Atelier Tanaka Volume 4 Chapter 5 part11

FitzClarence Family

The sun had set and night had fallen over the FitzClarence estate. The time had come.

I was taken to the dining room by Ester-chan in order to eat dinner with her father. It seems to be common practice for this family to eat together when everyone is home.

There were three other people seated at the table other than myself: Ester-chan, her father, and the muscular grandpa. Her mother was out at the moment and we were starting without her.

This room was just as beautiful as every other room in the house. Edita Sensei's home could easily fit inside the dining room. The entire setting made me think of a luxury restaurant where a single item on the menu would cost over 10,000 yen.

The table and chairs were polished beautifully and the golden chandeliers were opulently decorated with gems. 

"Let's have a toast to the new Baron. Cheers!"

""Cheers.""

As Ester-chan's father raised his glass, so did everyone else.

There were several maids standing around the room, ready to offer us any assistance if we need it. It was hard for me to know where to look considering every last one of them was a beautiful girl in her teens.

One criticism I do have is that their skirts could be shorter.

"Feel free to enjoy yourself tonight, Baron Tanaka."

"I'm undeserving of such kindness, Duke FitzClarence."

"I apologize if me disguising my identity offended you in anyway. I'd like for this dinner to be an opportunity for us to start fresh. In this room, we're all equals."

That's a lie. An absolute lie.

He forced Sophie-chan's dad to grovel beneath him.

"I understand that it is an important ability for an aristocrat to be able to change their persona depending on who they're speaking with. I'm sorry, but I don't believe I possess that ability."

His words reminded me of a drunken boss at an after work party telling his employees to treat him like 'one of the gang.' Some less experienced employees might take him up on that offer, but the veterans won't be fooled. The boss might not remember much of the night the next day, but anything said to offend him or that he can use against you will remain fresh in his mind. 

You must never forget the difference in status between anyone and everyone you speak to, so is the mantra of the wage slave.

"Well, if that is the case, feel free to use this dinner as practice."

"Thank you. I'll try my best."

I might as well agree to it so we can move along.

"You possess the magical ability to build an entire city in less than a day and gathered people to your cause in order to help you meet the admittedly difficult targets His Majesty set out for you. I believe that there's a lot I can learn from you."

"You give me too much credit, Duke FitzClarence. Most of my success is down to sheer luck and coincidence."

"Humility will do you no good in this world, Baron Tanaka."

"It's not humility. Even if it were, it's an undeniable truth that I wouldn't have been able to do any of it without the investment received from you, Duke FitzClarence."

"So you're saying I deserve all the praise for your success?"

It's here already. His first attack.

I can give him an honest answer.

"Of course, I also owe thanks to Elizabeth-sama for helping out and showing me patience. She also convinced Doris of Ahan from the Pussy Republic to aid me, and the members of the Twilight Company led by the eldest son of the Aufschnaiter family."

"…."

"I also received help from the Vice-Captain of the magic Knights, Cyan Bitch-sama, and Lord Fahren granted me access to the Academy were I was able to further my knowledge and deepen these relationships."

"Lord Fahren did that for you?"

"I believe he may have had his own motives, but I benefited as a result."

"…I see."

Ester-chan's father perked up when I mentioned the noble mage's name. Even though Sophie-chan called this man a monster, he still pays respects to that magic lunatic.

Now that I think about it, I haven't seen the noble mage since he left Dragon City. Did he make it safely back to Kalis? It's possible he did something to annoy the loligon on the way back.

"T-That's not true, Papa!"

"What do you mean, Liz?"

"I'm not responsible for getting Doris to help!"

Why did the lolibitch have to speak up now?

What is she going to say? It's just making me more anxious.

"He fought against the Pussy Republic in the previous conflict and that is where he became acquainted with Doris! He's also the reason Doris remained obedient while she was in Tricklis. He is owed all of the credit for ending the conflict and for obtaining aid from a member of the Pussy Republic."

The lolibitch spoke confidently.

To be more precise, Christina being far more powerful than the long-haired man is the reason why Drill-chan has remained docile. If she wasn't around, that drill haired virgin would've attacked Tricklis already.

However, her words seemed to have an impact on her father.

"So that's what happened."

"I think she's just being kind."

"You should be more proud of your accomplishments, Baron Tanaka."

"Thank you, Duke FitzClarence."

It turns out that letting Ester-chan speak was a good idea.

Maybe she'll be the key to me getting out of here safely.

As I said this silent prayer in my mind, I was suddenly hit with another verbal attack from the side.

"I will not allow this to continue any longer! It must stop! Even if my son will allow my precious granddaughter to be manipulated by you, I will not allow it any longer!"

The muscular grandpa spoke up for the first time.

"I will remain silent on matters concerning the house, but not when it comes to my cute grandchild!"

"Liz is my daughter before she is your granddaughter."

"…."

Esther's father was the one to interrupt him.

The muscular grandpa couldn't say anything against him. He was struck down so quickly even though he was fired up moments ago. It was a little sad, honestly. It's not an exaggeration to say that his son possesses all of the power in this house.

However, I think that the family has only reached the heights it has because of him. His son may have increased their wealth and power but it all started with the muscular grandpa.

"Still, my father raises a fair point."

Ester's father's eyes moved from the muscular grandpa to me.

His eyes turned into straight lines.

He's becoming serious.

"How exactly would you describe your relationship with my daughter, Baron Tanaka?"

"How I would describe it…?"

What am I supposed to say?

I took a moment to consider my answer as I slowly took a sip from my glass. Sophie-chan said that all of the rumours about Ester-chan's father spoiling her are true. It makes me seriously worried about my answer. If I were Ester-chan's father and the man that broke her hymen confronted me, I don't think I'd be able to stop myself from beating him to a pulp.

I understand why her father is curious to know.

As I was still trying to carefully choose my words, the door to the dining room opened.

The sound pulled everyone's attention away from me.

"I'm back, darling."

A beautiful woman emerged from the hallway.

She was someone I had met previously. I can't remember her name, but I do remember seeing her with Ester's father when he first introduced himself as Hegel. Once she spotted Richard, a cheerful smile spread across her face as she greeted him.

As her words suggest, she must be Ester's mother.

At least, that's my assumption.

But —

"Eh…? E-Ester…and Tanaksan?"

It took me a moment to realize that Allen was standing next to her, but the real shock came when I noticed his arm around her waist. They clearly aren't strangers to each other and the image reminded me of a couple exiting a love hotel.

The look in their eyes and their body language told the story of how close they were. If Mamsan's arm was also around Allen, he may have been killed on the spot. Even so, this situation is bad.

It looks like the ikemen has been thinking with his lower body again.

Of course, the moment Allen noticed everyone in the room, his expression changed to utter confusion.

"I'm sorry about this, Allen-san."

A small smile floated across Mamsan's face before she slipped out of Allen's arms and moved to Richard's side.

Here eyes weren't smiling.

"Umm, w-what is going on…?"

Allen was beginning to tremble.

"We wished to speak with you with everyone present. Father, mother…and daughter."

"…."

What have you done, Allen?

Ester-chan said that she saw the ikemen leave with a group of noblewomen at the party. One of them must have been this woman, but I would think that Allen would recognize Ester-chan's mother.

"Liz, who is this boy?"

Richard's emotionless words sent a chill down my spine.

Allen only just arrived and he's already stepped on a landmine.

"…."

"Ara, darling, there's no need to make such a scary face. He's been such a great escort today. With him constantly telling me how beautiful I am and his other attempts at flattery, I'll be able to remain happy for years."

"I see. What a nice young man. Is that how you become so close to Earl Bitch?"

"Uh…."

Allen probably assumed that Richard knew nothing of his relationship with Earl Bitch. This 'nice young man' was getting paler by the second and he was at a complete loss for words. The situation was bad at first but it's quickly become even worse than I anticipated.

Ester-chan's mom must have approached Allen knowing who he is with the intention to lead him on. Allen was so excited by the prospect of her high-class pussy, that he failed to realize she was leading him straight to the execution block.

Ester-chan's parents are terrifying.

The muscular grandpa is nothing more than a figurehead.

He hasn't even said anything yet.

"Your name is Allen-kun, correct? Please, take a seat, I've had a place set for you as well."

"…I-I think I'd be intruding."

In response to Richard's invitation, Ester-chan's secret lover number two attempted to quietly excuse himself.

"I told you to take your seat. Or did you not hear me?"

"…."

Allen fell silent as he moved next to me and took his seat. So that's why there was an empty seat next to me. Ester-chan was seated at the head of the table while Richard and the muscular grandpa sat opposite of Allen and me.

Incidentally, this meant that Ester-chan's two secret lovers were both sat on the same side with every other member of the FitzClarence family facing us.

I think I'm starting to understand Sophie-chan's story a little better.

Ester-chan's parents are going to strike before either of us have a chance to prepare ourselves.

In stark contrast to the graceful smile he's showing us, Richard has a serious violent side he has yet to show. After Allen and Mamsan took a seat, the meal continued with both Allen and I mechanically eating the food served to us. I just did my best to match the pace at which the members of the FitzClarence family ate their food.

I don't even remember what any of it tasted like.

"Umm, P-Papa…."

Ester-chan attempted to offer us a lifeline.

As things stand, Allen is likely to be dead by the morning. That much is only natural considering he tried to sleep with the wife of the country's most powerful nobleman. In Japan, an affair at that level could easily lead to him paying millions in consolation money.

But, in this instance, Allen appears to have been invited by Mamsan.

Almost any man would easily fall for Mamsan's charms if she threw herself at them. I would even be okay with having a threesome with her and Allen if it meant I got to sleep with her. The lewdness factor would increase by at least ten times considering she's Ester-chan's mother. A nice aged beef sandwich.

"There's just one thing I haven't been able to confirm."

Richard completely ignored his daughter and continued focusing on Allen and me.

He set down his silverware and looked straight at us. There was a smile on his face, but I know from what Sophie-chan told me that I can't trust it.

"There's no denying my daughter has changed for the worse and there's only one reason I can think of as the cause for this. I just need to know which one of you two taught Liz these unnecessary things."

A fast ball down the centre of the plate.

"…."

I could feel Allen's shoulder trembling next to me.

This is bad.

This is just as bad as making an enemy out of Christina.

"I'll only ask this once more: tell me which one of you, Tanaksan or Allen-kun, taught my daughter these frivolous things? I would like to continue our meal, but we can't continue until this matter has been settled."

"…."

What should I do?

If what Sophie-chan told me was true, once he learns the answer, his next action will be to attack with magic.

And I'm guessing Allen doesn't know this.

Knowing him, he'll want to make his relationship with Ester official —

"E-Ester and I…."

This ikemen is too honest.

There's only one thing I can think of doing to stop him.

If I don't do it, I only see one way of this ending for Allen.

He started his life as a yarichin in the capital and his life as a yarichin will end here as well.

"Richard-san, I was the one that took your daughter's virginity."[Tanaka]

I slowly stood from my chair while simultaneously activating my recovery magic.

This is the same type I used to protect myself against Christina's punches. Based on the last few times I've used this, no matter how powerful his attack, I should be able to survive.

"…is this true, Tanaksan?"

"Yes."

"That's strange. My research suggested different…."

I have no choice but to do this if I want Allen to leave here alive.

Allen removed all other options the moment he entered the room and stepped on the landmine.

"I find younger girls attractive. Despite Ester-san's age, she still doesn't grow any hair down there. It's truly fascinating. I wasn't able to suppress my desire toward her and corrupted her into becoming my plaything –"

I spoke as if I were intimately familiar with her hairless pussy even though I only saw it once in the bath.

At the same time, attack magic was sent flying at me.

"Ah…."

I could hear a few sharp gasps from someone in the dining room after this exchange.

I fierce pain struck my body and the force of his attack knocked me back several feet, but I remained standing. There was a sharp pain emanating from my neck, but this only lasted a few seconds before my recovery magic kicked in. Richard remained seated at the table with only his hand raised slightly toward me. 

His eyes that were normally closed were now slightly opened.

He's the type of ikemen where his eyes open a little when he's starting to lose his temper.

His good looks annoy me.

The scenery in the dining room changed drastically. The tablecloth and all of the tableware was now dyed red with my blood. I recalled a similar scene when the Dark Elf decapitated me. What a waste.

“P-Papaaaaa!"

Ester-chan's scream filled the room as she aimed an attack at her father.

"Ha!?"

That was the first time I ever heard a hint of surprise in his voice.

He must have never expected his daughter to attack him.

I was as surprised as him.

A swirling mass of flames around one metre in diameter erupted from Ester-chan's hand directly at her father. Fireball. The point-blank attack erupted on its target and exploded in a blinding flash of light. 

I could feel myself getting weaker and decided to check my status while taking cover.

Name Tanaka Sex Male Race Human Level 125 Job Alchemist HP 1400/149802 MP 82550300/252000030 STR 10012 VIT 12711 DEX 16100 AGI 12322 INT 200001900 LUC 27

All right, I still have plenty of MP remaining.

My MP took a big hit, but it should be the same for Richard. He won't be able to follow up with another attack of that magnitude which will give me plenty of time to recover. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if I'll be able to attack without destroying this entire mansion and killing everyone in it. It might be possible if I hold back and activate a healing circle around the table at the same time.

Will it work though?

Despite my terrible LUC stat, I decided to hope for the best and activated the circle at the same time I shot a fireball toward Richard.

Another wave of pain enveloped my body.

***

Chapter end