88 - Chapter 14: The Pride of a Villain, Part 1 ~The Young Raccoon and the Vixen, or the Old Raccoon and the Young Fox~
Now, after the battle had reached a tentative conclusion with Geoglyph's defeat, he had been hauled away to Julia's study because she had something to discuss with him.
"And? What is this matter you wish to discuss, Count Radock?"
"Stop it, stop it. It makes my skin crawl when you're so humble. Just speak normally."
"I see. Well then, I'll speak normally."
"────I said speak normally, Demon King."
"Ah, no, that was more of a performance, or rather...!?"
Glared at by Julia, who had sunk herself into the opposite sofa, Geoglyph waved his hands frantically.
It seemed she had mistaken the tone he used for intimidation for his true nature, but that was merely Demon King play. However, since it meshed well with the abilities he displayed, he used it occasionally, closing his eyes to the embarrassment.
Furthermore, people call this combining a hobby with practical benefit.
"Well, speaking normally... is this about the strategist?"
"Including that, I would say."
"It sounds like a complicated story, doesn't it?"
"When it comes to nobles of other houses────and other countries at that, I don't have many opportunities to speak."
That's true, Geoglyph nodded.
A Margrave is, in most countries, the front line of national defense. They are relatively distant from the center of domestic politics, and adjacent foreign nations are hypothetical enemies. There is no way to let one's guard down. And Geoglyph, who is in the awkward position of still being allowed to maintain his family name despite being an adventurer, is quite rare.
"I'll ask frankly. From a noble's perspective────what do you think of the current state of this country?"
"I don't really want to say, since I feel like I might be killed for lèse-majesté..."
"I don't care. Speak. I swear on the name of Radock that I will protect you, no matter what you chirp."
While wondering what to do, he decided to choose direct words, thinking that vague and roundabout expressions would not be to this woman's liking.
"It's the height of stupidity."
"Which part is?"
"Both."
"You certainly have a lot to say in front of me, the one in the position to protect Her Highness the Princess."
"You swore on your family name to protect me, right? ────Naturally, from you too."
"I swore as a Radock, but I haven't sworn as a Forsmeyer (maiden name)."
"Then feel free to come kill me after we're done talking. ────It would be a simple matter to repel a single vixen."
The air in the room froze at the words spat out. However, they had already fought one battle. Both had cooled their heads, and they could read each other's true intentions and tricks.
Julia had realized in their previous fight that she couldn't handle Geoglyph even when he was holding back. She also knew that if he were serious, she probably wouldn't find a chance of victory unless she brought an entire army with her.
She had already sensed that he was not the type to succumb if forced────on the contrary, he was the type to persistently counterattack. She had even envisioned the Prime Minister of this country, that old raccoon, who is an impossibly tedious opponent if you make him an enemy.
And Geoglyph also realized the precariousness of their positions. If he were to charge into the royal capital with the other two, driven by emotion, to save the three girls, it would undoubtedly cause a huge commotion.
If it were just a matter of his name becoming known in other countries, it would be a funny story, but he was a noble of a halfway status. If he went on a rampage without any countermeasures, he would undoubtedly be used as a tool for political strife by the Empire upon his return home.
After all, he was part of a dangerous adventurer party that was currently popular in the Empire. There were many factions that wanted to bring him into their fold or put a collar on him. In such a situation, he couldn't afford to show political weakness. Because that would be the opening that would cost him his freedom.
Even if he were to involve himself in this matter, he needed some kind of cover, and Julia Radock, a royalist, was a perfect shield. A third son of a noble who had run away────to put it simply, if he acted under her orders as a commoner, an excuse for the Empire would be possible.
"You just want a multi-faceted perspective, right? Stop playing around and listen properly."
"I heard you were the third son of the Triad, but it seems you've been quite well-trained?"
"I guess."
He kept the part about it being in his previous life to himself.
"Now, shall we talk about the Princess's side────the royal side, first?"
Geoglyph rested his elbow on the edge of the sofa and proceeded with the conversation while leaning his cheek on his hand.
"To be honest, I don't know much about the Princess's personality other than what I've heard through Shannon, and I've only heard a superficial explanation of the royal maintenance system. However, this matter────no matter how leniently you look at it, it looks like nothing more than a young girl's selfishness."
"Hoh."
"The trigger was probably the marriage proposal from that ducal house... but it's just a political marriage, right? No matter who the partner is, if the noble blood is passed to the next generation, it should be accepted. Especially since the royalty, the pinnacle of blue blood, receives the maximum benefit from that."
"Then, if you were ordered as a noble to marry a woman you didn't know, would you accept?"
"That's a joke, Yoshiko-chan. There's no way I'd accept."
"I don't know who this Yoshiko-chan is, but your words seem contradictory?"
You must understand, Geoglyph said with a wry smile.
"If you hate the idea of pairing with someone you don't like, you should maneuver so that it doesn't happen. At least I would do that, and in fact, that's why I left my family home. Regarding this matter, the failure of the ritual────the clumsiness of the subsequent handling was likely the biggest factor."
The public person and the private person are different.
However, there is no doubt that politicians are also living beings. They die if stabbed, and they die if shot. Naturally, as long as they are alive, they have desires and emotions. Therefore, whether it be out of goodwill or malice, if one wants to have their way, they must show ability and results.
That isn't limited to politics; it's necessary for living in human society. The world isn't so kind, sweet, or relaxed that it turns on words and feelings alone.
"Eight years ago, a ritual that succeeded once failed a second time four years ago. Have you been told the cause of that?"
"No."
"I see. Then, whether by chance or intention, let's assume it was unavoidable. So, what happened after that?"
Turning to Lumilia's case, before her selfishness as a private person, she had to fulfill her duties as a public person.
If her role was the ritual, then its success was paramount. Even if it failed, she should have reflected on it and disseminated countermeasures for the next time as quickly as possible.
"Looking at the current state of this country, she probably mostly ignored it. Well, of course, there were probably various busy reasons, like the king at the time passing away or the rise of the Prime Minister's faction."
But even if various factors piled up, looking back at these four years, she must have done nothing. No matter the reason, as the attitude of a public person────a royal with responsibility, it is the worst possible move.
"I don't know the cause. I have no countermeasures. But I'll do my best next time, so please be kind to me────is she an idiot? There's no way that kind of sloppy approach would pass. If she were a private person, maybe, but she's a public person, right? Who does she think has been paying for her luxury all this time? Effort is only evaluated for people who have no responsibility. Royalty and nobility can act superior because they produce results. A powerful person who cannot produce results should just quickly commit hara-kiri and die"