Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 37: The Saint Who Returned to Clausel
Early the next morning, Baron Clausel was about to be taken away.
The proceedings had advanced more quickly than anyone expected. He was to travel through neighboring territory and then board a magic ship bound for the Imperial Capital. Weiss was forbidden from accompanying him.
Townspeople gathered near the gates in anxious silence.
Viscount Given rode at the head of the escort, smiling at the sight.
“We are nearly finished, my lord,” said the knight beside him—the same man who had fought Ren and Licia in the forest.
“Yes. It has taken considerable effort, but all that remains is to deliver Baron Clausel to the Imperial Capital. The Hero Faction nobles there will handle the rest.”
The knight hesitated.
“There is one matter I still don’t understand. I know why you kept Licia Clausel alive. As a hostage, she controlled her father, and a marriage could eventually bring the saint into our faction. But why take the risk of preserving Ren Ashton?”
Given chuckled.
“Almost ten years ago, I discovered something by chance while investigating Clausel affairs in the capital. A connection no one else had noticed.”
“What kind of connection?”
The knight’s curiosity pleased him, but Given did not answer directly.
“You will learn when I have gained enough influence within the Hero Faction to stand above my patron lords and the higher nobles. Until then, the truth remains mine alone.”
He looked toward the gates.
“Licia Clausel is useful, but Ren Ashton—House Ashton itself—is my true objective. I have spent years ensuring that he would fall into my hands.”
That was why neither child could be allowed to escape.
Given had already received a report that they were seen near the forest before the hill. He had severely reprimanded the knights responsible, but postponed any punishment because recapturing the children took priority.
“Return to the hillside as soon as this escort departs,” he ordered.
“Yes, my lord. With Yelquq there as well, they cannot escape.”
“They should never have escaped you in the first place. Yelquq’s presence only makes your failure more disgraceful. Repay it with results. Otherwise, you will learn exactly how I deal with useless servants.”
The knight lowered his head.
Given’s only remaining concern was the pillar of light seen during the night. None of the men sent to the hill had returned with an explanation.
“We have barely managed to keep the Imperial Faction from intervening,” he said. “Do not waste the years I spent preparing this.”
Had Clausel’s situation become widely known earlier, Imperial Faction nobles would naturally have tried to interfere. Given’s patron lords and allies had concealed the plan and pressured the surrounding territories, allowing the Legal Affairs Bureau to move before anyone could react.
The end of House Clausel seemed certain.
Beyond the open gates, Baron Clausel looked toward the morning sun.
Then Given saw a horse approaching along the road, silhouetted by the light.
“Who is that?”
The knight beside him recognized it first. It was the horse that had pulled Yelquq’s carriage.
Before he could speak, Weiss shouted from the rear.
“Young Lady!”
He broke from the procession and rode forward despite the attempts to restrain him.
Given’s composure began to crack. With his knights and Yelquq both pursuing them, how had the children reached Clausel?
He stopped his horse outside the gate and ordered his men to surround Baron Clausel. Even if Licia had returned, the baron remained in his custody.
“Do nothing reckless,” Lessard warned. “None of us can defeat Weiss if he draws his sword. First see what my daughter intends.”
Licia sat on the approaching horse, supporting an unconscious Ren against her back.
“My lady, I have no excuse,” Weiss cried. “I will atone with my life—boy!”
Only then did he see Ren.
“It is all right,” Licia said weakly. “You acted because I ordered you to repay House Ashton. We will speak later. For now, I won’t allow Ren’s efforts to be wasted.”
Weiss offered to carry him, but Licia refused. Though she was nearly exhausted herself, she insisted on bringing Ren into the mansion with her own hands.
The more Weiss looked at her, the more obvious her condition became. Yet the resolve in her eyes silenced him.
Her haggard face turned toward the man beyond the gates.
“You are Viscount Given.”
Her voice carried a strength Weiss had never heard before. The murmuring crowd fell quiet.
“I am pleased to see the saint alive,” Given replied. “But mind how you address a viscount.”
“Please refrain from speaking as though you deserve courtesy. I have none to offer a criminal.”
Given laughed and urged his horse closer.
“An interesting accusation. You should remember that the convicted criminal here is your father.”
Licia raised the magic tool taken from Yelquq.
“This belonged to the elf you employed. Ren’s village was attacked, and Ren and I were abducted by him. An examination may reveal your connection.”
Given’s expression shifted for only an instant.
“A single magic tool proves nothing. You may have obtained it anywhere.”
“Your knights also attacked us in the nearby forest.”
“Then someone impersonated my men.”
The viscount was prepared for every general accusation. Licia’s body hurt too badly for her to argue as clearly as she wished, but she continued.
She pointed at the knight beside him.
“I remember his face. He swung his sword at us.”
Given turned theatrically. “Is that true?”
“No, my lord. I was outside Clausel on official duty.”
“Then it appears the saint was deceived.”
Weiss’s hand trembled near his sword. It took everything he had not to draw it.
“The matter must be investigated inside Clausel,” Licia said.
“Unnecessary. If you demand another hearing, it can be held in the Imperial Capital. Baron Clausel’s first judgment remains in force, and his transfer will proceed.”
Weiss rode forward.
“Viscount Given, as Knight Commander of House Clausel, I demand that the young lady’s testimony be examined before my lord is removed. Return to the town and investigate what occurred.”
“No. Any further dispute can be raised in the capital.”
Many Hero Faction nobles waited there, while Clausel had few allies who could act quickly. Licia’s return removed her value as a hostage but did not erase Given’s political advantage.
The escort began moving again.
Baron Clausel remained calm, still waiting for the support he had been promised, but Licia saw only that her father was being taken away despite everything Ren had endured.
Then a weak voice came from behind her.
“Show them your hand.”
“Ren!” Licia cried.
He barely lifted his head.
“The knight… show them the back of his hand.”
Licia understood. In her exhaustion, she had forgotten the one piece of physical evidence they possessed.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered to Ren.
Relieved that she understood, Ren lost consciousness again.
Licia faced the knight.
“Show us the back of your hand. You should carry the marks Ren and I left there.”
“I was injured in the course of my duties.”
Weiss approached.
“Show us.”
“My hand is—”
“Show us now, before I draw my sword.”
The knight reluctantly removed his gauntlet. A bandage covered the back of his hand. When Weiss made him unwrap it, a fresh wound and a white burn were revealed.
“The bandage is still bloodstained,” Weiss said. “The injury is recent. And this pale burn is the mark of Sacred Magic. Even an expensive potion cannot erase such a mark immediately.”
The crowd stirred. Too many details aligned to dismiss as coincidence. The townspeople and the knights of both houses began whispering.
Given nevertheless raised his voice.
“Very well! Let a new hearing determine my knight’s innocence. It will still be held in the Imperial Capital, where all questions can be answered. Baron Clausel’s transfer does not change.”
He urged his horse forward in triumph. The officials and escort resumed their advance.
Tears slipped down Licia’s face. This was the power of nobility she hated: rank and influence seemed capable of denying every sacrifice Ren had made.
Then applause sounded from the gate.
“Magnificent. Truly magnificent.”
The applause was so calm that it might have followed a stage performance.
“The boy’s courage and the young lady’s dignity were admirable. I have witnessed a beautiful story. Thanks to the miracle the two of you created, I now have sufficient cause to intervene.”
An elderly gentleman in a tailcoat stepped between Licia and Given.
“Allow me to lend a small hand in bringing this matter to its conclusion. I would never dream of claiming the miracle itself as my work.”
Given glared at him. “Who are you?”
The gentleman first bowed to Licia.
“My name is Edgar. Please leave the remainder to me, Saint Licia. I am here on behalf of my master.”
“Your master…?”
“He owes your house a debt, and I have come to repay a small part of it.”
Edgar then faced Given.
“This is our first meeting, Viscount.”
“Name your master.”
“Forgive me. My master is—”
Edgar drew a jeweled dagger engraved with a noble crest.
Given’s face drained of color.
“That cannot be… What are you plotting?”
“Impersonating the representative of a great noble is punishable by death. A viscount should understand that. I trust you do not imagine this emblem false.”
Licia could not see the dagger clearly from behind Edgar, but Given’s panic told her how much authority it represented.
Edgar called to the Legal Affairs Bureau official overseeing the escort.
“My master has authorized me to speak and act in his name regarding this judgment. By his authority, I request that the case be retried here in Clausel. The evidence now before us leaves far too many unresolved questions.”
The official hesitated, plainly influenced by the Hero Faction.
“But the previous judgment—”
Edgar continued quietly.
“My lord owes House Clausel—and specifically the boy Ren Ashton—a profound debt. Ren saved the life of someone precious to him. My master will therefore support a proper conclusion to this affair.”
That ended the resistance. The official could not ignore the authority represented by the crest, and Given could no longer force the transfer.
Licia and Weiss still did not understand why a great noble had moved for Ren. Given understood only that his carefully prepared victory had collapsed.
Edgar passed the viscount and spoke in a voice meant only for him.
“You were wondering why my lord chose to act, weren’t you? The miracle those children brought about gave him the political cause he needed. Ren Ashton also saved a life that matters greatly to him.”
Given stared, unable to answer.
Edgar smiled like a kindly old man.
“A moment ago, did you say that you had successfully outmaneuvered everyone?”
With that, he walked alone through the gates of Clausel.