Chapter 10
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Two Counts (2)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"I'll show you the evidence! I'll bring in the witnesses!"
"Will you believe false evidence and bribed witnesses?!"
Executing a high-ranking noble like a count on my own authority was absurd.
I was only ten years old, and a bastard at that.
Me, of all people, ordering the head of a count struck off?
It was nonsense, pure and simple.
Even if my brother Ernst showed up, it would be impossible to behead them.
They knew that too.
Yet here they were putting on this show, which meant the conflict was too deep for mediation.
As if to prove it, injured soldiers with bandaged wounds were visible in both camps.
Traces of recent clashes.
"Enough! I've only just arrived!"
"But young master..."
"I don't even know who the inspector was. I don't know how he died. I don't know what the evidence is, or who the witnesses are. How am I supposed to pass judgment in this situation?!"
Silence fell.
Just as both counts opened their mouths to speak at once.
"Hic."
A small sound rang out.
"Hic. Hic."
It was Lize.
Behind me, Lize was making trembling sounds.
She was always anxious around strangers, but this was beyond that.
"Hic... Hic..."
This was too much for Lize.
**
The two counts bickered over which of them would provide my lodgings, so in the end, I booked a nearby inn myself. I couldn't play favorites.
And the moment we arrived at the inn and unpacked...
"Th-that blood is fakeee."
Lize spoke up.
"What?"
"The blood dripping from the soldiers' bandages in both counts' camps. It's not human blood. The smell's different. It smells like pig blooddd."
"You sure?"
"Not completely sure... but if I had to put a number on it, maybe 95 out of 100?"
For hesitant Lize to speak with that much confidence...
Did they enhance her sense of smell during the enhanced human procedure?
Sir Heinrich stroked his chin and muttered.
"We need to verify that."
"How do you plan to verify it?"
"Ask an expert."
Sir Heinrich replied calmly.
As a diplomatic envoy to resolve the feud between the two counts, we hadn't come alone, of course.
Three of us rode in my carriage, but the entourage following behind numbered over a dozen carriages, packed with highly skilled personnel.
A mage.
There was actually a mage.
Mages in this world weren't the convenient firepower types who shot fireballs or ice spears.
There were so-called 'battle mages' who specialized in that, sure, but far more lived in their labs.
They weren't for frontline combat; they served in all sorts of roles, such as...
"Analyze the blood?"
"Exactly. Analyze the blood to determine if it's human, pig, monster, or even chicken blood."
Sir Heinrich ordered.
Dig if told to dig.
Like engineers from my past life grinding out millet—or something similar.
"Right here on the spot? Without a magic lab, how can we do precise analysis..."
"Can you or can't you?"
Sir Heinrich asked heavily.
"...I can."
"Then do it."
The mage sighed and nodded.
First, we returned to the confrontation site from earlier and collected blood samples.
And about four hours later.
"Lucky for us. These fools... didn't even think to disguise it as human blood. A little tampering would have made it tough, but thanks to that, we finished early. 100% pig blood, and chicken blood."
The mage reported, looking exhausted.
"Good work. I'll report to Father. That you swiftly analyzed the crucial intel."
Color returned to the mage's face at those words.
"Thank you, young master!"
The mage bowed deeply.
Once the mage withdrew, I turned to Sir Heinrich.
"Sir. Using fake blood to stage a fight like that..."
"Means it's a rigged poker game."
"We need to hear from more people. There's a merchant in the entourage familiar with local affairs, right?"
"Yes."
"Call him."
Moments later, a portly merchant came rushing in.
"Have the two counts always been on bad terms?"
I asked.
The merchant shook his head.
"No, young master. Up until a year ago... they were actually close."
"Close?"
"Yes. Fellow sufferers, you might say. Both of them had been... ah, my apologies."
The merchant trailed off.
He was wary of casually mentioning Father's conquests.
"It's fine. Continue."
"Both were in the same boat. Forced to their knees, lost children, harbored grudges. So they understood each other. There were even marriage proposals between their children."
Marriage proposals?
My ears perked up.
"Come to think of it, both counts said they'd lost a son and a daughter each?"
"That's right."
"So, were there proposals between their remaining children?"
"Precisely. They don't have just one child each."
"What happened to those proposals?"
"No rumors of them breaking off."
They're at each other's throats like this, but the marriage talks are still on?
That doesn't add up.
"It's rebellion against His Grace."
Sir Heinrich said, and I nodded in agreement.
Fake blood.
Ongoing marriage talks.
Exaggerated rivalry.
It all fit together.
But...
"We lack evidence. Those guys are big shots in their own right. They show me due respect now because I've been delegated Father's authority, but normally, a bastard like me wouldn't even register to them."
I sighed.
They knew that, which was why they were overplaying their hands.
The more flustered I got, the better for them.
All we had now were circumstances.
I knew something was up.
I was sure things were tangled.
But I had no idea how to unravel it.
As I pondered...
"Um... um... um... I have a good ideaaa."
Lize said, fidgeting with her fingers.
Sir Heinrich and I turned to her simultaneously.
**
I summoned both counts.
"I'll throw a party."
"A party...? In this situation?"
Count Gregen furrowed his brow.
Count Valdemar looked displeased too.
"Precisely because of this situation. Fighting won't yield solutions... so let's sit, have a drink, and talk it out."
"......"
"Will you refuse?"
I asked calmly.
The two counts glanced at each other.
They knew refusal wasn't an option.
It was hosted by the ducal house's proxy. Even if formal, declining was a breach of etiquette.
"Very well."
"Fine."
The two counts nodded reluctantly.
And the next afternoon.
The venue was lavish.
The funds for this mission were generous, and I spared no expense.
Chandeliers. Silk curtains. Silver cutlery.
The food was abundant too.
Roast meats, fish dishes, fruits, breads.
And wine.
Various kinds prepared.
Fancier than my birthday party.
No, honestly, it wasn't even comparable to my piddling birthday affair.
The two counts entered with a few escort knights each.
They took seats at opposite ends of the venue.
As far apart as possible.
Still not exchanging a word, it seemed.
No conversation.
Just mechanically shoving food into their mouths.
The mood was heavy.
"With you two on such bad terms... I have no idea what to do."
I sighed as I spoke.
"At least have a drink and loosen up."
I picked up the wine bottle.
Red wine for Count Gregen's glass.
White wine for Count Valdemar's.
Different wines for each.
"A toast, at least. You may not reconcile... but at least observe basic courtesy."
I smiled.
The two counts raised their glasses.
Toward each other.
And...
Stopped.
Didn't drink.
Count Gregen's hand trembled faintly.
Count Valdemar's eyes wavered.
Neither brought the glass to their lips.
"Not drinking?"
"I'm not thirsty."
Count Gregen set his glass down.
"I... don't care for wine."
Count Valdemar placed his on the table too.
Both of them.
Not a single sip.
Pupillary earthquake.
Acting as if they'd been tipped off beforehand.
I slowly, gracefully savored their expressions.
I walked to Count Gregen's table and picked up his glass of wine.
"Y-young master...!"
Count Gregen reached out hastily.
But too late.
I'd already brought the glass to my lips.
One shot.
Gulp.
"......!"
Count Gregen's face went deathly pale.
"Ahh."
I set the empty glass down, smacking my lips.
Sweet.
Less wine... more like grape juice.
No, it was just grape juice.
No alcohol at all.
It was meant for me from the start, after all.
Next, I headed to Count Valdemar's table.
Picked up his glass too.
Gulp.
One shot again.
Count Valdemar's eyes shook.
This one grape juice too.
I set the empty glass on the table and looked back and forth between the two counts.
They stared at me in shocked horror.
Their lips quivered.
The two counts still said nothing.
But if their earlier anger was staged, this panic was utterly genuine.
And understandably so...
"You surely only told each other that the other's wine was poisoned."
The two counts remained silent.
Lips quivering, nothing more.
"Looks like Your Excellencies aren't on such bad terms after all. That's a relief."
Count Gregen's hand gripped the table.
Sweat beaded on Count Valdemar's forehead.
"Of course... not being on bad terms means the two of you conspired to kill the inspector."