I Became the Narrow-Eyed Villain in a Dropped Novel

Chapter 133:

The door to the First Duke's office was usually not locked.

It meant that he was not ashamed of anyone entering, and it was a tradition of the Geller family to say, "come in if you dare."

But that office was firmly shut today.

Johann let out a long sigh, blaming himself for tarnishing that tradition.

"What's the use of sighing so deeply just because things didn't go well. At times like this, you have to be brazen."

"Thank you for the advice."

Saying something he didn't mean, Johann watched the raven hopping and prancing on his desk.

He had heard that Leitche was skilled at handling animals, but it was only today that he learned they could even transmit voices.

"If you're so bothered by locking the door, just throw it open! Who's going to say anything? You're the First Duke."

"Stop with the nonsense and get to the point, Duke."

"Alright, alright. If our dear Duke wishes. You must have sought me out because things didn't go well in the Imperial Capital, right?"

The raven cried out with a grating, metallic sound.

Or maybe it was laughing.

"They said they'll make a decision after investigating the Dukes, borrowing Giuseppe's mouth."

"His esteemed Majesty the Emperor? Or that Count?"

"Count Valheit didn't bring it up himself, but they probably coordinated behind the scenes."

"Then why did that detestable bastard come?"

"To threaten, of course."

The Fifth Duke had become completely dispirited after Valheit mentioned the slave trade and clung to the Emperor's side, and the other Dukes with skeletons in their closets also began to hesitate, contrary to their promise.

Even if the half-baked Emperor were to conduct an all-out investigation, they were confident they could get away, but it was a completely different story if Valheit was pointing a sword at them.

"So you're saying you came to me because your so-called diplomatic solution fizzled out. It would have been better if you had cooperated from the start."

The taunting voice made him frown instinctively, but he did not object.

"It's not something I could just believe without confirmation."

"My, am I that untrustworthy? Huh?"

"You're just barely better than Count Valheit."

He clicked his tongue as he watched the raven droop its head as if dejected.

The sight of them, who had gotten along so well during the last war, no, until just a little while ago, now vowing to kill each other was deeply suspicious.

Normally, no matter how urgent it was, he wouldn't have borrowed the hand of a foreign country, especially not the Duke of Leitche.

It would be better to join hands with the Vestol tradesmen than with a Duke who only chases after rotting corpses.

"So, did you check what I said? You must have checked, that's why you called me."

"The world is ending, what a preposterous story."

"If it were truly preposterous nonsense, you wouldn't be scowling and mixing words with me."

"......"

He didn't want to admit it, but he was right.

He didn't know about the world ending, but something unusual was happening.

"The unknown island to the east of the White Continent, was it. It certainly is suspicious."

"Good. Now we're talking. Shall we have a proper conversation then."

Caw!

The frivolous cry of the raven filled the office.

***

[EPISODE 16.]

I looked at the status window that appeared before my eyes and mulled over the number.

16 episodes until Valheit dies.

The story was completely twisted, but the episode number of his death was still 150.

After beating up the ravens in Ruhindorf, the limit was released and the death probability, which had been stuck at 30%, went down to 10%, but then it stopped there again.

'Is this a problem that can only be solved by beating up the Duke as well....'

10% wasn't high, but it wasn't low either.

Isn't probability something that can happen even if there are 4 or 5 zeros after the decimal point?

'If the probability hits, do I die no matter what I do?'

At least, that's what it seemed to say.

It was utterly unpleasant to have to entrust my life to a game of chance.

It would be nice if there was a more certain way to avoid it....

[EPISODE 15.]

...What was Episode 16 until a moment ago became Episode 15.

No, what on earth happened in that time for an entire episode to pass.

The protagonist of this death counter, strictly speaking, is Noah, not me.

I had already confirmed countless times that the episode number changes according to Noah's actions.

Does that mean Noah has started something important?

As if answering my question, dazzling letters were written on the status window.

[Last Spurt!]

15 episodes left until death!

Try to reduce the probability of dying as much as possible!

Are they kidding me?

They could at least tell me how.

What am I supposed to do if they just tell me to reduce it without any specifics.

[Last Spurt!]

A last-minute benefit for you who is grumbling! We will provide you with detailed information!

Days remaining until the next episode : 29 days

Episode 15 Keyword : Three Blades

Resolution Reward :　Skill Enhancement Upgrade

More benefits as the episode number decreases!

A whole month until the next episode.

That was good news, as at least I wouldn't have to be on edge every single day.

The keyword... I already knew about it the moment I became enemies with the First Duke. ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by novel fire.net

I didn't know what the enhancement upgrade for the resolution reward was.

All in all, it wasn't bad, but it wasn't a groundbreaking benefit either.

'Is there a reason they specifically pointed out the Three Blades.'

Originally, I was planning to see how Johann or the Duke would move and then respond, but now that the keyword was out, it was worth considering moving first.

"Count-nim!"

"I was just about to go looking for you, you've come right on time, Mr. Ede."

"Really? That's strange... no, no. We're in big trouble!"

"Is it perhaps related to the Three Blades?"

"How did you know?"

Hmm... so that's why the keyword is Three Blades.

At least I've confirmed that it doesn't spit out meaningless information.

"What is it that has you in such a hurry?"

"The Eight Council's bases in the First Duke's fief were attacked simultaneously! The smuggling routes and makeshift ports, as well as the safe houses."

Hearing that they were attacked simultaneously, the Duke's greasy face came to mind.

Damned bastard.

"To what extent was the damage."

"Most of the places that could be called bases were blown away? At least the Borgia Liquor Guild's warehouse survived because it's legal."

"That's not such serious damage, is it?"

Of course, with the bases blown away in one fell swoop, it was a loss, but since it hadn't been long since we started working in Johann's fief, they were all just makeshift.

As long as the most important Borgia Liquor Guild, Cesare's business line, remained, it was a level of damage that could be restored quickly.

"If it had ended there, I wouldn't have come to you like this."

"Are they making a declaration of war?"

"Yes!"

I paused for a moment and watched Ede nod his head vigorously.

It didn't seem like an exaggerated metaphor.

"To whom are they declaring war?"

"To you, Count-nim."

"On what grounds?"

"That you are involved in illegal activities within the fief, so you are to come and be investigated, and if you do not comply, they will use forceful means to bring you in...."

So that was the reason they attacked the bases that had nothing special.

It must be a ploy to implicate me one way or another.

"Has a formal summons arrived?"

"No. That... a kind person from the Three Blades told me."

"A kind person. I have absolutely no idea who that could be."

"Right?"

"Is it Hugo?"

Ede blinked, and the corners of his mouth stiffened.

As expected.

He did say he had a connection from his Chartra days.

"Please just don't say later that I told you...."

"Of course. I will pretend I know nothing at all."

"Since the cat's out of the bag, I'll tell you a bit more."

Ede, who quickly became lively as if he had laid a steel plate on his face, lowered his voice.

"I heard that Miss Semia will be coming in person."

"Semia... ah, you mean one of the three heads of the Three Blades."

I searched my mind for a long time before I finally remembered.

In the novel and here, Victor had the biggest role, but the other two were at least mentioned by name.

Semia was the head of Silver Dagger, in charge of administration and events, and unlike Victor who looked like the man next door, she was a very well-dressed young lady... no, wait.

"She's coming."

"Yes!"

"Where?"

"Here."

Ede vigorously pointed at the ground.

That Duke bastard, no matter how much we're on bad terms, what does he want me to do if he goes around telling every little detail.

"When is she coming?"

"It just said as soon as possible."

Knock knock

As if on cue, the door opened cautiously and a gruff-looking butler stuck his face in.

"An unexpected guest has arrived, Count Valheit."

"Let me guess. It must be Miss Semia of the Three Blades."

"That is correct. Shall I show her to the reception room?"

I had no choice but to nod.

I tried my best to recall the character settings buried in the corners of my mind.

Semia, what kind of person was she?

***

A woman with long black hair and a cold impression scanned me from head to toe.

It was rare to see someone who came as Count Valheit's guest holding their head so high.

"It is an honor that you have come all this way to this remote place."

"Is it as good as the Count's eye for building a villa in such a remote place with nothing but a lake."

Semia retorted without missing a beat.

I finally remembered this chilly woman's nickname.

It was Semia who spits venom.

Was her personal philosophy that one must be dignified and noble to be in charge of the First Duke's events?

There was a reason her name remained in my memory even though she was a character who passed by briefly.

After Valheit's death, I remembered a scene where she poured all sorts of criticism on the panicking Dukes, who had lost both their Emperor and the Count, telling them to get a grip.

It was a scene where the Dukes' Council meeting turned into a mess because she didn't just get them to pull themselves together, but completely shattered their mental state.

"What are you thinking about so deeply?"

"Thinking deeply? I'm not thinking about anything at all."

"...It would be proper for me to state the reason for my visit."

Semia took out a letter from her bosom and handed it to me.

On the letter, the word 'Summons' was written in a business-like, almost bleak, handwriting.

"You didn't have to go to the trouble yourself, you could have just sent it by letter."

"I feel at ease only when I see it put directly into the snake's mouth. I also had to prevent you from trying to squirm your way out of it."

"How very thoughtful of you."

I roughly tore open the letter and scanned its contents.

As expected, the content was business-like.

It was advising me to come to the capital of the Geller fief within two days to participate in a trial.

"You've used your head a bit. The judicial processing of matters that occur within a fief is still the right of a Duke."

Matters that occurred on a Duke's land were still handled by the Duke.

It was a powerful authority, but there was a minor problem.

There was no compulsory power to forcibly drag someone who was outside the fief.

"You are well aware that I can refuse, right."

"It is the Count's right, so I will not stop you from exercising it, but it would not be a very wise choice."

"May I hear the reason?"

"Because the next time, it won't end with just a summons."

It was no different from a threat to drag me away by force.

I chuckled and shook my head.

"You all?"

Shing!

With a sharp noise, a small cut appeared on Semia's cheek.

Wiping away the blood droplets that were forming, she glared at me.

"For Count Valheit, that's a rather blatant way of expressing yourself."

"If you've come into a snake's den, you should be prepared to be bitten."

Crash!

The glass window that looked out onto the serene lakeside shattered and fell with a clatter.

I brushed off the glass shards that had fallen on my clothes and looked at Semia, who stood tall.

"I thought I would be able to communicate with Miss Semia."

"I find it hard to agree."

"Hah... and this was an expensive reception room."

Grumbling, I nudged the shattered window frame with my staff.

"If you're going to fight, let's go out...."

Another explosion went off, and dust and dirt soared high into the sky.

Spitting out the dirt that had entered my mouth, I sneered with all my might.

"Did I perhaps do something to earn a personal grudge?"

"I didn't come here to play games."

"If that's the case."

I corrected my posture and secretly brought up the status window.

Since it has come to this, shall I test out a new skill?