LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 11
Episode 11: The Marquis’s Pride
“Pride?”
The three of them looked puzzled at the third reason I gave.
“Yes. My mother’s treatment of Gazel and the others could be considered lenient for the leader of the Darkness Demon Group. But in another sense, it was also a gesture of respect, and I don’t think it should be criticized. In fact, I’m rather proud of it.”
My words left the three of them speechless.
“Do you think I can forgive Gazel and Almada, who betrayed my mother’s trust? And do you think I can just hand them over to someone else?”
“I see… I understand the Marquis’s point.”
“Thank you.”
As I expressed my gratitude, Duke Fizir spoke up.
“But I can’t admire actions that disrupt the legal order.”
I narrowed my eyes at Duke Fizir’s words.
“There’s no need for admiration. While my actions may be said to disrupt the legal order, they are by no means as problematic as you make them out to be.”
“Oh? Are you saying that Duke Zarfing takes the rule of law lightly?”
“No, what I’m saying is that the legal order hasn’t been disrupted at all.”
“What did you say?”
Duke Fizir shot me a sharp glare.
“I mentioned that I realized Gazel and the others poisoned the previous Marquis three years ago, but if I explain that I lacked conclusive evidence, then the legal order remains intact.”
“But you clearly stated it in front of us. Are you saying you lied to His Majesty the King and the Crown Prince?”
“Yes, so what?”
“Do… do you even understand what you’re saying?”
I could sense the anger in Duke Fizir’s voice, but it wasn’t something I was particularly concerned about.
“I said it was a lie, but what actual harm has come to His Majesty the King or the Crown Prince?”
“Huh?”
“None.”
“…”
No one responded to my assertion. Since no actual harm had been done, there was no real issue to begin with.
However, I could see that Duke Fizir was trying to maintain an advantageous position in his future dealings with me.
“In fact, leaving Gazel and the others to the state would only cause harm to the kingdom.”
“…What do you mean?”
“I would lose the trust of the Darkness Demon Group. The next leader would be seen as so weak that they had to hand over their parents’ enemies to the state…”
Duke Fizir fell silent again at my words.
“As I mentioned earlier, leading the Darkness Demon Group requires absolute strength. And to lead, one needs the pride of a leader. With all due respect, Duke Fizir, you don’t seem to understand that.”
“…”
“Even though I realized it three years ago, not reporting it to the state allowed me to prevent any negative impact on the mission by taking control of the Darkness Demon Group. I believe that’s more important than the state punishing a few petty criminals.”
“…”
“Moreover, I followed the proper procedures and judged the commoners within my territory using my authority as a lord. That’s all it was. So, what exactly is the problem here?”
I glanced at King Alzeis. I didn’t miss the slight relaxation in his expression as he caught my gaze.
“Hmph, I understand Duke Zarfing’s point. But how do you explain lying to the royal family?”
“Since no actual harm was done, there’s no need for an explanation. Or does Your Majesty desire a world where lies are never tolerated… a world akin to hell?”
“…”
King Alzeis fell silent at my words. Lies are often said to be bad, but sometimes they are necessary for kindness and smoothing out human relationships.
I knew it was just sophistry, but such sophistry tends to work surprisingly well on intelligent people. Fools can’t be reasoned with, after all.
“Or would you rather punish me and create a new organization from scratch to replace the Darkness Demon Group? Or perhaps expand the royal family’s covert operations to take their place?”
“We don’t have time for such trouble.”
“The loyalty of the House of Zarfing to the royal family remains unchanged. If you doubt that, then it’s unfortunate…”
“Duke Zarfing, that’s enough.”
King Alzeis raised a hand to silence me and continued.
“We never intended to punish Duke Zarfing. If we can maintain the Marquis’s loyalty by simply discarding the acting Marquis and his wife, then it’s a small price… no, it’s not even worth considering.”
“Thank you.”
“Ilzam, Prime Minister, do you have any objections?”
“None.”
“I have none either.”
Both Ilzam and Duke Fizir agreed with King Alzeis. They probably never intended to make a big deal out of it in the first place.
“Duke Zarfing, you’re not the type to blindly follow like your predecessor, are you?”
“The kingdom doesn’t need a puppet who blindly follows.”
“Indeed. It’s precisely because you don’t blindly follow that the House of Zarfing has earned our trust. We’ll approve the execution of the acting Marquis and his wife. As for the guardianship of the new Viscount and the matter with the Selens Earl House, we’ll handle it as the Marquis wishes.”
“Thank you.”
I bowed and walked toward the door. As far as I was concerned, since permission had been granted, the matter was settled.
I had implicitly conveyed to the royal family that while I trusted them, it didn’t mean I would blindly follow. I was sure the King and the others understood that.
“Now, first things first, let’s deal with those two.”
I smirked and left the Royal Castle.
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