Chapter 68

It’s morning already, what’s this?

These knights are prostrate on the floor, crying “I’m sorry!” one after another.

Even Heron and Sheiden, who I was told would only appear during the trial, are here.

Forget about the fact that they were supposed to be hard to meet; even Harnier, who had no deep connection to this incident, is here.

For a moment, I thought my head would freeze over from all these unexpected scenes pouring in at once.

…

“Everyone, get up.”

“No way!”

A sharp denial came back.

“We deserve a heavier punishment! We failed to manage those beneath us, not noticing such an incident could happen to the young master!”

“Our vision blurred, and we fell into prejudice, showing the young master a wrong perspective!”

“We showed shameful behavior unworthy of a knight!”

They all enumerated their crimes.

These were the kinds of words Carsein had heard too many times.

When I tried to dissuade them from accepting their punishment, they cried out:

“Give us our punishment!”

The knights shouted loudly again.

Oh, my head.

First, let me ask this knight in front.

“…Hey, where’s the captain?”

“If Lord Radiel were here, there might have been a chance for our punishment to be reduced, so we asked him not to come!”

“So he’s not here?”

“Yes! Because everyone needs to show their readiness to receive the punishment given by the young master!”

Damn, these guys are so thorough!

Did you realize your mistake now?

So you’re asking for punishment?

I grabbed my forehead and glanced at the status window.

‘Are choices not appearing here? Maybe… some thoughts of Carsein…’

No. It’s not. Go away.

The status window remained silent as if telling me to leave it alone.

“Young Master, it’s better for you to say something as the master at a time like this.”

In my dilemma, Harnier approached and whispered softly.

“What should I say?”

“It’d be best to handle it in a knightly manner since they are knights. Like making them run 100 laps.”

“…100 laps?”

They might die running that far.

“But this is a method used in many noble houses to punish knights. Of course, considering the Bargrand Duke’s House, the number has doubled to preserve the young master’s dignity and the honor of the knights. If you feel it’s insufficient, you can add twice the amount.”

“That’s enough!”

Heron, this old man isn’t a gentleman.

From my experience, it’s a death sentence.

Nobility? Dignity? Honor of a knight?

I don’t care about those.

I’ll just do things my way.

“Starting today, from running laps! If any of you arrive later than me, I’ll really give you a punishment!”

After shouting that, I rushed out of my quarters straight to the training hall.

Frozen in place by the bewildering order, the knights shouted,

“Young Master! How many laps? You need to tell us how many!”

“When did you start thinking about that?! Just run!”

“What are you waiting for? Hurry up!”

They scrambled to their feet and started running.

Mark, who ran the fastest and passed me, shouted to the knights behind him,

“Anybody who lags behind the young master will regret it! As deputy commander, I’ll make sure you pay!”

Training began with the same intensity as always.

And then—

▶You’ve earned the trust of the Bargrand Duke’s knights by showing mercy!◀

▶You’ve achieved results beyond the usual choices!◀

▶Rewards are being granted!◀

■Reward

▶Fixed Training Hall Reputation

[Your reputation in the training hall won’t drop below a certain rank!]

[Reputation Rank B, Value 350]

Unexpected rewards kept coming in.

***

An unplanned lap-running session.

This was born from my hand.

Even though it wasn’t a dignified form of punishment, they ran and ran despite being ahead of me. Perhaps they could have run 100 laps as Harnier suggested.

With the running done, the knights seemed somewhat organized.

Though some boldly tried to argue it was insufficient, Harnier hinted at the fiancée watching, and they all backed off.

Of course, I didn’t just run aimlessly.

While running, I sorted through my complicated thoughts and understood why this was happening.

Harried and breathing heavily on the floor, Harnier approached with a handkerchief to wipe my sweat.

“They aren’t right, are they? If they were, they wouldn’t have left so easily.”

“Yeah, well…”

More importantly, this needs to be settled.

“Even if Heron called, there was no need for you to come.”

“Why?”

“I could have handled it alone. Or rather, it wasn’t something the Young Lady should get involved in.”

Heron likely acted alone in bringing Harrier here.

While Mark might have manipulated the knights, he probably saw it as an opportunity related to his fiancée.

“Coincidentally, Theo made a final decision and requested a trial. He judged that having a fiancée like Emma would be advantageous.”

Given his experience, he’s quite meticulous in his calculations.

If Radiel was a direct witness and victim, then Heron could be seen as an indirect witness suspecting Emma’s involvement.

Thus, Heron is often fixed as a witness for Carsein in trials. Yet, he never revealed this to Carsein.

The reason is obvious.

“He calculated that he couldn’t interrogate Emma himself.”

As the sole party involved, lacking solid evidence, it could backfire.

Similar to Radiel, he foresaw that his testimony would be inadequate, but he still seized this opportunity to bring Harrier here.

Harrier pouted her lips.

“Didn’t we agree to inform each other about such incidents beforehand?”

“…What?”

“At the festival, you said we should help each other if we knew something beneficial.”

She did mention that.

Given the social circle, she had quite a few connections among noble women.

“But this situation isn’t applicable now. We don’t know the details, and there’s nothing to help with.”

She had already agreed to help, but it wasn’t necessary for her to come here as it wasn’t related to the duchess house or the incident in the training hall.

“Well, I’m connected now.”

“What?”

“I used my handkerchief, and I know the situation from Heron butler.”

“Are you going to get involved with just that?”

“Of course. I’m in a position to help.”

Harrier neatly folded the handkerchief after wiping my sweat, smiling beautifully.

Contrastingly, I had a very uneasy expression, which quickly turned sour.

“What’s with that look? You don’t like it?”

“It’s too deeply involved. This is an internal matter within the knight order.”

“That’s right. So, I should get involved more. It’s a great opportunity to reveal that I’m engaged.”

…That’s true.

We promised to reveal it at a major announcement someday.

“I’m not just saying I can help because I want to.”

“What?”

“Do you know how nobles conduct themselves in court?”

“Uh…”

“You don’t even know proper etiquette. That’s serious. Don’t take it lightly.”

It’s hard to refute.

Carsein had been criticized for not behaving like a noble due to his lack of composure.

Having lived for 19 years, he had experienced this many times.

Ignorance leads to defeat.

“In court, it’s better to have someone experienced giving advice.”

“…I understand. Teach me.”

Harrier smiled again.

“Come on, get up quickly.”

“Huh? Ah, um… I’m all sweaty…”

“If I keep you standing like this, I might ask more questions?”

She urged me.

I couldn’t stop her as she pulled me up, my strength drained from the run.

And then.

Unexpectedly, I saw.

[ Harnier ]

[ Affinity: 40% ]

[ Sheiden ]

[ Affinity: 40% ]

The affinity boxes for Harnier and Sheiden, which I had never seen before in the game.

***

Following Harrier, when we moved, eyes poured down.

Understandably.

They were curious about Carsein’s fiancée, wanting to see who she was, besides being knights.

Radiel came out and scolded the knights,

“Are you not coming in?”

Reluctantly, they went inside.

I shouldn’t waste their time with this.

But I couldn’t stop her from taking the lead.

Radiel chose an appropriate spot away from listening ears, and Harrier got straight to the point.

“Considering you didn’t know about the fiancée and the insult counts as a significant advantage, let’s start by sorting this out.”

She began organizing the key points, emphasizing the insult to both families.

“The important part is that we targeted two families. Here, we should prioritize the noble stance over the trainee’s identity, so it’s best not to remove the title ‘Young Lord’ of Ramsleigh Baronage. If they try to remove it, seize the opportunity…”

She summarized crucial points I hadn’t known and prepared counterarguments for potential objections.

Her ability was impressive.

Confidence grew that this approach wouldn’t fail.

Then, Harrier cautiously asked me,

“The problem is, I can testify up to this point, but I’d like to hear more about the rest of the incident.”

Testimony is just that, but understanding the context could put us in a more favorable position.

“Of course, if you don’t want to or it brings up bad memories, you can refuse.”

There’s no connection to Carsein’s past.

Thus, her caution was considerate.

This courtesy felt awkward.

But…

“I’ll speak. It’s better.”

I answered sharply.

Feedback on points to note and advantages in court was necessary.

From there, the story of the false accusation was revealed.

Though Harrier tried to hide her anger, her pupils trembled, and her fists shook.

Seeing this, she prepared even more meticulously.

She carefully organized and thoroughly analyzed opposing arguments, preparing rebuttals.

Hours passed as she worked.

“If we prepare like this, our chances of winning are pretty high. However…”

Suddenly, Harrier’s expression darkened.

Before I could ask why, she asked me,

“Are you okay? After going through such an ordeal.”

Hmm. How would it sound to ask if I’m okay?

Carsein wouldn’t be okay. But I’m not him, am I?

So, it was hard to answer rashly.

“I’m sorry. It was a pointless question…”

“Why apologize? I should be grateful for your help.”

“…”

“Don’t worry. I won’t be hurt by this.”

“Really?”

Harrier’s somber face lightened slightly.

“Then, when can we meet again?”

“Are nobles suspicious?”

“Huh? Oh, yes…! It feels like it’s been too long since we last met…”

What’s with that surprised look?

“Oh, anyway, contact me if you have any questions before the trial. It’s getting late, so I’ll go back first!”

Harrier left hurriedly.

She’s not usually like this.

“She’s definitely hiding something.”

Still, I received a lot of help today.

Just preparing like this greatly improves my argument skills, and with evidence, it can surely send those two packing.

Even if choices interfere, it won’t matter.

Gathering the notes Harrier prepared, I left the pantry.

Outside, familiar blonde hair shimmered.

‘She’s here when she’s supposed to.’

It’s unusual for her not to show up when choices are available.

Meeting eyes, Flora flinched.

*Ding!

[1. What face do you have to show up here? Why, did you come to tell me to save those knights with your own hands?]

[2. You’ll say it’s my fault? Say whatever you want. It’ll all come out in the trial.]

[3. (Ignore and walk past)]

[4. (Call the knights) Immediately pull Flora Bargrand out of here. There’s a possibility she’s colluding with the suspect.]

[5. (Sigh deeply) If you have something to say, say it.]

Despite shock therapy, I don’t want to say anything.

I ignored Flora and walked past.

“Hey, wait!”

This little girl grabbed my sleeve first. Her wet, sweaty sleeve might feel unpleasant, but she held on.

“I heard the trial is starting…”

Her voice was barely audible.

Without meeting her eyes, Flora continued,

“I came to help…”

The second choice appeared.

Either option is fine.

So, I shook off Flora’s sleeve and walked again.

“I can help! Emma and Theo told me everything they did to you…”

Ugh.

Flora, who chased after me in a hurry, now held my arms tightly with both hands.

“So, I came…”

*Bam!

Roughly released, Flora looked at me with wide eyes.

“Really, I came to help! I know what Emma and Theo did, so I came to help you…”

“Needless.”

“What…?”

Usually, it’s best not to choose.

But now, I’ll choose.

[5. Your help is unnecessary.]

“Your help is unnecessary.”

Rather than relying on this child, I’d rather solve it myself.

—