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Chapter 163: The Brotherhood
🕑 Added 2025-01-13 02:49:28 +0000 UTCCharlot Mecklenburg greeted his elder brother and sister-in-law with an unusual warmth. From past experience, this enthusiasm often surfaced when Charlot was short on funds and needed to ask his brother for money.
Mecklenburg was strict with his younger brother, but before arriving, he had already heard that Charlot had been promoted to a second-class position among the Thirty-Two Clerks, a rank personally announced by Baron Febollet. This elevated status made him a "prominent figure," which caused Mecklenburg to approach the meeting with some unease.
Although they had been brought to Mostar Castle, the couple had no opportunity to meet any of the nobles. In fact, Charlot was the highest-ranking imperial official Mecklenburg had ever encountered.
During his business dealings, Mecklenburg often had to interact with local officials, treating them with deference and caution. Yet, to Charlot, such figures were likely no more significant than a trifling inconvenience.
Winnie, Charlot's sister-in-law, broke the ice. "Charlot, your brother and I were worried when we heard you'd been brought to Mostar Castle. We heard you were leading troops into battle. Have you suffered? Were you injured?"
Winnie had always treated Charlot well. She even introduced her own younger sister as his fiancée and frequently supported him during his student years with pocket money. Her kindness compelled Charlot to show her some respect.
Smiling gently, Charlot replied, "I’m perfectly fine."
Despite fighting in numerous battles, duels, assassinations, and street brawls, Charlot had an uncanny streak of escaping unscathed. It was almost miraculous.
After a brief pause, Charlot asked, "Is there something you need?"
"War might still break out outside the city. It's dangerous," Mecklenburg hesitated before continuing. "The nobles hope you’ll come into the city. They want to hold a few banquets to celebrate."
Charlot laughed. Two ducal couples had just died, Mostar Castle had fallen to Lady Nancella’s forces, and though Hughes had withdrawn, the situation remained precarious. Instead of focusing on strengthening their defenses, the nobles were eager to throw a party?
How typical of nobles.
Indulgence was their specialty.
Charlot understood why so many nobles were inviting him. They feared another war, and his presence offered a semblance of safety.
After all, he had fought against Lady Nancella herself.
Moreover, earlier that very day, at the foot of Mostar Castle, he had publicly slain the infamous Zolman and crushed the rebellious South Seraph restorationists.
Yet Charlot had no intention of mingling with these nobles. They could offer no assistance for his official career.
Despite being born in the Behemoth Principality, Charlot bore the unmistakable imprint of the Fars Empire. He had graduated from Sheffield University, one of the empire's four elite universities. Afterward, he worked in the Central Government Office before transferring to Kilmainham Prison as Chief Clerk, then serving as Head Overseer in the Lukavaro District’s patrol guards.
Even as a political novice, Charlot knew that distancing himself from the nobility of the Behemoth Principality was crucial to avoid suspicion from the Central Government.
As for returning to the principality to serve, Charlot had never even considered it. What future could the Behemoth Principality offer? His family were mere merchants, incapable of providing political backing. In a land dominated by the local aristocracy, he would remain a subordinate, never an equal.
Charlot refrained from explaining all this to his brother and sister-in-law. Instead, he simply said, "As part of the Central Government Office’s Military Knights Division, I cannot enter Mostar Castle without a direct order from Strasbourg."
"See? I miss Father and you dearly, yet I haven’t dared to enter Mostar Castle. How could I risk it just for a banquet?"
Mecklenburg had no response. He knew Charlot wasn’t being entirely truthful—how would anyone in Strasbourg even know if he entered the city?
To ease the tension, Winnie interjected, "How is Sylvie? Since she went to Strasbourg, she hasn’t written."
Charlot smiled. "Sylvie is doing well. She chose to become a detective and joined one of Strasbourg’s largest detective agencies, the Cat Detective Agency. I also know their leader, Venie Arsenault, an extraordinary high-ranking Transcendent. Under her guidance, Sylvie has a promising future."
Winnie sighed. "I always thought you two would end up together. Have you officially annulled the engagement?"
Charlot nodded. Sylvie had likely informed her family through a letter. He had no intention of hiding the truth. While Sylvie was an excellent woman, Annie was clearly the better choice.
Thinking about the matter, Charlot felt a twinge of melancholy. He couldn’t help but curse Hughes for carelessly spreading rumors about his past. Would Grandma Saint Karen find out?
Charlot never imagined the Count would investigate him. After all, he and Annie were far from officially betrothed. Besides, even on Earth, thorough background checks were rare, let alone on the Old Continent.
Charlot remained optimistic.
Especially since the Count had entrusted Grandma Saint Karen to protect him, Charlot misjudged both a father’s love for his daughter and the favor of fortune.
He underestimated one and overestimated the other.
Charlot shared a simple meal with his brother and sister-in-law in a military carriage before seeing them off. Before they left, he gifted them a military carriage.
The carriage was issued by the Central Government Office’s logistics division for use by the Lukavaro patrol guards. Its provenance was clear, avoiding any complications. Charlot could simply report it as lost in battle to balance the accounts.
Charlot’s family owned an old, small carriage primarily used for transporting goods, which was uncomfortable for passengers. He had overheard Winnie complaining about wanting a new one. However, Mecklenburg, though capable of affording it, deemed it unnecessary and repeatedly told her to wait a few years.
The carriage Charlot selected was of excellent quality, equipped with sturdy military draft horses only eight years old.
The Mecklenburgs were overjoyed. Although they felt they had treated Charlot fairly, they had worried he might hold a grudge or even seek revenge after his rise to prominence.
Charlot’s attitude, while not overly intimate, showed respect. The carriage was a gesture of goodwill. On their way back to Mostar Castle, Winnie remarked, "I still think Sylvie and Charlot are a perfect match."
"Before, you thought Charlot was too reckless to maintain a family. But look at him now!"
"I’ll write to Sylvie. Charlot’s youthful indiscretions aren’t unforgivable."
Mecklenburg hesitated, then thought to himself, Would you let me get away with those things?
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