With those words, Duke Kleinert bowed his head. Beside him, the young man with blond hair, who had been the gatekeeper, also bowed his head. However, it seemed he had been dragged there against his will and didn't quite understand the situation, looking rather dissatisfied.
To be able to look dissatisfied in this situation shows quite a bit of nerve.
"Duke, instead of apologizing, could you explain what happened?"
"Y-Yes... Actually, five days ago, Silver visited, but this foolish son of mine chased him away without proper verification..."
"Chased him away...?"
"But, Father! Would you normally think an SS-rank adventurer would suddenly come to our place? Wouldn't you think it was a fake?"
"You, be quiet! Foolish son! Since you're not much use, I entrusted you with the task of being the gatekeeper while I was out slaying monsters! And you couldn't even do that properly!"
"But, Father, you said... to drive away any men who came to see Fiene..."
"I never said to chase away an SS-rank adventurer! All you had to do was check Silver's adventurer card! Why can't you even do that!?"
"T-That's..."
The son's eyes darted around. He's hesitating about whether to lie or not.
Fools tell obvious lies. If he lies here and says Silver didn't show his adventurer card, it will be confirmed with Silver later and he'll be caught. In such a situation, it's best to bow one's head and apologize to minimize the damage.
"Duke, I would like you to save the scolding of your son for later. It's unfortunate to say, but your son's mistake is also your mistake."
"I-I understand that very well! How can I apologize to Prince Arnold and Prince Leonard...?"
"Apologize? You chased away an SS-rank adventurer sent by the prince and you want to apologize!?! Then, let me ask you! How do you plan to apologize? Silver, who has been disgraced, will probably not cooperate with us anymore! What will you do to make up for that!?"
"That... I will offer my old head for forgiveness!"
"I don't need your head! Or your incompetent son who chased away an SS-rank adventurer!"
At my words, Duke Kleinert's face showed despair, while his son let out a sigh of relief. It's surprising that such a son could come from this father.
Since his life can't make up for it, Duke Kleinert needs to offer something else.
And it must be something important to the ducal family and valuable to me and Leo.
In other words.
"Then, I will offer myself. Please forgive my father and brother, Your Highness."
Saying this, Fiene entered the room, wearing a blue dress.
Seeing her up close, I couldn't help but be amazed by her beauty. Even in this situation, I couldn't take my eyes off Fiene.
Her long blond hair was slightly wavy and shimmered faintly in the light. Her deep blue eyes, like the sea, emitted a gentle and embracing light. She was petite, but even through the dress, her curvaceous figure was evident.
Her face was slightly tense, but her beauty was not diminished in the slightest. Honestly, if she's offering herself, I would be happy to accept. Any man would think that, and I almost let an instinctive response slip out. However, this isn't the time to follow such instincts.
Fiene's appearance was unexpected for me. I had planned to push the duke a bit more before requesting his support in the imperial succession struggle.
"F-Fiene!? Please forgive me! Your Highness! My daughter is still a child!"
The duke, kneeling and pleading, looked desperate, and his love for his daughter was evident. He's a good father, offering his own head first instead of his son's.
Fiene also knelt and pleaded to protect her father.
"Please help my father and brother! I saw Silver when he came! If there is any fault, I share it too!"
"It's not my sister's fault! It's all my fault! Please forgive us!"
In the end, even the son knelt.
This is it. I'm the villain now.
I didn't expect this to happen. I thought it would be more of a psychological battle with the duke.
Looking to Sebastian for help, he sighed and said:
"Your Highness, the members of the Kleinert family are doing this much. Would it not be wise to calm your anger?"
"Are you telling me to forgive them? It's as good as being mocked! If I forgive this, we will lose all our dignity in the future!"
"It can be handled discreetly. Let's pretend this incident never happened."
"What about Silver!?"
"He's a man of honor. He won't abandon a mission once he's accepted it, and he might still be nearby. We can send people to look for him. If we apologize sincerely, Silver will understand."
"Even if Silver resolves the issue in this territory, the fact that we were mocked by the Kleinert family won't change, will it?"
The resolution is starting to take shape.
If Sebastian points out that I'm acting on my own, I can back down.
The duke probably sees me as a minor figure borrowing my brother's influence, which is what I want.
Ultimately, it's Leo who will join the imperial succession struggle, not me.
"Regarding that, I suggest we discuss it with Prince Leonard later."
"That's a waste of time! He forgives everything!"
"That's why people gather around him. Besides, Prince Arnold, while you are Prince Leonard's elder brother, people are gathering around Prince Leonard. Even as an elder brother, if you worsen the relationship with the Kleinert family without Prince Leonard's knowledge, your position will be compromised."
"Damn... Fine. I'll do as you say. Duke, send people to find Silver. When you find him, I'll talk to him. Sebastian, you help too."
I reluctantly wrapped up the conversation.
Once Silver resolves the issue in this territory, the Kleinert family will be on Leo's side.
This is a good start for the imperial succession struggle.
While thinking about this, I pondered how to play both roles.
ā ā ā
"Still in the capital, huh? That was unexpected."
"I thought someone would be sent. In that sense, the out-of-favor prince coming was also unexpected."
In an ordinary inn in the capital, Silver was there. Or rather, he appeared to be.
Using ancient magic, he manipulated the innkeeper's memory to believe a strangely dressed guest had been staying there for five days. Sebastian pretended to discover this, and I faced Silver as myself.
"So? What about the young lady?"
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Silver. I am Fiene von Kleinert."
"I've seen you before. Our eyes met five days ago."
Hearing this, Fiene flinched slightly.
For a sixteen-year-old girl, talking to an SS-rank adventurer is a tough task. Especially in a situation where they are at fault and trying to seek forgiveness, it's a difficult challenge.
The duke couldn't leave because he was dealing with the monster problem. So, I said I would handle the persuasion of Silver alone, but Fiene insisted on coming as a representative of the Kleinert family.
As a result, I used illusion magic to create a second Silver and played both roles in front of Fiene. The reason for creating a second Silver is that if it were to be exposed, I could say Silver was cautious. If it were the other way around, it would be pointed out that I can use highly advanced illusion magic to replicate not only the appearance but also the voice.
Incidentally, there's no risk of being exposed by the voice. Silver's silver mask is a powerful magical tool. It not only changes the voice but also affects the impression on others, so even if we are together, no one would think we are the same person.
"... The rudeness of our ducal family... I am truly sorry..."
"Apologies are unnecessary. Your reputation has already hit rock bottom. I had heard the Kleinert family was wise and cared for the people, but it seems that was just a reputation."
"That's..."
"Adventurers flowing into a land suffering from monsters is not unusual. If you truly care for the people, you should be prepared to welcome any adventurer. Your brother chased me away because the duke was negligent in this preparation."
This is the crucial point.
I don't frame it as the son's mistake but as the responsibility of the entire Kleinert family. If it's the latter, simply punishing the son won't resolve the issue. Of course, the duke wouldn't do that.
"You are right... We, the Kleinert family, have failed..."
Seeing Fiene bow her head, I suggested to Silver that it was time to move on.
We came here to persuade Silver. If I can make it look like I persuaded Silver, our goal is achieved.
I didn't bring Sebastian into the room to avoid being seen in this three-act play. After all, I'm about to persuade myself.
"Silver, do you still have the intention to continue the mission?"
"If I didn't, I wouldn't be here. However, there's something I need to confirm first."
"What is it?"
"Did you manage to bring the Kleinert family on your side, out-of-favor prince?"
"... No, I haven't received a firm commitment."
"Indeed, you are the out-of-favor prince. You fall far short of your brother."
Silver sighed dramatically.
It feels strange to belittle myself, but if Silver says this, the Kleinert family's cooperation is almost certain.
"I will ensure their cooperation. I want you to be reassured."
"Are you promising their full cooperation? With that, I will complete the mission. I have my own reasons for wanting your brother to become emperor. I came out of the capital to this place because I wanted to create a ducal family that would support Leonard. If the Kleinert family lived up to their reputation, I would have expected them to repay a favor and support Leonard. But this family's reputation is tarnished. I need a written oath to ensure they won't betray us."
"My father would never do such a thing!"
"Protesting is futile. Miss Fiene, you have already lost my trust."
Silver stated this matter-of-factly.
There's a reason for saying this.
Silver was reluctant, but I wanted it to appear as if I had persuaded him. This will be reported to the duke through Fiene, and naturally, Silver's intentions as well.
If we get this far, the duke will definitely side with Leo. It might be roundabout, but the Kleinert family is crucial in the imperial succession struggle.
"Silver, are you saying you won't help unless I get that promise?"
"Of course."
"... I want you to reconsider and accept the monster slaying mission. I will ensure the duke is on our side."
"... Are you asking me to trust the out-of-favor prince? Do you realize how unreasonable that is?"
"Of course. Still, I'm asking. This is how it is."
Saying this, I bowed my head.
I've never had pride, so I can bow to anyone. Especially to an illusion I created, it's neither painful nor uncomfortable.
"Your quick bow shows you really lack the pride of a royal."
"If Leo were here, he would do the same... I understand you don't trust me. But I am still Leo's brother. I will do the minimum. I want you to slay the monsters. I don't want this issue to drag on."
"... Fine. As an adventurer, I can't let the monsters run wild. I will accept the mission. However, Miss Fiene, remember that I am counting on the Kleinert family."
"Thank you! I will not disappoint you!"
With that, we finished persuading Silver and left the inn.
Getting into the carriage Sebastian had waiting outside, I let out a deep breath.
Seeing this, Fiene bowed her head apologetically.
"Thank you..."
"...? Why are you thanking me?"
"You bowed your head for us... Despite the trouble we caused, you even persuaded Silver for the sake of the people. It's only right to thank you."
She seems to have a major misunderstanding.
Is she like Leo, always seeing the best in things?
I need to correct this. If she misunderstands me as a good person, it will make things difficult for me in the future.
"I bowed for my own sake. It's not the reason you think. It's a misunderstanding."
"Is that so... Then I will keep my misunderstanding. I... had a wrong impression of you. I thought you were scary, but you're not."
"No, that's..."
"Yes, it's my misunderstanding. You bowed for your own sake, not for the people or for us. But... will you forgive my misunderstanding?"
Saying this, Fiene smiled softly.
Her smile was more natural and beautiful than the one that charmed the capital when the emperor gifted her the bluebird hairpin. It was as if I had seen a meteor shower with my mother decades ago. The vast, cloudless night sky filled with shooting stars was simply beautiful and wonderful. The joy and happiness from seeing them. The same feeling welled up in me when I saw Fiene's smile.
I was captivated by her smile and turned away to hide my blushing face.
As a result, I lost the chance to correct her misunderstanding.
Thinking it wasn't bad to be misunderstood positively by Fiene, I never corrected her misunderstanding.