Chapter 30: What do you think I am?
qe8VPerda slightly tilted his head.Cn5cYa9
juD0“And what does that have to do with conspiracy and incitement to rebellion?”ez1P3
rzV9“Because you are arming soldiers with the support of a company and building roads that connect with the Empire. Is it not evident that you intend to facilitate an invasion?”AcB
Go3OS03It was a completely absurd accusation.06jxQN
nLIQPerda responded calmly.l1X
NbLF“It is to activate and facilitate supply and commerce. Also so that, in case of an emergency, the Empire can provide support more easily. We are only improving the roads. And since we have signed a contract with the Pascal trading company, it is also necessary to build roads for them. In a land where the only enemies are demonic beasts and monsters, how can you use the roads as a pretext for something like that?”f3W
vfZRq“Until now the east has been defended constantly even without roads. Increasing armament now is an excess and a threat against the Empire.”CGb
wOa5vWP“Defended…?”n2G
9KgkAt that moment, Perda’s calm suddenly broke.cr2x
pehoo“Have you ever even seen what happens in the Far East?”fgcEuK
M5RrN5“No.”QbNUFJE
FgO0x“Have you ever set foot in the Far East?”NwS7WbS
37l“No.”At8
HVxaW“Then you will not know what happens there either.”v4U
kIEPerda did not know either before arriving.6Ta8
8JwAMDIHe had participated several times in the meetings of the Far East front alliance, but only after arriving did he understand how serious the situation was.C2FRsX
7w31XD“To begin with, the defensive line of the Far East lacked budget, soldiers, and morale. Now we have barely covered around 25%. And that seems like excessive armament to you?”QSHc3o
1vzMVl“Until now there has been no problem. Increasing armament when it is not necessary has that meaning.”T6S5
btO“Do not talk nonsense. To be honest, the grand duchy of Valdrova has been able to defend itself from demonic beasts only thanks to my fiancée, Duchess Valdrova. If it were not for her, we would already be dead. The soldiers of the Far East need better weapons.”p7eR
fFyw7q“That is absurd!”igRFx
EkCYqKarl raised his voice, clinging to those words.H8ibrHJ
bmUHFG“I have come here as chief of audit! Do you not know that you must treat me as if you were before the emperor of the Empire himself?”UJWB1Gl
gDDTdMKarl shouted in a threatening tone.VmJKoh
60DHe was trying to break Perda’s momentum.7rq
wXkBut then.5COzh
h4BOSU“Now.”SvAKc
mQliPerda’s calm voice shut Karl’s mouth.7r76
oSgnPerda simply watched him with one leg crossed while holding his teacup.TzL93DU
iHKHowever, there was something in his blue eyes.iuUH
AW2fHw“Have you raised your voice in front of me, Sir Karl?”JuF
91x7Ri5Something that did not seem human.rOz4J
nU1s74Karl was not intimidated.NmtSOh
8xv6BuHe was the one who could raise his voice.OxCB
JDaPerda was also furious.gvt
w5cgDIf he had followed his original nature, Karl would already be a corpse.wX2FK
F0ANo.bmmLlk
GuEHe would have destroyed him brutally.EeF7S
qim5KAnd even so he was restraining himself.LNF
KLPd0‘Has Valdrova not always been treated as nothing more than a guard dog?’ljBIEDq
ZRgThe way they treated Valdrova was worse than he imagined.GgXmdEv
NxidUeOPerda knew it in part.WLAT
hd3eHThey feared her, but not with a true fear that came from deep within.8QHZz
PfKT9QlPerda wanted to send him back to the western Empire at that very moment.KvqL0x
ZDVUUOBut he did not do it.U52
8Yo9He decided to look further ahead.8Hq9u42
TjuDAll of this was for his fiancée, Valdrova.uDlJ7XI
F6u5EzFinally, Karl, who had tried to impose himself with his presence, stepped back.2yU
hKDe8R3“If a formal investigation begins, the Empire can punish the regent according to its laws.”V0N4
HRtcUKPerda took a sip of tea and replied.0r2
1PWVU“Then try to prevent it.”yvQ7
V7g7et“It is not possible to act alone when even the superiors are paying attention.”qGadh
nkCUbeb“Oh, really?”TwOa
1MBPerda waved his hand with a carefree air.NF3R
XxZS0m“Then there is no remedy. I will submit to the investigation sincerely and prove my innocence.”ZGMcLS
fdkKarl, with a frustrated expression, finally spoke.xlwMx4
fcv48W“…Once it begins, it will not be able to stop.”f6JQ
FMP“It is unfortunate, but there is nothing to do. You have already fulfilled your job. You can return.”Pqf0
4KBKarl let out a long sigh.HMFLS3
aTboC8E“Why are you doing this? Someone of your position should stop pretending not to understand.”Tw1jD
a5cTylZHe abandoned his clumsy act and showed his true face.ijr6Tb
RyOfrBHis murky eyes fixed on Perda.XN8MSIG
AN1“Let us end this in a good way. If you are someone from the Rosnova family, you will know well what our Extermination Squad does.”NqkzY
9bF“Of course I know. A group of knights that steals money from territorial lords.”8ZNEY95
TIWZ“That is what some call us.”IbI
1cLB6sKarl did not seem offended at all.kUhGk
0fPHe formed a circle with his thumb and index finger.KYAB7m0
0EzUaPL“Hand over the money for our superiors and a small commission for me. Then we will withdraw.”ESDB
aoP1g8“How much?”PfQWe
DFa2AssKarl extended all his fingers.OnrPvt
9e0s“With 100,000 golden it will be enough.”eCC6y
nnuR“Hmm, one hundred thousand…”H0dIpb
hOon4Perda nodded and set down his cup.Q52Y
irVwRuri approached with the teapot and refilled the hot tea.mAT16yj
5Kh3Lx“Let me ask you something.”n1Ca3
GFrn“Go ahead.”Bzxl
8ssCRG“What do you think I am?”zny
FHtcKarl responded with disbelief.zy76PX
zC7F7h“The regent of Valdrova, is it not?”YQC
V82h“Does it seem that way? Because I think you see me as a complete idiot.”jnuPV
iKwjq8“An i-idiot?”OpTC8
Ls9vKUNKarl was bewildered upon hearing such a direct insult.JnrW
uqtr“What do you mean by that? How could I treat the regent that way…?”7P9
BEgc“Do not worry. I have already heard many times that I am Valdrova’s kept man and the useless son of the Rosnova family. That they see me as an idiot is something I can expect.”CgTVg
dMVRyLThat someone from the Extermination Squad had come all the way there already meant that.40j
Asy“I know everything.”jSR
pbQBPerda liked honorable knights.Kio7w
YFHAmong them, the ones he admired the most were the Extermination Squad, who monitored the corruption of the lords.cnGXQA
FGyAThat was why the disappointment was even greater when he discovered the truth.deW
5YnNkYb“I know how you ruin honest lords.”XgAhj
9kPegB4“If I give you money, what will happen to me? Ah, they will say that I paid to silence my crimes. That is how you create another easy prey.”SaHun
FnbjQKrOnce you enter that game, it is impossible to leave.ixQ6fGB
KC4DAs if you jumped into a sticky swamp.SxEc1YZ
iXFIA“And then more like you will come. One after another. Like children running to their mother to ask for money for sweets, they will come to demand bribes.”0ctPU
VzhThe same demands.9HnHk
G0HXeRxThe same threats.mTBs0bC
1ZHqEven if a lord has a lot of money, it is not infinite.1ER8
jdCUbPIf he accepts to pay, he will not be able to sustain it.8LMD
Ucpj6BIf he tries to resolve it, he will need even more money and power.lphy
XqFiWThus the lord ends up raising taxes and exploiting his people.x62n
cF5NsThey push honest people toward real corruption.3mMXuO
cGrAAB0That is how the corruption of the Empire continues to spread.K8y4Q9f
lOiBF“Knowing all that, do you think I will give you money?”qFyV7
4PorPerda had made a vow.b5Mryr
pZVTo protect what Valdrova loved and wanted to protect.3YO1
lUNicgHe would not allow those wretches to play with it.sWC
JDwnb8“So do whatever you want. Search with all your strength for that supposed conspiracy and incitement to rebellion. I will not give you a single golden, not even a cupe.”mgn8wo5
Ii3dUPerda’s firmness exceeded all expectations.AlqFehK
KAZBut Karl was also accustomed to situations like this.5omQ
v2NGCHow many times had he seen the same thing?3unaJ
qlrOagRTerritorial lords who tried to resist without paying the Extermination Squad.TLb
7IT3SuS“Then I will have no choice but to bring this matter out.”iNJB
bvTBecause those who faced the Extermination Squad always ended up being crushed.YlkO
kr5ejEven if it were someone backed by the title of the grand duchy, the opponent was still a novice who had just become regent.6XQH
GLFM“I have heard that you recently murdered a noble. What do you have to say about that?”o6x
nijFkHe was referring to the incident of Tesallos Walcher.t7aaO
WTPZ8Instead of inventing a nonexistent crime, he decided to bring up one that had actually occurred.XCf
PAc2Jw“Murder? That is absurd. Since when does the law of the Empire arrest someone for killing another in a duel?”zrO7SYI
VRr9tRS“The death that occurs at the end of a duel is clearly a murder. Were there not witnesses?”Ts5kdK9
4vYPX“Yes, there were. One is right here.”BrC
PH793Perda slightly shifted his gaze toward Ruri.FYD
cgkP“Say it. Did I commit a murder?”RVSBYDS
3hqPeRuri shook her head.vzjqkSX
owbS4“That was an execution. We knew he was secretly investigating black magic using demonic beasts, so an immediate execution was more than appropriate.”DYxw9z
Vp1g5j“That is what she says.”wput
SQX“That has nothing to do with the duel! And making your own servant speak has no validity!”cSORNo1
4HHr“Then who should we listen to?”xIrwcMP
Z9HbKarl smiled maliciously.eFsy
2P7“We are precisely bringing the witness. He will arrive at this castle soon.”xgh
Z0dfns“A witness…?”2kp8E9j
OhYBt7Perda simply drank his tea.GEp
uYZw9“I would very much like to meet him.”Bii
0cMNWPerda made a gesture as if nothing mattered to him.7wz
AziKDNo matter what they did, he did not become agitated, and that only irritated Karl even more.OxQDG
1JpcGp‘We will see how long your calm lasts. You will end up begging under my feet!’8cOOP
Lks4ljHowever, Karl was convinced that in the end the one who would laugh would be him.xfmHno
oWqLPeQWith that conviction he smiled.8rHpV
IVndKShortly afterward, the witness Karl had brought entered the reception room.Rrcx7p
WMvHe was an elderly territorial lord with a white beard.XGK
wldQ8The oldest man in the entire Far East and the highest ranked after Perda.da4
RpX— Perda Valdrova is an idiot intoxicated by his own power, so arrogant that sooner or later he might suffer the wrath of Valdrova.9to
SfDZHe was an opponent who hated Perda Valdrova and also the source of information that had motivated the intervention of the Extermination Squad.a8Ofb
mwRWY3Q“Oh, Count Consilus! Welcome!”iat
RvSa0Karl greeted him with a friendly voice from the entrance.dw3
xFkLhK9But Consilus did not even look at him.tJuOn
zVo6jpYHis eyes were directed at Perda.BTskC
AtzHw6Consilus walked toward him and knelt respectfully.viL0HDx
7hM8“Lord Regent, I hope you have been well.”xGHCRB1
I8TDFqqPerda received the greeting calmly.Sb5cDG
Hl85X“Welcome, Count Consilus.”4vf
apZstTA common greeting among nobles.hYiWsq
tPxoBut seeing that scene, Karl froze, as if he had received a blow to the head.C3GK8
Vpp6Among nobles, greeting each other was nothing strange.RBw
1IJ9However, if they did not know each other well or did not have a good relationship, the normal thing was simply to bow the head.368K
Zj8V6bShowing so much courtesy, like at that moment, was impossible unless it was true respect within noble society.oedsTms
03reec‘He is only being courteous.’mHEJ
BNWvLKarl tried not to show discomfort.2Iqi
SmAruHSThe correct thing at that moment was to maintain composure.BZU
UpsS‘Count Consilus is on our side.’b01wm3T
MO4WslCount Consilus was a knight who had sworn loyalty to the emperor of the Empire.r4Qtn
c5CWBAn old man who had limited himself to remaining neutral in the Far East and who until recently looked unfavorably upon the young regent.rVx
UHE7A5d‘All the lords of the Far East thought the same.’lTRNFf
MsUvtcThat had already been verified.CIdZLYK
FHPAPerda had threatened the lords with accusations and governed by keeping them subdued through fear.YPjmlJn
PbyFear makes people shrink.bBtoc
9U3vJTBut when an opportunity appears to free themselves from it, they can betray faster than anyone.qxhVBK
x725Even that information had come from Consilus himself, so he would surely cooperate.fXqo
8IP8After returning the greeting, Perda politely pointed to an empty chair.8YaCa
4EX“Sit down. I do not want someone of your age to remain kneeling.”gAFJ
7urMc0x“Yes.”LvRru
X3MnoCount Consilus took a seat, and Karl also sat down, clearing his throat.jAiPM
ih0fHe tried to take control of the conversation.Hw5zeC3
RlJvlQs“Count Consilus. Thank you for coming.”wzOdIB
fml“It is nothing. It just happened that the moment was perfect.”L61vU
zWZConsilus let out a soft laugh while stroking his beard.g1Q
TFPwNKarl smiled as well and brought the conversation to the main point.IP5C
7cBy“Count Consilus. You said that you knew about the incident of Tesallos Walcher.”4iO
Vnk1QiVConsilus nodded.qFvEK
KBHOS“That is correct. I was there as a witness.”RVz71
mUzB“Exactly. Could you testify now about the atrocity committed by the regent of Valdrova?”LClIg3
dILH“That matter? Yes, you asked me to speak about it…”5a0Vb
hH2wA“That is correct. Could you give your testimony about that moment?”9Map
kBlTWqCount Consilus’s eyes briefly shifted toward Perda.3Shs3
JPzy“To say it clearly, the regent of Valdrova…”Nik
he4He continued.139Nrs
fnWjRPX“Did nothing wrong in that duel.”FLjEYm
c6Z2DDl“…What?”tUKcObK
Vn1RM9zThe answer was completely outside what Karl expected.2CW7EUP
s3c“W-what do you mean by that? Ha ha… I think I heard wrong…”id6FhpV
grt“I will repeat it. In that duel, the regent of Valdrova did nothing wrong.”uogUGHC
InikAConsilus did not choose the Empire.eRVHIw
tTpz“That day, Tesallos Walcher activated a magic circle with the intention of killing the lord of Valdrova, and the lord of Valdrova only subdued him to defend himself. At that moment the regent had a magic level of 1 circle, while he was a mage of 4 circles. The difference was sufficient to determine the result. But that young Walcher did not know what it meant to stop. And even so he lost.”cMHT7x7
MqzgAt“That is true. He lost. But it ended with the murder of a noble—”ah3gI
wp2Ga“No, it cannot be seen that way.”l7Rv
qvQbmCount Consilus interrupted Karl.jO1
Qj5T0“Even when the duel ended, he still could have attempted to kill with magic. There exists something called killing intent that only those who participate in the duel can feel. It may be that the regent counterattacked before his opponent attacked. The world of mages is that deep. Is it not so?”wtk
icg4GqPerda nodded.Nce4sb
wyk“A mage always keeps his final trump card until the end.”UKQ
wbQ“As a noble tried to kill another noble, even if he did not succeed, the right to decide over his life had to be guaranteed. That was the conclusion we lords reached.”DDBdsy
19rdwIWhat is this?kdO3ZY
gCWJZTThis was not what they had said before.z3zWK
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Haimiya_cutie.
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