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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Yuziro
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A thousand and one Eldmias, after a collective brainstorming session, reached a conclusion.
There was one thing I needed to investigate and confirm immediately.
“Your Excellency, how much do you know about me, specifically?”
“I’m aware of the rumors from Ogwen, as well as those you’ve accumulated through your activities in the capital’s Adventurers’ Guild. I also know about your strong desire for revenge against the Demon King’s army commander.”
Contrary to my expectation of a delayed response, Duke Lesrom answered immediately.
It seemed he knew the specifics, excluding my personal life.
While the feeling was strange, it was convenient that I needed to explain less.
“The incident involving the Demon King’s army commander was indeed an act of revenge, but it’s somewhat related to my personal convictions. To get to the point, would you be willing to hear me out?”
“Convictions. Aren’t those the most helpful element in understanding someone? I’d be grateful if you would enlighten me.”
Duke Lesrom was adept at expressing potentially coercive statements with tact.
Perhaps that was a necessary skill for the head of the Noble Council.
“First, revenge for me is not a goal, but a means.”
“Then what is your goal?”
“My goal is the reaction of those who hear that an eight-year-old boy, even after more than a decade, tracked down his enemy and, regardless of their status or power, brought about their death. Your Excellency, what would you think upon hearing such a story, assuming it were true?”
“Haha. I wouldn’t want to be involved in such a hostile situation.”
It was a natural response.
Even I wouldn’t want to be involved with someone like that.
I nodded lightly at his perfectly normal reaction.
“That’s what I aim for. Rather than weighing the pros and cons of provoking me, I want them to consider avoidance as the best course of action.”
“But aren’t there too many obstacles to that? No matter how justified your revenge is, it will hold a different meaning for those who suffer because of it. If they act like you, wouldn’t that create an endless cycle?”
It was a reasonable question.
There was a reason for the saying, “Revenge begets revenge.”
Of course, I knew that.
But it wasn’t a problem for me.
“It would be a problem if I aimed for perfection, but I don’t. If I were to passively accept losing one thing, ten people might eventually learn of my weakness and take ten things from me. But if I retaliate by taking five things back after losing one, wouldn’t the number of those who try to take from me decrease significantly, or at least make them hesitate?”
It was the difference between being a punching bag that anyone could hit, and one that only a few would dare to touch.
I never thought I could become untouchable.
Even the gods had to deal with the Demon King.
How could a mere human achieve that?
Even in a fantasy world, it was near impossible.
But I could at least reduce the number of those who underestimated me.
The title of “Demon King’s Army Commander” carried enough weight for that.
After a few repetitions, unless I initiated the conflict, the number of those who would provoke me would dwindle significantly.
I wasn’t indiscriminately slaughtering or raping innocent people.
I was living a decent life.
Why would I endlessly accumulate enemies?
It was entirely possible.
That’s why I lived this way.
“That’s why I’m targeting even unknown Demon King’s army commanders. They might not have personally destroyed my village, but as commanders who issued the military orders, they should bear the responsibility. And this applies equally to all who associate with or oppose me.”
My conviction to instill the notion that Eldmia Egga was not to be trifled with was not up for negotiation.
Even if the other party was a duke.
I lifted the teacup Duke Lesrom had poured, intending to take a sip, but unsure of any potential tampering, I only savored the aroma before setting it down.
I placed my hand near my waist, ready to draw my sword at any moment, and looked Duke Lesrom in the eye.
“To be certain, I’d like a direct answer. Was the ‘boar’ you mentioned acting under your orders?”
He called it a boar, trying to distance himself, but to me, it was just wordplay.
He was still harboring the culprit.
Just as a soldier’s desertion wasn’t a commander’s order, Duke Lesrom could be a victim.
But I needed a definitive answer to prevent him from later claiming, “I never said that.”
Because of that boar’s plan, Lagnis had to live in hiding at a young age and was even kidnapped.
Gies, the wyvern rider, was forced into debt and unknowingly participated in something that might have been treasonous.
If I had been weaker, I might have died at the hands of Deltra’s four apprentice knights.
Just because I survived didn’t mean I could forgive those attempts.
Those who wronged me hadn’t paid the price yet.
And that’s what I needed to confirm now.
Who had wronged me?
The traitorous boar?
Or Duke Lesrom?
“…And if that were the case?”
“The traitor would face the kingdom’s punishment, but Your Excellency wouldn’t live to see it.”
Because I would kill him today.
Despite my obvious intent, Duke Lesrom’s expression remained unchanged.
He continued sipping his tea with an air of composure.
After a moment of silent observation, he finally spoke.
“I have no involvement whatsoever. In fact, even the Noble Council is divided into new and old factions, cautiously watching each other. I believe you understand which is which.”
I placed my hands back on my lap, deeming words unnecessary.
Duke Lesrom, still intrigued, continued.
“May I ask you two questions?”
“Certainly.”
“Why did you tell me about your convictions beforehand? Wouldn’t that increase the likelihood of me lying to save myself? And wouldn’t it have been more advantageous for you to discuss this after receiving the written oath I promised?”
I was relieved the questions weren’t anything significant.
“I explained my convictions to demonstrate that revenge isn’t my primary motivation. Even if you were lying, it would only be a temporary reprieve, which doesn’t concern me. As for the second question, I dislike situations where someone says, ‘Our business is concluded, now die.’ It’s unbecoming, like bandits.”
Sparing the life of someone who cooperates was one of my life mottos.
“Please wait while I prepare the written oath.”
Whether or not my motto resonated with him, Duke Lesrom nodded and went to his desk.
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Duke Lesrom, a surprisingly fast writer, finished the oath and had me review it in no time.
As promised, the oath contained clear wording, leaving no room for misinterpretation.
It even stated that Duke Lesrom would forfeit his life if the oath wasn’t fulfilled.
I resisted the urge to overthink it.
“Just so you know, the crest, seal, and my handwriting can be verified at the royal palace. Don’t worry about forgery.”
After I returned the reviewed document, Duke Lesrom rolled it up, sealed it with wax, and handed it to me.
“I look forward to the day we can discuss the many things I couldn’t tell you today.”
“Considering you’re part of the Noble faction and I’m assisting Margrave Levien, I doubt such a day will come.”
“Perhaps. Or perhaps it will come sooner than you think.”
Duke Lesrom smiled enigmatically, rose, and opened the door for me.
“It was a pleasant conversation, Eldmia. Feel free to visit anytime. You’re always welcome. I hope next time, we can enjoy tea together without misunderstandings.”
His cheerful demeanor, as if he hadn’t just been on the verge of death by my hand, made me suspicious.
As I passed by him, he extended a leg, slightly blocking my path.
“The boar must not die before the trial concludes.”
“…?”
“But the others don’t matter. I’ve already gathered most of the evidence. If anything happens after you leave here, remember that it has nothing to do with the Noble Council’s intentions.”
With a benevolent smile, Duke Lesrom offered a warning about unexpected attacks and closed the door.
I tucked the oath into my pocket and left the Noble Council building, realizing with each step that getting involved with politicians was a bad idea.
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[Lesrom seems sus AF, also i get why eldmia doenst want to get into politics, its not like him – it’s too sneaky and disgusting]
We love sneaky, principled politicians