89 - Episode 15: The Pride of a Villain, Part 2 ~The Young Raccoon and the Vixen, or the Old Raccoon and the Young Fox~
"Eh? What do you mean, Kazuha?"
Not understanding the true meaning of the word "farce," Lilitia asked Kazuha.
"Ever since I first met Lady Lumiria and heard the outline of the situation, I felt something was off. Would a Prime Minister who has seized control of the royal palace simply let a princess with only a few attendants escape? To put it simply, it is his own house. Do you think it is possible that he could not read the movements of a little bird trapped in a cage?"
"Does that mean it was intentional? But why on earth...?"
"Perhaps a failure of the ritual?"
Latia, who had been silent until now, spoke up.
"The Rite of Requiem to soothe the Spirit Dragon Alvestein. Perhaps, rather than strengthening the seal, they use a secret art left by the Great Fairy Cathedra to scatter the magic power Alvestein accumulated for its revival throughout the country at regular intervals? As a result, magic ore veins are born. But four years ago, they failed. That would mean they lost support from within the country. If they wanted to regain that quickly... I suppose they would need a villain."
When Latia tilted her head as if asking "How is that?", Gardel shook his throat and belly.
"Goodness, what clever young ladies. Well, that is mostly correct."
He affirmed it. That he himself was that villain.
"Now. From your perspective, how does this country look? You cannot call it prosperous, even as a compliment, can you?"
The three girls had no words to refute Gardel's statement.
They had walked through this country for a little over a week since transferring, and everywhere was impoverished. It was not that there was no work, but it was meager. Since the magic stone excavation, which was the thickest major industry, had been severed, it was an inevitable story.
"It was different in the past. The success of the ritual repeated every four years meant the appearance of new magic stone veins. The mining business remained consistently high to meet global demand, and this country enjoyed those benefits to the fullest. But, from the perspective of those managing it, there is nothing more terrifying. It is fine now. But what about next time? And the time after that? Should we not think of some countermeasure? Such anxiety always clings to one. I do not know about the predecessors, but in my generation, I sought another path together with His Majesty, who has passed away. For years, and years. But even when trying to start a new business, it did not go well, blocked by nobles clinging to vested interests. And while that was happening... the thing we feared finally happened."
The failure of the Rite of Requiem four years ago.
The magic power did not scatter across the land and is still swirling in the sanctuary deep beneath the royal palace. Therefore, no new veins are generated, and the economy is dying.
"It was also not good that His Majesty fell ill around that time. If that person were still healthy, there might have been enough remaining strength to rebuild... but it is no longer controllable. If that is the case..."
"Lord Vertex gathered the nobles and stabbed from behind."
The tyranny of the nobles had existed for a long time, but it became particularly severe after the failure of the ritual. After all, the magic stone excavation that had filled their pockets was gone.
When a beast that had been filling its belly feels hunger, it is inevitable that it will try to seize or protect other interests to survive. And that was something he had foreseen with the previous king. That if the royal family lost the reason for being the royal family, other power-holders would surely begin to run wild.
The corruption has already reached a point of no return. The royal authority to suppress from above has lost its former momentum. To correct it, the ordinary way is impossible.
If so, only one person needs to stain their hands with blood. The rightful successor to the royal family must not be smeared in blood.
"The selection is already complete, and I have split the country. Those around me are only the nobles unnecessary for the future of this country. Those who are necessary, I have handed over entirely to Radock."
"Are you serious... but if that is the case, you are..."
Before Lilitia could say "a traitor," Gardel laughed.
"When cleaning, first you gather the trash in one place, right? At that time, the cleaning tools inevitably get dirty. Yes, I am fine being a dirty broom or a dustpan. And once my role is finished and I break, I can be thrown away. For a fool who could not correct this country, do you not think this is a fitting end?"
That was the smile of a villain.
Not a scoundrel, but the smile that only one who has entrusted the role, the duty, to themselves can wear.
"Lord Radock is a royalist. Since he was originally in the Imperial Guard, all the more so. Therefore, if he takes Lady Lumiria into his care, he will follow her will. If she stands, that is good, she just accepts it as is and disposes of the unnecessary nobles from behind when the time is right. Even if she does not stand, the bloodline of the Alvestein royal family will continue in the land of Radock. Before welcoming Lady Lumiria back to the royal capital, I will simply dispose of the nobles who are in the way of the new era with my own hands."
"Indeed," Gardel's mouth twisted deeper into a smirk.
"No matter which way it turns, it is a victory for the previous King and me."
And that smile was also a smile of resolve.
"But, if that is the case, you..."
"I know. Regardless of the internal reality, I gathered the nobles to seize the royal family and acted. In other words, it is treason. That responsibility cannot be avoided, no matter what achievements there are. For if rewards and punishments are not applied correctly, people will not follow. I must have Lady Lumiria execute me with utmost severity."
Gardel nodded at Latia's words.
"At that moment, she will surely gain the awareness of a new king."
Or, if the ritual had succeeded.
Or, if the previous king had not passed away.
Or, if the other nobles had been decent.
"I have lived a bit too long. We... no, this country as well."
But it is all "what ifs." This country has already reached a dead end. There is no objection to becoming the arrowhead that breaks through it.
"So I ask you. You do not need to lend a hand. I just want you to watch over the future of this country."
Thus, the villain quietly bowed his head toward the three girls.
As if to say that this is the only pride permitted to a villain.
●
Julia, having finished hearing the summary, took a deep breath and looked at Geoglyph.
"Hmph. You see through things well without much information."
"You had some on your end?"
"Well, yes."
She had not questioned the Prime Minister directly. However, for that man, there were many surprisingly sloppy movements. Especially since he had been meticulously closing in for the past few years. She had even tilted her head, wondering if he could become this careless at this point.
Furthermore, since the information that notified her of Lumiria's location just before fleeing to the Radock territory was information from Richter's subordinates, she could sense that the picture on the board was not exactly as it seemed.
If so, it was inevitable that another intention would become visible. She had not thought that people from another country would also sense it.
Hmm, Julia looked at Geoglyph and asked.
"You said Geoglyph, was it?"
"That is correct."
"You, would you not serve me?"
"I refuse."
It was an immediate answer. Geoglyph declined almost before she finished speaking.
"Hey now, an immediate answer. The Radock territory is a frontier, but it is not a bad place."
"Triad is also a frontier, so I understand the temperament and management."
Until coming to this castle, he had seen the interior of the territory. The territory management was not bad at all. The location was not bad either. Since it is a granary region, the food is delicious. Geoglyph also thinks it is perfect as a final home, but it is not yet that time.
"Then what is your dissatisfaction, boy?"
"I absolutely refuse to become someone's pet dog. Moreover, a vixen who treats me like a child is the worst."
"I see, so you wish to be treated as an adult, young raccoon. Very well, then you can do whatever you like with this body? I have a child, but I am a widow, and my looks are quite decent, are they not?"
"Come back after you have sharpened your ears."
"What, do you prefer long-ears (Elves)? That is a problem, there are few demi-humans in my territory... Ah, through my family (Formsmeyer) connections, I have dealings with the Duchy of Marbel in the north. I have ties with dwarves..."
"That story, in detai... ahem, I will not be swayed no matter what you say."
"Just now, your interest was piqued. Did you hold back because you have another demi-human partner?"
Being told that, Latia's face suddenly came to mind. By the time he realized he had messed up, it was too late. Julia sensed it.
"Kukuku... there are some occasionally, right? Perverts who are crazy about other races instead of humans. Especially among the nobles... so you are of that sort too."
"I plead the fifth. Please direct your questions to the Triad main house. Well then, see you next week."
"Now, wait. Jokes aside. It would be a waste to leave that political sensibility idle. My territory is strong thanks to bordering other countries... but because of that, there are few who are quick-witted."
"Ah..."
Honestly, Triad (my place) is also like that, Geoglyph thought.
A frontier means the front line of the nation. Nobles sealed there are, for that reason, often from military families or are militarists. Conversely, they are hot-blooded. And since there are many muscle-brains, there is inevitably a tendency to lack personnel with a civil servant temperament.
The Radock territory seems to be no exception, gasping for air due to that kind of personnel shortage. Though, the one who pushed for further muscle-braining in Triad was none other than Geoglyph himself.
"Female heads are often looked down upon, so I know it would be better to make Bertoni the head immediately. But at that age, I would end up acting as regent anyway, so I have decided to remain as the provisional head and wait until that child grows up. However, the problem is Bertoni's tutor..."
Since Julia herself was originally an Imperial Guard knight, it was fortunate that she possessed both the military power to command the territory and political sense.
However, a female head is often used as an emergency measure under domestic law and is not normal. Since she herself is an exceptional person, she is not blatantly looked down upon, but still, outside the territory, discriminatory voices like "despite being a woman" or "for a woman" can be heard.
If it were just attacks on an individual, it would be fine to shove ice shards up their backsides, but when it comes to the entire frontier territory, she herself cannot do much about it. Therefore, she wants to make her son the head, but he is still young. Retainers also have desires. It is not guaranteed that they will not think of bad things by taking advantage of a young head.
In the end, Julia will hold the power, and if she splits it halfway, even Bertoni might eventually find it unpleasant, and that emotion could rear its head and lead to discord. Therefore, she has judged that it is somewhat better to take it all in one hand for now.
But that, in turn, means she cannot devote time to Bertoni's education. Therefore, she wants personnel who can teach political sense, like a tutor...
"I see. That has nothing to do with me."
"I thought you were soft on children, but am I wrong?"
"I do not deny it, but I believe the education of a child should be done by their parent. So that one day, they do not push responsibility onto others while ignoring their own faults."
Geoglyph, naturally, refuses.
Twenty percent of his feeling was "Why on earth should I get involved in another country's politics," and eighty percent was "I want to live for my hobbies."
"It seems recruitment will be difficult. Then, I will withdraw that for now..."
And Julia paused her words. By the time he thought "Damn," it was too late. This is probably the main topic.
"Shall we talk about the full authority of the Radock army? Demon King of the Night Sky, Geoglyph."
The Demon King of the Night Sky involuntarily looked up at the sky.
●
"Hey, what happened, Sensei?"
"I was framed by that vixen. Honestly..."
As soon as he returned to the guest room and slumped over the table, Later called out to Geoglyph, but he was pondering with a half-hearted response.
Saying he was framed is correct, but the correct answer is that his slip of the tongue was used against him. After all, he had said in his Demon King play, "If you are adding me to the battle line, give me the whole army."
Normally, this would be impossible, but since he had overwhelmed Julia in terms of ability in the magic battle, she had simply thrown it all at him, saying, "Then there is no problem, do it." Naturally, Geoglyph refused, saying, "No no, full authority to a relative of another country's noble is impossible," but she countered, "If I tell my people that you won against this Julia Radock, they will be convinced. As for the appearance, we will say you won against me but lost to Bertoni and joined his subordinates."
They went back and forth many times, but in the end, when told, "Oh my, will the Demon King not take responsibility for the words he spat out?", he could say nothing in return. Especially since he had just blamed the royalty of another country for their lack of responsibility.
Of course, he could have endured the shame and run away, but he is the leader of the Serious Breakers, and while he is an individual, he is also the person in charge. If his unsightly behavior were attributed to the entire party, there was a possibility it would hinder future activities.
And above all, since he would eventually have to go to the royal capital to recover the three girls, he reluctantly nodded.
"Sensei. Hey, Sensei."
"What is it, Lay—"
While Geoglyph was depressed and muttering to himself while devising future countermeasures, Later called out from behind.
"Ouch!?"
Immediately after turning around, a flick to the forehead flew in.
"What are you doing!"
"That is my line. Why are you so cranky, Sensei?"
"I am not cranky..."
"You are. I do not know what happened, but this is not like you."
To Geoglyph, who raised his voice in protest while holding his forehead, Later shrugged his shoulders with a "good grief" expression.
"I am an idiot, so I do not understand difficult talks well, but why on earth did we gather together?"
Just because they were reincarnated into another world at the same time, there was no particular need to gather. They could have lived as they pleased in different lands, without interfering with each other.
The reason they did not choose that was...
"Because we want to live enjoyably, because we want to act like idiots and frolic in our hobbies sometimes. To frown like that and worry your head over something you do not even want to do, is that not stupid? Is that not exactly the same as your previous life?"
"That is..."
It was because he did not want to choose a lonely way of living like in his previous life.
Yes, in his previous life, Geoglyph was lonely. He had work acquaintances and such, but as an individual, he remained lonely until the very end.
Later was also lonely. Like Geoglyph, he had work acquaintances, but he was betrayed by the one person he believed in during his lifetime, and he did not want to look at other people anymore.
And Marianne as well...
However, being lonely and considering it acceptable are not the same. Somewhere in their hearts, they sought a connection with others. They were aware of it. And at that time, when they met the God Refill, they chose to connect with someone once again.
Shared secrets.
Shared experiences.
Shared wishes.
Their tastes and preferences differed, but those parts overlapped.
That with these three, they would not be lonely again.
Crying, laughing, and fighting occasionally, they could live enjoyably in another world... on that day, at that time, in that place, they thought so.
"For me to almost lose sight of it, influenced by that vixen."
Later is quite clumsy. Therefore, he probably would not say it directly, but Geoglyph understood. That this action was telling him to rely on those around him a little.
"Lay. You are an idiot, but your eyes are truly good."
"Huh? The head and the eyes have nothing to do with each other, right?"
"It is not that. It is the point of focus, or the way of looking at things. Come to think of it, no matter what kind of idiocy you are doing, you never miss the essence of things..."
"That is obvious, Sensei. I am a driver. Do not lump me in with Toshiro, who rolls around white goods full of unnecessary assists in a brain-dead state. I am a professional who made a living with that, I am."
No matter the car model, no matter the bad road, no matter the location, the inertia when running does not lie. In other words, the center of gravity during driving. Handling that well is the trick to driving, so Later knows by feel that there is an unwavering core in any matter, and he has dealt with it for a long time.
He, who has always faced such essence, would not miss it at a critical moment. One who excels in one art has something in common with one who is versatile.
"Yes, that is true."
Like him, he just needs to be as usual.
Not as a politician, not as a noble, not as an adventurer.
As a reincarnated person, Geoglyph Triad.
If so, Geoglyph steeled himself.
"Alright, I have decided."
Yes.
There is no obligation to dutifully play along with such a farce.
As usual.
Just like always.
As he has always done.
"I will break this absurdity (serious) in a funny way."
And the Demon King of the Night Sky finally wore a smile like a brat.
Since I will be entering the Obon holidays, I will take a break next week, and the next post will be on 8/22 (Friday).