I Became a Level -99 Vicious Lord

Arranged marriages were a great way to strengthen one's power.

In the past, the Emperor Argonne also made alliances with local nobles and independent lords to create cohesion and solidify support.

In fact, he had as many as 15 wives in his previous life.

In other words, arranged marriages were one of his favorite methods.

"Elise, granddaughter of the Grand Duke of the North."

Argonne repeated Glen's words.

"Isn't she the one who knows only the sword?"

"Yes."

"Are you suggesting that I take this Elise as my wife?"

Glen bowed his head as he answered.

"Despite being well past the usual age for marriage, the Grand Duke of the North's granddaughter, Elise, remains unmarried. Additionally, I have learned that the Grand Duke of the North has been actively seeking a suitable match for her."

"Hmph."

"With Your Majesty's handsome appearance, wisdom, experience, and formidable strength, I believe you could easily captivate her."

"Of course I will."

The Great Argonne did not rebuff Glen's flattery.

Even though he hadn't revealed his full power, Emperor Argonne's martial prowess was exceptionally strong.

But was that all?

He was good-looking, eloquent, and had extensive experience from building an empire in the past.

"But wasn't Elise engaged to Otto de Scuderia?"

"Your Majesty, it has been said that a beautiful woman should be taken by the better man. If you could take Elise as your wife, what would you fear from competing against Otto de Scuderia?"

"Upon hearing that, I see you are right."

Emperor Argonne nodded.

The military and economic power of the Northern Grand Duke's family is beyond measure.

Furthermore, the Northern Grand Duke was in charge of the Northern Wall of the Empire, so he held a certain authority.

As such, using the Northern Grand Duke to swallow up the Arad Empire and become Emperor is certainly possible.

Marrying Elise would be an easier way to achieve continental unity than investing in the potential prospect that was Otto de Scuderia.

"There's a great opportunity."

"An opportunity?"

"The anniversary of the founding of the Arad Empire is coming up soon, and the current Emperor is throwing a banquet to celebrate, and has invited powerful people from around the world."

"Oh?"

"If you attend such gatherings, you will have the opportunity to seduce Elise. Moreover, it will be an excellent opportunity to build friendships with influential figures from around the world."

"Good."

Argonne’s expression brightened marginally.

‘Connections mean power and money. If I utilize the founding anniversary banquet well, a second wind is not impossible.'

Having built an empire and risen to become the first Emperor, Argonne the Great knew all too well the power of connections.

He was also very good at wielding it.

Unlike Kairos.

"Very well."

Argonne accepted Glen's proposal.

"I will take your advice and attend the founding banquet."

"I'm honored."

Thus, Emperor Argonne decided to attend the founding anniversary banquet of the Arad Empire in order to seduce Elise.

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"…Already?"

Otto was utterly astonished as he read the report that came from the Kingdom of Loredin.

"They've acquired a third of the territory of the Loredin Kingdom in just a month?"

"That's right."

Even Camille couldn't quite wrap his head around it.

"…At this rate, were they born to incite rebellion?"

Overwhelmed by Kairos's incredible ability to lead a rebellion, Otto was at a loss for words.

While stabilizing and absorbing the Kingdom of Slaine and the Baltin Kingdom, he had sent instructions to prepare for the annexation of the Kingdom of Loredin. But it seemed they had taken the initiative and devoured the entire kingdom on their own.

"Are they going to grab Rivolt, too?

Rivolt, one of the 100 Lords, was a mercenary in the Kingdom of Loredin.

He was very ambitious, and if one followed the scenario, he would eventually take over the Kingdom of Loredin and ascend to the throne.

In other words, he was a character developing in a direction almost identical to Kairos' past deeds.

Of course, Kairos was different in scale, having achieved the feat of occupying one-third of the continent and establishing an empire.

‘I absolutely need Rivolt's holy relic.'

Otto needed Rivolt's holy relic, the [Rosary of Maitreya].

The Rosary of Maitreya was originally a relic of the Order of Atropos, but its effects were far from holy.

Because the effect of the Rosary of Maitreya was to incite rebellion among discontented people.

If the bearer of Maitreya's rosary had access to the discontent people and could lead them, it would be very easy for them to start a rebellion.

So Otto used this rosary to incite rebellions in enemy nations, weakening them from within.

‘Wait.'

A thought flashed through his mind.

‘Wasn't Kairos also from the Atropos Order?'

Kairos had once been a former member of the Order of Atropos.

And the holy relic possessed by Rivolt, the [Rosary of Maitreya], is the relic of that same Atropos Order.

‘This is quite a coincidence.'

Otto thought, perhaps Kairos could defeat Rivolt and acquire the rosary.

Even if Rivolt was one of the 100 Lords, it would be impossible for him to counter Kairos and his subordinates.

‘I'll wait and see for now. I don't need to worry about the Kingdom of Loredin, Kairos is handling it well on his own.'

Otto opted to not intervene in the Loredin Kingdom for the time being and leave it alone.

With so much already on his plate, interfering in the Kingdom of Loredin could completely paralyze his operations.

Not to mention, Kairos was doing a good job.

"Oh, and…"

Otto stopped and turned to Camille.

"Any word on Qasim and Peng?"

"We are continuing the search operations, but they're still missing."

"Haa."

Otto heaved a heavy sigh.

"He can't be… really dead, right?"

For over a month and a half now, there had been no news from Qasim.

Qasim had met with an accident while destroying the Serpent's Path, and there was no way to tell if he was alive or dead.

"He's a lucky man, don't worry too much, he'll be fine."

"That's true, but I can't help but worry. Maybe I shouldn't have sent him in the first place."

"They say no news is good news. We're continuing the search operations, so he'll turn up soon enough."

"I hope you're right."

While Otto and Camille were worried about Qasim.

"Is Otto here?"

Wazir visited Otto's office.

"Oh! Archduke!"

Otto rose in surprise and welcomed Wazir.

"What can I do for you? Hahaha."

"I've come to see if you're working hard."

"Of course, I've been working hard. There's still a lot left to do though."

Otto gestured to the mountains of documents.

"Hehe. It's a part of being a Lord, so accept it with honor."

"Hahaha."

"By any chance, do you have time next week?"

"Time?"

"It's the Founding Anniversary of the Arad Empire."

"What does that have to do with me?"

"The Emperor is hosting a banquet. An invitation has been sent to me."

"Oh?"

"I don't want to go, but I think you might feel differently."

"It's the Founding Day celebration. That's quite prestigious."

Otto has never been to the Founding Day Banquet.

The game did not implement such a minor event, leaving him without the opportunity to experience it.

"What do you say? Would you like to attend?"

"I'll have to think about it."

The Empire's Founding Anniversary Banquet would be filled with notable people from all parts of the world and include many influential figures.

But there was too much to do to attend the banquet.

There were so many immediate issues to address that the thought of attending the celebration seemed overwhelming.

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That afternoon.

Otto decided to attend the Founding Day Banquet.

The reason was quite simple.

"Your Highness,¹ the Lady has sent you a letter."

"Really? Give it to me."

"Understood."

The letter from Elise said

Dear Fiancé.

I have been busy and unable to visit you.

I hope you're not feeling unhappy.

Could you come to see me if you're not too busy?

Coincidentally, the Founding Day celebration is taking place, and I'd like you to attend with me.

Please respond.

– Your Fiancée.

Elise appeared to be attending the Founding Day banquet, since she was also a member of the Arad Empire.

"Heh."

Otto looked at the letter and couldn't help but smile.

"What are you smiling about?"

"Nothing."

Otto showed the letter to Camille.

"Look at this."

"…Wow."

Camille looked at the letter and made a face of disbelief.

There was nothing wrong with the letter.

It was terse, crude, and typical of Elise's personality.

Is this really a letter from Elise?

The problem is handwriting.

"This…. What is this?"

Camille inquired of Otto.

"Is this really a letter from Lady Elise?"

"I don't know."

Otto smiled sheepishly.

"But I'm pretty sure she wrote it herself. She's not the kind of person who'd let anyone else do it."

"But…."

Camille said, taking another look at the letter.

"The handwriting doesn't look like it belongs to an adult at all."

"Isn't it?"

"Even children can write better than this."

Elise's handwriting was terrible.

It wasn't just bad handwriting, it wasn't just a jagged, squiggly mess.

As Camille noted, Elise's handwriting was as crooked as a toddler's.

"Maybe it's because she's never had to deal with anything administrative?"

"I-Is that so?"

"Because she's probably more used to being on the battlefield and swinging a sword than rolling a pen at a desk, besides, it's cute though."

"You think she's cute?"

"Yep."

Otto nodded.

"She's kind of cute. Didn't you know?"

"…That's a comment that would make the barbarians beyond the Wall puke blood and collapse if they heard it."

Camille shook his head in exasperation.

It was because Otto was the only person who would call Elize, the most dangerous woman in the world, "cute."

"So what are you going to do?"

"Of course I'm going."

Otto replied, as if that should be a question.

"Someone's calling me, so I'm going to go. I already feel bad that she have to come to me so many times."

"Didn't you just say you were busy?"

"I have to make time even when I don't have time. I don't want her to sulk. I don't want to die."

Otto shuddered at the mere thought.

" So you're going?"

"I'm going. Get ready."

"I see."

Camille nodded his head.

"I've gotten invitations every year, so it feels weird to actually go."

"What?"

Otto whipped his head around.

"You've been invited every year?"

"Yes."

"Are you telling me that you're not coming because I'm there, but because you were eligible to go in the first place? Now?"

"Shouldn't I?"

Camille asked, as if it were a problem.

"Even if the action is poor, there is still some value in fame, so they must have sent an invitation."

Admittedly, it would be even stranger if Camille wasn't famous.

Having been sentenced to execution for killing the king's brother.

Despite being just an apprentice knight, he ultimately protected the prince who had taken his lover and helped him ascend to the throne.

"No matter the situation, he had never abandoned his chivalric spirit, so it was not at all strange for him to receive the invitation."

"Damn it."

Otto pouted.

"Was I the only one who didn't get an invitation? The Archduke got one, Elise got one, and you got one too?"

"Yeah, well."

Camille responded, sounding embarrassed.

"I'm sure your maternal grandfather, Grand Duke Conrad, and even Marquis Helmut got one."

"……"

"Are you saying I'm the only one who didn't get one?"

"It looks like it."

"I'm not going."

Otto declared with a look of bitterness on his face.

"I'm not going! No, I'm not going! Why would I go to something I wasn't invited to? I can't go because my pride is hurt!"

"…Why are you being like this?"

"Hmph."

Otto huffed and fumed.

"You'll see. Whether I go or not. You think I don't have money, power, and dignity? I'll never go!"

A week went by.

"Wow~"

Arriving in the capital of the Arad Empire, Otto exclaimed in admiration as he stuck out his tongue.

** ** **

TL/N:

1. So just a note since others are asking why sometimes Otto get called "Your Majesty" and sometimes "Your Highness"

Your Majesty – This is a more formal and respectful address. It is commonly used when addressing a reigning monarch or a king in an official capacity.

Your Highness – This term is also respectful but slightly less formal.