Chapter 177 Innocent Country Wife

Ever since Karl arrived, Dale had been under extreme stress.

He could feel in his bones that Karl’s recent actions were anything but ordinary.

Publicly showing off his and his women’s magic skills.

Showering the townspeople with wealth.

Increasing the territory’s assets and power should be good.

If only he and Karl weren’t practically enemies.

’More and more people are starting to support that guy.’

Stupid commoners think simply.

They ignore motives and politics, easily swayed by immediate benefits.

This wealth distribution was the same.

To them Karl was just a good noble who gave them things.

’But dumping goods like that... it can’t mean much.’

Obviously commoners don’t significantly influence who becomes lord.

"Our lord was driven out—let’s risk our lives fighting!"

Such things rarely happen.

At best it boosts public sentiment or preempts discontent.

Pouring out that much wealth just for that?

No matter how he thought about it, the return was tiny compared to the investment.

’...Or maybe he thinks he’s that desperate.’

After all, Dale was the legitimate lord.

If it was right after taking the seat maybe, but he’d governed for a while and solidified his position.

Unless Karl openly rebelled—which he legally couldn’t—Dale was confident Karl wouldn’t go that far.

If Karl had that kind of guts, he wouldn’t have let the lordship go in the first place.

He’s timid and overly cautious in weird ways.

’...Yet he’s not the type to do pointless things either.’

Right now he and Karl were in a fierce struggle.

Even if he didn’t know exactly what Karl was doing, it was clear he hadn’t come just to visit.

What’s the scariest thing in a fight—or rather political struggle?

When you can’t read the opponent’s moves or thoughts at all.

If they act logically, you respond logically.

You can predict and prepare to some extent.

But Dale had no idea why Karl was doing any of this.

Mages inherently despise the unknown.

In that sense, Dale already felt like he was losing.

"Hoo... I really don’t understand. What the hell is that bastard planning?"

Karl’s very existence caused Dale extreme anxiety and stress.

Was he really aiming for the lordship?

Why would a guy living with those beauties in the witch lands bother?

’...Still, his presence does help the territory.’

He’d have to keep watching.

Honestly, Dale didn’t have many ways to stop whatever Karl did.

’I just have to endure and give him no openings. I must protect the lordship. For my beloved Creusa and Leda.’

Having lived his whole life as a noble, Dale thought purely politically.

That Karl cared more about revenge than the lordship.

And that he was targeting Dale’s wife and daughter for it.

He couldn’t even imagine those two things.

That might have been his greatest misfortune.

---

I secretly invited my sister-in-law Creusa to my room.

Dale’s wife and childhood friend he’d been with forever.

Naturally I’d seen her plenty and met her often.

My impression of her was simple and firm.

’An innocent country girl.’

She was a noble from a good family and the lord’s wife, yet she’d never left the Mars territory and had only received ordinary bride lessons—pure and naive.

Our Mars territory is just a rural area far from the capital.

Our magical prowess gives us status, but we never extended influence to the cities.

At most interested nobles and merchants visited often.

The family even took pride in that isolation.

Anyway, how much could a noble raised in that countryside know about the world?

’If she’d experienced high society in the capital she’d have been wildly popular... too bad she never got the chance.’

If she’d lived a little wilder it might’ve been different.

But Creusa was born gentle and kind.

And since she’d been with Dale since childhood, she never even met other men.

Who would dare touch the sweetheart of a potential future lord?

Even I never approached her out of brotherly boundaries.

An accidental pregnancy led to one of the earliest noble marriages around.

If she’d had chances to learn more, maybe.

But Creusa naturally became Dale’s wife, had a child, and devoted herself solely to supporting him.

Peaceful rural life, early marriage, innate personality.

The perfect environment to create a devoted pure-love wife.

’So of course she knows nothing about complex politics, scams, or taboo relationships between men and women.’

A wildflower raised only inside a glass greenhouse in peaceful countryside.

That’s the image I have of Creusa.

Of course that doesn’t make her any less desirable.

Her face and tits are undeniably those of a top-tier beauty.

Honestly, looking at that plump ass used to make me hard too, but I held back because of the brother thing.

’But the one who crossed that line first for the lordship was that bastard.’

Then I have no reason to hold back anymore.

And playing with a woman like Creusa is easy for me.

I have near-cheat magic and artifacts honed in the witch lands.

Plus plenty of experience seducing women in this territory.

"Young master, what’s the matter?"

Creusa smiled brightly at me.

She genuinely seemed just curious why I called her.

Not a hint of suspicion.

’Definitely a woman too good for trash like Dale.’

A face that doesn’t look like she has a grown daughter.

Tits so massive no dress can hide them.

Undoubtedly the most beautiful married woman in the territory.

"Sorry for calling you so late."

"Not at all. We’re family."

...Family. She really believes that.

I can tell how much Dale doted on and protected her.

She has no idea he sold his brother out for the lordship.

Or why I really came back.

’Or maybe he deliberately hid it. Wanted to stay the perfect husband in front of his wife.’

That just works in my favor.

Creusa is naive enough to trust me completely even now.

"Sorry again, but would you like some tea? It’s a rare blend from the witch lands."

"Oh my, that wonderful aroma was tea? It smells divine."

"Right? It’ll make you feel even better when you drink it."

I poured Creusa a cup.

It really was precious tea from the witch lands.

I just added a tiny bit of a drug that makes one "more suggestible."

"Mmm... the taste is as amazing as the scent."

"I’m glad you like it."

"Witches are skilled at tea too? Lady Circe’s magic was breathtakingly beautiful."

"Honestly, they surpass us in every way. Their accumulated knowledge and skill are just different."

In this world, magical level is like modern economy and science.

When one side overwhelmingly leads, it becomes the driving force to dominate everything else.

"Wow~ Witches really are incredible. And every one of them was stunningly beautiful."

"Not at all. I think Lady Creusa is just as beautiful."

"Hehe! Even if it’s flattery, it makes me happy."

Creusa really isn’t bad at all.

No elegant charm like Circe or Medea, but still easily top-tier anywhere.

Even I want to grope those tits right now.

"How have you been while I was away?"

"It’s a peaceful territory—what could I worry about? I’ve always lived comfortably."

I made light small talk to break the ice.

Until the drug spread and her mind became soft and pliable without her realizing.

"...Actually, the reason I called you today is because I have something important to tell you."

After enough time passed, I got to the point.

"What is it...?"

"It’s about the various illegal acts and corruption committed by the current lord—my brother and your husband."

"W-What?"

I handed the shocked, wide-eyed Creusa the documents.

"These are records of my dear brother’s wrongdoings so far."

"W-Wrongdoings?! He would never! You must be mistaken, young master. Dale is not such a person."

"...I wish I were, but unfortunately the evidence is clear. I can’t deny it."

I pointed to the papers and explained everything one by one.

At first she denied and questioned, but my detailed explanations—even citing laws—left her silent.

"This can’t be... He did these things...?"

"Politics always involves some corruption. That doesn’t make it okay, of course."

"If-if this comes out and the vassals find out... what happens?"

Creusa asked me with anxious eyes.

Even if she was ignorant of the world, she wasn’t so naive she couldn’t guess the fallout.

"He’ll be questioned about his legitimacy and most likely stripped of the lordship. He betrayed the vassals and the people."

"T-That can’t be! Even though he’s the lord?"

"Our Mars family is a bit special."

If Dale had been a proper lord, he’d probably just lose some influence.

In rural territories, lords are practically kings.

But Dale’s case is different—he seized power illegitimately, lacks tradition, and his ability is constantly questioned.

Above all, there’s me—always ready to push him out.

Without me he might’ve remained a puppet lord under the vassals’ control.

’No, without me this corruption wouldn’t have surfaced in the first place.’

I glossed over that part for now.

"After that... well, the fate of a disgraced fallen noble is obvious. He won’t be able to live as a noble anymore."

"N-No! Dale has lived his whole life as a noble and heir to the territory. If he’s driven out..."

Creusa’s face went pale.

She clearly understood what the lordship meant to her husband.

’Well, I don’t plan to kill him—I’ll just torment him a bit while keeping him alive...’

That’s not important to Creusa right now.

Just being stripped of the lordship is catastrophe enough.

And it really is a huge deal.

"I-I’ll talk to him!"

"Talk? What good will that do?"

"Well..."

Creusa opened her mouth then shut it again.

A woman who’d only ever supported her husband from behind.

She couldn’t possibly think of a countermeasure on the spot.

"M-Maybe if he’s honest... they’ll go easy on him?"

"You’re too naive. The vassals always looking for an opening won’t let it slide."

"But there has to be another way..."

"He’s the one who committed the crimes. Talking won’t fix it. And with evidence, he can’t even hide it."

"...Then what should I do?"

Creusa looked at me desperately.

Eyes begging for any way out of this crisis.

Exactly what I wanted.

I slowly spoke to her.

"Actually, since the evidence is in my hands, if I just keep quiet it can pass. Given time, it can be resolved too."

"R-Really?"

"I have no reason to make a big deal out of it. Of course, not for free—if Lady Creusa grants my request."

"I-I’ll do it! If it saves him, I’ll do anything!"

Her love for her husband was truly devoted.

To this tempting married woman I said lightly,

"Then let me borrow your tits and pussy for a bit. Oh, and take off all your clothes and underwear too, of course."