The scary guy, the bad guy, the dead guy (2)

What appeared in the newspaper was just the tip of the iceberg. Kleio thought back to what he had read from the manuscript. If he remembered correctly, the mines survey and evaluation would already have been completed by the time the press regulations have been lifted.

The news about the train station will arrive soon. Just like that, the timing is right.

Kleio laughed as he wrinkled the newspaper he held. If the future didnt deviate from his expectations, he should earn a huge income soon.

I cant just be a landowner, but I can use the rent. I have to ask Mrs. Canton to check if there is any mail or telegrams for me.

He could expect Cels mother, Catarina, to contact him soon.

I hope the land price rises until then. I can get a good land rental fee.

He carefully read the news about the tiplaum mine before skimming through the other articles. Reading the newspaper helped familiarize himself with the details of this new word. A photo in one of the articles contained a large picture of Prince Melchiors visit to the military camp of Kision. He congratulated the courageous soldiers defending the border, offering them special vacation pay blah, blah.

The work of the royal family is similar to that of a politician.

The prince was smalling among the soldiers, taller than those around him. His bright hair also stood out, but the newspapers print was rough, so he couldnt properly recognize any other features. To Kleio, the appearance of the military camp was more impressive than the people.

How hard did the soldiers work to clean up for this photo? Tsk.

It was then.

Blam-

Dione ran through the hallway and slammed the door open. She had a large black and white striped ribbon running down one shoulder, with a dress cut to fit her body, making her look as beautiful as a blooming flower.

Kleio, Kleio, Kleio!

Kleio, who had set aside the newspaper, looked at her.

I can hear you even if you say it once.

I thought you would be sleeping in today, so I tried to wake you up!

Its still morning.

Its time for others to have lunch! Get up and take a bath first!

Ugh Are you planning on that again?

Kleio, who remembered Novantes party, shrugged as Diones voice rose a tone.

Thats it! Will you act like a beggar at the Kings birthday? Even your hair is a mess!

Because I was immersed in training, I didnt have time for a haircut

Stop making excuses and get to the bathroom. You have ten seconds! Ten! Nine! Eight! Seven!

It was a fight he couldnt win. Kleio hurried to hide in the bathroom. He felt that if he continued to resist, Dione herself would wash him herself.

.

.

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Hahahahaha, Lady Diones a big shot.

Stop laughing; whats so funny?

Hey, she made this miracle, so I have to praise her more. Your tutor must have a divine hand.

Arthur sat across from Kleio in the carriage, unable to stop giggling.

Gods hand is so uncomfortable I cant breathe.

Its like youre wearing armor on the battlefield. If it isnt properly prepared like that, it will attract attention in a bad sense. You should bow down and thank Lady Dione.

Kleio sighed, wanting to rip off his waistcoat and his stuffy gloves. Dione prepared complicated-looking clothes as if the dinner suit he had worn last time was lacking.

Why are there so many things on it?

The stiff cuffs scratched at his wrists, and the collar was so stiff, it felt like it was choking him. The worst was the ribbon tied under his top hat. It was embarrassing. Dione had brought him a silver-gray silk bow tie with a colored ribbon and had screamed at him when he tried to escape.

If you dont like this, you shouldve trimmed your hair!

Even now, I could head downtown

The Kings birthday is today. Do you think a skilled barber has time for you?

Kleio, recalling the previous conversation, leaned his forehead against the shaking carriage as he grimaced.

Stop acting embarrassed. Rather, you have to do that much to see the ballroom.

You look rough too, but why did Dione go off on me?

Even though they were riding in a six-seater carriage with the emblem of the royal family stamped on it, Arthurs dress was unpretentious, so he felt stupid. As usual, he wore a crumpled jacket and boots like a regular old swordsman.

Im just heading to escort you. Hey, whoever has the prince as an escort, you must be successful.

You insisted on coming along.

Kleio looked at Arthur with cool eyes.

If he were in Kision, he would definitely encounter Melchior, so its his excuse to jump into the capital.

Kisions lord and the father of Isiel Kision, Schliemann Kision, became Arthurs first and most willing supporter. Kision was home to the Albion royal familys summer palace, as well as being Arthurs hometown in which he grew up. Kleio had recalled the article he read that morning.

Then Melchiors visit at this time would not just be to encourage the troops. What did Viscount Kision and Arthur come up with?

How did you know?

Because its obvious.

Youve gotten to know me pretty well.

Dont act disgusting; youre just a simple human. But isnt Isiel also attending the ball?

Kleio peeked out the window. Isiel, who was on horseback guarding the front, was in uniform as well.

Because Kision isnt, Isiel should go.

Is it okay to wear a school uniform at the banquet?

The Royal Capital Defense Forces school uniform was a white shirt with a dark gray tie, a light gray vest, a black jacket, and trousers for both men and women. The girls often wore skirts, but Isiel always wore pants with her uniform.

Hey, Isiel, and you are different. Shell claim attention with her school uniform.

Why?

Shes a student at the Defense Forces school, and shes a swordswoman. Because of that, some crazy bullshit is spreading.

Hm? Why is that?

Arthur pretended to tap his head like the sight of Kleio was pitiful.

Think with your clever mind. Its not normal for a girl to become a soldier. But if you stick with me, youll hear all the rumors.

So, are you the source of all that information?

He turned Remember on and quickly looked back through the manuscript. There had been a group of nobles that spread messy rumors because the incredibly gorgeous Isiel was lingering behind the stupid prince.

I forgot because they were all horrible anyway.

Regardless of the actual situation, she is in a status that can intermarry with the royal family.

Even so, looking at Isiel, you know

Thats what I mean. Since I was a child, I saw her tears and runny nose as we trained under the same teaching, vomiting, and collapsing during training. Were like brother and sister.

Arthur lowered his voice despite the noisy street outside the carriage.

People dont know yet, but Isiel swore a knights oath when we were twelve. Isiel, whos been with me everywhere from that moment on, had suffered all kinds of humiliation as a result. It will take a decade to avenge those grievances.

Having grown up confined in the summer palace, the prince had ended up with the swordsman teacher by chance and learned the ways of the sword with Isiel. In the last manuscript, the twos childhood had been described shortly like that, so he didnt know the details. As Kleio listened seriously, Arthur spoke without any of his usual playfulness.

As Isiel swore allegiance to me, I also [Covenanted] that I would honor her as a knight. Nothing else, only a noble knight. I will make sure that she inherits what she deserves.

Kleios eyes went wide.

Isnt a [Covenant] used with words with ether?

Of course.

[Covenant] was an oath made by knights to their King after completing their probationary period and receiving the formal oath. The fact that this had happened between Arthur and Isiel hadnt appeared in the previous manuscript.

Because of the inheritance law that was made to confiscate the manor of Sir Rosa Pehite, Isiel cannot inherit her fathers manor. I have to put that back right.

Rosa Pehite the professor of swordsmanship at school? Whats her relationship to the inheritance law?

What, you dont know?

Is it related to your fathers throne?

Kleio chose his words carefully.

Was it related to the case where Philippe stabbed his brother Edward to become King? It was roughly mentioned in the manuscript.

Dont you know the details?

I dont. How do you?

Isnt it natural? I am among the royal family members. Then, listen carefully.

Arthur rolled up the window curtains to measure their distance from the royal city, then pulled them down before he continued.

The current King, Philippe, wasnt the first-born. He didnt even have a will for the throne. Thirty-two years ago, when his predecessor Edward ascended, his wise and powerful reign was expected to last. However, after a few years, Edward grew mad, and Philippe expelled his brother with the consent of all the nobles. The news was that he was expelled, but the reality was he was murdered.

Rosa Pehite, who was the head of the knights at the time, objected to the harming of the King, even if he was mad. Rosa had to face the knights who had followed Philippe when they came to Edwards isolated tower. Rosa was defeated, and her left eye was taken by Pierce Klagen, another knight. It wasnt that she lacked the ability, but compassion and humanity blunted her sword. After Philippe took over, Rosa voluntarily withdrew in the form of retirement, but in fact, she had been dismissed. After that, a law was created to deprive Rosa of her estate as an amendment to the inheritance law, saying that women couldnt inherit. The Pehite estate was passed on to a distant relative, and she remained a professor at the school.

When we were twelve, Viscount Kision had to replace Isiel as his successor at the order of the nobles and the King. My own work, to make Isiel the successor, persisted and endured, but those two forces pressured it.

Recalling the performance of Isiel in the last manuscript, it felt absurd that such a skilled and loyal knight couldnt inherit territory because of political intimidation.

Of course, because of that irrationality, Isiel became loyal to Arthur. Even in the last manuscript, she couldnt succeed. It was a fantasy background in a monarchy, so there mustve been such a backstory.

Arthur wished to become King, and Isiel wanted to inherit her own estate and the army that came with it. Thats why the two had sworn an oath.

Does that make sense? Isiel is the best swordswoman of our generation. In the east, it was said that no one her age could beat her. When I become King, I will definitely break those laws.

When Arthur finished speaking, he grew quiet as if to leave the evaluation to Kleio. Kleio looked at him with fresh eyes. He wasnt trying to become King solely out of rebellion against his brother. He wanted the throne as a means to correct injustice.