Chapter 128.2
Grace felt relieved that it was a difficult subject for her to bring up as well. But at the same time, she worried about him.
She couldn’t help wondering what was going on inside Benjamin’s head.
‘But I don’t even know how to start talking about it.’
No matter how she phrased it, it didn’t feel like something that could be neatly resolved, so she decided to set it aside for now and work through the other problems one by one.
Benjamin acted as though everything was fine, but perhaps he felt awkward as well. Until the carriage came to a stop and they disembarked, silence lingered between them.
Once they were down, Benjamin led over a single horse.
“Two horses would draw too much attention, so I thought we might ride together. If that makes you uncomfortable, please say so.”
“It’s fine.”
To be honest, Grace thought riding together was just as noticeable, but she didn’t want to point that out. Benjamin helped her onto the horse and mounted behind her. She then took out the tracking magic tool she had received from the magic tool artificer earlier and pressed the button.
“How fascinating.”
Benjamin said as they followed the direction it indicated.
“One of them made it. Impressive, isn’t it?”
“It truly is. It’s a shame something like this never made it into wider circulation.”
“You didn’t know about it, Your Grace.”
He fell silent for a long moment before answering.
“I knew… to an extent.”
“….”
“Not with certainty, more like a suspicion. I had an idea. But I didn’t believe I had the right to act on it.”
“Why not?”
“Many people think House Felton, second only to the emperor in authority, can do anything.”
Grace flinched inwardly at that.
“But precisely because of that, we are bound by countless laws. If I were to abuse my authority in the name of power, I could end up losing even what little I’ve managed to protect.”
“I see.”
“Even flawed laws still protect certain people. I might escape unscathed. But once I become a precedent, others will exploit it. And then there will be victims.”
House Felton itself would not suffer. Those with power often found ways around the law. But once the idea that ‘it’s acceptable’ took hold, the damage would spread.
Precedents created loopholes and victims.
“So this time, you have a reason to move?”
“Yes. The real victims have come directly to me, and we have proof that the Magic Tools Association has been acting unlawfully. If they’ve gone that far, it’s unlikely that’s their only crime.”
Grace nodded, recalling the hidden space.
“I won’t ask how you found all of this. There must be a reason you haven’t told me.”
That reason was simple: she had no confidence she could explain her divine power. Grace couldn’t bring herself to say, I possess saint-level holy power, the temple wants me dead, and the Magic Tools Association is involved.
Not without solid proof.
When they reached their destination, Benjamin dismounted first and helped Grace down.
“If there ever comes a day when you want to tell me, please do. I can wait. I’m quite good at waiting, after all.”
He smiled faintly, but it was the smile of someone hiding sadness.
“Is there anything you want to tell me, Your Grace?”
“Me?”
He almost replied out of habit that there wasn’t, then shook his head.
“There is. But I don’t think now is the time.”
“Why?”
“Because I lack the courage. So instead of approaching, I suppose I’ve only learned how to wait.”
He gave a weak laugh.
“And yet, you stay beside someone like me. I must be an incredibly fortunate man.”
With that, Benjamin held out his hand.
“Shall we go in?”
Inside the building, the state of disrepair was even more apparent than from the outside.
“As expected, this area isn’t in great condition.”
It was one of the capital’s darker quarters. As Grace frowned silently, a voice spoke from behind them.
“Isn’t having a roof better than not having one?”
“…!”
“Well, that’s true.”
It was the artificer they had met before. Grace was startled, but Benjamin responded without missing a beat.
“As expected, Duke Felton isn’t easily surprised.”
“I could sense you.”
Benjamin said with a bitter smile, extending his hand.
“Benjamin Felton.”
The artificer stared at the offered hand for a moment, then ignored it and introduced himself instead.
“Andrew. This way.”
He led them underground—down a ladder, through a winding passage—until they reached a room where many people were gathered.
“Is this everyone?”
“Everyone who’s here.”
‘So there are more.’
Grace realized Andrew’s meaning.
The artificers in the room all looked exhausted, their gazes toward the Ducal couple cautious and unreadable.
“The fact that Duke Felton came with the Duchess means you’re willing to help us, correct?”
“Yes. Though it seems you intended to make this a negotiation.”
Benjamin replied, releasing Grace’s hand and stepping forward at an unhurried pace. He continued calmly,
“I plan to request that the Mage Tower take you in.”
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