I Became a Lord in the Game

Chapter : 3

After meeting Isabella, I thought for a moment that there wouldn't be any problems for a while.

In just one day, I realized that this thought of mine was a misjudgment.

“Who sent this?”

“Regent Isabella sent it. She sent it in hopes of your complete recovery, as she heard you were ill, My Lord.”

“Is thaaat so?”

With a dubious expression, I looked at the herbal tonic the servant handed me.

No matter how I looked at it, it was a suspicious tonic.

But would she really do it openly? With a sliver of doubt, I received the tonic and brought it to my lips.

Just then.

-Tiriring.

[A weak poison has been detected.]

[It is not a problem for now, but continued consumption will have a major negative impact on your wounds.]

-Pffft!

‘This is crazy!’

It seems I had underestimated Isabella’s greed. Now that I acted like I was seriously injured, she was taking more aggressive measures.

“My Lord?”

“Ah, it went down the wrong pipe. It’s nothing.”

“Shall I bring you another tonic then?”

What? Drink the poison again?

This person is trying to kill me. But hiding my inner thoughts, I waved my hand at the servant.

“No. It's fine. Leave it. I'll drink the rest on my own. Oh, and please convey my thanks to my stepmother.”

“Um, understood, My Lord.”

The servant tilted his head and then scurried out.

I watched his back silently, and as soon as the door closed, I shot up from my seat.

Then I tilted the tonic bowl out the window.

-Trickle, trickle, trickle.

The poisoned tonic scattered onto the ground far below. I stared at it blankly for a moment, then sighed.

I thought she was a difficult woman, but she was an even more audacious one. Isabella.

Being subjected to an assassination attempt once again, I realized that the messed-up state of my internal affairs wasn't for nothing.

Just then.

‘Huh?’

[You have overcome the threat of assassination.]

[He Who Avoids Poisoning – Achievement Unlocked!]

[As a reward, the Character Status will be activated.]

* * *

‘What’s this?’

[Pangea Universalise] didn't have a system for individual character development. That means this is a feature added with this transmigration….

Curious, I thought of the character status. Then the status window appeared.

[Character Status]

[Johan de Bellua]

[Diplomacy 2] [Stewardship 2] [Intrigue 3] [Martial 7]

[Trait: ??? (Not yet discovered)]

The stats were in a pathetic state.

At least the Martial stat seemed quite high, but the rest were terrible.

‘Hmm. By the way, what roles do these stats play?’

As soon as I thought it, detailed information appeared.

[Diplomacy – Affects prestige and the mutual relationship and trust between various characters.]

[Stewardship – Affects corruption, production efficiency, and discipline.]

[Intrigue – Affects the success rate and effectiveness of schemes and plots, and the probability of discovering plots.]

[Martial – Affects personal combat prowess and the combat prowess of levied troops.]

[Trait – Various talents bestowed upon the character. Not yet discovered.]

[Notification: Personal stats can be increased through various events.]

Oh, I see now why the state of my domain was a mess.

With everything but Martial being low, the various internal affairs stats were hitting rock bottom even when I did nothing.

‘The internal affairs are a problem, but my personal stats are a big problem too….’

Still, it's a relief that they can be raised through events. Thinking that, I closed the status window.

That’s not what’s important right now.

‘Stepmother Isabella….’

After receiving the poisoned tonic just now, I seemed to understand. That there was no point in hesitating about whether to do it or not.

If she was moving that openly, the longer time passed, the more disadvantageous it would be for me.

I could only survive if I got rid of her quickly.

“This is ridiculous.”

It was a medieval game with truly deep(?) family affection.

* * *

There was only one way to deal with my stepmother right now.

That was to use the stablemaster.

Since it was an attempted assassination, this was undoubtedly the most certain method.

‘Hmm…. I’ll need someone I can trust and entrust this to.’

I racked my brain, searching my memories.

Who should I use?

I need someone I can trust to carry out my orders as if they were their own.

And fortunately, it wasn't long before I could easily think of someone to play the role of the swordsman.

He was Hamil Ludwig.

The steward of the Bellua Margraviate and the father of Biden, who had escorted me yesterday.

He was the one who had rendered distinguished service by killing the previous Count Bozen in the conflict with House Bozen, and was, in effect, Count Bozen's enemy.

If my domain were to fall completely into my stepmother Isabella’s hands, he would be the number one target for purging.

‘Like it or not, he is my political partner.’

Whatever his motives, he was a person who would do his best to protect me. I sent someone to secretly summon Biden.

“You summoned me, My Lord.”

“Yes, I have something for you to do. Bring the steward.”

“Pardon?”

“I mean your father, Sir.”

“I know that, but…. for what reason do you summon my father? Treatment should come first, so please call the doctor first, My Lord.”

Biden questioned me, saying he didn't understand.

“I've already been treated. Hurry and bring your father. Secretly.”

I repeated with emphasis.

Biden was momentarily puzzled but soon left the room without another word.

I watched Biden’s retreating back and smacked my lips.

‘He’s honest, but not very smart.’

By now, he should have a rough grasp of the situation, but it seems Biden still doesn’t know what’s going on.

Well, it was also excessive to demand political judgment from a knight.

Knights of this era were too busy honing their combat skills.

No, among some knights, not knowing how to read was even a means of showing valor and a source of pride.

‘Well, even if he’s only good at fighting, he has his own value.’

In [Pangea Universalise], Biden was a knight and general with fairly high war stats.

Reflecting that setting, the Biden in my memory had actually won a knight's tournament and was a veteran who had fought in several wars.

Having such a killing machine protecting me is reassuring in its own way.

And fortunately.

“I heard you were injured. Are you alright, My Lord?”

Biden’s father, Hamil Ludwig, was a faster thinker than I had imagined.

“Thanks to your concern, I was not seriously injured.”

“God has helped you.”

At my words, Hamil let out a sigh of relief.

“There have been some disloyal movements within the domain recently. I was worried sick thinking something terrible might happen.”

“Hmm….”

Disloyal movements, he says.

I stroked my chin.

This old man was quicker on the uptake than I thought.

“Perhaps the reason you summoned this old man is not simply because of the accident, is it?”

“Well, you probably called me for the reason you’re thinking of.”

“…Then a big problem must have occurred.”

“Exactly. A very big problem.”

“Ah….”

As soon as my words ended, Hamil let out a groan.

And at the same time, Hamil’s wrinkled face contorted into a grimace.

“I had a rough idea when I heard the story of the fall from the horse. Don't tell me they sent an assassin?”

“I doubt they’d go that far.”

“Then…?”

“It seems they used a poisonous herb. There was red foam around the horse’s mouth.”

“A typical method, in the intrigues of noble families. Surely you are not going to let this slide, are you, My Lord? It is the nature of conspirators to keep biting if you show weakness.”

‘Indeed.’

I marveled inwardly.

They say old peppers are the hottest, and Hamil's assessment of the situation was very quick.

I didn't answer and just gave a slight smile.

“As a matter of fact, the stablemaster’s movements were suspicious.”

“Don’t jump to conclusions yet. Isn't it possible that he has nothing to do with it?”

The possibility was slim, but of course, it was possible.

It could just be that the horse had a stomach ache out of sheer bad luck. Horses were naturally sensitive animals.

Of course, neither I nor Hamil thought that was likely.

“But My Lord…. if we arrest the stablemaster, it could certainly cause problems. Will you be alright?”

“Problems? What problems? You mean Isabella?”

“Ah…. well, that’s.”

Hamil seemed flustered by my direct words.

It was understandable, as the original owner of this body would not have acted so strongly. It would be stranger if he weren't flustered to see his master suddenly changed.

But.

The one occupying this body now was me.

Me, who is struggling to avoid death.

“This was my domain. But at some point, someone started to eat away at my domain. So…. I will take back my rightful authority.”

“Are you serious, My Lord?”

Hamil asked again. It seemed he found it hard to believe.

But soon, upon seeing my determined expression, he made a moved face.

“Yes. There is much to be done from now on. Will you help me?”

“I have been eagerly awaiting those words. Please give your orders.”

* * *

The stablemaster was unusually anxious today.

He heard that the lord had been brought back to the castle on a stretcher. The doctor had also rushed into the inner castle.

At a glance, the plan seemed to have succeeded, but there was still no news of the lord being in critical condition.

If the lord were to get up without any major problems….

Shiver, shiver, shiver-.

The stablemaster, who had unknowingly imagined something terrible, trembled. If being blinded by a few gold coins was a sin, then it was a sin.

The stablemaster looked around and cautiously headed towards Isabella's residence. To get rid of this anxiety, he had to get a confirmation from her.

“Lady Isabella. It’s me.”

Guided by a servant, the stablemaster stood in front of the door and spoke carefully. Then the door opened, and Isabella greeted him with a frown.

“You knave. Who do you think you are to come here at this hour? Did I not tell you to stay quietly in your house?”

At Isabella’s words, the stablemaster flinched. He had just remembered her instructions from last time.

But what's done is done.

The stablemaster mustered his courage and replied.

“I did as instructed, but, th, the lord is said to be alive, Lady Isabella. If the lord becomes angry and arrests me….”

“You did as instructed? Oh, I see. So you’re anxious, and you mean to tell the lord that I ordered it all before you get arrested?”

“No-! How dare I.”

The stablemaster was startled by the unexpected words and waved his hands.

“That’s not what I meant, but I was thinking we should prepare now. Since the lord is alive, won't he investigate me?

If you just give me a suitable excuse, I could take a trip to another city for a while….”

“Tsk, tsk.”

At that, Isabella clicked her tongue and snapped the fan she was holding shut. She knew he was a pathetic fellow, but she didn’t know he was this much of a coward.

“You fool. Don’t you know that would only raise more suspicion?”

“Ah….”

“And I have already checked the lord's condition. The wounds from the fall seemed quite severe.

He said he smelled blood every time he coughed, so if we’re lucky, he might even die from those wounds.”

In fact, deaths from falls from horses were often due to the wounds getting infected. A broken rib could pierce the lung and worsen the injury.

Of course, apart from that, there was another reason Isabella was at ease.

“Besides, the lord doesn’t suspect you.”

“Pardon? What do you mean by that?”

“He thinks he fell because of his own mistake. He even begged me not to punish you. Isn’t he foolish?

No, since he’s such a pathetic fellow, he might have actually fallen due to his own inexperience. Hohoho.”

“Ha…. hahaha.”

Following Isabella, the stablemaster laughed awkwardly. According to Isabella, there was certainly nothing for him to worry about.

It was just that an unexplainable uneasiness kept tickling the back of his neck.

“So you just wait without worrying. Understood?”

“Understood, Lady Isabella.”

* * *

Leaving Isabella's residence, the stablemaster hurried home.

She said there would be no problem, but he kept feeling an inexplicable uneasiness.

So, he planned to destroy all the hidden evidence in preparation for any unforeseen problems.

But.

‘Huh?’

Standing in front of his door, the stablemaster felt something was strange.

The lock on the main gate was open.

‘A… thief?’

Tilting his head, he carefully opened the door and checked inside the room, but there were no signs of a break-in.

‘I must have left the door unlocked when I went out.’

His nerves were clearly on edge due to the recent series of events. The stablemaster sighed and pushed his desk.

Screeeech-.

A hair-raising sound echoed as the floor was scraped. But the stablemaster paid no heed and continued to push.

And finally, when the floor under the desk was fully exposed, the stablemaster began to tear it up.

A secret safe.

There was a secret safe under the desk.

‘Hmph….’

Inside the safe were the poisonous herb and a pouch of gold coins he had received from Isabella.

‘I need to get rid of this quickly.’

The stablemaster muttered, patting the bulging pouch.

The gold coin pouch was one thing, but the poisonous herb was truly damning evidence.

It seemed he could only sleep peacefully once he got rid of this quickly.

‘No.’

Let’s just take the gold and flee to another city while I’m at it.

From what he could see, Isabella didn’t seem to be making sound judgments. A woman blinded by power…. the end of most of them was not good.

With this much money, he could live quite extravagantly.

He would live a splendid second life in the city without having to worry about what others think.

As he dreamed of such a rosy life for a moment.

“Huh?”

The stablemaster, who had raised himself up, noticed something and was taken aback.

Pieces of metal pointing at him as if to stab him.

“Where do you think you’re going, trying to flee in the middle of the night?”

It was.

Biden and the soldiers who had hidden inside the house.