episode_0068

My head hurts.

Mark and the official knights were all bowing their heads to the ground, apologizing and shouting out their apologies.

In this episode, neither Heron nor Shaden, who should be present at the trial, were here.

Even though it was difficult to meet in advance, Harnier, who had no deep connection to this incident, was here.

Scenes from the game poured out all at once, and for a moment, I felt my head stiffen.

“What is this from the morning, ugh…”

First, I need to get these knights up.

“Everyone, get up.”

“No, we can’t!”

A sharp denial came back.

“We should receive a greater punishment!”

“Without even thinking that such a thing was happening to the Lord, we have neglected the management of the lower ranks!”

“We have had a blurred vision and fallen into prejudice, having an unjust view towards the Lord!”

“We have shown a disgraceful sight unbecoming of knights!”

They each confessed their sins.

It was the kind of words that Carcine must have been tired of hearing.

Trying to stop those who were willing to admit their sins and accept punishment,

“Give us the punishment!”

The knights shouted loudly once again.

Oh, my head.

First, let’s ask the knight in front of me.

“Where is the captain?”

“If it’s Captain Radiel, we asked him not to attend in order to reduce our punishment!”

“So he’s not here because of that?”

“Yes! We must show our determination to receive all the punishment that the Lord decrees!”

Damn it. They’re so meticulous!

You now know you were wrong?

And now you’re asking for punishment?

I rubbed my forehead and glanced at the status window that appeared discreetly.

“Don’t the options show up here? Like… Carcine’s thoughts or something…”

No. They don’t. Go back.

The status window remained silent, as if speaking to me.

“Lord, it would be better for you to say a word as the master at a time like this.”

Heron, who was in trouble, approached and whispered softly.

“What do you mean by saying something?”

“Since they are knights, it would be best to handle it in the way knights do. Starting with 100 laps around the courtyard, for example.”

“…100 laps?”

Isn’t that just running until you collapse?

“This is a method used by many noble families to punish knights. Of course, as a Viscount, the punishment has doubled to consider your dignity and the honor of the knights. But if you feel it’s not enough, you can add even more…”

“Enough!”

Heron is not an old man or a nobleman.

From the perspective of someone who has actually run, this is a serious problem.

Nobility? Dignity? Honor of the knights?

I don’t know about that.

I just do things my way.

“Starting today, we’ll begin with laps! If anyone arrives later than me, they will truly face punishment!”

After shouting this, I was the first to rush out of the dormitory and head straight to the training ground.

The knights, who were confused by the unexpected instruction, quickly got up and started running.

Among them, Mark, who had overtaken me, shouted at the knights behind him.

“Anyone who arrives later than the Lord will not leave that spot alive! As the vice-captain, I will take responsibility and discipline them!”

The training session began with the usual intensity.

And.

▶You have gained trust from the knights of the Viscount’s estate by showing mercy!◀

▶You have successfully brought about results beyond the options!◀

▶Reward will be given!◀

■Reward

▶Stable reputation of the training ground

[ Your reputation at the training ground will not fall below a certain rank! ]

[ Reputation Rank B, Value 350 ]

Unexpected training time.

It was created by my hands.

Punishment may not be the right form, but they ran far ahead of me and kept running. Perhaps they could have run 100 laps as Heron suggested.

After running for a while, the knights seemed to be somewhat organized.

There were some who were still eager to bow their heads and come forward to receive punishment, but when Heron gave a hint that his fiancée was watching, they all backed off.

Of course, I didn’t run without any thoughts.

While running, I organized my thoughts and understood why this was happening.

As I was catching my breath on the ground, Harnier approached and wiped my sweat with a handkerchief.

“It seems like those people are not the ones, right? They wouldn’t have left so easily if they were.”

“Yes. Well…”

But more importantly, I need to make things clear here.

“Heron called you, but you didn’t need to come.”

“Why?”

“I could have handled it on my own. Or rather, it would be more appropriate to say that it wasn’t Harnier’s place to intervene.”

Calling Harnier here was Heron’s solo action.

The knights may have been influenced by Mark, but they probably saw this as an opportunity to take advantage of the situation, especially since there was an engagement involved.

“Since Theo has also made a life-and-death decision and requested a trial. In the process, it was judged that having Harnier, the fiancée, would be more advantageous.”

With experience, calculations were made with precision.

As a direct witness and victim, Radial, and indirectly, Heron, who was vaguely aware of Emma’s actions, could be considered a witness.

Therefore, if we were to go to trial, it was almost certain that he would come out as a witness for Carcine. Even so, Heron did not reveal this fact to Carcine until the end.

The reason is obvious.

“He probably calculated that he couldn’t question Emma’s guilt himself.”

The victim of the incident is only Carcine, and without solid evidence, it is more likely that he will be blamed.

Although he cannot take the same stance as Radial, he has already anticipated that his testimony will be insufficient.

So, this time, he must have called Harnier here to seize this opportunity.

Then Harnier pursed her lips.

“Weren’t we supposed to inform each other in case something like this happened?”

“…Yes?”

“On the festival day, you were the one who said it first. If there was anything we could help each other with, we should step in.”

That’s right, she did say that.

Since Harnier was quite popular among the social circles, she was here.

“But that’s not the case now, right? You don’t know the situation, and there’s nothing you can help with.”

“I’m involved now too.”

“Yes?”

“I used my handkerchief. I heard from Heron’s steward and I know the situation.”

“But that doesn’t mean you have to interfere, right?”

“Of course. This is a situation where I can help.”

Harnier smiled gracefully as she folded the handkerchief she used to wipe my sweat.

While I was looking very puzzled, my face quickly filled with dissatisfaction.

“What’s with that expression again? Don’t you like it?”

“You’re getting too involved, that’s why. This is an internal matter of the knights.”

“That’s right. That’s why I need to step in even more. Isn’t it such a good opportunity to reveal the fact that you have a fiancée?”

…That’s a valid point.

I promised myself that when the opportunity for a major announcement came, I wouldn’t miss it.

“Even saying that I can help is not just empty words.”

“Yes?”

“You don’t even know the etiquette of nobles in court, do you?”

“Uh…”

“How would you know that when you don’t even know the noble etiquette? It could be dangerous to underestimate it.”

It’s a difficult argument to refute.

Caracine had been criticized for not fully embodying the status of a noble in the past.

Throughout his 19 years of life, he had experienced this many times.

Ignorance leads to defeat.

“If I were to stand trial, it would be best for someone with experience to step forward and offer advice, wouldn’t it?”

“…Understood. Please guide me.”

Harney smiled brightly again.

“Well, hurry up and get up.”

“Uh, uh? I’m covered in sweat right now…”

“If you keep standing like this, you might get even dirtier?”

She urged.

I couldn’t resist her as she pulled my arm and helped me up. I was completely exhausted from running with all my might.

And then, I saw it unexpectedly.

[ Heron ]

[ Affinity: 40% ]

[ Shaden ]

[ Affinity: 40% ]

I had never seen the affinity boxes of Heron and Shaden while playing the game.

***

As Harney and I moved to another seat, all eyes were focused on us.

Of course, that would be the case.

They must have been curious since Karsein has a fiancée. Before being knights, they are all individuals, so they might have wanted to see who the master’s fiancée is.

“Aren’t you all going in?”

As Radiel came out and clapped his hands towards the knights, there was a happening where they reluctantly went inside.

They needed some time alone.

I wanted to tell them to stop adding nonsense, but I couldn’t.

Radiel provided us with a suitable place to talk. Harney immediately got to the point.

“The fact that you touched the fiancée’s belongings is important. Since we need to emphasize the noble’s perspective rather than the trainee’s status, it’s better not to remove the title of Lord Ramsdale’s son, Yeong-sik. If they try to remove it, counter it immediately…”

She started writing down the elements that could lead to severe punishment in a fluent manner.

I also prepared strong arguments in case of any opposition.

She had remarkable skills.

I felt confident that if we continued like this, we wouldn’t fall behind.

Then, Harney cautiously asked me.

“I can testify up to this point, but I would like to hear more about the rest of the incident.”

Testimony is just testimony.

But understanding the context of the incident can put us in a more advantageous position.

“Of course, if you don’t want to hear it or recall unpleasant memories, it’s okay to refuse.”

It has nothing to do with Karsein’s past.

So, it was a cautious approach to avoid upsetting the other party.

Such kindness felt awkward.

But.

“No, I should tell you.”

I replied firmly.

If I want to be careful and gain an advantage in the trial, I need feedback.

And then, the story of the false accusation became known.

Although Harney tried not to show it outwardly, she seemed very angry, with her pupils trembling and her fists shaking.

So, she prepared even more thoroughly.

She organized the information more meticulously and delved deeper, anticipating the opponent’s arguments.

She even prepared counterarguments, and hours passed quickly.

“If we continue like this, our chances of winning are quite high. However…”

Suddenly, Harney’s expression darkened.

“Why are you asking that? After what happened.”

I couldn’t easily answer if she asked if I was okay.

Karsein would naturally not be okay. But I’m not Karsein, am I?

So, it was difficult for me to answer her question about whether I was okay.

“I’m sorry for asking unnecessary questions…”

“Why are you apologizing? I should be grateful for your help.”

“Don’t worry. I won’t be hurt by this.”

“Really?”

Harney’s dark expression softened slightly.

“Then, when can we meet again?”

“Do the nobles have doubts?”

“Yes? Oh, yes…! It’s been a long time since we last met…”

What’s going on? She seemed a bit flustered.

“Anyway, let me know when we can meet again before the trial. It’s getting late, so I’ll go back first!”

Without saying anything more, Harney quickly left.

She’s not usually like that.

“She seems to be hiding something.”

Still, I received a lot of help today.

Just by preparing like this, I could greatly expand my arguments. If I add evidence, I can definitely defeat the two of them.

Even if there are obstacles from the choices.

Gathering the notes that Harney had written, I left the courtroom.

Outside, the familiar blonde hair was swaying.

“Well, it’s time for the choices to appear.”

It would be strange if she didn’t come at this timing.

Flora, who met my eyes, looked surprised.

-Ding!

[ 1. What face are you making here? Do you want me to ask you to take out the knight you’ve been protecting with your own hands? ]

[ 2. Will I admit my mistake? Speak as you please. Everything will be revealed in the trial. ]

[ 3. (Ignore and pass by.) ]

[ 4. (Call the knights) Drag Flora Vagrand out of here immediately. There is a possibility that this child has colluded with a suspect. ]

[ 5. (Take a deep breath) If you have something to say, say it. ]

I had implemented a shock therapy, but I didn’t want to say a word.

I simply ignored Flora and walked past her.

“Um, excuse me…!”

This little girl grabbed my sleeve before I could even look at her. Her sweaty, damp sleeves could have been uncomfortable, but she didn’t let go.

“I heard that the trial is starting…”

Her voice was hesitant.

Without making eye contact, Flora continued speaking.

“I… I came to help too…”

The second set of choices appeared.

It didn’t matter which one I chose.

So, I shook off Flora’s grip and continued walking.

“I can help! Emma and Theo told me things that you need to know…”

Thud.

Flora, who had followed me, grabbed my arms tightly with both hands this time.

“So, I…”

-Thud!

With a rough sound, Flora looked up at me with surprised eyes as her hands fell off my arms.

“Are you… really here to help? I have things to say to you too…”

“I don’t need your help.”

“What…?”

It’s better not to choose in some situations.

But this time, I made a choice.

[ 5. I don’t need your help. ]

“I don’t need your help.”

I would rather solve it on my own than receive help from this little girl who might have colluded with Emma and Theo.