Chapter 37

37. Honor (2)

To summarize Rodelin's story, it goes as follows:

The restoration of Luther's student record was successful.

However, the official announcement and the establishment of a tombstone were rejected.

It was exactly the same as the conversation in the game.

And I knew very well how to resolve this matter.

'There’s a guide by an old player.'

But I listened carefully to every word and sentence.

This was because there were a few changes from when I played the game.

"Four days later, Luther's father will come to visit."

"His father?"

"Yes. Not only an apology, but a proper compensation plan must also be prepared..."

Luther's father. He's the jester in the village.

He’s coming to the academy.

This has never happened in the game.

'This episode was supposed to end with the restoration of Luther's student record...'

Using the old player's guide, I could set up a tombstone.

But that was all and the end of it.

'Is it because the jester and Luther's father relationship was revealed?'

From here on, it’s a path I’ve never walked.

It means I don’t know what hidden quest this could lead to.

'But I have a feeling.'

Although it’s the first time the jester is visiting the academy, I have a strong sense of how to handle it.

Creating the most favorable situation for him.

That would likely lead to the best outcome.

'I might even get a hidden reward.'

A hidden quest within a hidden quest. My mouth waters.

First, I decided to use the old player's knowledge.

Rodelin persuading Duke Luke to set up Luther's tombstone.

This part is already public in the guide.

"Hehe, isn’t it a simple matter to use the family's power to pressure them?"

"...Be careful with your words. That’s the kind of thing scoundrels do."

"Should we fear losing our honor when doing the right thing? The Lucid family’s honor has been built up this way so far."

Rodelin's eyes turned fierce.

She was really angry. To her, the family is more precious than her own life.

But my tongue didn’t stop moving.

"Isn’t that so? To pretend not to see for fear of losing honor. The noble Lucid family is no different from other nobles."

"...You’d better be careful with your mouth. I’ve seen many heads roll for less."

"Hehe, is that so? That’s a bit scary."

I stood up.

Rodelin was really giving off the vibe that she might draw her sword.

I walked slowly past her.

At the same time, I said my final words.

"Accepting dishonor, that is true ‘honor’."

"..."

There was no response.

But with this hint, Rodelin should be able to figure it out.

'Even in the game, just this much conversation was enough.'

I headed to the dormitory, leaving Rodelin lost in thought.

* * *

"Hmm..."

Late at night, as dawn approached.

Rodelin, looking at the crystal communication device, sighed deeply.

'Is there no way?'

No, in fact, Rodelin had found a way.

A perfect justification for the family to intervene in the academy’s affairs.

Tap, tap.

The student roster on the desk.

Rodelin's fingernails tapped the student roster continuously.

What was unusual was that the student roster was very faded.

Of course, it was.

It was from 20 years ago.

Rustle.

The student roster, opened by Rodelin's hand.

There was a face she knew well.

"..."

Thud.

The student roster closed again.

Rodelin's fingernails tapped the student roster again.

She had already repeated this action dozens of times.

But Rodelin didn’t realize it.

It was a clear sign of how serious her dilemma was.

"Rodelin, can you hear me?"

"Ah... I see the head of the family."

"Greetings are enough. So, have you thought of anything new?"

Rodelin reported methodically.

A few pieces of information she hadn’t had time to convey were relayed.

Duke Luke nodded.

"Understood. The investigation team set out at dawn yesterday. They’ll arrive in about a week. I’ll ask you to preserve the scene until then."

"Yes, head of the family. Don’t worry."

"Good. It’s late. Try to get some sleep tonight."

Now, if she gave her final greeting, the communication would end.

Just as Rodelin was about to give her greeting, Zero’s words echoed in her mind.

- Accepting dishonor. That is true ‘honor’.

Rodelin clenched her fist.

The opportunity to speak to Duke Luke like this doesn’t come often.

'Maybe he’ll be disappointed in me.'

No, he’ll be 100% disappointed. But she had to muster the courage.

Even if it meant the same result as yesterday, even if it meant disappointing Duke Luke, she had to muster the courage.

The only one who could restore Luther and the parrot army’s honor was herself.

She was the only one.

"Head of the family, I have something to say."

"Hmm, did you think of something else?"

"No. It’s about Luther’s treatment."

"...I thought we finished discussing that yesterday. Did you forget already? Or has your mind become dull?"

Duke Luke’s eyes turned cold.

She was afraid, but not as much as she thought.

Partly because once she said it, there was no turning back.

But mainly because she was convinced this was the right thing to do.

"There is a justification. A justification for the academy to intervene."

"...Tell me."

Rodelin opened the student roster.

"20 years ago, the student roster of that time. There was one person from the Lucid family."

"20 years ago? Then...?"

"Yes, it’s your eldest sister."

Rodelin’s finger pointed to a girl’s photo.

Black hair with a blue tint. A model student with glasses.

Lucia de Lucid.

Duke Luke’s eldest and first daughter.

Rodelin’s eldest sister.

Why bring up her name now?

After a moment’s thought, Duke Luke’s face turned to shock.

He had realized Rodelin’s intention.

"Rodelin, surely you don’t...?"

"Yes, that’s right. I plan to report my eldest sister."

"...What’s the reason for the report?"

"For not protecting her junior. Not only did she fail to protect a student, but she didn’t even realize they had disappeared. She’s unfit to be a soldier."

It’s a stretch. An unreasonable stretch.

If another family had brought this up, it would have backfired.

But in the proud Lucid family, reporting someone from the same family?

That changes the story.

'They’ll have to conduct a re-investigation and set up a tombstone for the victim.'

The academy would have to accept the Lucid family’s intervention.

The Lucid family admitting their mistake and seeking forgiveness.

In such a situation, the academy would face backlash if they didn’t cooperate.

'They’ll have to pay for the apology and related costs. But the real issue is elsewhere.'

Compensation and tombstone construction costs.

Considering the Lucid family’s wealth, it’s a drop in the bucket.

The problem arises from reporting and criticizing someone from the same family.

'Especially a younger sister reporting her elder sister?'

It’s a dishonor to the family. It’s like eating one’s own flesh.

It’s a dangerous act, turning a family member into an enemy.

But.

'If it restores Luther’s honor.'

The forgotten hero’s honor will be preserved. At the same time.

The Lucid family’s honor will be elevated even higher.

'The Lucid family punishes those who have done wrong, even if they are from the same family.'

This phrase will be etched into the minds of everyone in the empire.

People will praise the Lucid family with one voice.

It’s not an easy thing to do.

Especially for a prestigious noble family, one of the pillars of the empire.

"Accepting dishonor. That is true honor, isn’t it?"

"Hehe..."

Accepting dishonor to achieve higher honor.

It’s a crazy strategy.

The dishonor will fall on Lucia, the eldest, but only for a short time.

Rodelin bowed deeply after finishing her words.

Reporting a family member was not an easy decision for her.

Especially her eldest sister, who had always cared for her.

"I will apologize to my eldest sister myself."

"...Your words are misleading. How can you apologize when you’re correcting a wrong?"

"That, that’s... "

Rodelin fumbled.

Duke Luke realized two things from this.

First, Rodelin was more upright than he thought.

And second.

"Who is it?"

"Excuse me?"

"Rodelin, this isn’t a strategy that could come from your mind."

Rodelin is an upright child who doesn’t know shortcuts.

After spending a year at the academy, she barely understood 'flexibility.' One could easily infer the extent of her uprightness.

'And she came up with such a brilliant plan as soon as she became a second-year student?'

It’s impossible.

Duke Luke also knew Rodelin’s feelings towards the family.

A child who was anxious about even a small scratch on the family’s honor.

Could such a child think of a plan that would bring dishonor to the family?

It’s impossible.

Someone must have advised her.

"That, that’s not true. This is what I thought of..."

"Who is it? I’m asking you again."

He was saying he wouldn’t tolerate any more lies.

Rodelin closed her eyes tightly.

"Zero... sir."

"Zero? The child who made a great contribution in the demon’s fragment quest."

"Yes, that’s right. Zero sir also solved the two problems of the demon’s prank."

This would have been the end of the story.

But Zero’s appearance and [ominous aura].

The hidden quest that activated by revealing the relationship between the jester and Luther.

Rodelin’s affection for Zero.

These three factors triggered a new hidden quest.

"His appearance is one thing, but he’s also fluent in demon language. To think of such a strategy at his age, he’s a suspicious character."

"That’s not true! He just has exceptional reasoning skills! It was Zero sir who found Luther’s father, and he has a warm heart despite his appearance!"

Rodelin clamped her mouth shut.

She had unconsciously rebelled against the duke, and loudly at that.

"..."

"..."

A short silence followed.

Duke Luke was also flustered.

"Sorry, I haven’t been sleeping well lately, so I made a mistake..."

"...You seem very tired. Get some good rest. I’ll contact the eldest."

"Then, I’ll take my leave, head of the family."

The crystal communication device turned black.

Duke Luke, looking at it for a moment, spoke.

"Albert, prepare the announcement. We’ll announce it as soon as it’s light tomorrow morning, so move quickly."

"Yes, my lord. Should I contact the eldest lady?"

"Yes, tell her to prepare an apology letter. Explain the situation well. Ah, and tell her it’s my order."

"Understood."

As the head of the family gave the order, few would bear ill will towards Rodelin.

Butler Albert closed the office door and left.

There would be no mistakes. He had worked with Duke Luke for over 40 years.

"Luther... What a pity."

Duke Luke valued honor.

Luther’s heroic spirit was enough to move his heart.

He had wanted to give him a small tombstone from the beginning.

If there was a sufficient justification.

'I discussed it with the council, but no matter how much I thought, there was no way.'

But the family’s youngest, especially the upright Rodelin, had come up with a way.

"Accepting dishonor. That is true honor..."

Alone in the dark office.

Duke Luke suddenly burst into a hollow laugh.

He was reminded of Rodelin’s appearance a moment ago.

Not only did she bring a bizarre strategy.

But she also spoke back to him, the head of the family, without hesitation.

"The growth of children is surprisingly fast..."

Duke Luke felt he could sleep well tonight.