The meeting with the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic began according to formal protocol.
First, mutual greetings. Then, words of congratulations for Schnitt, who had become the new King.
And finally, a brief preliminary discussion (probing each other) before getting to the main topic.
Just as everyone around started to think the meeting would end smoothly following the established procedures… the bomb was dropped.
「I hear there are rumors that the head of your country’s Draguknight family has a secret child?」
The words were direct and lacked any attempt to decorate them.
Schnitt, who had understood his opponent no small amount through their mutual probing, responded.
「I am aware that there are disrespectful individuals who claim this arbitrarily and spread rumors. We are also searching, and once we find them, we intend to judge them for disrespect.」
「That is truly frightening. But what would you do if that child turned out to be real?」
The gaze directed at Schnitt even carried an air of confidence.
Usheltzen, the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Selswin Republic.
He appeared to be in his late thirties… certainly not looking old.
Although he had black hair and black eyes, which were rare in the Republic, this was deeply related to his origins.
They came from a very small clan within the Republic, steadily raising their status, but one day they made a great leap and seized control of the nation. Their activities since then have been remarkable, and with their overflowing economic power, they joined the ranks of the continent’s leading great powers.
Originally, they were not indigenous to the Republic; they are said to be wandering people who flowed in from other regions. Therefore, there are citizens of the Republic who dislike their rule, but the benefits of rising to the status of a great power are numerous… and discontent is only heard in taverns.
Schnitt recalled that Usheltzen was leaning his body forward, pressing in on him as he continued to speak.
「It was against our will as well, but we accepted her asylum.」
「……」
His thoughts briefly drifted, and he missed part of the conversation, but his trusted aide standing by should have heard it. He could ask later.
There was only one problem right now.
「You said asylum, did you not?」
「Yes. She felt her life was in danger and came to our country.」
「Is that so.」
Schnitt remained silent, his dignified expression unchanged.
To those around him, it might have looked like he was deep in thought, but he was simply pursuing the possibilities.
He was trying to determine how much of his hand the opponent knew and had come prepared for.
「Usheltzen-sama.」
「Yes?」
But the game couldn’t proceed without playing a card. Schnitt made his move.
「Just yesterday, our country decided that 『if a foreigner seeks recognition of a child from one of our nobles, an inquiry will be held.』」
「Oh. Is that so? That is convenient.」
The Minister of Internal Affairs spread his arms as if to say this was fortunate.
「Then let us hear the complaint of Lady Larshum, a subject of our nation, in a fair and impartial setting.」
「Is that so.」
It seemed the other party desired an inquiry.
In other words, they likely wanted to grasp the Kingdom’s (our) weaknesses on the spot to advance negotiations favorably.
Even with prior information, just thinking about facing this situation with nothing up his sleeve… even Schnitt felt a cold sweat breaking out.
「So, Lady Larshum intends to file a complaint, correct?」
「Yes. We have no objection. It would be better to clarify who the parent of her infant is… clearly.」
Seeing the confidence in the other’s expression, Schnitt felt the disadvantage on his side.
As his younger brother had predicted, the opponent intended to overwhelm them with witnesses and words.
Facing the family of the Republic’s head of state, metaphorically described as entirely merchants, was his younger brother, who showed a strangely steadfast side.
Recalling his brother, who had been worrying about the cake to bring home to his wife, with whom he had been quarreling, saying, 『Hmm～. I’ll manage somehow,』… Schnitt had never felt so anxious as an older brother.
-0-
「This is a big problem.」
「…Yes.」
「What shall we do?」
「……」
On the usual bed. They were sitting facing each other, looking into each other’s eyes.
He wasn’t hugging her from behind or patting her head. Physical contact was strictly prohibited because the problem wasn’t solved. However, patting her head was specially permitted. Probably because Noie wanted her head patted, but since he didn’t want to lose the opportunity for contact by saying something tactless, he simply patted her head without saying anything.
Let’s put aside the escapism for now. The problem is that thing happening tomorrow.
As expected, the other party demanded an inquiry. As a result, I would have to undergo something like a trial in court.
According to my idiot older brother, it seemed that if you could shut your opponent’s mouth with excuses and threats, you won.
A verbal brawl… It was an explanation typical of my idiot brother.
I practiced lightly, but the opponent was too terrifying… In the end, I ended up prostrating myself before them alongside my idiot brother, begging for my life.
There should have been no witnesses, but it felt like quite problematic behavior.
「Arg-sama.」
「Hm?」
「Tomorrow, a fight?」
Noie, clenching her fist with determination, looked somewhat cute.
Since I couldn’t tell her about my secret child, I had only said, 『I’m going to have a verbal argument with an important person from the Republic.』
But did Noie… actually understand what a verbal argument meant?
「By the way, what would Noie do?」
「…Strike first with full power.」
「Sorry. That’s not a usable tactic.」
「Then with my feet?」
「That’s impossible too. It’s not a matter of limbs.」
「……」
If even Noie, whose limbs were weapons, was sealed off, then surely,
「Then with my head.」
「It’s arguing with words, not your head.」
「…Biting?」
As expected, she didn’t understand.
While patting her head and explaining, I realized that Noie had a high rate of not remembering things.
「Arguing with words.」
「…Do your best.」
「Yes.」
When I patted her head saying, 「Good, good」 Noie looked somewhat happy.
For the sake of this happiness, I had to do my best tomorrow.
Snap. Noie’s hand slapped away my hand that was patting her head.
「So it’s an inquiry, isn’t it? I won’t ask what you did.」
Slowly lifting her face was Noie with blue eyes.
「But if the opponent is from the Republic, I will teach you how to win. So, tell me everything.」
Using Noie’s appearance, the one present there was Glodia, the princess who had once held the right to succeed the throne of the former Kingdom of Univance.
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