Ch.111Revenge #1

In the past, autumn was occasionally referred to as the season when horses easily gained weight or as the season good for reading books.

As I grew older, these expressions fell out of use, but the fact that such sayings existed would vaguely come to mind from time to time.

“Haah…”

Autumn on the continent is a good season for rolling around.

That’s what I thought every year as autumn arrived.

Even now, I was completely exhausted after desperately dodging Helena’s sword and trying to land just one punch.

I sat heavily on the training ground floor, catching my ragged breath, and smiled as I met Helena’s anxious eyes.

For several years now, I had been training her quite intensely, reasoning that she needed to know how to protect herself in case of emergency.

Every time training ended or a break came, she would look at me with the same anxious expression.

That’s what made it fun.

“What was lacking this time?”

The way to ease the awkwardness in these moments was simple.

If I patted the spot beside me and asked a question first, she would scurry over as if nothing had happened, sit down next to me, and start talking.

“I think your movements were a bit stiff because your balance was too perfect.”

“Too perfect balance? Isn’t that a good thing?”

“Of course, a stable posture is fundamental to fighting, but… if it’s too perfect, you become easy to read. I think imbalance can create useful variations too. Though that’s just my opinion, not necessarily the right answer…”

Helena trailed off as if lacking confidence, but from my perspective, her advice was more than sufficient.

The counsel of a Sword Master is worth its weight in gold for combat professions like knights or mercenaries, and I was hearing it every day.

Truly what some knight once called a luxurious life.

“From my perspective, Helena is the right answer. I’ve managed to overcome several major crises all thanks to you.”

Of course, the techniques I learned at the Altram Viscount’s house had helped too.

Nevertheless, nothing compared to sparring with Helena and hearing what I needed to correct.

While I was grateful for the viscount’s teachings, the difference in skill level was simply too great.

Helena seemed to understand my sincerity, as she blushed and smiled broadly. She looked as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders.

“By the way, today…”

Perhaps because Ellen was temporarily away, Helena chatted excitedly about various things.

Looking at her like this, she appeared to be just an ordinary noble lady who wouldn’t seem out of place anywhere.

I listened to Helena’s stories, occasionally agreeing or laughing lightly.

Since Helena was leading the conversation, I didn’t need to interject much; simply listening attentively was enough.

Although most of the conversation was about vain noble ladies at banquets, it was quite entertaining, and I found myself absorbed in it.

“Come to think of it, those secret stories I had Ellen record were quite interesting too.”

“Ah, right. That did happen, didn’t it?”

From the king’s birthday celebration to the recent banquet hosted by Count Hound.

Ellen had listened to and recorded the loose talk of nobles attending such events.

And she did so at my request.

I had neatly organized those records and tucked them away in a corner, only remembering them now after Helena mentioned them.

I suppose they’re just gathering dust now with no use for them.

“Yes, it did. If not for moments like this, I probably would have continued to forget about them.”

“Me too.”

Helena was a woman who cared about nothing except my affairs, so she had even less interest in using others’ weaknesses against them.

She was concerned with maintaining an environment where she and I could live comfortably, but that was the extent of it.

So her response seemed rather indifferent, as if she had little interest in the matter.

However, as if to suggest that even such records might prove useful someday, a strange thing was happening.

“His Majesty has sent a summons to me and Helena?”

As soon as I returned to my office after a quick shower, Andy held out a piece of paper with a look of concern.

It was because of the word “summons” written on the envelope sealed with red wax bearing the royal emblem.

“Yes. I wonder what this is all about…”

“Well, it can’t be anything too serious. Don’t worry too much.”

After reassuring Andy, who showed faint signs of anxiety, and sending him away, I immediately opened the envelope and pulled out its contents.

Helena also seemed quite concerned about the word “summons,” as she pressed close to my side with a tense expression.

—Duke Krauser, and Grand Duke Zion Krauser. First, I must apologize to you both. Even as I send this letter, and by the time it reaches you, I believe in and am grateful for the loyalty you show through your actions.

I had expected harsh and irritating sentences from the first line given that it was labeled a summons, but it was quite unexpected.

The letter began with flowery language that didn’t match the severe term “summons” at all.

Thanks to this, I could tell that King Elvin Sothern still maintained his goodwill toward us, allowing me to read the next sentences with a calmer mind.

Not that I was particularly shocked or perplexed to begin with.

—However, some nobles have not only submitted petitions but have also come in person demanding that the truth be investigated. While I would prefer to simply ignore this…

The king is not a figurehead, nor does the central government lack power.

But it’s also reality that when many nobles across factions speak with one voice, they cannot be ignored.

Fortunately, it seemed that no nobles from the royal faction were involved, but it was surprising that even neutrals had joined in.

“Have the neutrals abandoned their neutrality and joined hands with the noble faction?”

“That possibility can’t be denied, but I think it’s more likely they’ve banded together with the noble faction out of their own insecurity. That’s my take.”

Out of insecurity, huh? I can understand that.

I expressed agreement with Helena’s calm opinion and continued reading the letter to the end.

In conclusion, the letter stated that public opinion demanding an investigation into us was too strong for the king to ignore.

Under normal circumstances this might be overlooked, but they had brought forth the grandiose accusation of suspected royal overthrow and usurpation.

“But the Duke of Killinear actually mediated?”

What was strange was that the Duke of Killinear, the leader of the noble faction, had apparently tried to soothe his subordinates and, albeit weakly, attempted to dissuade them.

He wasn’t secretly encouraging them while pretending to stop them, but seemed quite sincere.

“That is surprising, but… I don’t understand how they thought to pressure the duchy. They must know that such strong pressure would inevitably result in equally strong backlash.”

“I think so too…”

To frame one of the kingdom’s three great duchies—essentially a direct confrontation.

They couldn’t be unaware of how foolish such an act would be.

Yet seeing this, I could make a few guesses.

First was the assumption that they were blinded by the potential gains if they succeeded in framing us.

People normally know how to measure things appropriately, but when blinded by greed, they lose that ability.

If everyone could always remain calm and rational in any situation, there would be no gambling addicts or people who make mistakes.

The second assumption was that they simply went mad.

Perhaps it was because we gathered elven slaves, created a dark elf village, and even welcomed a mage.

While the Magic Battalion was kept confidential with little chance of leakage, there was much information one could hear just by staying here.

Perhaps those who instigated this had become frightened after hearing various pieces of information through spies—or “informants” as they’re called in this era—planted in our territory.

Though the possibility was low, it couldn’t be ruled out entirely.

The third was… backing.

Having learned that organized actions like this typically have backing, this was the most plausible assumption.

Though all these thoughts were mere assumptions and might prove useless, it seemed better to proceed with some idea of what might happen.

It would help me be mentally prepared, rather than going in blindly.

However, there was a more urgent problem to deal with.

“These damn bastards…”

“Those incompetent pig bastards who just lucked into their inheritance, how dare they…”

The immediate task was calming Ellen, who had somehow slipped into the office unnoticed and was now grinding her teeth, and Helena, whose eyes flashed with killing intent as she crushed the sofa armrest with her hand.

.

“When you grow in size, you inevitably invite jealousy and checks.”

After exhausting myself calming the two women that night, I sat across from Ise at his desk, sharing drinks.

We were in Ise’s office, with wine made by dark elves in transparent glass cups.

Gulp. Ise emptied half his wine glass first, then exhaled deeply before speaking.

“Our ancestors experienced similar things. If someone previously thought insignificant keeps rising in status… it’s only natural they wouldn’t be pleased.”

“But… I never expected them to launch an offensive against a duchy.”

“Even if the mind knows better, when the heart grows anxious, people end up following their hearts. That’s why they act irrationally and foolishly. Emotions can guide us in good directions, but also in the opposite.”

That’s true.

I followed Ise’s lead and emptied my wine, then set the glass down slowly to avoid making noise.

The lingering grape aroma and refreshing sweetness in my mouth were truly artistic. It could even quickly cool the burning anger.

“I didn’t stop you when you took elves as slaves, or when you mentioned gathering dark elves. I only advised you to control their numbers considering the balance with the territory. Of course, with dark elves, there weren’t enough to need controlling…”

“Yes. Your words were right, and I remember them well.”

“You’re making me embarrassed. Anyway, even if you reduce the scale, it’s still undeniably an expansion. So… I wasn’t surprised that something like this would happen eventually.”

However.

Ise, who had briefly paused, continued speaking with the same calm demeanor.

While he might have appeared to be simply grumbling, it was easy to tell this wasn’t the case.

There was strength in his voice.

“But do we need to be concerned with their opinions? I, Helena, and you are all members of the Krauser duchy.”

His answer revealed immense pride in the Krauser name.

I nodded in agreement, inwardly sharing Ise’s sentiment.

After all, their history and philosophy were truly remarkable.

“No matter what nonsense they spout, our loyalty to the state remains unwavering. It may momentarily appear clouded as they try to blind His Majesty, but in truth, not a single stain has touched it. So act with dignity. If there’s a crisis, overcome it; if challenged, thoroughly crush them.”

For a moment, Ise’s eyes flashed frighteningly.

It was so chilling that I wondered if this was the same man who had remained calm even when sentencing his own son to death.

It sent shivers down my spine.

Still… I understood.

When he executed Cain, Helena was there as an heir, and ultimately it was a family matter that could be resolved easily.

But now, the situation was completely different.

Nobles with unclear motives had pressured the king to send a summons, and it was obvious they would try to find fault with the duchy during the hearing to attack us.

No wonder he was growling.

“You’re absolutely right. They disturbed us when we were living quietly… they must pay the price.”

I expressed agreement with Ise’s words, tightly clenching my interlocked fingers.

Just as a stick is the remedy for a disobedient dog, both then and now, those who disturb peaceful people must face consequences.

That thought came to me as I witnessed Ise’s firmness.

“As a member of the duchy, I’ve worked and the results haven’t been bad, but I’ve never been greedy, then or now. If I can live without friction alongside Helena, I couldn’t ask for more. However…”

Crack! I twisted the corners of my mouth while squeezing my hands so hard that veins bulged on the back of them.

Perhaps to others, I might have looked like a gangster desperate to bury someone.

But Ise seemed to approve of this demeanor, silently nodding.

“I don’t know if I’m capable enough. But I promise you one thing: I will never sit idle.”

“…Hmm. That’s enough.”

After making this promise to Ise, I unclasped my hands and picked up my wine glass.

To down the remaining wine in one gulp.