CH 28

Redias Argenta had gained a prominent reputation as the mentor of their lord.

Not only was he known for his humble demeanor but also for his remarkable ability to effortlessly connect with individuals from all walks of life.

Despite being the father figure of the current lord, Diello Argenta, he assumed the role of an advisor to the knights.

While deserving of respect, he made it a point to approach others in an even more affable manner when they attempted to keep their distance. It was because he knew he wasn’t the ruler. In addition, he understood that by forging close relationships with people, he could acquire a wealth of valuable information.

“Sir Redias, didn’t you go to the battlefield?”

That was why he heard every news faster than other members of the Argenta family. The news usually came from the people residing on the fourth floor of the Argenta mansion.

“The battlefield? I just came back from there.”

“No. Not the battlefield you were at, though the place the lord personally went to confront.”

“…The lord?”

With the remnants of the battlefield still clinging to him, his ash-colored hair remained damp from the perspiration of his recent exertions. Was there a battlefield urgent enough for the head to personally go there during this time?

As news reached his ears, his countenance grew grave, reflecting the weight of the unexpected tidings.

“Yes, he went to chase Mirta.”

“But there were already people chasing him, right?”

In response to his question, the person answered.

“Yes, but he insisted on handling it personally.”

Redias Argenta tilted his head slightly at those words. He wasn’t someone who acted impulsively like that, so why?

However, before he could feel perplexed, another piece of news that caused a stir reached his ears.

“But it seems that the madam also went to the same place.”

“…What?”

Krua Alors… no, she had become Krua Argenta now.

Even though he didn’t know when she would leave, it was clear that she was the madam of this household for now. As someone from Argenta’s main family and someone who knew about the fake Ferro plan, Redias was lost in thought.

“Diello!”

He recalled the purple-haired woman who was advancing with a horse and shouted like that on the battlefield. She was an impressive person. If only she had been the real Duchess Argenta and not the fake Ferro, it would’ve been better.

“…It would be good to send people to help the two of them.”

He tilted his head as he spoke, becoming increasingly curious about the madam.

* * *

“Mirta has betrayed us.”

“What? Didn’t he write the blood contract and leave not long ago?”

“That’s why the madam personally punished him.”

The news of Mirta’s betrayal soon circulated within the Argenta mansion.

“The atmosphere is gloomy.”

“I’ve never heard of a betrayer after a long time.”

“When the former Duke was here…”

“Shh, keep quiet.”

The servants residing below the third floor of the mansion were especially known for their loose tongues. However, the fourth floor and above remained as quiet as before, undisturbed.

“It’s not a major injury.”

When I pointed out the wounds that needed to be promptly treated upon his return, Diello extended his hand and said so.

“Still, it still needs treatment.”

Ignoring his words, I firmly held onto his arm. When I unbuttoned his sleeve and rolled it up, I was met with a longer and deeper wound than I had anticipated.

“Goodness…”

This wasn’t a major injury?

I expressed my surprise, and Diello smiled awkwardly.

“It’s a common occurrence on the battlefield.”

While saying so, he even brought over a first aid kit. While he reacted so sensitively to my wounds, he himself…

“We should call a doctor.”

It was because the wound seemed much deeper than a simple bruise or swelling, so it wouldn’t heal easily.

“I’m fine.”

However, Diello shook his head.

“I don’t want to cause a fuss.”

Upon hearing his words, Vielle, who had been standing nearby, bowed her head and stepped back.

“There’s no need to inform the entire mansion that I’m injured.”

His gentle words made me feel a sudden clarity.

Well, it wasn’t just Mirta who betrayed him in the mansion. It was quite a situation for a traitor to emerge from the fourth floor. There must be remaining traitors who haven’t been uncovered. As long as they remained, it wouldn’t be good for news of Diello’s injury to spread.

“Well then, I’ll take care of it.”

I had to return the favor for the treatment she received before, right? With that in mind, I snatched the bandage from his hand.

“Let me take care of it.”

Saying so, I began wrapping his arm with the bandage after cleaning it thoroughly. Of course, it couldn’t be as tidy as what doctors would do, although the treatment was completed in a decent manner.

As Diello watched me close the first aid kit, he suddenly spoke.

“…I thought he would make wiser choices.”

Glancing up at him, I noticed his lowered gaze.

“Mirta?”

Diello nodded slightly at my question.

“Yes, we’ve known each other for a long time.”

I hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to respond to his words. Just because he knew someone well didn’t mean they wouldn’t betray him, right? Did he think there was a separate requirement for betrayal?

Nonetheless, I couldn’t say that to his genuinely concerned face.

“…Do you think someone who has known you for a long time wouldn’t betray you?”

“Yes.”

I smiled at his concise answer.

Oh, you naive soul! It seemed like there would be a lot to explain during this incident.

As the strongest Duke in history… he was someone with a much softer demeanor than expected. Besides, since Diello was my partner, I felt that I should teach him a little about how the world works to ensure our plan went smoothly.

“There might be others planning to leave for Cartiel. Have you figured out who they are?”

Diello nodded in response to my question.

“My informants will find out soon.”

Fortunately, the intelligence department of Argenta wasn’t as soft as a pudding. They were like the sharp claws of Argenta, just like Vielle. Moreover, according to the original story, the head of Argenta’s intelligence department was fiercely loyal to Argenta, so they would take care of the traitors.

Regardless, it was difficult for Diello to just stay still.

Obviously, his personality was perfect for lulling Alors into complacency… but it should be acting. It would be difficult if it were genuine.

“Let’s find out through a different method.”

This was what I called the ‘Spicing Up Diello’ project! Fortunately, I had a detailed understanding of how Krua handled situations like this in the original story.

Diello’s eyes widened in surprise at my suggestion.

* * *

Since Mirta and the people from Cartiel that go with him were already dead, there was no one left to interrogate directly. Still, there must be people who were planning to move with Mirta and capturing them was simple. They just need to spread rumors.

“The Cartiel were planning to use the escape of Mirta for their advantage, right?”

“Yes, they wanted to extract information from Mirta and then kill him.”

“Vicious b*stards…”

…Such rumors, for example.

Argenta was shaken, and Cartiel, who had initially appeared helpful, had betrayed those seeking refuge in Argenta. The atmosphere was fraught with unease as individuals questioned their trust in others.

Due to restrictions on the intelligence department’s ability to disseminate rumors, alternative methods were being employed to identify the traitors. Though thanks to me spreading the rumors, they quickly apprehended the traitors.

“That’s a brilliant idea.”

Diello exclaimed in admiration while Argenta’s intelligence department brought two traitors before us. Indeed, they seemed quite rough around the edges.

“They refuse to talk.”

The informants reported.

“Hmm.”

As they knelt in front of the sofa where we sat, Diello seemed hesitant.

“…What should we do?”

The informant glanced up at their lord, Diello, while he had a slightly troubled expression.

“Should we handle it ourselves?”

The informant asked.

Apparently, it seemed that this wasn’t the first time something like this had happened. Well, Diello’s personality wouldn’t allow them to torture, though if it went this way, it could make their master seem weak.

I raised my hand to stop the informant.

“If it’s alright, let me ask them once. What do you think?”

I turned to Diello as he tilted his head slightly.

“…Even if we kill them, they won’t easily talk.”

He said cautiously.

He was right. Even though the words ‘kill them’ were mentioned, the captured traitors showed no signs of wavering.

“….”

I glanced at those traitors. In Krua’s mind, there was a way lined up to deal with people like them.

“Besides killing, there are many ways to instill fear in a person.”

Everyone, including Argenta’s informants and Diello, gazed at me in response to my words.

“Pay close attention.”

I should teach him how to make people talk without the need for direct violence. At my words, Diello let out a faint smile.

“I’ll remember it.”

“To remember…”

…There was no need for that. I almost said that.

Nonetheless, it was true that there was a need to remember. It was a strange feeling to darken the only kind person in this novel, but there was no choice. If he continued to live so naively and ended up being betrayed and killed, what good would it do?

Among the chaotic characters in this novel, who had lost their screws one by one, he was nothing short of pure.

I knew how sinister and cruel Alors and Pentas Alors were in the original story. If we continued like this, it would be our end.

“Prepare two rooms. It would be good to have a glass wall in the middle. Also… make sure the sound can be heard.”

At my words, the informants glanced at each other.