The Knight of Pure Love
Having confirmed both of their intentions thoroughly enough, I left the drawing room so the two of them could have some time alone.
"Hey, Nonsense Knight. Let's go bag that Migraine bastard now."
Just then, the Nonsense Knight who'd been waiting outside the drawing room approached and tacked on some completely unnecessary commentary.
"My name is Jean. Are you perhaps referring to Viscount Gaston?"
"Yeah, the guy who gives me a headache just thinking about him."
"Master Lucian, you actually know his name, don't you?"
"Shut it! The world's strongest Grand Master Lucian-nim-nim-nim does not waste storage space remembering the names of useless men!"
That was my First Principle. The names of useless males were not to be saved.
"I see…"
Ah, of course Charles was the exception.
Why? If I was going to be the power behind the throne, I needed a figurehead boss sitting pretty up front.
"Anyway, that bastard's pitch black inside. A son of a bitch who tried to sell his own daughter to use me—you think shaking him down won't produce a single speck of dust?"
"Don't tell me… you intend to bring Viscount Broua down?"
Oh? And here I'd written this guy off as completely tactless. He'd clocked the endgame I was aiming for right away.
"Who knows? First, go fetch two knights who have nothing to do with this business. Then you get lost."
"Pardon? Wouldn't it be better if I handled it, since I already know the circumstances?"
"That's exactly why it has to be people who don't. Can you stand in front of the High Court and swear your personal bias didn't creep into this case?"
"Ah… I see. But Master, didn't your own bias enter into it as well?"
"I'm allowed. I'm the injured party. It'd be weirder if I weren't personally invested."
"Understood. In that case, I'll bring the right people."
I added that he should bring them to the front of the audience chamber, then left to go see Charles.
Enforcement Knights, was it? I'm the supreme commander of the knight order—I've gotta have the authority for that, right?
The Arno Kingdom had knights who functioned like a special police unit—something close to SWAT.
An armed force composed entirely of Expert-rank fighters, established so that the law could be enforced against rebel factions, criminal organizations, and nobles whose power put them beyond the reach of ordinary knights.
Even if I don't have the authority, they'll give it to me if I ask.
Doing things by the book wasn't my usual style, but this wasn't only about me. Iris's entire life was on the line.
Acting for the sake of a woman who will find happiness with someone else—I am, beyond any shadow of a doubt, the Knight of Pure Love.
That's the truth. Object and you'll get a plasma aura blade through the neck.
"King Charles, I'm here."
"Sir Lucian. What is it? Have you found a match?"
"Haah… as much as I am who I am, kids are still— no, that problem later. More importantly, I've got Enforcement Knight authority, right?"
"Enforcement Knights, you mean? Of course. You are the kingdom's greatest knight, after all. Something's come up, I take it. Do as you please."
This was why I liked Charles.
As long as I kept the country safe, he didn't particularly care what else I got up to.
"Then hand over an Insignia Medal."
An Insignia Medal was basically the royal equivalent of a secret inspector's badge.
I took the medal from Charles, tucked it into my coat, and stepped out of the audience chamber to meet the two knights the Nonsense Knight had brought.
"Master Lucian. Sir Chatillon informed us that you summoned us."
"What? Ttiyong? How is a person's name Ttiyongping?"
"Sword Expert Jean de Chatillon. That is his name."
"So Nonsense was Ttiyong all along. Got it."
Looks like Ttiyong's got some standing in the order if he's a Sword Expert.
That guy must have traded away his tact for swordsmanship. Truly a Ttiyong move.
"It is an honor to be called by the Grand Master. I am Gautier."
"Raymond."
The two knights were complete opposites in both looks and atmosphere.
The handsome one was Gautier; the severe one was Lemon.
"Right. I've got a job for you two."
Like something out of an American cop drama, I casually flashed the medal and spoke in a low voice.
"You know what this is? First—you. Head straight to the Broua estate and turn the place inside out. Ledgers, vaults, anything that looks shady. Clear? Anyone who tries to stop you gets the enforcement order recited at them, then you handle the rest however you see fit."
I sent the severe-looking Orange to the Broua household to dig up anything incriminating.
"Yes, sir. I'll depart at once."
As expected, he seemed the type to focus only on the mission he was given, exactly according to protocol.
Once Lime had left, I jerked my chin at the remaining Game of the Year to follow, then set off.
"May I ask what crime Broua has committed?"
"Don't know yet."
"What?! Then why—"
"I've only got circumstances for now. That's why we're going to confirm them. When I enter the grand banquet hall, wait outside the doors."
"Yes, understood."
"Listen carefully. No matter what happens, do not act until I give the signal. Stand by, and the moment I order the arrest, draw your sword."
Unlike a certain someone, Gautier had enough sense to read the room. He shut his mouth with a grave expression and simply nodded.
Preparations complete. Time to go waterboard that period-pain bastard.
Not that I was framing an innocent man for crimes he didn't commit. This was what you'd call a sting operation.
In this era, there were things that became crimes the moment they left your mouth.
I searched the grand banquet hall until I found Neuralgia sitting alone in a corner, nursing a drink.
"Viscount Broua. There you are."
"Ah! Master Lucian. Did your talk with Iris go well?"
We were positioned just far enough that our conversation wouldn't carry—perfect for working him over right here.
"It did. Looks like I'll be gaining a family to belong to before long."
"Heh heh. To think I would acquire such an excellent son-in-law. A Grand Master is more than worthy of my beloved daughter."
Guilty without even looking. That face is a jar stuffed to the brim with greed and lust.
I poured the Jar of Desire another drink, encouraging his judgment to cloud over.
"Thank you, Viscount Broua. I came from the absolute bottom of the commoners—the gutter itself—and having a family has always been my dream. Meeting a beauty like Iris has made me truly happy."
"My, my… you've had a hard life, haven't you. The House of Broua has no intention of looking down on anyone for their origins. You won't regret becoming one of us."
"In that case, as a member of the family, I'll do everything in my power for the interests of House Broua."
"Already thinking of our house… With a Grand Master so great that even the Cardis Empire couldn't stand against him at our side, we can accomplish anything."
Judging by this guy's mental state, even a half-hearted cast would get the bait taken.
"Until now I've had no house to belong to. But as the greatest Grand Master, shouldn't the house I join become the greatest as well?"
"Indeed. I, too, hope for House Broua to become the greatest."
"Then does that mean it becomes the Broua Kingdom? And the head of the house becomes His Majesty?"
"Mmm…"
Come on. Bite.
I was certain he would.
The relief of a plan going smoothly, plus alcohol clouding his judgment—
"My own kingdom… the Broua Kingdom. That has a fine ring to it. Yes. We'll have to drag that brat Charles off the throne."
See? Physiognomy is a science after all. He went for it completely straight.
"Hahaha! Checkmate!"
"What? What on earth are you suddenly—"
Wearing a victor's smile, I walked slowly out to the center of the grand banquet hall so that everyone present could see me clearly.
Then I drew the Insignia Medal from my coat, raised it high, and shouted at the top of my lungs.
"Attention!!! Knight Gautier, secure Viscount Broua! The charge is treason! The criminal will face judgment by the High Court!"
Gautier, who had been watching from outside, burst in and drew his sword.
"W-what is the meaning of this!!"
"I am Gautier of House Fontaine, knight of the kingdom! By order of the Enforcement Knight, I arrest Gaston de Broua!"
"Lucian!! You lowborn commoner trash, how dare you!!"
"Voice. Don't raise your voice at me."
I'm already standing in the heavens, after all.
"Do you think you'll walk away from this unscathed?!"
"Shut up. Treason is an enforceable offense the moment it leaves your mouth, you idiot."
He'd said it with his own mouth. Even accounting for the leading questions, innocence was off the table.
Once the Oil Drum had been hauled away, the surrounding nobles began drifting over one by one.
"Just what is going on, Master Lucian?"
"I suspected Viscount Broua of some sort of conspiracy and conducted a sting interrogation. The details can be heard at the High Court."
"Hmph! I always knew that fellow would commit some great crime someday!"
Ah, so this place has the 'I-knew-it-all-along' types too. Guess people are the same wherever you go.
"More importantly, Master Lucian—have you found a fiancée to your liking?"
"Haaah… that ship's sailed, I'm afraid."
"Do reconsider our Perrone. I'm not saying marry her this instant. You could become engaged first and simply wait until she comes of age."
Ah. Right. Even if I don't have to join the pedo squad, the keyholder option is still on the table.
"I may have gotten a little impatient, falling behind everyone else. I'll think about it."
Once everything had gone according to plan, I went to find Iris again.
No matter how things stood, the man was still her father. She deserved to hear how it had turned out.
"Still here, Iris."
"Sir Lucian? What happened? My father…"
"Arrested for treason. The trial will start soon."
At that, Iris recoiled in shock and asked again.
"What?! Treason?! Even so—"
"He said it with his own mouth. That he would drag the king off the throne."
"That…"
Having the fact of treason confirmed a second time left Iris speechless.
"You're shaken right now. He's family. But he was never a good parent. He tried to sell you to get my military power, and he had every intention of using that power for rebellion."
Once I drove the final nail in, the tears started.
"…Hic…"
At that, the half-baked guy beside her pulled Iris into his arms and soothed her.
"Don't be sad, Iris. I'll be right here with you."
Ugh, seriously? Are you trying to piss me off on purpose, doing that right in front of me?
I'd been considerate enough not to ruin the mood, and the two of them just kept at it without the slightest regard for me.
"That's enough. You ruined the banquet for my marriage talks, so this is getting a little uncomfortable."
At my words the two of them sprang apart and started watching my face carefully.
Still, I should make a clean end of it.
To shake free the last drop of lingering attachment still sitting in my heart, I offered Iris my blessing for her happiness.
"Well. I wanted to give Iris my heart… but if there's someone who can make her happier than I can, I suppose that's for the best… In that case, Lady Iris—may you always smile and be happy."
"Truly… th-thank you. Sir Lucian."
Iris's eyes were still red and wet, but she beamed as she offered her thanks.
Yeah. This is enough.
"I thank you as well, Master Lucian. We'll invite you first to our wedding."
Oh? Is this a new method of suicide? Teabagging me?
"Iris, step outside. I'm going to kill this guy before I leave."