Chapter 120: The Duchess of Blake

To the southeast of the capital lay a certain noble territory.

Compared to the territory of Marquis Grace or the Duchy of Mondo, it might seem somewhat lacking at first glance. Its lands were not quite as vast, its harvests not quite as legendary, its military not quite as frequently sung of in tavern ballads. And yet, within the surrounding regions, it shone with a brilliance that set it unmistakably apart—refined, dignified, and steeped in power that did not need to boast.

That land was the Duchy of Blake.

It was governed by the illustrious House of Blake, one of the Four Great Ducal Houses of the Empire—a family whose lineage stretched back through the ages, whose name carried weight in every noble court, and whose authority was as unquestioned as it was formidable.

Into the grand manor of that ducal house, a single letter arrived.

A servant burst into the study without ceremony.

“Your Grace! A letter has arrived from the capital!”

“Enter more quietly,” the duke replied flatly, not lifting his gaze from the documents spread across his desk.

“M-My apologies… It was marked urgent…”

“Urgent…?”

At that, the duke’s brow creased faintly. He reached for the letter and broke the seal.

“Hmm… Klim is missing… is he?”

(Was he abducted by some underworld syndicate seeking ransom? Assassinated by a grudge-bearing enemy of House Blake? Or is this merely another adolescent tantrum—some foolish runaway act born of youthful rebellion?)

“No matter which it is, there is nothing I can determine from here.”

He exhaled, long and faintly irritated, as though this were yet another troublesome report interrupting his day.

The Duke of Blake possessed a certain coldness, yes—but he was not devoid of paternal affection. At the very least, he cared for his children in the way a noble father believed he ought to.

Yet Klim… though the most unremarkable among his siblings in talent and accomplishment, had been a constant source of trouble since childhood. Incidents, scandals, disputes—there had never been peace where that boy was concerned. The duke was, quite frankly, exhausted by him.

At that moment, having heard the commotion, the duchess entered the room.

“My dear. Has something happened?”

“It seems that Klim has gone missing.”

“!?”

Her eyes widened for the briefest instant—but just as quickly, her expression returned to composed neutrality.

“…When did this occur?”

“The letter was written the day after his disappearance. So… roughly a week ago.”

“And what do you intend to do?”

“I will dispatch a minimal contingent of knights. After that, I will inform Her Majesty and request a portion of the capital’s guard for investigative assistance.”

“…Is that all? You won’t go yourself?”

“No. I do not have the time.”

“‘Do not have the time’…? Are you truly his father?!!”

“…………”

The duke’s expression did not change.

“Hmph… Very well. Then I shall go and find him myself. While I am gone, I will be taking full command authority over the Second Knight Order.”

“Very well.”

The duchess shut the door firmly behind her and strode off to make preparations.

The duke released another heavy sigh and resumed his paperwork, as though the matter were merely one more administrative burden.

Two weeks had passed since the day Ryu threw Klim into a goblin nest.

By sheer fortune, the academy had become completely consumed with talk of Klim’s disappearance. The rumors of Ryu’s supposed ties to some shadowy organization had faded into obscurity, as though they had never existed at all.

Some students quietly rejoiced at the vanishing of the academy’s most notorious delinquent. Others—particularly the sons and daughters of high-ranking nobles—lived in growing anxiety, fearing that they might be the next target. Meanwhile, the faculty staggered under the weight of successive crises, their exhaustion plain to see.

In its own chaotic way, the academy had become… lively.

(It’s about time I wrapped up my end of things.)

With that thought, Ryu made his way toward the Director’s office, intending to signal that his own “issue” could now be considered settled.

Click.

“Director, are you in?”

“You know, Ryu-kun… it’s customary to ask that before opening the door. And at the very least, I would appreciate a knock…”

Inside the room, in addition to the Director, stood an unexpected figure: Marquis Grace.

“Oh? If it isn’t Ryu-kun. Long time no see.”

“Marquis Grace. It’s been about two weeks. What brings you here?”

“Nothing. I was bored, so I came to pester the Director.”

“Sounds like a top-tier way to kill time.”

“Could you two please stop ignoring me?” the Director groaned.

“Shall we get to the main topic?” Ryu said.

“…Fine, fine.”

Ryu began.

“The fourth son of the Duke of Blake… uh…”

“Third-year student Klim Blake,” the Director supplied.

“Right. That Klim guy. He’s gone missing, hasn’t he?”

“Yes, yes. It’s become a rather scandalous uproar.”

“Well, as they say—every cloud has a silver lining. Thanks to the chaos surrounding him, the dark rumors about Viscount Arden’s household have practically vanished. I believe we can consider that matter resolved.”

“Ahh, that does help. Right now I’m far too busy dealing with monster parents who want to nitpick the academy’s security procedures.”

According to House Blake, Klim had disappeared within academy grounds.

The academy, however, maintained that he had been seen heading toward the main gate with fellow students and boarding a carriage bearing the Blake family crest. Thus, they claimed no responsibility.

Parents who believed the former version had been storming the academy repeatedly, demanding security overhauls and lodging direct complaints to the faculty.

“Perhaps you should file a few complaints yourself while you’re at it, Marquis Grace?” Ryu quipped.

“Oh, splendid idea! Perhaps I’ll submit dozens! Ahahaha!”

“Please don’t—have mercy…” the Director whimpered.

Click.

“Excuse me.”

A woman entered without warning.

“…Whoever you may be, could I ask that you knock before entering?” the Director said weakly.

“This is hardly the time for such courtesies.”

“Ehh…”

Marquis Grace narrowed his eyes.

“You wouldn’t happen to be… Lady Olivia Blake, Duchess of Blake?”

“Yes. I am Olivia. As expected of Marquis Grace.”

The Director sighed inwardly.

(…This truly is the worst possible timing.)

Olivia Blake—formerly Olivia Mondo.

To make an enemy of her was, in effect, to make an enemy of half of the Four Great Ducal Houses.

She placed both hands firmly upon the Director’s desk.

“I have not come here to quarrel with the academy. I seek information—anything that might help me locate my beloved son, Klim, as swiftly as possible. You will, of course, cooperate?”

“Of course. Klim-kun is one of our precious students.”

(Thank goodness she seems at least somewhat reasonable…)

Compared to the nobles who came merely to vent complaints, she was entirely tolerable. In fact, the fact that she remained composed despite her son’s disappearance spoke volumes about her competence.

(Oh no… this is awkward…)

Ryu attempted to slip out of the room unnoticed.

“Teacher there. Wait.”

“…Yes?”

“Your name? You were conversing rather familiarly with both Marquis Grace and the Director. You are no ordinary instructor.”

“Uh… Ryoma Sakamoto.”

“Ryoma Sakamoto? Are you from Hinomaru?”

“Yes. From Tosa in Hinomaru. By a twist of fate, I now serve as a swordsmanship instructor here.”

He boldly displayed Kurikara at his waist.

“Hm. Your features and hair color do resemble someone of Hinomaru. Very well. Forgive me for detaining you. You may go.”

“Thank you.”

He escaped by the narrowest margin.

Behind Olivia, however, Marquis Grace and the Director were barely containing their laughter.

(Ahahahaha! Ryoma Sakamoto, he says! Isn’t that the strongest swordsman of Hinomaru we were just discussing the other day?! That’s far too desperate an alias! Ahahahaha!)

(Heeheehee. A swordsmanship instructor named Ryoma Sakamoto? I don’t quite get it, but does he have a weakness when it comes to House Blake? Well, in any case… we’ve just secured a delightful little leverage over Ryu-kun. Heehee.)

(Damn them… enjoying this because it’s not their problem…)

Ryu left with a sour expression.

(Tch. Guess I’ll replenish my energy with Lena or Esther.)

“…………”

“Ryoma-dono, is something the matter?”

“…For some reason, I feel as though someone has just mocked me.”

“Wh-Why, no one in this world could possibly mock Ryoma-dono! Not even the great Tokugawa Shogun himself could dare such a feat!”

“Well… there is one person who comes to mind…”

“Oh, surely you jest again.”