Chapter 107
“…….”
“I don’t seek monetary compensation or noticeable punishment.”
“So, are you saying you’ll let it go?”
“Of course not. Duke Futurum has clearly committed wrongdoing. Letting it slide would be beyond leniency.”
“I see. Since he wronged you, it’s only right that he pays the price.”
“No, the wrong Duke Futurum committed wasn’t just against me.”
“Then……?”
“The ones who received those chunks of metal were commoners. Due to the Duke’s negligence and haste, they ended up drinking rusty water, making them the undeniable victims.”
“…….”
“In that sense, I believe Duke Futurum should drink water infused with metal as well. For the same duration that the commoners were left to suffer, he should share in their pain and the harm he caused.”
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
The famous phrase of retributive justice. While not a saying I particularly favored, there were moments like this where it seemed fitting.
Especially for someone like Duke Futurum, who was clearly an enemy and had no chance of ever becoming an ally. There was no reason to show mercy.
It was the only solution that maintained my honor by avoiding direct insult while ensuring retribution and regaining public favor. After all, this was for the commoners, so it would serve as a shield of sorts.
And most importantly, drinking rusty water for a few days wouldn’t kill him. It might make him unwell, and in the worst-case scenario, he could die…… but surely those around him wouldn’t let that happen.
So, wouldn’t this be quite a peaceful punishment?
“I hadn’t considered that far. You’re right, the commoners are also victims in this case.”
Evgenia nodded in agreement. Judging by her tone and expression, my suggestion seemed to have pleased her.
“You’ve pointed out many things I hadn’t thought of before. Lately, I feel like I’ve been learning a lot from you.”
“Not at all, Your Highness.”
“Don’t take it so seriously. I don’t know everything either. If I come across something new, I must learn from it.”
Ding!
[<System> Affection with ‘Ielo Ma of Anesis’ has slightly increased.]
The message window and text had become quite familiar to me by now. I was about to dismiss it.
When another message followed.
Ding!
[<System> Hidden Quest ‘???’ has met several conditions. If the remaining conditions are fulfilled, the quest will be revealed.]
A hidden quest?
[<Hidden Quest> ‘???’ Conditions
— Achieve your first merit for the kingdom: Prune (Completed)
— ??? (In progress) (※Hint: 4)
— Achieve a certain level of affection with ‘Ielo Ma of Anesis’: Close (Completed)]
I hurriedly checked the conditions, but the cryptic hint made no sense. A hint of “4”?
“Nepheli.”
“Yes?”
Ah, right. I was in the middle of a conversation with Evgenia.
I quickly dismissed the message windows and focused on her. I could look at them later.
“Is that all you want?”
“Yes, that’s all…….”
No, it wasn’t. I couldn’t let it end like this. Duke Futurum was merely a pawn, and this incident had a hidden mastermind. That person needed to be dealt with too.
“Actually, I have something to ask, if I may.”
“Of course.”
“You mentioned before that the coquo was leaked because of Your Highness.”
“Yes.”
“Could you tell me the exact timing? I had felt like I was being followed even before then.”
“Followed? By whom?”
“I’m not certain, but I suspect it was Meliana. Yesterday, she came to the distribution center wearing a magic robe and threatened me.”
“That happened?”
“Yes. The commoners seem to think I was attacked by a stranger, but it was Meliana who approached me yesterday. Her guardians even drew their swords against me and mine.”
“Guardians clashing swords isn’t unheard of…… but for Meliana to seek you out and act that way?”
As I had done with Duke Futurum, I mixed truth and lies evenly. Not because I wanted Meliana to be punished.
It was for Cirilla. It hadn’t been Meliana who followed me—it was Cirilla.
Evgenia would likely start by focusing her investigation on Meliana.
But if she happened to uncover Cirilla’s movements instead, she would naturally find it strange.
Then, it would naturally become known that Morris Futurum was oppressing and abusing Cirilla.
‘Maybe she knows but is turning a blind eye to it…….’
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