He snuck a peek at that noblewoman from earlier, and saw that she was mumbling something about “she didn’t lower her head” or something along those lines. Philip cast aside that foolish woman and her foolish words and instead feasted his eyes on that world-class beauty.
偷偷瞄了眼之前的贵族女性，只见她居然正在嘀咕着什么「没有低头行礼」，这样意义不明的话。菲利普将这蠢女人和她的蠢话抛在了脑后，只是痴迷地将目光投向那绝世美女。

He burned the image of her speaking closely with Princess Renner into his mind.
与拉娜公主亲密交谈的那身姿，深深地倒映在了他的眼里。

If only I could make that woman mine...
（如果能把这样的女人变成自己的东西，那该有多好啊……）

He understood that it would be a very difficult task. However, when one thought about it, it was not completely impossible.
虽然自己也明白这很困难。不过，实际想想倒也不是完全没有机会。

Once my fief becomes wealthy, the other nobles will start introducing their daughters to me. The wealthier I get, the better the girls will be. Even that Princess, even that emissary isn’t out of the question!
（等我的领地变得富裕后，会想要把女儿介绍过来的贵族也会开始出现的吧。再富裕一些的话，还会出现更好的女人。就连那位公主、甚至那位使者也不是绝对不可能的啊）

Philip felt a wave of heat surge up from his lower body.
菲利普感到自己的下半身，涌上了一股热气。

Well, the Great Nobles usually have a concubine or three… the best case would be if I could enjoy those two beauties at the same time.
（成为大贵族的话也会有几个小妾吧……要是能同时享受两位那样的美人，可就太棒了啊）

Philip looked back and forth between Renner and Albedo.
雅儿贝德和拉娜，菲利普交替看着那两个人。

Philip hurriedly picked up a beverage from nearby before his fantasies grew out of control,. It would be very bad if he got hard here. The cool sensation of the drink sliding down his throat helped him regain a measure of calm.
在自己的妄想膨胀之前，菲利普慌慌张张地、取起了手边的饮料。要是在这里支起帐篷的话，那就太不妙了。饮料滑过喉咙时那冰冷的感觉，让他多少取回了些冷静。

Come to think of it, how did they make this ice? Is it magic…
（话说回来，这冰到底是怎么做出来的。难道是魔法吗……）

The only people in Philip’s estate who could use magic were the priests. While they could help cure illness, they would demand money for doing so. They would ask for an appropriate payment if they had to make ice.
在菲利普的领地里能用魔法的大概就只有神官。虽然他们能治伤治病，但同时也会向人们索要金钱。要是让他们来制冰的话，肯定会为此索要对等金额的吧。

Since they’re in my domain, I’ll have them heal me for free next time. A mere resident daring to charge his lord money, how ridiculous is that!
（既然是在我的领地里，下次就要求他们免费帮我治伤治病吧。区区一个领民居然还敢拿领主的钱，这不是太可笑了吗！）

Philip made a mental note of this new way to deal with the priests in future.
菲利普把这个针对神官的要求，作为以后的新政策之一记在心里。

He looked forward to getting to work on his domain once he returned. He could imagine all his brilliant ideas being put into action, lighting up his life with golden radiance.
回到领地后该从哪里开始着手呢、真令人期待啊。他能幻想着自己一个个的好主意，能为自己的人生点缀上把金灿灿的光辉。

--Oya?
（——哦呀？）

When he looked back to Albedo, he saw her standing by herself.
视线回到雅儿贝德那里时，只见她一个人孤零零地站在那里。

There were many nobles around, but nobody knew how to approach her.
虽然周围有不少贵族，但大家都不知道该怎么上前搭话。

The Sorcerous Kingdom, huh… What will become of the Kingdom after this?
（魔导国吗……王国今后，会变得怎么样呢）

Philip did not particularly care what happened to the Kingdom, but it would be troublesome if it affected his estate.
虽然菲利普对于王国会变得怎样并不感兴趣。但是要是牵连到自己的领地，那可就麻烦了。

That being the case--
既然如此——

Philip shuddered at the idea he had just had.
菲利普不禁为自己所想到的主意而感到一阵哆嗦。

--Oi oi, don’t think about such dangerous things. It’s just… well, it’s not exactly a bad move, right? How should I say this… I can’t believe I actually thought of an idea like that...
（——喂喂。别想这种危险的事情啊。只不过……也不是一步臭棋，不是吗？怎么说呢……我居然能想出这样的主意……）

He looked at the side of Albedo’s lonely face.
看着雅儿贝德寂寞的侧脸。

There’s no use in being third. There’s no point in being second. The most important thing is to be the first.
（第三个是不行的。第二个也没有意义。正因为是第一个才最重要啊）

The emissary of the Sorcerous Kingdom looked like she had been outcast because nobody was talking to her. Philip had read about how ladies were quite vulnerable to this sort of thing.
由于任谁也没有去向她搭话的缘故，魔导国的使者看起来就像是没有容身之处的样子。女人对这种场合没辙这种事，菲利普过去曾在书中这么学到过。

Do it. You have to make a gamble to get a return. The chance to rise has come because everything has changed. I’m a lucky man, so I should make good use of my luck.
（行动吧。只有孤注一掷才能得到最大的回报。正因为现在情况发生了变化，才正是向上爬的好机会啊。我是幸运的男人。那么就该好好发挥这份幸运）

Philip’s family had always been bound to a faction, but they were typically at the tail end of that faction. There were only so many benefits he could gain from continuing to be bound to that faction.
菲利普家从以前起就一直棣属于某个派阀，不过序列一直都是倒数的。即使继续棣属于那个派阀，所能够捞到的好处也是有限的吧。

Then, he recalled some words he had heard recently. A certain very skinny mistress had said, “Why not make a faction of your own?”
菲利普想起了最近听到的一句话。那是某位很瘦弱的女主人所说的，「由您自己新创一个派阀不就好了吗？」

After making up his mind, Philip downed the glass of wine he had been holding all this time.
下定决心的菲利普，把之前一直拿着的酒一饮而尽。

It was unlike the watery wine he had drunk at home. It felt like his throat and belly were burning. As though propelled by the heat which rose from his belly, Philip stepped forward.
那和在家里喝的，像水一样的酒可不同。感觉喉咙，还有胃都灼烧了起来。就像是被腹部涌上来的热气驱动了那样，菲利普踏出了脚步。

“Albedo-sama, mind if I cut in?”
「雅儿贝德大人，能打扰一下吗？」

Thanks to his voice, Albedo turned her smile to him.
由于自己的声音，雅儿贝德的笑容看向了自己。

He was not just blushing because of the wine.
会脸红不只是酒的缘故。

“Ara, how do you do--”
「啊啦，初次见面——」

Her brows creased for a moment, as though deep in thought. Philip immediately realized what she was looking for.
她像是陷入思考那样稍微皱了皱眉，菲利普瞬间领悟了她在寻求什么。

“I am Philip.”
「我是菲利普」

“Oh? Ah, Lord Philip -- no, Philip-sama. It is an honor to meet you.”
「诶？啊，菲利普卿——不，大人。有幸认识您是我的光荣」

“The pleasure is all mine, Albedo-sama. Nothing could delight me more than to make your acquaintance.”
「我这边才是能够结识雅儿贝德大人，对我来说没有比这更令人高兴的事情了」

Philip was keenly aware that the air around him seemed to have changed.
周围的空气出现了一丝的变化，菲利普能够清楚地感觉到这点。

A quick glance aside revealed that the higher-ranked nobles had looks of shock on their faces.
稍微憋了一眼，连在远处围观的上级贵族们都露出了惊讶的表情。

He could not stem the joy within him as he realised all eyes at the dinner party sponsored by the Royal Family were on him.
现在，在这个王家主办的立餐晚会上，所有人的注意力都集中在自己身上的实感，真是让人欲罢不能啊。

I, I’m now, I’m now the center of attention!
（我、这个我现在，正处在这舞台的中心啊！）

To think that he -- who had only eaten cold meals in the past -- was now the focus of these people who stood at the pinnacle of the Kingdom. As he thought about this, an unexpected excitement took control of Philip.
曾经只能吃冷饭的自己，竟被王国贵族——站在王国顶端的人们注视着。想到这里，意想不到的兴奋瞬间支配了菲利普。

That’s right! I’m Philip! Watch me! Watch the man who will be the central figure of the Kingdom!
（没错！我就是菲利普！看着吧！这个将要成为王国中心的人物的英姿！）

Philip racked his brains, and then made the biggest bet in his life.
菲利普拼命地转动脑袋，下了他一生一次大赌注。

That was to say, he invited Albedo to the ball a couple of days later.
那就是在数日后，招待雅儿贝德来参加舞蹈会的这件事。

***
·
“You moron!”
「你这个蠢货！」

That rebuke extinguished Philip’s excitement. Yet, at the same time, it lit a flame within his heart. It was a fire that seemed to consume all the fuel Philip had hidden within his heart his entire life.
这道骂声浇灭了菲利普的兴奋。但是与此同时，也一口气点燃了他内心的火焰。就像是把至今为止菲利普的人生里贮藏的燃料一下子点燃了似得。

Philip looked disdainfully at the white-haired man before him.
菲利普用污蔑的眼神看向他眼前的白发男人。

“I didn’t send you there for that sort of thing! You imbecile!”
「我让你去那里不是为了让你干这种事的！你这个大蠢货！」

Philip sighed as his father asked him about the dinner at the Royal Palace.
被父亲问起了王宫晚会的事，菲利普叹了口气。

“In the first place, that invitation to the Royal dinner would never have come to our house. I worked my fingers to the bone to secure it so you could express your gratitude to the Counts and the other nobles while you made yourself known to them!:
「原本王家主办的立餐晚会招待状，是根本不可能发来我们家的。我之所以耗尽心思去得到它，是打算给你个机会向伯爵大人和其他各位表达感谢，——顺便介绍一下你的啊！」

The Royal Family’s dinner party gathered people from both factions. When this happened, the fact that the head of a family had changed would probably not come up. Thus, nobody would pay too much attention to that fact and he would be readily accepted by others. After that, once they had tacitly acknowledged him, it would be quite difficult for them to protest that fact.
王家主办的立餐晚会的话各个派阀的人们都会聚集起来。在这之中自己派阀里某家的家主变了这类话题的优先度很低。为此并不会被特别重视，模棱两可间就会很容易被认可。然后一旦被认可了，以后想对此抱怨就会很困难了。

In other words, Philip’s father had no faith in his abilities at all. He felt that if he had tried to introduce himself to the other members of his faction in the normal manner, he would mess something up.
也就是说父亲根本不相信菲利普的能力。他觉得要是普通地向派阀的人们介绍的话，肯定会弄出什么麻烦。

As Philip realised this, he strove to suppress the annoyance within him, and put on a fake smile.
领悟到这点的菲利普拼命地抑制着内心的不爽，做出了假笑。

“No, no, Father. Don’t get so worked up. I was doing this for our house--”
「不不，父亲。请不要那么激动。我是为了我们家——」

“--What do you mean our house? What you’ve done is completely absurd!”
「——什么我们家啊！你干的事简直就是蛮不讲理！」

What did he mean, absurd, Philip griped in his heart. Everyone else was a coward without the courage to make a move, so why should he not take the first step?
什么蛮不讲理啊。菲利普在心里这么唾弃道。正因为其他人都是些没有勇气行动的胆小鬼，所以自己才最先行动的不是吗。

Was he supposed to pretend to be polite to all those incompetent cowards and remain in this pathetic place for the rest of his life?
难道要一直对无能的胆小鬼们客气，然后一直蜗居在这种惨不忍睹的地位吗。

“Father! Think a little! Although the road joining the Sorcerous Kingdom and the Kingdom is quite long, our domain lies on the middle of it! If the Sorcerous Kingdom makes war on the Kingdom, we’ll definitely be drawn into the mess. Therefore, we should forge good relations with the Sorcerous Kingdom, shouldn’t we?”
「父亲！请您稍微想一想！虽然与魔导国和王都之间的主干道离得很远，但我们的领地就在这途中。如果魔导国和王国之间发生战争，不难想象我们会受到牵连。所以，我们才应该与魔导国加深友好关系不是吗」

“You, you idiot!”
「这、这个蠢货！」

His father’s face was even redder than before.
父亲的脸涨得比先前更红了。

“Those bastards from the Sorcerous Kingdom killed your brother! And you want to work with them! Isn’t that treason against the Kingdom?!”
「魔导国那帮混账，可是杀了你兄长的仇人啊！你居然想要和这帮人合作！这不是对王国的背叛行为吗！」

So what, Philip thought.
那又怎么了，菲利普心想。

Since the Sorcerous Kingdom was stronger, what was wrong with betraying the Kingdom? All he needed to do was pledge vassalage to the Sorcerous Kingdom. What was wrong with the weak following the strong? Who had the right to reproach him for it?
既然魔导国这边更强，那么背叛王国又有什么问题呢。只要对魔导国俯首称臣不就好了嘛。弱者追随强者，这又有那里不对呢。又有谁有资格来责备呢。

“What on earth are you thinking?!”
「你到底在想些什么啊！」

Philip could not help but feel frustrated at his father’s foolishness.
自己父亲的那份愚蠢，不禁令菲利普感到了厌烦。

The fact that he actually had to explain such self-evident things struck him as terribly stupid. Still, it had to be said.
虽然觉得必须将这种理所当然的事情说出口，实在是很蠢。但还是不说不行啊。

“It’s simple, Father. This is for m-”
「很简单啊，父亲。这是为了守护我——」

He swallowed the word “my” the moment he thought of it. Sooner or later it would be true, but for now, it was not entirely his.
我的，这句刚想说出口的话吞了回去。虽然以后会变成这样，但现在这还不完全是自己的。

“--Our domain. It’s to protect our serfs. The Sorcerous Kingdom is overwhelmingly powerful. More so than the Kingdom. That being the case, it would hardly be strange if they attacked the Kingdom. This is a way out for when that time comes.”
「——我们的领土。为了守护领民啊。魔导国压倒性地强。比王国更强。那么未来，对面会攻过来不也不是什么奇怪的事嘛。这是为了那时而准备的一条退路啊」

“Cheh! What do you mean, way out? What do you think the surrounding lords will think when they hear about what you’ve done?!”
「啧！什么退路啊！你觉得你做这种事周围的领主们会怎么想啊！」

“They won’t come and attack us, not in this day and age.”
「在当今时代，可没有人会攻过来的哦」

Many people within Philip’s domain had died because of that battle. The same applied to the surrounding estates. Therefore, they would not have the excess strength needed to attack Philip’s domain.
菲利普领地里也有很多人因为那场战争而死去。就算是周围领地的也不例外。既然如此他们不可能有余力来进攻菲利普的领地。

“Did you consider anything else?”
「你就没有想过还有其他的吗？」

“Hah?” Philip replied. He had no idea what his father was getting at.
「哈？」

读不懂父亲的想法，菲利普反问道。

“That’s why I say your thinking is shallow. You’re acting as though your daydreams are already reality. This is--”
「所以才说你想法肤浅啊。明明只是妄想却摆出已经实现了的样子。这个——」

“--I think you should stop there for now,” interrupted the man who had been standing behind his father all this time.
「——差不多就到此为止吧」

一直在父亲背后站着的男人插嘴道。

He was the butler who had attended his father all this time. Philip disliked that man, who was the type that never let anyone see his feelings. He was one of the people Philip intended to chase out after he had solidified his position as the family heir.
那是一直侍奉着父亲的管家。菲利普讨厌这个从不让人看出自己感情的男人。他是菲利普巩固好自己作为当家的权力后，就打算赶出去的人物之一。

His father worked to get his breathing under control once he heard the butler’s words. The red in his face receded, leaving a pale, anemic face.
听到管家的话后父亲开始整理呼吸。脸上的红潮退去，变回了原来血色很差的脸。

“...Haaah. Hah. Philip. I have a question for you. Are you not afraid of making enemies of the surrounding nobles?”
「……哈。哈。菲利普啊。我想问问你。你不怕与周围的贵族为敌吗？」

“They’re nothing to be scared of, no?”
「并没有什么特别怕的啊？」

His father rounded his shoulders in disappointment. That response sparked frustration and unease within Philip.
父亲失望地垂下了双肩。这个态度让菲利普感到了些许焦躁与不安。

Had he missed out something? Still, he could not think of what that might be.
是有什么遗漏的地方吗。但是怎么想也想不出来。

“Many young men died in the battle of the Katze Plains. This will lead to all sorts of problems within the next few years. Therefore, the surrounding nobles will need to work closely together in a co-operative relationship. This domain will produce food, that domain will weave clothing. Nobody’s estate is large enough to be self-sufficient, nor do we have much money left over. Under these circumstances, who will help a family that actively courts the Sorcerous Kingdom’s favor?”
「卡兹平原的战争死了很多年轻人。所以在这几年内估计会产生各种问题吧。因此周围的贵族相互之间不得不建立互助体制。这边领地负责生产粮食，而那里的领地怎负责编制衣服。谁都没有只靠自己领地就能自食其力的大领土，也没有多余的钱财。那么，又有谁会想去协助在这种情况下，与魔导国做交易的家族呢？」

Cold sweat broke out on Philip’s back. His father had a point.
菲利普的背后淌出了冷汗。确实正如父亲所说。

“You know that too, right? Our demesne does not produce anything the others do not -- we have no unique exports. Therefore, they will have no problem with kicking us out of their co-operative.”
「你也知道的吧？我们领地并不能生产其他领主绝对需要的——地方特产。所以就算他们把我们从互助体制里踢出去也完全没有问题」

Philip racked his brains. He had a good head on his shoulders. He should be able to refute any number of his stupid father’s assertions.
菲利普拼命地转动脑筋。自己头脑很好。这种笨蛋父亲的话，不管来多少自己都能将其驳倒。

“That’s why we have to rely on the Sorcerous Kingdom, Father.”
「正因如此才得靠魔导国啊，父亲」

His father bade him to continue.
父亲催促他继续说下去。

“Once we build ties with the Sorcerous Kingdom, we’ll just have them support us.”
「和魔导国建立关系，让他们来支援就可以了」

“...Then let me ask you something. If you were someone from the Sorcerous Kingdom -- no, if you were the king of a certain country, and a village from a country that you were at war with asked you for food, would you give it to them?”
「……那我问一下你。如果你是魔导国的人——不，如果你是某个国家的国王的话，敌对国家所属的村庄问你要粮食，你会给吗？」

“Of course. If it was me, I would definitely do so.”
「当然。是我的话肯定会给的」

“--Why is that?”
「——为什么？」

“Isn’t that obvious? By doing so, I’ll show everyone that I’m a merciful ruler.”
「那不是当然的嘛。这么做能向其他人证明我是仁君啊」

“...Apart from that?”
「除此以外呢？」

“...Nothing else.”
「……没什么特别的了啊」

His father’s jaw dropped. He must have been impressed. Still, that sort of reaction was quite strange. After all, the Sorcerer King would surely want to be known as a kind ruler, particularly since the Sorcerous Kingdom had been founded on E-Rantel and the area surrounding that city. He would surely make some concessions to quieten them down.
父亲微微地张了嘴。是感到佩服了吧。不过要是这样的话这反应也很奇怪。实际上作为仁君的评价魔导国也会想要吧。特别是魔导国把原王国领土的耶·兰提尔周边支配了的现在。为了让他们安分下来肯定会给点好脸色的。

“Is that so… so that’s what you were thinking. Well, if it were me, I would surely send aid as well, in order to create a casus belli to invade the other country. After that, I would declare war on the Kingdom, under the pretext of liberating that village which the Kingdom was oppressing.”
「这样啊……你是这样想的啊。如果是我的话也会支援吧。为了制造一个进攻那个国家的借口。然后以解放那个在王国受苦的村子为借口，从而向王国发起战争」

“Impossible. It’s fanciful thinking. Besides, that sort of cause won’t work at all.”
「不可能。简直是在胡思乱想。而且说到底，这种大义名分根本不通用」

“Really now, and why do you think it’s impossible?”
「这样啊，你觉得这不可能啊」

“Let’s back up a bit here. Let’s assume it’s really as you say, Father. Isn’t that more of a reason to deepen our relationship with the Sorcerous Kingdom?”
「退一步说，如果真的存着在父亲说的那种可能性。那我们不更应该加深与魔导国的关系吗？」

“You--”

His father was at a loss for words.

“Have you no pride at all as a nobleman of the Kingdom?”
「你——」父亲露出无语的表情「你心里就没有作为王国贵族的自尊吗？」

“Of course I do. However, it would be better not to have it than be destroyed, no?”
「当然有。只不过，就算没有，也总要比灭亡要来的强吧」

“That’s the demon king who slew your brother and countless people of the Kingdom with frightening magic, no? This is the king you’re putting forward.”
「那可是用可怕的魔法把你的兄长，还有许许多多的王国国民给蹂躝了的魔王啊？他们所推崇的王可是」

“That was war, father. What difference does it make if they died to swords or spells?”
「这可是战争哦，父亲。不管是死在剑下，还是死于魔法都没什么区别吧？」

“...Why is it that you have so much trust in the king of the Sorcerous Kingdom?”
「……为什么你，会那么相信魔导国的国王呢？」

That was not trust, though there was some goodwill there. More importantly, they were all just pawns for Philip to play in order to improve his lot in life.
这并不是相信。虽然确实是有亲近感。不过更为重要的是，他们不过是为提升菲利普的价值、将自己拉上更高地位的棋子而已。

A pawn! That’s right! To me, even the Sorcerer King of the Sorcerous Kingdom, who is feared by all the people of the Kingdom, is little more than a pawn in my hand!
（棋子！没错！对我来说就连那所有王国国民都惧怕着的魔导国国王，也只不过是我的棋子而已）

Philip grew excited as he imagined himself playing a massive -- a national-scale -- game of chess.
幻想着自己在进行巨大的——国家级别的桌游，菲利普兴奋了起来。

Still, it’s only natural that Father would be worried. That said, if I can rebutt him so easily, it just means that’s all there is to him… Although, it might be best to discuss the matter with Albedo-sama the next time we meet.
（不过，父亲会担心也是当然的吧。但这么简单就能驳倒他，也就这种程度而已……不过，下次还是跟雅儿贝德大人谈一谈会比较好呢）

“I tire of this… Did you thank the Count-sama for the dinner party? I’m asking about whether he acknowledged you as the new family head.”
「我已经不想和你多说什么了……有向伯爵大人感谢立餐晚会的事吗？关于承认你是当家的这一点」

That was the one thing Philip could not accept.
这对于菲利普来说这才是最无法认同的事。

Even if he was the head of the faction, why did he have to bow his head to a count who was nothing more than an outsider?
就算是派阀之首，为什么一定要向只是个外人的伯爵低头感谢啊。

It was the family head’s prerogative to decide who the next leader of the family would be. It had nothing to do with that count. Now, perhaps if the count had backed him when his brother was around and he was still a third son, leading to him becoming the heir, he might have been grateful for that. However, that was not the case. Philip had achieved his current position entirely through his own luck.
决定下代领主是在领主的自治权范围里的。和伯爵毫无关系。如果，兄长还在的时候伯爵推荐的就是三男的自己，结果让自己成为领主的话那还好说。但事实却并非如此。菲利普能获得现在的地位全是靠他自己的幸运。

In other words, there was no reason for him to bow and scrape to him.
也就是说自己完全没有低头的理由。

Therefore, Philip had not gone before the Count to lower his head and offer his thanks. However, if he said that, his father would probably get agitated again. This was a lie for the sake of his father’s health.
所以菲利普并没有去向伯爵低头道谢。但是，如果这样说的话父亲又会激动起来吧。这是为了身体不好的父亲而撒的谎。

“Of course.”
「当然」

“I see. That’s good. Since you’ve done that, there ought to be a way. When the time comes, all you have to do is ask the Count for help.”
「这样啊。那就好。既然这样，就总会有办法的吧。关键时候就去向伯爵大人请求协助就好」

With that done with, just as Philip was beginning to feel at ease, the butler interrupted again from behind.
这下终于结束了，正当菲利普这么安心下来的时候，后面的管家插嘴道。

“--There is one more problem. The matter Philip-sama mentioned at the beginning has not yet been resolved. Philip-sama said he was inviting the emissary of the Sorcerous Kingdom to a ball organized by this family… What shall we do about that?”
「——还有一个问题。最开始菲利普大人说的那个问题还没有解决。菲利普大人说要邀请魔导国使者参加本家主办的舞蹈会。……关于这点要怎么办？」

“That’s right, Philip! What were you thinking? Our family doesn’t have a place to host a ball!”
「对啊，菲利普！你到底在想些什么！我们家可没有能开舞蹈会的场所啊」

All landlords had an estate in the Royal Capital.
地方领主在王都里都有邸宅。

There were small mansions set aside for their visits to the Capital.
是为了来王都的时候有地方滞留的，小小的邸宅。

Of course, they were not as tiny as commoners’ homes. They might only be used a handful of times a year, but they were also a sign of the nobility’s power. Therefore, they had to be large enough to accommodate the entourage the lords brought with them. However, they were not much larger than that, and the interior was not large enough for a ball.
当然，确实不会像平民家那样小。虽然是每年只有几次会用到的东西，但这也能作为贵族力量的证明。所以里面必须要有能让同行的领民，也能滞留的大小。只不过，那也只是大而已，里面并不是能开舞蹈会的构造。

Still, that problem had already been dealt with.
不过，这个问题已经得到解决了。

“It’s fine. It’s true that our estate cannot host such an event, but I’ve already managed to rent another place.”
「没问题。确实在这个家没有办法举办，但有能够租借的地方」

“Ohh, could it be the Count?”
「哦哦，难道是伯爵大人？」

Philip shook his head at the faint flowering of joy on his father’s face.
面对微微绽开表情的父亲的疑问，菲利普摇了摇头。

“No, it’s a place belonging to someone I know in the Royal Capital. The mistress there said she could loan it to me. The fact was, I spoke with her before I came back, and she assured me that it would be fine.”
「不是的，是在王都认识的人的家，那里的女主人说是能够借给我。实际上在回来之前我也与她见了面，并得到没有问题的答复」

“And what will we have to pay for it?”
「谢礼的部分是怎么样的呢？」

Philip sighed internally at the butler’s question.
菲利普对管家的问题在心中叹气。

So that’s the first thing he asks, huh.
最初的问题竟然是这个、吗。

“It’s free of charge.”
「免费提供」

“Free of charge, you say? ...Is that even possible?”
「免费是吗？……竟然有这种事？」

“Yes.”
「是的」

The words of the mistress came to Philip’s mind: “I have high hopes for your future, so I’ll invest in you. However, I hope you’ll return my kindness in the future.”
在菲利普心中浮现出女主人的话，「因为看您将来前途似锦，就让我投资您吧。不过与之相对的，将来可得请您加倍奉还哦」

“I do not believe such good fortune would fall upon you just like that… Could you have been deceived?”
「我不认为会有此等天上掉馅饼的好事。……您不会是被骗了吗？」

Anger blazed up within Philip, but he knew that his father trusted the butler implicitly, so he could not rebuke him just yet.
菲利普内心一火，但知道管家深受父亲的信赖，所以现在还没法迸出骂声。

“I’ll owe a favor, but since I promised to return that favor, it will be fine.”
「虽然欠了人情，但同时也承诺了要还那个人情，这方面没有问题」

“...So that’s the venue taken care of, but how about the invitations? Shall we have the Count send them out?”
「……那么会场先就这样，邀请书又该怎么办呢？向伯爵大人请愿吗？」

What is he saying, Philip thought. This event was being run by his family to raise their reputation. Why, after putting in all that hard work and preparation, did he have to hand over the most beneficial part of that to others?
他到底在说什么，菲利普在内心感叹道。明明由菲利普家主办才能提高名声。为何，都为此做了这么多准备工作，却还不得不将最有利的部分拱手上交出去呢。

So that’s his slave mentality talking. How sad… I don’t want to end up like him.
（这就是这家伙的奴隶根性吗。多么悲哀……真是不想成为这样的人）

“It’ll be fine. I’ve asked the mistress who lent me the venue to help me with the preparation work. Of course, I will decide the guest list.”
「没有问题的。向借给我们会场的女主人拜托之后，事前准备工作便有所着落了。当然，由我来决定受邀请的客人」

“...Still, it would be quite rude not to let the Count vet them. It’s not too late to ask the Count for help now. In addition, do you really know which families to invite which won’t cause offense?”
「……不通过伯爵大人的话相当失礼吧。现在也不迟，应该向伯爵大人请求帮助。而且说到底，你真的知道要邀请哪些贵族家才不至于失礼吗？」

“I do, to some extent, and I intend to invite some special people this time. The mistress has already given me their names.”
「某种程度上我还是知道的，而且这次我打算请来某个特别的人物，关于他的名字已经从女主人那里得到了」

“You…”

Doubt appeared in his father’s eyes.

“...Have you been manipulated by that mistress’ words?”
「你……」父亲的眼中浮现疑心「……该不会是被那个女主人所说的话操控了吧？」

“Father! How can you say that? I came up with this and made it happen! It’s true that I had to borrow some help to do it. But that mistress agreed that my plan had merits after she heard it -- which means that she saw that my plan could succeed, and she felt that I could pay the appropriate price! What have you been thinking all this while? Under normal circumstances, you should be giving me your full support as the next head of the family!”
「父亲大人！不管怎么说都太失礼了吧！这是由我立案、由我实行的！确实我借用了其它人的力量。但女主人听到我的计划后，也判断此事是有益处的啊——正因看好我的计划能够顺利进行、认为我是能够支付出于此相应的代价的！你从刚才为止到底想怎么样啊！本来的话，应该由您来全面支持下一任当家的我才对啊！」

That much was true. The mistress had said, “I will gladly help you if you will allow several nobles close to me to take part.” It was because both of them had a mutually beneficial relationship that he had gone to her for help. He was definitely not being manipulated or anything.
事实上也是如此，「如果能够在那个舞蹈会上，让数名与我亲近的贵族参加的话，就愿意提供帮助」女主人如是说。正因为彼此双方都有着明确地利益关系，他才会向她请求协助。而绝不是什么被操控了。

She was completely different from that count who controlled his father, stole all the gains away, and left him with nothing.
与掌握父亲的伯爵一样，将好处全部捞走、什么都不给的自己剩下的人不同。

You’re the one who’s being controlled, Philip wanted to say.
被操控的是父亲这一方、菲利普真的很想这么说。

“...Forgive me. But can you tell me the name of that mistress?”
「……抱歉啊。可你所谓的那个女主人的名字又是什么？」

Philip suppressed his anger. After all, he was talking to someone who had not yet shed his nature as a slave. He had to open up his heart and take all this in stride.
菲利普压抑怒气。毕竟对方是个还没有脱离奴隶根性的人，自己应该要以宽容的心胸与其接应才对。

“Her name is Hilma Cygnaeus. Have you heard that name before?”
「她的名字是希尔玛•色那克斯，您有听说过这个名字吗？」

“No, I’ve never heard of her before. How about you?”
「不，还真没听说过呢。你怎么样？」

The butler shook his head. Philip was proud that he had managed to acquaint himself with someone that even his father, who had long immersed himself in noble society, did not know.
管家也摇了摇头。连长久置身于贵族社会的父亲也不知道这样的人，这令菲利普对于自己早一步知道而感到了满足感。

“I will get the mistress’ opinion on the matter of the Count. It might be troublesome to bypass her and ask the Count for help instead. Is there anything else, Father?”
「关于伯爵大人的那件事，我也想要问问那位女主人的意见。如果不透过她而直接向伯爵请求帮助的话，说不定会有麻烦事呢。父亲大人，还有其它事情吗？」

His exhausted father had no response to this.
对于这个问题，表情似乎已经筋疲力尽的父亲没有回复。

Though he was still a little unsatisfied, Philip began putting his plan into motion. The next step was sending an invitation to the emissary of the Sorcerous Kingdom, Miss Albedo, and then thinking about how to consolidate his position from there.
虽然留有不满，但菲利普还是开始了他的计划。接下来就是邀请作为魔导国的使者的雅儿贝德小姐，然后想办法如何在那里巩固住自己的立场了。

Part 4

A grand hall filled Philip’s eyes, easily the equal toof that ballroom in the Royal Palace -- no, it was even better than that.
展开在菲利普视野里是盛大的会场，那即使与记忆中的王宫会场相比也毫不逊色——不、甚至在那之上。

He could not help but think of how to show this off to others. Granted, Hilma had arranged the preparations for this venue. However, she had asked him beforehand: “Should I arrange for a regular ballroom event, or an incomparable spectacle? The latter will require a heftier favor in return?” and Philip had chosen the latter without any hesitation.
他不禁充满了想对人炫耀的想法，确实这个会场的准备是交给希尔玛来做的。但由于她在事先询问过菲利普「该准备普通的舞蹈会会场呢。还是准备无与伦比的会场呢。如果是后者的话欠的人情可是会变大的哦」，而菲利普毫不犹豫的选择了后者。

In other words, this ball had been organized by the favor Philip had paid for -- in other words, this was an event which corresponded to the effort he had put in. And then, there were the many nobles who had gathered here because of him.
也就是说，这个会场是以菲利普欠下的人情所准备的——这就意味着，这是与他的劳力所相符的场所。然后，现在这里聚集了多数因他而来的贵族们。

It was perfect. However, it was because of this that Philip felt very unhappy about a certain detail.
太完美了。但正是因为如此，才有一点让菲利普非常的不愉快。

He had decided the location on the invitation -- though he had to rely on others’ wisdom, the final decision had still been his -- and the wax seal on the letters had belonged to his family. More importantly, everyone was here to meet the emissary of the Sorcerous Kingdom. And it was Philip who had invited that emissary here.
邀请书所寄的地点——虽说多少借用了他人的智慧——但决定的还是自己，密封的封蜡上敲得也是自己家族的纹章。而且比什么都重要的是，来到这里所有的人都是为了来与魔导国的使者见面的。而把那个魔导国的使者邀请过来，正是菲利普。

In other words, he was the organizer and the one who had worked to make this happen, so he was the one who should have been receiving words of praise and nods of gratitude. They should have been thanking Philip for inviting them to such an event. They should also have been praising his courage in inviting the emissary of the Sorcerous Kingdom, who nobody else had dared approach.
也就是说，作为主办者和功劳者的是自己，才应该受到其它人感谢的话语及低头道谢才对。他们应该对于把自己邀请过来这件事向菲利普献上感谢。并应该对菲利普敢于邀请谁也没办法打上招呼的魔导国使者的勇气致上赞赏。

Instead, what was happening now?
然而现实又如何呢。

The first person everyone spoke to once they came here was Hilma. Only after that did they come to greet him. In addition, they only did so reluctantly, after Hilma mentioned Philip’s name. What would they have done if she had not brought it up?
来到这里的人每一个最初问候的对象都是希尔玛。在那之后才好不容易来向自己打招呼。而且那还是希尔玛提起菲利普的名字后才会勉强过来的。若是没有提起自己的名字的话又将会如何呢。

Since he owed Hilma a favor, he had to bear with the fact that she was more noticeable than he was. However, all he felt toward those nobles was annoyance. Going by the basics of noble society, it should have been obvious who they should have been addressing first.
因为欠下了希尔玛莫大的恩情，而不得不忍耐她比自己更加显眼。不过菲利普对这些贵族们所感到的就只有不快感而已。就身为贵族的常识来看，最初应该向谁问候不是显而易见的吗。

That’s why you’re all a useless lot. Cheh, it seems accepting Hilma’s suggestion was a bad idea.
（所以才说你们不行啊，啧，果然接受了希尔玛的提案是个错误的决定吗）

He had invited the nobles here by tapping on Hilma’s intelligence.
这次召集过来的贵族们，是借由希尔玛的智慧所选出来的。

The nobles he had chosen were newly elevated heads of their families thanks to the war with the Sorcerous Kingdom, or those who would soon become the heads of their families. In other words, these people were in similar situations to Philip.
所选择的是，因与魔导国的战争结果而新任的当家、又或是即将成为当家的人们。也就是说，这些人与菲利普是处于相同立场的人物。

The reason why he had accepted Hilma’s suggestions was because there were not many people who thought like Philip did. If there had been no change in the family leadership, it was very likely that they would all only think ill of the Sorcerous Kingdom.
而之所以会接受了希尔玛的提案，是因为与菲利普想法有同感的人并不多的缘故。如果当家没有变动的话，同他的父亲一样对魔导国只有负面感情的可能性会很高吧。

However--
但是——

Is there anyone here who isn’t incompetent?
（在这里的就只有无能者吗）

He looked over the guests who had just arrived, and then he walked toward Hilma.
在眼前刚刚抵达的受邀客人，再一次走向了希尔玛。

What a cock-up, Philip thought.
搞砸了啊。

Those idiots buried in their family trees were truly idiots. That was why they had messed up on the person to whom they should have first apoken to. Or rather, one could say there was no other reason for that.
像这样被隐埋在家中的笨蛋果然还是笨蛋。正因如此才会搞错了最应该先问候的对象吧。倒不如说，除此之外根本想不到其它的理由。

...No, but, isn’t this a good thing? They won’t be able to take leadership because they’re idiots, right? If there was a noble here with a better brain than mine, I wouldn’t be able to take command of the new faction that I’d found, and regretfully, my family isn’t that powerful either.
（……不、但是、这不是正好吗？正因他们是笨蛋所以无法掌握主导权吧？如果有比我头脑好的贵族的话也无法在新成立的派阀中担任领导，而且很遗憾的是我的家族也不是什么有力的家族吶）

This might be a chance for him. Since this was their error, he would consider them to owe him one for not speaking to him first, and then he would collect on it in future.
这说不定也是个机会。这是他们的失态，把他们没有最先向自己问候这件事当成一个人情，在将来发生什么事时让他们偿还即可。

Just as he was plotting eagerly, Hilma appeared before him.
而就在菲利普正打着他那如意算盘的时候，希尔玛出现在了他的面前。

She was a woman who was little more than a bag of skin and bones.
简直就是瘦的皮包骨头的女人。

Her sickly thinness made her look like she had a severe illness. She would probably have been beautiful if she had more meat on her bones, but that was already a thing of the past.
病态般瘦弱、看起来像是患有重病似得。如果能再多长点肉的话，想必也会是个美人吧。但那也已经是过去的事了。

“Philip-sama, it seems all the invited guests have arrived.”
「菲利普大人，看起来受邀的客人差不多都到了的样子」

“Is that so?”
「是吗」

In other words, they all saw him as number two here, Philip thought. He tried to conceal his feelings of inferiority, but Hilma seemed to have seen through him.
也就是自己被所有人都看作是第二顺位的人了吗。

虽然菲利普自认为，有将心里涌现出的劣等感给隐藏了起来。但希尔玛似乎却看穿了的样子。

She cackled.
她扑哧一笑。

“You seem dissatisfied.”
「您似乎很不满呢」

“No, certainly not.”
「不、没有这回事」

Philip smiled. He was a nobleman -- he could deal with such intrigues.
菲利普微微一笑。自己好歹也是个贵族，多少还是能应对这种勾心斗角的。

“There’s no need to lie. I am your supporter in this because I stand to gain from it, Philip-sama. We cannot have any secrets between us.”
「还请不别说这种谎话了。我不过是为了享受利益，而甘愿成为菲利普大人的协助者的。我们之间可不能有隐藏的秘密啊」

Her words were tinged with flattery.
在那个话语中彷佛飘着卑下的、献媚的空气。

That was it.
就是这个。

Philip’s heart quivered.
菲利普在心中感动道。

This was the proper attitude a commoner should have.
这才是贵族与平民之间正确的姿态。

He was finally experiencing the situation he had long looked forward to, and the unhappiness in his heart vanished like it had all been a lie.
长久以来所憧憬的立场就在现在自己正亲身体验着，至今为止的不快感宛如谎言一般消逝而去。

“Is something the matter, Philip-sama?”
「您怎么了吗、菲利普大人？」

“No… well, come to think of it, I’m not upset, but I am uneasy.”
「不……说的也是，虽然没有生气，但感到有点不安吶」

“What discomforts you? Is something lacking? If that is so, shall I prepare it before the emissary-dono arrives?”
「是怎样的不安呢？是否有什么不充足的地方吗？如果是那样的话，需要在使者阁下前准备好吗？」

“It’s not like that,” Philip said as he affected a cough. “I simply didn’t expect the people here to be so… unexceptional. Even if I gathered all these people into a faction, I wonder if they could compete with the other factions. That is what discomforts me.”
「并不是那样吶」菲利普彷佛很了不起似得，咳了一声后回答到「没想到来到这里的人们都不是那么优秀的人吶。即便集中这些人所形成的派阀，又是否能够与其它派阀竞争呢。我是对此而感到不安吶」

“I see, so that’s how it is.”
「原来如此，是这么回事吗」

Hilma smiled.
希尔玛浮现出了笑容。

She was too skinny to inspire lust. Even so, her charm was such that it made him gulp.
虽然由于过度消瘦、而让人一点也感受不到肉欲。但即使如此也有着让人咽口水的魅力。

“But then, isn’t it because they’re this way that they will need your careful leadership, Philio-sama? I wish to call your attention to your domain -- are the peasants there very intelligent?”
「就是因为这样才需要菲利普大人加以领导不是吗？请回想起菲利普大人的领地，在那里居住的平民们难道很聪明吗？」

“No--”
「不——」

“Which is why they need a wise leader, no?”
「正因此才会要求在上位的人有足够的聪明才智不是吗？」

“Yes, indeed, that’s right.”
「是、是的啊，正是如此」

“If it’s you, Philip-sama, I’m sure you’ll be able to steer this faction well. I will also provide as much help as I can give.”
「如果是菲利普大人的话，我相信一定能够好好操作派阀。我也会尽我所能的提供协助」

“Because you stand to gain from it, am I right?”
「为了能够享受到好处，是吗」

“But of course. I am helping you because I am certain that I will reap benefits from doing so.”
「这是当然的，我正是确信能够取得利益才会帮助您的」

Hilma chuckled.
希尔玛莞尔一笑。

The anger in Philip’s heart was completely gone.
菲利普心中的愤怒已完全消失。

Everything Hilma said was correct.
希尔玛所说的言论是正确的。

Philip thanked his luck for being able to meet a woman like Hilma.
菲利普为自己能认识希尔玛这样的女性，而感谢起了自己的幸运。

She had broad contacts, great wealth, and had access to a great many things which Philip could not obtain within the Royal Capital. Her explanation for why someone like her would want to curry favor with him was also quite reasonable. In addition, his terms of repayment were also very simple, which was why he felt at ease in making use of her.
人脉广、还有财力，不仅拥有着许多菲利普在王都内不具备的关系之类的东西。像这样巴结自己后能够得到的好处的说法也很能叫人理解。自己该支付什么样的报酬也很简单，因此才能够安心的来利用她。

“If you help me, I will make you wealthier than any other woman.”
「如果协助我的话，我会让你成为比任何人都富裕的女人」

Hilma’s eyes widened a little, and then she smiled happily.
希尔玛的眼睛似乎睁大了少许，然后满足的笑。

“Well, that would be quite delightful. I would be glad to be able to wear a necklaces set with large gemstones like the noblewomen do. Then, please work hard, Philip-sama.”
「那可真是高兴呢，如果能戴上像是贵族妇人会有的那种、镶有大宝石的项链可就好了啊。那么就请努力吧，菲利普大人」

“Ah, leave that to me… Then, may I ask another question of my collaborator-dono?”
「啊啊、交给我吧。……另外就是我能问协助者阁下一个问题吗？」

“Yes, by all means.”
「是的。请尽管问吧」

“...May I know why you are so slim? Does something about your body trouble you?”
「……你为什么会那么瘦呢？是身体有什么不适吗？」

It would be troublesome if she could no longer support him. If even the priests could not heal her, then he would have to find someone to replace her, or allow her to recommend a successor.
如果她以后无法继续提供协助的话，自己可就头疼了。如果是神官也无法治好的病的话，就不得不早点找能够替代她的人了、或是让她介绍能够继承的人。

“Oh, it is not a problem worth mentioning, no.”
「并不是哪里有问题、呢」

“I’ve heard that some heiresses diet to lose weight, is that the reason?”
「有听闻大家族的千金会为了减肥而节食啊，那也是这样吗？」

Hilma smiled. This was the first time Philip had seen a smile which conveyed such unease without words.”
希尔玛浮现出了笑容。那是菲利普宛如第一次见到，某种无以言表的、不安的笑容

“It’s not like that. The fact is, I can no longer eat solid food, so I can only consume drink, and I can’t take in too much either… yes. Please, do not worry. I will have someone use healing magic if it’s because of an illness.”
「不是的哟。事实上我没有办法吃固体食物，因此只能够喝饮料，而且还不能够摄取太多等原因……是的呢。如果是疾病之类的话我会找人施展治愈魔法，还请您不必担心」

Her mood returned to normal, as though nothing had happened.
彷佛没有任何事发生又回到了原来的气氛。

“I will definitely not die before I reap the rewards of our acquaintance, Philip-sama.”
「在从菲利普大人那里，将能够得到的好处享尽之前我可绝不会死的啊」

“Oh, ohhh, really, then that’s good. However… why can’t you eat solid food?”
「哦、哦哦，是吗，这样的话就好。但是……为什么会变得没办法吃固体食物？」

That had been nothing more than a throwaway statement, but it had a telling impact. It felt as though the emotion had fallen off Hilma’s face.
不过是随口一问，但后造成的后果却非常的巨大。感情就像从希尔玛的脸上中剥落了一般。

The change was greater than before, and it made Philip anxious.
比之前更大的变化，让菲利普感到了一阵焦急。

“Is, is -- something the matter?”
「怎、怎么——了吗？」

“Ah, ahhh, my apologies. I simply remembered some things.”
「啊、啊阿、非常抱歉。稍微回忆起了一些东西」

Hilma covered her mouth as she said that, and she looked very pale.
希尔玛如此说着的同时按住嘴角，脸色很差。

“Ah-- my apologies for making you remember something unpleasant.”
「啊——、抱歉，让你回想起了不好的事情」

What had she gone through to make her incapable of eating solid food? While she now enjoyed broad social connections and enough wealth to live in decadence, she must have had a time when she couldn’t eat properly too. He wanted to probe further, but it would probably be a very bad idea to do so.
到底是有了什么样的经验，才会造成无法吃固体食物的心理阴影呢。虽然现在她有着一定程度的人脉以及能够奢侈过活的财产，但也经历过没法吃象样食物的时代吧。虽然想要问问，但到底问这种事是相当不妙吧。

“Philip-sama, I believe it is about time to summon the emissary. I believe that if you were to be her escort, everyone would look at you with different eyes. That would prove you were the organizer more than any number of words -- it would show who is the most powerful person here.”
「菲利普大人，差不多是时候该召唤使者大人了。若是能成那位大人的护花使者的话，不管是谁都一定会对菲利普大人刮目相看吧。比起言语更能够明确说明这个会的主办人——最具有力量的人到底是谁呢」

“Ohh! Indeed, that’s right.”
「喔喔！也是吶」

Because she had showed up alone at the Royal Family’s dinner party, Philip had thought that sort of thing was normal. So it was not. It shamed him to know that was not the case, and he put on an act of having forgotten but just remembered.
由于王宫的立餐晚会中她是一个人出现的，所以菲利普还以为那样才是普通的的呢。原来不是这样的啊。对于不知道的事情感到羞耻，扮演出不小心遗忘现在才想起来的样子。

“Everyone will surely be surprised. The many people who did not come to speak to you will surely feel anxious and uneasy, Philip-sama.”
「大家一定会很惊讶的呢，对于大多数没和菲利普大人问候的人来说，一定会为此而感到焦急和不安的吧」

A sadistic glee awoke in Philip’s heart. Some of the nobles here were higher-placed than him and had larger domains than himself. What sort of expressions would they show him, he who had once been regarded as the burden of his family--
有如虐待狂一般的喜悦在菲利普的心中浮现。在这里聚集的贵族们有比起自己的地位更高、领土更广的人。那些人又会以什么样的表情排列在自己的眼前呢。在过去被当作是家中的累赘的自己面前——