07
07
"Kyaaaakh—!!!"
After Bathory let out a scream.
"Ah... ah... oraboni...... ah... ah......"
She stared at Freddie's headless corpse with a look of sheer disbelief.
Then soon after, she turned her head.
"W... why......?"
She glaringly asked me with a face that showed she couldn't understand at all.
Why, you ask?
Hadn't I already told her?
Since I had no interest in repeating myself, I wasn't bothered to answer.
However, Bathory was persistent.
"You didn't... you didn't have to go this far!!!"
"Go this far, you say...? Then what degree does Young Lady think would have been appropriate?"
"Th-that is......"
Even you don't know when you think about it, right?
About what degree of punishment is appropriate for a bastard who beat to death not only my noona, but innocent children as well.
"I don't know! What degree is appropriate! But you didn't need to go as far as killing my oraboni! It's unfortunate about those who sacrificed their lives ten years ago, but there was no need to shed more blood here!"
...Wow, this really is a masterpiece.
Bullshit just kept spewing out of her mouth endlessly.
At this point, wouldn't this be in the realm of talent?
"Why are you the one deciding that, Young Lady? What the Young Duke committed ten years ago was deserving of the death penalty from the start. Not just one person, but several. And he killed multiple weak children who weren't even adults."
I merely killed a bastard who deserved to die.
So.
No matter how shameless you are, you shouldn't have anything more to say here...
"...There's no evidence."
"Ha...?"
Look at this girl.
Playing dumb at a time like this?
How can someone be so brazen?
No, more than that, is she genuinely a dumbass?
"Look here, Young Lady. So what just took place here?"
It was a trial by combat held under His Imperial Majesty's approval.
She's not a goldfish, so she couldn't have forgotten already.
"I don't know... I don't know......!"
"Haha... My goodness..."
How does she manage to make me marvel every single time?
In a bad way, of course.
"It can't be helped then. I have no choice but to kindly inform you. According to legal procedures, I..."
"I said I don't know! I don't know! I don't care! There's no evidence either! So I'm saying you didn't need to go this far!!!"
"Ha......"
Even a three-year-old child wouldn't throw a tantrum like this.
Just as I was dumbfounded into silence,
"Huh......?"
At that moment, my eyes met directly with Bathory's.
Her jade-colored pupils, brimming with transparent tears, were glaring at me as if she would kill me this very instant.
Her pink lips were also stained red with blood from biting them so hard.
Because of that.
"Pfft-hahahaha...!"
I burst out laughing without realizing it.
"Look here, Young Lady. Why are you glaring at me like that?"
"Ar-are you asking because you really don't know that right now?"
"Yes, I don't know. So could you please inform me?"
"Look here, Count!!!"
"Oops! Surely you're not getting angry, are you?"
"What? Of course I am......!"
"I trust you aren't. Because you clearly said so with your own mouth."
Right, you said it yourself with your own mouth.
"'If you let go of your anger and forgive, your mind will be at peace.'"
"...Are you making fun of me right now......?"
"No way, how could I? I'm just doing this because I'm worried about you, Young Lady."
Worried, my ass.
Naturally, I don't give a damn.
And while it's true I'm teasing her...
I am merely returning the exact words Bathory said to me earlier.
"Now, quickly let go of your anger. Then your mind will be at peace!"
I spread both arms wide open like wings. Then I shouted toward the people in the banquet hall.
"Then all of us will become happy!!!"
Now, with this.
Bathory will realize what absurd bullshit she had spouted to me.
Though it seems like a bit of a side effect occurred.
'He's crazy......'
'He has gone mad......'
'...Crazy bastard.'
'Crazy motherfucker......'
'Ah... O Anastasia......'
The gazes of not only our male leads but also the nobles felt a bit stinging...
No, they felt extremely stinging, but whatever, it didn't matter.
Isn't there a saying about sacrificing flesh to take bone?
Stares of this degree are nothing.
'.........Roy.'
...Ah, Sion.
This might actually matter a little bit.
Well, still.
"Kukuk... Khup......!"
At least it's a relief His Majesty is enjoying himself.
Anyway.
I turned back toward Bathory.
"Now, Young Lady. Let us be at peace quickly."
With this, I gave back every single word she had said to me.
"Heuk, heuk... Ah, aaaah......"
Bathory's green eyes, filled with tears, were still glaring at me as if to kill me.
"The Count and I are different... We're different......!"
Oh boy.
Did I miss something?
"The situation... the situation itself is different......!"
"Situation, you say...? How odd. I, too, was drunk and in a state of having lost precious family, so I merely vented my anger, no?"
I pointed at Freddie's headless corpse so Bathory could understand easily.
"Just like the person lying here."
"Ah, ah...... Freddie oraboni!!!"
The whites of her eyes turned bloodshot.
Why is she struggling so much?
She'd be at peace if she just personally put into practice what she had said herself.
"How... how can you say that you and Freddie oraboni are the same?"
"Pardon...? What is different?"
Ah, of course.
Freddie is dead as shit and I am alive.
Don't tell me.
Is that the point she wants to bring up?
"You and my oraboni on that day are strictly different!!!"
"No, I'm asking what on earth is different?"
"You don't get it even with it right in front of your eyes!?"
"Pardon......?"
If brain freeze were a thing, is this what people mean by it?
Seeing Bathory pointing at herself and shouting, I had no choice but to be rendered utterly speechless.
'Hey... no way, right......?'
Don't tell me she's going to spout that bullshit again—the same one that made me doubt whether my ears were functioning normally in the first place...
"That day, my oraboni didn't have me, but you have me!!!"
...Oh.
'O Anastasia......'
This isn't Yudia's thought.
This is strictly my own thought.
At Bathory's bullshit, I ended up calling out to the Goddess without realizing it.
"Ha... Hahaha......"
Let's stop talking.
If I talk any more here...
The mind demon? Deviation into qi deviation that my master mentioned in the past?
Well, anyway.
I might end up dying from something like that.
"That's unfortunate. If Young Lady had shown an example by putting it into practice yourself, I would have considered following suit and quitting my revenge. I'll have to give up on that idea."
It was merely consideration.
Though I wouldn't stop even if I died.
But then again.
"Wh-what did you say......?"
It seems our Young Lady didn't understand my words.
"Quitting your revenge......?"
"...? Why are you acting like that?"
"What do you mean why!? You already killed Freddie oraboni, and now you say you're quitting your revenge!? What on earth are you talking about!? You've already committed as much as you could!!!"
"Dear me... What absurd nonsense are you spouting, Young Lady?"
"Pardon......?"
Bathory asked back with a blank face.
Hmm. It seems like this time she really doesn't know.
Then again...
'It's natural that this stupid woman wouldn't be able to think that far ahead.'
I swept my eyes over the banquet hall for a moment.
'As expected, he didn't come......'
The Grand Duke of Sirius was nowhere to be seen.
A man so arrogant that even if the Emperor summoned him, he would send his children instead.
And.
Ten years ago, on that day.
Even though he witnessed the horrific scene in the back alley with his own two eyes.
A piece of trash who turned a blind eye.
I can never forgive him.
If the Grand Duke had managed his children properly in the first place.
No, if he hadn't spawned a bastard like Freddie in the first place.
The tragedy of that day wouldn't have occurred.
Anyway.
I should end the conversation with this stupid pink-haired Young Lady here.
Teasing is only fun when communication works to some degree.
Above all, if I talk to her any more here, I feel like I'll truly lose my sanity.
Therefore, I tried to turn around without lingering regrets.
But right at that moment.
"Hey, you bastard! Explain immediately what that means!!!"
Franz yelled at me.
"Not satisfied with reducing Freddie to this state, are you seriously aiming your blade at our Sirius family still!?"
Fortunately, the eldest son's brain seems to work better than the youngest's.
Then there's no need to deny it.
"Why? Is that not allowed?"
"Ha!? Do you really want to die, you bastard!!"
"Oh... It seems the Eldest Young Lord intends to step up this time!"
Paaat-!
I immediately gathered aura into my fist.
"I was disappointed that the Grand Duke wasn't visible... but this turned out great!"
"Wh-what...? What are you trying to do right now......!?"
"What's wrong? Didn't you just ask me if I wanted to die? You should avenge your younger brother and restore the honor of Sirius. Come on, step out quickly."
"You bastard, seriously!!!"
Hmm. This is disappointing.
Franz merely shouted with the veins bulging on his neck.
He didn't move even a single step from where he stood.
I was planning on substituting a chicken for a pheasant, but this seemed impossible.
"That's enough."
Because Empel intervened in a solemn voice.
"Count, the trial by combat is over. So stop this unnecessary argument here."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
I immediately bowed my head and stepped back.
So that the servants could collect Freddie's body and clean up the area.
As far as my heart was concerned.
I wanted to continue the trial by combat even further here.
Franz, Praha.
Because there were still Sirius bastards left to beat to death.
But I couldn't.
'Because a request for a trial by combat is allowed only once per person.'
Was it said that they restricted it because it could be abused for disposing of political rivals?
Anyway.
Since the law was set that way, I backed down obediently.
'That aside, Our Majesty's intervention was slower than expected.'
When I exploded Freddie's head.
I thought he would declare it immediately, but he opened his mouth later than expected.
'Well, it's probably because he lost his words due to the Young Lady's bullshit.'
Or he might have intended to spectate what further eccentricities I would commit.
Either way, afterwards.
Servants quickly tidied up the banquet hall, and Freddie's corpse was handed over to the Sirius bastards.
"Heukheuk... Freddie oraboni......"
"...Bathory, let's head back first. Let's inform Father."
"Brother's right. Let's go home first. Father will solve everything."
Bathory left the banquet hall, receiving comfort from Franz and Praha.
Before stepping outside the banquet hall doors.
'Count... Count... Count... Count......!'
She did glare at me at the last second with a truly resentful look, though.
I didn't particularly mind.
'However... if you keep getting on my nerves, you won't be any different either.'
Although I told Freddie that I would definitely make him the same...
Bathory was adopted three years ago.
Thus, she is effectively someone unrelated to my revenge.
So initially, I intended to leave her alone.
Unlike a trash bastard like Freddie.
Because I had no intention of hurting completely unrelated people.
However, if she makes unreasonable stubborn demands and interferes till the very end...
'I'll have to keep the promise I made to Freddie.'
I couldn't help but hope she wouldn't push me to make such a choice.
'Above all, continuing to deal with the Young Lady feels like it would drive even me truly insane.'
###
Once the Sirius bastards withdrew and the cleanup of the banquet hall was somewhat finished,
"Count, splendid."
Empel commended me with a satisfied smile.
The word 'splendid' probably contained multiple meanings.
Because starting from Empress Isabel next to him, the faces of the nobles in the banquet hall were quite splendid.
Moreover, from the Emperor's perspective, landing a blow on Sirius.
Giving them a massive blow at that must have been to his liking.
Probably, just like me, His Majesty too.
Isn't he wondering what kind of expression the Grand Duke will make once he receives the news?
With that nuance in mind.
"It is an honor, Your Majesty."
I bowed politely.
But right then.
"Your Majesty, splendid!? Are you speaking sincerely!?"
Isabel shouted with her face grimly contorted.
Oh dear, our Empress.
No, maybe not 'our'.
Well, anyway.
Getting angry so often at an age where she should be managing her looks most diligently will cause wrinkles, though.
She really never seems to tire.
"Why is the Empress acting like this again? Isn't it natural to call it splendid? After all, he toyed with a Swordmaster."
"That Swordmaster is the Young Duke of Sirius, is he not!?"
"That makes it even more impressive. He isn't just a regular Swordmaster, but a Swordmaster of Sirius."
"No, why on earth is that impressive!?"
"Not impressive...? Don't tell me, Empress. Are you still thinking of saying that the Count's skill is lacking?"
"Skill aside, this situation right now makes no sense! He died! He was beaten to death! The Young Duke of Sirius!"
Isabel was desperately making an issue out of the fact that I had killed Freddie, the Young Duke of Sirius.
However, there was absolutely no way Empel would hold me accountable for Freddie's death.
If anything, he'd be in the mood to give me a reward.
Well, even if not to that extent.
As if proving my thoughts were not wrong.
Empel immediately furrowed his brow displeasedly.
"It is unfortunate that the Young Duke lost his life during the duel, but it is hardly a situation that makes no sense, is it not? It strictly occurred during a trial by combat permitted by Ourself. I trust you are not attempting to raise complaints against a decision We rendered again."
"What? H-how could I dare raise complaints against Your Majesty's words? Th-there is no way I would......"
No matter how much it was Isabel, it seemed she couldn't face the Emperor's authority head-on.
The conversation was apparently over here—
"However! I merely wanted to say a few words regarding the manner of the duel."
...It wasn't over.
Manner of duel.
'Was there any particular problem with it?'
Isn't a trial by combat opened simply for both parties to kill each other?
Empel seemed to feel the same way.
He tilted his head with a face that expressed utter incomprehension.
"Manner of duel...? There shouldn't be any specific rules regarding that, though?"
"No matter how unstructured it is, Your Majesty presided over it, and the venue is the Imperial Palace, is it not?"
"And so...?"
"What do you mean 'and so'!? He barbarically swung his fists! This cannot be called a duel!"
"Hmm... So the Empress is saying she cannot acknowledge the Count's skill."
"Th-that's right! A knight should naturally be proficient with a sword, should he not? Moreover, he's not just a regular knight, but someone set to become a Commander!"
Mm. I thought she said earlier there was no problem with skill.
'Ah. She said "skill aside", so maybe not?'
Anyway.
"The Empress has a point."
Our Imperial Majesty eventually nodded at Empress Isabel's persistent stubbornness.
"Then that means he must prove it again......"
"Your Majesty, I am completely fine with that."
Fine, indeed.
If anything, it's what I want.
Even without that.
Starting from Prince Leon to Michael, Lancelot.
And even Loki, who had little to do with swords.
'How dare you make Young Lady Bathory cry......!'
'The Young Lady is grieving because of a bastard like you!'
'...Unforgivable.'
'This bastard. I will definitely kill him.'
Because there were many people giving me intense stares like this.
'This is troublesome... I don't really want to compete with Young Lady Bathory, though.'
Wait a second.
'I truly cannot understand the Count......'
It seems even the Saint is looking at me like this......?
I wish they would stop staring at me.
Because it's really burdensome.
I am strictly heterosexual.
I mean that I like women.
If you truly want my attention.
'I wish you'd just challenge me to a duel instead.'
However.
"........."
"........."
Nobody stepped forward.
Is it the result of having shown such an overwhelmingly dominant display?
'So this is why Sion told me to hide my skills a bit.'
It briefly crossed my mind how Sion advised that if I revealed my true capabilities, opponents would naturally become wary, making things that much more troublesome.
So I naturally looked at her,
"......?"
She seemed to tilt her head briefly, but then—
"......!"
Swish-
She immediately turned her head away.
'Hmm. It looked like the corners of her eyes were a bit moist...... Did she yawn deeply or something?'
For that, her eyes seemed a bit red, so I wanted to observe her carefully, but I stopped.
"Kukuk... The Count might be fine, but the others don't look fine at all."
Because Empel spoke to me with an amused expression.
"Is that so? I am completely fine with it, though. Then could Your Majesty perhaps recommend someone? I would like to clearly demonstrate my sword techniques."
"Kwahahat! We, too, would truly like to see the Count's sword, but that seems difficult. On a joyous day such as today, We cannot issue another death sentence, after all. Is that not so, Empress?"
"Th-that......!"
Even Isabel seemed unable to find what to say this time around.
Contrary to what she had expected.
Because there was no one coming forward.
At that moment.
"Your Imperial Majesty the Empress."
Duke Philos, who had been ignored by her earlier, stepped in.
"As I mentioned before, I vouch for the Count's skill. He is several times stronger holding a sword than bare-handed."
"Even stronger than this...!"
"Could he really have become a Grand Swordmaster...?"
At Philos's words, several nobles began to murmur.
However.
"Enough."
When Empel raised a hand, the banquet hall fell silent once more.
"Empress, it seems best in many ways for you to trust Duke Philos's words this time."
"...Understood. Just for this time, I shall trust the Duke's words."
"Thank you, Your Imperial Majesty the Empress."
My, the Duke.
He truly is far too kind.
I had thought this ever since I saw him caring for every single soldier without exception during the expedition.
The man was simply way too nice.
To think he would step forward to save the face of Isabel, who was not only his political enemy but had also disregarded his own sword skills.
Even though she wouldn't be grateful in the least.
"...Hmph!"
Just as I expected, Isabel instead snapped her head away from Philos with a displeased expression.
Anyway, thus.
"Now then, We shall take it that there is no one wishing to question the Count's skill."
Though many appeared to harbor dissatisfaction, no one stepped forward to raise further objections.
However.
"...Hmm."
On the contrary, Empel began to make an expression as if something was displeasing to him.
Because of that.
'Imperial Princess.'
I hurriedly turned my head toward Sion.
When I did.
"........."
Meeting my eyes, she wore a dissatisfied expression.
At this, I was a bit flustered.
Because I hadn't acted as pre-arranged between us.
Therefore.
'Your Highness.'
I mouthed to Sion.
Only then.
"...Your Majesty."
Sion stepped forward and bowed politely to Empel.
"I have something I wish to say to you for a moment."
"Sion? Very well, speak."
"............"
Despite the Emperor's permission, Sion did not open her mouth right away.
'......?'
I couldn't understand at all why she was hesitating.
Because she wasn't bringing up a particularly difficult topic.
Fortunately, though.
"To Your Majesty......"
The time it took for her to open her mouth again was not very long.
"...I wish to present the Silver Knights to you."