This is what Leoprick said.

In fact, Count Felice and Count Philipa had different objectives for this inspection.

Count Felice’s objective was merely to conduct an investigation within the established formalities, while Count Philipa’s objective was to uncover the truth, which is why they were each dispatched, he said.

That’s why they extended the deadline to nearly a month for something that could have been done in a few weeks, and the caravan people had to go through unnecessary hardships.

“I apologize, Your Highness. It would have been better if I had finished it a bit faster, causing you unnecessary trouble.”

“Not at all. It’s not what I’ve done, but the hardship the caravan people went through. The Count must have gone through some hardships as well.”

Our compensation will come from elsewhere, so don’t worry too much.

Having already been promised compensation by His Majesty, I waved my hand with a relaxed smile.

Thinking that since both the caravan people and the Count suffered, it’s the same.

“So, did the inspection wrap up well? I heard that evidence of plagiarism by the Viscount was discovered.”

Moreover, thanks to the Count, I was able to bring down Lloyd without having to lift a finger myself, which is great.

Of course, even if this plan fails, I don’t think Lloyd will give up on his ambitions, but anyway, it’s a good thing that he’s taken a step back from his goal.

No, considering the money I made from succeeding in this job in my previous life, isn’t it more than just one step?

Two steps, three steps, or even more.

Anyway, since a good thing is a good thing, I wanted to praise the Count’s merit without restraint.

However, it seemed the Count couldn’t be completely happy about it.

“I appreciate your words, Your Highness. But actually, there’s another situation that has been discovered.”

“Another situation? Did something else happen as well?”

As I tilted my head, the Count glanced at Leoprick.

But as if he had no intention of interrupting, he gestured for the Count to continue speaking.

“Since the Count investigated it, have him tell it directly. Words tend to cause misunderstandings the more they are passed on.”

“…I apologize. Then I will continue.”

The Count’s words continued.

Suspecting that Arianna Valois frequently visited the caravan, he eavesdropped on their conversation.

Not only them, but Adela Giloit had also visited the caravan several times, and there were a few instances where Lloyd’s aide sent letters to Giloit.

And perhaps, what they are plotting may not be simply to make money.

“So, what the Count is saying is that they have some ulterior motive?”

“Based on what I’ve examined so far, yes. In fact, it doesn’t make sense for the children of prominent families to gather and scheme about how to make more money, right? We can only see that there must be another purpose behind it….”

The Count presented a fairly specific summary of the circumstances he had discovered and made a speculation that was quite close to the answer.

“Could it be, could it be, Your Highness. If what the three of them are planning isn’t simply to increase their wealth, then perhaps….”

“What you’re about to say, no, you don’t need to say it.”

Although he didn’t utter the exact words, judging from the Count’s shaky expression and hesitation, not knowing what to do, it seemed he had already reached the answer we knew.

Leoprick reassured him, saying he already knew what he was going to say, and I also smiled at him and told him it was alright.

“You must have had a hard time, Count.”

“No, not at all. But if that’s really true….”

The Count looked confused.

I don’t know if it was confusion about a suspicion turning out to be true, or shock from finding out that such a thing was actually being plotted.

Anyway, he was agonizing deeply over his next words.

I didn’t know what he wanted to say, but I thought I should have a more detailed conversation with Leoprick about this matter after the Count left.

“That’s impossible, Your Highness. Absolutely impossible.”

Suddenly opening his mouth, he uttered incomprehensible words.

“Impossible? But that’s something that has occasionally happened throughout the Empire’s history.”

How would it be different in Your Majesty’s era?

Thinking that the words ‘impossible’ were simply spoken out of loyalty, Leoprick answered the Count, who said it was absurd, nonchalantly.

It’s not wrong either.

Since it’s something that has happened from time to time in any era, there’s no guarantee that it absolutely won’t happen this time.

I also thought like Leoprick, but it seems that wasn’t what the Count was trying to say.

“What you said is also correct, but that’s not what I meant.”

“Not what you meant?”

The Count shook his head with delight, and we had to ponder for a moment what his intention was.

The Count also seemed to be contemplating how to better convey his words.

After a while, having finally finished contemplating, he slowly opened his mouth.

“What I’m saying is that in their current situation, they can’t even dream of treason.”

Uttering a sentence about that ‘impossible thing’ that would perfectly explain his words.

Same time.

Lloyd was looking at the person blocking his way with great annoyance.

“So. Are you saying I can’t meet the Duke right now?”

“That’s right, Viscount. The Duke is away and not in his office.”

He glared at the old man with a crumpled face, Hans, the butler of the Valois ducal family, and clenched his fist.

He had clearly come to see the Duke of Valois.

As soon as he heard the crazy, jumping story that was starting to spread in high society, that the father of the child Arianna Valois gave birth to might be Lloyd Alois.

It was Lloyd Alois himself who had suggested that it would be good to ruin the reputation of Arianna Valois, who had betrayed him, and bury her in high society.

He was the one who made the plan, and he was the one who executed it.

The stupid Duke of Valois just hid behind him, only providing financial support and sending knights.

He was so slow and troublesome even in matters related to his own daughter.

In the end, is this how he’s stabbing him in the back?

He looked at the stairs stretching upstairs, behind this damn butler who was standing firmly blocking the way.

“Is the Duke really not here?”

“How many times do I have to tell you, Viscount.”

To make matters worse, this impudent butler even tried to lecture him.

The Duke was definitely up there.

So he was trying to kick him out like this without even giving him a cup of tea, right?

If the Duke was really not at home, there would be no need to stand blocking the stairs like this.

He felt a sudden surge of anger and gritted his teeth.

How dare they treat him like this.

They were clearly allies.

A relationship where they help each other in need and seek each other out when necessary.

To give such a person the cold shoulder like this.

He had come to incidentally discuss his recently strained financial situation and try to resolve it even a little, but this situation itself hurt his pride.

Even these days, Adela Giloit was also out of contact, and now even the Duke of Valois was being troublesome.

The idiot Count Felice was useless, as if they had all gone crazy together.

Lloyd glared fiercely at the top of the stairs and then turned around.

Thinking that he would definitely pay back this humiliation someday.

And at that moment when he left the entrance and disappeared, the Duke of Valois, who was clearly said to be out, slowly revealed himself from behind the landing.

“Is he gone?”

“Yes, Master. I confirmed him leaving the mansion.”

The faithful Hans bowed to the Duke of Valois and replied.

The Duke patted Hans’ shoulder with a satisfied smile.

“Anyhow, he’s as persistent as a leech. Good job, Hans.”

“It’s only natural, Master.”

Hans puffed out his chest with a proud expression.

Simple and easy to handle, Hans became a faithful dog for his master again today.

As he was admiring his own brilliance alone, it happened.

“As expected, you were in the mansion.”

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a voice that shouldn’t be here intervened.

As the Duke of Valois turned his head in surprise at that voice, he saw Lloyd Alois, who seemed to have barged in recklessly.

It seemed he had come all the way here by telling his aide to stop the servants who were rushing to say he couldn’t enter.

“I’m pretty sure that butler said you were out, Duke. How am I supposed to understand this situation where you’re not even out for a walk, let alone being out?”

Lloyd said, twisting the corner of his mouth.

He was wearing a winner’s smile right now.

It wasn’t wrong.

How pathetic and embarrassing it was to be caught at home after clearly saying he was out.

But the Duke of Valois, who believed there was something more important than that, rather sneered at him.

“Then, Viscount, are you in such an urgent situation that you have to go through this act to meet me?”

“…What?”

And the moment he said those words, seeing Lloyd’s face crumpling without mercy, he thought his judgment was not wrong.

Who should be pathetic in this situation?

For him, who had never lost a single battle of wits in his life, the young chick Lloyd was merely ridiculous.

“If you need something, say it honestly. What, is it money? Or honor?”

Whichever it is, it won’t be easy for you to obtain. The Duke muttered and mocked Lloyd.