Chapter 105: A Father’s Dread

During my stay in the empire, Lady Eustia agreed to help me.

Since Vargas’s lab was in such a remote location, she had no choice but to stay at the mansion.

Because of that, strange rumors started circulating for a while.

“Is there some beautiful young lady staying at the mansion?”

“Is that true?”

“It is. Her skin is as white as snow, and her nose is so high— she looks like a sculpture.”

“Oh my! Oh my! Is His Grace the Duke finally getting married?”

The maids chattered excitedly, making a fuss.

But when the highest-ranking female employee, the housekeeper, appeared, they all fell silent.

“She is the princess of the Crawford Principality. She is a distant relative of His Grace the Duke and is here to assist with research, so watch your tongues.”

“Ah… I see.”

The housekeeper held quite a bit of authority.

She controlled the mansion’s storerooms and the maids’ personnel matters, so it was best not to get on her bad side.

Moreover, since I didn’t interfere much, she wielded considerable power.

Though that was limited to the maids.

Even so, I left her be because Mrs. Marian, the housekeeper, did her job well.

Plus, she’s someone who strictly maintains boundaries.

She never overstepped her authority.

She was also firm yet generous.

She’d flexibly overlook a minor mistake, but she never caused major issues.

She was the perfect housekeeper, really.

What a lucky bastard.

I smirked, thinking of the old Abel Carius.

Even though he’d lived as a shut-in, the household had remained intact thanks to the numerous employees.

People loyal to the previous duke.

Though their loyalty had waned as Abel gradually lost their trust.

Anyway, the maids’ conversation I’d overheard by chance ended there.

“Ugh! Let’s rest a bit before moving.”

I lay on the rocking chair on the second-floor balcony and stretched long.

The plague was being managed fairly well.

If things continued like this for a while longer, we might not even need masks.

The isolated patients were improving and returning home one by one.

In that sense, I’d already stopped selling the paper overcoats.

Lady Eustia must be in the middle of experiments. I hope she comes up with something proper—just one solid result would be great.

Everything was progressing smoothly.

Ah, of course, there were some concerns.

The emperor had rolled up his sleeves, declaring he’d reform the church.

A terrifying bloodbath might blow through soon.

“But that has nothing to do with me, right? Cheers.”

Of course, I had no intention of drinking from this early in the morning.

To begin with, the common alcohol in this world was wine.

It didn’t suit my taste, as I preferred higher-proof stuff like a real man.

Moreover, after gaining Abel Carius’s insane body, I couldn’t even get drunk on wine.

Better not to drink at all than to just reek of alcohol.

Maybe I should make distilled spirits while I’m at it?

What if I released things like whiskey, brandy, vodka, or gin?

They’d probably be hugely popular.

The ultimate machos of this era—knights and mercenaries—would seek them out like crazy.

As I planned a new business, a smile naturally formed on my face.

“Oh, right. I’ve done quite a lot lately— isn’t there anything?”

It was a mutter to myself, but essentially directed at the system.

How many things had I changed?

Ah, it wasn’t like I hadn’t achieved anything recently.

Thanks to the greatsword mastery, it felt like my level had risen several steps.

But there were achievements after going to the Yates Marquisate too.

I’d smashed the old-boy network privileges and stopped the plague.

Moreover, I’d thrown a guy who’d used his priest status to commit murder and extortion into prison.

But there were no new hologram messages.

“Ah, a bit disappointing.”

It seemed that as the system grew, the reward intervals had lengthened.

It probably meant I needed more positive societal changes.

Time to head to work.

If I stayed faithful to my main job, something good would come eventually.

No need to rush.

I moved to the dressing room and opened the wardrobe.

Suits that Martin had poured his heart into making hung neatly.

They exuded luxury, but for some reason, I didn’t feel like wearing one today.

“Can’t I dress lightly?”

Even if the court is a solemn and serious place, commuting should be casual enough.

I’d change into robes once inside anyway.

And who would dare criticize my outfit?

I put on a slightly loose white sweatshirt and plain black jogger pants.

It looked like I was heading out for exercise, no matter who saw it.

And I need sneakers to complete this.

Unfortunately, I chose shoes with the softest soles available.

Most shoes here were made of leather.

There weren’t many materials as light and durable as sneakers.

Anyway, today’s highlight wasn’t that.

The outfit for the commute runway was an aviator-style jacket.

Perfect thickness for a season where nights are cold and days are mildly warm.

Plenty of pockets for practicality too.

This will be unfamiliar to people here.

I hadn’t shown it off before.

But I had no doubt this item would succeed too.

Suits hadn’t existed at all before either.

But now, almost every male noble wore them.

Why had that happened?

Because I wear them.

What stronger promotion could there be?

This time, the reaction would probably be even better.

These clothes weren’t as expensive as suits.

Sure enough, the commute runway drew a lot of attention.

“His Grace Duke Carius has come out in unique clothes!”

“Oh? Must be a new product they’re launching.”

“It looks so comfortable? Seems durable too.”

“Above all, it’s stylish. I’d definitely buy that.”

“Come on, it’s because it’s His Grace. If we wore it, we’d just look like grubby neighborhood workers.”

“I get what you mean, but you’re not buying it? Something that practical?”

“…I am buying it.”

The idea that fashion is completed by the face was widespread here too.

No matter how identically dressed, it wouldn’t have the same vibe as me.

Still, people’s reactions were quite enthusiastic.

The Midias clothing stores had such a good reputation that quality was trusted on sight.

Once the business grows more, I’ll need to change advertising methods.

If I promoted with billboards or fashion shows, it’d be more effective than the commute runway.

Then I wouldn’t have to parade through the city every day.

When I arrived at the court, Judge Colrund Emir approached.

As if he’d been waiting.

“Good morning, Your Honor.”

“What’s the matter so early?”

Coming out to the lobby to wait suggested it was quite serious.

Has the emperor already drawn his sword?

The church reform hadn’t even started yet.

The Emperor Karon I knew would probably change everything in one blow.

There might be resistance, but that’s the most effective way.

But the story Judge Emir brought up was far from religious reform.

“We’ve received a consultation request.”

“What is this suddenly… Legal advice would be much better from a lawyer.”

“Ah, it’s not a request to the court.”

“Then?”

“They want to ask Your Honor directly.”

“Huh?”

It was utterly baffling.

What could they possibly need to ask me specifically?

When I stared with a puzzled expression, Judge Colrund Emir quickly explained.

“It’s a case that’s been under investigation for weeks. The entire prosecution headquarters is on it, but they say they can’t find any answers.”

“So they’re seeking my advice?”

“From the prophecy that Mount Mesketa would collapse, your insight is renowned, isn’t it?”

I’d uncovered the truth in quite a few cases so far.

It started with the first trial, didn’t it?

I’d exposed the Parviant farm owner’s lie in one go.

So it wasn’t strange for such a request to come in.

If they needed help anyway, better from someone in the same legal field.

“Fine. Instead of bothering with a consultation request, I’ll take the case myself.”

“Thank you so much for stepping in during tough times, Your Honor.”

“It’s what I should do as Chief Justice.”

Honestly, it wasn’t entirely insincere.

Someone in a high position should show leadership accordingly.

I took the investigated materials and began reading them carefully.

But from the very first line, an unusual word appeared.

“This… The suspect accused of murder is seven years old?”

“Yes.”

“Moreover, it’s the only son of three generations in the Hewitt Count family.”

I could see why the investigation hadn’t proceeded properly.

The suspect was so young, and there must have been pressure from Count Hewitt.

But now that it was assigned to me, there were no exceptions.

Everything would be judged based on evidence and facts.

For now, shall I offer some help?

Direct involvement would be tricky, but I could give advice on the investigation.

The prosecution had requested the consultation in the first place.

I headed straight to the building behind the court.

But the guard at the entrance suddenly blocked my way.

“Hey, you can’t just go in there… D-Duke Carius?”

My casual outfit must have made him not recognize me.

He only realized after seeing my face.

A more authoritarian person might get angry.

But it wasn’t intentional, and the investigation room is a restricted area anyway.

No reason to make a big deal.

“The prosecutor in charge is Baron Anders Cantrell, I hear. Where can I meet him?”

“I’ll notify him right away!”

Perhaps because of my gentle response, the guard’s ashen face relaxed a bit.

He dashed off somewhere, and soon another person approached me.

At first, I thought it was just someone to guide me.

But from the attire, it was definitely not a guard.

“Are you His Grace Duke Carius?”

“Yes, and you are?”

“Pleased to meet you. I am Edi Hewitt.”

“Ah, Count Hewitt.”

Recognizing the other’s identity, I greeted him politely.

At the same time, a question arose.

What was this man doing in front of the prosecution headquarters so early in the morning?

Then, I recalled what Judge Colrund Emir had said earlier.

This man is the father of the only son accused.

I could guess why I’d run into Count Hewitt here.

It was obvious.

In a family where the son is precious, the heir being investigated for murder.

A powerful house like a count’s would inevitably exert pressure.

Insisting not to label their son a murderer.

I looked at Count Hewitt with cold eyes.

But the words from his mouth were far from what I expected.

“His Grace Duke Carius.”

“Yes, speak.”

“May I make one request?”

“If it’s a plea related to the trial, you’d better stop.”

“Of course, I know that’s not allowed. But I must say this.”

He was so earnest that I should at least hear him out.

I’d absolutely not grant it, but I nodded vaguely.

Then Count Hewitt opened his mouth.

“Please uncover the truth.”

“Yes. As a parent, it’s natural to think that…”

Huh? What did you say?

Wondering what kind of plea this was, I stared blankly, but something felt off.

Count Hewitt’s face was deathly pale.

Soon, an even more shocking statement flowed out.

“I am terrified of my own son.”