Chapter 121: The Search Stalls
Ever since the Duchess of Blake—Olivia Blake—arrived in the capital, a subtle but undeniable tension had settled over the city.
The reason was simple.
Not only had the Second Knight Order of House Blake been mobilized, but even a portion of the capital’s own Weal Guard had been deployed. Together, they were sweeping through suspected hideouts of underworld organizations, turning over every stone in a relentless, methodical purge.
There was, however, more than one reason the Weal Guard had been set in motion.
“Your Majesty,” the Prime Minister said carefully, bowing his head before the throne, “are you certain it was wise to comply so readily with the ducal house’s request? Forgive my frankness, but from my perspective, it feels as though Blake is leading us about by the chin.”
“It is of no concern,” the Empress replied lightly. “Periodic pressure against anti-social forces is necessary. If the Blake Knight Order is willing to crush underworld dens in place of our own guard, then lending them a handful of soldiers is more than a fair exchange.”
“I see… As expected of Your Majesty. You evaluate matters not merely by political interest, but by calculated gain and loss.”
“The Duke of Blake undoubtedly understood that when he made the request. That old fox has not changed.”
“Bradley-sama—the academy Director—must be having quite a difficult time. Speaking of the academy… I wonder how Viscount Arden fares. I heard unpleasant rumors were spread about him shortly after his appointment as a magic lecturer.”
“If it is him, he has already dealt with it. At this very moment, he is likely enjoying a carefree academic life. However…” The Empress’s lips curved faintly. “What if he were involved in this Klim incident as well?”
“S-Surely not…”
“Do not dismiss it so quickly. That man has a peculiar fate—one that places him at the center of every storm.”
She chuckled softly.
The heavy atmosphere was not confined to the palace alone. It seeped into the streets, into the murmurs of common folk.
“Hey, hey—those knights in red armor. What unit are they from? I’ve been seeing them almost every day lately.”
“Ah, I’ve got a buddy who works as an instructor at the Imperial Academy. He says the son of House Blake went missing. If that’s true, those are probably the Blake Knights.”
“Ohh, searching for their heir, huh? No wonder they’re tearing the place apart.”
At present, the Second Knight Order of Blake had divided into multiple squads, combing through suspicious residences in the civilian districts.
One knight halted before a decrepit estate.
“What in the world is this haunted mansion…? It’s suspicious beyond reason. How are the neighbors still sane living beside this place?”
“Oi! Find something shady?”
“Take a look at this.”
“Whoa… that’s… intense. No way we can ignore this. Let’s get the captain’s approval first.”
The captain soon arrived.
“Captain, this is the… uh… old manor in question. Shall we breach?”
“…You idiot. This is the residence of a renowned master alchemist. If you so much as damage this property, you won’t merely lose your jobs. Neither will I.”
“T-This is the home of a famed master alchemist?!”
Clad in crimson armor, the knights stiffened and resumed their search elsewhere, far more carefully than before.
In a corner of the noble district stood a mansion grander even than that of the leading marquis house.
Within one of its lavish chambers, Olivia clutched her head.
“Why… why can’t we find you, Klim…? Where in the world are you…?”
Between themselves, the servants harbored a secret.
Klim had not been well-loved.
The number of maids and attendants driven to resignation by his habitual violence and harassment was too great to count. In truth, many within the household felt a guilty flicker of relief at his disappearance—and some even prayed he would never return.
Yet they were human.
And seeing their mistress, a mother grieving for her absent son, stirred uncomfortable pangs within their chests.
“Olivia-sama. Klim-sama will surely be found.”
“Yes. We must not lose hope.”
“Please, allow us to support you during this time.”
“…Thank you, everyone.”
Olivia wiped away the tears threatening to spill.
Just then, a maid stepped forward hesitantly.
“Um… if I may.”
“…You are?”
“One of Klim-sama’s personal attendants.”
“I see. Have you come to tell me something?”
“Yes…”
The maid spoke awkwardly.
“Shortly before he went missing, Klim-sama devised a plan… to disgrace House Arden.”
“House Arden? Why?”
“You are aware that Nelson-sama was dismissed as magic instructor recently. At the same time, Viscount Arden himself was appointed to the position.”
“Viscount Arden…? That is news to me. So Klim believed it to be Arden’s doing. Likely acting out of loyalty to family—but to meddle with the much-discussed House Arden at such a time is… shortsighted. Very well. Tell me the details.”
The maid lowered her gaze.
“H-He spread rumors throughout the academy… that Viscount Arden was an executive of an underworld organization.”
“…………What?”
“He even paid classmates and other students to circulate it thoroughly…”
“What was that child thinking…? Slandering another noble without cause is a grave violation of imperial law…”
“But… it is still unclear whether Viscount Arden is aware of it.”
The implication was obvious: perhaps they could simply pretend ignorance.
Olivia’s eyes hardened.
“I have heard that the current Viscount Arden is regarded highly not only by Her Majesty and Marquis Grace, but even by my elder brother—the Duke of Mondo. A man of that caliber cannot possibly have failed to notice. The worst choice would be to ignore it. I shall personally offer an apology… whether he forgives us or not.”
(Otherwise, the moment Klim is found, he may be thrown straight into prison…)
After a deep sigh, she rose unsteadily and left the room. The servants watched her back with conflicted expressions.
The mansion of House Blake and that of Viscount Arden stood within the same upper-noble district; the journey did not take long.
A carriage halted before the Arden estate’s main gate. The crest emblazoned upon it made its origin unmistakable.
“Blake’s carriage…?”
“What business do they have here?”
The carriage door opened, and Olivia stepped down.
“I am Olivia Blake, Duchess of Blake. I have come to speak with Viscount Arden.”
She presented her noble crest.
“…It appears authentic. Please wait inside for the moment.”
She passed through the gate and stopped before the entrance. Proper etiquette demanded that she wait for the master of the house.
“…………”
(Hmm. Quite an impressive estate.)
Upon hearing the news, Sebas hurried to Ryu.
“Ryu-sama… you have a visitor.”
“A visitor? Who?”
“…The Duchess of Blake.”
“…You’re kidding.”
“I-I believe you can handle it, Ryu-sama…”
“Oh, handling it isn’t the problem. The issue is that when we crossed paths at the academy before, I introduced myself as ‘Ryoma Sakamoto.’ …Now how am I supposed to smooth that over?”
“Shall I or Esther-sama receive her in your stead?”
“That’s an option, but… ah.”
An idea struck him.
No—an idea possessed him.
“…Sebas. Bring that.”
“Y-You don’t mean… that?”
Minutes later.
Olivia stood waiting.
“…………”
(This is taking quite long. Perhaps they are deliberately leaving me to stew.)
At last, the door opened.
And there he stood.
Clad in traditional Japanese robes. Long black hair tied neatly behind. Gloves inscribed with magic circles. Bandages wrapped around one arm. An eyepatch covering one eye. A katana at his waist. An unmistakably theatrical aura radiating from him.
“…Ryoma Sakamoto…?”
“Indeed. I am Ryoma Sakamoto… also known as Ryu Arden.”
“…Pardon?”
Olivia’s thoughts froze.
Sebas leaned in and whispered urgently.
“My sincerest apologies, Olivia-sama. Ryu-sama is currently in… that phase young men experience. At the academy, he restrains himself to the bare minimum. But at home… he has gone full circle, as you see. I assure you, normal conversation is entirely possible.”
“I… see.”
(Come to think of it, Ryoma Sakamoto is a famous swordsman of Hinomaru. How did I not realize…? Well, Klim and Nelson went through phases of their own. Perhaps men are simply like this. He seems oddly forgiving in temperament—perhaps this meeting will proceed smoothly after all.)
“ Olivia-sama. The reception room lies this way.”
“Thank you for your courtesy.”
“Hmph… It is but natural for a warrior.”
Sebas whispered again.
“Olivia-sama… when you met him at the academy, did he introduce himself as Ryoma rather than Ryu?”
“Yes. With a rather smug expression. He even claimed to be a swordsmanship instructor.”
“Good heavens… My deepest apologies. Believe it or not, this is him holding back. Please… I beg your understanding.”
“V-Very well…”
Ryu’s expression remained composed, but inwardly—
(Damn it… why am I always the one who has to endure this humiliation…! Curse that fool Ryoma…!)
Two shadows observed from afar.
“Kakakakaka! How pitiful! How utterly pitiful!”
“Oni-sama trying so hard… it’s precious…!”
Would Ryu truly survive this performance?
“Ah-choo!”
“Ryoma-dono, are you well?!”
“I am well. Yet lately, I cannot shake the feeling that someone is mocking me.”
“Name them, and I shall cut them down!”
“Hold, hold. The one in question is likely a monster even I could not defeat.”
“Y-You jest…”
“Hahaha. Indeed, a jest.”
“…Of course.”
(There’s no one stronger than Ryoma-dono. He truly has a talent for jokes…)
A pleasant breeze swept through, stirring his bangs.
(That ‘monster’ is no scoundrel… but my irreplaceable best friend.)