Chapter 402
The sudden change in Bermuda's attitude and his request to join the party.
That judgment is incredibly difficult, yet it's also something only I can decide.
A resolve so firm he'd even agree to a divine contract.
After a brief silence following words that the Bermuda I knew should never have uttered...
"That's fine. I could accept you on certain conditions.""!!!!"
I returned with a conditional acceptance, causing an uproar around me.
Though conditional, my allies were aghast that I would trust a man who openly declares he'll change masters, while Bermuda seemed delighted at the prospect of being accepted.
And the knights, finally grappling with whether they should purge the apparent betrayal about to be achieved.
"What conditions?""To properly sever ties with Duke Marchias without leaving a grudge."
But upon hearing my words, even Esmeralda and my comrades began to show an atmosphere of understanding.
However unreasonable it might be, it's a fair argument that cannot be denied.
"It might be an impossible demand. But I still do not condone betrayal. Only if you, as a status-less Bermuda Ortus, properly explain yourself to Duke Marchias—including the information disclosed here—relinquish your position, achieve a clean break without leaving any grudge, only then will 'I' accept you."
However it's done, agreeing to accept Bermuda here carries risks.But I felt like taking a chance on this changed Bermuda.
"?"
A quick glance behind me reveals Genjirou's face, tilted in confusion but not driven by madness.In that, I glimpsed the possibility that a Bermuda aligned with loyalty might also be visible.
I showed a hint of my true self, however slight, to indicate I harbor at least some expectation.
"And if you can prove your accomplishment with a divine contract, everyone here would likely accept you as well."
Declaring I have the resolve to accept him if he does things properly naturally carries risks.The knights here acting as guards will undoubtedly report to Duke Marchias.
If so, some judgment will certainly be passed on Bermuda's act of betrayal.
Whether Bermuda chooses to take that risk is up to him.
The odds are probably about fifty-fifty.
"You said you fell for me, right?""Yes."
At first, I didn't believe it.But seeing such raw passion, different from the game, changes things slightly.My reply was mixed with a slight wish to see it.
It might be naive.But together with Genjirou, there might still be a chance for him to change.
And if he *can* change, I want to see what form that change takes.
"Prove to me that a man's word is his bond.""I have certainly received that expectation. Before the day comes when the name Bermuda Ortus is forgotten, I will undoubtedly visit here again and show you."
Even if this entire attitude is an act and he intends to infiltrate as a spy in the future, by the time he returns, we could have a temple set up for contracts, making it impossible for him to infiltrate as a spy.
Whether this knight-like Bermuda pledging loyalty becomes his true form... I never thought that day might come while playing FBO.
To be honest about FBO, within that work's world, those characterizations were already complete.Personalities, behavior patterns, scenarios fixed by the system—they couldn't deviate from that framework.
There was no possibility.
They couldn't become better, nor worse.That's what a game is.
But this world is different.If the path they walk changes, there is room for their way of life to change.
I felt that room for change.
"Yeah, I'm counting on you."
That's why I deliberately used the word "expect."
"Yes, sir!"
An atmosphere that the conversation was ending began to settle.Honestly, I was thinking there wasn't much more to say, when one of the knights on the other side, looking apologetic with an "I'm sorry for breaking the mood" expression, raised his hand.
"I find this very difficult to mention, but I'd like to inquire about the treatment of the person claiming to be a resident of this village whom we brought along."
After progressing the conversation this far, Bermuda's fate is essentially left to Duke Marchias.What actions Bermuda takes during that process is known only to Bermuda himself.
One has to wonder how much courage it took to bring up such a mood-breaking topic after setting up such a moving farewell scene.
"Esmeralda?""My apologies."
And I'm surprised because I hadn't heard about this.Huh? Someone left the village? Or an Entertainer or Garden Guard got captured?
When I checked with Esmeralda sitting next to me, she averted her gaze sideways, quietly covering her mouth with her fan as if she'd forgotten.
"I have confirmed he is not a resident of our village.""I see. So, it's a liar impersonating one of our villagers, then."
Well, I'm just guessing, but Bermuda probably knew he wasn't a village resident and brought him as a negotiation tool.Judging from the Bermuda behavior pattern I originally knew, he likely wanted to gauge my character by observing my judgment.
That scenario didn't unfold, hence this awkward atmosphere.
"What should we do?""Are you leaving it to me? You're the victims here, right? He approached a military camp without permission. According to military regulations, he should face appropriate punishment, no?"
It would be harsh to wrap this up with a "read the room" conclusion.So, with a smile tinged with kindness, I indirectly said that since we suffered no actual harm, they could handle it.
"Thank you for your consideration."
Probably, they were trying to investigate this pioneer village, couldn't, and then tried to investigate the army approaching it instead.If they got caught doing that, well, that's their own fault.
I am curious whose investigator they are, but since we're being investigated from various quarters, dealing with each one individually would be too costly.
We don't even have an interrogator, so even if we took him, we'd be stuck with him.
For such troublesome matters, it's best to pass them on.
I wave my hand dismissively at the knight bowing in place of Bermuda, indicating it's fine.Finally, we seem to be reaching the end of the conversation.
"You won't be leaving immediately, right? Inside these walls, there's no worry of monster attacks. I'll also provide provisions. Please, rest a little to recover from your journey.""Thank you very much."
What happens after this is unknown, but for now, Bermuda is still the leader here.Even though he was on the verge of a character breakdown moments ago, he now recomposes himself into a gallant expression, stands, and bows.
With that, the discussion ends. I've received the formal letter, and for the return gift for the Orichalcum, I could wrap up some leftover Wind Dragon materials.As long as it's not the Wind Dragon's rare materials, it won't hurt too much to give away.
Leaving those words, I stand up, and Esmeralda follows suit.Feeling gazes on my back, I leave the room, ending the strange exchange.
"Was that alright, I wonder?"
At a point sufficiently away from the room, I ask Esmeralda, who had been silent.
"Yes, it was perfectly fine. You acknowledged his feelings while also showing consideration for the other side. The only one who will face hardship later is Ortus, for taking such exceptional action."
Stroking her fan, Esmeralda said my response was fine.That brought me some relief first.*My shoulders are stiff from the unfamiliar acting*, I sigh internally before moving to the main point.
"I want to ask about that Bermuda. Do you think that attitude was sincere?""I cannot say. It could be either. That's the impression I received.""What about you, Genjirou?""...Had it been based on my first impression upon meeting him, I would have said it was a scheme.""It's different now?"
I may have arbitrarily pushed the conversation forward, but I still wanted a third-party perspective on Bermuda's dramatic transformation.
Was it an act or sincere?That judgment seemed to perplex even Esmeralda, who has seen many nobles.And Genjirou, while inferior to Esmeralda in discerning people's nature, is sensitive to malice due to having been constantly targeted by it.
"Yes, initially, I sensed an intent to paste on a smile to create a good impression and thought him dangerous. In fact, Lady Esmeralda likely felt the same until you entered the room, my lord?""That's correct, just as Genjirou-san says. He hid it well, disguised the emotions in his eyes. Had it not been for Father's warning, I might have mistakenly thought him a fine young man due to his skillful mimicry."
Genjirou was not fooled by the surface expression and reacted to the slight yet clear malice he felt.Esmeralda seemed to agree, nodding on that point.
"However, Liberta. After you entered, his attitude changed so drastically it completely reversed that impression.""The words 'love at first sight' he spoke—I sensed no falsehood in them. Truly, I also felt the emotion of being captivated by you, my lord."
Their first impression was viewing him as someone to be wary of.A likely enemy.
These two, who held that impression, both said he changed after I entered.
"Do either of you have any idea about the reason for that change?"
A change so drastic the two who saw it from the start called it abnormal.The cause likely lies with me.
If I don't understand the reason, it will be difficult to judge how to handle similar situations in the future.
"The reason?""Hmm..."
When I asked if they had any ideas, their steps halted.And their gazes converged on me.
"So... it was me?""Yes, how should I put it... While the usual Liberta is also reliable, today you had an extra... aura of command, shall we say?""I felt an even more refined dignity about you when you entered the room, my lord."
Since I'm the only possible cause, it's natural they'd look at me, but their explanations are somewhat vague.Aura of command. Dignity.Both are words that strongly suggest an imposing impression of me.
"And that's why he wanted to serve me?""I cannot think of any other possibility.""I interpret it as him being captivated by the imposing presence reminiscent of royal authority, my lord."
But is such 'dignity' something easily acquired?To be blunt, I have no memory of ever exuding such charisma from a position of leadership since birth.
"...Could it be because of this suit?"
If I possessed charisma, I'd probably project it normally.But both Esmeralda and Genjirou said today was different from usual.
The difference from usual—the first thing that comes to mind is the suit I'm wearing now.
Wanting to confirm, I place my hands on the buttons of my jacket, unfasten them, and take off the jacket.
"Ah.""Oh."
The two react, sensing something from that gesture.
"Well?""I feel you've somewhat returned to the usual Liberta.""As Lady Esmeralda says. The dignity I felt until moments ago seems to have faded, I would say.""So, it was because of this suit after all."
The cause of the change was the suit prepared by the Lightning Spirits.Since they called it their masterpiece, they must have imbued it with some special skill.
I need to confirm what that is.
That's what I thought.