Chapter 118

A conclusion was reached after one thousand and one Eldmia gathered their collective intelligence.

There is only one thing you need to find out and check first.

“Your Excellency, how much do you know about me in detail?”

“I know everything from the rumors I heard in Ogwen to the rumors you accumulated while working in the adventurer’s guild in the capital. It also means that you have a strong desire for revenge against the demon lord.”

Contrary to what he thought was an unexpected question and there would be a slight delay, Duke Lesrom responded immediately.

It is said that I know in detail other than my personal life... I like it because I have less to explain even though the feeling is a little subtle.

“Revenge is definitely correct for the commander of the Demon King’s army, but there are a few things related to my beliefs. I think it’s better to talk about it in order to get to the point. Would you like to hear it?”

“Believe. Isn’t that the most helpful factor when trying to understand someone else? Please let me know.”

Duke Lesrom was very good at euphemistically expressing things that could be said in a high-handed way. At that level, it might be to serve as the head of the aristocratic house.

“First of all, revenge for me is a means, not an end.”

“Then what is the goal?”

“The goal is the reaction of people who come to know that an 8-year-old boy did not forget his enemy even after ten years, and brought about his death regardless of his status and power. What do you think you’ll be thinking? Assuming it’s not false.”

“Haha. You wouldn’t want to get involved in a hostile situation.”

It’s a natural story. Even I don’t want to be involved with a guy like that. I nodded lightly in response to this perfectly normal reaction.

“That’s what I want. Rather than weighing the profit and loss and thinking about whether to touch it or not, it’s to make people think it’s best to avoid it.”

“But aren’t there too many obstacles to do that? No matter how justified your vengeance may be, it will mean something entirely different to those who have been harmed. If they act like you, the chain will never end.”

It’s a very common sense question. It’s not for nothing that they say that revenge begets revenge. Of course I know that much too. But there’s nothing wrong with that.

“If you want perfection, it’s a problem, but I don’t want perfection. If I stay still when one is taken away, ten people who eventually find out about it may come rushing in and take the heat away. If I take five of them, won’t those who want to take something from me be much less likely to think about it?”

It is the difference between whether it becomes a neighborhood drum that anyone can run to and play, or a drum that only a few people can be prepared to play.

In the first place, I never thought that I would be absolutely inviolable just because I didn’t let anyone touch me. How can a mere human do that in the yard where even the god is the devil sticking out and getting on his nerves? Even in a fantasy world, that would be close to impossible.

Still, you can turn what at least 100 people look at funny to 50 people look at it funny. The name of the commander of the Demon King’s Army has enough weight.

If you repeat that a few times, there will surely come a day when the number of cases that touch me first will decrease to the point where you can count them on your hands unless I play the game first. I’m not slaughtering or cowardizing innocent people, and I’m living a good life. How can there be endless enemies?

I wanted to ask something great, but luckily it wasn’t a big deal.

“The former is because I felt that sincerity would be felt if I explained that I wasn’t moving for the purpose of revenge by weighing profits and losses. In the case of ‘Your business is over, die.’ It’s just that the same situation doesn’t suit my temper. They look like thieves, don’t they?”

Giving life to those who cooperate well. It is one of the mottos of my life.

“Wait while I write the oath.”

I don’t know if my life motto resonated with me, but Duke Lesrom nodded and immediately got up and went to his desk.

◈

It didn’t take long for Duke Lesrom, who is very quick-witted, to write the oath and confirm it with me again.

Even as he mentioned at the beginning, the oath, which was composed of clear words and sentences without any vague expressions, was not only without room for misunderstanding, but also had an additional written statement that if it was not properly implemented, he would even sacrifice his own life.

Thanks to that, I barely endured trying to activate my brain again.

“I’ll tell you in case you don’t know, but the coat of arms, seal, and my handwriting can be compared even in the royal castle. Don’t worry, lies like forgery won’t work.”

After confirming, I returned it, and Duke Lesrom, who rolled it neatly and sealed it with wax, handed it over to me and opened his mouth.

“I’m looking forward to the day when I can share many things I couldn’t tell you today.”

“I don’t think that day will ever come as long as the duke is an aristocrat and I’m helping the Marquis of Levien.”

“Well. Maybe we’ll see it sooner rather than later.”

Duke Lesrom smiled while saying something cryptic, then got up from his seat and personally opened the door to finish the conversation.

“It was a pleasant conversation, Eldmia. If you’re bored, come over.

As I was about to walk past Duke Lesrom, whose bright demeanor made me wonder if he was properly aware of his near-death at my hands just now, one of his legs moved slowly and slightly blocked my path.

“The boar must not die until this trial is over.”

“...?”

“But other things don’t matter anyway. Most of the evidence has been collected. If something happens after you leave this place, remember that it has nothing to do with the will of the nobles.”

Watching Duke Lesrom close the door with a benevolent smile and advice to beware of unexpected attacks, I slipped out of the aristocratic house with the oath in my arms.

With every step I took, I was reminded of the deep realization that I should not get involved with politicians.