Chapter 100

“What exactly happened?”

“Well…”

What Nigel told me about my actions was quite shocking.

While I was resting alone on the balcony, Gilbert Bernstein, the Count, headed that way… and shortly after, his screams were heard. Until then, everyone thought the drunken Count Bernstein had just gotten into a minor argument with someone.

“It seems he came to protest the injury of his son, Kenneth.”

“His son? Why is he blaming me? Who even is Kenneth?”

“Well… he’s the magician that Princess Ha-shal-leur severely injured and forced to drop out. Don’t you remember?”

Now that I think about it, I vaguely recall someone like that… Wasn’t he the guy who almost got his head smashed for calling me a barbarian?

“Ah, that guy. I remember now. He should’ve been fully healed by now, so why come to confront me? Was there really a reason?”

“I heard he’s become a wreck. He screams and runs away at the sight of women…”

“……”

Well, he had a reason to come after me. Though it was his own fault.

Nigel continued.

The balcony windows were closed, and the banquet hall was filled with chatter, but there were still those who overheard the argument between me and Count Bernstein.

According to their testimony, Count Bernstein insulted my—well, Hersela’s mother, and not long after, his body fell from the balcony, his neck twisted.

The Imperial Palace managed to cover it up as an accidental fall, but that was just the official statement. Everyone knows who did it. They just don’t say it out loud.

Nigel said that if it hadn’t been me who did it, anyone else would’ve been executed on the spot for committing murder in the Imperial Palace.

…I should be grateful to the Imperial family for covering it up.

Not for my sake, but for their own honor, since they had even awarded me a medal and praised me.

During the brief pause in the banquet, Prince Leopold, who had roughly handled the situation, handed me over to Freide and sent me back.

I sighed. Just hearing about it gave me a headache.

Seriously, how could one glass of wine lead to such a mess…? Unbelievable. I really shouldn’t touch alcohol.

—

“So, what about this duel?”

I asked Nigel, putting down the letter sent by the Bernstein family.

Honestly, it was a duel challenge I was reluctant to accept. Even if it was his own fault… turning his son into a wreck and then killing the father who came to protest still weighed on my conscience.

“You can ignore it. It’s a duel that can’t actually happen anyway.”

Nigel said something puzzling.

A duel that can’t happen? That’s hard to believe. The handwriting alone reeks of resentment.

“What do you mean by that?”

“For a duel with Princess Ha-shal-leur to be valid, you’d need at least a master-level opponent… The Bernstein family would struggle to find someone like that, and even if they did, the duel wouldn’t be possible.”

“Why not?”

“The Empire strictly prohibits duels between masters. No matter who wins, humanity loses a valuable resource.”

That made sense. With only about fifty masters across the Empire’s knight orders and private armies, losing one to a personal dispute would be a huge waste.

Especially in these turbulent times.

“Moreover, using the incident the Imperial Palace declared as an accidental fall as a pretext is a direct challenge to the Imperial decision… They should be the ones retracting the duel challenge and apologizing as soon as possible.”

“From the letter, it doesn’t seem like they’re in a state to make rational decisions. What happens if they don’t cancel it?”

Nigel hesitated. It didn’t seem like a pleasant outcome.

“A few Royal Guards will be secretly dispatched to the Bernstein estate. Soon, news will spread that the Bernstein family, unable to endure their misfortune, set their mansion on fire and chose to end their lives.”

It was a chilling story. Especially with the certainty in his tone.

Yeah, it’ll probably go down just as Nigel said.

It’s a common occurrence for those who defy the will of the powerful to end up dead.

Even if the Imperial family’s influence has weakened compared to before… it’s still far beyond what a mere count can handle.

The president of my homeland, the Republic of Korea, was no different. The Red Alliance and the Unified European Empire were the same.

“…Is that the right thing to do?”

It feels like an excessive punishment to me.

I don’t remember exactly what the Count did, but in the end, it’s a one-sided beating leading to the destruction of a family.

“Hard to say. Right and wrong depend on individual standards. There’s no universal principle. At least, from the Imperial family’s perspective, it’s the right thing to do.”

“What’s your standard?”

“I think it’s not a righteous act. However, it’s the correct one. If even a mere count can ignore the Imperial family’s will, it will only bring chaos to the Empire.”

A sharp answer.

Truly knight-like, in many ways.

—

The Bernstein family wasn’t the only one who sent a letter.

Marquis Ludwig sent a light reprimand, saying, “I told you not to cause too much trouble, but you really pushed it to the limit of what’s manageable.”

Prince Leopold…

Somehow, they sent a letter detailing the official duel methods and procedures of the Empire.

A letter also arrived from Empress Isabella.

It expressed regret over the commotion caused by the recent incident and asked if the banquet’s alcohol suited my taste—whether it was sarcastic or not, it was hard to tell.

Then Freide showed up.

“You have something to say to me, don’t you?”

Freide crossed her arms, furrowed her brow, and snapped at me.

“Uh… you’ve had a rough time, huh?”

“Apologize, apologize…! Ugh…”

Freide, who had been fuming, let out a deep sigh.

Well, Freide must’ve had a hard time too.

After all, someone who attended the banquet with her caused a huge scene and passed out.

“Trying to avoid annoying people ended up being such a disgrace… Don’t even think about drinking from now on.”

“Well, I was thinking the same thing. But I don’t remember anything, so… Anyway, thanks for taking me back.”

“Of course you should be grateful. You almost died.”

Freide shuddered as she continued.

“Huh? What do you mean? Was there an attack or something?”

“You were the attacker. I don’t know if you’re aware, but you have a habit of hugging the person next to you when you sleep.”

…I had no idea I had such a habit.

In this world or the other, I’ve always slept alone.

“If I had been a second slower to pull away, my spine would’ve been shattered.”

“Good grief.”

Normally, that would be considered a cute sleeping habit.

But with this body, it turns into a horrifying murder attempt.

“Looks like you really should live alone. Unless killing your lover is your hobby.”

“…Yeah, I guess so.”

Is that a good thing…? I don’t know.

—

In the end, Nigel’s prediction came true.

Four days later, a new letter arrived from the Bernstein family.

They apologized for blaming me for the death of their patriarch, who died from a fall, and asked for forgiveness for their rudeness.

Perhaps they chose reality over resentment to protect the remaining family.

Feeling a bit bittersweet, I folded the letter and placed it on the desk.

“Looks like it turned out as you said, Nigel. What should I write in reply? ‘My condolences for the death of Count Gilbert’?”

“Are you serious…?”

Nigel was shocked.

Why?

“Of course I’m serious. The Countess is pitiful, even if the Count isn’t.”

Kenneth brought it on himself, and Gilbert… probably did too, but not the Countess.

My answer must’ve been unexpected, as Nigel’s expression turned to one of confusion.

“Ah, I see. My apologies, I must’ve misunderstood.”

“Misunderstood?”

Nigel nodded.

“Well, if you, Ha-shalleur, offer condolences, the Bernstein family would naturally take it as a terrible mockery.”

“…Is that how it works?”

Thinking about it, it made sense.

In a situation where the enemy can’t even protest due to power dynamics, receiving a letter of condolences from that enemy…

Even I’d be furious.

My mistake.

Since I don’t remember anything, it feels like someone else’s problem, not mine.

“Then what should I write…?”

“If you must send a reply, something like ‘I don’t mind, as it was a misunderstanding’ would be best.”

I followed Nigel’s advice.

—

After that, the Bernstein family effectively dissolved.

I sent a letter to Leopold suggesting we wrap things up since I’d received an apology, but unfortunately, my opinion was dismissed.

Although the duel request was withdrawn, sending the duel grounds in the first place was seen as defiance against the Imperial family, so they couldn’t just let it slide.

Leopold tried to respect my wishes, but ultimately, the decision lay with the Emperor and Empress, and even Leopold couldn’t go against their will.

Thus, the Bernstein family’s fate was decided by Isabella’s will, regardless of my opinion.

The widowed Countess quickly remarried one of the Third Prince’s faction nobles. Right after her husband’s funeral.

Whether her wishes were considered in that remarriage… only those involved would know.

Kenneth Bernstein’s mental illness worsened, and he eventually took his own life after a fit. Officially, at least.

As a result, all the Bernstein family’s assets and lands went to the Countess’s new husband.

His younger sister, left alone, was “mercifully” taken in by Isabella as her maid.

From start to finish, it all went according to Isabella’s plan.

She devoured an entire noble family that had been walking a tightrope, subtly reminded everyone of the Imperial family’s enduring power… and even gained a disposable tool.

For three missteps, it was a brutal ending.