Chapter 125 - Episode 13 (Interlude: At the Clarino Estate)
A noble is a noble.
A status that allows one to be guaranteed a livelihood and lead an elegant life because one is a noble.
A noble being a noble is a state where order is maintained, and order is maintained by a noble being a noble.
...There is no way such a noble should allow a situation where 'one wrong step will suddenly bring humiliation and death.'
Chris Bay Clarino has often thought so for over these past six months.
House Clarino is the leading influential noble family in the Kingdom of Orchesta. The status obtained by the military exploits of their ancestors in the past is still robust after generations. By continuing to produce results without being complacent in their status, they have made their standing as a prestigious family even more certain.
...Therefore, the expectation placed on Chris, the next head of House Clarino, was exactly that.
To continue producing results.
To continue proving that House Clarino is a prestigious family. That was Chris's role.
...It was a burden, but at the same time, it was pleasant.
Fortunately, he was not lacking in ability. He was blessed with looks, blessed with talent in martial arts, and blessed with magic.
There is no one who can match Chris. Chris was a person born as a strong man, naturally reigning over people.
Chris, who could naturally do various things, was aware of his high ability. Whether appearing in high society or in noble friendly matches, it was common for Chris to be the center. Since everyone sent envious glances his way, he was made aware of it even if he didn't want to be.
...He never thought the day would come when he, with such superior abilities, would have his position threatened.
But it was steadily approaching.
'The Curse of Fortesia.'
That curse, which destroyed House Fruitier and House Hornbone, would next head toward House Clarino.
At first, he thought the members of House Fruitier had destroyed themselves.
Originally, House Fruitier was a family whose finances were on the verge of collapse, so it's no wonder he thought so.
They seemed to have been involved in somewhat unreasonable business, and their income was cut off when their winery suffered from slime damage. Even so, he didn't think it was particularly strange when someone who didn't stop their extravagance burned up in a carriage and met a suspicious death.
...But, seeing the members of House Hornbone go mad, Chris also began to feel rushed.
It is said that they dabbled in demon summoning, but it is unknown what the actual situation was.
Still, it seemed to be a fact that Princess Scola of the royal family met a tragic fate, and it was thought to be a fact that Fawn, the next head of House Hornbone, was reduced to the status of a slave.
...And the members of House Hornbone who went mad have each been executed.
Knowing the end of Fawn, who was mercilessly burned at the stake without any leniency, Chris, who was on terms to meet and talk with Fawn, felt a chill run down his spine.
...In their downfall, the shadow of Fortesia is flickering.
A year and a bit ago, it is fresh in memory that they framed the daughter of House Fortesia, Violia, for the attempted assassination of the Prince.
From the perspective of Chris, a strong man, it was only natural to frame and kick down House Fortesia, which was nothing more than a weak, upstart noble family.
If Fortesia is destroyed, the order of this country will be maintained. Chris was naturally convinced.
It is strange for them to be hoarding wealth despite being a mere weak noble family. Those must be returned to the country. For that purpose, House Fortesia should have been destroyed.
...But, a year and a bit ago, in the throne room on that day.
'Regret it at the bottom of hell,' that demon said.
Those red eyes, like the embers of hell, were as if they were a symbol of a curse.
And in fact, each person glared at by those red eyes is meeting with strange misfortune. Impossibly. Unforgivably.
Those red eyes were certainly glaring at Chris as well. At the time, he thought it was the last resistance of a dying young girl, even finding it pitiful... but now those red eyes are giving Chris a heavy pressure.
Yes. Chris cannot fail.
Both House Fruitier and House Hornbone were taken advantage of when they failed and fell into ruin.
That's why Chris absolutely cannot fail.
While thinking that he couldn't possibly fail with his own abilities, Chris was still driven by impatience.
...If Chris were to fail, that demon would surely come.
The demon of Fortesia, who would drag House Clarino and Chris down to destruction while laughing with red eyes.
...And so, when the tragedy of House Hornbone was washed away by time and thinned out. Fortunately or unfortunately, Chris was invited to the martial arts tournament hosted by the royal family.
The martial arts tournament, which staked the prestige of House Clarino and the Kingdom of Orchesta. Naturally, the expectations placed on Chris are high.
...Even so, Chris could still maintain his composure.
Thinking that there was no way he, who had been undefeated until now, would fail in such a place.
It was thought that with his own skill, winning the martial arts tournament would be easy.
Chris thought so, and the people around him, even the King, believed so without doubt.
...But.
The one who returned before Chris was his relative, Lital Pia Esclan.
He had undergone a tremendous transformation in just under a year.
He went out monster hunting with the returned Lital and knew immediately.
If Lital and he fought properly, it wouldn't be possible to win 10 out of 10 matches.
At most, winning 7 out of 10 matches would be a great success. Perhaps, the number of wins would be 5, or 4... or even 3 or less.
...Lital, innocently, looked at Chris with an adoring gaze as the eldest son of the main family whom he respected. 'Have I gotten a little closer to Chris-niisama?' he said such a truly terrifying thing with a smile.
...It was then that Chris finally realized.
His strength was something that someone could overtake.
From then on, Chris's paranoia began.
Had those who had highly evaluated him until now really given him a correct evaluation?
The basis of his evaluation was interaction with nobles, but perhaps those nobles were just too incompetent?
Weren't Lital and 'certain others' mocking Chris as a frog in a well?
...Is he really strong?
Can he really win?
...Leaving Chris's thoughts behind, the seasons flowed, and the martial arts tournament began.
There, a swarm of pink slimes ran wild... and it began to be whispered that 'Chris Bay Clarino failed.'
He doesn't think he failed in his command. ...No, he doesn't want to think so.
He couldn't afford to admit that he had failed. If he failed, the demon of Fortesia would come.
But, as if to further corner Chris, strong men lined up in the martial arts tournament.
There were many people who fought in ways he had never seen. Nobles who could fight reasonably well were easily defeated by a multitude of adventurers.
...And finally, even Lital, who had astonished Chris, lost.
A warrior who charged head-on into magic and dragged down the strong man Lital. At that sight, Chris felt fear for the first time.
He saw a future where he couldn't win.
A future that he had seen once stuck in his mind and wouldn't leave.
A future where he misses the victory despite being expected by the King, his family, and above all, himself.
That is a more unbearable dishonor than anything else for Chris. By no means could he accept such a dishonor.
He must win, no matter what. No matter what. No matter what means he uses.
...Once Chris made that resolution, he left the room to meet Lital.
If it's Lital, he might have some information about the warrior he fought today. They seemed to be talking after the match, and he might have let slip a weakness or two.
But, even when he looked for Lital, Lital was not in the mansion.
Thinking he might have returned to the Esclan mansion, he asked the servants, but the servants were useless and said they didn't know Lital's destination in detail.
Vexingly, after questioning several servants, he finally heard that Lital had gone out for a night walk.
Hearing that he had left a little while ago, Chris immediately followed after him. If he waited for Lital's return, he felt like he would be crushed by impatience and anxiety.
And so Lital was found.
Across the street, he saw the blonde head that well-indicated the Clarino bloodline.
Chris went through the back alley to approach Lital... and there, he gasped and stopped.
...Lital seemed to be talking to someone.
He couldn't hear the voices, but he could somehow tell the figures even in the dark.
...Yes. Even if he couldn't tell the facial features, there were things that could be seen.
Chris was returning to the mansion with a buoyant feeling.
Unlike before, Chris was in a good mood.
Because a path to his victory had come into view.
As long as victory was in his hands, anything was fine.
Even if it was not a victory as a warrior.