The Fourth Bloodline
Selena looked like a company commander whose unit had just been struck by a meteor. The unprecedented situation of a senior senator from the Senate showing up unannounced at the mansion had her in a complete panic. There hadn't been time to think of a proper response, but perhaps she'd grown used to dealing with nobles who barged in without warning. Either way, her handling of the matter was surprisingly crisp.
She had left the senator's true purpose—that is, dealing with Primor—to Primor herself. Naturally, she must have welcomed Cornelius as the acting head of the household and spoken with him until Primor arrived, but since I wasn't present for that part, I had no idea how it went.
"Ladies, get ready," I said, glancing out the window at the front gate while shrugging on my outer coat.
The old gentleman hadn't even entered the house. He stood firmly in front of the main gate, waiting. His entourage had clearly come to take both us and Primor back to the family estate.
I didn't expect the family head himself to show up in person, though.
Still, since we were obviously going to be summoned as well, it seemed wise to prepare to 'follow when called.' And just as I'd predicted, we were soon beckoned to the front gate along with Primor.
Up close, they're even more of an intimidating bunch.
Who else but the highest authority in the nation? Every single one of the escort knights looked ridiculously strong. I wasn't imagining it—the knight in full plate mail who seemed at least Mithril Class was definitely real. The power inflation in this world is insane. I feel like Yamcha right now.
〈……Father.〉
Primor, stepping forward as representative, carefully observed his expression before speaking.
〈To what do we owe the honor of your personal visit without so much as a letter……?〉
〈And where exactly did you run off to without saying a word? You left nothing but a letter like some kind of posthumous notice, yet here you are asking questions.〉
His tone was bitterly cold and merciless.
—Flinch.
Primor's shoulders trembled.
〈The funeral wasn't even over, yet you were gallivanting about…… Taking the family's knights with you to seek revenge? Is that truly the duty of a noble house's matron?〉
The old gentleman was like a blade sharpened to perfection in both his words and every single gesture. Just watching him made my mouth go dry. This kind of pressure was something you could never feel from a mere commoner! Whether good or bad, it was the charisma that came from someone raised with unshakable convictions from birth. So this is what being born with a super diamond spoon looks like.
Primor maintained a calm and dignified posture, but she lowered her eyes as if acknowledging her fault. Those gloomy eyes suddenly widened at the old gentleman's next words.
〈The divorce proceedings are already underway. I've finished consulting with your birth family as well.〉
〈……Pardon?〉
〈In a few months, you will have no reason to call me Father. As for where you stay until then, you may decide for yourself. Inviting guests you met during your marriage is of no concern to me.〉
—Glance.
The old gentleman's gaze briefly flicked toward me before returning to its original position. When he spoke of divorce, he sounded as indifferent as a security guard announcing an apartment water outage schedule.
At that, Primor squeezed out her voice as if forcing the words from her throat.
〈D-divorce? But I and my husband……!〉
〈There were no children between you, and the engagement period was extremely short. From the time your wedding was held, it was already concluded that you had been taken by a black mage. That is more than sufficient grounds for annulment.〉
〈No! It is not sufficient in the slightest!〉
Primor cried out in protest toward the old gentleman leaning on his cane.
〈I never wished for freedom! From the day I dreamed of revenge, I vowed to devote the rest of my life to my husband──〉
〈While slipping away during my son's funeral?〉
Her mouth snapped shut as if she'd been slapped across the cheek.
〈……Your story has spread throughout society. The bride who fled during her husband's funeral. I personally announced that it was not true, but you know better than anyone what kind of rumors must be circulating.〉
The old gentleman stared piercingly at Primor as he continued.
〈Find a new husband and build a family. You are no longer connected to our house.〉
It was a gaze and tone completely devoid of any warmth, as if drawing a clear line. Primor hung her head and could say nothing. The knights watching could not bring themselves to speak either.
……Hmm.
But I noticed something. Unless I was mistaken, the old gentleman's eyes held no anger or contempt toward Primor. Quite the opposite, in fact. Pity? Or perhaps guilt?
I'm no prophet who can read someone's true feelings just by looking into their eyes. If I could, I'd have set up a fortune-telling mat long ago. Still, while I may not be Maitreya, I am a macho with the eyes of a god, aren't I? Besides, if he was simply delivering a divorce notice, there was no need for him to come in person. Cornelius had come to ensure that even after the divorce, Primor could live a new life.
……Hmmmm?
But from my perspective—someone who had been reading the room and waiting for the right moment to speak—this entire conversation was completely meaningless. After thinking that, I pondered for about three seconds before stepping forward.
〈Pardon me for interrupting your conversation, Lord Patriarch. Would you grant even a wild man without manners the honor of adding a single word?〉
〈……And you are?〉
You already know, so why ask? I answered while consciously maintaining a harmless-looking smile.
〈My name is Norde. I was invited here by Lady Primor this time.〉
〈I see. So you're the one. You said you had something to say? Speak.〉
〈Thank you. The truth is, I found something slightly puzzling in what you just said, Lord Patriarch.〉
His eyes grew fierce. His expression didn't change, but it was as if lasers were about to shoot from his gaze. How fascinating.
〈What do you mean? Are you perhaps doubting my daughter-in-law's chastity?〉
〈No. That is not what I mean.〉
I smiled triumphantly and played my trump card. Just like when I was a kid and activated a trap card while playing Yu-Gi-Oh with my friends.
〈──It is possible that Lady Primor may already be pregnant.〉
Primor's unborn child was the missing fourth blood relative of the founding Senate families.
My words caused the mansion's front gate to fall deathly silent.
Heh, look at their reactions. What would they have done if I wasn't here? Huh?
Yet I felt not the slightest discomfort at the fact. I was too busy smirking in admiration of my own deductive reasoning. Anyone watching might have thought I looked like a wicked scoundrel.
Primor might be pregnant!
I had first considered that possibility right after reading the Descensus journal on the day Tirsi woke up.
According to the journal, the conditions for Descensus required four or more blood relatives from the founding Senate families to gather.
Yet during the ritual, there had only been three. Tirsi, Signatio, and the lord of Renapolis. Just those three.
But that bastard Diabolo had been absolutely certain the Descensus would succeed when we arrived.
In other words, that son of a bitch had known from the beginning about the fourth person—the existence of the child Primor was carrying!
Of course, the ritual might have been modified since then. That fact alone wasn't enough to be certain.
But there was plenty of other evidence.
There was the maid's mention that Primor's condition had been poor lately. Diabolo had even sent people to take care of her when she was struggling. And when I considered Primor's occasional emotional outbursts, it was 99% certain.
A noblewoman who steps forward to seek revenge in person, yet tries to throw away the ring her husband gave her? Anyone would find that strange.
Those impulsive actions and poor condition all made sense if she was pregnant. Emotional swings are a common symptom of morning sickness in early pregnancy.
Once you know this much, reaching the conclusion is easier than chewing gum, isn't it?
I smiled contentedly at my own brainpower.
The final person who completed the Descensus ritual was none other than the fetus growing in Primor's womb!
〈Th-this, this, thisssss……!!〉
Brrrrrrr……!!
I had moistened my lips, ready to dramatically present this brilliant deduction like a detective in a mystery play, but Cornelius began grinding his teeth.
This? YEE? What is he even saying?
When I tilted my head in confusion, he suddenly drew his sword with lightning flashing in his eyes.
〈You son of a bitch who deserves to be beaten to death────!!!〉
〈What?!〉
—Shing!
A blade sprang out from the cane he had been leaning on! The gentlemanly demeanor was gone, replaced by a face like a vengeful demon. What the hell is going on? Did he go into qi deviation from joy at such good news?
〈How dare you do that to our daughter-in-laaaaaaaaaw────!!!!! I will never forgive youuuuuuuuuu──!!!〉
Cornelius unleashed a chaotic, deranged sword rampage that seemed to maliciously mock the tragic symptoms of a mental patient! It was 100% genuine killing intent, without a trace of jest!
With no idea what was happening, I dodged in a state of utter confusion and panic.
〈B-bridge evasion!!〉
—Whoosh!!
As I bent my waist backward, the razor-sharp blade swept through the exact spot where my neck had been! You motherfucker! That crazy old bastard really just tried to kill me!!
〈Tzuwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh──!!〉
〈Ugyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh──?!〉