Chapter 83

What was he saying?

"Sir Leandros."

The strength left his hand that had been holding Leandros.

Then, as if awakening from something, Leandros hesitated before bowing his head.

"I misspoke. I must have accumulated fatigue since it hasn't been long since I returned from the north. Please allow me to go back and rest."

"Huh? Oh, sure."

Leandros turned around as soon as permission was granted.

There wasn't even time to say a word.

He stood for a moment in the empty corridor where Leandros had disappeared, thinking.

This wasn't something that would be said by someone who was normally as cold and rational as Yurik.

Had something that difficult happened?

Was it just fatigue from returning from the north?

In the north, he had been able to glimpse Leandros's inner thoughts almost every other day for three days straight.

But now, a long time after dying and waking up, there wasn't even a mouse dropping of narration.

What could be the problem? Thinking carefully about whether anything had changed in the north.

"Ah."

He remembered the red number floating above Leandros's head.

That figure had been decreasing throughout the two months spent in the north.

As the number decreased, Leandros would become less talkative or depressed.

Did that number represent the character's mood or emotions?

But he didn't think he had seen it go up.

He should give Leandros a real vacation soon.

That might improve his mood a bit.

After sending Leandros away, when he inevitably returned to the office, Yurik was still smiling broadly.

This bastard, why was he smiling so unpleasantly?

"You must have had quite an amusing thought in the meantime."

"No, I thought you might have had an interesting conversation. Seeing as the Duke has returned, it doesn't seem like it was a very nutritious conversation?"

"Well, could we have had a nutritious agreement between ourselves?"

As he plopped down in his original seat, Yurik adjusted his posture.

He hadn't drunk a single drop of tea.

The same was true for him.

"I said I would give you priority rights if you handed over the knight. If not that, then it's just nonsense."

"What exactly is nonsense?"

"Think about it. Originally, the northern self-governing rights were guaranteed due to geographical specificity. And they were passed down to the Margrave of the North along with the rights of the ruler for generations."

"In other words, I, as a Duke, have no rights to the northern mines?"

"You understand well. The temporary transfer of northern authority doesn't mean an unlimited permission certificate to use the mithril mines."

Yurik methodically explained as if to a six-year-old child.

But underneath was a slight mockery.

"Moreover, since the mithril mines are owned by the Margrave's family, if he died without an heir, they naturally revert to the state."

"Though they belong to the Margrave's family, hasn't the mining been done together with the royal palace?"

"Still, the ownership of the vein itself and the land belongs to the Margrave's family."

Oh ho.

"Then, is the heir the important part?"

"As far as I know, the Marquis was not even married, and didn't have even one illegitimate child. Moreover, didn't you say that not a single trace of a person could be found in the Margrave's castle?"

"That's right. Exactly as you say."

"So, for a mine that will soon revert to the state, no matter how young the Duke is, he shouldn't throw a tantrum asking for the mine without paying any price."

Tantrum?

Did this look like a tantrum?

Yurik seemed to think he was insisting without any basis.

"There's something you're misunderstanding. When did I throw a tantrum?"

"If not unreasonable insistence, a tantrum, then what would you call it?"

"Your Highness the Crown Prince. This is not something I'm saying as the Duke of Hartmann."

"Then?"

If there was no basis, he could create one.

Did Yurik think he wouldn't have prepared for this after being stuck in the north for over two months?

Looking at the face he wanted to slap due to its arrogance, he spoke distinctly.

"The reason I claimed that I was entrusted with the north by the Margrave of the North is because he said he would adopt me as his son just before he died, and I agreed to it."

"Oh? Witnesses?"

"Sir Leandros, Sir Russel, and Miss Amelia who were present at the scene. As you know, all the people in the castle are dead."

A verbal contract can be formed without written proof if there is mutual agreement.

He wasn't sure if this principle would work here, but he could just insist on it unconditionally.

It wasn't possible to summon the dead person to ask,

And as for witnesses, he could fabricate as many as needed from his side.

Since time immemorial, in such an era, the one who strikes first with fraud, incitement, and fabrication wins.

"Did the Margrave entrust any item to you that could prove the adoption?"

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, if not for that, how else would I have come to know what happened in the north?"

Covering one lie with another made it quite plausible.

Yurik seemed to be organizing his thoughts while looking into the teacup, and he was thinking about the items brought from the north, pondering how to commit fraud in a truthful manner.

Finally, Yurik spoke.

"Fine. Let's go with that. Of course, I can't just hand over the mine. The royal family can also claim rights to development."

"Will you do that?"

"No. But since both you and I clearly want something, let's compromise."

"Compromise?"

"Send Sir Leandros to the royal palace as a rental knight."

Rental knight.

A knight belonging to someone who lends their strength for a price.

In the past, territories lacking in military power would sometimes pay a price to borrow knights from other territories.

Of course, with the flourishing mercenary business now, this was a tradition that had largely disappeared, but in cases where lords had close relationships, they would lend knights to each other as a token of friendship.

Had he decided not to question the fact that he had agreed to form an adoptive relationship with the Margrave of the North?

More importantly, after acting like he was going to take Leandros completely.

What change of heart occurred in that short time?

But realistically thinking, the condition Yurik proposed was quite acceptable.

Leandros would take the form of assisting the royal palace while remaining affiliated with the Hartmann ducal family.

Of course, if he made a mistake, the ducal family would have to compensate, and if he achieved merits, they would belong to the royal palace, but.

That was a minor issue right now.

"What timeframe are you thinking of?"

"No more, no less, how about exactly 1 year?"

"What do you intend to do with Sir Leandros during that time?"

"Exactly as you imagine."

Appropriate trials, suitable rewards.

He couldn't keep Leandros at the royal palace for too long.

It would be a disaster if Leandros was transferred to Yurik.

"It doesn't seem like it's my choice to make. Basically, I respect his decision."

"Then if Sir Leandros agrees, is the negotiation complete?"

"Yes, though he wouldn't do that."

Would Leandros be crazy enough to go to the royal palace?

In fact, there were more people in their castle who would rather drink ground cockroaches than accompany Yurik.

"Then bring me an answer by tomorrow morning. Since the knight doesn't like me, you should go ask him. Wouldn't that be fairer?"

"Why? Couldn't I threaten him not to go?"

"No. The Duke needs mithril. And if I go..."

"...If Your Highness goes?"

Yurik, who had been resting his chin on his hand, grinned.

"I might damage Sir Leandros in the heat of persuasion. I don't want that either."

Yes, as they say, a madman's temperament doesn't just go away; he knew it would be like this.

Seeing his expression, Yurik began to laugh gleefully.

* * *

Before heading to the north, Yurik briefly stayed at the ducal residence.

Due to his rather ordinary clothes and strangely casual attitude, the people working at the ducal residence seemed to think of him as a simple guest.

Of course, Arndt was in a state of emergency all by himself.

"Why on earth is he here? How long will he stay? One day? Two days? Threefourfiveorsixseven?"

"I'll leave as soon as I talk to Leandros and tell you the result."

"Then when will you speak to him?"

"...We'll see."

He muttered while watching Arndt arranging his bedding.

Yes, this was truly an issue that needed to be seen.

It was because Leandros had disappeared again after going in alone, saying he was tired.

Now he was clearly showing that he was deliberately avoiding him.

So he couldn't thoughtlessly go looking for him either.

Why go and get turned away at the door?

"I don't know what the reason is, but just go and speak to him frankly. Does Your Grace have anything to be intimidated by? You're the Duke."

"Well, in terms of physical strength... The knight can tear logs apart with his bare hands."

"Ah..."

"Anyway, that's not the issue. In fact, I could go find him anytime if I wanted to. But it's scary to think about what I might hear."

Leandros's words still echoed in his head.

The statement about whether he could avoid death if everyone else disappeared.

Though Leandros wouldn't do that, he felt somewhat uneasy.

The feeling that he was missing something important.

Arndt inflated the pillow by pounding it vigorously, then straightened his back.

"But there are things that can't be resolved without confrontation. How about going with a firm resolve?"

"Really?"

"Who knows, perhaps Sir Leandros also wants to have an open conversation with Your Grace."

"Oh. Is that so?"

That could be the case.

Come to think of it, even Leandros himself seemed surprised by what he had said at that time.

Then shouldn't he approach first?

He was his superior, employer, and the closest thing to a head of Hartmann.

"Do you know where he might be now? Before he comes to guard my bedroom."

"Well, he might be at the training ground? Where Sir Russel took the test before. I heard the maids talking about it as they passed by earlier."

Good. He should drop by briefly before bedtime for some man-to-man conversation.

There weren't many people on the way to the outdoor training ground, perhaps because it was late.

With only two people using it, and one of them currently elsewhere, it was natural.

A perfect place to hide alone.

While he was pondering how to approach Leandros, who would surely be training alone, and how to address the strange words from that day.

"...doing that."

"Your Highness... I understand it's not a task."

Leandros's voice.

Without realizing it, he hid behind a pillar and peered outside.

Over there, not far away in the empty training ground, were only Leandros and Yurik.

Yurik was sitting on the wooden fence that encircled the training ground, while Leandros was wielding a sword with only his upper garment removed.

The two looked like they had been there for quite some time.

What were they talking about?

Though he strained his ears, the distance was considerable, and he couldn't hear properly.

It seemed like mostly Yurik was chattering, while Leandros was only responding occasionally.

Then suddenly, Leandros's sword stopped.

He turned his head to look at Yurik.

Yurik, as if he had expected this, nodded and said something.

Leandros stood blankly for a long time before turning his head.

That was all.

And not long after, Yurik left in the opposite direction from where he was.

In the end, only Leandros remained, but he was hesitating, not readily going because it felt awkward.

Leandros's head turned toward him.

"Are you going to stay there?"

"No. How did you notice?"

"You don't even know how to conceal your presence."

Here he was being sarcastic the moment they met.

As he came out, stamping the ground with his feet, Leandros sheathed his sword.

"Did you see the Crown Prince?"

"Not from the beginning, but I saw until the end. What kind of conversation did you have?"

"It wasn't an important conversation."

The answer was a bit quick.

As he stood there blankly, Leandros glanced in the direction Yurik had gone and said.

"I understand that Your Grace has something to say to me."

"Ah, right. Crown Prince Yurik was asking for you to be sent to the royal palace. But I don't think you need to worry about it much. Who knows what will happen to you if you go? I'm sure you won't get a good result. Don't worry, I have it all planned..."

"I'll go."

What nonsense was this?

Was he already at an age to hear hallucinations?

Or perhaps it was a mistake?

But Leandros was looking straight at him.

He quietly declared.

"I will follow Crown Prince Yurik to the royal palace, Your Grace."