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Chapter 88: Variable (2)

‘A spirit egg?’

The round, smooth, black sphere that looked like a black stone was clearly a spirit egg.

‘Why is that here?’

Henry was confused. There was nothing special about Aubert\'s secret basement that a spirit would like. They usually preferred a natural environment. Nevertheless, Henry was convinced that it was a spirit egg because he felt the same kind of energy as when he’d seen Elagon’s egg for the first time.

‘Since Elagon reacted to that object first, I’m sure that it’s a spirit egg…’

Elagon approached Henry with the egg in his mouth and rubbed his face against Henry, like a puppy asking to be praised. Henry picked Elagon up with both hands and smiled.

“I\'m proud of you.”

It was natural for a spirit to respond to a spirit, and it was also natural for a spirit to find a spirit egg. However, not all spirits could find a spirit egg as easily as Elagon did. A spirit needed excellent communication skills, and Elagon seemed to have been born with that talent.

‘Besides, this is a very rare occurrence.’

Henry was lucky to find two spirit eggs; most people would never encounter a single one their entire life. Nestled in Henry’s arms, Elagon opened his mouth to reveal the egg.

‘I’ve never heard of an egg that looks like this…’

Henry tried to identify the egg by holding it up against the light, but he still couldn\'t figure out what it was.

‘I guess this leaves me no choice.’

Wizards who dealt with mana and studied sciences had similar properties to spirits, and they technically knew how to handle spirits. However, they were not good as spiritualists because they dealt with spirits using formulas and laws.

Henry wasn’t very interested in spirits. In his previous life, he didn’t have as much talent as spiritualists. However, that didn’t mean Henry hadn’t studied spirits at all.

Henry dismissed Elagon, measured the size of the basement, and began to draw a huge magic circle on the ground.

“...Nanehap doru. Raneo lii, hamet. (Ehem, excuse me. Is anyone in…)”

Boom!

A being from a secondary world appeared. It was the spirit of exchange and a toad therianthrope, Skall.

- Did you summon me?

“Nice to meet you, Skall.”

- You said you’d summon me more often, what took you so long? I was bored to death!

Skall had met Henry right after his reincarnation and greeted him in a familiar manner. Skall placed his hands on his hips and looked around.

- Last time, you were living in a decent place, but it seems like you’ve gone bankrupt.

“Cut the crap and take a look at this for me.”

There was no time for small talk. Henry immediately showed the spirit egg to Skall

- This is…

“Do you know what it is?”

- It’s a spirit egg.

“I know that. I’m asking what kind of spirit egg this is.”

- Well, I don’t know.

“What?”

- I’m telling the truth. I can tell that this is a spirit egg, but I don’t know what kind it is. I’ve never seen an egg like this before.

“Stop joking. You observe everything that goes on in the human world, are things that even you don’t know?”

- Obviously, things related to humans are my specialty, but this isn’t related to humans or nature.

“Then?”

- This guy’s from a secondary world like me.

“Really?”

- Yes. I’m not sure if it is from the underworld or a similar world because it looks so dreary, but it’s definitely not from the human world.

“Then it must be from a special world.”

- In other words, this is a special spirit from a special world.

“Damn…” Henry was disappointed.

- If you’re disappointed, why don’t you ask a spirit researcher? There are humans who study beings like me, too.

Spirit researchers were the intellectuals of the spiritualist world who studied spirits in depth.

“I can’t.”

- Why not?

“Alfred is in charge of all the spiritualists, so if this information leaks, Alfred will find out about this egg.”

- Alfred… Alfred Etherwether? Right, he’s a spiritualist too, isn\'t he? I remember him as quite a capable spiritualist. Are you guys on bad terms?

“Enemies, to be precise.”

- Oh well. There\'s nothing you can do, since that’s all the help I can give. It’s not like I can make up random information and sell it to you, right?

Skall was a righteous businessman. He disappeared when he decided that he couldn’t make a business deal.

‘Is there any way other than asking a spiritualist?’ There was nothing Henry could do. He put the egg in his left forearm as he had done with Elagon in the past and left Momont.

* * *

A few days later, just as Henry had expected, the imperial palace called a meeting to decide on the new marquis. He was fully prepared; he had instructed Eisen over the past few days how to turn the conversation to his favor no matter what. Everyone in the mansion had been shocked at how easily Henry had guided Eisen, who was known for his self-righteousness, as though Henry were teaching a child.

Five ministers and the emperor gathered in the throne room. Duke Arthus shook his head as he looked at Aubert’s empty seat. However, the gesture meant nothing since Aubert was already gone from their hierarchy.

“Okay, a marquis position is now empty, right?” said the emperor.

“That\'s right, Your Majesty.”

“Isn’t it obvious who should take that seat? Count Eisen has made a huge contribution, isn’t it only fitting that he become a marquis?” With a court lady sitting on his lap, the emperor spoke as if the matter were easily settled.

“Your Majesty, that is incorrect,” said Alfred.

“What?”

He had disagreed with the tyrant. It was only possible because he was a member of the Three Great Families. The emperor only raised one eyebrow and did not show any other signs of anger.

“Why is it incorrect?”

“Your Majesty, a marquis has more responsibility when it comes to state affairs than a count. If someone attains the position simply on merit without ability, it will affect the operations of the empire.”

“That sounds like you don’t think Eisen is competent.”

“It\'s not that I don’t trust him, but I’m only suggesting that we give other counts equal opportunity, as they have also shown competence.”

“Equal opportunity, huh…”

Silver Jackson Edward II was a foolish tyrant who was narrow-minded and didn’t want to admit to his incompetence. However, the more incompetent someone was, the more likely they were to change their ways and disregard the proper procedures. “Hmm, you do have a point. Then what do you think we should do?”

At Alfred’s suggestion, the conversation quickly shifted from Eisen’s succession to giving everyone an opportunity.

However, Eisen did not seem surprised at all, as if he had already anticipated this. He nodded like an experienced sage and began to speak when there was a break in the conversation. “Your Majesty, I also think the same way as Marquis Alfred does.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. All the Patrician Families gathered here have been chosen among the aristocrats as representatives to help develop the empire. I don’t think important matters like the position of a marquis should be appointed based on simple merit.”

“Oh wow… As expected, you truly are very loyal. How are you so considerate?”

“I\'m flattered, Your Majesty.”

As Eisen’s words poured out like water, the other Patrician Family members looked stunned once more.

‘What’s with him?’

‘Could he always speak so well?’

‘Is it true that he really is a hidden gem?’

Eisen was known as an idiot with a flashy appearance. However, after destroying Aubert, he’d become known as a hidden gem. Eisen raised his head with pride.

‘Hehe, this is definitely worth all that practice.’

It was all thanks to Henry’s rigorous teachings. Surprisingly enough, it had been easy to teach Eisen because the second reporting order had given Eisen a taste of the feeling of gaining the upper hand over intelligent people. It was like a drug. Eisen had lived his life standing on top of others and commanding his servants, but this was only because of their difference in status.

However, it was a point of pride to gain the upper hand over Patrician Family members. For someone who enjoyed showing off like Eisen, Henry’s lessons were a means to gain that pleasure.

“I feel more comfortable now that the count has agreed. Let everyone learn from the count’s considerate attitude,” said the emperor.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Now, let’s discuss how we will select the new marquis. If anyone has any suggestions, feel free to speak.” The emperor was in a good mood. However, even though he told everyone to speak freely, only the members of the Three Patrician Families and Eisen could do so.

Eisen spoke as if he had been waiting for this chance. “Your Majesty, may I make a suggestion?”

“Of course, you can. Do you have a good one?”

“If it’s about capabilities anyway, why don’t we hold a duel?”

“Measure your abilities with a duel?”

“Yes. If everyone\'s abilities are similar, I believe determining our skills through a fair duel is the right way to go.”

The eyes of the Patrician Family members grew wide once again. However, their expressions contained a different meaning.

‘He thought hard about this one.’

The Three Patrician Family members immediately understood what Eisen was up to. It was obvious that Eisen was trying to prevent their involvement in the selection process.

Alfred raised his voice and said, “Count! Are you joking around with His Majesty? What kind of suggestion is that? What do you mean by a duel? Are you saying that the Patrician Family members should raise their swords at one another?”

Eisen replied as he had been taught, “Is there a problem with that?”

“W-what?”

“It’s not like we’re directly involved, we’re only trying to set up a fair competition. Why would you say that we’re raising our swords against each other?”

“T-that’s!”

“Hahaha!” The emperor suddenly let out a loud laugh.

“Y-Your Majesty?”

“Haha, good, very good! Well said, count. That’s a really interesting idea. Haha!” The emperor had laughed because Eisen had come up with an unexpected suggestion.

“That’s right, Your Majesty. I just want to take this opportunity to demonstrate my abilities to Your Majesty.”

“I understand your sincerity! So, the succession of the next marquis shall be determined as the count—”

Eisen had intrigued the emperor just as Henry had planned, and he assumed that his plan was successful. However, just as the emperor was about to issue the order, an eunuch standing beside him suddenly whispered in his ear.

The emperor’s eyes opened wide.

“What? There’s a rebellion?”