Chapter 48: 15 year old Inglis and the Frozen Prisma (4)
「What’s his deal!? That’s just mean!」 「Yeah… For now, let’s have a talk in a quiet place, shall we?」 「… Then want to come to my mansion? It’s not the cleanest, but we attract too much attention outside, so…」
Leone’s volume lowered the more she spoke.
「Thanks. Sorry to bother you, then.」 「Yeah. Let’s go take our carriage.」
The trio went to retrieve Inglis and Rafinha’s carriage, then they went to Leone’s mansion. Inglis, taking hold of the steer, asked Leone.
「… Are the people in this town always like that?」 「Yeah, they are, starting from when big brother Leon threw away his identity as a Holy Knight and joined the Ironblood Chain Brigade three years ago…」 「You’re still fighting for them though?」
Rafinha asked profoundly.
「Don’t say that when we’re all facing Magic Stone Beasts all the same.」 「You’re admirable! That’s right, that’s all that matters! You have my respect!」
With her eyes glowing as though she was just enlightened, Rafinha grasped Leone’s hand tightly.
「Ahaha. It’s not something that admirable, you know. I’m just hoping they would forgive me, even just a little…」 「You work so very hard to protect the town, they shouldn’t have said that. Right? These people are so narrow-minded.」 「But, don’t blame the townspeople too much, okay? They had their expectations and respect turned on them. This town was created to watch over Prisma’s corpse, so there are many Knights stationed here, and the people’s loyalty for the Royalty is consequently high. That was why, when big brother Leon became the first Holy Knight the town produced, he was everyone’s pride and joy… And that very brother of mine killed both a Highlander envoy and the Inspector administered by the Capital… no wonder everyone lost their heart. The more you love something before it betrays you, the more you hate it after, they say.」 「Eh? Wait a minute, but the one who killed Sir Shioni was—」 「I’m sure that’s how it was to the public; Mr. Leon was a burden on everything. If the fact that a Highlander like Mr. Rahal killed Sir Shioni was made public; anti-Highlander organizations and political factions that opposed the King for being lenient against the Highlanders would rise in power… That’s why, the way things now are better for current politics.」 「But that’ll make Mr. Leon look like a villain. Even though Mr. Leon made his move precisely because he was angry at Rahal for his tyranny and hijinks…」 「Are you two acquaintances with big brother Leon?」 「Yeah… he’s a sociable and fun person, you know? He’s not a bad person by any means.」 「My impression of him is the same as Rani.」 「Is that so? Thank you for saying that. But I’m alright. His Highness Wayne and Sir Raphael carefully explained everything to me while giving their apologies…」