Chapter 34

On the second day of the investigation, it was carried out with the same members as before. However, there was a clear difference. It was the attitude toward Leord.

A few of them had changed their attitude toward Leord to one filled with malice. It was probably triggered by yesterday's incident.

The investigation team, as before, explored the forest. And, as usual, Leord's pace did not match the others.

Yesterday, nothing was said to him, but today was different. A knight spat at Leord, who was a hindrance.

Barbarot, unable to overlook this, placed his hand on his sword, but Leord stopped him.

"It's fine. Nothing has been done to me. So, calm your anger."

"…Understood."

Though reluctantly, since Leord, who had been spat at, said so, Barbarot had no choice but to calm his anger.

However, the knight who had spat at Leord took advantage of his silence and said something he shouldn't have.

"Huh, what a good position. Being from a duke's family."

This not only drew a reaction from Barbarot but also from the other knights. Naturally, Leord, a member of the duke's family, frowned at the comment.

(That was a bit too much, wasn't it? I don't mind being insulted personally, but I can't overlook insults to the duke's family. I'll have to get angry even if it makes a bad impression.)

The knight's comment was seen as an insult to the duke's family. Leord, determined not to overlook it, spoke up.

"Who made that comment? Step forward!"

The knights, sensing Leord's anger, turned their gaze toward the knight who had spoken foolishly.

Leord approached the knight who was standing where the others were looking, looking flustered.

"It's you, isn't it…?"

"N-No, it's not me. It's not me at all."

"But everyone's eyes are on you."

"They're trying to frame me! Hey, it's not me!"

The knight, insisting it wasn't him, tried to shift the blame to the other knights. As the knight desperately appealed to the knights behind Leord, Leord turned to look behind him.

"Is that so?"

"It's not me. He's just saying that."

"What!? Don't lie! You guys also—"

"Silence. I cannot bear to hear any more."

From the beginning, Leord knew who had said it. He had already identified the voice, so his question was meaningless, and the knights' arguments were in vain.

"I will teach you the crime of insulting the duke's family. Barbarot, behead this fool!"

"Understood! Leave it to me!"

Barbarot, who had been standing by Leord, drew his sword gracefully. Realizing that this was no joke and that Barbarot was serious about killing him, the knight begged for mercy.

"P-Please forgive me! It was a joke! Just a joke—"

"Did you insult my House of Harvest just for a joke?

Ha ha ha ha. What a funny story. You are a brave one, aren't you?"

"H-Ha ha…"

"But did you think I would forgive you?

Fool. You have said what should not be said.

If you had only insulted me, it might have been different, but you have insulted my House of Harvest. You must pay with your life."

"A-Ah… Please, spare my life!!!"

The knight, without any regard for his dignity, chose to prostrate himself. The pitiful sight of him pressing his forehead to the ground and begging for mercy was fitting for a fool who had made a reckless comment.

"Barbarot, sheathe your sword."

"Is that alright?"

"A threat is enough."

"I see."

Barbarot sheathed his sword. The other knights, who had thought he would be killed, were surprised.

"W-Why…?"

The knight, who had been prostrating himself, was also taken aback by the sudden change of heart.

"Listen well. Listen carefully!

I don't care how much you mock or despise me!

But I will not tolerate any insults to my House of Harvest in the future!

Remember that!"

"Yes, yes!"

Leord, after shouting at the knights behind him, turned to the knight prostrating himself in front of him.

"As I said, I will forgive you this time. But don't forget. There will be no next time."

"Y-Yes…!"

The knight, who had been standing on the brink of death, rejoiced at surviving. However, his legs were weak, and he couldn't stand up.

Seeing this, Leord called the other knights to help the knight who couldn't stand.

"Let's resume the investigation."

With Leord's words, the investigation team started moving. Barbarot, walking beside Leord, spoke to him in a low voice.

"Was it good?"

"Yes. Indeed, insults to the duke's family are not to be tolerated, but I am the only one here. Besides, he didn't insult the entire duke's family; he was complaining about me. Just his words were inappropriate."

"That may be so, but I think some punishment is necessary."

"Then, how about a month of cleaning the latrines in the barracks?

I can't think of anything else, so I'll leave the rest to you. Do as you see fit."

"If you say so, I'll take care of it."

"Don't kill him, though."

"I understand."

Leord's mouth twitched as he saw Barbarot shrug. While Barbarot's concern was appreciated, Leord sighed, hoping he wouldn't go overboard.

The investigation proceeded smoothly, but no water source was found. There were others with earth attributes conducting the investigation, but no results had been achieved.

As the encounters with monsters increased during the investigation, they were considering cutting the second day short when Leord stopped.

"Is something wrong, Lord Leord?"

"…Is this a water vein?"

"Really!?"

"I'm not sure yet. It's just a possibility."

"Even that is enough! Hey, mark this location on the map."

"Understood!"

Barbarot was delighted that Leord's discovery had brought hope amidst the water shortage. He was confident that this would be a significant achievement.

If it became known that Leord had solved the water shortage in Zeato, public opinion would surely change. However, it would be difficult for Leord's reputation to change.

Indeed, solving a serious problem like a water shortage would earn high praise, but even so, his past misdeeds had left a strong negative impression.

Therefore, it would take many more achievements for the public to change their perception of Leord. Whether Leord could do it or not remained to be seen.

The next update will be on Monday.