard of people buying and selling land deeds.”
“Ah… Is that so?”
“Is this Duke Ernhardt’s Territory, or Duke Sierren’s Territory?”
I had entrusted everything to Ruben to the point where I wondered if I should have left even these things to him. Marianne’s scolding was understandable. Lacking the strength to respond properly, I said something vague.
“I should have learned how to become a Duke during my bright and energetic Academy days.”
“Say something sensible. There’s no way such a curriculum would exist.”
“There were similar things. Business ethics, independent and proactive territory management, agricultural and logistics theory, and the like.”
“…”
“It’s a shame you couldn’t see Mikael dozing off in class.”
I had no words to refute.
Recalling memories from my Academy days was always amusing and fun. Various stories were exchanged. How the survival class Marianne and I took was ultimately useless, or how I satisfied my longing for the sea, which I couldn’t see during the camping class, with Yulan. My companions laughed joyfully at these tales.
Naturally, the names of various Academy professors came up. Stories like Professor Cedric, who taught Alchemy, becoming too busy after inventing a remarkable new drug and quitting his professorship; Professor Angela Sting, who taught Magic, eventually opening a practical class on sparring with swordsmen; and Walter Orgen still occasionally bringing flowers to visit Professor Calypse Agrigent, all seemed incredibly cheerful.
“I’m thinking of visiting the professors again soon, would you like to come with me?”
“Aren’t you going to visit Professor Maelo Sanson? What would we do going with you?”
“No, Marianne, you were also close with Professor Douglas Mustang, weren’t you?”
“…Ah. That’s…”
What’s wrong? Marianne’s tone became quite somber, so I sat up straight. Marianne, who had only opened her mouth but couldn’t speak properly, turned around and tugged at Damian’s sleeve, urging him on. Damian, who had been hesitating with us, let his eyebrows droop and forced himself to speak.
“Before… before the nature of the portal was revealed, didn’t the Empire’s wizards research teleportation magic?”
“…Yes. No, surely…”
“Professor Douglas Mustang volunteered for the first teleportation magic demonstration and hasn’t returned for four years. The Mustang Marquisate has already opened his will and distributed his assets.”
“Such…”
Now that I thought about it, a long time ago, Spiritus and Hugh Benson had visited the Academy together. I remembered hearing stories about encountering mana from another world in one of the Academy’s lecture halls, or about two knights and two wizards volunteering for an experiment and entering a torn space. Douglas Mustang was a researcher full of curiosity and confident in his own abilities. He was unmarried even at his age, so he had no family to be responsible for. Thus, he would have been interested in experiments held in places as close as the Academy. But that was…
…
Unexpected partings are always bitter and painful.
With nothing to say, I sat quietly and reached for my teacup. Without anyone asking, we all took a sip of tea and observed a moment of silence.
“He went out like a true professor until the very end.”
“That’s right. I was surprised too, as I was planning to visit Professor Mustang again because of the Hip-Circlet. The Mustang Marquisate has been consistently requesting the resumption of the experiment, but Spiritus told them not to touch the portal, saying it was dangerous… Well, it’s a distant prospect.”
“…Actually, I think we humans might be able to use the portal.”
“Yes? How?”
“I have some magic formulas I brought back.”
I calmly explained the memories of the Ninth God remaining in my mind and the method for safely using the portal that the First Goddess had taught me. Marianne produced paper and a pen, allowing me to sketch the magic circle and formulas left in my memory. With Marianne occasionally correcting my miswritten words on the spot, a rather plausible magic circle took shape even under my clumsy grip.
I had only thought of using it as a more convenient means of transportation, but if this was a way to carry on Professor Mustang’s legacy, I had to approach it with a more serious mindset. I wanted to open the path he had wished to open. And…
“Once the portal is completed, it would be fitting to name it after Professor Mustang.”
“For a researcher, there’s no greater honor. Shall I find out the names of the other three experimental volunteers as well?”
“I would be grateful if you would.”
“I’ll keep the magic circle you drew now and take it to the First Magic Tower after getting His Majesty’s permission. If there’s anything else progressing or if you have questions, feel free to barge into the Imperial Palace even at dawn.”
“If possible, please come after nine in the morning.”
“What? You don’t do dawn training anymore?”
“…Ruben, he hasn’t been sleeping well lately.”
“…”
“…”
As Damian ran a hand down his face, Marianne let out a deliberately loud, exaggerated sigh.
“What a sight, truly.”