Stranger's Handbook

This old man certainly said that.

“Errrr, your Excellency. Ma.....rriage?”

As one would expect, I had to ask again.

It’s no wonder, whatever the circumstances may be this is beyond expectation.

To begin with, something like this marriage is impossible, right? The partner is a noble.

“Are you against it?”

“I’m not against it!”

Ah! I answered in an instance.

The old man had such a serious expression......

“Don’t worry, it’s not going to be right away. Your social status as a hero is still a little bit......That’s why, you’ll first become my subordinate’s adopted son. After that, you’ll be saving my granddaughter from an enemy attack and mutual love will tie you together. How’s that! An impressive tale, isn’t it?”

............Aaah! So this is the synopsis.

A very cliché love story between a hero and a princess, huh?

“And then, at first, his Excellency will be against it, but persuaded by the wishes of his people and subordinates, he’ll show his tolerant heart and forgive the granddaughter and the hero......”

“Recently, it’s been hard to implement policies that ignore the voices of people, you know. Meddling with the neighboring country will cost money as well.”

I’m so very happy you’re enjoying this, old man...

“The portraits of a hero and a princess will make for some great marketing. Like books about the love story between the two of you? And then, the advantage of approving your relationship is that the nation will admire his Excellency, the tolerant and impartial Frontier Count. The proof he won’t even discriminate against a stranger who came from another world... They’ll forget everything about increasing the territories and the pressure against the neighboring country.”

Hiiii!! That’s why you’re scary, old man!

“If we make a pass at the neighboring country, we must collect more taxes. It is something necessary for a just cause......Well, I’m not thinking of going that far as to burden the people too much.....”

“Congratulatory gifts from your fellow nobles? .....Or, is there someone you want their power stripped away from?”

Holy smokes! The old man has his whole face covered with a smile.......

“Hahahahaha, very good! Very good indeed! If only my son would be as sharp as you are! That guy is not quite the strategic thinker; it sure helps having a reliable grandson-in-law, such as yourself!”

He had such a dream-like smile on his face......It is a nightmare.

“Well, we’ll go with these arrangements. That’s why I want to seriously welcome you into my family. It’s also for grandson-in-law’s sake.”

You understand, right? He examined me, seemingly wanting to ask that.

“In return for your given support and place to live, I must not make the princess sad....is this right? I will make sure I won’t have to deal with something like sudden illness or the sort.”

In reality, I won’t go for something like not making the princess sad, but instead I’ll need to seduce the princess.

If I don’t, even if we manage to have kids, there’s still the possibility I’ll be discarded.

His target is the children who share the same blood as his granddaughter, not me who’s not even blood-related...

Is this his objective, to have a prospect for the next head of the Frontier Count Household?

By the way, the ‘sudden illness’ thing is something like a pact with a high ranking noble.

They won’t announce something like ‘he died’ or ‘he was killed’.

‘He moved to the countryside where the air is good for a person recovering from sudden illness’

It’ll turn out like this.

He’ll be set up in a high position, like a hero or a brave man.......They can’t say something like ‘we killed him’.

After 2-3 years of medical treatment the patient dies, but there’s nothing to worry about since he already had a successor from the time he was in his better health!

‘His wife will be in charge of the children until they mature! Let’s all cooperate on behalf of our hero!’

See, there’s no problem?

Haaa......This is so bad.......I might end up being in the way........

“There’s no need to worry this much. That’s because the Stranger seems to have a natural talent for magic. An excellent magician is a valuable asset, you know!?”

As if I could feel at ease......It’s like I should comprehend it as ‘I won’t need you without your natural talent in magic’.......

“Well, you must be tired by now. You should take your time and rest. In case you need anything just ask the maids I placed in your care. Starting tomorrow, I’ll have you train in magic under your master and gain knowledge about this world.”

After he one-sidedly declared this, the old man sat up quickly and made his way to leave the room, but he suddenly turned around when in front of the door.

“Ah! I forgot to tell you something.”

“Y...yes. What would that be, your Excellency?”

And then the old man started talking with that nightmare-like wide smile.

“My granddaughter.......she’s very cute. Her character is the spitting image of mine, you know!?”

........As I thought, I can’t feel at ease.

I can see a future in which I die.