Free Web NovelChapter 141: Cynthia von Blade, Daughter of the Count’s House
"Thank you for coming to greet me, Rigel von Gousel."
"This is an honor, Lord Blade. Thank you for making the journey."
Rigel greeted the person before him—Count Blade—with a broad smile on his face.
They were in a certain mansion located in the royal capital of the former Valestain Kingdom. In one of its rooms, Rigel had been waiting for the arrival of the "army dispatched to govern the occupied territories." And now, the man at the very top of that occupation force, Count Blade, had entered the room.
"Thanks to Your Lordship’s arrival, I can finally return to the Wistaria Kingdom with peace of mind."
Rigel flattered Count Blade. Born into the noble Gousel Marquess family and possessing the cheat skill [Rape], Rigel was arrogant and overbearing by nature. He did not humble himself even to those of equal status, let alone those slightly above him. However, he still wasn’t bold enough to speak casually to the head of a Count’s household.
"I see. That’s good to hear. The land you have secured will bring great benefit to the Wistaria Kingdom. Be sure to report it properly to His Majesty. I look forward to seeing what kind of reward His Majesty will bestow upon you."
"Thank you very much."
Rigel bowed his head.
Thanks to his achievements, all the territory of the former Valestain Kingdom had become part of the Wistaria Kingdom. However, it went without saying that not all of that land would become Rigel’s personal domain.
In the future, a portion of the former Valestain territory might be granted to the Gousel Marquess family that Rigel was set to inherit... or perhaps Rigel himself would be given a new peerage and awarded part of the territory... or possibly rewarded with gold and valuables. In any case, there was no doubt he would receive some form of substantial reward.
"By the way... do you have a fiancée, my boy?"
"No, unfortunately not."
"Hmm... I see."
"Yes. As you know, I was infamous for being incompetent. No woman would want to be engaged to someone like that."
Rigel laughed self-mockingly.
"Well, that’s true... But now that you’ve achieved such great accomplishments, the situation is different."
"Is that... how it works?"
"Without a doubt. Once you return to the Wistaria Kingdom, you’ll be flooded with offers. Actually, your father, who returned ahead of you, might be the one having the harder time."
"My father... Yes, that might be the case."
Rigel gave a bitter smile.
At the moment the Valestain Kingdom fell, three nobles from the Wistaria Kingdom were present in the royal capital: Rigel, his older sister Mesterica, and their father Balzac.
A messenger announcing the victory had been sent immediately. However, since it was such a重大 report, they decided that one of the three needed to return and have an audience with the King in person.
On the other hand, it would be problematic for all the nobles to leave the newly occupied territory at once. Therefore, Rigel—the most skilled in combat among them—was chosen to remain in the former Valestain royal capital.
In the Wistaria Kingdom, where the main hero of the victory was absent, attention was likely shifting toward Rigel’s father, Balzac, instead.
"How about my daughter?"
"Eh? Your daughter...?"
"Indeed. Her name is Cynthia... Do you know of her?"
"Of course I do. She is Lady Cynthia von Blade, the Count’s daughter, known as the ’Silver Saint Knight.’"
"Yes. Would you like to meet her?"
"Hmm... I feel like I might just be a bother if someone like me went to see her..."
Rigel showed reluctance. To be honest, he found it troublesome. Whenever he heard the word "woman," the only thing that came to his mind was rape.
However, even he knew better than to rape the daughter of a Count from his own kingdom. He had at least that much sense. Therefore, meeting a woman he couldn’t rape was nothing but a waste of time for Rigel.
"No, no... On the contrary, she would be delighted. To think she could meet Sir Rigel, who performed heroic deeds on the battlefield."
"Is that so...?"
It appeared that Count Blade and his daughter were unaware of Rigel’s fondness for rape. Only news of his overwhelming military achievements had reached the Wistaria Kingdom.
"What do you think about marrying Cynthia?"
"Marriage... huh... I’ve never really thought about it."
"I see. Then, what about her skill with the sword? Or her appearance...?"
"Um... I think both are wonderful."
Rigel gave a safe answer.
Although he had been called incompetent, it wasn’t as if he had never interacted with other noble families. Several years ago, he had met Cynthia at a party. Moreover, stories of the strength of the woman known as the "Silver Saint Knight" reached his ears whether he wanted to hear them or not.
"Fufu. I see, I see. So Sir Rigel holds Cynthia in high regard?"
"Huh?"
"You like Cynthia, don’t you?"
"Eh, well... yes... I suppose..."
(What...? What is he thinking...?)
Rigel grew wary of Count Blade, who had suddenly begun speaking in such a meaningful tone—however—
"It has been a long time! I am truly honored to meet you! Sir Rigel!!"
The next moment, another person appeared and grasped Rigel’s hand.
"Nn!? ...Nn! Nn!"
The person kissed Rigel forcefully. A tongue pushed its way in, licking every corner of his mouth.
"Nn... Puha..."
"Fuu... I have given away my first kiss... Fufu..."
The girl who pulled away from Rigel had flushed cheeks and moist eyes as she spoke.
—-
Rigel had welcomed the occupation army from the Wistaria Kingdom.
After exchanging greetings with its leader, Count Blade, he was finally in a position to return to the Wistaria Kingdom.
However, at that very moment, he was suddenly given a passionate kiss by the girl Count Blade had brought with him.
"Miss, it’s not good to be so reckless."
"Ah! ...I-I’m sorry!"
Cynthia’s eyes widened in realization, and she hurriedly pulled away from Rigel. She seemed quite worked up.
"Ahem...! Please forgive my daughter’s slight rudeness, Sir Rigel."
"Haa..."
Count Blade cleared his throat to change the mood and apologized to Rigel.
"Let me introduce her properly. This is my third daughter—Cynthia."
"I-It’s been a while... I’m Cynthia."
"Ah... Hello..."
Rigel was bewildered. He had not expected to be kissed so suddenly.
"Um... Is something wrong?"
"No... It’s just that an unmarried young lady kissing a man so casually... isn’t exactly praiseworthy behavior, you know."
"Y-You’re right... I’m truly sorry..."
"Well, I don’t particularly mind."
Of course he didn’t. What man would dislike being kissed by a beautiful girl? None. (Rhetorical question.)
Rigel could have dodged Cynthia’s kiss if he had wanted to. He simply chose not to.
"So, why did you do that to me?"
"T-That’s because..."
When Rigel asked, Cynthia’s face turned bright red. Watching her reaction, Rigel immediately understood.
(Heh... So that’s it... This girl... She’s in love with me, huh?)
Rigel smirked.
Between the passionate kiss earlier and her current embarrassed demeanor, it was obvious she had feelings for him.
(Heh heh... I love rape more than three meals a day, but... I don’t exactly hate consensual lovey-dovey sex either~)
Rigel licked his lips.
He had raped countless women before and derived intense pleasure from overpowering those who resisted. However, he also had some interest in the scenario of "passionate lovemaking with a loving partner."
(Hehe... Plus, with a little ingenuity, I can rape her anytime I want. Sneaking up on her with a mask so she doesn’t recognize me and raping Cynthia sounds pretty fun...)
Rigel schemed something wicked in his mind. He truly was the lowest kind of scum, plotting against a girl who adored him.
"Cynthia. If you’re willing, would you like to get engaged to me?"
"Y-Yes...!? Is that really okay?"
"Yeah... Of course."
Rigel smiled broadly and extended his hand toward Cynthia.
"Looking forward to being with you, Cynthia."
"Yes...! I’ll be in your care as well!"
Rigel had obtained a beautiful and seemingly obedient fiancée.
Not only was Cynthia herself—the bearer of the title "Silver Saint Knight"—enthusiastic, but her father, Count Blade, was clearly in favor as well.
Rigel’s future looked completely smooth sailing.
Or so he thought—for only a brief moment—
"Well then, I have just one request for you, Sir Rigel!"
"Hm? What is it? Feel free to say anything."
Rigel answered lightly. After all, as the heir to a Marquess family and possessor of the cheat skill [Rape], he believed he could handle almost anything.
Gold and silver treasures?
Beautiful accessories?
Expensive magic tools?
Rigel could obtain any of those within the day.
Legendary-grade weapons?
Dragon meat?
With a bit of time, he could almost certainly acquire them.
A higher peerage?
Vast territories?
If he played his cards right with his recent achievements, he could aim for those as rewards from the King of Wistaria.
(Heh heh... The moment the engagement is settled, she starts making demands... Even though she’s a Count’s daughter, she’s pretty cute, isn’t she?)
Rigel grinned to himself.
However—
"Please never cheat on me! Mistresses and concubines are absolutely forbidden!!"
"...Huh?"
Rigel let out a dumbfounded voice. The development was so unexpected that his mind couldn’t keep up.
"W-Wait a second! Cynthia. What did you just say?"
"Yes... I cannot allow you to flirt with other women, Sir Rigel. So please don’t get close to any girls other than me!"
Cynthia declared this with a serious gaze.
"No, but... that’s going to be quite difficult..."
"Is it impossible?"
"Yeah... We’re nobles, after all. To ensure we have heirs, it’s necessary to take multiple wives."
Rigel spoke what was, on the surface, perfectly reasonable.
Of course, it was just a pretext. His true intention was to continue raping women left and right as he pleased.
"Eeeeehhh!! That’s so cruel! Don’t I exist right here?!!"
Cynthia cried out in dissatisfaction.
The conversation seemed headed for a deadlock. Seeing this, Count Blade stepped in with a suggestion.
"Let’s put that discussion on hold for now. We’ll need to speak with your father, Marquess Gousel, as well. For the time being, just keep in mind that such a topic has come up."
"Haa..."
To Rigel, this had become a troublesome situation.
He wasn’t against marrying the beautiful girl. Especially since she was a powerful individual known as the "Silver Saint Knight," which offered various potential uses. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
However, the ban on cheating and concubines was a problem. At this rate, it seemed even raping commoners or training sex slaves would be forbidden.
(Tch... Whatever. The real discussion will come later anyway. I can just think up an excuse to refuse by then.)
With that thought, Rigel stopped thinking about the engagement.
He was about to resume preparations for his return journey to the Wistaria Kingdom when—
"R-Report!!"
A messenger came running, out of breath.
"What is it?"
"Enemy attack! The Haidegar Federation army has launched an assault!!"
"What did you say!?"
Count Blade cried out in shock. Cynthia was also at a loss for words.
Amidst them, only Rigel wore a composed, relaxed expression.
