Ch.100The Aftermath of the Ball

“What exactly happened?”

“Well…”

What Nigel told me about my actions was quite shocking.

While I was resting alone on the balcony, Viscount Gilbert Bernstein headed in that direction… and shortly after, his shouting was heard. Until then, everyone thought the drunken Viscount was just having a minor dispute with someone.

“It seems he came to protest about his son Kenneth’s injury.”

“His son? Why would he confront me about that? Who’s Kenneth anyway?”

“The… mage whom you severely injured and forced to drop out. Don’t you remember?”

Now that I think about it, there might have been such a person…

I vaguely remembered. Wasn’t he the one who called me a barbarian and nearly got his head cracked?

“Ah, that guy. I remember now. He should have been fully healed by now, so why come complaining now? Was there any reason for that?”

“From what I’ve heard, he became disabled. Apparently, he screams and runs away whenever he sees a woman…”

“……”

I suppose he had reason to complain. It was his own doing, but still.

Nigel continued.

The balcony windows were closed, and the banquet hall was filled with conversation, but there were still people who overheard the argument between me and Viscount Bernstein.

According to their testimony, Viscount Bernstein insulted my—or rather, Hersella’s mother, and shortly after, the Viscount’s corpse with a broken neck fell from the balcony.

Thanks to the Imperial House’s hasty cover-up, it was officially ruled an accidental fall, but that was merely the public announcement. Everyone knows who was responsible, they just don’t mention it.

Nigel said that if it had been anyone but me, they would have been immediately arrested and executed for committing murder in the imperial palace.

…I should be grateful to the Imperial House for cleaning up the mess.

Though they did it not for me, but for their own honor, after having awarded me medals and praised me.

After the banquet was briefly suspended and the situation somewhat contained, Prince Leopold entrusted my unconscious self to Frider and sent me home.

I couldn’t help but sigh. Just hearing about it gave me a headache.

How could I cause such an incident after just one glass of wine…? Unbelievable. I definitely shouldn’t touch alcohol again.

—-

“So, what should I do about this duel challenge?”

I asked Nigel as I put down the letter sent by the Bernstein family.

Honestly, it was a duel challenge I was very reluctant to accept.

No matter how much it was his own doing… turning his son into a disabled person and then killing the father who came to protest still weighed on my conscience.

“You can ignore it. It’s a duel that cannot actually take place anyway.”

Nigel said something puzzling.

A duel that cannot take place?

That can’t be right. The handwriting alone was dripping with resentment.

“What do you mean by that?”

“For a duel with Haschal to be valid, the challenger would need to be at least a Master-level fighter… not only would it be difficult for the Bernstein family to find such a person, but even if they did, the duel would still be impossible.”

“Why?”

“The Empire fundamentally prohibits duels between Masters. No matter who wins, humanity loses a valuable resource in the form of a Master.”

Now that I heard it, it made perfect sense.

The Empire would want to avoid losing one of only about fifty Masters in the entire Imperial Knight Order and the Prince-Electors’ private armies over a private dispute.

Especially in these turbulent times.

“Besides, using an incident that the Imperial House officially declared an accidental fall as grounds for a duel directly defies the Imperial decision… they should actually be canceling the duel request and sending an apology as quickly as possible.”

“Judging by the letter, they don’t seem to be in a state to make rational decisions. What happens if they don’t cancel it?”

Nigel hesitated to answer.

As if the outcome wouldn’t be pleasant to hear.

“A few Royal Guards will be secretly dispatched to the Bernstein territory. Before long, news will spread that the Bernstein family, unable to bear their misfortune, burned down their mansion and committed suicide.”

It was somewhat chilling.

Even more so because of his definitive tone, as if stating a prophecy that would certainly come true.

Yes. It would probably happen just as Nigel said.

People who acted against the will of those in power ending up “committing suicide” was a common occurrence everywhere.

Though the Imperial House’s position had weakened compared to before… it was still incomparable to a mere viscount family.

The President of his homeland, the Republic of Korea, was the same.

So were the Red Alliance and the United European Empire.

“…Is that the right thing to do?”

It seemed like an excessive retribution to me.

I don’t remember exactly what the Viscount did, but in the end, they’d be getting destroyed after being beaten one-sidedly.

“Well… Righteousness is determined by each person’s standards. There are no universal principles. At least from the Imperial House’s perspective, they would consider it the right thing to do.”

“What about by your standards?”

“I think it’s not a proper action. However, it is the correct one. If even a mere viscount family can ignore the Imperial will to the point that the Imperial authority is diminished, it will only bring chaos to the Empire.”

It was a sharp answer.

Indeed, very knight-like. In many ways.

—-

The Bernstein family wasn’t the only one who sent letters.

Lord Ludwig wrote, “I told you not to cause any major incidents, but you really pushed it to the barely manageable limit,” with a mild rebuke.

Prince Leopold, misunderstanding something, sent a letter detailing the Empire’s official dueling methods and procedures.

There was also a letter from Empress Isabella.

It contained regrets about the commotion caused by the “accidental fall” incident and asked whether I enjoyed the wine at the banquet—I couldn’t tell if she was being sarcastic or what.

And then Frider came to visit.

“Don’t you have something to say to me?”

Frider crossed his arms and frowned as he snapped at me.

“Um… you must have had a hard time?”

“Apologize, you should apologize…! Haaa…”

Frider, who had flared up, let out a deep sigh.

I suppose Frider did have a hard time.

The person who attended the banquet with him caused a major incident and then passed out.

“I was just trying to avoid some annoying people, and look at this embarrassment… Don’t ever touch alcohol again.”

“Well, I was thinking the same thing. I don’t remember anything at all. Anyway, thanks for taking me home.”

“Of course you should be thankful, you almost died.”

Frider continued with a shudder.

“Huh? What do you mean? Did someone try to attack me?”

“You were the attacker. I don’t know if you’re aware, but you have a habit of hugging people next to you when you sleep.”

…I didn’t know I had such a habit.

I’d always slept alone, both in this world and the other.

“If I had been a moment late in pulling away, my spine would have been crushed.”

“My goodness.”

It would normally be considered a cute sleeping habit.

But with this body, it becomes a terrifying murder attempt.

“It seems you really should live alone. Unless killing your lover is your hobby.”

“…I guess so.”

Is that fortunate…? I’m not sure.

—-

In the end, Nigel’s prediction came true.

Four days later, a new letter arrived from the Bernstein family.

It apologized for blaming me for the death of the family head who died from an “accidental fall,” and asked for forgiveness for their rudeness.

Did they choose reality over vengeance to protect their remaining family?

With somewhat bitter feelings, I folded the letter and placed it on the desk.

“It turned out just as you said, Nigel. What should I write back… that I mourn Gilbert Viscount’s death?”

“Are you serious…?”

Nigel was shocked.

Why?

“Of course I’m serious. I may not feel sorry for the Viscount, but his wife is pitiful, isn’t she?”

Kenneth brought it upon himself, and Gilbert… probably did too, but the Viscountess didn’t.

My answer seemed unexpected, as Nigel’s eyes filled with bewilderment.

“Ah, so that’s what you meant. I apologize, I seem to have misunderstood.”

“Misunderstood?”

Nigel nodded.

“Well, if Haschal were to express condolences, the Bernstein family would naturally take it as terrible mockery.”

“…Would it be taken that way?”

Thinking about it, it was obvious.

In a situation where they couldn’t even protest to their enemy due to power dynamics, if that enemy sent a letter expressing condolences…

Even I would be furious.

My mistake.

Since I had no memory of it, I felt detached, as if it were someone else’s affair.

“Then what should I send…?”

“If you must send a reply, saying that ‘since it was a misunderstanding, I won’t mind it’ would be the best option.”

I followed Nigel’s advice.

—-

Afterward, the Bernstein family was essentially dissolved.

I sent a letter to Leopold expressing my wish to conclude the matter since I had received an apology, but regrettably, my opinion was practically dismissed.

Although they had canceled the duel request, the very act of sending a challenge was seen as defiance against the Imperial will, so it couldn’t be left as if nothing had happened.

Leopold tried to respect my wishes, but ultimately the decision-makers were the Emperor and Empress, and Leopold couldn’t go against their will.

Thus, the fate of the Bernstein family was decided according to Isabella’s wishes, regardless of my opinion.

The widowed Viscountess quickly remarried to one of the nobles from the 3rd Prince’s faction. Right after her husband’s funeral.

Whether her will was reflected in that remarriage… only those involved would know.

Kenneth Bernstein’s mental illness worsened, and he eventually took his own life after a seizure. Officially.

As a result, all the property and territory owned by the Bernstein family were transferred to the Viscountess’s new husband.

His sister, left alone, was “mercifully” taken in by Isabella as her lady-in-waiting.

Everything proceeded according to Isabella’s plan from start to finish.

She devoured a noble family that had been precariously balancing on the fence, subtly demonstrated that the Imperial power was still strong… and gained a disposable tool as well.

It was a tragic end for making three wrong moves.