Chapter 11

I was slightly conscious of this when I released Elmer from the basement and I clearly prepared myself for it when I cornered Carlos. That is, how I should act ‘when the story of the novel begins, and I meet the main character’.

The answer I gave was, ‘to act as it was in the novel’.

This encounter was a key event for the protagonist to later get involved with Elmer’s family home… the Kisch family, and gain connections. Even if they didn’t, they may still end up meeting each other. But what if in the unlikely event that the King found out about them before they did? It was simple: they will be smashed before they could even build up their strength. If I were to think about the future, it was necessary for me to act evil in here and create development according to the story.

It was a technique I used with Carlos, but… this time, I didn’t want to leave with any mistakes, so I had to use my memories of the novel as my main source rather than letting myself be taken over by Heinreid’s playing cards.

It’s okay. I’m going to finish what I started.

“M-My lord…”

That’s why, don’t look at me with such frightened eyes, soldiers. I know it’s an impossible order, but I’m going to talk about some pretty awful things from here on out, so I won’t be able to help you right now.

‘Hmph’, I let out a sigh intentionally.

“You’re showing the two children a lot of your ineptitude, aren’t you? I’ve always said this, haven’t I? That, in my territory, deadbeats deserve to die. I’ve been thinking that the number of fools who had been taking my words lightly have increased these days, but… I didn’t know you lot were too.”

“T-That’s…! That’s not true!”

“We do as our lord wishes…!”

I struck the iron whip on the ground. The effect was just as good as it was with Carlos, and the soldiers, who had begun to make excuses, suddenly went quiet.

“How noisy. Who gave you permission to speak? Save your pleading for the dungeons, since you won’t be able to say anything more afterwards.”

It was a lie, though. When the time is right, the guards and the soldiers will be dismissed one by one, and I had no intention of holding more prisoners at this point. However, the soldiers who didn’t know my true intentions, all shuddered in unison. …I’m sorry, truly.

“Lord… Are you Duke Heinreid von Rodvelia?”

The young boy began to open his mouth when it had become quiet. I slowly turned my gaze from looking down at the soldiers into that direction.

“It’s disgraceful to have a rat call my name, but… your face looks very familiar. Fine, identify yourself.”

I urged him arrogantly, and the young boy introduced himself without lowering his sword.

“…I am Sieghardt Amadease Lansbury. I have come to reclaim our country from my elder brother… from all of you.”

His red hair flowing carelessly, and his blue eyes. The young boy who looked straight at me and named himself as Sieghardt was undoubtedly Sieg, the protagonist from ‘Sieg of the Rebellion’. He was normally a gentle, pleasant young boy with a strong sense of justice, despite having the word rebellion in the title of the story. And the savior who will save this country from now on.

“Likewise, I am Natasha Mokyr Shchek. Currently Sieg’s right-hand man.”

On the other hand, her long brown hair, and her golden eyes. The young lady who named herself Natasha with a dignified look on her face was the heroine of the novel. Eight years ago, after Sieg was driven out from his country, the youngest princess of the neighboring country of Mokyr, found him and hid him in her home country. Deeply in love with Sieg, who had a strong determination to take his country back, she learned martial arts by herself in order to support him and was now known as the Princess Lion of Mokyr.

“Well, well. I see, my lord’s younger brother and the Princess Lion of Mokyr. I have no idea how you managed to deceive them into doing it, but your small army won’t stand a chance. However… you’re going to reclaim? Your country? What a ridiculous thing to say. This country was rightfully inherited by my lord, the first in line of succession. What do you suppose you’ll reclaim now that you have been driven out of the country?”

Ahh. I wish I was at least on that side, too. That way, I wouldn’t have to hurt them and myself with these kinds of unpleasant words.

I thought and yearned for such things as I looked at the two of them with their unclouded presence. The hero who once captivated me was now glaring at me with a stern face.

“Inherited, you say? Just what the hell did he inherit? Duke Rodvelia, I’ve seen the town you rule. The land is barren, and the people are suffering from poverty. When my father was still around, things didn’t look this terrible! Don’t you feel anything when you look at it?!”

“I don’t feel anything. Livestock are meant to provide flesh and blood to people. The powerful ones are on top, governing and laughing. Isn’t that natural? Unlike your predecessor, the Foolish King, my lord is a noble and proud man. He will never fall into the servitude of the weak who mistakenly believe that they should be protected.”

…Originally, I would have said this scene with a laugh, but it was useless. The corners of my mouth wouldn’t go up at all. I mean, just what’s so fun in this? How could I say such horrible things? After all, Heinreid… that guy was lesser than a human being, he was a monster.

“…Sieg, it’s not going to work.”

Natasha shook her head, as if she didn’t want him to hear any more.

“Your words will not reach these kinds of people. He knows the words that mock sincerity, crush down righteousness, and he has not the slightest intention of accepting people’s words. It’s better not to try to have a decent conversation with him… You will get poisoned.”

I agree with you so much that I’m at a loss for words. Even as Heinreid, and for me as well, though that’s because I already knew of those lines ‘from the novel’, there’s no way he’ll listen to Sieg’s opinions ‘expansively’. Women are really great at judging people’s character.

“But…”

“Hmm, will you look at that. I thought the Princess Lion was just a barbarian, but you’re smarter than him.”

“Shut up, I just have a good nose. Don’t make a fool out of my Sieg with your theatrical, shallow nonsense.”

…Theatrical, huh? I guess I’m not feeling it at all. Either way, it’s proceeding according to the plot, so I don’t see any problem with it.

When I shrugged my shoulders in that very act as if I were making a fool out of her ad-libbing and being harsh, Natasha grimaced in displeasure just as I had intended.

“As times change, so do countries and people, and that’s as it should be. If you don’t know that, well. Shall I remind you of one thing? …Craig, come here.”

I finally called out to Craig, who had been standing still behind me. After a beat or two, Craig stepped out in front of me. He took his red hood off. His face, along with his blonde hair, was revealed to Sieg.

Sieg’s eyes widened and opened his mouth with a snap.

“Cr…aig? Are you really Craig?!”

“Sieg, that man…”

“I’ve talked to you about this before, he helped me escape when I was about to be killed by my elder brother… he was the one who saved my life! Oh, I’m so glad, I knew he would live!”

Sieg shouted in joy as if he had forgotten about the current situation. In contrast to the young boy in high spirits, my guard had decided to stay put.

“…”

“…Craig?”

Finally, Sieg seemed to have felt that something was suspicious and gave a puzzled look. …I’m really sorry, Sieg. Craig can’t move from here right now. I can’t give him back to you.

From hostages, to prisoners and to their real families. Each one of them bound Craig under restraint since they still needed him to release them all.

I felt like a monster or a demon as I just kept on remembering the lines of the novel and saying them.

“It’s an emotional reunion, isn’t it, Craig? Are you glad to see your former master safe? I wouldn’t mind it even if you rush over to them, embrace each other and shed tears.”

“…”

Craig remained silent. I had my back turned on him, so… I didn’t know what kind of expression he had. So, I just kept on going.

“However, who is your lord now? If you’re aware of that.”

After a short pause, I ordered him.

“It’s your mess. Clean it up.”

“…As you wish.”

Craig drew his sword and slashed at Sieg. Caught off guard, Sieg had the tip of his sword lowered, but Natasha leapt forward at once and caught the blow.

However, there was a difference in physical strength between men and women as expected. Craig sent her sword flying and the impact threw Natasha to the ground.

“Natasha! C-Craig, stop it! Why…!”

Craig drove a series of blows into Sieg, who hurriedly readied his sword. A jarring sound of metal scraping against each other reverberated around the vicinity.

“As my lord had said, it’s because you’re my mess. Sieghardt, ‘Your Former Highness’.”

Craig uttered indifferently, as he struck. He was even more of a terrible actor than I was, but… his words without emotion resonated coldly right here and now.

“You… aren’t my master anymore.”

“…!”

“Sieg, watch out!”

Craig’s sword drew near the agitated Sieg.

“Agh!”

“Sieg!!”

Fresh blood fluttered around. Sieg, who had been driven to the riverside while crossing swords, dropped straight into the Pieira River and was swept away in no time while dyeing the water crimson red. Natasha, who was shielded, screamed in grief and jumped into the river by herself without hesitation to follow him.

“Ngh…”

It all happened so quickly that I had to cover my mouth. I desperately endured the gastric juice nearly refluxing.

Because of the blood. Sieg was injured because I ordered Craig to, and because of that, the young boy and the young lady I was talking to earlier were swallowed up by the torrent. It was just like in the novel… and was also the certain reality that happened right in front of my eyes.

My chest was buzzing. It’s disgusting, disgusting, disgusting… and yet…

I stared at Craig, who had dropped Sieg into the river.

He clenched his sword and slowly turned around. Heinreid’s memories of sometime flashed back to me.

“Are you… satisfied with this?”

—Ah, indeed. How beautiful the color of emerald with its mixture of hatred and humiliation!!

In conflict with my heart, my memories and my body were delighted. A tingling, sweet numbness ran through my toes and into my brain, and I felt like I was paralyzed and became unsteady.

“…I’m going back to the estate.”

“My lord?”

“Those who survived will go to the dungeons… Ah, no, not the dungeons, then…? After treating the injured… …!”

It was useless, I didn’t know what the right instructions were. Craig was still looking at me with those eyes. The atrocity inside my head still roared with laughter.

I was in no proper condition, yet I crawled up to straddle the horse and without knowing to whom, I said.

“I’ll leave the cleanup to you. I’m going back alone; I don’t need an escort.”

In any case, alone. I needed to be alone.