Raymond recalled his conversation with King Odin that night.
'If you don't think you can do it, it's better to give up early.'
While unsure of King Odin's specific intentions, one thing remained evident: the king wouldn't extend assistance in this matter.
'These noble lords must be certain that the king won't personally intervene in such affairs.'
Short of a catastrophe, direct involvement from the king was unlikely.
'Above all, I made a promise. I must succeed. That's why I must secure his apology.'
As he ruminated on his commitment to King Odin, Raymond tightly clenched his fist. He was resolute in resolving the situation and obtaining an apology from King Odin.
Just then, Sage Mevinson, wearing an anxious and concerned expression, voiced his thoughts.
"These, these nobles seem to be the same everywhere. How should we handle this?"
Raymond recollected his frustration with the selfishness of nobles during his time in the Kingdom of Droton.
Contemplating the situation, he was caught off guard by unexpected news.
"Lord, we have received a communication crystal message."
Raymond, intrigued and puzzled, observed the urgency in the messenger's demeanor.
"From whom?"
"His Highness Prince Remerton."
Raymond's countenance underwent a sudden transformation.
"...!"
"He says he has something to discuss regarding the current situation with the lords."
Raymond's face solidified.
'Could it be?'
The perplexing collusion among the lords.
The unexpected outreach from Remerton.
A puzzle began to take shape in Raymond's mind.
'Prince Remerton pulling strings behind my back?'
***
As it turned out, his suspicions were correct.
Through the communication crystal, Remerton bore a triumphant expression.
'Undoubtedly, Remerton orchestrated this collusion among the lords!'
If Remerton had been orchestrating events from behind the scenes, the current situation started to make sense.
Evidently, a significant number of the newly appointed lords in the Rafalde region were supporters of Remerton.
Out of the nine, an astonishing five pledged allegiance to him, while the remaining nobles seemingly employed various tactics to influence the others.
This is how the situation had unfolded.
-It's been a while. I've heard the news. Looks like the lords aren't heeding your advice, and you're facing challenges.
Raymond bit his lip.
'It's his own doing, acting all innocent.'
Despite his inner frustration, he maintained a composed exterior.
Even after a significant mistake during the war, Remerton maintained a considerable following among the nobility, courtesy of his influential maternal family, the Tern Marquisate.
Their reach extended not only to the western regions of the Houston Kingdom but also to the nobles in the capital.
Hence, opposing Remerton's wishes would be imprudent.
"Thank you for your concern."
A brief silence lingered, signaling a conversation devoid of warmth.
"...May I inquire about the purpose of your contact?"
Through the communication crystal, Remerton gazed solemnly at Raymond.
Feeling the weight of that gaze, Remerton unexpectedly broached a different topic.
- Have you reconsidered what I told you before?
"Pardon?"
-Raymond, pledge your loyalty to me. When I ascend to the throne, I will appoint you as my second-in-command."
"...!"
Raymond was taken aback.
It was an unforeseen proposition.
'Is he genuinely serious?'
Remerton's gaze was sincere, and the offer seemed genuine.
-If you commit your loyalty to me, I can quickly resolve the current issues with the lords. Furthermore, I will wholeheartedly support your ascent to the position of second-in-command in the Houston Kingdom, complete with all the wealth and privileges that accompany it.
Raymond perceived Remerton's true motives.
'This is a veiled threat.'
It marked the final ultimatum.
Rejecting the proposal would likely result in Remerton viewing him as an adversary, actively working against him.
'Can I handle this?'
Submitting to Remerton wasn't appealing, yet the potential repercussions were daunting.
Even assuming the role of Chancellor would pose challenges, especially in managing lords aligned with Remerton.
-If an immediate response proves difficult, take a day to carefully consider your decision.
After the communication ended, Raymond let out a sigh.
'What should I do?'
Raymond bit his lip.
'If I were to pledge loyalty to Remerton, perhaps, just perhaps, it could be the wise choice.'
Raymond confronted reality.
He was too significant, too pivotal to straddle the lines between two princes.
Under these circumstances, aligning with one of them might prove the wiser path.
Otherwise, he risked becoming an adversary to both.
Between the two, Remerton emerged as the more favorable option. Given Remerton's missteps during the war, he was likely to value Raymond even more.
'But...'
As he replayed Remerton's overbearing gaze in his mind, a sinking feeling enveloped his heart.
He simply couldn't fathom aligning himself with Remerton.
It felt like an unequivocal no.
Raymond possessed a strong intuition, honed through a lifetime of challenges.
'Argh, what should I do? All I desire is success and the accompanying rewards. Why must life make it so challenging for me?'
In the midst of profound frustration, another unexpected communication interrupted his thoughts.
"Count, there's a communication request."
"From whom?"
"It's Princess Sophia."
"...!"
"She says she has something important to discuss."
Raymond's eyes widened.
This was truly an unexpected turn of events.
***
A doll-like, cold visage materialized on the crystal ball.
It resembled a doll and gave the impression of a sketch etched onto the crystal surface.
"Princess?"
"..."
Sophia regarded him with an enigmatic gaze, uttering no words.
'What's this? Why did she reach out to me?'
Raymond furrowed his brow.
'Did she grow bored and decide to stir up trouble?'
Given her typical behavior, it wouldn't have been entirely out of character.
At that moment, she spoke.
"I've been informed of your recent achievements."
"I'm flattered'
Raymond looked surprised.
'What's this? The usually impolite princess is giving compliments?'
However, it's customary to listen to what people have to say.
-But don't tell me you've forgotten your origins? Don't forget that you're from humble beginnings.
"...!"
Raymond's face stiffened.
'...This bastard.'
As anger surged within him, Raymond realized something odd.
'...She's not trying to provoke me. She's trying to tell me something.'
Sophia observed him with her customary cold and insolent demeanor, yet her expression held a significant message.
-You mustn't forget what you've achieved, the trials you've faced, and that there are still those who harbor ill thoughts about you.
"...!"
-Such as my brother, for instance.
It was only then that Raymond grasped Sophia's underlying intention.
'She's cautioning me. She's signaling that Remerton will never regard me as a true ally. Even if I cooperate, I'll be discarded.'
Indeed, despite his numerous accomplishments, he remained a bastard.
Someone as prideful as Remerton would never consider Raymond, a bastard, as an equal.
'He might even attempt to eliminate me once he ascends to the throne.'
Raymond glared at Sophia with dissatisfaction.
'Regardless, is there a necessity to make me feel so unpleasant while conveying your message? A genuine sister would have tried to mend her reckless brother.'
Then, Sophia spoke again.
- Does my message displease you?
"N-not at all."
- Then be resilient.
"..."
Sophia locked eyes with him.
- I understand you hold lofty ideals for your patients and your people.
That was unexpected.
- But ideals devoid of power are hollow, and at this rate, you'll be manipulated and victimized by the powerful.
Raymond remained silent.
- No one should have control over you. Be strong enough to lead your life on your terms and resist being manipulated by anyone. Strength is the only way you can live your life as you desire.
"..."
Raymond found himself unable to respond.
Because she was right.
'...She's correct. If I'm going to lead my life on my own terms, I must be strong enough not to yield to anyone.'
Is this the culmination of Remerton's schemes?
No, his threats would persist.
Would the threats dissipate if he chose a tranquil life as a healer?
Never.
He was too significant for that.
Even if he longed for a peaceful existence, unrelenting external pressures would persist.
There was only one means to defy the threat and live life on his own terms: to amass enough power to disregard it.
'To achieve that, I must first become a feudal lord.'
Ironically, to lead the life of a healer, one had to wield power.
Yet, it made sense. How many esteemed healers had met tragic fates when manipulated by those in authority?
What they shared was the support of their people but lacked substantial power.
There was no reason why Raymond couldn't follow a similar path.
He needed the power to shape his life as he desired.
"Thank you, but why are you telling me this?"
Raymond looked puzzled.
He couldn't grasp Sophia's intentions.
'Her demeanor is utterly arrogant, yet it appears she's always attempting to assist.'
Sophia furrowed her brow and replied in this manner:
- Don't get it twisted. I'm definitely not saying these things with you in mind.
"..."
"Then what is it?"
- It's simply about repaying a debt.
"A debt?"
'Is she still thinking about how I treated her before?'
But Sophia genuinely surprised him with her words.
- In my childhood, it's merely settling the debt from the times you played with me. After my mother passed away, you were the only one who sincerely spent time with me.
"..."
- I just don't like living in debt, but I don't like you at all... so hang up.
Sophia abruptly ended the call, and Raymond stared at the now inactive communication device with a perplexed expression.
'...Did she just feel embarrassed?'
***
Eventually, Raymond turned down Remerton's offer.
Remerton gritted his teeth, his pride seemingly wounded.
- ...You'll regret it.
Raymond felt a sense of horror, but the decision had been made.
Rao and Mevinson asked anxiously.
"What's your plan now, brother?"
"There's no way those self-centered aristocrats will yield so easily!"
Raymond bit his lip forcefully.
'I can't back down, and now I have to rely on my own strength.'
There was a silver lining: he had already devised several strategies for handling the lords, just in case.
'I knew the lords wouldn't simply take my word for it.'
Coincidentally, the measures Raymond had prepared were tailored to deal with the lords of House Remerton.
'Normally, I would have hesitated to employ these tactics, as they would have implicated the nobility of Remerton.'
However, since Remerton had initiated hostilities, there was no longer any need for hesitation.
Remaining static would only make him an easy target.
'I must significantly diminish Remerton's influence in the Rafalde region.'
That would be a stinging blow to Remerton.
He thought of his first option.
'Use my skills as a healer.'