The Second Son of The Marquis Runs Away from Home ~ Lacking Talent, He Abandons Everything and Becomes an Adventurer ~ - 48

Chapter 48: Movements of Each (Multiple Perspectives)

(Bardle’s Perspective)

“Thank you earlier, Knight Captain.”

After the nobles dispersed and left the castle, I expressed my gratitude to Knight Captain Brayja Variante. I had asked him to speak on my behalf at that moment to avoid accusations of favoritism if I defended Serk.

“No problem at all. Besides, I’ve never been fond of those with biases favoring the noble faction… I’m almost grateful for the opportunity to vent.”

“Those biased individuals seem to have lost considerable momentum due to Serk’s actions.”

Indeed, the news of Serk being recognized as a titled knight had spread throughout the kingdom. Furthermore, his activities as a Silver-ranked adventurer on the Grucio Continent had become known. Many, especially those in the military, lamented the loss of such a talent to another country.

“The academy really missed out on a valuable asset… If he had joined the knight order, he could have become a good knight, elevating alongside my son, Rakul.”

“Lord Rakul… I heard he’s currently on a quest for monster extermination as part of his warrior training.”

“Yes, reports indicate that he’s doing well. Truth be told, my son was unusually down when his younger brother left the country. It seems Serk was a rival and an aspiration for him. Since then, Rakul has realized how much he regretted not realizing it and reaching out to him.”

“Is that so?”

“Well, that’s why I believe it’s time to correct the current atmosphere that has pushed Serk, who could be considered one of my son’s few friends, into a corner. Hence, I won’t hesitate to offer my cooperation.”

Knight Captain Brayja said this with a smile, and in his eyes, one could sense the strong determination of both a father and a knight commander.

“So, Bardle, have you identified the suspects?”

“Yes… those who reacted to the words ‘attacker’ and ‘merchant’ during that incident. I’ve memorized the faces of those who may have been colluding with the infiltrators posing as merchants.”

The targets of suspicion were those who had connections with the so-called merchants who attacked the Empire. At the stage where I claimed innocence, we hadn’t actually identified the infiltrators.

That’s why we observed the reactions of those present, pretending that suspicions were cleared. Among them, I remembered everyone who displayed suspicious behavior.

“Knight Captain, I’ll try to handle this matter on our end, but… if necessary, I may request some forceful assistance.”

“Feel free to. In fact, make good use of us.”

Encouraged by the knight captain’s reassuring response, I began to take action, renewing my determination not to let anyone obstruct Serk’s path as a duke of this country.

—

(Duke Brayja’s Perspective)

“One problem after another…”

Muttering while rubbing my forehead in the office, I felt somewhat exasperated by the multitude of issues coming from both within and outside the country.

“To think the situation would change so much in these two years… Above all, he’s no longer a mere youngster.”

Among the various problems, the one that would have the most impact on the duke’s family was Serk’s story. The Duke’s family, which had been one of the factors that drove Serk into a corner, was now in a tight spot due to his engagement as a titled knight with significant military responsibilities in the Empire.

(Teresa’s Perspective)

Teresa, now seventeen, still hadn’t found a fiancé since the incident. Bardle’s actions, termed as purges, had significantly altered the situation among the nobility. Those whose status matched hers either already had fiancés or were married.

“Shouldn’t I have broken off the engagement?”

Teresa, visibly down since then, wasn’t actively seeking a fiancé. Even after two years, she regretted pushing Serk to the brink.

“Worst case, I might have to find someone in the Empire. If I can’t recover on my own, I’ll have to make it happen.”

The next issue to consider was the matter of those merchants. Truth be told, someone resembling those merchants had visited the duke’s house.

At that time, I delegated the handling of the matter to subordinates due to work, and the person hasn’t returned since. However, that’s only within my knowledge. There was a possibility that the person was secretly in contact with subordinates and people in the territory.

“I need to re-investigate this…”

The multitude of tasks at hand and the rapidly changing situation left no room to breathe, indicating dark clouds on the horizon. Tiredness crept in to the point where such gloomy thoughts surfaced.

(Teresa’s Perspective)

Looking up at the night sky from the balcony of her room, Teresa pondered. “This won’t do as it is,” her heart pleaded. Every time she thought about standing up, memories of heartless words and actions she directed at him, her former fiancé Serk, became vivid. And she hesitated, afraid she might repeat the same mistakes.

“…I was this weak.”

She knew the details of Serk’s story. Climbing to the rank of a Silver-ranked adventurer, saving the Empire’s princess, being recognized by the emperor, and receiving a title as the princess’s fiancé were all things she had heard.

“The fact that you’re pursuing your own path means you’ve become stronger. Strong enough to stand up and move forward without cowering like me…”

She had cornered such a person—her former fiancé. Despite being engaged, she had continued to hurt him by not being supportive, the very thing he detested the most.

“I want to apologize, I want to redo it if possible… Even though I know it won’t happen, I can’t help wishing for it. I hate this weak side of myself.”

“…I should go to sleep soon.”

Changing into her nightwear and getting into bed, she held a fist-sized crystal engraved with complex patterns. Clutching it, she felt reassured and could sleep well. The merchant had given it to her, saying it was a prototype, and asked for feedback when they visited next. Since then, she had been using it every night before sleep.

As consciousness sank deeper, the crystal faintly glowed in her hand…