Arc-6 Ch-32

 “Damn it! What are they doing!?”

Since just after the communication from Bartfort was cut off, the repeated ground tremors and vibrations had occurred so many times I had lost count. Angelica and Bartfort had been strictly ordered to “stay in the servants’ guest room of the ducal mansion until the time comes,” but this situation was clearly an abnormal one. Footsteps and numerous screams echoing through the mansion had continued since earlier. On top of that, gunshots and the roaring sound of metal scraping could be heard even through the thick doors. That was undoubtedly the sound of armor in motion. Without a doubt, a battle was happening right here, right now. Most likely a battle, and in the worst case, there was even the possibility that either Bartfort or the Duke had lost their lives.

How did it come to this?

Even when I thought it over, there was only one conclusion. It was because the Holfort royal family had treated the Redgrave Duke family with extreme contempt. I do not intend to say that the cause was solely my responsibility. But it was true that I had delivered the final push. When I was enrolled at the Royal Academy, I understood nothing. I did not understand how the kings of past generations ruled the country with what kind of feelings. I did not understand what the duties of the royal family were. I admired my father’s superior talents being used merely to soothe my self. I grew increasingly dissatisfied that my mother placed politics above family. It was naïve arrogance of a young man to assume that commoners living in the city lived freely, bound by nothing.

Those who killed others just to eat that day, children sold to brothels for a few coins. This was the result of overestimating the power of my house and my own talent without knowing the harshness of the world. Even if I wanted to create a good country, I could no longer ascend to the throne, and I was offered an engagement with the sister of the woman I had killed under the guise of protecting the country. It was far more difficult to fix than to break, and far more time-consuming to settle a dispute than to start one. Yet it must be done. A noble and a king are given advanced education and comfort, but in return they bear the responsibility of atoning for mismanagement with their lives. The day I would fulfill the duties of the royal family happened to be today, that was all there was to it. Unable to endure it any longer, I opened the door to the guest room and leaped into the corridor, where the servants of the ducal mansion were bustling about.

Perhaps because they were focused on resolving the situation, no one paid me any attention, which was actually convenient. Heading to the reception room where Bartfort and the others had separated, the noise gradually increased and more servants gathered. It was a short distance, but from the servants’ conversations, it seemed that the battle was taking place near the reception room door. Where I arrived, several servants and guards lay scattered on the floor, and two men blocking the door were standing.

Just seeing them, I immediately recognized them, and my head began to ache. They had been my companions since childhood. Even if they wore helmets to hide their faces, I recognized them at a glance. The one holding a baton was Chris, the larger one was Greg. If it was those two, even the highly trained guards of the ducal mansion were at a severe disadvantage. Chris was expected to surpass his father, Count Arklight, a sword saint, in ten years, and Greg’s combat record and trained body placed him at the top among young nobles of the kingdom. If the kingdom’s army were deployed, they might be able to defeat them head-on, but I could not imagine Duke Vince allowing that given his discord with the Holfort royal family.

We had tried to handle things quietly, but their overwhelming strength made it impossible to rescue their lord, and we were stuck observing from a distance. Roughly, this was the situation. More importantly, why were these two at the ducal mansion?

From the conversation Bartfort and Angelica had, I had never heard that they were accompanying us. I had planned to secretly accompany this matter and negotiate with Duke Vince to resolve the situation.

Then why!?

Why are these two rampaging!?

Angelica would never allow such a thing. But without someone’s guidance, such reckless actions would be impossible. The only conceivable mastermind was Bartfort. What reason did he have to cause such an uproar?

The communicator in hand only transmitted their voice one-way, and I hadn’t heard anything from it since earlier. I could tell that something had happened inside the room, and I needed to confirm what that something was. Or perhaps this was all part of Bartfort’s plan. Whatever his intentions, if I didn’t resolve the situation here and now, the conflict between the Holfort royal family and the Redgrave Duke family could escalate into civil war. Considering the country was already exhausted from the war with the Principality of Fanorse, an internal conflict would be disastrous.

In the worst case, other countries might intervene opportunistically and attack the kingdom, leading to its destruction. I could not rely on the Lepart United Kingdom, my mother’s homeland. The alliance between the Holfort Kingdom and the Lepart United Kingdom was only effective when both countries’ powers were equal, and was intended to deter the Rachel Holy Kingdom. They could even intervene under the pretext of supporting me, whose succession rights had diminished, and install either me or Erica as a puppet ruler.

Now was the only chance to resolve the situation. I had to stop Bartfort, even at the cost of my life. I pushed past the hesitant people of the ducal mansion and stepped forward. Broken pottery shards and plants were scattered across the corridor floor, and the carpet laid down was badly soiled. From the servants’ earlier conversation, it seemed no one had died yet. But what would happen next was uncertain. Even the most skilled superhuman could not avoid fatigue, and if we used force to rescue Duke Vince, the two would surely die. The gunshots and armor outside were probably Jilk and Brad, but if the ducal family deployed their army, they would soon be suppressed. What could Bartfort intend in this short time?

Killing Duke Vince would take too long, and suggesting violence through persuasion would be a poor tactic at best. I knew he was not foolish, but he was also capable of strategies we would never consider. I would confirm his true intentions. If necessary, I would have to stop him even if my hands were stained with blood. Once again, Angelica would resent me. Somehow, it seemed Angelica and I were fated to bring misfortune to each other. I stopped in front of Chris and Greg. Their suspicious gazes reminded me that I was in disguise. I removed the false mustache from my mouth, and the glue pulling at my skin was painful.

I thrust my fingers into the hairline of the wig and tossed it to the floor, and they finally seemed to recognize me. I understood why my father enjoyed disguising himself and going out among the populace, or calling himself the Masked Knight and running across the battlefield. The liberating feeling of becoming someone else was indeed thrilling, and seeing the surprised expression when revealing one’s true identity seemed addictive.

“Step aside. I have business with Duke Vince and Bartfort.”

※ ※ ※ ※ ※

Suddenly, those who had broken the window and stormed into the reception room finished a brief conversation with Leon and split into two groups. Two went toward the door, and two went toward the window. A few dozen seconds later, outside the door, violent sounds and screams echoed through the thick door from inside the reception room. Outside the window, the sound of walking armor ravaging the ducal garden was accompanied by the roar of gunfire. The fact that a battle occurred in the mansion where I had grown up quickened my heartbeat. What I could barely understand was that Leon had devised a strategy different from mine, and had secretly prepared troops and armor in advance for its execution. Leon, who had advanced matters so cunningly, was terrifying.

I wished desperately that this were a dream. Even now, his provocative attitude toward my father and older brother seemed theatrical, but in every other way, Leon was exactly the same as I knew him. The husband who had held me in his arms and slept in the same bed yesterday had been preparing to kill my father and brother behind the scenes. Was his love for me, for our children, false?

Was that weak form, clutching my hand in a nightmare, just an act?

I did not know. I understood nothing. I did not want to understand anything.

※ ※ ※ ※ ※

“Those who came out into the corridor are the son of the Seberg family and the little sword saint of the Arklight family, I see.”

“You can tell?”

“Do not underestimate me. Even through protective gear, it is clear how well-trained they are. The other was perfectly balanced in movement, with a constant center of gravity. I know of no one else trained to that extent besides Count Arklight. If there is a possibility, it must be the son. The one who went outside was Marmoria, an entourage of the prince, but that child is impossible to identify.”

“Your insight is impressive. By the way, the show-off of the Field family is piloting the armor.”

“They have gathered four of the nation’s heroes. If the royal family feared me to such an extent, I cannot say I am displeased.”

My father, shaking his shoulders with amusement, looked pleased, but it was no laughing matter. At present, in the Holfort Kingdom, the strongest forces were almost exclusively the Saintess and the five heroes. No matter how many princes born from concubines roused themselves, they could not rival Prince Julius, and the young ladies, despite their status, were worth less than a shard of Olivia, the Saintess’s, claw. Challenging them was equivalent to courting death, and the only victory was to restrain them politically. To storm the Duke, a feudal noble, with four such opponents was a complete declaration of war against the Holfort royal family, and at the same time, it was the perfect example to other nobles.

“Do you intend to take my and my son’s heads as souvenirs for the royal family? You must understand what would become of this country if you did that.”

“You seem remarkably calm. I heard that when Marquis Frampton of Holfort was sentenced to execution for collusion with the Principality of Fanoss, corruption, and bribery, he cried and wailed.”

“Do not lump him together with Malcolm. All that is on his mind is how to entrap his political enemies and secure his own position to satisfy his desires. He is skilled at political struggle but poor at governance, a fool who confuses means and ends.”

“…Father, do you sincerely mean that you are different from Marquis Frampton?”

“If you see me, who had the resolve to kill my lord for the sake of governance, and him, who betrayed his lord and colluded with enemy nations for greed, as the same, then that is an insult.”

Father twisted his mouth, showing no attempt to hide his irritation. Marquis Frampton, who once rose to the pinnacle of the Holfort nobility, met a death that was too disgraceful and anticlimactic. Those who had any dealings with the Marquis had to either accept death, live in this country under false names and identities, or abandon everything and flee to another nation. What did that man intend to accomplish by expelling the Redgrave Duke family?

The fact that he supported Prince Julius and others until Olivia was appointed Saintess remains a wound for both Olivia herself and the temple.

“To develop the territory, correct the law, and negotiate favorably with other nobles, both funds and power are indispensable. Politics at its core is a contest of strength: wealth, power, knowledge, information, bloodlines. One cannot survive without employing every form of power. Yet power is ultimately only a means. Malcolm misjudged that.”

“However, what you are actually doing is undeniably rebellion against the royal family.”

“I too have loyalty to the royal family and patriotism. That is precisely why I cannot entrust governance to the current royal family, and have raised the banner in opposition. Those who created this situation are none other than the royal family’s misrule, and it is a fact that the territorial nobles agree that if it is not changed, the country will perish before it can be restored. That is something they should seriously reflect upon.”

Father’s voice carried no inflection. He faced this conspiracy fully aware of the consequences. Even if he, the head of the ducal faction, were to be killed, it would not resolve the distrust toward the royal family. Rather, it would likely spread like wildfire among the feudal nobles, whose forces would run rampant without leadership. The Redgrave Duke family, head of the feudal nobles and a branch of the royal family, could stop this conflict—no one else could.

“For example, how about something like this?”

Leon slowly readjusted in his chair, the muzzle of his gun still pointed at Father. Even with a small handgun, maintaining such a posture for a long time had its limits. I had hoped at least to bring the discussion to a calm negotiation without drawing the gun.

“Signs of rebellion have appeared in Prince Vince Rapha Redgrave, Duke of Redgrave, and his son Gilbert Rapha Redgrave. As the son-in-law, Leon Fou Bartfalt confirmed the truth, and upon discovering it, I reluctantly arrest my father-in-law and older brother. Or, here and now, I defeat the two and submit the evidence.”

Leon produced a small metal box from his pocket. It had multiple button-like protrusions on its surface, and he slowly pressed one of them.

‘…The she-fox excels in cunning, deceived by beauty, but her gut is blackened, not something to behold.’

‘When it perishes… if it does not perish, it will only be exposed shamefully, do you not understand? The kingdom has reached the end of its life.’

‘First… we must forbid the current Holfort royal family from intervening in governance… then we will recognize the new king we support, and promptly confine him…’

The voice coming intermittently from the small box was Father’s. It seemed to be a type of recording device. The content of the speech was exactly what Father had spoken himself, and any noble familiar with him would not mishear. It suggested the insult of the queen by the head duke, rebellion against the royal family, and the punitive measures toward the royal family. If submitted to the royal family, it would not be surprising if the Redgrave family were seen as treacherous.

Even if Father and older brother were defeated by Leon here, they could testify, “We were asked to participate in the plan but refused, and were about to be imprisoned, so we had no choice but to fight back,” which the royal faction could swallow with some difficulty. There were also moderates in the ducal faction who did not desire domestic unrest and who supported reform only. If this evidence were presented, some would inevitably change their stance.

“A recording device of a lost item?”

“This is only the second time we’ve used it, but surprisingly, it’s intelligible.”

“Submitting this as evidence, intending to betray us to the royal family for promotion. How despicable.”

“I doubt how credible a suspicious lost item can be as evidence.”

“That’s fine. Our conversation had been completely exposed to them. This will prove the evidence is correct.”

“I see. So we were thoroughly caught in the son-in-law’s trap from the start.”

Leon probably never trusted Father and the others from the beginning. Because he did not trust them, he devised multiple plans and gathered tools for today’s negotiation. I was the one who thought that appealing to familial affection and interest would convince him. The realization that Leon did not trust me tightened my chest painfully. Had I secretly looked down on my husband as immature?

Was that why he had no choice but to take such measures without my help?

Biting my lips, I tried desperately to hold back the tears welling up from frustration and indignation.

“To quell the civil unrest, it is necessary to punish the Duke and his heir, but to restrain the ducal faction, the head of the Redgrave family is required. In that case, the solution is simple. Angie, you should become the new head of the Redgrave Duke family.”

“!?”

“!?”

“Ha!?”

Our three voices overlapped, and Leon watched our shock with some amusement. Me, becoming the head of the Redgrave Duke family?

Impossible, I wanted to say, but my thoughts were interrupted, and I could not get the words out. Leon’s proposal was not necessarily an empty fantasy. The current Holfort Kingdom is clearly lacking in the number of noblemen. A few years ago, a war with the Duchy of Fanoss occurred, and many nobles were killed in battle. Nobles who had secretly communicated with the duchy were mercilessly eradicated. Conversely, knights and commoners who achieved merit were ennobled and treated as new aristocrats, and just when it seemed the kingdom had recovered its strength, the duchy invaded again. Facing this situation, the royal family granted temporary succession rights to widowed noblewomen or daughters raised as young ladies. Of course, several examinations were necessary, and there were many problems, but among the families spared from eradication, the reputation was good.

It was probably also influenced by the rise in women’s social status due to the protection of the country by Saint Olivia’s activities. In the current Holfort Kingdom, the head of a noble family or heir is not limited to men.

“I cannot become the head of the Redgrave Duchy, but for Angie, that’s a different matter. She is the current head’s daughter and the younger sister of the heir. I think she meets the conditions for succession. And even if Angie cannot, how about a son born between her and me?”

“You… that is your objective…”

“The queen and Angie are close. If it’s seen that we quelled the rebellion beforehand, it would be convenient for the royal family to show leniency and allow the family to continue. If the lives of the two can avert a national crisis, they would gladly accept conditions favorable to us.”

“You’ve really done it, Bartfort.”

The two glared at Leon with murderous expressions. However, he shrugged his shoulders and brushed it off. It must be humiliating for his older brother, who was raised as the heir of the duchy. The brother, who had cherished his younger sister and young nephew, would have his position taken from him and be judged as a traitor. Furthermore, the brother already has children, who are now likely being raised in the duchy. If Leon’s plan succeeds, the nephew would either be sent to the temple and forced to remain unmarried for life, or placed under confinement with some noble family.

Leon’s cunning, which exceeds the scope of my predictions, is terrifying. This is clearly a political scheme. It is inevitable that I feel Leon is trying to take over the Redgrave Duchy, using me, his wife, as a starting point. Has he acquired ruthlessness to protect me and our children, or is this the true nature of Leon Fou Bartfort?

If Leah Bartfort thought like Leon, it would be clear why the founders of the country exiled Leah. A leader with excellent physical abilities, cunning intelligence, and the ability to ruthlessly cut down even family members. That is certainly the kind of aptitude suitable for governing in an era of turmoil. Fear of such a person also turns into a sense of reliability. Feeling both fear and a certain fondness for Leon, who has acquired cunning, is probably due to my love for him, allowing me to accept these changes.

Or perhaps I feel this transformation is reassuring—I cannot discern which. In any case, Leon, if it is to protect the family, will not hesitate to turn the Redgrave Duchy into an enemy. Whether to place me and the children as heads to take over, or to report to the Holfort royal family and destroy them, Leon could accomplish either.

“But I don’t want to destroy the Redgrave family. I don’t want to trap my father-in-law or brother-in-law and take over the house. And I would be extremely hurt if Angie hated me. So if they reconcile with the royal family, I’ll destroy the evidence.”

“...Are you serious? What you hold is critical information that could determine the future of this country. Depending on how it is used, it could destroy not just a family, but a nation or even a dynasty.”

“All the more reason I don’t need it. Besides, I’m crying like a viscount in front of a duke’s family, I’m not going to try to control a ducal family as I wish. Well, if Angie wants to become the female head of the Redgrave family, I don’t mind, though.”

“Do not leave such an important decision to me!!”

“Because Angie wouldn’t want her family executed either, right?”

“Then why did it have to come to this, cornering father and brother so much!?”

“Because I thought it was necessary.”

After plotting all this, he leaves the final decision to me!?

What kind of lack of initiative is this!?

Why do you have such high abilities but show not even a fraction of ambition!?

No, I can’t understand Leon’s thoughts. He must be satisfied with the current life. He probably involves himself in political struggles he doesn’t want to, just to ensure our family’s safety by thoroughly crushing anyone who resists. For now, I’ll think that way. I’ve decided to think that way. Otherwise, I cannot comprehend the bizarre, extreme thought process of my husband. As for father and older brother, there should be no further benefit. If Leon truly wanted to resolve the situation, taking their lives would be the fastest and most certain method. That he deliberately does not do so can only mean he truly seeks reconciliation between the Holfort royal family and the Redgrave Duchy.

“…Hypothetically, let us suppose we agree to your wish for reconciliation. Can you guarantee our safety before that is done?”

“…Father.”

“I see, your strategy is remarkable. From the royal family’s perspective, it is better to have the duchy succeed through the queen and Angie, rather than the rebellious me, so that governance can proceed according to their will.”

“Indeed.”

“It is a common story in history for agreements to be broken after peace, with ambushes carried out. After the royal family breaks the promise and punishes us, do you think the Redgrave Duchy could survive?”

“…”

“Your previous strategy of using the former Duchy of Fanoss to attack the Redgrave Duchy was brilliant. There’s no guarantee the royal family would not carry out a similar plan after reconciliation.”

So, that is why reconciliation cannot be agreed upon?

No, father’s doubts are valid. Agreeing without a definite guarantee and being forced into unfavorable terms is a common tale. Ironically, Leon’s devised strategy could be executed by the Holfort royal family even without him. No matter how talented Leon is, he is a frontier noble of a new family and has little influence over national politics. Even if agreements are broken, the royal family would hardly feel it. Something decisive is required.

BOOOOM!!

Suddenly, the reception room door slammed violently. The person who brought about the decisive point in the conflict between the Holfort royal family and the Redgrave Duchy entered, having shed disheveled clothing.

┳⁠━━━━⁠━⁠⁠━⁠━⁠━━━⁠┳⁠

Authors Note

┻━⁠━━━━⁠━━⁠━━━⁠┻

The Villainous knight Leon Fou Bartfort, scheming to take over his wife’s family. This is a common villain action in adult-oriented broken engagement / villainous young lady stories. (Sweat) Well, it’s necessary to protect the family, so please forgive him.

Leon’s father-in-law and brother-in-law fluctuate in their evaluation, and his relationship with the Redgrave Duchy also changes slightly.

Postscript: At the request of the client, illustrations were provided by Ojinn-sama, Ann-sama, and Rabbit-ear Thick Soup-sama. Thank you very much. This week is the swimsuit festival.

Ojinn-sama: Pixiv

Ann-sama: Pixiv

Rabbit-ear Thick Soup-sama: Pixiv

I would appreciate your opinions and impressions, as it would be an encouragement for future works.