Ouroboros Record ~Circus of Oubeniel~

"It’s more amazing than you think. He must have been able to find and correct minor discrepancies from letter reports, and take steps to ensure that nothing is overlooked. Well, if he could have done that, I wish he had taken better care of Marlan before I arrived, too."

He was a man of outstanding administrative skills. He was more like a shrewd bureaucrat than a lord. He must have been a very rare talent for the centralised faction for managing territories under orders of the kingdom.

This would certainly be a shame. But at the same time.

"However, we already have Sir Victor and others on the internal affairs side."

Exactly as Uni had described, Tullius have Victor and Laubert here to handle internal affairs. The addition of Linus would certainly make things easier. But after he teamed up with Lavallee, the disadvantages of trying to court him were not balanced by the advantages. It was a bad deal.

"Yes, I suppose it's no use regretting what has happened… Rather than that, let’s plan how to grow these potatoes in Marlan. Wasn't there land that wasn't suitable for wheat fields but could be planted with these potatoes?"

"Yes. I will have the subordinates report on it."

"Uni, you should share potato seeds with the lab's food department. This should improve our underground self-sufficiency."

"Yes, master."

Once that was decided, the rest was history. Linus Strein Oubeniel's name would never be mentioned again. That was the extent of Tullius’ brother to them.

"I'd like to change the subject, your Excellency. I've finished that thing, and I will bringing it to you. — Enter."

"Excuse me."

At his signal, one of the B-series entered the room with a rolled up cloth under his arm. Victor doesn't like to have his slaves carry such formal items, but their Lord paid no mind at all.

While worrying about this point, Victor unfolded the item he took from the slave.

The flag was evidently heavy, as it landed on the ground with a thud.

Painted on it was a red and black shield with the crest of a snake and its tail.

"—This is the crest of the head of the Oubeniel family. From now on, the seals and decorations used in the house will be replaced with this design. Please display this banner in this room as a token of your honour."

This symbol of his Lord’s ascension in power left Victor slightly excited. But as for Tullius...

"Hmm. Uni, go ahead and do it."

"Yes, master. It will be done immediately."

The symbol of the head of the count's family, which many nobles would have coveted with bloodlust and which his brother had tried so hard to protect, did not impress its new owner all that much.

"...... I've been thinking about this for a while."

Uni muttered to herself as she quickly hoisted it up and adjusted the angle a few times.

"This crest is only suitable for master, isn't it?"

"Really? Well, it’s just some fancy design that might bring good luck to me."

It appears that Tullius did not dislike the flag.

What were Tullius’ ancestors thinking when they came up with this design two hundred years ago? But for a mad alchemist seeking immortality, no emblem could be more appropriate.

A serpent in a circle, representing perfection and eternity.

The symbol of Oubeniel had finally passed to a bearer worthy of its meaning.