Book 2: Chapter 52.2
Book 2: Chapter 52.2
The Dawn Of A Lady
The young lady was waiting in the entrance hall when I returned to the Sillys’ mansion. Of all things, she had people carry over a table to the entrance, and was reading a book while having tea. I mean, what does she plan to do if there was a sudden visitor?
「Reiji! You’re back!」she cried, as soon as she saw me.
I received a super warm welcome, almost like a puppy running up to its owner. The Earl will surely get mad if he knew about this. He would say something like, “How improper,” followed up with, “My daughter seems to like you a lot(for the second time),” undoubtedly.
Anyway, we moved to the young lady’s room – after moving the table at the entrance, of course.
「So… what happened at the Holy Royal Palace?」
「Do you want to know?」
「Of course! Reiji is my…」
The young lady attempted to say something, but paused, and averted her gaze.
「…B-Because you are my important escort.」
…My lady, that statement itself already sounds a bit scandalous. I guess it’s still better than being treated as expendable.
「Well, it hasn’t been long since everything happened. And I wasn’t even asked about the giant snake. Oh, but I was awarded with one holy gold coin for yesterday’s achievement. His Majesty seemed to be more concerned about House Riviere.」
If the Earl deems it necessary, he will talk to the young lady about the “Covenant” and the “Other World.” I also have to talk to him about old man Hinga and Lulusha-san, but I probably shouldn’t bring it up so soon after everything that happened yesterday. I should wait for a little longer before I do.
「House Riviere…?」
「Yes.」
It shouldn’t be a problem to talk about this matter, so I told the young lady about everything I knew.
「…………」
After listening, the young lady furrowed her lovely eyebrows and pondered.「Reiji… Will you hear me out?」the young lady asked, after a while.
The young lady’s expression was pale – I’ll find out why in a few minutes.
The young lady was still a Lady.
She had noble blood – although she disliked it – she was born with it, blessed with knowledge, and above all, she had a just heart. Even if it could hurt her father.
During the daytime, I frequently checked the surroundings from the roof, but nothing like a coup d’etat happened. Rather, I thought it was too quiet and eerie.
The Earl returned home very late at night. Not only myself but the young lady was also waiting for him. The Earl’s eyes narrowed when he saw us.
「…What does this mean?」
「First, welcome home, father.」
「Thank you, Eva. I didn’t get enough sleep today and I was a little nervous, so I wanted to go to bed early… but it doesn’t seem like I can do that.」
「I know you are tired, father, but there is something I really want to confirm.」
「Okay. Sebas, bear with me a little longer.」
「Yes, sir.」
The chief butler stared at me. This person doesn’t forgive anyone who brings a detrimental effect to the Earl’s health, even if they may be an ally.
The maids and other butlers in the entrance hall had a nervous look. They were surprised at this tense atmosphere because we didn’t explain anything to them.
「And, I ask Captain Maxim to be present as well.」the young lady said.
「Yes.」
Captain Maxim, who escorted the Earl, also came forward.
The Earl’s private room was too small for all of us, so we headed to the reception room.
The Earl and the young lady sat on the sofa across from each other. The chief butler and captain Maxim stood behind the Earl, and I stood behind the young lady.
…I see, the Earl seems to be visibly exhausted – but, he doesn’t think we can put off this talk for another day. Because who knows what might happen tomorrow.
「Father, what happened to House Riviere?」
「…………」
The Earl looked behind the young lady, and stared at me.
(That’s right. I told her. But isn’t it okay for the young lady to know this information?)
The Earl stared only briefly, and continued on as if nothing had happened.
「House Riviere was put under the control of His Majesty because of the alleged assassination attempt of Kluvshrat-sama and the crime of bribing a priest of the First Altar and chanelling skill orbs to the black market. The head of the family pleaded not guilty to the end and tried to get the other dukes to back him, but the search conducted on his mansion revealed evidence of a priest being bought off. They can no longer talk their way out of it. The search was a by-product of the giant snake’s attack. Though, if the Knights Order had not subdued the snake in a timely fashion, House Riviere itself might not exist today.」
「…The Knights Order subdued it?」
That line caught my attention.
「Yes. That’s what I heard. The Knights Order is actually holding onto the remains of the giant snake, after all.」
Is that so? Does that mean the Adventurer’s Guild lost the dispute with the Knights Order?
「…Does something about that concern you, Reiji-san?」
I shook my head in response. Ouroboros is no longer an issue.
Then, the young lady continued.
「Father, the “assassination attempt on Kluvshrat-sama” and “chanelling skill orbs to the black market” are two separate cases.」
「…I suppose so. But what about it?」
「That means the mastermind is also different. Father, you unknowingly used two words for the “alleged assassination attempt” and “crime of chanelling skill orbs”.」
At this time — for the first time, the Earl’s face showed discomposure. His eyes widened.
「If you don’t listen carefully, you’ll think that both of those were committed by House Riviere. The criminal who poisoned the sauce dish of Kluvshrat-sama was found dead in the mansion of House Riviere. And as a result, an investigation was carried out and evidence of buying off a priest was found. But the two cases are actually different and unrelated, I think.」
The young lady spoke in a matter-of-fact manner. It seemed that she was trying not to put emotion on her words.
「Father, you must have known that the assassination attempt on Kluvshrat-sama was not carried out by House Riviere. That’s why you unknowingly used the word “alleged”. The reason why is… you were the mastermind behind that poisoning incident.」