Piece 23 (part 2)

It was a long painful day. But for certain others, the day following it was even more painful.

The incident at Fort Julius was quite the serious one, because so many people from both the attackers side and the knights side had lost their lives. To respond to this, multiple high ranking officials from the Horus Dukedom or even the Ardjestyn Kingdom were sent to investigate the causes and occurrences of the attack. And the day after the incident, they had already obtained all the answers they needed.

The General Knight of the Ardjestyn Kingdom himself has made an appearance, and he called forth all parties who weren't just present, but also are related to the incident in any way. 

Included in the people they investigated was me, Jeremy, the three followers he had, and a few other students who managed to catch a glimpse of Roy heading upstairs alongside me. From the school side, they called in the teachers from our classes as well as the headmaster.

Outside of the school, they brought in Roy's family, the Russels. That investigation took a long time, and I've yet to hear anything about the result. They also questioned the division commander who was present, Sir Marvel, and the result of this one came out quite shockingly early.

He got stripped off his rank. It's obvious, he tried solving a children's conflict using armed weapons. Such a thing is unacceptable, even if I really am some demonic reincarnation. He also lost an arm, which makes the old knight believe that he is no longer suited for the job.

Oh. One extra person was called aside from me. This time, the investigator was actually the investigated one.

"It sure has been a while, General Valdez. You've grown so old." The prideful tone of a young twenty eight year old man was heard inside the mayor's house, and an awkward laughter was heard on the opposite side of the table.

"It sure has, Your Majesty. On the contrary, you don't look like you've aged." The Knight General of Ardjestyn said with such a friendly tone to Dad, and I can't help but realize their smiles aren't exactly genuine smiles.

Ah… so this is politics. It's really confusing.

"Well, I just know my ways around skin-cares. I have to keep this beautiful face to stay young, you know?"

"If only I know of such methods… I wonder if your majesty can maybe spill some secrets?"

"Yeah. It's called 'Not Stressing Out About Anything'. But, recently that skin-care method has been quite dull on me, General. Do you perhaps know why?" Dad's question was asked with the same smile, but with a completely different tone. And hearing that question, the general only looked even more uncomfortable.

"I-I wonder why…"

"Because some smartass division commander decided to confuse my daughter for a reincarnation of a witch. Or was it a demon? Whatever it was, it sure does make my skin a lot dryer than before." Dad revealed his exact thoughts, and the general knight finally lowered his head very quickly.

"M-My apologies, Your Majesty… I-I truly had no clue regarding what is even going on."

"Do you even know why your son even acted like that, Valdez Horus? Because your grandson, from a different child, god knows how smart that one is, had a fallout with my daughter a few years back. And do you know why the fight between the two children even happened, General Valdez Horus? Or should I address you as Duke Horus now?"

W-Wow…

"I-I am not aware, Your Majesty… And please address me however you want."

"Well, Valdez!! Let me tell you. It's because your grandson mocked the parents of my daughter."

The knight general instantly opened his eyes widely, and Dad's grin became even wider. Meanwhile, I'm just glad that there's no one else in this meeting room at the mayor's house, because they might just die from the indirect embarrassment.

"You know what that means, do you~?"

"I-It is my own blood and teachings that have failed, Your Majesty. Please… Lessen your wrath towards the child and focus them more on me."

"I am focusing on you, idiot. Who am I, Marvel? I'd never harm a child." Dad's spicy words grew even spicier, and I noticed him using profanities even in front of me.

Dad realized his own words, and he realized that I'm sitting right next to me. Instantly, his smile became genuine as he patted my head.

"I'm so sorry for that, Milly. I got too carried away by the atmosphere." Dad said softly as he messed with my hair, but I only smiled awkwardly.

"I-It's fine… I just feel a little bad." I told him about how I feel, but he shook his head.

"That can't do, Milly. If you are inconvenienced, you need to express how uncomfortable you are to that person. If you don't, then they will keep wronging you, and you shouldn't let that happen."

"Yeah, but… The division commander didn't really have much of a choice. He was right for being suspicious of me, since I am secretly a princess. His only mistake was listening to that bastard Jeremy."

My perspective has always been the same. All of this stemmed from one singular painful existence, and that is Jeremy Horus. The center of these problems was him all along, so there is no need to cause harm for others who were simply doing what they think is right.

"That is also wrong. Because in a way, they helped create Jeremy. The only reason that child acted the way he did was because there were people like the division commander who supported him. If his grandfather taught him any better, then that child wouldn't have been this problematic."

That is… an unfair argument. Because no matter what, it is still Jeremy's fault. Putting his grandfather at blame just because they are related by blood is a little…

"Think about it this way. If I taught you to go out to the streets and steal from people, who is truly in the wrong?" Dad explained while turning his gaze to the old duke who was sitting across the table, and the duke looked so done with all of this.

"It'd be… your fault." I said out of understanding, and Dad nodded. After making me understand, he turned his sharp glare back to the duke.

"As such, the same situation is happening at this moment. The way your child acts mirrors your own behavior. What Jeremy did was definitely something this old man would've done as well, and I can't exactly say that he hasn't done a thing like that in the past." Dad said once again with his spicy tongue, and this time he isn't wearing a smile.

"That was many-many years ago, Your Majesty… I think everybody has learned the hard way that Veldonia is not to be messed with."

"You can say all you want right now when there's only you facing me face to face. However, I seem to recall how confident you were when I met you alongside all the other generals from the five nations. You all look so prideful compared to after Velborn was completely wiped."

"… Again, everyone, including me has learned. I wish that Your Majesty can bestow his forgiveness, and I will make sure that things like this won't ever happen again."

"Oh? That's wonderful! Then, do you mind making another deal with me?" Dad asked with such a cheerful tone this time, and the general sweats heavily as he realizes he has fallen into Dad's palms.

"… Six months."

"P-Pardon?" The general looked confused, but I knew exactly what the deal was going to be.

After all, it was the main reason as to why we came here.

"In six months, Veldonia Empire will return as once again the greatest nation in this land.

We are taking back everything that once belonged to us, so can you please let go of all Veldonian knights that are currently working under you? I kind of need my knights back."