Chapter 247.2. There’s Always A Scheme Anywhere

Munching on the steak with gusto, Elizabeth glanced sharply, revealing her fangs, while maintaining a piercing gaze. She continued to order seconds from the waiter, all the while. Nan-chan also ordered the same thing. Is Nan-chan’s stomach connected to another dimension?
Nan-chan’s food-fighting prowess, producing empty plates one after another, caught Mii-chan’s peripheral vision, making it hard for her to fully concentrate on Elizabeth. She carried on speaking.
“Granting the title of Marchioness is an immense honor. However, in exchange, your assets have to be distributed. Is that correct?”
“Yes. We’ve already decided how to distribute them.”
Apart from the troublesome branch family, a new branch family was planned to be established and placed under it. Mi-chan’s centralized rule would focus on heroes, Lug, and others who had been helped so far. Hehe.
Indeed, creating a simulation game from scratch for founding a nation is fun!
“Isn’t that so? While it may appear as a splendid reward, in reality, it’s aimed at weakening Takano County. His Majesty the Emperor is beginning to be cautious of you. Perhaps even more so than the Kamuna family.”
“But, Mii-sama doesn’t intend to oppose His Majesty the Emperor. Even now, she’s acting for the sake of His Majesty the Emperor.”
Seeing Mii-chan looking a bit disheartened at not being able to grasp the minced fish, kind Yamiyo intervenes, picking up the namuro and placing it in Mii-chan’s mouth.
However, Elizabeth shakes her shoulders and laughs.
“Ha! It wouldn’t be unreasonable to think you’ve been opposing Kanna Dukedom, pretending to join the Emperor’s faction, and expanding your influence. Your father went too far.”
“Because papa is amazing!”
Mii-chan smiles happily, saying that her papa is smart. Well, it’s not unreasonable to see it that way.
“So, establish an independent faction and build your influence. Otherwise, His Majesty the Emperor will continue to target Takano County by weakening and scheming against you. Create a faction that even His Majesty the Emperor hesitates to meddle with.”
With a prominently armored chest for a middle-schooler, Elizabeth stares with her arms crossed.
Hmm… In the original work, she was a foolish wolf acting blindly for Shin, but she’s showing quite a bit of cunning, huh?
That cunning leads to one thing.
This wolf girl figured out Shin’s charade… That’s why she blindly assisted in the original work. And she even pretended to have a simple personality.
Of course. A naive, wealthy girl, the former fiancée trying to help the exiled protagonist, wouldn’t exist. Especially in a scheming vortex like the Marquisate. She’d just be fodder.
Oh dear, it’s not good to see the hidden side of the original work. Still, I have to admit. It’s quite an intriguing proposal.
The Emperor set a trap with a grand reward. This time, the reward for becoming a marchioness was such a thing. And refusing to accept it was also difficult.
Since this is the first bestowal of a marchioness, declining would damage the Emperor’s reputation. That might lead to speculation of conflicts and rumors of not being aligned with the Emperor’s faction. 
Kanna Dukedom might regain its influence, but even without that, discord might arise within factions. 
It was a well-crafted reward. One reason for the rapid growth of Takano County was its alignment with the Emperor’s faction and the strong loyalty of Teijou Marquisate as its backbone. I can’t repay kindness with enmity. 
The Emperor exploited this point skillfully. Quite cunning. Even though in the original work, the country was just getting trampled by Kanna Dukedom… I can imagine why. I had something in mind for a while.
Seeing Mii-chan fall silent, Elizabeth grins.
“It seems my proposal has caught your interest. If you agree, your friends here will likely concur, and the significance of me dining at the same table will be clear to everyone.”
“Hmm… So, that means Menou Marquisate will offer support.”
“We can’t make it overt, but our family still possesses substantial assets, even when pushed into a corner. Can we be of assistance?”
They’re supporting both Kanna and Takano families, taking a double-standard approach.
What should she do? Mii-chan has incorporated quite a few lower-ranking nobles into her faction, but her influence is still thin among the 36 major noble families. 
The rapid rise of Takano County can explain that. After a shortage of talent comes a shortage of connections.
After gathering wealth and talent, deep connections become necessary. Climbing up the ladder is tough. That also explains why Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s reign ended so quickly. 
Various elements are required for true ascension.
“Alright, I understand.”
“Agreed, I presume?”
With a joyful expression, Elizabeth stands up abruptly from her chair. The table shakes, and at that moment, Kon-chan swiftly snatches the fried tofu from the kitsune soba that Tamamo had been carefully saving. Tamamo lets out a cry of dismay.
Amidst the somewhat lacking tension, I tap the table with my finger.
“Well then, let’s settle it with a duel.”
“A duel?”
“Yes. There’s also a selection tournament, but let’s decide with a duel on a floating board. We’ll determine the stakes after we’ve had dessert.”
With a subtle, blossoming smile, Mii-chan rises from her seat to prepare dessert.
Maybe I should make a fruit parfait today. Cooking III should be sufficient, right?