◇


  Several hours later.

  We arrived at Relaia Barondom's central town, Relaial, without a problem.

  …Well territory of a baron isn't that big though, so this central town is more like a village.

  "…It's heavily guarded."

  The escort knight muttered when he saw Relaial's gate.

  Indeed, soldiers who appear to be guards are standing in front of the gate.

  Normally, you don't place guards on the gate of a small town like this.

  Security gets stricter only when it's one step away from full blown war.

  "Allow me to inform them our arrival."

  "Very well."

  Viscount Regido halted afterward.

  Looks like we still need to inform our coming before we could enter the town.

  Guess you can't just stroll right through the gate without saying anything even if you're a noble.

  …Right now I'm a noble, albeit temporary, though, so I can't say like it's none of my business.

  While I was thinking that, a middle-aged man who appeared to be a noble rushed out of the town gate in a big hurry.

  It's probably cause he can't let nobles who are of higher ranks to wait for him.

  "Viscount Regido, Baron Hildesheimr! I bid you my warmest welcome!"

  Looks like I'm getting called Baron even though it's just temporary.

  …This might be the first time someone called me Baron Hildesheimr.

  I mean, I rarely ever used my family name and usually introduced myself as just Mathias.

  Viscount Regido opens his mouth.

  "You must be Baron Relaia. Have you heard the details from His Majesty?"

  "We received a letter a few hours ago. We have arranged the information for you."

  "Good work. Lead the way."

  …Looks like the local army will lend us their cooperation.

  Having a viscount in the investigation team is already showing its effect.

  As I walk while thinking that… a familiar-looking human walk up here from afar——

  It's Biffgel.

  Frankly speaking, I'd like to avoid meeting this guy.

  I don't care about Biffgel himself, but it'll be a waste of our time if he causes troubles here.

  And that'd result in more troubles for my father Castor, and my brother Reich, I'd like to avoid that.

  …However, as I'm currently going along with other nobles, I cannot hide my figure here.

  I walked while hoping that he wouldn't notice me, but…


  "Mathias, you bastard! What're you doing trotting back home without a care in the world huh! You Disqualified Crest trash, a disgrace of Hildesheimr house!"

  …Looks like he found me out.

  "What do you mean 'back home', we're not in Hildesheimr Baronet's territory here."

  "Same difference! I'm asking why'd you show your mug in front of me now! You already left our territory!"

  No, it's not 'same difference'.

  It's another noble's.

  …I can't even begin to figure out where to quip here.

  "Oy, who is this guy?"

  Viscount Regideo asked the escort knights when he saw our conversation.

  "That is the second son of Castor Hildesheimr, Biffgel Hildesheimr."

  The one who replied to Viscount Regido was the escort knight who had guided us all the way here.

  This knight is not only knowledgeable about roads, but also other nobles huh…


  "Second son… That means he's not a nobleman?"

  "That's right."

  "So you're telling me, a commoner just called a noble, however temporary it may be, 'trash' and 'disgrace', not to mention the lack of honorifics…"

  "That will be correct."

  "On top of that, did he really say that other noble's territory is 『same difference with his household's own』?"

  "Amazingly enough, that's exactly right."

  Viscount Regido looked amazed as he asked the escort knight.

  He then turned at Biffgel with a look of pity.

  Looks like he can't even work up anger.

  Yep, I know that feeling.

  "Biffgel Hildesheimr… I've heard rumors about you, but to think it was all true… Will Hildesheimr house be alright with this guy as their heir?"

  "No, the heir is the eldest son Reich, not Biffgel."

  "…Really now? I heard the eldest son didn't have Glory Crest, and only a year older though."

  In this country, heirs are usually the eldest sons.

  However, the situation changes slightly if only the second son has Glory Crest and the age difference is less than three years.

  The law states that 『The one better at magic』 is to be the heir in a case like such.

  And as chant magic is the mainstream in this country, Glory Crest holds the advantage.

  Thus, heirs are usually Glory Crest bearers.

  And Hildesheimr household is exactly one of such cases.

  Biffgel has Glory Crest, my brother Reich has Common Magic Crest.

  However…


  "That would normally be the case, however, it appears that the elder brother Reich is exceedingly talented and better than Biffgel at magic. As such, the heir is the eldest son."

  "Common Magic Crest surpassing Glory Crest at a place where chantless magic hasn't been popularized yet…? No wait, Baronet Hildesheimr territory was Mathias's hometown huh. I can hazard a guess as to what happened."

  "Your hypothesis is most likely correct, Viscount Regido."

  Viscount Regido had a 'no wonder' look on his face after hearing me.

  …Biffgel's face reddened as he watched the conversation unfolded.

  However, Biffgel must have realized that the other party was viscount from it.

  He has no way to talk back.

  And Viscount Regido further twists the knife in.

  "We have come to Baronet Relaia territory under order of His Majesty. Mathias and his party is included in our entourage. Denying Mathias here would mean the same as denying His Majesty's order… Did you say that while fully aware of that implication?"

  "No, I didn't mean to…"

  Biffgel gradually inched back as he said that.

  And then he scurried away just like that.

  Biffgel, how pitiful…


  『That Biffgel really is like the rumors say…』


  『Worse than that even… He's lucky to escape with his life.』


  Ruli and Alma who had been keeping silent had that conversation.

  Though rather than keeping silent, it was more like they couldn't believe what happened, not a word would come out.

  Ruli is right, Viscount Regido could have Biffgel offed just on the basis of earlier matter.

  But that would be a waste our time.

  The viscount must have surmised that Biffgel couldn't do anything more than complaining anyway and thus let him get away.

  …The guy is not even worth his execution.