Volume 7 - CH 12

T/N: As you guys already realized, our upload schedule is a mess (Not that we have an exact schedule, though. Just the amount of chapters per week). Unfortunately, this will continue until at least a week after the fasting month ends. Hope you guys understand.

Chapter 12 – Labolt Raven

The meeting place designated by Kamaran was the library in the Margrave castle. What Eto wanted to know by requesting the meeting was how to talk to Margrave and authorities regarding his victim support activity.

“First of all, regarding Eto-sama’s support activity, we have already received Steinbolt-sama’s approval. As long as Eto-sama doesn’t ask for a ridiculous amount of money, you can proceed with the initiative.”

Kamaran immediately answered the thing that Eto wanted to ask the most. Eto then showed Kamaran the data he had compiled over the last few days and asked him to confirm an estimate of the cost that would be needed once the initiative began.

“This shouldn’t be a problem. Still, you sure have done a lot of research, Eto-sama.”

“This is something that I summarized from what I heard from Priest Francesco and Pastor Teilhard of Veil cathedral, those who participated in the church’s self-help group, and the knights who often come into contact with the victims of crime. And since they work in the actual location, the proposal is detailed.”

Kamaran nodded with a face that looked like he was convinced with the explanation while looking through the data Eto gave him.

“Well then, allow me to tell Eto-sama the person you must talk to regarding this matter. They are Labolt Raven, who became the temporary Acting Lord, and Treasury Secretary Meyer, who is in charge of the finances of the Margrave. Although the fact that Eto-sama has already obtained the approval of the Knights and the Veil Cathedral is big, I think these two would be quite difficult opponents.”

Now that the former Acting Lord, Riesenbolt, has been detained, the sick Margrave has summoned a distant relative, which happens to be Labolt, to act as a temporary Acting Lord. Although Eto finds it hard to understand why there are ‘temporary’ and ‘acting’ in the title, since it was an emergency, that title seems to be approved.

“Treasury Secretary Meyer is someone I’ve had a long friendly relationship with. He is a fair person, so if he judged that Eto-sama’s proposal is something that will result in something, I think he won’t refuse the proposal. And may I bring this plan?”

“Ee. Please bring it. If there is something unclear, please send it to the Knights’ facility.”

“Understood. Then, I’ll bring the talk to Meyer.”

Just like that, Kamaran took the task of persuading Treasury Secretary Meyer, which made Eto once again think it was great to have a person named Kamaran on his side. Eto would also have to thank Margrave for allowing it.

“The problem is the other one, I think Labolt-sama is a little difficult to handle.”

Kamaran said with a stern face, which Eto had never seen before.

“May I know why?”

“It is the fact that we can’t determine what action he will make at the next moment. Usually, he will move according to profit. He will move after clarifying whether it will be a loss or a gain for himself. But when I thought he would only move because of profit, he also did something that risked himself for someone with the spirit of righteousness. The fact that he acts as the temporary Acting Lord of Veil proves that.”

“Risking his life for someone?”

“Yes. According to the current situation, if not only Riesenbolt-sama but also Stainbolt-sama is accused of crime, Labolt-sama, who is a relative, will not be able to continue being the Lord.”

Saying that, Kamaran made a bitter face.

“Is that so? Wasn’t he a distant relative?”

“Ee. The thing is, if a relative of Stainbolt-sama aims to be the next Lord of Veil, he will stay away from Veil until everything has been resolved. That would make the impression that he has nothing to do with the incident, which means, the position of the Lord might become his. Because if the higher-ups of the Kingdom don’t want the influence of Stainbolt-sama to remain, Labolt-sama is likely to be deprived of the chance to be the Lord.”

“I see. This time, the higher-ups of the Kingdom will also be serious about it.”

The Knights of the Kingdom have made great movements because of the crime of the former Acting Lord. So, if the incident wasn’t solved thoroughly, not only the face of the Knights but also the face of the Kingdom will be destroyed.

“Ee, in fact, we also expected that. And even if the Lord’s takeover is done in a relaxed manner, that’s right, for example, because his title was that of a temporary Acting Lord, he would be asked to finish his role. Of course, it doesn’t mean Labolt-sama made a mistake, but it will still leave a bad impression that he was forced to resign. This is a typical talk in social circles. In addition, if Labolt-sama made a mistake in dealing with it, it would be a scandal that will follow him all his life.”

“Why did Labolt-sama accept something that is unprofitable for him?”

Eto thought that besides Labolt, there must have been relatives involved in the politics of the Margrave. So even if everyone refused to take over the title, there shouldn’t be any reason for Labolt, who is a distant relative of Margrave, to take over the title.

Hearing that, Kamaran started telling an old story about Labolt.

“When Labolt-sama was still young, he was adopted by a distant relative who had no children. And I’m sure it would have been hard for a small child. And when Labolt-sama came to Veil with his new parents during the social gathering season, he had the impression of being someone who thinks too much despite his small body.”

Kamaran’s gaze stayed in the air, seemingly remembering those days.

“At that time, Stainbolt-sama summoned Labolt-sama to show him a full-body armor that boys usually like, and a book with adventures written on it. Eto-sama might find this unexpected, but Stainbolt-sama is a person who loves and likes to spoil children.”

To be honest, Eto couldn’t imagine the scene where Margrave petted a child at all, but since Kamaran had said so, Eto forcefully convinced himself that it was the case.

“Labolt-sama was very pleased and told me that he didn’t want to go home even after the social gathering season ended. It seems that Labolt-sama was looking forward to coming to this castle every year since then. So, I think the fact that Labolt-sama took on the role of temporary Acting Lord was likely because of the memories of that time.”

A man named Labolt who dared to risk himself by taking the role of temporary Acting Lord now when the Margrave was in trouble because he couldn’t forget the favor he received when he was a child. For Eto, the information about the man, who knew only the title of temporary Acting Lord, seemed to be gradually fleshed out.

Then, Kamaran smiled as if he remembered something.

“No matter what he did, Labolt-sama is not in a situation where he can become the Lord of Veil, but if he can become the Lord as it is, I think it would be a big profit for him.”

Kamaran’s smile looked sad, which means, it may not be very likely that Labolt will continue to be the lord of Veil.

“He sounds like an interesting person.”

“Ee, I also think he is quite an interesting person.”

If Labolt was such a person, Eto thought it would be a good idea to tell his intention straight without beating the bush.