ch61-ch80 · 077-ch76

Chapter 76: Which One?

"Berdigri has accepted the conditions. However, we won't be able to verify whether the mirror's location is accurate until Sabbath arrives."

　　Sharru reports the results of her interrogation in her usual serious tone. The only problem is that she's sitting cross-legged on the floor. It's kind of odd, but also kind of amusing. Well, this is her first time in a tatami room, so it can't be helped.

"Got it. I'll go too on Sabbath. They might send yet another knight, and I'd be worried leaving Sharru on her own."

"Oh, thank you very much!"

　　I thought she might get angry hearing me express concern for the Seven Knights, but instead she seems happy. At least I haven't offended her.

"But Master... we still don't know who gave the mirror to Berdigri in the end... haa... haa..."

　　Melkid speaks with apparent difficulty while lying on his back on the tatami. He doesn't have to force himself to talk if he's that exhausted.

　　But his fatigue comes from having cast healing arts on me again after we returned home. Even if his speech is a bit labored, I shouldn't treat him coldly.

　　Besides, I'm lying on the futon too, so I can hardly criticize others.

"Yeah... But honestly, I've narrowed it down to just two people in my mind."

""Two people!?"

　　The two of them react with exaggerated surprise, but it's not really that big of a deal.

　　I just eliminated the people with low possibility by process of elimination.

"First, Algyl is out. He's not the type to go about things in such a roundabout way. And if he learned I was alive, he'd be the first one to come after me personally."

"Master, does Lord Cardinal resent you that much?"

"It's not that. He simply takes joy in fighting strong opponents. If he had the justifiable cause of fighting me as an enemy, he'd come through the mirror with enthusiasm... Unless his personality has changed in fourteen years, that is."

　　I cast a questioning glance at Sharru, and she slowly shook her head.

"Lord Cardinal hasn't changed at all. Even now, he wants to rush to the front lines for even minor skirmishes or bandit subjugation, causing trouble for his juniors."

"Haha, well, well. Same as ever, I guess."

　　I smiled wryly, but personally I felt relieved—I didn't want to face Algyl as an enemy anyway.

　　He's somewhat hot-blooded and impulsive, but he's a good guy. He never changed his attitude toward me even though I'm not a knight. I'd like to avoid fighting him if possible.

"Also, I don't think it's Jade-san. Jade-san has been retired as a knight for a long time, and he has little involvement with the royal palace's inner circle. I don't think he would know information about me that only some knights are aware of."

"Yes, my teacher doesn't live in the capital either, so even aside from being my mentor, I think it's impossible."

　　Jade-san retired after losing an arm in the war against the Demon King Army and turned to training successors.

　　I don't think he could possibly possess information that even Sharru, one of the current Seven Knights, didn't know.

　　...I don't think so, but honestly, I believe he's more likely than Algyl. Though, out of respect for Sharru, I don't say it aloud.

　　Jade-san has saved his comrades from crisis many times with his wisdom. With that wisdom, it seems plausible that he could send someone with connections to the royal palace.

　　

　　Still, that's only to a greater extent than Algyl.

"So, Master believes that the Purple Knight Lavand-sama and the commander of our Yellow Pearl Knight Order, the Yellow Knight Tizzano-sama, are suspicious."

　　Only his tone is sharp and crisp, but Melkid remains lying on his back.

　　Well, I'm not really paying attention anymore.

"It's not that they're suspicious, but rather that it's probably one of those two. I don't want to suspect my old comrades either."

　　But I can't leave Ai in danger by refusing to suspect anyone.

　　I did my best to think calmly about the situation, and then presented my conditions to Berdigri.

"...I had Berdigri report the lie that 'Sharru was defeated and captured by me.' That way, we can determine whether the person who sent Berdigri is the same person controlling Underz or not."

　　The person who sent Berdigri must have anticipated from his temperament that he might target Sharru's life as well.

　　If Fuchsia returns safely, she will definitely report Berdigri's betrayal to the Underz leadership.

　　On top of that, if they hear that Sharru was captured but is still alive, they would have to somehow cover up Berdigri's betrayal—otherwise, their own position would be in danger when Sharru returns.

"If it's the same person, they just need to suppress the story once Fuchsia's report comes in. But if it's a different person, Sharru being alive would be fatal to their position. If Sharru joined our side, they would not only have lost a Seven Knight but also significantly strengthened enemy forces, for which they would be held accountable. So, before dealing with me, I think they'll be focused on doing something about Sharru."

"Actually, I've already joined this side, though."

　　Sharru makes a "mufu" face. Even though her life is being targeted, what could she find so amusing about this?

"Excuse me, but I don't understand how this will tell us which one is the culprit..."

"Ah, right. The rest is just speculation... But based on how they respond to Sharru, we can tell whether Underz's 'superior' and the person who sent Berdigri are the same person or different people... And if they're the same, it's Auro. If different, it's probably Lavand-san."

　　This is entirely a matter of personality difference.

　　Lavand-san, who is the leader-type of the Seven Knights and currently serves as an advisor to all knight orders, is a rationalist. If he were also the one controlling Underz, he wouldn't do something as inefficient as sending Berdigri separately. But if he's not the master of Underz, I can understand him interfering by sending Berdigri out of necessity.

　　Conversely, Auro is the type to think two or three steps ahead and secure practical benefits.

　　Even when it looks like a roundabout approach, there's always some intention. Using indirect tactics like controlling Underz while also sending Berdigri through a separate channel is exactly the kind of thing Auro would do.

"I still don't understand why such indirect tactics are necessary, though."

"Haa~. Master, your intelligence is first-class too."

　　Melkid seems impressed, but I'm not particularly smart.

　　I just know their personalities well from having shared hardships with them in the past.

"...There's just one thing I don't understand. Regardless of which of the two it is, I don't think they would have the authority to order the Prime Minister to send Sharru out to eliminate me."

"That is certainly true."

　　Even though they're heroes, the Seven Knights are merely the leaders of the martial world. Could such a request really get through to the Kingdom's highest executive?

　　Do they have some leverage on the Prime Minister, or has the Prime Minister been part of the group from the start?

　　The three of us tilt our heads, puzzling over it.

　　whoosh

　　The sliding door opens, and my beloved daughter appears in an apron. Yes, it suits her very well. She's adorable.

"Papa, I brought porridge~ —wait, Sharru-san!? Why are you in Papa's room!?"

　　Startled, Ai almost drops the bowl.

　　Hmm? —Oh, right. I was sleeping until just now, so I hadn't mentioned it yet.

"Princess! Though I am a humble servant, I humbly ask for your favor."

"Eeeehhhhh!?"