NOVEL SIMPLE с1
Counts of Dicaman.
They have been producing very effective magic potions for generations, supporting the kingdom and ranking high among the noble families.
The current head of the family has a 10-year-old son and a 9-year-old daughter.
The son, who is also the heir to the family estate, is a genius and is said to have a bright future ahead of him.
His skill in making magic potions is close to that of the current head of the family.
But the peaceful and happy time did not last long.
"'What?
What did you just say?"
"The master fell ill and died while researching a solution to an epidemic in the duke's territory.
Bosco, the butler whom the father trusted the most and had served since his grandfather's generation, reported that the father, the head of the count's family, had passed away.
I knew that my father was in search of a solution to a disease that has long been circulating in the ducal territory, and that he was in contact with the patients and looking for a cure.
But,
"Why?
"That disease was not something that would kill him immediately".
"...the Master became ill two months ago."
Why didn't you tell me then!"
I was so furious that I could understand it myself.
I was about to spread my anger all around when Bosco interrupted me in a loud voice.
"It was the Master's order!"
"...Father's?"
"Yes, master.
"Everything is written here."
'Give it to me!"
I roughly took the letter in Bosco's hand and read the contents.
ーーー
I instructed Bosco to give this letter to you after I die.
Please allow me to pass away first, without finding the cause of the Duke's illness or a cure for it. This illness cannot be cured, on the contrary, the recovery magic of the priests has proven not to cure it, but to worsen it.
I'll skip the details, as I've already summarized them in another document.
The only reason I didn't tell you that I was going to die is because even if you knew, you wouldn't be able to see me.
Considering that you are my precious successor and that your bloodline would be severed if you became ill, I decided it was better not to tell you.
I have already done the change of the head of Count Dicaman's family,
I entrust it to you, Khalil, my son.
Take care of the territory and the people.
ーーー
These are the words of a kind father, but they are formal.
He must have written this letter with that much determination, as a final lesson to me as the head of the family.
"Is that everything?"
"That is all there is to the letter to Khalil-sama.
And here is the ring, the proof of being the head of the family".
The ring he gave me was a less visible ring with the family crest on it, a nobleman's ring, a historic item that signifies the head of an aristocratic family.
"Bosco..."
"What is it?"
If I were the head of the family, would you serve me until the end?
I have already decided in my mind that I will be the head of the family. But I was afraid of what people around me would think.
"Of course.
"Master Khalil is the head of Count Dicaman's family, and I will be with you until my last breath."
Bosco's eyes were so powerful that I could not believe that he was over 70 years old this year.
At the same time, it was very encouraging.
Bosco, I will do this.
I will find a way to cure the disease that killed my father and make our count's family even more powerful.
I was resolved to do it.
Two years later
Two years have passed since I became the head of the family.
Fortunately, the servants have all been supportive, and the Count's family is growing steadily.
Of course, other noble families insulted me because of my young age, and spies appeared to steal information about magic potions.
It was hard to bear when a person I almost trusted turned out to be a traitor, but with Bosco's support, I was able to turn things around quickly.
I have something to tell you about the red stone illness.
"Leave the documents there, just give me a brief summary."
I am currently looking for a cure for a disease that is spreading in the Duke's territory.
The disease is called red stone disease because the body gradually becomes motionless like a stone over a period of one to two months, and eventually the heart becomes like a red gemstone.
"Both of the two treatments that have been tried have failed.
"Both failed in their attempts to cure the disease.
And..."
The subordinate who was reporting to me said apologetically, "I'm sorry".
He must have been concerned about me, I can imagine what he said after that.
"And what is it?"
'In the Duke's territory, the distrust of the Count is increasing...'
So that's what had happened after all.
The Countess Dicaman's family is famous for their magical potions, and despite the fact that the family has been searching for a cure for a long time, they still haven't found it yet.
And that is probably not the only reason.
There are rumors among the people that the current head of the Dukedom is afraid of the former head of the Dukedom, who fought against the disease until the end of his life, and that he doesn't come to the Duke's territory.
It is an excuse, but I could not leave the count's family at this point.
If I were to fall ill, there would be an opportunity for the Count's family to fall apart, and if Bosco were to enter the family, it would be tolerable, but it would certainly lead to the decline of the Count's family.
Well, I hope a cure can be discovered soon.
'Yes, I suppose so.'
Knock-knock.
'Excuse me."
The Duchess Elwell has arrived.
" ! I'll be right there."
My fiancée, Nora Elwell,
Daughter of the Duke Elwell, she became engaged to me according to a contract between the former head of the family and the Duke.
The condition is the cure for red stone disease.
"Bosco, I'm going to greet her now.
I'm counting on you to take care of things here."
"I'm sorry."
I fell in love at first sight when I met her for the first time.
I was so nervous when I first met her that I couldn't think about anything else, and I fell in love with her.
After we parted, I cooled down and suddenly thought about my relationship with her and realized that there was no way she would like me.
Yes, I realized that she did not have a good impression of me. It is strange that she should have a good impression of me who cannot cure her illness even after all this time.
This is the fourth time we have met in person, but I doubt we will have any kind of a conversation this time either.
"I apologize for keeping you waiting."
"......"
She looked out the window and sat in her chair with a gloomy look on her face, her long, beautiful blonde hair swaying.
'Thank you for coming today .'
'Yes...'
The maid behind her is sending a look that is akin to murderous intent towards the cold response, as usual.
She admonished the maid with a glance and sat down on a chair to face me, but she looked out the window and didn't even look at me.
It pains me to be ignored by the girl I like, but I must accept it.
(I will cure that disease.
I will endure until then. d-)
Just as I was about to make up my mind again, a large amount of information entered my head.
It seemed like it took me a long time to fully process it, but in reality, it took almost no time at all.
(What a memory!)
The information was the memory of a man who lived in a world other than this one
("Jealous, Count...")
And a memory of a game in which a villain known as the Jealous Count appeared.
And the name of the man called Count Jealous was
Khalil Dikaman.
It was me.