Off to the Imperial Palace, No Matter What! (4)
Streeetch—!
"Master Rian. If something happens, you follow the plan, okay? I'll be waiting for you..."
"Got it, got it."
Right before we parted, Topaz grabbed my hand and pleaded with me.
To bring a servant inside the palace required special permission...
But of course, we didn't have the luxury of getting that, so there was no choice.
Smooth—
"Alright, I'll be off then."
"...Be careful."
I lightly stroked Topaz's head and stepped down from the carriage.
Step— Step—
First checkpoint.
"Halt. State your identity and purpose."
The guard said in a flat voice.
"I'm Rian Ludwig of the Ludwig Count family. I received a letter from the Imperial Academy of Sciences."
"...The Academy? ...Show me the letter."
Smooth—
When I handed over the letter, the guard gave me a once-over.
"...That's you. You're cleared."
As I tucked the letter back into my pocket and started walking...
"Hey, young man."
"Yes?"
"Be careful."
"...?"
The guard's words carried a strangely meaningful tone. Step— Step—
Second checkpoint.
This time, the guard's expression turned pitiful after checking the letter.
"Ludwig Count family... Ah, I've heard the rumors. The one the Academy summoned... That was you, huh. Tsk tsk."
At that moment, all eyes from the surrounding people turned to me.
Murmur murmur—!
...What's their deal?
They all looked at me like I was a patient who'd just been diagnosed with a terminal illness.
"You look so young... Hang in there. Good days will come if you keep living."
"...."
And the final checkpoint.
Pat— Pat—
"...."
The guard here just patted my shoulder in silent sympathy without a word.
Just what kind of horrific fate are they imagining for me...? Step— Step—
After passing all the checkpoints, the building housing the Imperial Academy of Sciences came into view.
"I'm Rian Ludwig. I'm here because of the letter from the Imperial Academy."
"Ah... Confirmed. Wait over there for a bit. Maybe pray or something."
"...."
By now, I was starting to get genuinely anxious.
What if my one-coin theory was just wishful thinking?
What if I was really about to get screwed over?
"...Haa."
I let out a sigh.
But I'd come this far—what could I do?
I had to give it a shot.
That said...
I turned my head toward the gaze I'd been feeling for a while.
Staaare—
"...."
A pink-haired woman at the end of the corridor was glaring right at me.
...Who is she?
I knew it was pathetic to think this at a time like this, but...
She was stunningly beautiful.
Even in this world where average looks were ridiculously high, she stood out exceptionally.
If I had to nitpick, her eyes had a slightly fierce edge...
But honestly, even that added to her charm—she was perfect visually.
"...."
"...."
I'd been staring too long, and our eyes met, but there was no reason to look away, so I kept watching.
Staaare—
"...."
"...."
The pink-haired woman didn't avert her gaze either.
It somehow turned into a staring contest...
But don't get the wrong idea.
I was just purely admiring her big breasts and beauty!
Step— Step—
"Are you Rian Ludwig?"
At that moment, someone who screamed "Imperial Academy staff" approached me.
How did I know? She had that exact vibe of the grad student sisters I'd occasionally met in my past life.
The kind who'd sing about "Don't ever do this" or "I wanna quit" after a few drinks, but still head back to the lab...
She exuded that distinctive, world-weary grad student aura.
"Yes, that's me. Rian Ludwig."
"...Right. I'm Bernell from the Imperial Academy. Follow me this way."
Smooth—
Even Bernell gave me a look of pity.
Not her too?
Just what kind of ordeal was I in for that even an insider felt sorry for me?! Step— Step—
As I followed Bernell and passed by the pink-haired woman...
Whoosh—!
"...."
"...."
A sweet, fragrant peach blossom scent wafted past my nose.
"Hey, you know why you were summoned, right?"
Flinch—!
I snapped out of it at Bernell's voice.
"...Yes, I heard it's to explain why the letter to Nakadashi was blocked."
"Right... Sigh."
Bernell, walking ahead, let out a sigh.
This was a good sign.
From what she said, she at least knew there was "a misunderstanding."
I'd half-expected to be dragged straight to an interrogation room in the worst case...
Doesn't seem like that'll happen...
Bam—!!
—Or so I thought.
"....?"
I was dragged off immediately.
Not to an interrogation room, though—to the Academy Director's office.
"So, Rian Ludwig. Do you admit to your crime?"
"...."
The Academy Director repeated himself, his bald head gleaming.
"As I said earlier... It seems like there's some misunderstanding. I..."
"Heh heh heh, looks like you still don't get it."
Thud—!
The director slammed the desk.
"You can't leave here until you admit your guilt."
"...."
It wasn't a room you couldn't leave without sex, but...
A room you couldn't leave without confessing? Still better than being stuck in a no-sex cell with a bald grandpa.
"Be honest. If I wanted, I could fabricate a crime... But if I did that, what would people think of this 'Baldhead'?"
Smooth—
Baldhead handed me a document.
—Rian Ludwig fully admits to intentionally blocking the Imperial Academy's letter to Nakadashi and accepts all charges against him...
It was a confession letter admitting every accusation pinned on me.
"So, let's keep this nice and amicable. Hm? Act like a gentleman. Young friend. What a waste of time. Sign now, and I'll pull some strings. Come on, quick!"
Slap—!
He even shoved a pen into my hand, urging me on. I furrowed my brow slightly at Baldhead's antics.
"...."
Something felt off.
Why is he so desperate to get a confession?
From Baldhead's perspective, I was already a caught fish.
No need to rush at all...
"What are you doing? Just sign it!"
Shine—!
Sweat beaded on Baldhead's bald scalp as he pressed again.
He seemed too agitated to even fake composure.
And besides, for the director of the Imperial Academy...
Wasn't it weird for him to personally handle the questioning of a mere count's youngest son like me?
Something's definitely up.
I didn't know exactly what, but dragging this out felt advantageous for me.
Smooth—
After deciding, I deliberately picked up the confession slowly again and asked,
"I read it... But this part about 'taking responsibility for any similar future incidents'—does that mean I'm liable even for things that haven't happened yet?"
"It's just boilerplate—don't worry about it."
"Even boilerplate has legal weight, doesn't it? And this sentence here too..."
Grind—!
Baldhead ground his teeth as I picked at every detail.
Enough already!! Who knows when that tyrant will show up!!
The reason Rebeccite was called the Tyrant of Heavenly Endowment wasn't just her foul temper.
If she were merely a mad bitch rampaging on her family's power, she'd only be known as the Blue-haired Mad Dog.
The word "tyrant" fit because... Rebeccite had a talent for precisely gauging and wielding her "power."
Of course, that power included "information."
Still, I hadn't expected her to know about a mere count's third son.
—The "Rian Ludwig" in my info is the youngest son of the Ludwig Count family under the Glacia Grand Duchy, and he's even independent from his family now?
I'd experienced it firsthand recently!
Tick— Tock—!
By now, word of Rian's arrival at the Academy must have reached Rebeccite's ears.
That was the problem.
If she resorted to violence, she could force a confession out of Rian...
—Oh nooo~! No wayyy~! You're not trying to pin this on a powerless count's third son out of fear, are you~?
—Treat him properly. Got it~?
Rebeccite's words from that day kept echoing in my head.
Did she mean treat him properly for real?
Or did she mean properly in her Rebeccite way?
Damn it!! Which is it!!
Rebeccite always bound her opponents with such ambiguous words.
Tick— Tock—!
"Hmm... And this sentence here too..."
As Rian kept dawdling, Baldhead's patience reached its limit.
In for a penny, in for a pound!
It was do or die.
One wrong choice and the director's seat could fly away...
But if he couldn't deflect Rebeccite's wrath, it was over anyway. And knowing her personality, she couldn't seriously mean to treat a count's youngest son properly!!
Roooar—!
Mana rose from Baldhead's hand.
"...Are you serious?"
"What?"
"I mean, threatening me with mana for real."
Smooth—
Without looking up from the confession, Rian continued,
"You sure that's okay? If word gets out that you used force to extract a confession from me... Won't that put you in a tough spot too, Baldhead?"
"Exactly!! Why make this harder than it needs to be!! Just sign it!!"
"Haa..."
Baldhead scowled at Rian's sigh.
What was it? He looked like escaping was a given, but he was pondering the aftermath.
...Is he looking down on me?
Roooar—!!
True, as a gathering of scholars focused on theory, they lacked practical combat experience...
But that didn't mean he was someone to be dismissed by a punk like this!
"Last chan—"
Bang—! Clack— Clack—
At that moment, the door to the director's office flew open, and a blue-haired woman entered.
"Oh? What's this~? Sooo suspicious~?"
"R-Rebeccite!"
"I clearly said to treat him properly, didn't I..."
Swish—!
Rebeccite said coldly, covering her mouth with her fan.
"...Director, did my words sound like a joke?"
"N-No way..."
"Get out."
"...Pardon?"
"Don't make me say it twice. I said get out."
"Y-Yes sir!"
Scamper—!
The moment Rebeccite snapped her fan shut, Baldhead bolted out.
"Ohoho! My apologies~! Looks like the director misunderstood me~."
"It's fine."
"I'm so glad you say that~! Ohoho!"
Having chased off the Academy Director with a single sentence, Rebeccite laughed as if nothing had happened.
"Ah, I forgot to introduce myself~?"
Clack— Clack—
Rebeccite walked toward me as she spoke.
"I'm Rebeccite Lu Asbestos of the Asbestos family~! Nice to meet you. Rian Ludwig."
Smooth—
Rebeccite extended her hand to me, her eyes curving into crescent moons.