Vol. 7 Chapter 17

Aldous placed an ice pack on his cheek, winced slightly, and spat out bloody spit.

[……It hurts, damn it. You punched me as hard as you could because of your idiot power habit.]

Walter Robinson was sitting on the sofa with a sheepish expression on his face, looking away from his groaning partner.

Here is a summary of his story.

―――Abigail O’Brien once traveled by boat to various foreign countries. This was when she was still young. Connie also heard from Abigail. The owner of the ship was Walter Robinson, who was just a fledgling merchant at the time.

Abigail and Walter were not just customers and merchants, but old friends.

[In the beginning, it was a small merchant ship that could barely accommodate a few people. You would think it was a bad joke for a noble girl to board such a ship, right? Well, since I was happy with the payment, I closed my eyes and let her board the ship, even if she had a dirty guard dog. I was going to put her down the ship immediately if she made one whining noise. However, when we started the sail, she didn’t cry, she started to interfere with how business was done, and even ended up taking the initiative to participate in negotiations with other countries. She was an incredible person. In fact, Abby’s quick wits have saved my life many times. I thought that she must be my goddess, so I even proposed to her.]

[He wasn’t serious at all though.]

[Shut up, dumb brat.]

Walter looked at Aldous with a devilish look on his face. Then, with a big sigh, his expression suddenly disappears and his face becomes straight.

[Anyway, I understand the situation. It’s more serious than I thought. And by the way, there’s no way out.]

That’s exactly what happened. The room fell silent with no one able to speak.
Among them, only Walter’s voice resonated clearly.

[That’s why, I’ll break Abby out of jail and set sail. As long as we go to sea, it’s my territory. We can just go to a country that doesn’t have diplomatic relations with Adelbaide.]

Hearing those words, Randolph made a grim expression.

[…There are too many reasons for concern. I can’t agree with that.]

[So, you’re telling me to just sit back and watch Abby get punished? That’s no joke. If you use some brute force here, I do think you have a good chance of winning. …Well, I’ll never be able to come back to this country again.]

[What will the company do?]

[I’m not bragging, but we have a lot of talented people. They can manage without me.’ …I originally settled in this country just because Abby was here. It’s not a bad idea if I were to go broke to help her.]

Aldous also nodded slightly. Connie reflexively spoke out, feeling like the plan was going to proceed as they wanted.

[W-What are you going to do about Lucia-chan? Even Duke Theodore…!]

[You can call me when everything calms down.]

[But…]

That is not a fundamental solution. Connie hesitated, and Walter lowered his eyebrows in confusion.

[I don’t even think this is the best plan. I understand what you’re trying to say. But, little girl―――are there any other options?]

Connie stepped away from Walter and the others who were having a discussion, leaned against the wall, and let out a small sigh.

『You have a bitter face.』

Scarlet looks down at Connie with her arms crossed.

[…Abby-san probably doesn’t want to escape from prison.]

Connie thought that Abby wouldn’t want to put the other person in danger for her sake. However, she also painfully understands Walter and his friends’ desire to help Abigail.
In the end, Connie was most angry at herself for not being able to do anything.
While she looked down in frustration at her helpless self, Scarlett shrugged her shoulders as if she didn’t care.

『Leave the men with blood rushing to their heads alone. We have our own ways, right?』

[But, what should I do…]

If they don’t have a clue who killed Aisha, it’s unlikely they’ll be able to find any evidence of her innocence. As Connie was holding her head, a light voice came from above her.

『Oh, who do you think I am?』

Connie looked up as if she didn’t expect that.

[Oh, is there a way…!?]

『Before that, don’t you have something to say to me?』

Scarlet lifted her lips proudly, and she instinctively opened her mouth as if clinging to her.

[Please help me, Scarlet…!]

Was it because those words were a surprise to her, or was the desperate look on her face stupid? ―――Scarlet’s amethyst eyes widened in surprise. Then, she burst out into a smile.

『It can’t be helped. I-will-help-you.』

============

『Abigail is a noble, so her treatment should be decided at a trial held in the Star Hall of Grand Meril-Anne. Since there is no solid evidence of Aisha’s murder at this stage, I don’t think it would be surprising if some people realize the naivety of the claims that she was the mastermind. Depending on the circumstances, she may be innocent. In order to avoid that, the enemy will prepare a judge who is under their control.』

[Then, let’s quickly find the real culprit…]

Scarlet let out an amazed voice when Connie was panicking.

『If you try to solve the problem in a stupid and honest way, using the truth or evidence, we will end-up at stalemate. In the first place, weren’t they the ones who behaved rudely first?』

[…Nn?]

『Good thing, the judge that they prepare are bound to be shady anyway. So, you should first find out his weaknesses and threaten him so that he will verdict innocent to Abigail in court.』

For a moment, silence fell. Then, Connie opened her mouth.

[A threat.]

It’s only her imagination. She felt like she suddenly heard some disturbing words.

『Yeah. You have to greet rude people in your own way, right? That’s the proper etiquette of a noble lady.』

When Scarlet Castiel proudly insisted, she gave a proud smile as if it’s something normal to do.