Chapter 201 - Chapter 200: The Breakdown of the Discussion
The second day of the second week of the Month of Water.
About two days had passed since Mika was rescued from the church.
During that time, Mika and Kistil were kept at the Leventein Marquis's villa.
It seems they were told it was better not to return home yet, as they were wary of a sudden outburst by the Temple Knights.
The Marquis (old man) seems to have been at the Royal Castle the whole time, and so did Ozendorwa and Yaroibarov, who participated in the church raid.
So, Mika has not seen with his own eyes what happened to the church afterwards or what kind of commotion was happening in District 2.
He only heard a little bit of the story from the knights of the Leventein family.
Kaerya's party and Trys had returned on the very day Mika was rescued.
And, strangely enough, the next day, Academy Director Maurice came for a meeting.
"I'm sorry I couldn't be of any help."
Maurice bowed his head immediately upon opening his mouth.
"Why is the Academy Director apologizing? This is not something the Academy Director should apologize for?"
"That's not the case. The Magic Academy (we) has an obligation to protect its students. When we heard you were captured by the church, we made demands for your release and a meeting, but everything was rejected. We did everything we could, but in the end, there was nothing we could do."
Maurice apparently judged that the pressure from the Magic Academy alone was insufficient, so he requested the Ministry of Military Affairs and the Kingdom Army to continue pressuring the church.
And somehow, the Court Magic Institute also got involved, demanding the church release Mika.
However, the church rejected all of them.
(The Court Magic Institute got involved because of Stellan... Well, he didn't even flinch at the title of Marquis.)
He must have thought he was ready for anything.
I don't know where that confidence came from.
"I don't know the reason for the church's runaway behavior, but I'm just glad you're safe. Are you going to return to the academy around next week?"
When Maurice asked that, Mika shook his head.
"I don't know. Only that I'll return if permission is granted to go home..."
"I see. Well, don't push yourself. Being captured in enemy territory puts a physical and mental burden on you far more than you realize. You should rest slowly first."
Maurice showed unexpected kindness.
It seems he wasn't just a Spartan.
Or rather, he's speaking quite deeply about it.
Does he have experience?
And then,
"You endured well."
He praised him.
It seems he was worried about whether Mika would try to escape using [God's Miracle] at any time.
Indeed, if we couldn't contact anyone outside, I probably would have forced an escape.
After Maurice left, more than ten officials came from the royal palace.
To be precise, they were investigators from the Royal Palace, the Ministry of Military Affairs, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Kingdom Army, the Court Magic Institute, and others.
They already grasped the general circumstances, so this was for confirmation.
After that, they investigated what was done to him while he was captured, what was asked of him, and what he said.
They were probably investigating whether anything Mika said violated the law.
However, in reality, he was just left alone for a week, so he wasn't asked anything, nor did he say anything.
When he conveyed that, the officials seemed quite suspicious.
So, I conveyed my personal opinion: "There must have been a meaning in detaining me personally."
The meaning lay not in the information Mika possessed, but in depriving Mika of his life or freedom.
The officials showed a certain understanding of Mika's opinion and returned with determination to question him thoroughly.
■■■■■■
The sixth day of the second week of the Month of Water.
It seems Cleiria and Nerisfeene returned to the capital last night.
However, they still haven't been allowed to meet.
And, the Marquis (old man) is returning from the Royal Castle this morning, so a discussion will be held there.
(What kind of discussion? Whether I can return soon, perhaps?)
I was ordered to wait in the room since morning and haven't seen Kistil either.
While sitting in the room, dazed... a maid came to call me.
Guided by the maid, I walked down the hallway.
It seems the destination is the reception room.
Knock, knock.
"Come in."
When the maid knocked on the door of the reception room, a voice from inside permitted entry.
It was the Marquis's (old man) voice.
Entering the room, the Marquis (old man) and Cleiria were sitting on the sofa, with about five knights, including Mustajif, standing behind them.
There were also a few knights standing in the corner of the room.
This is quite strict.
On the sofa next to Cleiria, Kistil and Nerisfeene were sitting.
Seeing Mika's face, Nerisfeene briefly showed a look of joy.
But she immediately looked down.
(Why is the air so heavy?)
When Cleiria saw Mika's face, she looked down with a sad expression.
"Cleiria, Nerisfeene, thank you. I heard you went all the way to Sarbengeal, forcing yourselves."
"Mika-sama..."
"Mika..."
Going all the way to Sarbengeal in just two days is practically a forced march.
When Mika spoke to them, their voices choked up.
Prompted by the Marquis (old man), Mika sat on the opposite sofa.
"My Lord. Thank you very much this time. I heard from the officials that it was a very dangerous situation that put your position at risk."
Mika bowed deeply and conveyed his gratitude.
The Marquis (old man) just nodded with a "Hmm."
The atmosphere was so oppressive that I wanted to run away.
(What on earth happened...?)
I muttered in my heart as if it were none of my business.
However, unfortunately, Mika is definitely a party to this.
It is not hard to imagine that he is at the center of this matter.
"Today, it seems to be some kind of discussion..."
Mika wanted to finish this so-called discussion as soon as possible, so he started the conversation himself.
The Marquis (old man) looked at Mika with a serious expression, scary enough to be called scary...
"As you said, Mika-kun, I used quite a borderline method this time. Unless there was a very good reason, leading knights to rush into the capital, even if it was a small number, is an act that could be suspected of rebellion and leave no room for complaint."
"Rebellion!?"
The topic became far larger than Mika expected, and his voice involuntarily grew loud.
"There are precedents. Therefore, normally, one informs the capital of the reason for visiting in advance. Several weeks ago. Even with a reason, one tries to avoid rushing in on horseback as much as possible. To avoid misunderstanding."
I didn't know he had taken such care.
Well, the kingdom has expanded its territory quite recklessly.
I learned in kingdom history that rebellions actually occurred, so it must be a custom born from that history.
"And, the raid on the church. Not only rescuing Mika-kun, but capturing the Pope and others as the ringleaders. If you think about it normally, it is a reckless act that could be suspected of madness."
Capturing the Pope of a religion believed in by almost 100% of the citizens. How much hatred would that incur?
Not only the king and the country, but if things went wrong, it could turn the entire kingdom's population against him.
If such a person were to remain as a lord, it wouldn't be strange if criticism were directed at the king as well.
"Therefore, a reason for such actions is necessary."
"A reason, you say?"
When Mika repeated it, the Marquis (old man) nodded heavily.
"Yes. A reason why we had no choice but to do so."
"...Is kidnapping and imprisonment not enough?"
"That level is not enough to discuss. It is proper to appeal to His Majesty and have the knight corps move."
Hearing the Marquis's (old man) words, Cleiria pressed her lips together and tightly gripped her hands on her lap.
"But, if we did it normally, we wouldn't have made it in time. In fact, I seem to be guilty?"
By the time the Marquis (old man) and the others arrived, the heresy trial had already concluded.
At Mika's words, the Marquis (old man) nodded.
"That cannot be helped. If you tell them to turn a blind eye to reckless acts to save one or two commoners, it is impossible."
In this country, commoners' lives are light.
However, with that...
"So, this time it hasn't been handled in that form, has it? There was a proper reason...?"
When Mika said that, the Marquis (old man) nodded.
"For a family member. That is what I explained to His Majesty."
"...A family member?"
Does that mean you and the Marquis (old man) are family?
Mika couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"Hahaha... What is that? You're not going to enter into an adoption agreement with His Lordship, are you?"
Will I have to call him Father from now on?
It's normally unpleasant, but...
When Mika said it jokingly, the Marquis (old man) shook his head.
"We considered that, but it's impossible. To enter into an adoption agreement, His Majesty's permission is required. Before obtaining permission, one cannot be considered family."
"Then, what will you do?"
When Mika asked, the Marquis (old man) closed his eyes once and took a deep breath.
"If it is a marriage engagement with a commoner, His Majesty's permission is not required."
"Haaaaaaaaaaaaaa!?"
Mika's eyes widened, and he shouted loudly.
"Provided that conditions are met, such as renouncing the right to inherit the headship. There is no such loophole for adoption, but there is for marriage and engagement."
In the form of being the Marquis's (old man) child, the right to inherit the headship would arise even through adoption.
In this case, one cannot even renounce the right itself.
Or rather, in noble families, adoption is mostly for the purpose of continuing the family line.
Therefore, His Majesty's permission is required.
The thought is, if one does not have the right to inherit the headship, why is adoption necessary?
Adoption is not necessary just for raising.
One only needs to support them as a guardian.
However, there is a loophole for marriage or engagement with a commoner.
If the right is renounced, if Cleiria becomes the son-in-law of the Leventein family, or if Cleiria leaves the noble family to marry, His Majesty's permission is not required.
Marriage and engagement aim to bind the families together.
The purpose itself is to form a bond, regardless of individual ability.
Therefore, commoners entering a noble family are given the right to choose what to do.
If they do not renounce the right, naturally, His Majesty's permission is required.
Because there is a possibility of succeeding the noble family.
This time, legally permission is not required, but he explained that he intended to report it when the Marquis (old man) came to the capital in the summer.
"...Have you already told His Majesty?"
"Of course, I told him first. Otherwise, I didn't know what would happen to myself."
Mika wanted to hold his head.
From this wording, he probably assumes that Cleiria will not become a commoner, but rather that Mika will enter the noble family.
He has no inheritance rights, but he intends to make Mika a member of the Leventein Marquis family.
"I'm sorry, Mika..."
Cleiria looked at Mika with a face that looked like she was about to cry.
She probably didn't expect it to turn out like this.
(...If you look so sad, it feels like you hate marrying me from the bottom of your heart.)
Well, actually, it's not about what Mika does or doesn't do, but he is confused and troubled that the situation has turned out this way.
A bit rude, but Mika let out a sigh.
"...My Lord, you probably know, but I have two fiancées."
Saying that, Mika looked at Kistil and Nerisfeene.
The two also looked at Mika with sad faces.
"If I engage to Cleiria, you must break the engagements with the two of them."
"...Huh?"
Mika's tone dropped, and he involuntarily glared at the Marquis (old man).
(What kind of nonsense are you saying...?)
But the Marquis (old man) didn't move an eyebrow and accepted Mika's gaze.
On top of that, he added further.
"Cleiria cannot accept that her fiancé has two other fiancées. I will allow you to marry the two after marriage. But during the engagement period, it must be only with Cleiria."
"Father!"
At the Marquis's (old man) ruthless declaration, Cleiria raised a voice of accusation.
"Think about Mika's feelings! Suddenly, something like this..."
Cleiria couldn't hold back and pleaded while shedding tears.
But the Marquis (old man) just glanced at such Cleiria.
Kistil and Nerisfeene also looked down, and occasionally drops of tears fell, wetting their skirts.
The air in this room was heavy from the beginning, probably because everyone except Mika had been told the story in advance.
Mika scratched his head vigorously and stood up.
"This is ridiculous. Let's go, both of you."
Mika called out to Kistil and Nerisfeene, but the two did not try to stand up.
The Marquis (old man) once looked at Kistil and Nerisfeene, and then looked at Mika.
"The two have already agreed."
"Don't joke. You just threatened them with the name of the Marquis family. That is not agreement."
Mika countered directly to the Marquis's words, and the knights in the room murmured for a moment.
Silent gazes crossed between Mika and the Marquis (old man).
Anger gradually gathered in Mika's gaze, containing killing intent.
The knights also sensed that, and some began to reach for their swords.
The Marquis (old man) did not avert his gaze, but accepted and reflected it straight.
"We do not have time to play with children's games."
"What's wrong with children's games? It's better than having one's life toyed with by others."
Already, it wasn't just Mika who began to leak killing intent.
Some of the knights in the room also began to leak killing intent they couldn't suppress.
A single touch would trigger an immediate explosion.
In the tense atmosphere, Cleiria forgot even to breathe.
Mika was desperately trying to suppress the anger rising within him.
Even so, he was trying hard to hold it down.
Anger so strong that even his clenched fists trembled no matter how much he suppressed it.
(I decided it myself...! Even if it was just a matter of circumstance! I decided to protect these two...!)
And that...
The Marquis (guy), who knows nothing about Mika's thoughts, what right does he have to do whatever he wants!!!
"M-Mika-sama, no! P-P-please h-h-h-h-h-......!"
"Mika-kun, it's okay! So..."
Kistil and Nerisfeene, noticing Mika's state, tried to persuade him.
But even with their words, Mika did not stop.
He glared at the Marquis (old man) with eyes filled with killing intent.
Click.
At that moment, the room's door suddenly opened.
A man with honey-blonde hair entered the reception room and let out a loud sigh.
"My, my... This is just on the verge of the worst. Well, if we made it in time, that's good."
"Big Brother!"
The one who suddenly entered the reception room without knocking was Cleiria's second brother, Ixel.
"Let's stop here, shall we?"
Mika was led by Ixel to the garden of the Leventein family.
"Secret talks in the open, huh."
In the very center of the garden.
It was completely visible from the surroundings, but on the other hand, no one was eavesdropping.
When Ixel burst into the reception room, he ignored the Marquis (old man) who ordered him to "get out" and forcibly dragged Mika outside.
I don't know what's going on, and since I don't know if he's an enemy or a friend, Mika remained on guard.
"I was summoned last night as a messenger from Cleiria."
"From Cleiria?"
Ixel explained the circumstances of how he came here so easily.
Cleiria had already heard the Marquis's (old man) thoughts in Sarbengeal and had been thinking about what to do ever since.
She seemed to have consulted with her eldest brother, Haiden, but he had no good ideas, and more importantly, she couldn't take the time to think properly before returning.
Haiden was left in charge of the Marquis's (old man) absence and could not leave Sarbengeal, so he was advised to consult with Ixel when he arrived in the capital.
"So, I've been thinking since last night. With a glass of red wine in hand."
It seems to be an idea while drinking.
(...This doesn't seem very promising.)
Mika relaxed his guard a little and let out a deep sigh.
Seeing such Mika, Ixel put on a serious face.
"I'm sorry. Father's mind is stuck on nobles and nobles. Even so."
He seems to have a thought process leaning quite a bit towards a warrior, but fundamentally, he seems to be stuck in noble thinking.
"I was worried about what I should do too. I never thought he would force it through so recklessly."
Saying that, he spoke as if exasperated.
It seems Ixel belongs to the Royal Guards, so when the Marquis (old man) announced the engagement between Mika and Cleiria, he heard about it relatively early.
He had heard from Cleiria before when he visited the villa that Mika was engaged, so he wondered what he would do.
So, that's why he showed up this morning when they said they would discuss it.
"...That wasn't a discussion, was it?"
"In Father's mind, that was also a discussion. For the sake of it."
Basically, in the Marquis's (old man) mind, a discussion is either something ordered from above or something ordered from below.
He listens to opinions, but it ends with a one-sided transmission.
I think that's just top-down communication...
It seems only ministers and above attend serious debates.
As a lord, he is in a position to bear full responsibility for the territory.
I can't say I don't understand that it would turn out that way basically.
"I am not the Marquis's subordinate."
"That's true..."
If ordered by a noble, normally a commoner cannot disobey.
No matter how unreasonable it is.
Ixel looked up at the sky once, then looked straight at Mika.
"Even so, since I have already told His Majesty, the engagement between Cleiria and Mika-kun is decided."
As expected, this person is on that side too, Mika sighed.
"Do you dislike Cleiria? Even though she is my sister, she is quite a beauty..."
"That is not the issue."
When Mika said that, Ixel shrugged his shoulders.
"Well, bringing up noble logic is harsh, isn't it? If you have lived as a noble, you should follow the rules of a noble. That's why Cleiria doesn't oppose the fact that her father decides her marriage partner. Being born and raised in a noble family is like that."
Not that it's the other way around, but precisely because of that, various privileges are allowed.
Cleiria also uses those privileges without being conscious of them.
"I think it's pitiful to follow noble rules after living as a commoner all along without enjoying the benefits of noble privileges."
There, Ixel took a breath.
"Where exactly is your dissatisfaction, Mika-kun?"
"Where... If someone suddenly says we are engaged, anyone..."
He tried saying that, but there was no way to get empathy from someone who thinks that is normal.
"If you say you are dissatisfied with the engagement itself, I can't do anything about it. Is there any other dissatisfaction?"
Other...?
If I say other...
"...They told me to break the engagements with the two people I am already engaged to? There's no way I can accept that."
Really, stop joking.
I considered destroying the church and leaving the continent, but I might need to pull out that plan again.
"Breaking the engagement? Is that the biggest problem?"
"Yes. I absolutely cannot accept this!"
When Mika strongly declared, Ixel raised one eyebrow.
"I want to confirm something. Mika-kun, you made the engagement contract by asking a priest in Sarbengeal, right?"
"Eh, y-yes... Yes, that's right."
"To which government office did you submit the documents? Was it Sarbengeal? Or the capital?"
"The capital."
Hearing Mika's reply, Ixel smiled at the corner of his mouth.
"Good... In that case, Plan Number 73 seems usable."
"Huh?"
Plan Number 73?
Does that mean there are at least 73 plans?
As Mika looked up at Ixel with his mouth agape, Ixel squatted down and met Mika's gaze.
"Mika-kun, you are in a very difficult situation right now, aren't you? Who do you think is to blame for that?"
"Who..."
The Marquis (old man), of course.
But judging by Ixel's expression, that doesn't seem to be the correct answer.
Something more fundamental...
"The church?"
"Why do you sound so unsure? It's obviously the church."
When Mika tilted his head to answer, Ixel smiled wryly.
"Originally, if the church hadn't done such foolish things, this wouldn't have happened. You should have been living a normal life. Right?"
"That is certainly true."
There is no doubt that the church was the trigger.
"Then, let's ask the church to lend a hand a little bit."
"Lend a hand?"
What kind of talk is Ixel having?
"Wagnare is at the Royal Castle. The Archbishop of Sarbengeal. Do you know him?"
"Ahh... I didn't know him personally, but I met him for the first time at the church the other day."
The one who took off the muzzle was definitely a person named Wagnare.
"I have met Wagnare a few times before. When I returned to Sarbengeal, for example. He said he is now at the Royal Castle, so I went to see him yesterday as well."
"Hah... Is that so?"
When he said that much, Ixel made a bad smile.
"So, since you are in a difficult situation because of the church, let's make the church cooperate. To atone for their sins, you see."
"Eh?"
What do you intend to make them do?
"I'll skip the detailed methods, but simply put, it's a fake breaking of the engagement."
"Gig...!?"
Really, what are you planning to do!?
"Make the church in Sarbengeal create documents stating that the engagement has been broken. Then, submit that to the government office in the capital. The office will also need some manipulation, but outwardly, it will appear that the engagement has been broken. However, in reality, the engagement remains valid. How about it?"
"How about it..."
It's so sudden that my head can't keep up.
Mika was sweating a little at Ixel's bold plan.