How to Live as a Tyrant’s Spoiled Brat Chapter 277

(277)

Jaylilith took a letter out of the drawer and handed it to me.

“A few days ago, a knight from the East came flying in on a wyvern and presented it to me.”

I carefully unfolded the letter.

[… … It is a time when a powerful fire mage who can be the best force in naval battles, an empire's dragonblood royal family that will recognize sovereignty, and an outstanding strategist are all needed… … ]

That letter, which began with 'To the Sun of the Empire', was ultimately aimed at me alone, even though it was beating around the bush and twisting the words.

“Pyromancer, Dragonblood Prince, Strategist. It seems she really likes you.”

Jaylilith muttered softly.

The voice was strangely calm, and the backlight made it difficult to see the expression on his face.

I chose my words with inward nervousness.

“While Your Majesty boldly entered the Demon Realm and treated the evil hordes as they deserved, she, as a great lord of the empire, dispatched her troops to help maintain order and capture the invaders. At that time, I, who was acting as the regent, had many things to do with her… … .”

Jaylilith sneered lowly.

“It is. I can tell without even looking at it. As soon as the load was gone, the greedy white shark would rush in and chew you up, and you, who needed troops to maintain order, would have displayed a noble spirit of sacrifice.”

“You are correct,” he said, trying to please her.

But my mouth wouldn't open.

Countless emotions ran through my head.

I was afraid that Jaylilith would hate the fact that I had taken a liking to Cariosa, and I doubted whether I had really taken a liking to Cariosa that day, and at the same time I felt ashamed of myself for doubting it, and I was afraid that Jaylilith would notice that ugliness and despise it.

As expected, I have too many thoughts and my conscience is left ambiguous.

If anything, it seemed that the real reason wasn't longing, lust, or at least a sense of sacrifice.

“It wasn’t just the noble spirit of sacrifice… ….”

I couldn't do anything and just watched Jaylilith's expression.

Jaylilith lightly touched my temple.

“I knew it.”

"yes?"

“The Archduke of Cariosa must have penetrated deep into your heart with his bold attitude. You have never been honest with your desires, so you must have lost your mind with a mixture of longing, yearning, lust, and blood-borne passion.”

“… … .”

“I will praise you for not apologizing. If you just keep it in your head, anything is fine. Anyway, you can go to the East. No. Go. The pirates’ resistance is resistance, and the kings of the Eastern Continent beyond that must be kept in check. While you’re at it, it would be good to also inspect the Asenorta family.”

I nodded with a stiff face.

Cariosa was a powerful lord who fought a two-front war with the Eastern Continent and Jerilis before returning.

However, the pirates currently in the three archipelagos will be different from the regular pirates she was used to dealing with.

At the time when Jaylilith disappeared into the demon realm, the Eastern Continent people began a migration project to the three archipelagos.

They probably intended to completely acquire the land through construction and colonization, and use it as a base to push into the empire.

In other words, the pirates there are practically no different from regular marines with privateer licenses, and they even have families on the island.

The resistance is bound to be much stronger.

Just now, Jaylilith's order meant that we had to take over the island.

Of course, all the people and pirates currently on the island must be driven out or killed.

That way, Cariosa can prevent the Eastern Continent kings from setting their eyes on us, and in the meantime, we can steadily destroy the Southern Amir Emirate and the Encroacher Cult.

“I understand, Your Majesty.”

I bowed my head politely, and Jaylilith smiled as if she had seen through my shallow thoughts.

It was a lazy laugh, the composure of an absolute powerhouse.

“Valencianus.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I trust you quite a bit. I know you’ll come back. You’ll never leave my side. You’re not the kind of person who’d let me leave.”

Every single word pierced my heart and squeezed it.

Her golden eyes shone coolly.

Before his return, Jaylilith was a tyrant who despised traitors and was cruel like a tyrant.

There were many times when he captured traitors, killed them halfway, then healed them with blood magic and gave them another chance to serve him.

“Whether it’s private soldiers, love affairs, friendships, or diplomacy, don’t worry about what I think about each one, and just do what you want to do.”

“I am so grateful, Your Majesty.”

“If there is something I don’t want, I will tell you straight. And I trust that you will listen to me. And I also have no doubt that if by any chance you don’t listen to me, I will be able to force you to do so.”

It was such a ridiculous thing to say, but I knew full well that my twin was capable of such a thing.

I smiled cheerfully and bowed my head.

All sorts of thoughts came to mind and subsided in my clearer mind.

“Yes, Your Majesty! I will completely destroy the pirates of the eastern island! And-.”

"also?"

“If there is a useful privateer captain, I will try to persuade him. I trust the Grand Duke of Cariosa, but wouldn’t it be a good idea to strengthen the navy under the direct control of the Imperial Family?”

Since both mermaids and elves live in places accessible by water, a powerful navy would also help solve the problem of the alien races that they had been trying to forget.

If there's a useful captain, let's take him without letting Cariosa see us.

Jaylilith chuckled, having lost track of that thought.

“Now it’s like you.”

* * *

I called over to the villa to speak to Lord Tentia, Celerazie, Marcus, and Rudy.

“That’s what happened. I think I’ll have to go back to the East for a while.”

Marcus nodded.

“I also thought that it would be better for His Majesty to go outside. If I stay here, I will be a thorn in His Majesty’s side, but if I stay outside, I will be His Majesty’s representative.”

Sir Tentia frowned.

“Marquis Marcus. Please refrain from speaking. You two are not related.”

Marcus shook his head blandly.

“Keep on. Regardless of your inclination, if you put two gears with similar functions together, you’re bound to have problems.”

“How dare you compare the two of you to cogs… …!”

“Sir. Calm down. Marquis Marcus. Have some tea. It is very fragrant.”

I stopped the Tenthia squabble and poured Marcus a porcelain mug full of steaming tea.

“… … .”

Luckily, Marcus understood the slang for shut up.

“Lord Tentia.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Sir Tentia looked at me with a proud smile.

It seemed like he was giving Marcus a victorious smile.

“Kyung-eun will go east with me.”

“I will do my best to protect Your Majesty from the teeth of the Great White Shark and the dirty hands of pirates.”

I tolerated the trustworthy knight's display of such hostility toward a former traitor, and turned my attention to Sereraji.

She had a strangely haggard appearance, as if she hadn't eaten or slept for a week.

“No, that’s not true.”

She shook her head and laughed at me.

"uh?"

“I slept for three hours and ate two pieces of bread. They even let the disciples rest in two shifts.”

Marcus looked surprised.

“Change? The world has really become a better place.”

“That’s what I’m saying. The kids kept falling down and I couldn’t help it.”

“… … .”

This was clearly excessive labor and against imperial law, but I decided to close my eyes.

Because all the magical tools those two are making or researching were at my request.

“Unni and Marcus, please take good care of the general workshop until I return. You don’t have to save money, so hurry up and research the transfer magic tools.”

Sereraji rolled her eyes slightly.

“It would have happened even if you didn’t say anything.”

I raised both hands theatrically.

“Yes. I misspoke. Please take care of yourself and do your research.”

“Anyone who falls asleep after seeing that circuit is disqualified as a wizard!”

“Marquis Marcus. This is an order. Let your sister sleep in the Serenade once every three days.”

“Three days? No matter what, isn’t that too short? Let’s do it once every five days.”

… … It was my fault for trying to understand these crazy wizards.

I thought about it that far and turned my head to Rudy.

Her green eyes were sparkling.

“Rudy. You have work to do, too.”

As soon as I heard those words, the light disappeared like a crystal ball breaking.

“Oh, am I staying in the capital?”

I explained the mission, overcoming my guilty feelings.

“Yes. It is very important, Count Consecratus.”

When I told him the title, Rudy raised his head again.

“Is it something to do with nobles?”

I nodded.

“The Archbishop of the Encroachers must have known that we were after their order. They would be better off hiding underground, but they are not the type to do that. They will dream of counterattacking and will use all sorts of methods to sneak into the capital.”

Rudy's eyes lit up again.

“We have to search it out. From the slums to the ballrooms.”

Her voice also became cold, like that of the duelist maid of the Grand Duke of Mangnani.

“There’s no problem down there. I didn’t raise Red Mask, Cornell, and Jin for nothing. They’ll take care of the slums, the red-light district, and the streets of learning. But the nobles and the bourgeoisie are the problem. They’re business luck talismans, suspicious magic tools whose origins and principles I don’t know, they’re so annoying.”

I said it with faith.

Only Rudy could do this now.

“You will be the master of the villa while I am away. You will attend balls and hold banquets, and you will keep an eye on and pressure the nobles and bourgeoisie. You will also make connections in the process. You will meet people worthy of the Count.”

“That’s true too.”

“Judging by the atmosphere, tell them that you’re interested in such a suspicious magic tool or book. Either win their favor or put pressure on them outright. Of course, the most important thing is to take care of yourself.”

Rudy asked nervously.

“Can I do it well?”

I smiled cheerfully and answered.

“You have to do well. I will help you.”

Rudy's eyes wavered, perhaps because the answer was slightly different from what he had expected.

I tried not to laugh at the reaction and politely extended my hand.

“Count Rudy. Shall we go get some clothes fitted first?”

* * *

Countess Rudi Consecratus, the 'handmaiden shooter' and 'dueling nut', was considered one of the closest associates of the 'bad boy' Grand Duke Valencian, but her standing in aristocratic society was surprisingly low.

This was not because of the jealousy in the voice of the suddenly successful maid, but because of Rudy's own attitude.

Although she was given a title, she never went to any balls or dinners, left her mansion empty, lived in an official residence next to the palace, and refused all requests for meetings or bribes.

“Actually, receiving a title doesn’t change anything. I already had a lot of free time, but that’s when I train.”

This attitude is more a matter of schedule than disposition, so if the schedule changes, the attitude will change as well.

“Welcome! This is Beth Westis’s Costume Shop. Could you tell me your name, family name, and title?”

Beth Westie's was considered the best costume shop in the capital for jewels, lace, and elegant dresses, and was a tourist attraction that high-ranking nobles visited after the Ivory Tower when they came to the capital.

The young employee greeted the two guests with a voice full of craftsmanlike pride.

The staff had seen all sorts of noble people and was accustomed to the inhuman beauty peculiar to mixed-blood nobles.

“Valencianus Soletaras. He is the Grand Duke. And the lady next to me is Ludi Consecratus. He is the Count.

'This is crazy.'

And now she realized the difference between noble and royal bloodlines.

The rumored scoundrel Valencian was right before her eyes.

Her sturdy body was tightly packed inside the gorgeous white uniform, her broad shoulders and chiseled jaw forced admiration with their domineering attitude, and her deep eyes, haggard cheeks, and candlelight-like gaze radiated a beauty that was both beautiful and noble.

“I came to get her dresses fitted. Can I try on a few? I’ll buy whatever I like.”

The employee nodded as if possessed and turned to Rudy.

'As expected, Your Highness the Count.'

There was a time when a maid was lucky enough to become successful and was talked about as if it were a snack.

But even while wearing the ordinary maid's uniform, it felt like Rudy was no ordinary maid.

Behind the wire-rimmed glasses, her large green eyes were more beautiful than the finest emeralds, her skin was smoother than bone-baked porcelain, and her gentle smile had an air of dignity that was hard to approach.

“First of all, I want to wear comfortable clothes. The Grand Duke told me to have about thirty sets of clothes for each season, location, and mood.”

After hearing the quantity, the employee called the store manager, designers, and models, and soon a fashion show for one person began.

At the same time, the social debut of the maid, who had been rumored to be a master of high society, became a fait accompli.

“Did you hear that?”

“A few days ago, Archduke Valencian… … .”

“Then that maid named Rudi… … .”

A new spirit began to emerge in the capital's social circles.