Chapter 121 (2/2)

「Sir Gafrasti N. Valves.」

Gafrasti was staying at Grugschilt's place. Lawrence came, knowing he was here. The captain thought he was a high-strung scholar, but he seemed relaxed as he stared at Lawrence, wisdom in his eyes.

That woman beside him has a strange air to her… Lawrence thought.

Apparently the woman protecting Gafrasti was not from this kingdom. She was probably just a bodyguard, seeing as Grugschilt didn't introduce her.

「I don't go by that name anymore. Right now, I'm Gafrasti G. Poelnxinia.」

After questioning the legitimacy of the current throne, Gafrasti incurred the wrath of the king and turned to Grugschilt for help. The Margrave believed the historian's claims and was still protecting him until now. That was the extent of Lawrence's knowledge on the current situation.

Lawrence hesitated when he received the letter from the Margrave inviting him over. After mulling it over, he came.

「I heard you came alone.」

Grugschilt watched Lawrence carefully. He had a fine beard, his hair, streaked with gray, tied to the back. The man had protected the border for years. He always fought in the frontlines during wartime. While he didn't possess the brute strength that Lawrence had, his presence was just as commanding.

「Yes, Sir.」Lawrence politely answered.

Grugschilt was twice as old as Lawrence. The captain himself had trained with the Margrave's army in the past.

「Mobilizing the whole Order would draw attention. And alone it'll only take me three to four days to come and go back.」

「Also you're much stronger when you don't have anyone else to protect.」

「I simply prioritized mobility.」

Like Grugschilt pointed out, even if Lawrence was surrounded by enemies, he could deal with them alone. If other knights accompanied him, it would be difficult to ensure everyone made it out alive. That is, of course, if the Margrave was an enemy.

「Let us get to the main issue, Lord Grugschilt. Convince me that Sir Gafrasti's claims are indeed true.」

The Margrave glanced at Gafrasti, who nodded slowly.

With his Stealth activated, Hikaru listened in on the three men's conversation. There were four of them in the room, but Aglaia van Houtens was focused on guard duty and showed no signs of joining the conversation.

Gafrasti produced Poelnxinia's family tree and began explaining. He talked fluently. The parchment itself reacted magically to the blood of the royal family. It was enough to convince anyone. Lawrence's serious expression didn't change, but he was quiet. He was probably only half-convinced—no, he came here with eighty percent doubt. But now he was astonished by the credibility of Gafrasti's claims.

The old man sure has changed…

Hikaru was surprised at Gafrasti's change as well. The historian's body looked thin, but he exuded an air of royalty.

Hikaru recalled a book he read back in j.a.pan. Not everyone could become the prime minister of j.a.pan, the man on top of the government. But there were times when someone incompetent took the position. Yet as soon as they became Prime Minister, their aura changed, so to speak.

A position turns a person into someone who fit such a position.

This is getting more and more complicated…

Hikaru's plan was to enter the kingdom, punch the king in the face, and threaten—rather, convince him not to lay a hand on Lavia ever again. But he changed his mind after talking with the Four Stars of the East.

According to Selyse, Ponsonia was in a state of chaos. The faction opposed to the current throne was growing in strength. A rift had formed in the government, with Margrave Grugschilt at its head. And at the eye of this storm was none other than Gafrasti N. Valves.

The a.s.sa.s.sination of Count Morgstad was also a major reason why things turned out this way. The Count strongly supported the current king. With his death, the balance of power between the n.o.bility collapsed, and many sided with the Margrave, hoping to turn the tables around.

They make it sound like this is all my fault… Although I am somewhat responsible.

If a civil war broke out, the ordinary citizens would bear the burden. Hikaru couldn't pretend that the matter didn't concern him, so he travelled all the way to Satin Elka. He wanted to know what the Margrave's plan was for this kingdom.

I won't go as far as stopping a civil war, but I have to at least do my part so I can sleep peacefully at night.

Gafrasti had just finished explaining. Lawrence had gone silent for a while now.

Does this mean the Captain of the Order is now on their side? In that case, the king's in danger. Or put it another way, the conflict will be over quick. I guess old man Gafrasti will become king, then? Hmm… Hikaru folded his arms, thinking.

Grugschilt opened his mouth to speak. What he said next shocked Hikaru.

「Lawrence. This is also vengeance for his death.」

「I didn't know you were still hung up on that, Sir.」

「Why, of course I am. I would've foiled their plot if I stayed with him. We wouldn't have lost such a young, gifted man.」

The Margrave heaved a deep sigh. His heavy feelings of regret suddenly made him look ten years older.

「Viscount Zaracia wouldn't have died. His son who was studying the art of crossing worlds… Roland, was it? I heard he went missing. I wanted to put him under my protection.」

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