Chapter 157
After being escorted directly to the Duke's estate, we were greeted by His Grace wearing an oddly intense smile.
He was clearly trying not to frighten Nell and Amina by maintaining that expression, but it only made them more nervous instead.
I could see his cheek twitch slightly, as if wounded by this realization.
"Father, that expression of yours won't make them feel welcome," interjected Lady Esmeralda beside him with mild exasperation. As the tension eased slightly, she clapped her hands together.
"Would you all care to join me for tea? Our chefs prepared my favorite apple pie today."
She'd begun luring the girls with sweets. At the mention of apple pie, I saw Nell and Amina's eyes light up with interest.
When they glanced my way for guidance, I exchanged a look with Ingrid before nodding to them. Lady Esmeralda wouldn't let any harm come to them—and having Ingrid stay nearby would be extra insurance.
As the two timidly nodded, Lady Esmeralda brightened instantly.
"Then let's proceed! Liberta, do join us after your discussion with Father. Iris mentioned wanting to speak with you.""Understood.""That's a promise. I'll have Lotus prepare everything."
I wondered why they were so eager to talk with us, but simply nodded. Refusing outright before the Duke would be terribly rude, though agreeing was admittedly intimidating.
"Certainly."
The fact she mentioned Lotus specifically made me suspect there was something particular they wanted to discuss. Perhaps Iris wanted to properly talk since we hadn't had the chance since that carriage conversation?
"Liberta.""Yes?""My apologies, but we must address our business first.""Understood."
Any answers would have to wait until after the Duke's discussion.
While the women enjoyed their cheerful tea party, our meeting was deadly serious.
I was led to the now-familiar Duke's study and sank into the usual obscenely expensive sofa as we began.
"Now then, I'll cut straight to it—would you prefer the good news or bad news first?"
No noble-style small talk graced our conversation. Facing the Duke's serious expression, I took a moment to consider which to hear first.
"...Let's start with the bad news.""Very well."
I disliked leaving unpleasant matters for later, so I deliberately chose to hear the worst first.
"The King's spies are investigating you.""Not Duke Boltrinde?""He's currently busy damage control. His standing with the Adventurer's Guild deteriorated severely after that incident in the capital."
I'd assumed Duke Boltrinde was making moves, so the revelation that the royal family was involved came as a surprise. Seeing my shocked expression, the Duke gave a wry smile.
"Even you can miscalculate, it seems.""I'm no prophet. Can't read stars or palms either.""So there are limits to your capabilities. That knowledge alone is valuable.""Frankly, I'm more concerned about what impression I've made on Your Grace."
I felt some relief at having misjudged the reason for this summons. Even with future knowledge, one couldn't always rely on predictions.
While Duke Boltrinde remained my primary concern, I'd vaguely considered the royal family might interfere.
"You're... an incongruous existence. Potentially poisonous or medicinal, yet somehow neither. Not harmless, yet not impactful either.""...Are you calling me creepy?""One could say that, yet you inspire no fear. So no, that's not quite accurate."
The Duke's impression of me was unexpected. While I hadn't thought it negative, I never imagined he saw me as such an oddity.
Predictions were just that—never absolute.
"So the royal family took interest in such a strange existence?""Apparently so. I expected some move, but employing the Shadows was unforeseen."
Royal attention—precisely what I least wanted. That king taking interest was the worst possible scenario.
"From Your Grace's perspective, what might His Majesty want from me?""......Likely help with Duke Boltrinde's 'homework assignment.'""Homework?"
Royal quests had a terrible reputation—troublesome content, meager rewards, and often chained together in exhausting sequences.
Knowing this, and now combined with Duke Boltrinde's involvement, I couldn't help making a face like I'd bitten something bitter.
"You're aware of the eastern granary region?""Yes, the kingdom's primary breadbasket.""Duke Boltrinde reported 'disturbing signs' appearing there to the King.""...How peculiar."
Yet I had to hear this through. Not something the Duke would summon me for lightly.
The topic felt familiar—likely the prelude to the Autumn "General Locust" event.
The Duke's greater concern was the source: Duke Boltrinde, whose lands lay north.
"Wouldn't such reports normally come from Duke Marchias of the east?""Normally, without question. Yet inexplicably, Boltrinde delivered this warning."
The Duke stopped folding his arms and instead tapped the desk.
"And Duke Marchias?""Insists no such signs exist.""? That region borders royal lands, yes? Surely they'd have patrols stationed?"
What was happening? Some strange dealings between eastern and northern dukes?
"They must. The region's our kingdom's breadbasket—neglecting it would be unthinkable.""Exactly. Which makes their claims of noticing nothing even stranger."
What was their game? No related quests existed.
Duke Boltrinde's attempt to enshrine Jakaaran as a hero was already off-script, as was the emergence of heroes across all continents.
Had we diverged completely from the original storyline?
"Wait—why does this involve investigating me? Normally the royal army would handle such matters. How am I involved?"
I caught myself—we'd strayed far from the original "bad news" about royal interest.
"The advance team discovered a Hopping Soldier dungeon there. One nearing Stampede with dangerously little time remaining. Now then—""Yes?""Thanks to your knowledge, we minimized damage during the last Stampede.""Right.""Precisely.""...Don't tell me—""Indeed. They've learned you were the source of my strategies.""Oh for—"
The Duke averted his eyes apologetically as he delivered the true bad news.
Logically, many soldiers had been stationed along the walls that day. Countless witnesses could place me there.
If the King investigated thoroughly, such information would surface quickly.
Previously, I'd flown completely under the radar with the Duke covering for me, but the recent Wind Dragon dungeon incident had put me squarely in their sights.
I could only cover my eyes and sigh.
"So they're investigating me... to formally request my assistance?""Exactly. A royal command would be impossible for even me to refuse. Moreover, this threatens national stability. Denying it would strain relations with the crown and invite interference from other ducal houses."
This was why I hated nobility. I just wanted to grow stronger at my own pace, yet they demanded I sacrifice my time "for kingdom and country."
"...Truly bad news indeed.""My apologies.""It's fine. I know you've done all you can."
Blaming the Duke served no purpose.
This time, I'd reaped what I'd sown. My own actions had brought this upon us.
"And forcibly bringing Nell and Amina today...?""Ah. The King's agents might have approached them.""Under royal orders, they couldn't refuse, could they?"
This abrupt summons bought time to strategize against the royal request.
"My men are guarding your residence—rest assured.""That's some comfort. The real issue is handling that dungeon Stampede, yes? I'll manage if ordered, but..."
Complying obediently would mark me as pliable—inviting future impositions.
I'd known the King was no paragon of virtue, yet having these murky political realities thrust upon me lowered my opinion further.
"You can manage it?""Yes, but—""But?""Frankly, current conditions make success unlikely. We'd planned to infiltrate that battle, but the timeline's moved up. Our preparations aren't complete."
I'd need to grind levels and secure new jobs first. Being ordered to act now would be disastrous.
"Are you saying victory's impossible currently?""At minimum, we'd lose Nell or Ingrid. Potentially suffer total annihilation.""...So my decision here carries grave weight.""Indeed. If you authorize immediate action—""Stop. I understand. I'd never order anyone to die for honor's sake."
Victory might be possible, but at unacceptable cost.
I'd refuse outright if ordered to pay that price.
A glance at Claudia showed her sharp gaze fixed on the Duke, who shook his head at our silent exchange.
"What do you require?""Time, personnel for an event, and a blacksmith."
At least he recognized this as an unreasonable demand.
"Time we can buy by entering the dungeon for culling operations. We'd need to reach at least the middle layers.""...I'll arrange it."
He seemed receptive to our needs.
"An event? Some festival?""Similar. Amina needs to perform at a shrine to acquire her Songstress job. We'll need considerable manpower to gather the required audience.""How much?""Five hundred, ideally.""Do you understand the meaning of 'slight'?""It's only 5% of the ten thousand we originally planned!""'Slight'?! Ten thousand?! Planning a rebellion?!""Merely an event where people listen to songs!"
Even I recognized ten thousand was excessive—a modest concert hall's capacity. The Duke naturally balked.
"Without this, we cannot guarantee victory against General Locust."
But I wouldn't back down. Amina becoming a Songstress was crucial for our party's future strength.
"Grr... I'll request merchant guild support to gather laborers..."
He seemed desperately calculating how to prevent famine-scale disaster.
"Ah, most attendees will likely be spirits, so requesting church assistance would be wise.""What did you say?""Not just lesser spirits—greater ones may come too.""...Liberta.""Yes?"
Withholding information served no purpose. They needed full transparency about expected attendees.
"THIS IS YOUR DEFINITION OF 'SLIGHT'?!"
Thus, my honesty earned the Duke's rightful fury.