abcnovels
Chapter 454
Chapter 454
Chapter 454
I was led into the throne room to face Trau nii-san.
"What's going on, Trau nii-san?"
"Arnold. I am disappointed."
For a moment, Trau nii-san wore a bitter expression. The hardest part of this plan was persuading him. He is not the type to condone a strategy that sacrifices his brother. So we talked it over repeatedly. I explained that this was the quickest way for me to return to the Empire, with the bare minimum of casualties. That's when Trau nii-san accepted my proposal.
"Disappointed about what?"
"Arnold, I am a feudal lord. I must always stand by my nation. Therefore, Arnold, my dear brother, I cannot overlook your selfish behavior."
"Selfish behavior? Do you mean arresting the nobles? Their corruption is a fact. Is it wrong?"
"Was there a need to arrest their families? It's excessive. The fiefdom has its own way of doing things."
"Do you suggest we ignore corruption? The customs of the fiefdom will never disappear then, right?"
"Is that so?"
Trau nii-san heaved a deep sigh. Then, he signaled to Brad. At this, Brad led a group of soldiers into the throne room. They were carrying a large box. A spell had been placed on it a magic that could only be opened by a person of a particular lineage.
"If you do not condone corruption, what about your own corruption?"
As he said this, Trau nii-san opened the box. Only someone from the Adler family could open this box. In the fiefdom, only Trau nii-san and I could open it. Carefully preserved inside were the interactions between me and the nobles.
"Isn't accepting bribes also corruption, Arnold?"
"...Without being utterly incorruptible, it's impossible to govern a nation. Eventually, I intended to arrest those people as well."
"That's why you kept evidence. That makes sense. However, there are those who will not accept it."
"Do they need to agree? This is to correct the fiefdom."
"That's exactly the problem. You look down on the fiefdom and don't consider the nobles. No one will follow someone they can't trust."
"I don't seek trust from the nobles of the fiefdom. If they have complaints, they can bring the nobles from the Empire. This country is, after all, a defeated nation."
"Arnold... I am here to prevent the fiefdom from being persecuted by those in the Empire who think the way you do. Now, I will relieve Arnold Lake Adler of his position as Prime Minister of the fiefdom."
Trau nii-san made that declaration. But I just sneered at it.
"Unfortunately, the Emperor himself also wishes for me to be in the fiefdom. You brought me here, but it was my father who allowed it. Do you think you can dismiss me on your own?"
"There's no problem. I already have a reply in a letter. 'I leave it to you,' it says."
Saying this, Trau nii-san tossed me the letter. I picked it up, and my eyes widened. It was certainly my father's handwriting, instructing Trau nii-san to handle everything. Even though I had no intention of thoroughly investigating it, I didn't know about this letter. The fact that Trau nii-san moved without alerting me shows he's serious about deceiving those around him.
"...It's indeed my father's handwriting."
"Return to the Empire, Arnold. You no longer have a place here."
"...If there's one thing I would like to say, everything was for your sake, Trau nii-san."
"I know. That's why I won't punish you. I won't let anyone do it either..."
Saying this, Trau nii-san took a breath. With my expulsion, Trau nii-san will likely gain the trust of the nobles. The nobles around me will fall into a predicament with the evidence I had. How it's handled will be up to Brad and Trau nii-san. It was a complete surprise attack. Even the corrupt nobles skilled at escape won't be able to resist. The counterattack would be to attack me, but even that was quelled. By now, Brad's men should be rescuing me.
"I'll inform the Empire that you've been dismissed due to your poor reputation. I'll turn a blind eye to your corruption."
"...There are many in the Empire who think just like me, looking down on the fiefdom and believing that only Empire nobles should be allowed in. You're bound to clash with that idea, aren't you?"
"That's what I want. I'm a feudal lord. The matters of this country should be decided by those in the fiefdom."
Hearing Trau nii-san's declaration, I gave a faint smile and bowed. My role here is done.
"I see. If that's your belief, you won't accept my methods. I understand. I'll obey the royal command."
Without saying anything unnecessary, I bowed and turned my back. Finally, I am free from the role of prime minister. As I thought this, I heard Trau nii-san's voice from behind me.
"Arnold... Though it was for a short time, thank you for your help."
"...Take care."
After saying that, I started walking. Now, I am the villain in the fiefdom. I probably won't be able to see Trau nii-san anytime soon. This is not a final farewell. We just won't be working together anymore. Thinking back, it was quite an enjoyable year. I spent it all supporting Trau nii-san. It wasn't a bad year. As I thought this, I passed by the captured nobles.
"Ah, Prime Minister Arnold! Please, help us!"
"Please, we beg you!"
"We'll do anything!"
Everyone cried and clung to me, but I shook my head.
"I've also been decided to be sent back to the empire. I am no longer the prime minister. I'm sorry, but I can't do anything for you."
"Sent back...? What do you mean!?"
"It means just that."
"Are you going back to being a prince of the Empire!? Even though you were on the side of eradicating corruption, you were involved in corruption! How can there be no punishment!?"
"I was dismissed as prime minister. It's not that there's no punishment."
"Such a ridiculous story! We're the ones being punished! How can the root of all evil not be punished!?"
"It's unfair!"
"It's tyranny! Your Majesty! This is unacceptable!"
They raised their voices, but they too were on the side of wielding injustice.
Even when faced with such injustice, it's their own doing.
Including my share, they will be punished severely.
A few days later.
The preparations for my escort to the Empire were ready, and I was set to leave the castle.
My dismissal was reported to the Empire as a rebellion from the provincial nobility. It was considered a failure, but not a crime.
Thanks to that, I won't be pointed at from behind, and there won't be any damage to Finne, who came with me to the province.
With that reassurance, on the way to the carriage.
Brad was walking from the opposite direction.
He didn't meet my eyes.
But...
"---I will never forget this favor in my life."
"You can forget it. I count on you as the new prime minister."
"...I intend to support His Majesty, taking the former prime minister as a good example."
Saying that, Brad walked past.
He is a dutiful guy. He probably came here just to say that.
"When he gets praised, it means that Lord Arnold, who was the model, is being praised. That's what it means, isn't it?"
"I don't need praise. What I want is results. If he helps my brother, I wouldn't want anything else."
Having this conversation, Finne and I board the carriage.
However, there was a previous passenger there.
"Why are you here?"
"Such harsh words! Can't I be here?!"
There was Mia, ready for the journey.
Originally, Mia was from the province.
She even became a bandit for the province.
Now, the province is starting to improve.
There should be no reason to leave, but...
"I'm going to meet my younger brother, who is under the care of Duke Reinhardt!"
"Oh! Then it looks like it will be a fun journey."
"Finne-sama is so kind~"
Mia clings to Finne, mutters something about someone else, and leaves.
I thought of leaving her behind, but that's not very adult-like, so I stopped.
Instead, I let Sebas know.
"You don't have to prepare extra food. She's not a guest."
"That's too much! That's unfair!"
"I understand. We have more than enough food for everyone, so don't worry, Mia-sama."
"As expected of you, Sebas!"
"Tsk..."
"I heard a clicking sound just now..."
"It must be your imagination."
Turning away, I looked at the castle of the province from the moving carriage.
On the balcony of that castle.
Trau, my brother, and Marianne were there. Seeing the two of them together, I was relieved. Trau has someone to support him. I'm sure they'll solve any problem hand in hand.
That's why...
"Well, let's go home. Back to the Empire."
Saying that, I grinned.
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