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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Yuziro
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The arrival of Duke Lesrom didn’t mean I could simply wash my hands of the entire affair and walk away.
Regardless of the circumstances, I had still caused quite a commotion.
While I directed the Duke’s attendants to the location of the ambush, providing them with an account of the events, soldiers bustled around, attending to the aftermath.
However, hey refrained from shackling me like a common criminal.
That alone spoke volumes about the royal family’s intended course of action regarding this incident.
“I certainly made a mess of things.”
Observing Duke Lesrom personally overseeing the situation, I glanced at Envelde’s mansion, struck by the sheer scale of the damage.
My casual remark, uttered as if it were someone else’s affair, drew a startled glance from a nearby soldier, who stared at me with an incredulous expression.
I understood his reaction.
Such a nonchalant observation was hardly appropriate, given the extraordinary circumstances.
Lost in thought, contemplating the potential repercussions of the rumors that would undoubtedly circulate regarding the massacre within a nobleman’s mansion, I was startled by the appearance of Asirye and Lagnis, who emerged from the throng.
“Oh, you’re here early.”
Their expressions, momentarily mirroring the collapse of their worlds, quickly softened into visible relief.
Had this occurred at the Ogatorf estate, I would have undoubtedly received the customary backhand smash.
Fortunately, the soldiers recognized Lagnis and didn’t impede their approach.
As Asirye hurried towards me, her gaze scanning my body for injuries, Lagnis, unable to do the same due to the presence of the soldiers, released a long sigh.
“I thought my world had ended.”
Ah, so her expression hadn’t been an exaggeration.
“I was convinced I’d made the wrong decision by not shackling you.”
“He’s certainly capable. There’s a reason he commands such a high price.”
“That’s not the point! Why did you act so impulsively? You should have at least informed us!”
“Yes, I share your sentiment. His solo action suggests he had anticipated this to some extent, wouldn’t you agree?”
Asirye, having keenly noticed the lingering mark of the penetrating wound on my abdomen, prodded it with a disapproving frown, echoing Lagnis’s demand for an explanation.
It wasn’t so much anticipation as a “let’s see who takes the bait” mentality.
However, voicing that sentiment would likely result in death by a thousand glares, so I opted for a more palatable explanation.
“I anticipated some form of action, but I didn’t expect it to occur today. Whether Envelde or his subordinates precipitated the events, it unfolded rather abruptly. I intended to inform you, but returning to the estate to relay the information could have complicated the narrative and created inconsistencies in my testimony.”
My explanation wasn’t entirely fabricated.
This had to be perceived as Eldmia Egga’s independent action.
Implicating the Levien and Ogatorf families, both kingdom nobles, would be detrimental.
I had acted so decisively because Esmee’s letter had arrived, which granted me peace of mind.
Otherwise, I would have submitted my formal resignation before taking any action.
That was precisely why only Asirye, who was uninvolved, and Lagnis, the subject of the trial, were present.
Unless there was clear evidence of royal involvement, the Ogatorf family would…
“Eldmia!”
“…What is she doing here?”
Unlike my stunned reaction to Cheryl’s emergence from the crowd, Lagnis and Asirye responded with casual acceptance.
“Mongsoon must have informed her.”
“Even if he did, her presence here is inappropriate, isn’t it? Hey, you! Do you realize the implications of being here?”
“What nonsense are you spouting? Did you suffer a head injury during the fight?”
Despite her typically impertinent tone, Cheryl’s face betrayed a rare expression of concern.
No, now wasn’t the time for her to be worried about me.
“What are the implications of an Ogatorf being present here?”
“You are currently employed as a retainer of our family, are you not?”
“That’s merely a formality. Your presence here under these circumstances is illogical.”
Even with Duke Lesrom’s favorable response and the alleged royal approval, it remained a verbal agreement, lacking formal confirmation.
While the Ogatorf family enjoyed a reputation for loyalty, avoiding potential controversies was always prudent.
Cheryl’s presence here could generate unnecessary rumors.
Contrary to my calculations, however, Cheryl tilted her head, as if she had misheard me.
“Your assault on Envelde’s mansion… was logical?”
“…Well, I had calculated…”
“The Ogatorfs act according to their convictions. My father was occupied by other matters, but had he been present at the estate, he would have rushed here immediately. Just as you attended to your affairs, I am attending to mine. Cease your worrying.”
Damn her.
I had no retort.
Having provided a cursory explanation to the assembled individuals, I bid them farewell, anticipating the inevitable reprimand upon my return, and proceeded with the soldiers. Duke Lesrom, despite his composed demeanor, exhibited signs of fatigue, yet he insisted on accompanying me on foot, despite having arrived on horseback.
“It appears your concern comes exclusively from the fairer sex.”
He had observed my interactions despite his apparent preoccupation.
“Indeed, it appears so.”
“I’ve also heard you delivered the missive from the White Star.”
He was a difficult man to dislike.
His ability to adapt to the situation, prioritizing cordiality over authority, made him all the more endearing.
Regardless, he had endured considerable inconvenience on my behalf, so I decided to reciprocate with a degree of courtesy.
“Indeed, I did. By the way, do you happen to know how the gatekeeper who denied me entry reacted?”
“I heard he looked as if he hadn’t visited the privy in four days. He wasn’t dismissed, however, so you’ll likely encounter him again. Technically, he overstepped his authority, so he likely received a reprimand and a reduction in pay.”
“Overstepped his authority?”
“Unforeseen circumstances necessitate reporting to a superior, do they not? He exercised his own judgment, deeming the matter insignificant, and refused you entry despite your prior notification. That constitutes exceeding his authority.”
“If every minor detail required reporting, wouldn’t one be criticized for excessive reporting?”
“Precisely, therefore, one must exercise sound judgment.”
The military was the same regardless of location.
The gatekeeper’s actions had inadvertently provided a convenient topic of conversation, so I resolved to treat him leniently upon our next encounter.
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The subsequent events unfolded with surprising normalcy.
I was escorted into the courthouse, transferred to a carriage, and transported to what I initially perceived as a modest, detached dwelling, only to discover it was, in fact, a temporary detention center, a stark contrast to the dilapidated facility Lagnis had previously occupied.
After cleansing myself and settling into a bed, I struggled to contain my astonishment.
“The more I consider it, the more absurd it becomes.”
From its outward appearance, it seemed like an ordinary dwelling.
I had anticipated encountering some new individuals.
But a detention center?
Had Duke Lesrom not reiterated his apologies to Lagnis for the previous incident and offered formal compensation, I might have found myself contemplating the night sky from the ruins of the former detention center.
Clearly, my understanding of noble society was woefully inadequate.
“Well… at least I’ve eliminated a significant obstacle.”
Whether he had truly constituted an obstacle was debatable.
Had it not been for Envelde’s intervention, I wouldn’t have journeyed to the capital, and my relationship with Asirye might have concluded at the agreed-upon time.
The unexpected separation had fostered a degree of honesty between us.
Regardless, the matter was resolved.
I was finally free from the tiresome political machinations.
All that remained was the impending bestowal of the wandering knight title next year.
Afterward, I could equip myself with the funds I had diligently accumulated and proceed to the front lines.
“Ah, I promised to visit Ogwen beforehand.”
That meant I would need to travel westward, perhaps by wyvern, before returning eastward to the front lines.
The thought of my convoluted journey, coupled with a sense of the absurdity of my life, sparked a lingering question.
“Why did those damned demons travel all the way to the western region to wreak havoc upon our village?”
Previously, I had attributed it to misfortune, assuming it was simply a consequence of the proximity of Itsiel’s southern and eastern borders to the demon territories.
However, there had been no subsequent demon incursions into the western region since that incident.
Our village held no particular significance.
Had it possessed some hidden value, as per common narrative tropes, I would have surely noticed.
“The slave traders? Was there some unresolved conflict with them?”
Asirye had mentioned the annihilation of the slave traders who had captured her by unknown assailants.
While I hadn’t revealed my suspicions at the time, the first thought that had sprung to mind was the demon army that had attacked our village.
It was the only logical explanation for the unprovoked assault, the complete massacre, and the absence of any plundered spoils.
However, it remained mere conjecture, lacking concrete evidence.
“…I should just sleep.”
Contemplating the matter without sufficient information would only waste time and fuel negative thoughts.
Rest and recuperation were more beneficial.
The duration of my stay here remained uncertain, but I resolved to embrace this unexpected respite.
Thus, I slept, exercised, and immersed myself in borrowed books, enjoying an absurdly leisurely existence for two days.
Then, Esmee arrived in the kingdom.
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[Bro better not drop the soap while he’s in prison…]
Everything was peaceful…
Until the hamster arrived.
This chapter was pretty conclusive for this arc. Thanks for the chapter!