Chapter 158: Ryan Appears

August 20, 2022 - 4 minutes read - 770 words

My name is Ryan, Ryan Abbott. I’m the oldest son of Count Abbott. I’m 25 years old, 180cm (5ft 10in) tall with long silver hair and green eyes. I think of myself as being moderately fit. Up until a few years ago, I served as part of the Royal Guard, but I was discharged to learn territory management to succeed my father.

Recently, I received a letter from my father. It seems he wants me to meet a nobleman, so he wants me to visit the Royal Capital. My father has always kept other aristocrats at arm’s length, so I was surprised he wanted me to meet one-on-one with another noble.

Our family has always privately collected intelligence on the other houses, objectively observing other families from any and all factions, scrutinizing them and occasionally reporting them to His Majesty. Is the nobleman related to intelligence gathering?

It’s true that some investigations require face-to-face meetings, and that is understandable, but is it really so important for me to leave our territory and visit the Royal Capital?

What is my father thinking?

“Father, I’ve arrived.” Ryan Abbott

I’ve arrived in our family’s mansion and been ushered to my father’s office.

“Ryan, are you aware of the recent events in the Royal Capital and Kingdom?” Count Abbott

“I’ve read all the recent reports that made it to the territory. There may have been some recent reports I haven’t seen yet.” Ryan Abbott

“Then shall I get you up to speed with the latest reports?” Count Abbott

It took a few hours for my father to explain all the recent events.

Count Snake, his name has been coming up a lot lately.

He’s the third son of the former Baron Riggsby house and made a name for himself in the First Army. When the Westin family allied with the Empire, he provided information on the families that joined the Westin family in rebellion. One of the families was his own, and as such he was assigned an Inspector General to oversee his actions. During the rebellion he fulfilled seemingly impossible orders and was the major contributor to the low casualties taken by the Kingdom armies. On the back of those military exploits, he was appointed as Viscount Snake and given the former Baron Riggsby territory.

Since then, he has continued to contribute impressive military exploits and is now a Count and Lieutenant Colonel. He recently became engaged to the Third Princess, Her Royal Highness Sonaris. Perhaps he could rise even further with time.

My father explained that I would meet with that Count Snake, also that he had formed an alliance with the Count. The Snake family is engaged to a member of the Royal Family, so he must be part of the Royalist faction. What happened to the arms-length distance the Abbott family has maintained for generations?

I was informed our meeting was to occur tomorrow morning at the Snake mansion. Why is my father in such a hurry?

The next morning, we arrive at the Snake mansion after a 20 minute carriage ride. The gatekeeper looks to be skilled based on his stance. His eyes are sharp, his head movements eliminate blind spots, and his body position is ready to spring into action. Is the Snake territory made up of elite soldiers?

Soon we arrived at the entrance. I’ve heard people say that the front door of the Snake mansion is the door to hell.

When I asked my father about it, he just told me to ‘Look, listen, and be ready for anything!’.

Then the gatekeeper opened the front door. I immediately jumped back a few meters and drew my sword.

“Father!” Ryan Abbott

“Good, you pass!” Count Abbott

“Father?” Ryan Abbott

“That monster is a beast controlled by Count Snake, the Count is a demonologist.” Count Abbott

That’s unbelievable. I know there are people who can control monsters, they’re not overly rare, but I’ve only heard of warm-blooded monsters being controlled. How is Count Snake controlling a reptilian monster? And the size is far larger than any other controlled monster!

“You didn’t scream and acted in a responsible manner. I tried to prevent the knowledge of his pet reaching our territory, you hadn’t heard about this, right?” Count Abbott

“Haha, father. Why would you not want me to know about this part of the Snake mansion?” Ryan Abbott

“Well, I wanted to see your honest reaction to the abnormalities of this place!” Count Abbott

“Father, I don’t think my heart can take any more surprises like this!” Ryan Abbott

I think that took a few years off my life.