66 - Episode 10: Fortitude Never Gives Up 8 ~Entering the Main Track~
Viscount Bix Lard is a robe noble who possesses no territory.
According to Imperial law, titles of Baron and above can be inherited, so his ancestors had earned territory through military merit and became nobles. However, about four generations ago, they were involved in an Imperial civil war. While they managed to avoid the dissolution of their house because they were not the primary culprits, their land was confiscated, and they became robe nobles living solely on a government pension.
As mentioned previously, this system of robe nobles makes them nobles in name only.
In a sense, it is an irresponsible and easy position since they have no territory of their own, but in exchange, there is a ceiling on their income, and there are few means to increase it.
Occasionally, some appear who cast aside their noble pride and earn a living through their own ingenuity like common merchants, but those who cling to the status of nobility, even if only in name, refuse to work by sweating and toiling like commoners. That said, caring about their prestige as nobles means they must maintain the appearance of nobility, and even that appearance cannot be sustained by the pension alone.
Naturally, they end up working.
As if learning from the saying that an idle man is a devil's workshop, the Imperial family gave these robe nobles roles to keep them under convenient management, as they could otherwise become unstable elements.
One such role is that of the Imperial Administrative Overseer.
The role is not inherited, and a different duty is assigned with each change in generation. Considering this, Bix smirked when he inherited the title, thinking he had landed a very lucrative position.
After all, this Imperial Administrative Overseer is considered the eyes of the Emperor and is granted considerable actual power, to the point where a single word from them can lead to the dissolution of a house. Of course, in reality, tedious procedures and preparations such as gathering evidence or providing counter-evidence are necessary, but to nobles with a guilty conscience regarding illegal acts, they are a thorn in the side.
If that is the case, it is not unusual for them to resort to bribes and entertainment to have their faults overlooked.
When that becomes the norm, humans misunderstand. They begin to believe that the Imperial Administrative Overseer is superior to nobles with territory.
Of course, in reality, the land-owning nobles do not fear the Imperial Administrative Overseer, but rather the Emperor behind them... but to these dishonest men, facts are everything and essence is irrelevant. As long as they end up benefiting, that is the consensus among the robe nobles who have tasted the sweet nectar of this role.
Some among them fulfill their duties earnestly, but Bix is one who has tasted the sweet nectar.
And for the four years since coming to Triad, he has continued to suck that nectar. For a while after arriving, he was disgusted by the overly wholesome management of the territory, but after setting his sights on Berture, he realized he could do well. Although there is the trouble of money laundering, since he can control the gambling results to some extent, there is no way he wouldn't make a profit.
The redistribution of overseen territories will happen in one year. He intends to keep profiting until then, and if possible, he plans to root his subordinates in this land and skim off the top.
"Nice to meet you, Overseer Lard."
"Oh, you are..."
While relaxing in the VIP seats to watch the anniversary race, he was called to from the side. When he turned his gaze, it was a youth around the age of adulthood.
"I am Geoglyph Triad. The third son of the Triad family."
"Ho, the rumored prodigy. I have been enjoying the horse racing you devised."
Upon hearing the youth... Geoglyph's introduction, Bix clapped his hands.
"I am glad to hear that. I hoped it would become a hobby that everyone could enjoy. I heard Viscount Lard was visiting today, so I thought I would come and greet you before my work as a live commentator."
Bix felt pleased by the third son of the Margrave acting humble and nodded magnanimously.
He thought it was likely just flattery or something, but he felt it was not wise to drive him away rudely. If he were just a relative, that would be one thing, but he is now the leader of the Serious Breakers, whose name is known throughout the Empire. He had heard he played a great part in the recent war. He thought that if he gained a connection here, promotion in rank or the granting of territory would not be a dream.
"Hmph? How commendable. Say, you. As a third son, your right of succession must be distant, yes? If you like, would you care to become my daughter's husband?"
"Of the House of Viscount Lard?"
"I hear the next head of Triad has already been decided. Certainly, the family rank is lower, but as it stands, you will be an adventurer forever, will you not? Rather than eventually losing your family name, it would be better to enter my House of Lard."
For the second son and beyond of a noble house... that is, those other than the heir, the future is bleak. If they are female, they hold the card of political marriage, so regardless of whether it is good or bad, their status is guaranteed to some extent, but in the case of males, they are given the role of a spare for the eldest son, and it is common for them to be cast out once the eldest son has children.
Of course, by then they might acquire a professional skill, or depending on the family rank, become an adopted son-in-law of another house, or if family relations are good, be given a role within their own home, but most end up falling to commoner status.
Bix thought that Geoglyph, who still used the noble family name while working as an adventurer, still had lingering attachments to nobility, but...
"I will pass. No matter how hedonistically I live, there is no reason to go out of my way to board a sinking ship."
"What?"
That was not it.
He had allowed Radglyph to introduce himself so that troublesome insects would not swarm, and Geoglyph was simply going along with it because it was convenient to have that backing. In the first place, since he decided to be an adventurer because nobility... and by extension, politics, was a pain, his feeling was that there was no reason why he should return to that position.
Furthermore, there was no way he would marry into the family of an opponent he intended to dispose of.
"I shall make a prophecy. There are no absolutes in horse racing or in life. You will carve these words into your heart after the race."
If the members of the Serious Breakers party had seen Geoglyph announcing this with an extremely bright smile, they would have either been completely put off or given a wry smile.
●
"Now then, it is almost time for the voting deadline. Which one do you intend to bet on, young lady?"
In the VIP seats on the top floor of the betting hall... a place where one could overlook the Makayana Racecourse, Marianne was being pressed for a decision by Nid.
40,000 gold coins piled on the table in the center of the room. This was the total amount of gold coins contributed by Marianne and Nid respectively. In Japanese yen, it would be 4 billion. To pressure her, who had entered a gamble to fight over that sum, enemies disguised as security were positioned around them.
Complete enemy territory. However.
"Lilitia."
"Y-yes, Elder Sister."
Hiding her mouth with a folding fan, Marianne gave instructions to Lilitia quietly and solemnly, without fear or flinching. Lilitia, the one receiving the order, was the one who was nervous.
No, her nervousness was not regarding the situation. It was regarding Marianne's abnormality.
The girl known as Marianne to Lilitia was rich in emotion. She basically laughed loudly, and her joy, anger, grief, and pleasure were clear. Those expressions, like a spinning kaleidoscope, were a stimulation that Lilitia never tired of... but that is a different story, and from just before visiting the betting hall, Marianne's expression had been devoid of emotion, like a Noh mask.
Just being near her made one feel as if they were being swallowed by a prickly atmosphere. Just stealing a glance made one feel the illusion that their internal organs were being gripped by a beautiful face that was chillingly cold.
Against Marianne, who was as if the word stern had been personified, Lilitia...
(I love Elder Sister even when she is this cold...!)
She was declaring such things in her heart while shivering. This woman was also quite something.
Regardless of those inner thoughts, her body obeyed Marianne's instructions faithfully. The method of betting was not particularly difficult. A board hung on the wall with the list of horses, and one simply had to attach a rose sticker with a pin to the column of the horse they were voting for.
And the column Lilitia pinned was...
"Huh...?"
...Gate 7, Number 15, Fortitude.
"Hahaha! This is great! You bring a huge sum of money with such confidence, and I wonder what kind of horse you'll pick, only for it to be the second to last!"
Nid and the surrounding guards were stunned for a moment by that fact, and once they recognized the situation, they burst into laughter.
"Hey, girl! You might know mahjong, but you don't know horse racing, do you? In a high-grade race, the least popular horse doesn't come in! Moreover, that one is a front-runner! First place in a long distance? You're dreaming too much!! Did you throw the match because I supported Rotringen!?"
In the first place, this gamble was a personal bet on the winner that did not go through the ticket office. The victory or defeat was not determined by the amount of the payout. If that is the case, the standard is to choose the favorite or the challenger. To choose a long shot... and a super long shot at that, was an act of insanity.
"This girl..."
"Stay."
"Yes!"
Lilitia clenched her fist at Nid and the surroundings who continued to laugh loudly, but she straightened her back upon receiving Marianne's words. Unlike the usual stop, this one exerted a binding force on Lilitia that made her feel as if she would be killed if she resisted.
"It seems you are misunderstanding something."
Marianne, who had been gazing at the Makayana Racecourse from the window, slid around to face Nid.
"I have not thrown the match. I have chosen after considering all data and situations. The least popular doesn't come in? Please say such sleep-talk while you are asleep. Odds are, after all, nothing more than someone's desire, so relying on them alone is the mark of a third-rate."
The Arima Kinen employs a particularly special course among the year-round Grand Prix races. To run a distance of 2500, physical strength and power are naturally required, but the dexterity to turn six corners is also essential. The final straight is short, and no matter how high a horse's top speed is, if the goal approaches before they can fully utilize that trait, they cannot break out from the pack of horses. Predictions that ignore aptitude are all crushed, and conversely, if there is aptitude, any popular horse becomes a gamble.
Therefore, such maxims emerge.
"I believe I told you. Monsters lurk in the Arima. So, let me ask."
Her green eyes shone dully and deeply.
"As a gambler... are you prepared to accept any ending?"
●
"Forti..."
Misora, waiting for the entry to the main track in the officials' seats, unconsciously muttered his name. Picking up that mutter, Kazuha, who was in the seat next to her, held her hand to reassure her.
"It will be alright, Misora-sama. Later-sama is with them."
"But, Later as a jockey is..."
"Certainly, as a jockey, he is lacking. His partnership with Forti is a rushed one. But, Later-sama is being serious."
Kazuha does not understand horse racing. However, she understands the nature of the human known as Later.
Not limited to him, the Three Idiots are generally cowards. They live hedonistically with loud laughter, and they often break through things on a whim by moderately distinguishing between what they can and cannot do, but basically, they do not try to do things they cannot.
In their previous lives, they were forced to face their own limits, and even if they pushed themselves to accomplish something, the things they gained were few... or rather, it was mostly things that resulted in loss.
But she has seen them pushing themselves to the limit with all their might.
During that battle with the Evil God, those Three Idiots, who were composed even against herds of earth dragons, gave their all until they collapsed. And they defeated the Evil God, who was called the final weapon of the Age of Gods. Surely the emotions they hold are different, but Later, riding Fortitude, undoubtedly had the same eyes of a warrior as he did then.
If so, she is certain that the result he draws in will surely be something surprising again.
"That person is like the wind. Usually, he is like a pleasant spring breeze, but once a gale blows, it does not stop until it mows down the enemy. At the very least... he will not lose to the likes of a saboteur."
That is why Kazuha was peacefully playing the role of the supportive woman in the background.
●
A broadcast via amplification magic echoed from the Makayana Racecourse throughout all of Berture.
The anniversary race held at the Makayana Racecourse, which could be called a symbol of town revitalization. It was broadcast throughout the Berture area out of consideration that even people in their earning season would want to know the results.
'The June sky smells of spring breezes. Blessed with fair and clear weather, the anniversary race, the Arima Kinen, has arrived. It is a featured battle to determine the strongest of this year. I am your commentator, Cedar Chain. And this time, as it is the 10th milestone, we have a special guest. Please.'
'Hello, I am Geoglyph Triad.'
'Our special guest for the ten-year milestone, the founder of Berture horse racing, Geoglyph-sama. How is it, Geoglyph-sama, seeing the current Berture?'
'Well, it has already been ten years since horse racing started in Berture. To think a childhood whim would become this, it is quite moving.'
'Now, regarding this race, how do you see it, Geoglyph-sama?'
'I think everyone is in good shape, so I cannot say for certain. Especially in the Arima... no, the Arima Kinen. There is a saying that a horse is called great because it is safe, so I hope they do their best and finish the goal safely.'
'This is the commentary booth with special commentator Geoglyph-sama. Now, the entry to the main track. Let us introduce them in order of starting. Gate 1, Number 1, the surging one-hit wonder of the century, Contender.'
'Hmm, that is romantic, isn't it.'
'Next, Gate 1, Number 2, today also the second favorite, Anguirus. Can he finally relinquish the name of the eternal second place this time?'
'Being second is fine. The role of a great supporting actor is something even the lead cannot do.'
'Gate 2, Number 3, Vargreela. The golden assassin sent from the Nightmare Stable.'
'Should I shout, Meeeeerrryyyy Chriiiiistmaaaaassss!!?'
'Gate 2, Number 4, Vasquez. A horse that is competent from the neck up.'
'I get the joke, but I wonder how that is as a horse...'
'Gate 3, Number 5, Twin Jet, everyone's favorite formal beauty. He will take the lead as if to say, shut up and follow me.'
'That jockey... I feel like I have seen them somewhere...?'
'Gate 3, Number 6, Ascand. With the young and brilliant Datt as the jockey, can he "absolutely" keep up?'
'Ah, there are some who are not joke entries. I am relieved.'
'Gate 4, Number 7, Kyominaine. The golden spiky hair shows a habit of rejection today as well.'
'And then suddenly a joke entry...!'
'Gate 4, Number 8, KabenidemoHanashiteroyo. I hear the scar on the face was given by a horse of the same generation.'
'And they keep coming, the gloomy types...! I like them, though! That kind of numbering!'
'Gate 5, Number 9, the well-known "Absolute Emperor," Rotringen. He is the undisputed first favorite this time as well.'
'I saw the track record and it is amazing. Being the first favorite is understandable.'
'Gate 5, Number 10, DenkihitsujinoYume. I do not know the meaning of the name, but the ability is there.'
'The name alone makes me want to buy! I feel like I could drink good sake with the owner!'
'Gate 6, Number 11, Remember. Can he achieve an endless revenge?'
'Now it is the infinite series... which means next is.'
'Gate 6, Number 12, Integral. Not afraid even if the whole world becomes the enemy.'
'Right, then I can guess Number 17 too.'
'Gate 7, Number 13, Boheeze. The devil of the Crystal Stable.'
'Now it is Friday the 13th...'
'Gate 7, Number 14, Koe. Will the pride of an old horse explode?'
'Before I knew it, it is already the 14th work, isn't it...'
'Gate 7, Number 15, Fortitude. This is the last run. Can we see the laughter of the former Laughter King?'
'A miraculous revival has romance. Especially in the Arima.'
'Gate 8, Number 16, KyokusenBancho. In the Arima, which has many corners and a short final straight, he might be able to keep up.'
'Is that knock-off alright...'
'Gate 8, Number 17, Ever. A horse that has returned to the place where it should return.'
'See, there it is. It reminds me of a god-tier game I want to lose my memories of and start over...'
'Gate 8, Number 18, Haribote Energy. Making a rattling sound today as well. A mysterious 10th favorite.'
'From a certain point, doesn't it feel like they ran out of jokes? I mean, is this okay, won't they get angry from various places?'
'That is all eighteen horses, a full gate. The 10th Arima Kinen will start shortly.'
The 10th Arima Kinen.
Makayana Racecourse, Turf 2500m, Right-handed.
Weather, Sunny.
Track, Firm.
Prize Money, 1st: 5000 gold coins, 2nd: 2000 gold coins, 3rd: 1300 gold coins, 4th: 750 gold coins, 5th: 500 gold coins.
5 minutes until the start.
To be continued next week.