Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
33. What is Deception?
Two days ago in the royal capital, Elliot and Lloyd had returned to the palace with the disappointment of not having made it to the Hidden Village .
“…Elliot, I have a suggestion. This is no longer a situation we can handle on our own. Before we visit Sir Goliath again, why don’t we confide in your patron, His Excellency Agreas, and ask for his advice…?”
Lloyd tried his best to sound calm as he suggested this, as if to sympathize with the depressed Elliot.
The person whom Lloyd named is a great nobleman who will be the backer of Elliot, a commoner who would become a Count. He also serves as Emily’s guardian, who is to become a countess, and the lady was providing her with an education as a lady.
Elliot remained face down for a while, biting his lip and thinking. But there was no way he could keep his current situation a secret forever.
“I understand your reluctance to tell the truth. You should be honest about it and ask for advice.”
“…………Yes, that’s right.”
After Lloyd reminded him again, Elliot finally nodded and stood up.
In a room in a mansion that was so luxurious it could rival a royal castle, Elliott and Lloyd are in front of a beautiful, aristocratic man of about 30 years of age.
“It must have been very difficult for you to be in that situation. I’m glad you confided in me.”
His gracious tone of voice, laced with sympathy, comforted Elliot and the others.
The man’s name was Dylan Agreas Ziemeld. He was the next head of the Duke of Ziemeld family, which governs a vast territory that covered 70% of the northern part of the kingdom. Since the current head of the family was still alive, he was calling himself Count Agreas as a courtesy title.
“But the truth is, I had already predicted that the sword would lose its power after it had served its purpose.”
“It’s done its job. ……?”
“The subjugation of the north is over. It is quite possible.”
Count Agreas’s face slowly formed a smile.
“Since ancient times, the manifestation of the holy sword has been passed down in legends and folk tales, and even in recent years, it has been recorded as actual historical fact. But, did you know that there is no record of what became of the sword after its legendary exploits?”
“…That’s true. I don’t recall ever hearing anything about it. There are plenty of stories about their great exploits, but nothing about what happened to them afterwards. …… So, where did those holy swords really end up? Is that your interpretation…?”
Lloyd asked, and Count Agreas nodded.
“Couldn’t you think that the holy sword, having completed its role, has simply reverted back to its original form as a sword?”
Elliot pondered for a moment, then looked up hesitantly.
“But the other day, an undead magical beast appeared in the vicinity of the royal capital, even if it was only a fledgling.”
“I am aware of that. However, the appearance of single undead beast in the first place, was a rare occurrence even before the mass outbreak in the northern part of the country.”
Count Agreas smiled again.
“If that were the case, it wouldn’t be surprising. This is only a guess. But I have a strong feeling that it is likely.”
A dark shadow fell over Elliot’s face. If what Count Agreas had said was true, then in a sense the seeds of his current suffering would be removed. But would the people around him really accept this?
Or will he himself be able to endure the reality of losing the holy sword?
As Elliot remained silent, Count Agreas tried to give him a word of encouragement.
“…Thanks to your efforts, my kingdom has been greatly saved. If you had not been granted the holy sword, neither you nor I would have been able to return to the royal capital for at least another three years. And even more would have been lost.”
It is true. The Dukedom of Ziemeld suffered the most damage from the outbreak of undead beasts. That was why they had taken the initiative to back Elliot up.
The Dukedom of Ziemeld was a small country until it was annexed by this country about a hundred years ago. Therefore, even though it is located in the barren northern part of the country, the capital is prosperous.
That was probably why the people associated with the Dukes of Ziemeld, including the former royal lineage of Dylan Agreas Ziemeld, praised and supported Elliot more than anyone else, as a hero who had brought peace to the people of their territory.
“We still don’t know the truth behind the loss of the holy sword… but we will not abandon you, to whom we are greatly indebted, ……. and I can help you a little bit with what you’re going through right now.”
Elliott lifted his head in desperation.
“What do you mean by that?”
Count Agreas looked at Elliot with a smile and then gave a wink to his chamberlain.
What the chamberlain brought into the room was a long, shallow box about the size of an arm’s length, covered in fine velvet.
Removing the cloth, there was a sword, placed alongside its sheath, with a familiar ivy relief carved into the blade.
“This is ……!”
“It’s a replica of the Holy Sword. As you can see.”
It’s true, if you looked closely at the details of the sword, you could see some inconsistencies. But it’s such a small difference you can’t tell from a distance.
“Why did you make something like this?”
A question sprouted in a corner of his mind, How could he have been so well prepared?*
“This was made at my father’s request. My father was a collector of weapons. It’s not uncommon for nobles.”
Ad
Count Agreas laughed.
“Even though he never uses it, he buys great swords just to display them. As expected, he can’t keep a real holy sword at hand, so from an early stage, he had an imitation prepared. A foolish hobby, but it seems the time has come when it will unexpectedly come in handy.”
Elliot was hesitant, but he reached for the sword that was presented before him. His hand trembled slightly as he lifted the hilt.
“For the time being, His Majesty the King will likely want to flaunt the existence of the Holy Knight in all sorts of ways to the neighboring countries. Although that is also foolish, your mere presence a sign of authority, so it can’t be helped.”
Perhaps because it was a room in a private residence, Count Agreas didn’t shy away from being disrespectful and gave a cold sneer.
“If you’re going to be in the company of fools, I think a replica would suffice.”
At the very least, It would buy some time. He took this to be true, and with a hand that still trembled slightly, he sheathed the fake replica – a fake holy sword – and placed it by his side.
─ ─ Suppose that I have earned …… some time.
Elliot suddenly asked himself. If it is true that it has done it’s job, then it meant that he would have to continue lying from now on. On the other hand, what if there was another reason…?
The only thing that comes to mind is the blade he had left in his room, the one with the nicked blade. Even If the truth lies beyond that, would it really be possible to get it back? A chill ran down his spine, and he refused to think any further.
A light tap on the door echoed in the silent room.
It was Marianne, Count Agreas’s wife, and Emily.
“Marianne, Miss Emily. I see you have come all the way out here.”
“Yes, Lady Emily wishes to greet you all.”
Emily stepped into the room and made a ladylike gesture.
Ad
“Miss Emily, you’re looking quite good.”
“Hehehe! Thank you, Mr. Dylan!”
“Lady Emily, please call Lord Dylan Count Agreas.”
“Yes, Lady Marianne! …Ah! Elliot, Mr. Lloyd, welcome back!”
Marianne sighed softly at Emily’s behavior while still smiling.
“Lady Emily, since this is an informal occasion, I will be lenient. But let’s work a little harder before the wedding.”
Being admonished in a soft tone, Emily smiled a little sadly.
–That’s right… I’ve been so preoccupied with the holy sword these past few days that I completely forgot about it. Even though Emily is making all this effort.
Elliot looked at Emily, who was once again showing off her ladylike curtsy, and took a deep breath to calm himself down.
–At least for now, I must protect this glory and position that I had built together with her.
That’s what he told himself in his heart, but the shadows of anxiety were scattered here and there and wouldn’t go away. His hands continued to tremble as he gripped the hilt of the unfamiliar sword in its sheath.