04
04
"⋯⋯For these reasons, I request a trial by combat against Freddie Sirius."
Though it couldn't be helped.
Having laid bare a past I never wanted to recall again, what kind of face am I making right now?
'⋯⋯Roy.'
Judging by Sion's frozen expression, I probably don't look all that great either.
No, of course no one could wear a good expression after hearing a story about a child who was beaten to death at only thirteen years old.
Even those arrogant nobles couldn't bring themselves to open their mouths easily.
"⋯⋯."
"⋯⋯."
Even the two young ladies who had been picking on me had pitiful expressions.
"T-That's a lie⋯⋯."
The first one to speak was Bathory.
She looked at Freddie with a face of complete disbelief.
"Freddie oppa⋯ it's not true, right⋯?"
"⋯⋯."
The words denying it did not come out of his mouth.
Was it because of the bare minimum of human conscience left in him?
Was it because of the thought that he couldn't lie to his younger sister?
Was it both?
Or was it neither?
Well, whichever it was, it was none of my business.
His frozen stance without denying it could only be judged as practically no different from an admission of guilt.
However.
"Bathory. There is no way Freddie would do such a thing. This is a frame-up. Hey, you over there. How dare you talk such nonsense against our Sirius without any evidence."
Since the eldest son, Franz, had just drawn the line by denying it, the reaction of the nobles in the banquet hall was obvious without even looking.
"I knew it! As if anyone from the Sirius Grand Duchy could commit murder!"
"Indeed! There is no way Young Lord Freddie, who values chivalry above all else, would beat a defenseless child!"
Now, look at them.
Look at them spouting bullshit without even wetting their lips, trying so desperately to get on the Grand Duchy's good side and score a few points.
'Are these dumbasses for real⋯?'
Pfsht-
I couldn't help but smirk.
Aren't nobles creatures who value honor above all else?
Besides, I never expected the young lord of none other than the Sirius Grand Duchy to confess to a crime—especially child murder.
That's precisely why I brought out this card, didn't I?
A card that requires no evidence whatsoever.
"What on earth is everyone talking about?"
"Is it because you're a commoner⋯ no, commoner-born? You really can't understand words on the first try."
"No, it seems you're the one who can't understand words."
"What⋯⋯?"
"I heard that the eldest son of Sirius was wiser than anyone, but it seems the rumors were mistaken."
"Are you daring to insult Sirius right now?"
"Watch your mouth. I am not insulting Sirius right now; I am insulting you, the eldest son."
"You bastard⋯!"
"Puhat! Your reaction is so entertaining that I'd love to keep humoring you, but the one I have business with right now is Young Lord Freddie, so I'd appreciate it if you stepped back."
"Don't make me laugh! Do you think I will tolerate you framing my younger brother without any evidence!"
"No, evidence? Why do you keep saying such strange things? Why would I need evidence? And I don't need the eldest son's permission either."
I turned away from the loudly barking Franz and bowed deeply toward Empel again.
"Your Majesty, please grant permission for the trial by combat."
"Very well, Roy. Hearing the Count's story, We cannot help but grant permission."
Just as expected, just as discussed in advance.
Empel accepted my proposal.
Right then.
"Wait a moment!!!"
Bathory shouted loudly.
"There must be a misunderstanding! So first, let's talk⋯⋯."
"My dear young lady. I wish that were the case as well, but while I may not know other things, I remember two things with absolute certainty."
How could I ever forget them?
Those hateful names.
"One is Freddie. And the other is Rachel."
"That could just be someone with the same name⋯⋯!"
"Excuse me, young lady? I am truly sorry to say this to you the very first time we meet, but⋯⋯."
Was it because she truly thought it was a misunderstanding?
Or was it to protect her oppa?
It was none of my business.
Even if this world were inside a romance fantasy novel.
Even if she were the protagonist of that story.
That, too, was none of my business.
If she keeps getting in my way, she's just a fucking bitch.
So I said.
"Would you please shut your mouth?"
"What⋯?"
"I said shut up. Do you really think I wouldn't even recognize the enemy of my family?"
"T-That's⋯⋯!"
As I continued to pressure Bathory,
"You bastard, what do you think you're doing!"
"Bathory! There's no need to waste your breath on a fellow like this."
Not only the eldest son Franz and second son Praha,
"How dare you speak to the young lady like that?"
"Count, what do you think you're doing!?"
"⋯⋯You, do you want to die?"
"Haa!? Who the fuck is this asshole telling to shut up?"
Leon, Michael, Lancelot, Loki—the most prominent men in the Empire stepped forward like escort knights and yelled at me.
"Haa⋯ Seriously now⋯⋯."
I swept back my hair.
Why are there so many annoying pests around⋯?
'Trial or whatever, should I just⋯⋯?'
Kill them all—
A sudden impulse surged up.
'No, I have to hold back⋯.'
If I get swept away by rage and kill everyone here, I'll be no different from him.
I must exact my revenge.
So I shouldn't swing my blade at people who have no connection to this.
However.
'Can I really say they have no connection⋯?'
They might have had no connection to that day ten years ago, but aren't they the ones interfering with my revenge right now?
'If so, even if I just kill them all⋯.'
Right then.
As if reading my thoughts,
"What is everyone doing?"
Sion cut in with a cold voice.
"His Majesty has already granted permission. How dare you attempt to question the decision of the Master of the Empire?"
"Sion!"
"What is the matter, Imperial Prince? Don't tell me Your Highness intends to take the lead in opposing it?"
"Imperial Princess! How dare you speak to the Imperial Prince like that right now?"
"How dare I, Your Empress Majesty? At the very least, unlike someone, I do not question His Imperial Majesty's words or boss Him around."
"I-Imperial Princess⋯! Are you trying to pick a fight with me right now?"
Just as the situation was about to turn into complete chaos,
"Enough."
Empel raised a hand and spoke in a low voice.
At this, the boisterous banquet hall fell silent as if by magic.
"As Sion said, We have already granted permission. So prepare for the trial by combat at once."
"Your Majesty? Are you seriously planning to proceed with this?"
"Empress, stop as well. As per your request, We are trying to prove Count Eisenschwert's abilities, so why are you talking so much? Don't tell me you intend to dispute a decision made by Us a second time?"
"Th-That is obviously not the case⋯⋯."
When the Emperor frowned in displeasure, even the Empress couldn't push the matter any further.
However, there was still someone raising an objection.
"Your Majesty, are you serious? Our father is not present in this hall right now."
It was none other than Franz, who had been arguing with me just a moment ago.
At this, Empel rested his chin on his hand and stared quietly at Franz's face.
"Hmm⋯ It seems the Count's words were correct."
"Pardon? What do you mean by that⋯⋯?"
"What else? It means the rumor that the eldest son of Sirius is wise was wrong."
"⋯⋯!"
At Empel's words, Franz knitted his brows and tried to reply, but...
"Don't tell me you failed to understand these words as well?"
Empel asked again in a sunken voice.
"⋯⋯No, Your Majesty."
He backed down without raising any further objections.
'What a shame.'
If only the eldest son had been just a little dumber.
If he had said just one more word here, I could have framed them for treason.
However, it seems his brain isn't completely useless.
No matter how grand his father may be as a Grand Duke, he himself is not the Grand Duke.
So he couldn't blatantly disrespect the Emperor to his face right here.
I couldn't help feeling deeply regretful over missing the chance to wipe out the Sirius Grand Duchy in one fell swoop.
'Well⋯ doesn't matter, I guess⋯⋯.'
Because for now, I am able to exact the long-awaited revenge right here today.
"Hmm⋯ There's no need to prepare a separate location. Clear the center of the banquet hall."
As expected of His Imperial Majesty.
He moves swiftly.
Or did he read my mind?
I wanted to beat the crap out of him right away, and to think he would set up the stage immediately.
However.
Just then, another nuisance butt in.
"Your Majesty⋯ I am truly sorry, but⋯ may I say just one thing?"
"Hmph⋯ Is it the Saint this time?"
Even if he is the Emperor, since the other person is the Saint of the Church,
it seems difficult to simply crush him using authority.
"Very well, let's hear what you have to say."
Empel gave Yudia the opportunity to speak.
"Yes. Truth be told, these are words I wish to offer to the Count rather than Your Majesty."
"To me?"
"Yes, indeed. I listened carefully to the Count's story. To lose your one and only family member at such a young age⋯ it truly breaks my heart."
"Mmm⋯ Then could you perhaps just not say it? I can already clearly predict what you'll say next even without listening."
"Predicted, you say⋯ Then this should be quick."
Even though the party concerned clearly stated he didn't want to hear it, Yudia paid no heed and continued to say what he wanted.
"Please calm your anger. Goddess Anastasia would surely never want the Imperial Palace's banquet hall to be stained with the blood of revenge on such an auspicious day like today."
Anastasia.
The Emperor and Saintess who purified the corrupt empire in the distant past.
Wasn't she said to be a Goddess who ascended after ruling the empire peacefully for a long time?
Even for someone who doesn't attend church to worship the Goddess,
there is no one across the empire—nay, the entire continent—who does not know her name.
Since he spoke invoking the name of such a Goddess,
"The Saint-nim is right! Today is a celebration of victory, isn't it!"
"Indeed, there is no way the Goddess would permit a trial by combat on a day like today!"
The nobles who had shut their mouths at Empel's words began to murmur among themselves.
At that sight.
"Puhup."
I found it way too hard to hold back my laughter.
"Puhat!"
"Count⋯? Don't tell me you are laughing at the Goddess right now?"
"No, Saint-nim. How could that possibly be?"
As if I'm crazy.
No, even if I were crazy, I wouldn't dare laugh at the Goddess.
Then who else could it be, obviously?
"The one I am laughing at is you, Saint-nim."
"Pardon⋯?"
Yudia wore an expression of complete incomprehension.
Because that stupid face of his was so hilarious,
"Puhahaha!!!"
I even clutched my stomach as I laughed at him.
At this point, I really began to doubt whether even the Church was functioning properly.
No, maybe this bastard of a Saint forgot even the most basic thing just because he wanted to get on the good side of that young lady named Bathory.
"Saint-nim, do you really not know what you just said?"
"Count⋯⋯ I do not enjoy playing word games."
"Haa⋯ Dear me⋯⋯."
I really wonder if this bastard is actually a Saint.
It seems he didn't just forget; he genuinely doesn't know.
No, but still, YOU of all people shouldn't be ignorant of this.
Can't be helped then.
Kind old me will just have to give him a hint.
"Article 4 of the Goddess's Doctrine. Even if I only say this much, you can obviously understand, right?"
"Ah⋯⋯!"
'Ah' my ass.
Things have really gone shit-show crazy.
He seems to have belatedly realized what kind of bullshit he just spewed.
I love and believe in the Goddess.
Why?
Because of Article 4 of the Anastasian Doctrine.
'If you cannot forgive, do not forgive.'
What wonderful words.
This was practically no different from encouraging revenge.
That's why—though it's just my guess—institutions like trial by combat must have come into existence.
Anyway, thanks to the hint I gave him,
"⋯⋯⋯."
Yudia froze blankly in place.
It seems he only now realized how much bullshit had come out of his own mouth.
If you cannot forgive, do not forgive.
The Goddess said that, yet this bastard of a Saint boldly blabbered the exact opposite just to look good in front of a woman.
How utterly hilarious is that?
This is why I haven't donated a single penny to the Church.
It was never because I begrudged the money.
Because it's a collection of morons who chose a bastard like this as their Saint.
As for donations, I pray without fail every night before going to bed, so surely the Goddess will understand.
Well, anyway⋯.
The Emperor has granted permission, and the final nuisance has been defeated.
There is no longer any need to drag out the time.
I walked out into the empty center of the banquet hall.
And then.
"Now then, come on out."
I called him out.
"Third Young Lord."
Even in this situation.
Freddie, who still stood still without saying a word.
"Get out here right now, you son of a bitch."