Chapter 5: Parent-Child Conflict
Just after Christina and the others headed towards Rio's mansion, Duke Gustave Huguenot had summoned a certain girl to the guesthouse.
"I'm sorry for summoning you so suddenly, Elise."
The girl's name was Elise Brant, the daughter of a count from the Beltrum Kingdom. Though born into high nobility, she had no regular interaction with Duke Huguenot.
"No…"
Only Duke Huguenot and Elise were in the room. Was she being told to become a mistress? Or was there some other reason? Either way, not knowing why she was summoned, Elise shook her head with a tense voice.
"I hope you won't be too nervous, but there's something I want to ask you confidentially. I need you to promise not to speak of this to anyone else. Is that okay?"
Duke Huguenot explained the reason for Elise's summons.
"…Understood."
In a noble society where class differences are absolute, one cannot say no to someone of a higher status when they say such things. Elise nodded hesitantly.
"Very well. Now, let's get to the main topic. Do you remember the outdoor training exercise that took place almost five years ago when you were in the sixth grade of primary school?"
"…Yes."
Duke Huguenot wasted no time getting to the point. He noticed the shadow of guilt clouding Elise's face as she nodded. He narrowed his eyes slightly.
"You remember the incident that happened during the exercise, right?"
"Was it the monster attack?"
"No, that's not it."
Duke Huguenot immediately denied it.
"…Was it the incident where Flora-sama nearly fell off a cliff?"
Elise asked again, looking awkward.
"At that time, you were one of the witnesses who saw Princess Flora about to fall from the cliff, weren't you?"
"…Yes."
"Princess Flora nearly fell because she collided with my foolish son, Steward. However, there was another student who pushed my son before that. Ultimately, that person was decided to be held responsible. Isn't that, right?"
Duke Huguenot confirmed the facts in a calm tone. It was clear that this only heightened Elise's tension.
"…I didn't witness who pushed Steward-kun."
Elise's face stiffened, and her voice rose.
"Does it sound to you like I'm not hearing the truth?"
"That's not the case…"
It was obvious that her eyes were darting around.
"…So, you really didn't see who pushed my son?"
Duke Huguenot sighed as if troubled and then asked with a look of determination.
"…Why are you asking about this now?"
"I want to know the truth."
When Elise asked cautiously, Duke Huguenot answered without hesitation.
"…"
Elise's eyes widened as if she had been taken by surprise.
"As I said at the beginning, this is just between us. Even if you state something that contradicts the established facts from the past, I have no intention of holding you responsible. So could you please tell me the facts as you remember them?"
Indeed—
"…It's true that your son, Steward-kun, collided with Flora-sama. It's also true that Flora-sama almost fell off the cliff."
Elise reflected on her memories from that time and began to speak quietly.
"Is there something wrong with that?"
"The person who pushed Steward-kun just before that was different. Steward-kun insisted he was pushed by a black-haired student from a commoner background, but it was actually the other boys who did the pushing…"
"I want you to tell me what you remember about who did it… No, what happened."
Duke Huguenot grimaced before asking for the details, pressing his eyes.
"At that time, there was a monster attack, and everyone was in a panic. Among them, Steward-kun was injured and tried to grab onto other boys for help… he ended up being in the way and led to Flora-sama being pushed."
"So, the student who should be held responsible was not the one from a commoner background?"
"…Yes. He was genuinely trying to save Flora-sama and ended up falling off the cliff instead."
"Then how did that student end up being the one at fault?"
"Because Steward-kun claimed he was pushed by the commoner…"
"…"
Duke Huguenot's hand, covering his eyes, trembled. No matter how much he hid his eyes, it was clear that his mouth was twisted with anger.
"T-the students who actually pushed him also supported Steward-kun's claim. He was so fierce about it that I couldn't say anything…"
Perhaps feeling guilty about finally speaking the truth, or sensing Duke Huguenot's anger, Elise hurriedly explained herself.
"…No, you're not at fault. It seems my foolish son has caused you a great deal of trouble."
Duke Huguenot took a deep breath to calm himself and removed his hand from his eyes. Then he added,
"I repeat, please do not speak of what we've discussed here. Forget it as soon as you leave this room."
"…Y-yes."
"Then that's good. You can leave now."
"…Excuse me."
Elise bowed awkwardly and stood up from her chair, quickly exiting the room as if to escape. Once the door closed, Duke Huguenot was left alone in the room.
After a moment of silence—
"…!"
Duke Huguenot slammed his right hand down at the table in a fit of rage. A dull thud echoed throughout the room. It was a moment when someone usually calm was overtaken by intense emotion.
"That fool…!"
A fatal trap lay hidden in an unexpected place. How much more shame must he endure for the family name? Duke Huguenot ground his teeth in frustration.
In the past, there was a former orphan named Rio, who had been falsely accused in the Beltrum Kingdom and vanished, and a mysterious honorary knight named Haruto Amakawa, who had risen to prominence in the Galarc Kingdom. Until just yesterday, the two had seemed entirely unrelated, yet suddenly the possibility that they were the same person emerged.
(Though it hasn't been definitively established that they are the same person yet…)
During the battle with the golem, the man known as Haruto Amakawa had been called Rio. For some reason, Celia, who had been close to Haruto for a long time, had been a teacher for the class that Rio had previously belonged to. Princess Christina, who seemed to hold some strange reservation towards Haruto, had been a classmate of Rio during their time at the Royal Academy, and so on…
With just one new piece of information, the dots began to connect rapidly. The circumstantial evidence was too overwhelming to simply dismiss as coincidence.
(Assuming they are the same person, Celia must surely know his true identity and is acting alongside him. What will happen if the past becomes public…?)
The biggest issue was that in framing Rio for the crime, Duke Huguenot had also become deeply involved behind the scenes. While Steward was the one who instigated it, Duke Huguenot had taken various steps to cover up for him.
However, at that time, as the Arbor faction was regaining power, Duke Huguenot absolutely had to avoid any scandals. It was unthinkable for his son to push the second princess off a cliff and then be held responsible.
Thus, he had taken Steward's testimony at face value and arranged to frame Rio without digging deeper into the truth. As a scapegoat to evade responsibility, the former orphan Rio was an extremely convenient choice. There was no reason to hesitate.
(At the time, it was the best course of action. But…)
Now, Rio was an honorary knight of the Galarc Kingdom. He was held in high esteem by King Francois and had deep ties with the hero Satsuki. He was someone who could never be turned into an enemy.
(With hindsight, it turned out to be the worst course of action. The very person I cast aside as a scapegoat is now someone, we desperately need…)
Duke Huguenot bit his lip. If he had treated Rio with respect instead of looking down on him just because he was an orphan, he might have gained his assistance.
If the past actions of attempting to frame Rio were to come to light now, Duke Huguenot's noble life could very well come to an end.
(The worst part is that I even sent an assassin to silence him… If that becomes known, there will be no way to excuse myself.)
If the missing Rio were to reappear and speak unnecessary truths, it would become a troublesome situation. So, he planned to mobilize the rare beastkin he had raised for dirty work, capable of tracking scents, to carry out Rio's assassination. However, once the dust settled, the assassin beastkin never returned.
(Has that girl been killed in return, or has she died somewhere out in the wild…?)
Until just yesterday, Duke Huguenot had pushed the memory of the assassin girl, Latifa, to the back of his mind, but she suddenly came to his thoughts.
(Regardless, it's certain that the assassination failed. Given the slave collar she wore, even if she had been killed in retaliation, she wouldn't have been able to spill any information…)
Indeed, at that time, Latifa was bound by the slave collar, which prevented her from speaking any information that would harm her master. If she attempted to say something that could be construed as detrimental, she would suffer excruciating pain in her brain, potentially leading to death. There was no way Rio could have used the highly complex and rare unbinding magic to remove the collar with spirit arts.
(If that girl hasn't spoken, then the fact that I ordered the assassination shouldn't be exposed. Instead, I should be worried about information leaking through other channels. Right now, Christina-sama and the others are visiting his mansion.)
Before realizing the truth, he might have considered this a favorable event to deepen ties with the Restoration, but now it was no longer the case. Christina, Flora, and Roana had been in the same group as Rio during the field training. Not only that—Christina and Roana were classmates with Rio. Flora must have had other connections with Rio outside of the field training as well.
—Rio-sama.
Duke Huguenot recalled the moment when Sora had called out Rio's name. It was during the time when Rio and Sora had teleported to the rooftop garden and were staring down the golem. Christina, Flora, and Roana were standing nearby, so it wouldn't be surprising if they had overheard Sora's words. Rather—
(I noticed it. It wouldn't be strange for Christina-sama and the others to notice as well. No, could they be aware and intentionally feigning ignorance? Or perhaps they're visiting his mansion now to discuss this?)
Alternatively, they might have realized it long ago. Various possibilities flooded his mind, entangling Duke Huguenot's thoughts.
(Should I have offered to discuss this myself?)
Duke Huguenot seemed particularly anxious, ruffling his hair with his right hand.
In fact, when he met with Christina today, he had planned to bring up the topic of Rio, depending on the situation, so he had included Steward in the meeting. However, he found himself unable to follow through due to a lack of clarity in his thoughts and ended up hesitating.
The reason for this hesitation was likely as already mentioned. He feared what might happen if the hidden past of framing Rio for a crime were to become public knowledge.
Such fear was understandable. If he made a misstep, Duke Huguenot could lose his position, and the organization known as the Restoration could fall apart.
Yet even so—
(His power is essential for Restoration. It can even be said to be indispensable.)
Even at this point, Duke Huguenot had not changed his conclusion that he needed Rio's assistance for the future of the Restoration. That was why he continued to ponder endlessly about how to gain Rio's support and what the correct course of action would be to achieve that.
(There must still be a chance. Even with Celia's presence, if there were absolutely no leads, they would never have reached out to help in the crisis we encountered in the past…)
Of course, it was hard to believe that Rio bore no resentment regarding the incident during the field training. Duke Huguenot's first thought was that he might have come closer to them to exact revenge. He thought about it repeatedly. However—
(If he had the chance to take revenge, he would have had ample opportunities. Yet he chose not to. He continues to thoroughly conceal the past.)
In other words, it was likely that Rio had no intention of taking revenge. Moreover, he probably had no desire to bring the past to light.
(So, does he really need to provoke the dragon's nest like this?)
If he were seeking cooperation from the Restoration, wouldn't it be wiser to continue pretending ignorance? However, considering Rio's character, perhaps a sincere apology was what was truly needed. He pondered this. Ultimately—
(…I must decide before I meet Christina-sama next time.)
Duke Huguenot continued to hold his head in his hands throughout the night.
◇ ◇ ◇
Meanwhile, in the guesthouse of Galarc Kingdom Castle.
"…"
Steward Huguenot sat in his room, his legs moving restlessly as he fidgeted anxiously. Suddenly, he stood up and began to pace around the room. His face was pale, clearly showing his intense agitation. Then, he shouted:
"Damn it!"
The reason was clear—
"Why, why is that guy showing up now…?"
It was because the man he had once framed, Rio, might be close at hand under the name Haruto Amakawa.
(No, wait! Is that really the same man? Haruto Amakawa, could he be Rio…?)
His thoughts were in disarray. Rather, he could not accept it. He didn't want to acknowledge that Rio and Haruto Amakawa were the same person. He wanted to believe they were different individuals. However, there was strong circumstantial evidence that forced him to confront the truth.
(I couldn't understand why Professor Celia was so close to that man…)
If Haruto Amakawa turned out to be Rio, it would all make sense. When Steward was attending the Royal Academy, there had been rumors about Celia being close to Rio. Some male students were displeased by this, and Steward was one of them.
(If that's the case, it means the teacher must know his true identity. She must have heard the story from him regarding the incident during the field training. And yet, she is still with him…)
This meant that Celia accepted Rio's version of events and believed he was innocent.
(He must also know what happened after he fell from the cliff, having heard it from the teacher. He should know what discrepancies exist and how he was treated…)
That was likely why he had vanished after the field training. In reality, Rio had witnessed Steward fabricating false statements to pin the blame on him, but there was no way Steward could know that.
(He must realize that I am lying…)
Steward's face stiffened with guilt for having lied. During that incident in the field training, he had known exactly who had pushed him. Even so, he had testified that Rio was the one who did it.
(No, but there were no witnesses to the scene. At least Christina-sama and Flora-sama didn't see it. And neither did Roana-senpai…)
If that were true, wouldn't he be unable to definitively conclude that he had lied? Even if Rio declared his innocence, as long as Steward didn't change his testimony, it would be impossible to prove anything now.
(That's right. There's no evidence. He knows he has no way to prove his innocence, which is why he has changed his name and is acting like someone else…)
Finally, Steward managed to put on a semblance of a confident smile, believing the situation still favored him.
(But still, why does he have a different hair color? Is he really a different person…? Or is it the effect of some magic item that manipulates human perception?)
Steward was unaware that Rio possessed a magic item that could change his hair color. When Christina had fled from Celia's family to Rodania, she had changed her hair color for the journey, but only a limited number of people in the Restoration knew about it.
(Well, whatever. In any case, I can insist that he pushed me. Even if he claims innocence and asserts that I am lying…)
Steward reassured himself again, but his expression remained tense.
(Still, that commoner, what kind of nerve does he have? Not only did he boldly show up before us, but he also invited Christina-sama and the others to his mansion…)
Steward was taken aback, unable to believe that this was the behavior of a man who had committed a crime in the past. However, this realization was only fleeting—
(No, that commoner was always that kind of man. He has a strong desire for approval and cannot suppress his need for self-assertion. Because of his lowly birth, he has never been recognized by others, and it seems he desperately wants to be treated specially. He's a bundle of complexes. A greedy man. Hmph.)
As if to dispel the lingering anxiety, Steward allowed a contemptuous smile to creep across his face. By looking down on Rio, he was trying to maintain his inner balance.
(Did he change his name because he wanted to hide his shameful past of being born and raised in the slums? However, having been exposed to the upper echelons of society at the Royal Academy, it seems he couldn't completely abandon his desire to be noble. Therefore, despite carrying the burden of his past, he could not resist his need for approval and made a name for himself in Galarc Kingdom.)
Steward laughed mockingly at this thought. But—
(But really, he's a shallow and foolish man. He doesn't understand the narrowness of the world and aristocratic society. He probably thought that once he left the country, he wouldn't have to face the nobles of Beltrum, but by coincidence, he came across us…)
Suddenly realizing something, Steward's expression changed.
(...Wait, was it really just coincidence? When we were attacked by monsters in Amande, he appeared before us of his own volition. Did he intentionally approach us? Perhaps he holds a grudge against us for what happened during the field training…)
Steward suspected that Rio was plotting revenge against them, driven by his guilty conscience.
(That's right. Alphonse-senpai's disappearance happened right after he showed up in Amande. Even at the Rikka Company restaurant, he forced us to kneel…)
Had he been waiting for an opportunity for revenge all this time? The downfall of the Duke Huguenot faction during the internal strife in Beltrum Kingdom was likely a perfect opportunity for him. As he recalled the events from that time, humiliation surged back—
"...Damn it! Did I really have to kneel before that despicable commoner?!"
Steward shouted in outrage, his voice rising with fury.
(How delightful it must have been for him! To look down on me like that…!)
His entire body trembled with anger. It was an incredible humiliation. You are beneath me, I am above you. The previously unassailable relationship had crumbled, and the roles had reversed, which he found unbearable.
(...A magic item that can manipulate people's memories and perceptions. It wouldn't have been difficult to manipulate the drunken Alphonse-senpai to escalate the situation...)
It was all just conjecture without any evidence, but—
(There's no doubt about it. He's trying to take revenge on us. Alphonse-senpai's disappearance in Rodania was undoubtedly his doing. No, he was killed...)
Steward's face became grave.
(...Father must have caught on to his true identity. Otherwise, he wouldn't be asking me about him. But is he seriously trying to gain the cooperation of such a person? Christina-sama and the others might be targeted as well. And I too…)
He felt a chill, realizing that he might be stabbed in the back at any moment. Considering that Rio had a motive, he shuddered.
(No, this is bad... Even if I could gain his cooperation, there's no way I can trust him. I wouldn't know what disgusting demands he might make in return.)
In the quiet room, the sound of his restless fidgeting echoed on. But at one moment—
(...Wait, could he demand revenge on me?)
Steward's face stiffened, and he stopped shaking his legs.
(Would Father abandon me…?)
He had been overjoyed at the rare opportunity to sit in on the discussion with Christina, thinking he might be reinstated, but perhaps it was a terrible misunderstanding? His face paled rapidly.
(...Wouldn't he need evidence? Evidence that he harbors resentment towards us and that he was responsible for Alphonse-senpai's fate… If I don't kill him, he might kil me.)
If he could prove that Rio killed Alphonse, then even if Rio claimed innocence regarding the field training incident, he could still take him down.
(But if Alphonse was killed by him, could any evidence possibly be found now?)
At the time, Alphonse had gone into the forest near Amande with knights from the Restoration for an investigation. Shortly thereafter, the incident in Amande involving a horde of monsters occurred, leading to the conclusion that he was likely killed by the monsters lurking in the forest, but since no body was found, he was classified as a missing person with an unknown fate.
"...Damn it!"
Steward erupted in a fit of rage.
(It's impossible; there's no way it can be found… Even if I said I wanted to head to Amande, I wouldn't be recognized.)
So, what should he do?
(Isn't there anything? Something that could be his weakness...)
Steward was afraid of Rio and started fidgeting again.
◇ ◇ ◇
The next morning.
On the roadside near the guesthouse.
Steward was waiting to meet Duke Gregory during a break from his patrol duties. Perhaps feeling agitated, he tapped his right foot against the cobblestones in quick succession.
(I wanted more time to think...)
In the end, Steward had spent the entire night worrying. He actually wanted to skip the meeting, but if he did that, it would only lead to unnecessary inquiries from Duke Gregory, and if secrets were revealed in a place, he wasn't aware of, it would be a disaster.
He considered consulting his father, but there was no guarantee he would help him. So, he decided on his own to meet with Duke Gregory.
(Damn it, why do I have to go through all this?)
As Steward cursed under his breath in frustration—
"...You look quite pale."
Duke Gregory appeared, seemingly concerned about Steward's health due to his poor complexion. However—
(This seems like it could turn out to be a more interesting story than I expected.)
He couldn't help but smile.
"I didn't sleep well..."
Steward answered with a sulky expression. Even in front of a duke from another country, he lacked the composure to hide his mood.
"So, will you share what you have in mind?"
"...You wouldn't accept it if I said it was nothing, would you?"
"Of course not."
"...It's a story without any certainty. I think it's dangerous to stir up trouble without any basis. Still, do you want to hear it?"
Steward asked, hoping against hope—
"That makes me want to know even more."
Duke Gregory laughed lightly.
"I don't want to call him an acquaintance, but there's a man who committed a crime in the past and went missing."
Steward resigned himself and began to speak.
"...Oh?"
Duke Gregory's reaction was calm. Rather, it seemed he was thoroughly controlling his emotions to maintain an upper hand in the conversation.
"His name was Rio. And when I heard that name from your Excellency yesterday, I became a bit flustered."
"But if you knew him, you should have noticed long ago, shouldn't you?"
"Yes. That's why I said I couldn't be certain. It's been nearly five years since that man disappeared. Given how he's grown, his height and appearance have changed, and even his hair color is different. I can't definitively say he's the same person."
"Indeed, growth can change a person, but..."
Even if his appearance had changed, his hair color wouldn't have. It was a strange claim.
"However, I believe there is a high probability that he is the same person."
At this point, Steward threw down a weighty statement as if he was making a decisive move.
"What do you mean?"
"I have no proof. He is disguising his identity."
"Hmm. If that is true, he should be judged, but..."
As things stood, it was still just Steward's assumption. Duke Gregory likely couldn't take rumors at face value without any solid information.
"Yes, he should be judged. But there's no evidence. He has established himself as a noble. If I were to speak of defaming him without solid evidence, it could end up being me who is punished."
"If he has a dark past, it would not be a matter for our country alone... But why do you think he is the same person without any proof?"
"Because someone who was close to him is near Haruto Amakawa. Wouldn't you say the circumstances are too convenient to dismiss as mere coincidence?"
"Oh..."
(If what this person is saying is true, it might be possible to expose the shady past of Amakawa, but... it's weak. The basis for accusing him is uncertain.)
If Steward's testimony was true, it might at least have some effect on shaking Rio in the current situation. However, if done improperly, it could lead to punishment for defamation. Duke Gregory likely wanted to avoid taking risks without confirmation. It would be out of the question for the source of the information to be traced back to him. Therefore—
(Even if we take action, it might be better for this person to take the lead.)
Duke Gregory quickly considered using Steward to his advantage. Still, to ascertain whether Steward had any real value—
"Are you planning to accuse Amakawa, Steward-kun?"
Duke Gregory probed for Steward's intentions.
"...It depends on the materials. As it stands now, initiating a confrontation would only lead to defeat."
"Indeed. So, what will you do?"
"I have no choice but to look for materials to drag him down. If it were easy to find, it wouldn't be a struggle."
"If that's the case, I'd like to hear more details. I might be able to cooperate as well."
"...Is that alright?"
Steward looked surprised. His reaction indicated that he would be grateful for the cooperation, but he also seemed wary.
"I told you. If Amakawa has a shady past, then it's not just someone else's problem for our country."
"I see…"
"However, it depends on what kind of past he is hiding. He mentioned committing a crime, but what exactly did he do?"
"...I'm fine with telling you, but there are conditions."
(Oh...)
Intrigued, Duke Gregory raised the corners of his mouth. His attitude toward condemning Rio was satisfactory.
"Fine then. Go ahead and say it."
"First, I want to be the one to condemn him. Therefore, I don't want you to investigate his past without my permission. Until the time of his condemnation, I'd also like you to refrain from discussing his past. In exchange, I won't hold back on sharing information."
Steward listed his conditions, trying to take the initiative.
"Hmm, is that all?"
"...If you acknowledge that the past I'm about to talk about is wretched, I want you to promise your cooperation in dragging him down. That's all."
"Understood. Then there's no problem. Shall we move to another location? Let's put the conditions in writing."
Duke Gregory remained unfazed and readily accepted the conditions. Since Steward was willing to stand at the forefront, it aligned with Duke Gregory's intentions. There was no reason to refuse.
"Are you sure? Even if it's put in writing…?"
"Of course. A verbal agreement wouldn't be reassuring, would it?"
"Thank you."
Steward seemed to trust Duke Gregory, especially since he proposed leaving a written record. For the first time today, a smile appeared on Steward's face as he let out a sigh of relief.
However, Duke Gregory did not propose leaving a written record out of goodwill. A cunning noble wouldn't make such a naïve suggestion. He believed that leaving a written record would also serve his interests.
(Hmph. If we cooperate based on a verbal agreement, the extent of our responsibility could potentially expand indefinitely. It would be convenient if I could leave an objective record of my involvement.)
If the condemnation of Rio succeeded, he wanted to ensure he could get involved in subsequent discussions. Conversely, if it failed, he wanted to be prepared to shift all responsibility onto Steward. Such were his thoughts.
◇ ◇ ◇
The location shifted to the reception room lent to Duke Gregory by the castle, where the two were documenting the conditions proposed by Steward.
"Is this alright then?"
"Yes, there are no issues."
After they both signed their names on two copies of the document—
"Now then, let's hear it. The past of Amakawa, was it?"
Duke Gregory urged Steward to testify with a glimmer of expectation in his eyes.
"...Understood."
Steward steeled himself and began to reveal Rio's past to Duke Gregory. However, he omitted the crucial fact that he had lied and framed Rio, embellishing the story to suit his own convenience.
In summary, he recounted the general background of a man named Rio. Once an orphan from the slums, Rio had pushed Steward during an outdoor exercise, nearly causing Flora to fall off a cliff. Rio was held responsible but then went missing. As a result, there was a possibility that Rio harbored resentment against Steward. It was suggested that Rio, considering revenge, had reappeared at Amande and might have killed Alphonse, among other details.
When Steward finished his explanation—
"Ha, ha. I see. If that is indeed the truth, it cannot be ignored. A noble knight who made a name for himself in our country, turning out to be a fugitive who attempted murder against royalty in another country would be quite the scandal."
Duke Gregory could hardly contain his laughter, anticipating the fallout.
"So?"
"Ah, I would not be averse to cooperating actively."
"Thank you very much!"
"It's too early to thank me. As you said, there is currently insufficient evidence to conclude that the two are the same person. Even if we cause a stir now, we won't be able to inflict damage beyond mere rumors. At worst, it could end up as defamation against you."
If the goal is to bring about a downfall or punishment, Duke Gregory calmly pointed out the necessity for irrefutable evidence.
"Yes, that seems to be the case..."
Steward's face twisted as if he had bitten into a bitter bug.
(Just causing reputational damage won't be enough. He has to lose credibility to the point where it becomes an incident serious enough for him to be expelled from the castle...)
Unless Steward could remove the risk of Rio claiming his past was unjust, he wouldn't be able to sleep soundly.
"If only I could prove that he killed Senior Alphonse..."
If he had indeed killed a noble from another country out of resentment, he surely wouldn't escape punishment.
"That's unlikely. Even if he has a motive to resent you, they probably haven't even found a body, right?"
Even if Rio had killed Alphonse, the absence of a body would make it impossible to prove. If they were to pursue this line of reasoning, at the very least, a body would need to be found first.
"That's true, but..."
"In that sense, Amakawa himself is living proof. If we can prove they are the same person, then his past crimes will come to light as well."
Thus, what needed to be proven was whether Rio and Haruto Amakawa were the same person, as Duke Gregory explained.
"..."
Steward's silent face was stern because he believed that merely proving the two were the same person wouldn't be enough to bring Rio down.
If Rio claimed that his past was unjust, Steward's lie could become a point of contention. Therefore, he was seeking additional material that could undermine Rio's credibility should that situation arise.
"Do you have any concerns?"
"Oh, no, it's just that he has built a position for himself now, and it seems he has a strong reputation. I was wondering how much punishment he would face even if his past was made clear. Princess Flora seems to have a close relationship with him, and she tends to be lenient…"
"That's true. However, the crime of attempting to kill a member of the royal family is serious. Even if the Restoration were to show him leniency, it would be impossible for Galarc not to act. I won't allow it. This could also qualify as grounds for his disqualification as a noble knight."
Yet, even as he spoke these words—
(If he falls from grace, it would be entertaining to extend a hand and offer him a favor.)
Duke Gregory didn't intend to completely extinguish Rio's noble life. He recognized Rio's capabilities. He thought it only natural that Rio, who had achieved numerous accomplishments, would be evaluated based on merit.
However, that didn't mean he found it entertaining to watch Rio accumulate achievements and rise in status alone. Thus, he was still keenly searching for ways to undermine Rio. And for that, he intended to use Steward. Unbeknownst to him—
"Oh, how reassuring... I'm glad I consulted with you, Your Excellency."
Steward was thoroughly pleased to have a reliable ally.
"I'm happy to hear you say that, but shouldn't you consult your father?"
Duke Gregory didn't want any outside interference in this matter, so he would prefer not to have Duke Huguenot involved. However, considering future implications, it was also unwise not to confirm anything at all, so he asked for the sake of formality.
"...Even though I was pushed, I incurred quite a bit of my father's anger when I bumped into Princess Flora. That led to various actions on his part..."
(I see. It appears that you've used some somewhat forceful methods. That's probably why you've incurred your father's anger. If things go well, it seems I could also gain a favor from Duke Huguenot.)
Duke Gregory guessed some of the circumstances and smirked—
"However, if Steward-kun exposes Amakawa's crimes, your father might reassess you."
He whispered sweet words to Steward. This made Steward's expression brighten.
"I hope that's the case..."
"However, if it's true, he's quite a thick-skinned man. The perpetrator of an accident disguises himself as someone else and appears before the victim with a nonchalant face..."
"He's like a bundle of pride and a desire for recognition. After all, he originally came from the lowly slums. He probably couldn't shake off his admiration for the noble society."
"I see..."
Steward spoke of Rio with a sense of disdain, but Duke Gregory reacted as if he took it with a grain of salt. This was because the image Gregory held of Rio seemed somewhat distant from what Steward described.
To Gregory, Rio appeared to be a calm, enigmatic man, so composed that one couldn't read his thoughts or feelings, and disturbingly enlightened. This was the image he had of Haruto Amakawa. That's why Duke Gregory was wary of the elusive Rio; however—
(Well, if he truly is such a man, it would be interesting.)
Duke Gregory seemed somewhat impressed, a hint of amusement crossing his face.
"But is it possible that Princess Flora isn't aware of his true identity?"
"At that time, he likely wasn't even on her radar. They had no opportunities to interact, and I myself only realized it yesterday."
Even though they attended the same academy, their worlds were different, and Steward mocked this reality.
"Hmm..."
Since Gregory had no way of knowing how much Rio's appearance or impression had changed since then, he could only accept it as is. However—
(It seems dangerous to completely rule out the possibility that she might be aware...)
He had this concern, but he didn't want to point it out for fear that Steward would feel discouraged.
"So, is there anyone else in the Restoration who knew him back then?"
"...As for academy students, there are Princess Christina and Roana-senpai. I believe there were also other female seniors in the same group."
"I thought if there were others who knew Amakawa back then besides you, we could ask for their cooperation to testify they are the same person."
The more witnesses there were, the more credible the claim would be.
"...However, Christina-sama owes him a debt of gratitude. Not to mention Flora-sama, and Roana-senpai would probably follow their judgment. If we were to ask for their cooperation, it's possible they would suppress the truth about his crimes beforehand..."
"Indeed. If you're seeking prior cooperation, it's safer to approach someone who can keep quiet."
"Speaking of which, you mentioned that someone close to Amakawa back then is near him now. Who is that person?"
"It's an instructor who worked at the academy. Her name is Celia Claire."
"Oh, her. She certainly lived in Amakawa's residence."
"Yes. She's likely the only one who knows his true identity and stays with him."
"That's to be expected."
If Haruto Amakawa truly was Rio, then it was only natural to think so.
"Back then, he took advantage of his position as a student to prey on the kind instructor. She's been deceived, unaware of his true nature..."
Steward seemed to hold some fondness for Celia, expressing anger at the thought of her being misled.
"If she knows about Amakawa's past and remains silent, that will constitute harboring a criminal. It would be an illegal act deserving punishment."
"Are you suggesting that you would threaten Professor Celia?"
"She would certainly be one of the candidates. If intimidation is effective, managing her as a witness would be easier."
Duke Gregory wore a superficial smile.
"...I think it would be easier to keep the mouths of the female seniors who were present at the scene quiet than Christina-sama or Roana-sama. Besides, Professor Celia lives with him..."
Seeming hesitant to threaten his mentor Celia, Steward instead proposed Elise Brant, another student who was present at the scene, as a potential witness.
"In that case, we could include her as one of the candidates. Whether we actually seek her cooperation or not, it's better to have more options to consider. Is there anyone else you can think of who knew him back then?"
"He was isolated within the academy, and he probably had very few acquaintances outside it, but I can't say for sure..."
Steward answered awkwardly, admitting he had no other candidates in mind.
"Then, we might be able to include others who were close to Amakawa as candidates."
"What do you mean by that...?"
"For example, he has a younger sister. It would be natural to assume that a family member might know about his past."
"A sister, you say? The Rio I know didn't have a sister..."
"...I hope you're not mistaking this, leading to a conclusion that they aren't the same person, are you?"
"N-no, that can't be! It shouldn't be... It's just too many coincidences."
Duke Gregory stared at Steward with suspicion, causing Steward to feel flustered.
(This man is somewhat unreliable. He's trying to prove whether those coincidences are truly necessary.)
He was using the overlap of coincidences as a basis for necessity, but on the flip side, that alone was nothing more than an unfounded assumption that abandoned logical thinking. Objectively proving necessity is never an easy task.
There would likely be a need to resort to forceful or dirty tactics. Gregory couldn't help but critically assess whether Steward understood this, though he kept his thoughts to himself.
"Well, that's fine. In any case, if we're going to drag him down, we'll need to switch to an offensive approach sooner or later."
After all, it would be Steward who would initiate the action. Gregory decided he would simply give him a push to get him moving.
"Right."
"Perhaps it might be good to boldly show yourself in front of him at least once."
"Why is that?"
"You'd want to confirm Amakawa's face again, wouldn't you? Observing him while believing he's the same person should make him appear different from before."
"Indeed…"
Upon reflection, Steward realized he had never consciously observed Haruto Amakawa's face. It made sense to confirm his appearance before making accusations.
"The issue is where to bring you and him together. Princess Charlotte manages the external affairs of that residence. I don't think permission will be granted easily, even if we apply for a meeting."
There was a way to crash the residence without an appointment, but unless he was a close friend of Rio or had some compelling reason, it would likely draw Charlotte's ire.
The significance of a high-ranking royal serving as the liaison for a noble's external affairs was clear. Even Duke Gregory hesitated to visit unannounced unless there was a legitimate reason; the defenses surrounding the residence were formidable.
"…What should we do?"
"We'll have to wait for an opportunity for him to step outside the residence and make contact. We should keep an eye on the movements of the residence, but you can leave that to me."
"Thank you."
Since Rio was one of the more accessible residents due to his frequent outings, it wasn't particularly difficult for Duke Gregory to coordinate with the castle guards he had connections with to monitor the timing of Rio's departures.
"By the way, are you currently employed by the Restoration in some capacity? It would be troublesome if you couldn't move when the time comes for him to go out."
"Right now, I'm serving as a knight affiliated with the Restoration, assisting with castle security. I'm responsible for the area near the guesthouse…"
"In that case, I'll arrange for a transfer. You'll be moved to the area near his residence. I'll speak with the person in charge of that area to ensure you can move freely. That way, you'll have an excuse to give to your father, won't you?"
"Oh, thank you very much!"
What would have been difficult for Steward without connections was easily settled with Duke Gregory's cooperation.
"If that's the case, I have one request…"
"What is it?"
"I think the Restoration's uniform would stand out too much, so could you lend me one from Galarc instead?"
Steward looked down at his uniform, revealing a hint of self-deprecation as he made his request. His sense of inferiority regarding the uniform was evident—
"That's fine. I'll arrange it."
Duke Gregory smiled knowingly and nodded.
"Thank you!"
Steward expressed his gratitude for what felt like the umpteenth time, a smile of joy on his face.
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