The Count’s Youngest Son Is A Player - Chapter 26

Episode 26:

Baron Xander, who appeared with a kind smile, clearly seemed to have the blood of the Ashton family in his veins.

He was over 190 cm tall and had platinum blonde hair mixed with white hair. Perhaps because of his good bones, his entire body looked balanced even though he had a lot of belly fat.

However, unlike his father and older brothers, who were more reminiscent of bears or beasts than people, he looked decent for a count’s bloodline.

By anyone’s standards, he was a middle-aged man who could hardly be considered to be in his 50s.

‘So, the commander-in-chief, I guess, had him make a face…’

However, despite his flashy appearance, his level was around 50.

I don’t know if his skills had regressed or if it was just the way he was, but he didn’t seem to have even reached expert level.

Even if the commander-in-chief is not selected based on sword skills, the governor of the capital mansion, which can be called the face of the count family, is not even an expert?

This may be the reason why other martial families easily view the Ashton family.

‘My father and eldest brother probably aren’t so clueless that they don’t know that.’

I can roughly guess the reason, but it doesn’t make sense.

I also didn’t like the Baron in front of me, who openly treated me, whom I had barely met for the first time, as if I were his subordinate.

“who are you? Do you know me??”

When Raoul asked bluntly, as if he really didn’t know who he was, Baron Xander answered without erasing his smile.

“ha ha ha. Maybe it’s because it’s been so long. I am Baron Xander, about as old as your uncle. “You could say that you and your father grew up like brothers.”

However, after hearing the answer, Raoul tilted his head and asked back.

“You’re going to be like my uncle? That’s strange. As far as I know, there was no one with that name among my uncle and uncle.”

Baron Xander’s face hardened slightly.

But even for a moment. He smiled again and said with a hearty laugh.

“ha ha ha. My nephew is very smart. However, the family tree of the Earl of Ashton is so complicated that it may be difficult for my young nephew to understand. So don’t think too hard and just call me uncle.”

Baron Xander seemed to look very down on Raoul.

Well, I was only 15 years old, and although I was tall, my body was slim, so I hadn’t shed my youthful appearance yet.

He probably wanted to take the lead by making himself perceived as a superior.

However, Raoul was not easy enough to fall for such a trivial trick.

Raoul asked Bernard without taking his eyes off Baron Xander’s face.

“Bernard. So what on earth does this person have to do with me?”

“Yes, Confucius. “Baron Xander is the Count’s third cousin…”

Bernard repeated what he had said earlier. This time, more detailed and detailed information.

And as Baron Xander heard that, his complexion became increasingly red.

“What are you doing with an adult in front of you!? “You taught your child very badly!!”

Raoul raised his hand slightly to interrupt Bernard and said:

“Hey Baron Xander. Do you think you are very comfortable with my father? “Doesn’t the Ashton family look funny?”

Raoul asked Philip in front of Baron Xander, whose expression hardened at the sudden informal speech.

“Philip. “Other than my family, how many people at home talk to me?”

“There is no one except the Count’s own younger brother, Viscount Austen.”

“The reason is?”

“I heard that it was a rule established to respect the head of the family and establish hierarchy.”

As Philip said, when the children of the head of the family come of age, they are treated as if they were viscounts.

And large families above the count gave their children fiefdoms, no matter how small or large, in their names the moment they came of age.

Even if he did not become the heir, he was basically given the title of ‘Baron’ so that he would not be ignored.

On the day of his coming-of-age ceremony, Raoul had already inherited a fiefdom with a population of 10,000 in a corner of the county.

Even though he did not manage it directly and had never been there, it was said that Raoul was already a full-fledged baron with his own fiefdom.

‘This is the good thing about having a golden spoon. Of course, it would mean nothing if the family was ruined.’

Anyway, for that reason, the only person who officially treated Raoul poorly after the coming of age ceremony was his uncle, Viscount Austen.

But is there any reason to listen informally to a distant relative whose face you don’t even know and who doesn’t even look like a relative?

When Raoul looked at his face, Baron Xander, who had calmed down his expression, forced a smile and said.

“this. I forgot for a moment that Prince Raoul became a saint. Of course, you should respect it. Are you satisfied now? Prince Raoul?”

“Well, for now. But it looks like you have a lot of things to explain to me. Isn’t that so, Foreign Minister?”

Since it seemed like the ordering of ranks had been roughly completed, Raoul asked about something else.

However, Baron Xander gave a puzzled look as if asking what was the problem.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Then Philip, who was standing next to him, stepped forward in place of Raoul.

“Why didn’t you send someone to guide Confucius? “I’ve definitely sent word several times that it will arrive today!”

Only then did Baron Xander, who had discussed something with the subordinate next to him, apologize with a not very sorry expression.

“I ordered this carriage to be sent, but I think there was a mistake in the delivery process. It looks like there were a lot of customers coming today, so the ones below made a mistake. “I’m sorry, Prince Raoul.”

Just looking at it, it felt like it wasn’t sent on purpose. But when Raoul didn’t say anything, Philippe asked next.

“Now that we’re talking, let’s ask. What kind of mess is this? At first glance, it sounds like it’s a birthday party for the Baron’s son, but why is it being held in the main building of the Count’s mansion?”

Then Baron Xander clicked his tongue and said.

“Did you say Sir Philip? They don’t seem to know much about coming from the countryside to the capital, but if you want to hold a party here, it has to be big and extravagant. Otherwise, you will be ignored. “Isn’t this a natural thing to do when you have the dignity of a count family?”

“No, so what does the Baron’s child’s birthday party have to do with the Count’s reputation…”

“Hey, Sir Philip. These are all public matters included in the work of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Stop worrying about unnecessary things and focus on protecting Prince. “What does someone who is not a noble know about the struggles of power and respect among noble families… Tsk.”

Philip’s eyebrows twitched.

Of course, he was currently just a knight, but at his level, he could be treated as a baron or better no matter where he went.

But I endured it once. To be honest, he had no interest in or knew much about power struggles between nobles.

And here was Raoul.

It may have been in the past, but the Prince Raoul he had seen would not overlook such nonsense.

As expected, Pierce moved and delivered some documents to Raoul.

Raoul glanced over the document and called Baron Xander in a cold voice.

“Baron Xander. Does this party have any connection to the Ashton family? No matter how much I look at the invitation, it doesn’t even contain a single emblem, let alone the count’s name. “It’s all covered with the names and emblems of the Xander Baron family.”

Baron Xander tried to make an excuse in a slightly embarrassed tone at Raoul’s sudden words.

“It’s just an invitation. Of course, it was a strictly public event hosted by the Earl of Ashton…”

But before he could finish his sentence, Raoul held out an invitation and asked.

“But the place is written as Baron Xander’s mansion. But why is the party being held here at the Earl of Ashton Mansion and in the main building? “Isn’t it strange?”

The Baron was speechless for a moment because he was embarrassed. But soon his expression hardened and he spoke.

“As I said, the invitation was just sent as a courtesy and doesn’t mean much. And I can’t take it anymore to talk about the party. Even though he is the Count’s son, it is beyond his authority to interfere in the affairs of the Commander-in-Chief. “If you want to argue, go back to your parents’ house later and argue.”

“okay? “The Baron says there is no problem with this party.”

Baron Xander nodded proudly at Raoul’s words.

“Of course. And it is a tradition that has been going on for decades for blood relatives to use the party hall when the mansion is empty. “It is not for Confucius to interfere.”

What Baron Xander said was not wrong. Rather than making fun of an empty mansion, they often rented out party venues to save face for their blood relatives.

‘But that’s only when the event is hosted in the name of the Earl of Ashton with the permission of the head of the family.’

I have never behaved like a master like Baron Xander.

There seemed to be no reason to listen to the Baron’s excuses anymore.

Raoul said, taking out a small seal and a piece of parchment from his pocket.

“I give this order under the authority of the temporary Count. Baron Xander will finish the party within one hour. And report by morning on all costs incurred for the party and the source of funds.”

What Raoul took out was a handwritten letter and a temporary seal from the Count transferring authority over the capital mansion to Raoul while he was staying in the capital.

Perhaps the Count had expected something like this to happen.

‘Maybe he’s thinking of using me as bait to do something.’

As expected, something happened as soon as we arrived, and it was still difficult for Raoul to predict how this fire would spread.

“This is too much! If I send the guests away now, how am I going to deal with the disgrace! Even the Count is dumbfounded. “Even though he’s my son, I can’t believe you’re giving such a young child the right to make decisions!”

“Are you saying you won’t follow orders?”

Slurp.

As Philip and other knights half-drawn their swords, the Baron bit his lip and glared at Raoul.

It seemed like they had already been informed that Raoul’s guard knights were formidable.

“I don’t think the guests will be dissatisfied with the count. Wouldn’t a writer like Xander know? And anyway, it doesn’t look like there’s anyone in the count’s house who needs to be concerned about the guests.”

In the guest list that Raoul looked through, strangely enough, there was no nobleman higher than a viscount.

but. It was strange for guests of the rank of viscount or higher to come to the birthday party of the son of a baron that did not even bear the count’s name.

Raoul continued speaking in a cold voice.

“I gave you one hour out of respect for the Baron, so you can take care of it. What you should do is go to ‘Baron Xander Mansion’ and continue the party. Or should I go into the party right now and say it in person?”

Baron Xander glared at Raoul for a moment, then sighed and said.

“All right. Let’s take care of the party. But Confucius, you will definitely regret what happened today!”

But Raoul wasn’t scared at all.

Anyway, even if something goes wrong, wouldn’t it be worth getting a scolding from my father, the count?

And I was also curious. What on earth did Baron Xander believe in and go on a rampage here?

‘Do you know anything? Will we be able to catch at least one large fish?’

In my past life, I had only superficial information about the cause of the extinction of the Ashton family.

I was hoping that maybe this incident would be an opportunity to put a hold on that dark evil.

(Continued in the next part)