Ch.204When You Speak From the Heart, Your Message Will Get Through.

“If you insist on ignoring the witch who has burrowed into the Empire, then you should at least faithfully fulfill your duty to protect the Empire from external threats.”

Leopold looked down coldly at Duber.

“Witch… With all due respect, I must report that many knights have questioned this justification. Aren’t witches beings that were only occasionally spoken of a hundred years ago? Everyone finds it difficult to believe when such a term suddenly appears.”

Yet for all that, everyone was quick to believe the rumors about the witch Ophelia.

Even before the civil war broke out.

“Is that so? Ernst has been slandering me, claiming I’ve joined hands with a witch… I assume you’re aware of this?”

“Yes. With the Valenstein Marquis’s statements and… forgive me, but several knights under my command witnessed Baron of Median’s battle that day.”

While speaking, Duber kept glancing in my direction.

His expression suggested he was barely suppressing the urge to ask if it was true.

I glared at him with a look that said “what are you looking at?”

Duber hastily averted his gaze.

Is this what happens when even a Master becomes lazy? What a waste of accumulated Karma.

“Indeed. Let’s skip the details. I’d only hear the same predictable stories. In any case, both Ernst and I have accused each other of harboring a witch… which means one side must have a witch, wouldn’t you agree? Neither side would tell such lies knowing the Church of Elpinel would react sensitively.”

“That… would be true.”

It would have caused unprecedented controversy if someone accused their opponent of being allied with a witch during a civil war, only for no trace of a witch to be found afterward.

Enough to provoke strong protests from the Holy State, especially the Church of Elpinel.

“Or perhaps you believe Ernst’s lies? The absurd slander that I’m trying to devour the Empire using a witch’s power? Seeing how you refuse my request to hunt down witches, I wonder if…”

“Th-that’s impossible! I’m merely trying to exercise caution…!”

Duber protested, sweating profusely.

“Well… Come to think of it, you’ve always been close to Ernst. Quite enviably so, from my perspective.”

“Please believe me! I am a knight devoted to the Empire. I might have followed him before the civil war, but how could I follow someone who has caused chaos throughout the Empire!”

Even as he appealed to Leopold, his gaze was fixed on my left hand.

The hand resting on Durandal’s hilt.

Frosting, which had torn apart countless enemies, gleamed with a dark luster.

Leopold took a sip of wine and smiled.

“There’s no need to be so alarmed. It was merely a light jest. How could I doubt Lord Duber’s loyalty? I trust you as much as you are loyal to me.”

“Thank you…!”

“And I am also well aware that your children are just as loyal as their father.”

“…Pardon?”

At the ominously unsettling tone, Duber’s hand, which had been wiping away cold sweat, froze instantly.

“Your two sons. Pierre and Damian, was it? I’ve heard they’ve achieved remarkable military accomplishments in the 2nd Knight Division despite their young ages of twenty-one and eighteen. Their achievements surpass those of five or six other knights combined. You must be immensely proud of such sons.”

“Th-that is…”

Duber’s fingertips trembled.

Wine splashed from his glass onto his sleeve, but he didn’t seem to notice.

“Of course, your sons aren’t your only children to be proud of. I heard your eldest daughter turned fifteen this year. I’ve heard rumors that she’s growing into a great beauty—surely something to celebrate as a father! Her name was… Anna, wasn’t it? What a meaningful name… As you know, my mother bore the same name.”

Leopold set down his wine glass leisurely and smiled, interlacing his fingers.

A smile with only the corners of his mouth turned up while his eyes remained coldly sunken.

The chilling expression, combined with his natural appearance, made him look cold and cruel.

“Ah, yes. I believe I saw her once while inspecting the islands. Your mansion is in the northeastern part of the islands, correct? I was impressed by the garden with its abundant lilacs. A brown-haired girl with curls was walking through the garden. That lady must have been your daughter. It seems the great fire from half a year ago didn’t reach your mansion… that’s fortunate, isn’t it?”

A suffocatingly heavy atmosphere pressed down on the room.

Duber was trembling slightly, though whether from anger or fear was unclear.

“But… what a shame it would be. If I were to lose to Ernst while defending against the Great Invasion, the ‘Witch’s Army’ would take over the islands… and she enjoys turning beautiful girls into prostitutes.”

“What did you just…”

“Do you know about the Bernstein family’s daughter? She became Isabella’s lady-in-waiting, only to suffer an unfortunate incident with the late Emperor, and recently lost her life. Did you know? How many men’s traces were left on that child’s body? She was even with child. When I think your daughter might suffer the same fate… it truly breaks my heart.”

How unexpected. I didn’t think he was capable of such threats.

Leopold seems to have changed somewhat in the past week.

I’m not sure if this should be viewed positively… but at least he seems better than his previous hesitant self.

“That cannot…!”

“Why are you so surprised? It’s only natural if Isabella is a witch. Surely you’re convinced of that much.”

“What… are you saying…?”

The First Prince’s transformation seemed quite shocking to Duber, who appeared completely overwhelmed.

He was trembling so much he couldn’t even muster the courage to show anger toward someone he could cut down with a single stroke.

“If Isabella isn’t a witch, then it means the Aishan-Gioro princess… no, Baron of Median and I have joined hands with a witch. If you believe that, then you must also believe Ernst’s slander. In that case, you’ve dared to refuse the patricidal prince who killed all who opposed him—and in front of a man-eating ghost who knows everything about your family and even defeated the Ghost Sword.”

Man-eating ghost.

…So that was the unpleasant story.

Indeed, it’s not a particularly pleasant term.

“Do you know? Were-beasts prefer women, especially young females. Something about their flesh being tender… But eating a ten-year-old girl would provide too little meat. That’s why they prefer girls around fifteen… Wouldn’t the same be true for a ‘man-eating ghost’? You said your daughter is fifteen, correct?”

Leopold gave me a subtle glance.

As if asking me to create an atmosphere of terror.

Sigh… Fine. I suppose I should.

I drew up my killing intent while inwardly sighing.

Not the power of Karma, but pure murderous intent. As if my mortal enemy stood before me.

My reflection in Duber’s eyes was… difficult to make out as it was shaking violently, but I could clearly see blue ghost fire streaming from both my eyes.

While I was at it, I licked my lips slightly and smiled to enhance the threatening effect.

As if savoring the anticipation of a delicacy.

It wasn’t a pleasant feeling, but it was certainly effective.

Duber’s complexion turned pitifully pale.

Leopold tapped the desk.

“Of course, the tragedy of your daughter ‘disappearing’ and becoming a feast for a man-eating ghost won’t happen. Nor will your sons face the execution block for the crime of stealing other knights’ achievements and filing false reports, nor will your wife be found having jumped to her death in despair. All of this is merely a jest. Now, what were we discussing?”

“……”

Duber couldn’t say a word.

A person completely crushed by intimidation doesn’t even think of defying their opponent.

Clear terror was cast over his pale face.

“Ah, yes. We were talking about dispatching the 2nd Corps to Faelrun territory. To stop the witch Isabella’s evil deeds, unavoidably. Isn’t this fortunate for you? Think about it. The great corps commander who repelled the Great Invasion with the Empire’s forces alone! What an honor that would be!”

His casual tone suggested all these threats were merely “jokes.”

Of course, to Duber, they would feel all too real.

He would know that his sons’ execution would be legitimate law enforcement that couldn’t be stopped, and that someone who defeated the Ghost Sword could easily kidnap a young girl.

He had no choice.

“…Yes.”

Leopold rose from his seat, approached Duber, and placed a hand on his shoulder.

Duber flinched as if touched by a monster’s fangs.

“Congratulations. Every household will praise you, and Faelrun will thank you with lavish gifts. The Duke’s wealth is legendary even in the islands. And you’ll also protect your family’s safety from the witch—truly fortunate, wouldn’t you say?”

Leopold lowered his head and brought his face close to Duber’s ear.

As if about to bite into his fleshy neck.

“Who knows? Since Valenstein Marquis committed treason, we’ll need to select the next Royal Guard commander… your name might be considered for that position. Georg is too rigid, and Frederick lacks both skill and reputation, so you’re the only suitable candidate.”

“…I am honored.”

Leopold smiled brightly.

“No need to call it an honor. Now, may I trust that you will depart for the north to fulfill your knightly duty?”

Duber nodded heavily and left the office.

His back soaked with cold sweat.

—-

“Hmm, is this really all right?”

I casually asked Leopold after Duber had left.

“What do you mean?”

“It’s not my place to say, but if you pressure him like that and Duber ends up turning his sword against you…”

He essentially threatened to massacre Duber’s family while dangling a reward for completing the task… wasn’t the level of threat a bit excessive?

Enough that he might betray Leopold in anger and try to kill him.

“Him? On what grounds? Going north at least has the justification of protecting the Empire, but if he turns against me now, he’d be participating in a rebellion without just cause. He’s not particularly well-regarded, so even his subordinates wouldn’t follow him.”

Leopold shook his head with certainty.

“Unlike Valenstein’s individual deviation, the Imperial Army is a massive organism of thousands upon thousands. It’s not an organization that can move without proper justification. Besides, with Faelrun and Wien’s guards currently in the islands, a rebellion wouldn’t succeed anyway. They could be suppressed by the 1st and 3rd Corps before others even intervene.”

This guy has never been right when talking about justifications before…

But this time, he was quite convincing.

“He’s neither foolish enough to not understand this, nor reckless enough to risk it… so this was precisely the right approach. It should be sufficient to send one or two knights from Wien to monitor him in case he acts rashly.”

“What if other corps also side with Ernst and betray Your Highness?”

“If even the 1st and 3rd Corps betray me, then it was a fight we could never have won no matter what. At that point, I’d have to die—what else could be done?”

Leopold shrugged nonchalantly.

…He’s not wrong.