Episode 22.1-2 (2/2)
”However, I failed to fulfill the mission given to me by my two masters. Norma-sama lost his only father.”
This man who lived by his loyalty must have lamented over it really hard back then.
”A letter from Marquis-sama was delivered here, unusual for him. 'I will absolutely avenge my little brother. You stay there protect Norma', were written.”
This surprised Lecan a bit. Looks like the previous marquis had a little sense of kinship with Norma's father.
”Ten days later, a wand was delivered here. That was Norma-sama's mother's keepsake. Norma-sama weeped in tears once I passed it over to her.”
Jinga put his teacup on the table, took a handkerchief and lightly brushed his nicely-fashioned moustache with it.
This means the one who retook the wand keepsake was the previous marquis.
When Lecan heard about this story from Norma before, he was told that the previous marquis handed down punishment to the people who murdered Norma's father to save the marquis house's face.
That might have been true, but it was not everything. The previous marquis avenged his little brother. However, he kept that fact only to himself and to few people he truly trusted.
”Ever since that day, I have always stayed with Norma-sama. Once or twice a year, the previous marquis would send my salary. But that is over now.”
”Don't you have a home at Mashajain town? Aren't you going back there?”
Jinga looked at Lecan with curious eyes that could only be replicated by those with ages.
”This place is my home. There is nowhere else.”
”I see.”
That explains it, thought Lecan.
Lecan could never get why Jinga challenged Lecan instead of reporting to the marquis house when Eda's
was made clear.
His decisions would make sense had the one who manifested
was Norma. He would be conflicted between protecting Norma or following the marquis house's orders, and end up choosing to duel Lecan. He drank red potions before the duel because that was virtually an attempt at suicide.
But then, the one who manifested
turned out to be Eda. If he had just reported Eda to the marquis house, he would have secured Norma's safety, and fulfilled his mission. It should have been very preferable to him.
And yet, why did he choose to challenge Lecan in a duel instead.
It was the result of a conflict between a sense duty to fulfill his obligation to the marquis's house, and a sentiment to honor the previous marquis's wish.
His official orders from the marquis house were to protect and monitor Norma, and to report back if he finds a new
user. However, the previous marquis himself personally wanted Norma to live a peaceful quiet life in happiness. He had never wished for a new
user.
Then, after years of living in peace, suddenly Eda manifested
.
Jinga would have to report it back due to his loyalty to the marquis house.
But by doing that, the marquis house would abduct Eda. Norma would find out about how he was there to monitor her, and she would blame herself for the loss of Eda's freedom. That would run counter to the previous marquis's wish of wanting Norma to live peacefully.
After suffering through the conflict between those two sentiments, this elderly knight chose to fight Lecan to death.
But still, it's weird how Jinga just so happened to be present there, thought Lecan. Jinga was already right by Goncourt House when Lecan rescued Eda. Then he followed after them and challenged Lecan to a duel.
(Hold it. That couldn't have been a coincidence. Which means.)
Which means, Jinga had considered the possibility of Goncourt House plotting something to Norma and secured some means to obtain intel on Goncourt House. His sources could be a merchant or a servant of the house. Then he found out about Eda's abduction and rushed over to Goncourt House. That's the only possible explanation.
But why did he rush over.
Perhaps, he was planning to aid Lecan.
This man would never answer that question even if he was asked.
Jinga talking to Lecan about the previous marquis could be his way to ceremonially sever his connection with the marquis house. So thought Lecan.