Ascendance of a Bookworm

“Clear the room. Everyone out.”

Foster Father said sharply, waving his hand. His seated posture and the sharp deep green glare showed just how furious he was. His low voice saying “hurry up” made the close aides scurry out of the room.

“My conversation with Lord Ferdinand can wait. Please, you two take your time…”

I tried to leave with everyone else because Foster Father’s demeanor was terrifying, but the high priest grabbed my shoulder firmly. That pasted-on fake smile approached. That was scary too.

“It’s more efficient to discuss everything together. You’ll be asked the same questions anyway.”

…Oh no! My escape plan failed!

Leaving me, who was held by the shoulder by the high priest, my close aides also left.

Staring at the door closing mercilessly, Foster Father slammed the desk.

“Now, speak. You were called by the king—what was said there? Why did you decide to marry without consulting me even once!?”

“Huh!? Was Lord Ferdinand’s marriage decided without Aub’s presence?”

Marriages among nobles within the territory require the lord’s permission. It’s impossible that the high priest, a member of the lord’s family, would have his marriage decided without Foster Father, the lord.

“To be precise, this fool was asked during the inquiry and replied with consent on his own, so all reasons to refuse were crushed. The request for my approval came as a post-approval.”

Apparently, the high priest was summoned under the pretense of discussing the large collateral damage caused during the subjugation of Tarnis Befaren at the award ceremony, and the marriage proposal was made there.

“Usually, such incident inquiries are conducted individually. Rosemine must have experienced this at the noble academy, right? That’s why I sent Ferdinand without suspicion. Had I known about the marriage with Arensbach beforehand, who would have let him go? I don’t want to cause any more pain to him!”

Hearing Foster Father’s concern for the high priest warmed my heart, but the high priest seemed unmoved. He crossed his arms and looked down at Foster Father with cold golden eyes.

“You might have complained even if I told you beforehand, so I took the form of post-approval. You should know that defying the king is foolish. Yet, would you risk all of Ehrenfest for just me? You’re still lenient toward your kin. Have you learned nothing from that incident where you condemned your own mother?”

With a smooth tone, the high priest spoke to Foster Father, then lowered his eyes and slowly exhaled.

“You have no choice but to obey the king’s orders, isn’t that so, Sylvester?”

“If you hadn’t consented on your own, there would have been plenty of reasons to refuse.”

Foster Father listed one reason after another why Arensbach was declined. The high priest shrugged lightly.

“It sounds neutral, but Ehrenfest survived the political upheaval without siding with the king and is rapidly gaining status. Meanwhile, Arensbach, despite cooperating with the king, had to demote its two heir sons from lord candidates to senior nobles and now suffers mana depletion causing unrest. Anyone can see which territory is more stable and which the king would prioritize.”

Ehrenfest’s neutrality saved it, leaving it with reserves and rising rank. It’s envied by territories that sided with the losing side or those that, despite winning, suffer mana shortages due to purges and supplying nobles to fill gaps. Ehrenfest is seen as a dangerous territory—increasing influence but low loyalty to the central government and king.

The high priest said it’s necessary to accept the king’s request and show no hostile intentions.

“If that’s all, it doesn’t explain why you accepted marriage with Arensbach of all places. There are many territories far superior to Ehrenfest for a son-in-law. Someone younger and with better standing than you, involved with the temple, should be available.”

Indeed, for a son-in-law of a large territory like Arensbach, other territories would be more suitable. Ehrenfest’s rise is recent and considered temporary. Having Ehrenfest as backing for a spouse from a large territory seems unreliable to outsiders.