Justification......Is Something You Create

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Translator: Ruby

Chapter: 50

Chapter Title: Justification......Is Something You Create

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"The look on his face after being hit must have been worth seeing. Hehehe. How was it?"

At Mordon's question, his adjutant could not easily answer.

At that point, Mordon also realized something had gone wrong.

"Why? Why no answer?"

"Actually, sir. It seems things have gotten a bit twisted."

"Twisted? What do you mean? Speak so I can understand."

"An order came down to withdraw the expulsion order."

"An order came down? From whom? Count Soleon personally issued the expulsion order, so who on earth?"

"It was His Excellency Prime Minister Gargent. He came out from Sir Rohan's lodging and said to withdraw the message immediately......"

Mordon grabbed his forehead and shouted.

"Gargent......haah.......why is that man getting involved again!"

"That much I don't......"

"Damn! Nothing is going smoothly!"

Mordon waved his hand at his adjutant, gesturing for him to leave.

With that, the adjutant disappeared,

And he moved his steps to the basement.

The dark basement.

There, a Mortal Bird with black feathers was trapped, unable to even spread its wings, bound by chains specially crafted with alchemy.

The Mortal Bird glared at Mordon with fierce eyes, but

He didn't care at all.

It wasn't as if he had received those eyes just once or twice.

Mordon immediately approached another man watching the Mortal Bird, Count Soleon.

Count Soleon also turned his head in Mordon's direction.

"There was a commotion upstairs. What happened?"

"Count Gargent interfered. It seems he blocked the forced expulsion order for that guy called Rohan."

"......The Prime Minister? Why?"

"How would I know? You forgot it was your job to handle political affairs?"

"......"

Count Soleon, who was always confident,

This time did not give an immediate answer.

It meant that the weight of the name Count Gargent carried was that heavy.

Knowing that meaning, Mordon asked back,

"Resolve it to the end as promised."

"If the Prime Minister has gotten involved, it's difficult."

"No. This is different from the promise. If you said you'd do it, you have to see it through to the end. You can't flip your words like turning over your palm like this."

Count Soleon frowned.

It was because he felt Mordon's attitude had definitely become sharp.

"You said you'd eliminate that guy from this city."

"That was the story from before he pulled in the Prime Minister. It's not that my words have changed, but that the situation has changed. Speak properly."

"Then what? Give up everything at this point?"

"......"

When Count Soleon also made a regretful face, Mordon pressed on.

"Six months, six months. If we just wait six months, that Mortal Bird will die of thirst! You and I can both eat that guy's heart and enjoy eternal life! We can live forever without getting sick or dying!"

Count Soleon stared intently at the Mortal Bird.

"Has it been six months since we captured the Mortal Bird?"

"That's right. Just as we heard from the witch, we found and caught him. According to that witch who told us how to catch the Mortal Bird, the Mortal Bird dies if it can't drink water for a year. Six months left now."

"Then......that troublesome barrier will disappear too."

The reason they hadn't been able to kill the Mortal Bird until now.

It was because the Mortal Bird had cast magic, putting up a barrier around its body.

They had tried all sorts of methods, but couldn't penetrate that barrier, which was why they had been waiting like this.

"That's what I'm saying! If we just endure six more months, that black bird will die. Aren't the money and troops we invested to capture that bird precious? And you want to give up here?"

"......"

Count Soleon was someone sensitive to calculations.

And he was also a person who hated losing money that much.

Mordon was precisely targeting that nature and pressing him.

Count Soleon ultimately had no choice but to move according to Mordon's calculations.

"Cut off the limbs first. I'll try to handle it quietly."

"Aha. Limbs? Let's see, then......I just need to deal with Jephron and that adjutant Diaz."

"You can handle that much, right?"

"I'm one of the Seven Knights. Huhuhuh."

***

Unlike his first impression, Count Gargent wasn't actually such a cold and blunt person.

He was the type who hid his true nature.

"Is this really something that, from young ladies' eyes these days, would make them exclaim how pretty it is right away?"

Count Gargent asked cautiously.

As if the question itself was somewhat embarrassing, his words became lengthy.

"Actually, I've heard a lot that I lack aesthetic sense. I don't have an eye for these things. But since I'm giving it ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to my granddaughter anyway, I'd like her to be pleased with it."

"This much would be worth showing off somewhere."

"The additional effect is certain too, right? The emergency treatment effect."

"You're an alchemist too, so can't you tell whether there's an effect or not?"

"Usually yes. But this is quite high-level alchemy. That's why it's not easy to assess. Someone talented made this. I only make siege weapons, so maybe that's why I have trouble following these detailed works by folks like this."

"The skill is something I guarantee."

Count Gargent nodded.

"I'm curious who it is. Introduce them to me sometime."

With an extremely satisfied face, he carefully placed the necklace in the box,

Then opened his mouth again.

"Now. That aside, let's slowly get to the main point. I was actually in the middle of digging into Mordon's background myself. That's why I accepted your proposal."

Since he was someone who held the position of a kingdom's prime minister, he wasn't blind, it seemed.

"Yesterday, you said that if that divine beast called the Mortal Bird disappeared......undead would swarm. They say just keeping it bound already has an effect, so wouldn't Mordon have known that too? He committed it knowing? Is that what you think?"

"It seems he's even utilizing that to some extent. According to the diocese records, recently he has rapidly achieved various accomplishments. Along with that, he greatly increased his fame and wealth. Doesn't it smell fishy?"

"Ah, certainly. The appearance of undead has been frequent lately. Each time, Sir Mordon personally stepped forward to suppress the situation, and his reputation rose accordingly. Because things matched up too perfectly, I personally felt it was rather incongruous. Hmm. But that wasn't coincidence, but deliberately inducing undead for wealth and fame?......Considering Mordon's disposition, it doesn't seem impossible."

"They said even just having the Mortal Bird's feathers would be very advantageous in dealing with undead. Mordon must have greatly expanded his power while easily dealing with undead using such things."

Count Gargent shook his head and sighed.

"He's grown considerably big. Thanks to that, it's a real headache for me too. His trust among the people is deepening, so it's become very difficult to touch him. Count Soleon too, along with him. I've known their dispositions for a long time and was very worried. Those two are figures who need some restraint......but their recent rise is somewhat worrisome......"

"But this matter isn't something that will end at just that level. Those undead will ultimately bring the demon army."

"......"

He took out a small note from his breast and checked it.

"That can't happen. After hearing those words yesterday, I also reconsolidated the information I had. When I reexamined the materials under the assumption that they're holding the Mortal Bird......it seems a clue appeared. There's definitely a possibility that Mordon is holding it."

"You have evidence?"

"There was intelligence that Count Soleon purchased a large quantity of metal that barely reacts to magic starting last year. If they made restraints with that......it would be effective even on a divine beast. Furthermore, given Count Soleon's personality, he would have done work to weaken the divine beast in advance."

"It means they mobilized various methods and even achieved the capture. Everything was planned."

"Given Count Soleon's personality, there's a high possibility of that."

Count Gargent continued his contemplation, tapping the desk with his fingers.

"Then what are you planning to do now?"

"Information is needed. First, we need to find out where they've hidden it."

"That's easy. The mana-resistant metal I mentioned earlier. There's a record of tracking it. It was Count Soleon's villa built on the city outskirts."

When Count Gargent flipped over the note he had taken out, a map appeared.

He pointed to one corner of the map.

"Here is our current position. And here is the villa I mentioned."

"Not far."

"But even I can't raid there without any reason. There's no justification."

"Justification......is something you create."

"Haha! Create justification? That's quite an interesting statement. Then, I'll look forward to seeing what kind of justification will be created."

Count Gargent rose from his seat.

"If you need anything for that justification, tell me anytime. I can't sit still and watch this country perish."

He opened ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the door and was leaving,

When he paused for a moment.

"Ah, by the way. I don't see that adjutant from yesterday?"

"You mean Diaz? I sent her on an errand. Why?"

"I've met the knight that friend served before."

Does he mean Leanoa?

I thought it was possible.

She was the representative of the Kingdom of Baltras among the Seven Knights, and Count Gargent was the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Baltras.

It wouldn't be strange that the two had met at least once.

"However, actually, there was some doubt about the death of Lady Leanoa, who was the former representative Seven Knight of the Kingdom of Baltras. We were investigating internally but stopped......"

What is this about now?

There's doubt?

I clearly knew that Leanoa had died at the hands of the 3rd Demon Corps Commander, Kalarim?

Before my thoughts could organize, Count Gargent continued speaking.

"There was intelligence that Lady Leanoa met with Mordon right before her battle with the demon corps commander. I don't know well what happened there, but in the battle right after, she couldn't bring out her full power. I've been watching Mordon unfavorably for a long time......but Lady Leanoa was the type to trust people easily, so it seems she didn't suspect."

"......"

"What happened after that is also unknown. That's why it was buried. But one thing is certain......Mordon has coveted the position of the Seven Knights for a long time. But the position of the Seven Knights doesn't open up unless an existing knight dies. Personally, I think it's such a shame. Leanoa ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠was a rarely excellent knight."

It was a meaningful statement.

Unless you kill them, a vacant seat doesn't appear......

He added one last word.

"Be careful. Mordon isn't someone who will back down here. He's the type of person who persistently bites at his opponent's arms, legs, neck, until they die. Keep that in mind."

"Bites everything......I'll be cautious."

And Count Gargent disappeared.

***

Diaz had finished her business and was on her way back to the lodging.

She checked the items in her bags.

"I bought all the groceries, bought Pico's food, left all the equipment for repairs.......did I do everything?"

Then she took out the fruit to give to Pico and smiled.

"This sweet thing is exactly Pico's style. He'll really love it when I give it to him, right? Hehe."

Thinking about Pico eating it deliciously, she already felt full.

She carefully organized the fruit again,

And she walked through the alley that was a shortcut.

Though it was somewhat dark, since she was a paladin anyway, she wasn't particularly afraid of robbers.

Usually, just letting the other party know that she was a paladin was enough for most robbers to run away.

It wasn't something she had experienced just once or twice while traveling to various places, so it could actually be said to be familiar.

Of course, it would be most comfortable to pass through cleanly without meeting anyone, but......

"On days like this, they always appear and block the path."

On days when she thought she wanted to go easily, robbers seemed to appear like now.

And on days like this, her weapon was always left for maintenance.

Even so, Diaz did not waver.

"Hey. Step aside. I am a paladin of the Order. If you back away nicely, I'll pretend I didn't see you. But if you insist on fighting, it won't end nicely."

"......"

Diaz's eyes sharpened.

Usually, threatening them this much was enough to make them back down.

But the masked mysterious person who appeared before her now did not move at all.

There wasn't even a flinching feeling.

Sensing something strange, Diaz kept her gaze fixed on him and carefully placed her shopping bag in a corner.

That's when

He opened his mouth.

"It's been a long time, hasn't it?"

At the same time, he took off and threw away his ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠mask.

"Mordon?"

He was none other than Mordon of the Seven Knights.

However, as soon as he appeared, he spat out words whose meaning was unclear.

"You only follow around the people I'm trying to kill."

What is that suddenly supposed to mean?

She had never followed anyone......

'Leanoa......'

At that moment, her friend's name flashed through her mind.

"Trying to kill......what? You bastard.......you need to properly explain what you just said."

"Explain? Will there be an occasion for that? You're going to die here."

"You......could it be......truly......!"

Veins stood out in Diaz's eyes.

Precious memories with her dear friend, the recollections still appeared in her dreams and shimmered before her eyes.

And her death was still continuing as a nightmare even now.

For a person to suffer so much......

On the other hand, wasn't Mordon smiling wickedly as if it was amusing.

"I'll send you to follow her soon, so go and tell Leanoa. Thanks to her, I'm living weeeell! Kuhehe!"

"Shut that mouth!"

Diaz erupted with the worst rage of her life.