Chapter 315 - Duke Hexham
We ended up taking a carriage to the royal capital to visit the mansion of the great noble suspected of being the true culprit. It was Eowyn-sama, Saxburg, and me. It's probably because I can use [Thought Communication], but I feel hesitant.
"Jeanne-sama. I am truly sorry for asking you to go to such trouble at this hour."
The sun had already set and it was dark.
"No, was it really alright for someone like me to come?"
Normally, Eleanor-sama would be better, but since she's supposed to not exist, I'm keeping quiet even to Saxburg.
"This matter cannot be resolved without Jeanne-sama. Please, lend us the power of your miraculous magic."
All magic is a miracle, but it's the usual special treatment.
"Brother. If you say things like that, Jeanne will be glared at by the church."
"What are you saying? Jeanne-sama will surely become the Grand Archbishop one day. There's no way she'd be glared at."
I've never heard of a stray Grand Archbishop. I really wish he'd stop.
"Ah, look, it's coming into view."
It's a quite large mansion. When the carriage arrived at the circular path in front of the entrance, an elderly servant came out to meet us. While waiting in the carriage, a man in grand clothes, who seemed to be Duke Hexham, came out to the entrance to greet us.
"Sorry for the sudden visit at night, Duke Hexham."
"No, Eowyn-sama. Please, come in first."
Inside, there was a large hall with a magnificent chandelier hanging down. The butler, following Duke Hexham's instructions, went to prepare drinks.
Duke Hexham had the appearance I expected. He was a greasy middle-aged man with a protruding belly, a balding head, and unpleasant eyes. Villains in fairy tales are universally like this, but it's rare to find one that doesn't betray expectations to this extent. I wonder how he rides a horse with that belly.
"I believe you have already met at the border commemorative ceremony or the palace banquet, but let me introduce her again. This is my savior, the priest Jeanne-sama of Sertoria. As the Duke likely knows, she is inspecting the facilities for [Just a Disease] under Saxburg's guidance."
Even an Archbishop wouldn't introduce me like that.
"Well, well. It is an honor to have you visit my mansion especially."
"It's a good opportunity. You should have her offer a prayer. What do you think, Saxburg? Since we're here, let's join in."
"Yes, Brother."
The three of them knelt on one knee before me. They clasped their hands in front of their chests, closed their eyes, and hung their heads.
As if blending it into the prayer of blessing, I cast [Thought Communication] on the bald head. Eowyn-sama and Saxburg chanted loudly... or rather, prayed simultaneously, so it wasn't noticed. With this, the other party's thoughts are crystal clear, and my thoughts, which have been practiced, cannot be read at all. The original plan was to summon him to the royal palace to verify the truth of the rumors in the presence of the King and other nobles, but after hearing about Saxburg and her former fiancé, the plan was significantly revised.
The reception room across the great hall was grand, with a large stuffed wildcat with black spots on a yellow background. The armor and helmets also had unusual shapes. Since I was looking at them with curiosity, he explained each one boastfully. Apparently, they were imported from the continent. Royalty is similar in every country, but the great nobles of the east coast who trade with the continent have different things on display.
Once we were seated on the sofa, an elderly servant poured wine. When I drank it as encouraged, it was of excellent quality. I was surprised by the first sip, and he smirked.
"By the way, what business brings you here tonight?"
The servants were dismissed, and a scroll was produced. A [Mute] spell was cast over the entire room to prevent eavesdropping.
Now, it has begun.
Eowyn-sama, without losing his handsome smile, said it was about the future.
"For now, the noble who submitted is suspected of being the primary culprit. If that is indeed the case, we must subjugate them. Including what comes after, what kind of measures are you considering? You are Duke Hexham, known for your military prowess. Surely you have some thoughts?"
That was sudden. Is Northern Gram good at frontal attacks?
"Eowyn-sama. Shouldn't such matters be discussed in the presence of His Majesty?"
"Father is aware that I have come. Even though surrounding diplomacy is going well, depending on the situation, it is a matter where treason must be applied. I want to keep the discussion in front of the lords as brief as possible. If it drags on, we will be held in light regard."
"I-I see. That is also true. However, Saxburg-sama aside, Jeanne-sama is..."
"Jeanne-sama is my savior. There is no need for concern."
Anyone would be concerned, but for now, I'll just smile sweetly. The King of Sertoria also said that in the north, respect for priests is immense.
"Is that so? Then, if I may be so bold..."
Operation plans came out smoothly. In short, he intends to lead the nobles around the border and invade.
"Then, the Duke himself will take command?"
"No. I will not go out this time. I have an unworthy son, so I intend to let him gain experience. Please guide him well."
(I'll kill the head of the house anyway. And originally, we have a much larger force. A large army needs no tactics. There's no way we'll lose.)
His true feelings are crystal clear.
"Then, what will happen to that lord's territory afterward?"
"If we follow custom, half will become direct royal land, and the remaining half will be divided among those who participated in the subjugation force."
"Hmm. Which part would the Duke like?"
"How bold. We haven't even raised the troops yet."
(He's easy to handle. It was a waste to worry.)
He seemed bewildered by the sudden visit, but his true feelings were understood.
Frame them, subjugate them. Divide the territory. Moreover, the direct royal land increases. If handled poorly, it could even become a conspiracy involving the royal family.
(Hmph. I'll just reveal later that it was a false accusation. The one who makes the decision is the royal family. I'll seize their weakness and increase my family's influence. I couldn't produce a Prince Consort for Saxburg-sama, but eventually, we will become royalty and produce a king from our lineage.)
This is already beyond help. He's pitch black.
Looking at Eowyn-sama, he still hasn't lost his smile. In contrast, Saxburg's lips have changed color from the sheer malice.
"By the way, I hear a strange rumor is circulating in the city."
(Tch, as I thought, that was the confirmation.)
"I have heard it. That our house is manipulating bandits behind the scenes. It must surely be the plot of the true culprit."
It's not a lie.
He's leading it to sound like the true culprit other than himself spread the rumor, but in reality, he hasn't said what the true culprit's plot is, or who the true culprit is. Having handled many trials, he's good at choosing his words. Even if there were a super-high-level mage, they wouldn't call it a lie.
"Next week, we will summon that noble to the royal capital. I will be the one in charge of the investigation due to my office."
He paused for a moment.
"That is when the truth will be revealed."
He said his closing line like a bad actor. You're a zero, a zero!
"By the way, there's another reason I came today. Actually, I have a request for the Duke."
Eowyn-sama, who had been smiling and listening to Duke Hexham's talk until Saxburg regained her composure, brought it up.
"And what might that be?"
"None other than your son."
"Something about my son?"
(Did that brat say something to Saxburg-sama?)
He glanced at Saxburg.
"Actually, I want the Duke's son to help with the business Saxburg is doing."
Of course, that means the facilities for [Just a Disease], orphanages' self-sustaining management, and self-reliance support for people with disabilities, including wounded soldiers. It might even include raising rabbits.
"N-No. Our house is a house of military and justice. As the heir, he must learn those paths."
(That fool! Of all things, he intends to choose a path off the career track!)
He's getting worked up on his own. The son in question shouldn't know anything.
"Don't worry. I intend to have the Duke retire from his current duties and go into seclusion."
"W-What are you saying? There's a limit to jokes!"
"Well, don't say that, and look at the Duke's own right shoulder."
"?"
A scream echoed.
The Queen's head has grown from Duke Hexham's right shoulder.
"Ho ho ho ho ho."
"Uwaaaa!"
He tumbled off the sofa and crawled away on all fours. He clung to the wall, wheezing and desperately turning his head to the left.
"The Duke participated in the wedding too, didn't he? It's the Queen of the border. She merged with the Duke. Sorry, but with the Queen's technique, the Duke's true feelings were crystal clear."
It's a lie.
They said from the start they wouldn't mention my magic. It seems they won't let it be known that I, from another country, was involved.
"The Duke's plot has been confirmed by various pieces of evidence."
He can't hear our words while in a state of confusion. I had the Queen dissolve the merger and stand behind Eowyn-sama.
"How about it, Duke Hexham?"
To the Duke, who was wheezing in tears, we recounted the evidence we had gathered.
"Found it!"
Right on time, Fiona found the simple magic circle for sending correspondence. Fiona knows the password. When she actually sent a letter, there was a reply. In Beatrix's handwriting, it said, "Jackpot."
Duke Hexham's eyes widened when he saw Fiona, who had phased through the wall. He pointed at Fiona and moved his mouth as if to say something, but no words came out.
"However, the Duke... no, the Duke's lineage has helped our royal family for generations. This incident could also be seen as a strategy to increase the direct royal land. However, our royal family does not like false accusations. Even if such conspiracies were hatched in the past. From now on, it is different. Therefore, with the Duke's retirement and resignation from office, and your son taking charge of the business with Saxburg, you shall be released."
Treason is not established. And while he manipulated bandits, he didn't kill anyone. Moreover, he hasn't touched the stolen money and goods. Even if taken to trial, he wouldn't be charged with much.
In that case, ruin his reputation, have him resign from key positions, and force him into retirement.
It's gray, but it won't become a scandal.
"Just in case, for monitoring, a ghost acquaintance of the Queen will reside in this mansion. Be careful. If you have any foolish thoughts, you'll just be possessed and become a vegetable."
To Eowyn-sama's lie, which served as the finishing blow, I could hear the mental scream of the completely confused Duke Hexham, but as the Queen and Fiona slowly approached him, his heart finally broke. He fainted, foaming at the mouth.
◆◆◆◆◆
Eowyn, the Crown Prince of Northern Gram, returned to the royal palace after seeing off Jeanne and the others as they set sail from the port. It was to interrogate the noble of Former Septanaquila accused of inciting bandits.
The noble claimed innocence, and Eowyn acknowledged all of it.
"However, in your territory, not a single person reported the money given by the bandits."
"I-It's because they are serfs. Those people don't have a shred of loyalty to the royal family. If you command, I will collect it and have them repay the merchants who suffered losses."
Collect it? He doesn't even know who received how much. He likely intends to levy it by force.
"Your loyalty is truly appreciated, but that is not necessary. The reason the serfs didn't report it is likely because they are poor."
"T-Then... how..."
"I hear that the merchants here are monopolizing trade, including with the continent, and excluding the merchants of Former Septanaquila. The royal family does not like such things. Soon, there will be talk from the Hexham family, and they plan to recruit merchants from the Former Septanaquila territories, including yours. I want you to gather merchants to participate in trade so it's as balanced as possible."
"I-Is that true?"
He showed joy at the unexpected words, but there was a condition.
"In your territory, how are you using magic for agriculture?"
"M-Magic? As before, we charge a fee."
"The mages you employ, then."
"Yes, that's right."
The method of making magic a labor tax has not yet spread in Northern Gram. In fact, almost everyone is unaware of it.
"I'm going to start it in my direct lands, but I plan to make magic usable for agriculture a labor tax for mages. This method started in Engrio and had a great effect. Now it's starting, albeit gradually, in Regnentes, Medioland, and even Primordia. How about it, why don't you try it in your territory?"
"Magic... as a labor tax?"
"Yes. By making it a labor tax, land that couldn't be cultivated before will become cultivable. It's far better than taking usage fees from poor serfs."
"Could it be that is the condition for participating in trade?"
"Yes. You understood well."
The noble had a look as if he had been bewitched by a fox.
The butler confessed everything about Duke Hexham's plot. This was after Eowyn swore to Jeanne that the Duke's crimes would not be publicly questioned.
Of course, everything was on Duke Hexham's instructions, and the butler had opposed it. However, after being severely berated for his educational policy being a mistake, he decided to follow Duke Hexham's instructions. However, he made it a condition not to kill, and to distribute the stolen money to the poor people.
The butler was also the one who hired the leader and made various arrangements. Disguised as a servant of a Former Septanaquila noble house whose master had died in battle because he resisted, he gave money to the leader. The leader was suspicious at first, but he believed it after being shown that noble's ring and a letter with the signature of a Former Septanaquila noble who was supposed to be in the background. Of course, the letter was a lie. The noble's ring was something Duke Hexham had taken from a corpse during the war, and the signature of the Former Septanaquila noble was a forgery based on letters Duke Hexham had exchanged using his official duties. And when non-killing and charity were made conditions, the leader himself became enthusiastic.
Aerial scouts selected only from the royal guards directly under the royal family captured all the bandits. In Northern Gram, flight magic is not made public and is treated as a special branch for the royal guards only. It seems it wasn't publicized at all, but it was their first battle. And it was only announced that the royal guards had subjugated the bandits.
A month later, Eowyn visited Duke Hexham's mansion again with Saxburg.
Duke Hexham is said to be confined to his private room, claiming poor health. Duke Hexham's condition is well known among the nobles in the palace, and rumors are circulating that recovery is unlikely. From the man himself, who came to the palace supported by guards, it was announced that he would resign from public office, and that the next head of the house would develop agriculture through trade with Former Septanaquila and large-scale land leveling, as well as help with Princess Saxburg's business. As a result, a competition has begun for the successor to the duties related to military and justice, which Duke Hexham has already declined and Eowyn is temporarily acting for.
In the city, rumors arose that the royal family might have taken action, combined with the talk that Duke Hexham was behind the bandits. On the other hand, rumors also arose that he had offended the Queen of the border and had his mind broken. The latter was spread in taverns by scouts directly under the royal family. Eventually, someone even appeared saying they saw Duke Hexham visiting the Queen's grave. After the business to be conducted with the royal family was publicized, the latter became more dominant.
Duke Hexham, who had retired as the head of the house, met with Eowyn in his private room.
He wasn't particularly ill. He had simply had his heart completely broken and lost his ambition.
"Are you well?"
"Y-Yes..."
"Has the place of retirement been decided?"
"Y-Yes."
"When will you move?"
"Next month, perhaps."
"Be well."
"E-Eowyn-sama, you too."
In the reception room, he also spoke with the next head of the house. The armor and helmets brought from the continent had already disappeared, replaced by expensive but tasteful furnishings.
The young head of the house welcomed Eowyn and Saxburg with mixed feelings.
Originally, he disliked politics and war and only read books. In the future, he wanted to become a priest and take care of livestock. However, as a result of his second brother, who was a brave knight, dying in battle, he was about to be in a position to command troops. He got along with Saxburg, but he hated the idea of becoming Prince Consort. As a result of Eowyn's illness being cured, he didn't have to become Prince Consort. However, his father disliked his quiet personality, which didn't suit the head of the Hexham family, and shouted at him every day.
That changed completely; his father retired. He became the head of the house, and moreover, he was told to start new agriculture with Eowyn and participate in trade with Former Septanaquila. Fortunately, the butler had a certain amount of experience in business and he could leave it to him. And he was told to take charge of new public duties with Saxburg and the church priests.
Actually, as a result of the discussion between Eowyn, Duke Hexham, and the Hexham family butler, nothing has been told to the new head of the house. Of course, while the servants don't know the truth, they know Eowyn came. Eowyn told the servants that he had brought the Queen of the border. He explained that the reason for offending the Queen was the result of being cursed for trying to do unscrupulous business with Finis. The matter could become a diplomatic issue. Eowyn himself threatened that anyone who spoke of it, even within the mansion, would be severely punished. The young new head of the house sensed something, but he said nothing.
"Are you well!"
"U-Um."
Saxburg calls out, but he immediately looks down.
He doesn't even try to touch the fine wine that was served.
"I'm keeping rabbits now. Do you know? Rabbits love clover."
"Rabbits?"
He looked up. I feel like his eyes sparkled.
"Yes. I made a hutch designed so they won't escape. She's pregnant, so I'm sure cute baby rabbits will be born. They're at the facility, so why don't you come see them with me next time? We have to talk about the work we'll be doing together from now on, too."
"Yeah."
Judging the timing when the two started talking, Eowyn told them to show him the garden.
The two went outside together.
After the two left, the butler bowed to Eowyn again. It was an apology and thanks.
"It's fine. It has been resolved safely. You will also have a hard time with the Duke's move and future matters, but please support the Hexham family."
"I am grateful for your consideration."
"By the way, how is it? The new public duties for this house?"
"I believe they suit the young master... no, the current head of the house."
"I see. From now on, Saxburg will likely visit this house from time to time. I know they've been on good terms since long ago. I'm counting on you. I'm marrying royalty from Finis, but it just so happened that the woman I loved was royalty from another country. I want it to be the same for Saxburg. Of course, the partner doesn't have to be royalty."
Saying so, he looked out the window.
Outside, Saxburg was running, pulling the hand of the head of the house, who was the same age.
"Though, she might wear the pants in the relationship."
"It seems so."
The two laughed together and toasted to the new beginning of the Hexham family.