"...If it were up to my heart, I would kill them. Even if they cannot threaten me, I cannot deny they are seeds that could threaten Arthur."
"Is it that serious? They're just an adopted daughter and a bastard child, aren't they?"
Ihan couldn't understand why she cared about them so much.
Sure, being the academy's top entrant was impressive, but their bloodlines couldn't compare to that little lord's.
Even if the others were born with diamond spoons, compared to that little lord's bloodline, they'd be nothing but cheap neighborhood spoons.
"Yes, that's how it is now."
"...Now?"
"What I am about to tell you is a top secret known only to three people, including myself. So do not go blabbering about it anywhere."
"Then I won't listen."
"I refuse that request. Just listen."
...What a dictator.
"First, Irene Windler. The reason my uncle adopted this child is apparently because Irene looked exactly like his late wife."
"Tch, as expected of a noble, such refined tastes. Bringing in a substitute."
"Do not mock. Longing is something everyone feels equally, whether commoner or noble. He must have missed my aunt greatly."
So adopting a woman who resembled his wife as a daughter was understandable...
"The royal family's analysis suggests there's a high probability that Irene Windler is my uncle's 'biological child.'"
"...Pardon?"
"What I mean is that Irene Windler might be the only daughter of my uncle, who is second in the royal succession line. The cause of my aunt's death was a fall. At the time, my aunt was full-term, so there's a high probability she gave birth before passing away."
"S-survive a fall?"
"My aunt was a pureblood fairy. She was a noble person who possessed mysteries no less than the royal family, so it's not impossible that she survived to give birth before passing away."
"......"
"Are you that surprised? Indeed, I too was appalled in many ways when I learned of this."
"...Hmm."
Well, the reason he was surprised was probably different from why she was surprised, right?
'What is this, it feels somewhat familiar...'
Secret of birth, extraordinary bloodline, becoming a mage from a poor background and entering the academy as the top student.
Finally, being adopted into the ducal house of someone who might be her biological father thanks to her resemblance to the duchess.
This is completely...?
'Isn't this the setting for a romance fantasy female protagonist?'
During his days as a non-commissioned officer, there was such a genre among the manga he read to stave off boredom during night shifts.
The kind where you possess a character in a romance game or novel and turn your life around...
'Ah, no. I must be overthinking it.'
Ihan tried to brush it off, telling himself he was having pointless delusions.
Rather, the normal adult response would be to look warmly upon a woman with such a sad past...
"—However, Irene Windler has a peculiar trait. She constantly says 'I have another place to return to' like a catchphrase, and there's information that she made a strange contract stating that if my uncle brings in another adopted daughter within 2 years besides her, the adoption must be canceled..."
"This is legit."
"Hmm? What did you say?"
"Ah, nothing."
"?"
Ihan was certain.
That woman. Absolutely.
'...So there was someone else besides me?'
He certainly hadn't arrogantly thought he was the only one in such a peculiar situation.
But he hadn't expected one to appear so suddenly.
And in such an obviously cliché genre, no less.
'Then, is this world a rom-fan world?'
But then why is it so miserably devoid of dreams and hope?
Just as Ihan was having such a thought.
"However, there is only circumstantial suspicion. It hasn't been confirmed that she is truly my uncle's daughter. If there were a way to prove she's his biological daughter later, that would be one thing, but until then, Irene Windler is merely a potential enemy. However, the young lord of Lionel is different."
"Why him?"
Is he perhaps like the future Grand Duke of the North who often appears in rom-fan?
"Because that young lord is under suspicion of possibly possessing 'Future Sight.'"
"......"
"They say that brat named Roen began to suddenly make his mark starting from 7 years ago. At the age of 13, he defeated the grand duke house's training knight and took him as his retainer. And they say he succeeded in every business he touched that everyone said would fail. On top of that, he proved himself a genius by demonstrating a far more advanced new combat technique."
"...Huh."
"Since then, that brat has become one of the leading successor candidates in the Lionel family. Even as a bastard, having shown such results and talent, my uncle-by-marriage must have given him a chance. If so—"
Her continuing explanation didn't register well in his ears.
No, even without listening, he could roughly guess.
Because this was an equally obvious cliché as Irene Windler.
'What is it this time? A regression story?'
One of the popular genres.
If I were to give it a title, wouldn't something like 'I Who Regressed from a Destroyed World Save the World' work?
'Is this real?'
Just as Ihan's emotions were growing increasingly complicated, her explanation was nearing its end.
"—Like this, his actions are all things that would be hard to succeed at unless he knows the future. We're guessing that perhaps he awakened the mystery of Future Sight said to be possessed by legendary mages. And if someone of that caliber becomes a grand duke, it would be an unparalleled threat from the royal family's perspective."
"...Probably not."
"Hmm? Do you have some idea?"
"Ah, no. Just. Judging by his physiognomy, he doesn't seem like that kind of guy."
"Oh, is that also related to your 'instinct'? I shall keep that in mind."
"......Cough."
He hadn't lied, but somehow felt uneasy.
'It seems like Her Highness is barking up the wrong tree, but... there's no way to explain this.'
If he tried to explain things like past lives, possession, and regression, his mouth would only hurt, and he'd just be misunderstood as a madman.
'Forget it.'
Just keep your mouth shut.
Staying silent gets you halfway there.
This was a law that applied even in a medieval fantasy world.
Whether this world was a rom-fan or a world in a regression genre, what did it matter?
'As long as I eat well and live well, that's enough.'
...If someone's being annoying, just break them.
Ihan had declared that he would rather live simply than live complicatedly.
"—Anyway, having heard my explanation, you should understand. Why I want to kill them."
"Yes, yes, they're dangerous opponents."
"...Your expression doesn't show any empathy at all?"
"I am. Now that I've heard the general explanation, just tell me. What's the favor you want to ask me."
"......You're truly unrefined."
When she was being serious but the other person showed such a lackluster reaction, it was natural to lose enthusiasm.
Isis spoke with a sullen attitude.
"You need to know that they are not people who would threaten Arthur's power."
"Then can't you just bring them and ask?"
"How can you trust people's inner thoughts? I do not trust people's words."
"Then how do you trust?"
"I trust their circumstances and their present."
"......"
That was quite a good line.
One that resonated deeply.
As expected, you needed at least this level of eloquence to become a king.
"That is why I want you to assess them. With your eyes—no, with your senses, you should be able to discern anything."
"...The explanation was so damn long I thought it'd be some incredible favor, but it's just that?"
He almost became dumbfounded.
What, in the end, wasn't she just saying to use his senses to clearly determine whether they were a threat?
For such a grand explanation to lead to this conclusion, Ihan could only feel underwhelmed.
"No. You must not make a decision based on a single assessment."
"...??"
"They are still young. They might not have ambition for power right now, but as time passes in the future, their nature might change. Therefore, there is a need to constantly supervise and observe them."
"......Just asking. How long would that be?"
"At least the 3 years they attend the academy, I think. By then, you should be able to make your calculations."
"......"
"Therefore, I ask this of you, that—"
"Not buying it. Not buying it."
"......Interrupting someone is a very bad habit."
"In this situation, I think it's a very good habit."
"......Umm."
"Ooh?"
Arthur, perhaps unaccustomed to seeing his mother show dissatisfaction at things not going her way, tilted his head cutely, while Ihan, regardless of it all, remained steadfast, simply maintaining his posture.
"Are we done talking? Then..."
He was going to leave without even looking back.
There was a limit to humoring this cruel game of house—
Thud.
"...Hmm?"
"Drink this."
A small glass bottle was suddenly tossed to him as he was about to leave without hesitation.
Inside, a purple liquid sloshed around, and Ihan blinked.
"Am I supposed to drink this without knowing what it is?"
"You won't regret it. Also, I swear on the Pendragon name. There is no trick in that medicine."
"......"
A royal putting their surname on the line.
This was equivalent to swearing on one's soul.
As an example, if someone who made reckless election promises were to make such an oath and then not keep their promises, wouldn't their soul suffer tearing agony tens of thousands of times a day?
An oath was something that would ultimately make you spend your entire life suffering pain and curses before your life ended.
That was why Ihan.
"Good grief."
Then he'd have to drink it.
Pop.
Ihan unhesitatingly uncorked it and drank the liquid.
She said it wouldn't be a loss.
Then it must be something that could entice him, and indeed......
"...Hmm?!!"
"Hmph."
Ihan was astonished, and Isis wore a victor's smile.
As if the winner of this game had been decided.
And undeniably so.
'...I have to accept this unconditionally.'
Because.
A signal came from his thing that had become 'incapable.'
Feeling a sensation for the first time in [15 years], tears almost came to his eyes.