Chapter 69 (2/2)

However, Harold did not do so and offered a proposal instead.

【”That being the case, I’ll give your foolish self a chance. I’ll let you duel me, with a witness. If you win, you’ll get to have me do what you want me to.”]

【”What if I lose?”]

【”Naturally, I’ll have you listen to whatever I tell you.”]

【”….. All right.”]

Francis answered so after thinking about something, and he put his rapier back into its sheath. Then, the sense of oppression coming from Harold’s back disappeared. Apparently, he had succeeded at completely avoiding the danger of being killed in this place.

Though Harold was relieved, Francis murmured something he didn’t expect.

【”There sure seems to be more to Harold than what the rumors say about him. I’m willing to admit it, Itsuki.”]

【”Does this mean that you completely trust him now or do you still have your doubts?”]

That voice came from behind Harold. For the time being, Harold didn’t think of anything and threw a kick at whatever was behind him while turning around.

【”Ouch!”]

If a martial artist was present, he would likely have given high praise to that beautiful, decisive, and flowing movement.

While looking down on Itsuki, who was crawling on the ground and holding his left leg’s thigh, Harold questioned him with a voice that was many times colder than when he addressed Francis.

【”Explain yourself.”]

【”L-Last night, Franck came to my room and asked me『Say, isn’t Lord actually Harold stokes?』so I told him『What if he is?』and then…..”]

While in agony, Itsuki put together an explanation.

First of all, during the previous day’s uproar, one of Francis’ servants had recognized Harold’s identity and reported it to Francis. Apparently, that servant had seen Harold in the royal capital before.

From there, Francis went to Itsuki to confirm the information. Itsuki quickly confirmed that Lord was in fact Harold, then Francis tried to persuade Itsuki to rethink his connection to Harold but the discussion went nowhere.

And so, seeing that the conversation wasn’t making any progress, Itsuki suggested this.

“You should check out for yourself what kind of person Harold is”.

And that was the cause of this whole incident. For now, it was at least clear that everything was Itsuki’s fault.

It was doubtful whether Itsuki was serious about wanting to hide Harold’s true identity. Or rather, he most likely wasn’t serious about it at all.

Well, I’ll think about his punishment later. With that thought, Harold looked back at Francis again and asked him.

【”So, what kind of bullshit did Itsuki tell you? And why did you approve of me just now?”]

【”『By nature, Harold’s not the villain that the bad rumors portray him as. It’s just that he’s easily misunderstood, because he’s strict with people, and even stricter with himself.』that’s what he said. I thought that if that was it, then you probably wouldn’t have been called “knight killer” and the like and yet….”]

Francis smiled in self-derision.

【”You are strong. If we fought one hundred times, you’d probably beat me every single time. So when I looked away earlier, it would have been easy for you to take control over the whole situation.”]

【”Did you create that opening on purpose? You’re really making light of me.”]

【”I could say the same about you, right? Besides, I actually put my life on the line there.”]

So did I damn it, Harold complained in his mind.

However, that feeling was blown off as Francis started speaking something unthinkable.

【”Even in this situation, you tried to arrange things so that’d we’d stay on an equal standing, despite that being only troublesome and bringing no advantage to you whatsoever.”]

【”And that’s why you approved of me?”]

【”Yeah, that’s right. And, also… my behavior just now was completely insane. If you want me to be punished for this, then I’ll resign myself to it.”]

This was no joke. If it came to this, there was a risk that the flag, which led Francis to join Liner’s party, would disappear. The time when the game’s story started was coming soon, Francis couldn’t be allowed to be confined in prison.

Therefore Harold immediately denied Francis’ words.

【”I have no interest in dealing with your case. It would be a waste of time to draw out my sword every time there is some fussy insect to erase.”]

【”….Thank you for your kindness. However, I’m very sorry but…… With this alone, I still cannot completely trust you.”]

That was only natural. Rather, Harold would have been confused had he gained Francis’ confidence from that chain of interactions only.

Francis speaking his mind clearly like this was actually a good thing as it made things easy to understand for Harold.

【”Therefore, I’d like to ask you something really unreasonable. Harold, may I still have that duel with you?”]

Begged Francis as he bowed down from his waist. Though Francis didn’t have Harold’s feelings in mind when he made that request, it was actually exactly what Harold was hoping for.

【”Itsuki.”]

【”What is it?”]

【”You’ll be the witness.”]

【”…… Well, guess it can’t be helped.”]

【”Thank you, thank you very much.”]

【”I don’t need your gratitude. I’ll be all good once you pathetically crawl to the ground upon realizing the difference there is between you and me.”]

Leaving Francis with that line, Harold left the room to go prepare himself.

And thus, even though it wasn’t in the way he was aiming for, Harold was going to have a duel with Francis.