Battle Race in the Fantasy World

Battle Race in the Fantasy World – 104

EP.104 Good Changes, Bad Changes

Seeing a Grand Duke for the second time, the first being Grand Duke Schrelitz.

The highest nobility of the Empire, untouchable by anyone except the Emperor and the heirs to the throne.

A family that could maintain a significant number of subordinates even when the military power of other nobles was strictly limited.

Not a joke, but a person with the power to wipe out a mountain with a single word.

‘Such a person is drinking tea in a café like this.’

It felt like cognitive dissonance, but on second thought, it wasn’t impossible.

Even the princess had left the palace to attend the academy.

There was no rule that a Grand Duke had to stay cooped up in their castle.

They just stayed put because their movements caused chaos around them.

“Father.”

As Elga bowed her head, Kyle also showed his respect.

Regardless of being a Grand Duke, he was an elder, deserving of respect.

“You’ve come.”

Looking at his daughter and then at the young man beside her,

Grand Duke Aias Mentain de Littorio acknowledged their greetings with a light gesture.

“Sit. This place isn’t suitable for a long stay.”

As the two sat across from him, the owner quickly brought out tea.

Given the stature of the guest and the substantial payment received, it was a fitting response.

Kyle carefully observed Grand Duke Littorio for the first time.

Unlike the former top ten Grand Duke Schrelitz, he seemed like an ordinary person of moderate fitness.

He hadn’t completely neglected exercise, but he didn’t have a robust physique either.

At this rate, it seemed he would soon suffer from various ailments.

‘Should I ask if he exercises?’

The tension of meeting a Grand Duke face-to-face? There was none of that.

Rather, having seen so many robust individuals, Kyle found Grand Duke Littorio quite worrisome.

“You seem deep in thought.”

“Pardon?”

“Never mind. It’s rude to keep someone for long on a weekend.”

Grand Duke Littorio, unaware of Kyle’s true thoughts, could only assume that Kyle was deep in thought because of their meeting.

“I assume my daughter has roughly explained the situation to you, Kyle.”

“Yes, she has. And please feel free to address me informally, Your Excellency.”

“I am addressing you informally. It’s more important that we discuss more significant matters than titles, don’t you think?”

“You are absolutely right.”

Expanding the gym was a very important matter. Absolutely.

First, it should be expanded twofold, no, threefold, with twice as much equipment.

Additionally, a shower room should be added, and if possible, it should be divided into beginner and advanced sections….

“Thank you. Because of you, I was able to quietly resolve a difficult situation.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ blunder could politically implicate Littorio.

Especially for a Grand Duke’s family, which was both vast and subject to scrutiny.

Thus, both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Littorio were grateful to Jonathan for resolving the issue without major problems.

“I was just doing what I had to do.”

“What you had to do.”

“Power gained not through rightful effort but by ruining one’s own body should be erased from this world. If left unchecked, those who make rightful efforts will suffer.”

Grand Duke Littorio murmured, “Is that so,” and smiled as if it didn’t matter.

Regardless of the reason, he had benefited from Jonathan.

Within the family, there were still those who felt uneasy about Jonathan for injuring the young lord.

However, compared to the initial reaction, that sentiment had significantly diminished.

“I heard you received a medal directly from the royal family. Congratulations, though it’s late. And Littorio also wants to give you a gift as a token of gratitude by donating to the academy. My daughter told me that you are dedicated to exercise, Kyle. So, we are considering expanding the training hall. What do you think?”

What do I think, Your Excellency? Of course, I’m all for it! I would be overwhelmingly grateful if you did!

Maintaining a poker face was necessary, but it was proving to be quite difficult.

Now he understood why his stoic brother would smile happily in front of new exercise equipment.

“I think it’s a wonderful idea.”

He tried hard to keep a neutral expression, but the corners of his mouth had already lifted.

Seeing this, Grand Duke Littorio was convinced that his and his daughter’s expectations were correct.

‘Good. He’s not just satisfied; he’s very pleased.’

Why else would he have come here, and unofficially at that?

It was to establish a new connection with Jonathan without overly provoking the royal family.

He acted before it was too late, before other Grand Duke families made their move.

‘People remember two kinds of visitors, the first to arrive and the last to come.’

The first to seek out talent should, of course, be the royal family.

That’s why no one approached Jonathan until the royal family had awarded the medal and discussed the elevation of his title.

And now, the royal family had completed everything.

They had shown everyone that Jonathan was a noble of the Empire and someone who respected the Emperor.

Even if it wasn’t genuine, even if it was just for show, it didn’t matter much.

After all, the world and people focus all their attention on such appearances.

Now, the question was, which of the Grand Dukes would extend their hand to Jonathan first?

It was heard that Grand Duke Schrelitz had already shown subtle friendliness by heading to the battlefield with Jonathan.

So, the remaining ones were Littorio and Bayen.

How would they create good memories with the suddenly prominent Jonathan?

In this invisible ranking competition, Littorio moved first.

The Grand Duke made an unofficial move, meeting directly in this small café.

‘Grand Duke Bayen must be feeling quite frustrated. He must have sensed the potential for profit from this young man, but he’s been tied up with issues from the Ministry of Finance.’

The military budget calculated by the Ministry of Finance and the support funds Bayen had pushed through under royal pressure.

Thanks to Jonathan, a significant portion of that budget remained unused. In fact, it was hardly spent at all.

The Ministry of Finance was busy reallocating that budget, and Bayen found himself in a difficult position.

Should they reclaim the support funds, or just consider it a contribution to the Empire?

There were even reports that Grand Duke Bayen had personally visited the Ministry of Finance.

He had no interest in power or martial arts. His sole focus was on wealth.

That was Bayen. If something or someone seemed profitable, they would invest without hesitation.

And they would always claim their rightful reward, never crossing the line.

They knew well that risking one’s life for a single coin could indeed lead to losing one’s head.

Thus, while they were greedy for wealth, they never let that wealth bring them misfortune.

‘Anyway, thanks to this, I avoided being the last. Or perhaps, it might be even better this way.’

Judging by the reaction, it was clear that they had targeted the right aspect.

Elga had said that he would be happier about this than receiving a medal.

Honestly, he had doubted it. How could anything be more pleasing than a royal medal?

But now, it was evident that his daughter’s prediction was accurate.

“…Your Excellency, about the equipment to be placed inside. There are so many things currently missing. It’s not just about increasing the size or area, the contents inside need to be drastically improved.”

“Is that so?”

From the moment he received the letter, he realized that Jonathan was different from what the rumors suggested.

And seeing him in person, he understood why his daughter was so eager.

This young man seemed like someone who would positively influence his people in any way.

After all, he was the youngest in the family. He wasn’t an heir, and there was no reason to keep him tied there.

People from Jonathan had never left their hometown, but he heard it wasn’t enforced.

And this Kyle sitting in front of him seemed to have plans to stay in the Empire rather than return to Jonathan.

‘His Majesty the Emperor must have noticed this early on, which is why he took such steps.’

That meant the man in front of him was someone the royal family desired.

Therefore, coveting him was burdensome. Even if they desired him, it would be difficult to claim him.

Knowing this, Elga was even more eager.

“Yes. And the most important thing is that there is no shower room nearby. Many people find this inconvenient, and I fully agree. So….”

Unaware of the Grand Duke’s thoughts, Kyle excitedly continued discussing the expansion of the gym.

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“How was it?”

After Kyle, who had an appointment in the afternoon, said, “I’ll be off now!” and disappeared,

Elga fiddled with her teacup and looked at her father, Grand Duke Littorio.

“Does my opinion matter?”

At the Grand Duke’s rhetorical question, Elga couldn’t help but smile.

Indeed, why would his opinion matter? The important thing was herself and the other party.

“Know one thing for sure.”

Grand Duke Littorio began to prepare to leave, putting on his outer coat.

“The royal family has awarded Jonathan a medal and elevated his title. They intend to raise Jonathan higher. Socially, in status, in every way. Do you know what this means?”

“…Yes, I do.”

“What does it mean?”

At the Grand Duke’s words, Elga swallowed once and answered.

“It means the royal family has their eyes on Kyle. Specifically, as a member of the royal family.”

“Correct. Everything shown so far is part of a plan that would cause no issues even if connected to the royal family. The Emperor’s medal and the elevation by royal decree. With those two, there would be no problem connecting directly to the royal family.”

“…..”

“Elga Bless de Littorio. You must compete with the royal family.”

Each word was like a sharp dagger.

Competing with the royal family. The burden of those words was immense beyond imagination.

Judging by the current atmosphere, she could roughly guess who her opponent would be.

“You will definitely lose as you are now. You can’t win. Do you understand that?”

“…Yes.”

“Yet, you still desire it. Is that correct?”

“…Yes, that’s correct.”

She had to admit it. She couldn’t win as she was now.

With just the title of the Lady of the Grand Duke Littorio’s family, she couldn’t surpass it, no matter what.

But.

“If it’s my future self, it might be different.”

“Your future self. What is your future self?”

At her father’s question, the daughter answered.

“…The future Grand Duke of Littorio.”

At that answer, Grand Duke Littorio smirked.

“Do you desire the position of Grand Duke just for one man?”

“Of course not.”

“Then?”

“Among the things I can gain by becoming the Grand Duke, he is one of them. That’s why I want to become the Grand Duke.”

At his daughter’s cold answer, Grand Duke Littorio laughed.

Would she really be able to keep her word? Would that man truly be secondary to her?

Or would the position of Grand Duke merely be a stepping stone to gain one man?

“Try your best. Surpass your brother, Elga Bless de Littorio.”