Chapter 126
"Therefore, please grant me permission to eliminate Jakan."
"...Priest Claudia, why is Liberta smiling while clearly furious? I’d like an explanation for that first."
---
Unexpectedly, securing an appointment with His Grace the Duke took quite some time.
Well, if I think about it calmly, it’s already strange for a commoner like me to be allowed into the ducal mansion’s reception room and meet the head of the household face-to-face. But let’s set that aside for now.
Since there was about a week’s gap, I used it as preparation time to distract myself.
New equipment, restocking consumables, securing the missing rank-up orbs needed for the next step. And while handling all that, I finished drafting the Jakan elimination plan before bed and brought it with me when I met His Grace.
I admit I may have gone overboard—smiling while saying something so violent probably startled him. I *am* calm, but I’m also fully aware I’m not exactly sane right now. So the Duke’s decision to ask Claudia for context isn’t wrong.
"Actually..."
Before I could open my mouth and let something dangerous slip out, Claudia, with a troubled expression, explained to the Duke why I was wearing such a disturbingly cheerful smile.
---
"Very well, let me see what you have there. If it’s realistically feasible, I’ll mobilize every dark resource at my disposal to make it happen." "...Your Grace."
The Duke, his doting father side in full display, reached out with both hands to take the elimination plan I offered—only to be quietly stopped by Lotus.
"Why are you stopping me, Lotus?! Liberta has come here with a meticulously crafted plan to protect Iris from that little bastard! If not now, then when?!"
The Duke glared at Lotus, clearly not acting as a noble but as a father who loved his daughter. Realizing this, Lotus silently shook his head.
"Indeed, I was also present at that scene and thought he needed to relearn basic manners... but please consider this calmly, Your Grace." "Consider what?" "You are the head of the ducal family. As someone connected to the royal bloodline, you cannot afford to bear the stigma of being a hero-killer."
Extremely reasonable and logical—Lotus was trying to restrain his master.
*This* is what an ideal master-servant relationship looks like.
If the master is about to stray down the wrong path, it’s the servant’s duty to stop them.
Lotus, you are a model retainer.
"If anyone’s hands must be dirtied, it’s better if Your Grace remains unaware. I will handle that little bastard myself." "Lotus...?"
Wait, this man is also *furious*.
Not just angry—he’s *seething*, all while keeping a perfectly straight face.
For someone usually gentle and courteous to everyone to be *this* enraged... just what did Jakan do?
Well, having seen his attitude in the original game, I can somewhat guess. The guy and nobility mix about as well as oil and water—no, even worse.
Manners? What’s that, something tasty? That’s his mentality.
"Use a fork to eat meat? Too bothersome, just grab it with your hands." "Engagement? What’s that? Every beautiful woman in the world belongs to me."
Those were actual lines Jakan spat at players during the game.
It’s no wonder he consistently fought for the top spot in the *worst character* popularity polls.
And now that bastard tried to pluck the ducal family’s flower and take her for himself.
Yeah, this isn’t just *rubbing someone the wrong way*—it’s a full-on *tiger kick* to their pride.
No wonder they’re all practically foaming at the mouth.
---
"Sigh... All three of you, calm down. Liberta, put that away for now. If this continues, we’ll end up discussing an actual assassination plot." "So it’s a no?" "Is it really a no?" "Truly not allowed?" "*No!* If ducal families start warring, it’s the people who will suffer! Don’t forget that!" "...Hmph. I suppose the time isn’t right yet."
I had hoped to submit the Jakan elimination plan while their rage was still fresh, but it seems that’s been thwarted.
Reluctantly, the Duke released my masterpiece of a document, while Lotus averted his gaze with resignation.
---
"Now that we’ve calmed down, let’s assess the situation. As mentioned in our letter, the reason for our visit is as stated. Since Liberta is currently lacking composure, I will handle most of the questioning. Is that acceptable?" "...Very well."
Realizing that all three men present were emotionally compromised, Claudia took charge of the discussion.
---
"First, I’d like to confirm details about the so-called 'hero' discovered by Duke Boltringe. Duke Edelgard, your letter mentioned you’ve also met this person. What kind of individual is he?" "A little *shit*—that sums it up. He believes the world revolves around him, that he stands above all humanity. Every word out of his mouth is insolent, and he looks down on everything that exists."
The Duke’s face twisted with barely restrained fury—proof of just how *strong* an impression Jakan left.
I can practically *see* the scene in my mind.
Jakan is essentially a physically overpowered version of a tyrant who rules through fear.
No intellect for creation, no concept of governance—just *taking* whatever he wants.
"It’s a miracle he hasn’t been executed yet." "He has sycophants. Duke Boltringe flattered him, kept him just *barely* in check. They’re trying to leash him as a 'hero' under divine decree, turning a blind eye to his behavior while splitting the profits. Even the ever-composed King looked *pissed*."
From the sound of it, Jakan hasn’t changed at all from the game—just younger, but just as insufferable.
"...Wouldn’t ignoring this damage the royal family’s authority?" "It’s no different from now. Few nobles, myself included, truly respect the King. And there are always those skilled at backroom deals—officials whispering to the King to 'be magnanimous' and 'think of the future.' They all insisted, *'He’s just a child, let him grow.'*" "If they think he’ll grow into some paragon of virtue, they’re beyond delusional. That guy is *nothing* like that."
The sheer *naivety* of the nobles left me more exasperated than angry.
They don’t get it. Thinking they can *control* him is their first mistake.
Rubbing my temples, I muttered something under my breath—drawing everyone’s attention.
"Now that you mention it, you’ve been warning us about him for a while. Liberta, have you met him before?" "...You could say that. I have some... *bitter* memories I’d rather forget."
Admitting that basically confirms I’ve encountered him.
Though in my case, it was only in the game—where he made my life *hell*.
Honestly, if I met him in person, I’m not sure I could stop myself from punching him.
My expression must have mirrored the Duke’s disgust, because he pressed further.
"Tell me. What happened?"
Look, I’ll be honest—in FBO, I don’t *hate* most named characters. There are even villains I respect.
But Jakan? I *despise* him.
And the Duke wanted to know why.
Hesitating for a moment, I settled on a half-truth.
"He attacked me, and I lost. Pathetically." "*WHAT?!*"
I glossed over the details, but the memory was vivid.
It was during character creation—an unlucky encounter while I was still underleveled and undergeared.
He *toyed* with me, treating it as a pastime. I fought desperately to avoid death penalties, but against a disaster-tier named NPC, my unfinished character stood no chance.
He stripped me of my drops, gear, and money—then inflicted a death penalty anyway.
And he did it *three days in a row*.
I was *furious*. I geared up a maxed-out character and went hunting for him.
But of course, when I *wanted* to find him, he was nowhere to be seen.
The whole thing was just a game, but to me, it was a humiliating defeat.
Seeing the adults’ grave expressions, I realized they’d misunderstood—but it was too late to correct them.
"...I see."
And with that single phrase from the Duke, the topic was dropped.
I *do* have a grudge against Jakan, but personally, I’d rather not get involved.
That’s *why* I made the elimination plan—so *they* could handle it.
---
"Liberta. I agree that he’s dangerous. So, what kind of trouble do you foresee?" "If he’s let loose in the city? Endless problems. Dine-and-dash, violence, robbery—to him, *everything* in the capital belongs to him. The only exception is the temple. Even an idiot like him knows not to defy the gods. He understands divine punishment isn’t something you walk away from." "Then we should increase patrols." "Your Grace, we should also bolster mansion security." "Right, that too."
Whether that actually happens depends on the Duke’s discretion.
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"Did something happen? Last time, we met immediately, but this time, it took a while. Has there been a change?" "There has. To be precise, it’s a consequence of moving my daughter away from the royal castle."
Lotus’s words reminded me, and the Duke’s bitter expression made Claudia frown.
"What do you mean?" "Hmph. You’ve heard from Esmeralda, no? That *heroic* little *shit* has taken a liking to my daughter. Even with Duke Boltringe’s backing, a *commoner* can’t just engage a ducal heiress. But that brat has *no* patience. We don’t know when he might storm the mansion." "Given Liberta’s demeanor, it’s hard to dismiss that possibility." "I agree. That’s why I’ve increased guards around the mansion—though it’s slightly delayed our dungeon expeditions."
Claudia sighed deeply, realizing just how dire Iris’s situation was.
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"That bastard can hype him up as a 'hero' all he wants, but in reality, he’s just a powerful commoner. They’re trying to build his reputation by having him clear dungeons—and *that’s* what’s holding me back."
The Duke’s words dripped with frustration.
Meanwhile, internally, I was groaning. *Ugh, here we go.*
FBO’s noble society—or rather, the *privileged class*—was like this.
East, west, north, south—no matter where you looked, they were all scheming against each other.
Outwardly, they’d smile and pretend to cooperate, while secretly stomping on each other’s toes.
This time, Iris got caught in the crossfire—some nobles even thought, *"If she’s with the 'hero,' isn’t that a fan’s dream come true?"*
The Duke had been working tirelessly to crush that notion.
"And the King’s stance?" "He said it’s 'too soon'—that now is the time for training, not recklessness. But if that brat *listened* to reason, the King wouldn’t be struggling. Behind the scenes, he’s probably preparing to storm a dungeon. He showed *zero* interest before, but now that he has pawns, he’s boasting he can do anything."
The southern continent’s King was an underwhelming figure even in the game.
No way he could rein in Jakan and Duke Boltringe.
"...Then the best course is to accelerate our plans and clear the dungeon first."
If so, our options are limited.
Speedrun the dungeon and shut them up.
That’s all we *can* do.
"If only it were that simple. Weapons are the issue. Slaying two hundred dragonkin takes *time*." "Let’s hope that delay doesn’t become fatal." "Priest Claudia, don’t tease me. I *know*. I’ll expedite preparations as much as possible."
Well, then. Guess I have no choice.
"I’ll handle the dragon-slaying weapons." "Liberta?" "Lotus, the Flare Demon Greatbow is ready, right?"
It’s been a while since I used a bow, but...
"It is, but... will *you* be using it? Do you have bow skills?" "Nope. But against wyverns? If I have the right weapon, I can manage."
With proper gear, player skill can compensate.
"If I have the weapon, I’ll make it work."