7-2 Part 2
A Brief Vacation in the Aion Duchy
- A Couple's Two Justices -
Translator : PolterGlast
I stood atop the tower on the high ground. From here, the
entire White City was visible. Duke Jake-Lizas Aion and I stared blankly
down at that lofty and beautiful scenery.
"Sorry, but time is precious. What is your
business?"
"Being rushed makes it harder to say... Denka—no, Ashley, would you
listen to the circumstances between me and Atomina...?"
"Aneue...? Fine, I swear to listen
sincerely."
"Thank you. You are a mysterious man. Despite being
royalty, you don't throw your weight around, yet your tone isn't exactly polite
either. If only all royals and nobles were people like Georg and
you..."
"That's a laughable joke. If everyone were a stickler
like Georg, the world would have no flexibili—no, sorry, I just swore to
listen sincerely..."
With that, I somehow grasped my brother-in-law's situation.
Great nobles and royalty are forced into difficult positions. He really seemed
tired.
"Actually, things aren't going well with Atomina..."
"Figured. Otherwise, Aneue wouldn't be spending
all her time in the Imperial Capital."
"The root cause is a difference in thinking. Atomina
is too kind... She doesn't know the reality of noble society..."
"Perhaps. But that kindness is also Aneue's
virtue."
They say many couples fight over trivial reasons, but those
might be easier to repair. After all, problems between individuals can be
solved by the individuals themselves.
"Yes... To me, she was a wonderful, yet awe-inspiring
woman. But our difference in values has created a great
misunderstanding..."
"You're beating around the bush again. So, what is Aneue
displeased about?"
"Manors."
"Manors, you say...?"
I didn't expect to hear that noun again in this land. A manor
is a special territory exempt from paying taxes to the state.
"We are disputing over the treatment of the people...
Do you know the Manor Expansion Law that was decided recently?"
"Yeah, Georg was complaining about it too. An
increase in slaves lowers prices, inviting poverty, which leads to even more
slaves. He taught me carefully so even an uneducated person like me could
understand."
In short, it becomes a world where commoners can't make a
profit no matter how much they earn. Slaves produce the same crops and goods
for dirt cheap. The people can't bear it.
"There is that... But it has already been decided. We
cannot treat the people of the manor the same as other people only in our
territory... From Atomina's perspective, it seems as though we are turning
the people into slaves..."
"It would have been better if such a ridiculous law hadn't approved."
"Indeed... But that's too late now. At this point, we
can't be the only ones governing decently."
It would have been better if such a ridiculous law hadn't approved.
Is he ruminating on my words in his head? My brother-in-law nodded repeatedly,
then eventually sighed.
"Brother-in-law Jake, Atomina-aneue is stubborn despite her
appearance. And yet, she directs unconditional love toward anyone, just as she
tried to help Dulin. Therefore, I think she will absolutely not yield on
that matter."
"You're right... Yes, she is that kind of person...
Thank you, Ashley. How wonderful it would have been if you were the
eldest son of the Imperial Family."
"If you're going to say that, say it to Georg."
"No, as you said, he is a little lacking in
flexibili—"
However, the next moment, I started running down the tower
stairs.
"Help me, Firefly-shan!! A w-weird person!! Came
heeeeere!!"
Because Dulin's scream reached all the way here.
"You tricked me, Jake!"
"N-No! I would never—Wait, Ashley!"
The circumstances and excuses are meaningless now. I
continued down the stairs as fast as my stamina and balance allowed. Since the
voice reached me, I was back at Dulin's side in no time.
"Firefly-shan!"
"Sorry Dulin, looks like we were completely betrayed. But—what is this and what is that...?"
There were soldiers frozen in ice, and their comrades
surrounding Dulin, looking completely terrified and
hesitant. The most
baffling thing of all was the ridiculously small, palm-sized flying dragon
flapping its wings right next to Dulin's
head.
"This child protected Dulin! If you look
closely, it's pwetty and a very kind, good child♪"
"I don't think a good child freezes humans in ice,
though."
They were further flustered by my arrival. Perhaps my
returning this quickly wasn't in their betrayal plan.
"Kyuuu... (I'm about at my limit. I leave the rest
to you, my Apostle.)"
The dragon's true identity was Zirant. I suspected as
much, but with those blue scales, it couldn't be anyone else. Zirant
turned into pale blue phosphorescence and vanished into the Book of the Evil
Dragon held by Dulin.
"I-It disappeared...? Hah, now's our chance! Restrain
her!"
"You don't know when to give up... Then try it!"
I ended up engaging the soldiers while thinking about an
escape route. The muscle strength granted
by the Book of the Evil Dragon and Shovel LV 4 destroyed their
swords, knocking them away with brute force.
It's a narrow space in the tower. Even if they are better
trained than bandits, fewer than fifteen soldiers are no match for me.
"Hey, this isn't what we heard?! What is this guy?!
T-The swords, our comrades are...!!"
In cases like this, the side with superior numbers waits for
the opponent to fatigue. But I have inexhaustible VIT (Stamina). Locking
us in the tower was a mistake.
One after another, the enemies' swords were destroyed by the
Iron-Cutting Shovel, and unconscious soldiers began to pile up.
"Target the little girl! Crossbow unit, forward!"
"Hii-ih?! F-Firefly-shan...!"
I approached
the descending stairs, trying to find a way to prevent their breakthrough, but
unfortunately, I lack that kind of striking power. Much to my regret, the
crossbow-wielding archers managed to force their way onto this floor.
" Have you lost even your pride as nobles...? How low Duke Aion family has fallen."
With my current self, I feel like I could even handle a
barrage of arrows. But Dulin can't. If we fight like this, Dulin
will die.
"—I cannot let that slide. We only wish to take that
little girl into custody; return her to us. The Emperor's abominable child, the Cursed Prince, Ashley-sama."
From downstairs, a low, sticky middle-aged voice echoed. It
was a short, small man. He was a visibly cunning man, with his arrogant nature
appearing plainly on his face.
"Do you not remember me...? No wonder, the ominous
child who wasn't even invited to his sister's wedding. That is what you
are."
"Stop it, Father!! Do you intend to shame me?!"
The current Duke Aion, Jake-Lizas, appeared
there. This small man seems to be his father. Being told that, I feel like I
recognize him.
"I'm sorry Ashley, Dulin... Please stop,
Father!"
"No one in this territory will disobey me to follow the
opinions of a novice like you. Now, abominable
child, hand over that little girl."
"Eek... F-Firefly-shan... I-It's scary... I'm sowwy, I'm too scared to move...
U-Uuu..."
I heard it from Aneue once. That the one holding real
power is the father. But I never imagined it would be this extreme and blatant.
"Even you are targeting this child? Don't tell me—I get
it, you are colluding with Aunt-Du, aren't you?"
"Fuffufufu, correct answer. But it is Atomina-sama's fault, you know?"
"Stop it, Father! Do not commit any further rudeness
toward Prince Ashley!!"
Judging from this behavior, brother-in-law Jake
hadn't betrayed us. Although it couldn't be helped given the situation, I said
something heartless...
"It is for the sake of the Duke Aion family and
the Imperial Urgos family, Ashley-sama. One day last month, Her Imperial Highness Princess Atomina
presented us with a certain ultimatum. That was... to divorce my son Jake-Lizas,
fufufu..."
The former head directed hatred toward my proud sister with
a look of disgust. To resent such a kind sister is foolish beyond measure.
"She started saying she would proceed with divorce
proceedings unless we changed our policy on manor management... She doesn't
understand. That girl understands nothing...!! About the value of the new law
to restore the prosperity of the nobility!!"
"Wha...?! D-Don't tell me—don't tell me, Father?! You
had an innocent girl kidnapped for such a trivial reason?! That's... that's
absurd! To threaten Atomina, of all things!!"
Ah, I see. So that's it. A story that makes me want to
vomit. The hostility inside me flared up even more. It's only natural that the
gentle brother-in-law Jake would snap.
"Umm... Firefly-shan, um, what does that
mean...?"
However, that hatred was somewhat drowned out by Dulin's
peaceful and gentle appearance. She can't understand the reason she was
kidnapped. Well, she has that kind of face.
"Dulin, in short. The old hag who kidnapped you
seems to have been in cahoots with that old geezer there."
"Eh... But, w-why kidnap someone like Dulin...?"
"You were a hostage. High Priestess Du-Neil
didn't dislike someone being an Alchemist in the Imperial Capital. She had you,
who is extremely close to Atomina-kōjo,
kidnapped as a tool to threaten Atomina!"
"Ha, haheeeeeh?!"
It's the kind of conspiracy commoners have no connection
with. But being in the palace, there's no shortage of these kinds of incidents.
There's even a part where everyone is becoming paranoid.
"Exactly, you cursed abomination."
"I told you to stop speaking like that, Father!"
It's a ridiculous story. But since it's come to this, it's
also a chance. Witnessing the fierce parent-child quarrel, I found a way out.
"Jake. If you are prepared to explain yourself
to Aneue and His Majesty, come over here."
"What...?"
"Don't worry about being shot. To your father, you are
a cover; there are too many inconveniences to eliminating you now. Even if you
don't hold real power, don't forget. You are the Duke of this land, Jake-Lizas
Aion."
"...Understood. I entrust myself to you. I cannot
follow such tyranny!"
"W-What, what do you intend to do to my son, you
bastard...!"
It's nothing special. I guided Jake over here and
simply had him stand in front of Dulin.
"Heh... so that's it. If it is to protect a lady, I shall
gladly be an arrow shield."
"Sorry, brother-in-law."
"I wondered what you were doing! Fools! Even if you use
Jake as a shield, the situation won't change!"
The former Duke's subordinates seemed to notice the problem.
But that guy has blood rushed to his head and won't listen. With this, Dulin
won't be shot, so I can finally move freely.
Good grief, this time I'm really pissed off too. To harm not
only Dulin but even the Aneue we sent off with trust—such
treachery is absolutely unforgivable.
"Ge-Get back! Don't come closer, monster!"
"Villain who brings harm to the Imperial Family, my name
is not monster. I am the seventh son of the Emperor, Ashley. Though I am
in a position where I am not even allowed to call myself a Prince, both Atomina
and I are children of the Emperor! That arrogance of drawing a bow against us—I
shall correct it right here!"
Aniue, lend me
your strength. Zirant, watch from there. I'll show you the justice you
desire right now.
As I swore in my heart, the Book of the Evil Dragon
began to glow pale blue, as usual without reading the mood. Reluctantly opening
the page, I peeked inside to find this written:
- Purge -
【Deliver
Divine Punishment to the Former Duke Aion】
- Completion
Reward: My Love
- I
acknowledge it. In the name of the Evil Dragon Zirant, deliver divine
punishment upon him!!
I humbly accept that command. Watch me deliver divine
punishment to the villain who made Aneue and Dulin sad, Zirant.
Thanks to you, I can carry out justice. ...Though honestly, getting your Love
is troubling; I don't know what to do with it.
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