Chapter 16

The word 'gacha' from the Knight Commander left everyone present in shock.

...After all, we were all in the venue where Crest's coming-of-age ceremony was held.

Called there by the head of the Haberst family to show off, the result was a great humiliation... Therefore, we had a lot of knowledge about 'gacha'. The Knight Commander then took out the last letter.

"These three skills seem to be the power bestowed by the gods. Furthermore, according to the Pope's prediction, more people with powerful skills will appear in the future. We need to be cautious in how we handle those with skills... so he says."

After closing the Pope's letter, the Knight Commander bowed and moved to the side of the wall.

I stared at the head of the Haberst family. His face was pale.

It wasn't just him. Everyone from the Haberst family had the same expression.

Unaware of this, the king was smiling brightly.

...My father had said he wasn't very competent. I felt that from these small interactions.

"That's the situation. In other words, there are people with powerful skills among the three families here! And more might appear in the future! We don't need to fear monsters!"

He was smiling brightly.

...Even if we have power, we are only three people.

If monsters were to appear in large numbers everywhere, it would be impossible for just three of us to handle it.

...Especially now, with only two of us.

"Now... then, the three of you who have received the favor of the gods! Please come forward!"

When the king said this, I took a step forward.

Then, Minu from the Mishilian family stepped forward.

...I didn't particularly like her. I glanced at her and then returned my gaze to the king.

Minu was a beautiful woman, slightly less so than me.

She had silver hair that swayed, and her blue eyes were as beautiful as the sea.

Minu... had a crush on Crest. She didn't have a good position in her family either, and she was in the same knight class as Crest.

That's why I particularly disliked her.

When we stepped forward, the king looked puzzled.

"What about the Haberst family? Could it be that they are not here?"

"That... that is..."

The head of the Haberst family spoke as if he was squeezing the words out.

"Crest... has... committed a crime... so... we used the magic circle to send him to the lower world."

"Send him to the lower world!? He received the favor of the gods!? What are you doing!?"

"There was no choice! Crest committed a great crime!! We had to punish him to maintain our dignity as a ducal family!"

"What crime did he commit!? Tell me!"

"Th-that is—"

As the king raised his voice, the head of the Haberst family was drenched in sweat on his bald head.

It served him right.

I felt a little lighter in my chest.

They sent Crest to the lower world earlier than planned.

...Seeing the head of the Haberst family suffer, I smiled inwardly.

At that moment, Minu, who was standing next to me, approached the head of the Haberst family.

"Crest did not commit any crime."

"Yes, that's right."

Following Minu's words, my father approached.

"The Duke of Haberst, in order to vent his small frustration, labeled Crest a liar and sent him to the lower world."

"What do you mean?"

The king tilted his head.

In response, just as my father was about to answer, the head of the Haberst family spoke up.

"Duke Rifeald! It was absolutely not like that! He—"

"What is the truth? According to the Pope, everything Crest said at that time was true."

"Th-that's—"

"You didn't believe a word Crest said. Wasn't that your fault?"

"..."

The head of the Haberst family had no response.

In contrast, my father smiled and looked at the king.

"King! Let our family search for Crest with all our might!"

"Really!?"

"Yes! So... when we bring Crest back, could you appoint him as the head of the Haberst family?"

I... understood my father's purpose with those words.

The head of the Haberst family widened his eyes and approached my father.

"What are you talking about! Crest is the fifth son! He has no right to inherit the title!"

"That's why we are consulting the king. King, could you let Crest inherit the ducal family? Otherwise, it might be difficult to bring him back."

"What? What do you mean?"

The king tilted his head.

...Why it would be difficult to bring Crest back. It's simple.

"Having received such harsh treatment, he might harbor a desire for revenge against his family and... possibly the country. Therefore, we need to take appropriate measures."

"I see. So, the title of duke is the offer?"

"It's a bit different in reality."

"What do you mean? What exactly?"

"To put it simply, we will place all members of the ducal family under Crest. ...So that Crest can mete out justice to those who unjustly punished him here."

"I see."

The king glanced at the head of the Haberst family.

"King! Please, have mercy!!"

"You all exist to protect the country! If Crest sets conditions for his return, I am willing to meet his demands as much as possible!! If it's a title, I will give it to him!"

With those words from the king, the Haberst family members looked despondent.

Seeing my father smile slightly, I understood everything.

...My father was using my engagement to Crest to gain the power of two ducal families.

If that happens—his power might even surpass the king. In the near future, the Rifeald family might even ascend to the throne.

That must be my father's goal.