I Planned a Su*cide Mission and Got Kicked Out of the Party

---

Duke Jeffrey’s Territory is vast. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the House of Duke Jeffrey possesses the largest and wealthiest territory in the Empire, serving as a supply hub for the Audrich Empire.

Baron Harriet’s blue carriage had to travel an entire day, even after entering the Duke’s border, to reach the Duke’s residence. During the passage through the Duke’s territory, Jeongjae couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration at the vast fields of wheat spread out before him.

Due to the seasonal characteristics, there were no golden wheat fields at this time. We were now in the late autumn transitioning to winter. Neither spring wheat nor autumn wheat was in harvesting season.

However, with the sowing already begun in this period, it splendidly showcased that Duke Jeffrey’s Territory was fertile enough to switch to a second harvest of autumn wheat right after the spring wheat was harvested. Jeongjae could guess how specialized this territory was in food production just by looking at the emptiness of the vast land.

“It’s a bountiful land.”

“Indeed, it’s good land. There might not be much room for significant development or expansion, but if one plans to manage it cautiously, there’s no land as peaceful and fulfilling as this.”

Jenis nodded in agreement. Margaret, who was currently serving as the coachman, used her keen eyesight to look around, closely observing the interior of the Duke’s territory.

Duke Jeffrey’s Territory had certainly suffered from the large-scale conscription edict, but compared to other territories, the number of visible men was relatively not small. Given that it primarily focused on agriculture, playing an absolute role in the Empire’s food supply, the Empire itself found it difficult to impose a high conscription rate on this territory.

The noble assembly, which relied on a significant supply of grains from the House of Duke Jeffrey, could not express dissatisfaction with such favorable policies. In reality, it wasn’t an unreasonable course of action. Farming indeed requires a number of strong adult men. Dragging away laborers from such territories under the pretense of equity would only end up harming humanity as a whole.

Jeongjae could understand the reason behind the broken demographic structure of Harriet’s Territory. Since strong males could not be arbitrarily taken from regions with strong agricultural productivity, they ended up increasing the conscription rates of other territories, leading to an errant calculation that resulted in significant damage to some small villages.

When handling administrative affairs concerning the national undertaking, it’s not uncommon, even in modern Earth, to overlook the circumstances of smaller regions and cause fatal damage. The enlistment campaign was led directly by Walter, so it probably wasn’t a matter of any malicious or intentional discrimination, but how could someone, even if they were a hero, resolve all administrative procedures fairly and without issues? Especially during such a difficult time.

If anything, it’s possible Walter enforced a heavier burden on Harriet’s Territory to avoid leaving any doubts about favoritism towards his family’s land. While it’s hard to view that conclusion positively, moving forward, Jeongjae had the duty to take care of them.

As the newly appointed Baron Jeongjae, he intended to fulfill that responsibility properly. Very thoroughly and without fail.

The carriage soon stopped in front of Duke Jeffrey’s residence. As Margaret halted the carriage, she jumped down to look up at a building that is better referred to as a villa than a castle.

Both Jeongjae and Jenis also disembarked and admired the mansion of the Jeffrey family. It had an aristocratic yet refined atmosphere, contrary to being simply rough. If compared with the Count Harker’s mansion, one would hardly believe it belonged to the noble neighborhood right next to it.

The white exterior walls, painted neatly, appeared likely to sparkle when reflecting the light, and the stable golden dome roof gave a stable impression. The geometric stability reminiscent of modern assembly buildings and the marble columns that brought to mind a Greek temple. Though it was quite small to call it a noble mansion, it was large enough to be classified as a grand residence.

They seemed to have paid little attention to military defense. The only protection for the vast garden, which even had a fountain, was a low iron fence. That fence looked more suitable for keeping out small animals than intruders, and perhaps to avoid spoiling the aesthetic, it had gaps wide enough for one to view the garden and building inside.

The flag of the Jeffrey family was waving atop the roof of the mansion, a splendid gold background adorned with an image of bowed wheat ears, truly a flag that encapsulated the essence of this territory.

“It’s more of a palace than a castle.”

Margaret casually commented. Jenis clapped her hands in agreement with Margaret’s statement.

“Well, this is a building that has been renovated from what was originally used as a palace during the days of the Jeffrey Kingdom. Unlike Caprice, which was shattered during the war, and the Audrich Castle now under the hands of the Demon King’s Army, this place has never been truly embroiled in war’s ravages.”

“I think this level of luxury is sufficient. The palace in Eramenia is blindingly gaudy.”

Margaret said indifferently. At that moment, Jeongjae looked at Margaret’s face, wondering if she was subtly bragging about her country’s palace, but there was no trace of pride on her expression. Being someone who takes pride in herself, if she had something to show off, she would say it outright; she wasn’t one to speak in subtle roundabout ways.

“What is it, Wizard? Did I make some mistake?”

Noticing Jeongjae was looking at her, Margaret perked her ears and asked. Jeongjae hurriedly turned his gaze away and replied.

“No, nothing like that. It’s just… hearing that made me think I want to see the palace in Eramenia someday.”

“See, see… Is that so? You actually have never been to our country.”

“I’ve heard that humans, especially wizards, are not welcomed.”

“Not all humans are rejected. The people of my territory are particularly amicable towards humanity. But my father… well, I don’t really know. He seemed to get along quite well with Walter Hellhound, but, hmm, if I think ahead, it might be impossible for you to meet my father…”

“What do you mean by thinking ahead, Your Highness?”

Jenis interrupted abruptly, sensing something odd in Margaret’s mumbling. Upon hearing Jenis’s words, Margaret immediately swallowed her murmured thoughts, eyes widening.

Caught in her somewhat shy future plans, Margaret struggled to hide her flushed face and retorted at Jenis.

“You’ve got a point there, little one. At least your father seems to have forged some kind of friendship with the maestro.”

“Well, that’s true.”

Jenis puffed out her chest in pride and answered confidently. However, just a moment later, her expression darkened, and she quietly murmured to Margaret.

“But I’m afraid this friendship might be breaking apart now. I don’t even know what’s going on.”

Margaret immediately grasped the meaning behind Jenis’s words. The conversation between Count Harker and Jeongjae had quite evidently been strange. Jeongjae seemed to harbor a deep suspicion about something Count Harker was hiding.

As if the Harker family and Jeongjae were somehow related to ‘another world.’ It felt as though this young Baron had discovered something even Jenis was unaware of.

“I sense there might be some odd problems. But don’t be discouraged. I don’t believe your father is a villain. That guy, too, must surely feel the same.”

“But what if he’s just withholding words because he fears that our land is being attacked? If he can’t trust me standing beside him and is hiding the doubts in his heart? But Your Highness, you know him better than I do, right? Then please, tell me, is the maestro someone skilled at concealing his true intentions?”

Jenis spoke earnestly, appearing genuinely anxious. At that moment, Margaret felt a surge of sympathy for this girl. The most fearful doubt a person can have, including elves, is the doubt about oneself.

The next most fearful doubt would be about one’s roots. Jenis was not only afraid of Jeongjae’s doubts but was also gripped by unspoken insecurities regarding her own father.

“That guy has many things concealed. He seems to be always focused on hiding his own wounds, which can be quite pitiful. But, to be honest, no matter how hard he tries, he never really succeeds. It’s almost obvious to the eyes of everyone. Well, not just mine, but to everyone’s.”

“Then does the maestro… trust my father? That he isn’t a bad person and is a reliable ally…”

“I think so. So you should trust your bloodline too.”

Just as Jenis was about to reply, Jeongjae turned towards the two.

“What are you two whispering about? Is it something I shouldn’t be hearing?”

“It’s a bit like that. We weren’t discussing ill of you, so you can rest easy.”

Margaret replied playfully. Jeongjae showed a face that seemed unconcerned about that.

“If you were to gossip about me, you’d do it before my face, Margaret. There’s hardly any reason to keep it from me.”

“Have I truly said a lot of bad things about you before?”

“Can’t deny it wasn’t a bit? Those were words that became part of your flesh and blood advice. Now, let’s head inside. While you two were chatting about women’s secrets, I finished my talk with the guards.”

As Jeongjae said, the guards at the gate lightly saluted the three and opened the door leading to the garden. Perhaps to maintain the mansion’s atmosphere, even the guard’s attire was much lighter compared to Harker’s, and they weren’t even wearing helmets.

Just as the trio had nearly passed halfway through the garden, the door of the mansion creaked open and a woman in a red jacket walked out from within.

Jeongjae recognized her face immediately. It was someone he had seen a few times maintaining silence while sitting in high seats at the Imperial Assembly. Sally Jeffrey, also known as Duke Jeffrey. An undeniable figure who occupied one of the most powerful local aristocratic positions in the Empire with a woman’s body.

The moment Duke Jeffrey began walking toward them, Jeongjae instinctively slowed his steps, waiting for her to approach them. Jenis and Margaret also seemed to look upon the approaching figure with interest as they gradually reduced their pace.

Finally, as Sally Jeffrey reached right in front of Jeongjae, she wore a cheerful smile and extended her hand towards him.

“Welcome, Baron. I’m Sally Jeffrey, the one who governs this land.”

“I’m Jeongjae Park. I’ve only recently been stationed at Baron Harriet’s Territory. This is Margaret, the Princess of Eramenia, and this is Jenis Harker, the eldest daughter of the Harker family.”

Sally exchanged light handshakes with Margaret and Jenis, nodding. As she looked up at Margaret, their eyes met, and Sally broke into laughter, giving a small nod.

“It seems our little corner has been visited by three distinguished guests, which is a rare occurrence. Each one seemingly of high stature, but when I learned that this elven princess is someone who holds greater title and skill than I, I was quite surprised. Nevertheless, it is an honor to welcome you, Princess.”

Sally Jeffrey was a middle-aged woman with slightly fairer skin than Bernard and had long curly black hair. She appeared to be in her late twenties to mid-thirties, but did not look any older than that. Jeongjae recalled hearing that Sally Jeffrey was around 35 years old.

The sharply tailored red outfit was more akin to men’s clothing than women’s wear. There were views suggesting this was due to the necessity of a duke’s dignity, but it was more regarded as Sally Jeffrey’s unique preference. Rose also often dressed in military uniform or armor due to her duties, but in peaceful times, she enjoyed wearing regular women’s clothing or dresses. In this world, there was no need for a female leader to don men’s clothing to assert her authority.

Sally Jeffrey gestured for the three esteemed guests to enter her mansion. The rules of the noble world do not only operate on titles. Although Jeongjae is a baron, he was probably the most powerful baron in the world.

Not only by his own power but also with the terrifying influence of being close to the Crown Princess, a Hero, and the princess of the neighboring country. Duke Jeffrey walked alongside Jeongjae toward the mansion.

“Did you face any difficulties on your journey?”

“The most challenging part was nearly not making it here at all.”

Jeongjae let slip a remark laced with irony. Upon understanding his words, Sally slightly frowned and lowered her head.

“Oh, yes, I regret not being able to offer sufficient support. Did I misspeak? I should congratulate you on your victory. I’ve heard there were no significant casualties.”

“Of course not. No one died. It was indeed an attack easily thwarted at a bargain price. Ultimately, it was a fight where we hovered between life and death. Just to mention, it was a truly close fight.”

“It’s not that Jeffrey didn’t want to help, but in these times, which territory isn’t suffering from a chronic manpower shortage? We don’t have a single proper knight in our territory. Even if we gathered troops, there wouldn’t be a competent commander. Can you imagine the burden of leading an army myself?”

Jeongjae noticed that Jenis and Margaret who followed along kept their silence. Indeed, apart from someone like Koesernis, not many nobles would direct armies personally in such a situation. Blaming Duke Jeffrey for not personally leading reinforcements was neither stylish nor safe.

“Well, let’s discuss the details inside.”

As Jeongjae pointed towards the door, they had reached it without realizing it. The Duke nodded. The Duke knocked on the door, and it opened.