Fun Territory Defense Chapter 176 (Patreon)

Jalpa's Treatment and Returning Home

"...Then I ask that my father...the Marquis Fertio...interrogate him."

Jalpa looked sincerely surprised as he replied. Tron and Nouveau then collapsed into a heap on the spot.

I looked at the three of them and then at His Majesty and Panamera. His Majesty observed my expression with interest, while Panamera raised his eyebrows a little angrily.

I see. It seems that Panamera was the one who first proposed this idea. I don't know how far His Majesty was willing to go, but he didn't seem to be offended by my answer.

Inwardly relieved, I turned to Jalpa again. Seeing Jalpa staring at me silently, I smile, trying to look as natural as possible.

"Well then, father. Please."

With that, he bowed his head, and Jalpa pulled his chin back with his mouth in a grimace.

"Why did you choose the Marquis Fertio? It's not like you don't know what that means, is it?"

Panamera asked as soon as they moved on. His Majesty is back at the front and Jalpa is moving to the basement where he stayed last night under the guise of interrogating him. The only people around were me and Panamera.

While I was thinking about how to answer Panamera's question, Arte opened his mouth with his eyebrows raised in the shape of a "c".

"...I mean, after all, you couldn't have made a choice that might have led to the punishment of your own father, could you?"

As Arte replied with concern, Panamera cowered his shoulders and shook his head from side to side.

"Nonsense...a nobleman must not tolerate anyone who harms him. If you are licked, you are finished, that is common sense. A man who makes a mistake in judgment because he is moved by emotion will bring about the decline of his house. Is that still good enough for you?"

Panamera looked at me with a grim look on his face. I chuckled at that and nodded shallowly.

"As for me, I don't want to lead such a bleak life, but I won't let the house deteriorate either."

After saying this, he opened his mouth again, smiling wryly.

"Besides, it's not like I'm being sentimental, right?"

"...What?"

Panamera's eyes narrowed at my words.

"I will fight my adversaries in my own way. I will oppose my adversaries in my own way, and I will regret that I did."

When I told him this, Panamera blinked a few times, his eyes widening. Then his grim expression softens somewhat.

"...That's interesting, but I'd appreciate it if you would think about it in a way that is more or less in line with my and His Majesty's intentions in the future. In truth, I was planning to increase the power of the boy and myself, while keeping the Marquise of Fertio in check..."

The last part was some small muttering, but apparently Panamera was also plotting something behind the scenes.

When a country does not grow territorially and economically, power struggles among nobles become what is called a struggle for power. If someone gains new territory, someone else loses it, and if someone holds an important position, someone else is removed from it.

Panamera must have wanted to take the territory and power of the Marquise Fertio, who had too much power. This must have been in line with His Majesty's desire to gain the upper hand in the royal family's power.

Because His Majesty wanted to grow the kingdom at once, he visibly favored the Marquises of Fertio for their military exploits. Although the territory did not expand after that, the Marquise Fertio, which had clearly gained momentum, had various people coming to its aid without having to do anything.

Not only other nobles and large merchant associations, but also influential knights, magicians, and others would gather on their own to serve them.

As a result, the Marquise of Fertio has grown more than just a higher title.

His Majesty wants to dampen the momentum of the Marquise Fertio, and Panamera, who is considered a faction of the Counts of Ferdinand, wants to discredit Jalpa, who is in the way of his own rise to power...I guess that's what they are trying to do.

Well, I'm sorry, but I'm the victim here, so I'll do what I want.

Thinking this inwardly, Panamera let out a sigh and cowered his shoulders.

"So, is the boy going back to his territory now? Perhaps that fortress will be conquered in half a month?"

Panamera nodded his head quickly.

"No, I'm going home. I'll be home in half a month. I can't wait to go home and take a bath."

These are words from the heart. What is so sad about having to spend days in a bloody war zone where the air is tense?

Given the choice, it is only natural that he would choose Seat Village, with its warm beds, public baths, and delicious food.

Panamera nodded with a wry smile as he replied decisively.

"I see. I knew you would say that. Well then, let's meet again. The next time we meet, I will return triumphant with a report of my victory, so please prepare the finest foodstuffs."

"Yes, sir."

I reply with a laugh to Panamera's spare parting words.

And with that, Panamera gallantly left. Even though she was headed for the battlefield, she was still a representative of the kingdom's female heroine.

After seeing off her dependable back, I looked back at the others.

"Well! Let's go home this time then!"

As I said this to everyone, I received many happy replies and cheers.