The Count’s Youngest Son is a Player

The Count’s Youngest Son is a Player 51

Chapter 51

[Stabilization Phase of the Gate in the Capital, Thurium.]

[The Power of the Prestigious Martial Family. The Count Ashton’s Family is Back!]

[Raul of the Count Ashton’s Family. Who is He?]

[The Rise of the Count Ashton’s Family. A Sign of Stepping Back into the Political Arena?]

[Raul, the Talk of the Town Among the Citizens of Thurium. The Brilliant Rise of the Academy’s Top New Student.]

Crumple.

A man mercilessly crumpled the newspaper he had been reading.

What had upset him so?

The man threw the crumpled newspaper, labeled [Ruben’s Voice], to someone.

“Have you read this?”

“… Yes.”

“It’s ridiculous. The work of several years gone in a week. Do you think that makes any sense?”

“……”

The man, with his hands clasped behind his back, glared fiercely at the man in front of him.

Just when he thought his eyes sparkled slightly.

Rumble.

“Cough, cough!”

The air vibrated and the man seemed to be pressed down by something, writhing on the floor.

“P-Please, forgive me, Father!”

To an outsider, both appeared to be contemporaries in their 40s. But in reality, they were father and son.

This was possible because the man standing with his hands behind his back was one of the few Swordmasters in the kingdom.

Count Hudson de Randal.

In fact, over 60 years old, becoming a Young master had not only halted his aging but had also rejuvenated him.

“Kuh, huk.”

Count Randal did not blink an eye at his son’s plea.

He had given his son a chance despite his lack of swordsmanship because he was his eldest and had a somewhat sharp mind.

‘How is it that none of them are usable?’

Count Randal had more than 30 sons.

The first and second were born in his youth, and the rest came after he became a Young master.

He thought that with so many children, there would be at least one or two exceptional ones, but none caught his eye.

On the other hand, that Melvin of Ashton.

‘How can all of his children be so outstanding?’

He had been slightly relieved hearing rumors that the youngest was a weakling, but seeing the newspaper, it was clear those were unfounded rumors.

“Sigh.”

With a bitter sigh, Count Hudson released his anger.

“Huff, huff.”

His eldest son, Bryan, drenched in cold sweat, quickly got up from his seat.

“Tsk.”

Not being able to withstand even the pressure. How could anyone say he’s of Expert-level knight material?

The count, trying hard to suppress his displeasure, asked.

“Report everything that has happened, without leaving anything out!”

It seemed trouble had arisen while he had been secluded in the training hall for about a month for practice.

“Yes, about two weeks ago, a document arrived from the temple…”

As he listened to the report, Count Hudson’s face grew increasingly veined.

Finally, as the lengthy report came to an end and he reviewed the report, the count’s hands trembled uncontrollably.

“Leave. You have no place in this mansion anymore. Don’t even think about setting foot in the domain until I call for you. Tell the third one to come in as you leave.”

“Oh, Father! Please give me another chance…”

“Out!! If you appear before me again, I’ll kill you, son or not!”

Thump! Crash bang.

With a ruthless kick from the count, Bryan’s body flew, breaking the door and rolling across the floor.

‘Should I really kill him?’

A murderous intent flickered in the count’s eyes as he glanced back at the report.

[Status Report]

*Confirmed Gates: 73

-Managed to deal with around 40 in a week, but the number is steadily increasing, currently at a stalemate.

*Casualty Count

-Lords’ subjects: A total of approximately 3,200 dead or missing

-Knights: 15, Troops: 1,300 dead or missing

*Knight’s reluctance to enter Gates has led to increased troop casualties.

*Currently, the area around the Gates is sealed off and under surveillance.

The rookie reported in the newspaper managed to stabilize Thurium with just a thousand mercenaries, but to think such casualties with tens of thousands of troops and hundreds of knights, no matter how vast the domain…

Despite instructions not to disturb him at the training center, surely, he should have been called for something like this?

It seemed his foolish son got excited holding the command.

‘As always, there’s no one to rely on.’

The thought of dealing with the situation and repairing the damage gave Count Hudson such a headache that all he could do was deeply sigh.

* * *

Though the Academy had temporarily closed due to the sudden appearance of Gates, as the situation began to stabilize, classes resumed.

After a busy week, Raul showed his face at the Academy once more.

“Ah! Isn’t that young master Raul walking there?”

“Where? It’s true!”

“That dazzling appearance combined with the skills to be admitted as top student, and now even leading a knight order!”

“Is that even possible at 15? Plus, he played a major role in resolving this recent crisis! The Ashton county has produced a remarkable figure.”

“I was actually planning to look for a position at the Ashton county after graduation. It’s a prestigious name, known for having an exceptional knights’ order and better pay than other places.”

“Speaking of which, have you heard? It’s said that young master Raul plans to expand the knight order’s membership soon.”

“Really? Maybe I should start by submitting my application there?”

“It’s clear there’s something different about prestigious families. They really invest heavily even in their youngest son.”

The academy students were all abuzz talking about Raul.

The capital hadn’t seen an event of this magnitude in recent times, and the fact that a fellow student was at the forefront was particularly intriguing.

He had always been a topic of gossip as the youngest top admit, but now, Raul had become so famous that not knowing him was akin to being a spy.

“Tsk. Fools.”

Of course, not everyone viewed Raul favorably.

In any era, there are those who harbor jealousy and envy towards those who excel.

“He didn’t actually do anything himself, yet they’re elevating him.”

“Exactly. If the family supports you with a knight order and mercenaries, who wouldn’t be able to do it?”

“Is this gate thing even worth the fuss? Making such a noise because he saved a few commoners is ridiculous.”

“That’s what I’m saying. It’s clear the Ashtons are playing tricks to get their foot into central politics.”

“Hmph. Just wait and see. Once the auxiliary forces from the family arrive, I’ll clearly show that I’m far superior to Raul.”

Caleb, Raul’s peer and the thirteenth son of the Count of Randal, glared at Raul with a scowl, confident in his assertion.

Though confirmation from the family was still pending, Caleb was planning to prove that the gate was nothing, even without the auxiliary forces, by bringing his own guards.

And Caleb wasn’t the only one with such thoughts.

With Raul, merely 15, earning honors, others started thinking, ‘Maybe I could try too?’

Regardless of their thoughts, Raul’s popularity didn’t seem to wane, though he himself wasn’t exactly keen on the situation.

Buzzing.

“Ah, so tiresome. What am I, a monkey in a zoo?”

The persistent stares that followed him since entering the academy slightly soured Raul’s mood.

If only they had a reason, they could at least come talk to him. But no, the crowd that followed him from the gate to the classroom showed no signs of dispersing.

At this rate, doing anything at the academy seemed doomed.

Heaving a sigh and just about to engage in meditative virtual training, someone briskly approached and sat next to him, starting a conversation.

“Hey there, Mr. Popular! You’ve become a complete star in just a week?”

Dalton, smiling ear-to-ear, didn’t care about the surrounding gazes.

As Raul just shrugged his shoulders with little to say, Dalton leaned in and asked,

“But hey, is it true that you’re the real heir to the county?”

“……?”

Raul looked at him with a bewildered expression, given the randomness of the question, prompting Dalton to wave his hand dismissively.

“No, isn’t that so? Which family would provide a knight order and troops to a child who isn’t even an heir? That too, to someone who has just come of age. Well, it’s not what I think, but that’s what the rumors say.”

Raul took a deep breath before speaking earnestly.

“Since you’re my friend, I’ll make this clear. The next Count has already been decided to be our eldest brother, and I have no intention whatsoever of succeeding the family. So, I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t bring up such baseless talks again.”

It was a candid expression of Raul’s feelings. Even if his father were to offer him the title of Count, he intended to refuse.

‘The Count’s house already has its system in place. Even if I became the Count, I couldn’t possibly misuse the family’s power. There are too many things to consider, such as the interests and power dynamics with vassals and kin, budget management, and more.’

Just thinking about it gave him a headache from all the complications.

Above all, Raul’s goal wasn’t to enjoy luxury by becoming a lord.

His true purpose was revenge against those who had killed him, and to survive the upcoming era of turmoil.

To do that, he needed to grow stronger, and that opportunity lay not within the saturated ranks of the Count’s domain but out in the vast world.

‘Opportunities to obtain lands or titles will continue to arise. The main house can simply serve as insurance.’

Contrary to his initial worries after being reincarnated, his father and brother turned out to be incredibly capable.

Had they not been entangled in needless plots, they would have made a name for themselves even in his previous life.

And most importantly, they were strong supporters of his.

‘So, I’ll leave the main house to my father and brother and take my own path. That’s the only way to respond without being swept away by the scenario.’

His plan had been going smoothly ever since he left the domain.

Dalton, caught off guard by Raul’s serious response, wore a slightly apologetic expression.

“… Got it. If I hurt your feelings, I’m sorry. Honestly, I’m also sick and tired of all this talk about succession and whatnot. Our family is… never mind, let’s not talk about it.”

Raul knew that Dalton had no malice in asking, so he wasn’t particularly upset.

“And one more thing. The knight order and troops weren’t given to me; I organized them myself. They are my people who follow my commands, independent of the Count’s family.”

“What!?”

Dalton exclaimed in surprise, attracting the attention of those around them.

Embarrassed, he lowered his voice and asked again, “Really? How??”

Raul smirked and circled his finger in the air.

“It’s nothing special. You just need a lot of money.”

Dalton, unable to believe it, looked at Raul incredulously.

“It’s no joke. The money needed to hire and maintain a knight order and troops. If you have that, it’s enough. And me, I have plenty of money. More than you think.”

“Fine, if you say so, it must be.”

Accepting Raul’s word, Dalton looked incredulous but conceded.

Raul glanced at Dalton and clicked his tongue slightly, curious about the reaction he would have if he knew about his assets, nearly five million gold.

However, Dalton’s real interest seemed to lie elsewhere. His eyes sparkled as he cautiously asked,

“Raul, if that knight order and troops are really under your command…”

“They are.”

“Got it. So, could you possibly take me to that gate thing you mentioned?”

Raul had to forcefully hold back his laughter.

‘A big catch!’

(To be continued)