Secret Conversation between Duke Bernardo and Baron Kennys
Duke Bernard Chad of the Ealdred family gazed at the sleeping face of his second son, who had returned to their residence in the capital, and smiled faintly. His once-pale complexion had regained some color.
When he had heard that Austin was gravely injured in the monster stampede, his calm demeanor was a result of experience. Despite the doctors assuring him that there would be no lasting effects, anxiety lingered. Injuries inflicted by monsters could sometimes harm the body long after the wounds were forgotten. Moreover, many who first went to battle often suffered severe mental strain. Although the knights were experienced in handling such cases, Bernard had broken his own vow to only visit once, driven by his anxiety, and came to see his son.
It was natural for knights to get injured on the battlefield and even lose their lives. Since his son had expressed a desire to become a knight, Bernard had sworn that he would never visit him if he was injured on the battlefield and would remain proud of his son's way of life, even if he were to die.
“Honestly, you’ve always been a worry,” he muttered.
Austin, born later in Bernard’s life, was especially dear to him. Compared to his more reserved eldest son, Austin was mischievous and loved pranks. However, he also displayed a strong sense of justice that often surprised Bernard. Though he had a rough edge, Austin never bullied the weak and never yielded to things that he found unacceptable or illogical.
When Austin met Riley, the crown prince before he became the heir, Austin had gleamed with excitement and told Bernard:
“Father, I will become Prince Riley’s personal knight.”
It wasn’t “I want to,” but “I will,” which made Bernard realize his son's determination. Smiling, Bernard said:
“Give it a try. If anyone can do it, it’s you.”
What Bernard said usually came true. Since childhood, Bernard had a knack for predicting outcomes. It wasn’t due to any supernatural abilities but because he was adept at anticipating future events based on current knowledge. Compared to real-world problems, chess moves seemed trivial. Though real-world issues were complex, for Bernard, they were self-evident.
Austin, understanding that his father’s words were almost always accurate, was overjoyed. His father’s encouragement spurred him further, and he dedicated himself even more to swordsmanship, horseback riding, and physical training. He also paid close attention to his studies and manners to be worthy of being Riley’s “friend.” After his brother advised him that broadening his horizons was important for being a trusted aide and personal knight, Austin also became active in engaging with the people of the territory.
When Bernard sighed upon returning to their home in the capital, a shadow emerged from the corner of the room. Bernard glanced at it and spoke with a hint of a wry smile:
“Don’t say anything, Adolf. Even I regret this, you know.”
The shadow seemed to sway, and Bernard sensed both reproach and consolation from its movement. He took a deep breath and sat down deeply in his executive chair, picking up an elegant envelope from the desk. As he fiddled with the already opened envelope, he muttered to himself:
“I always thought it was dull. Everything happens exactly as I predict. There might be a lot to consider, but in the end, it’s just that. Things move according to necessity, like chess pieces. Multiple possibilities get narrowed down to a single choice due to various circumstances.”
Because of this, he knew when and what actions to take to prevent or instigate events in the near future. Bernard had actually tried it before. If he did this here and now, this would happen in the future—and his predictions were always spot on. For Bernard, playing multiple chess games was no different from life. Chess ends after a few moves, while life is longer and its end is unknown, but he could still anticipate the future with ample time to prepare.
However, Bernard’s actions to change the future sometimes caused harm to others. Determined to remain a mere observer if it meant causing harm, Bernard had since refrained from taking direct action, offering advice only when requested.
“My son—Austin was a child who did things I never imagined. I’ve always been anxious, but—”
For Bernard, who was accustomed to predictability, Austin’s unpredictable actions were a source of constant worry. Anything involving Austin was likely to surprise Bernard. Though he rarely showed it, the birth of his beloved son had astonished him with the depth of his emotions.
“This injury was the biggest shock of all. I thought my heart might stop.”
The shadow swayed as if agreeing with Bernard’s words. Bernard forced a smile but soon returned to a serious expression, staring intently at the envelope in his hand. Noticing the shadow swaying in his peripheral vision, Bernard asked.
“Oh, you’re suggesting I should start moving? Yes, I suppose so. I’ve been playing the role of a passive observer all this time—yes. I didn’t want to get involved. It’s easy to predict the future, but being told to act within that prediction is just troublesome. I deal with troublesome matters when they arise, but—”
Bernard Chad of the Ealdred family had always eliminated any threats to his house. However, that was all he had done. He generally stayed out of the political core and avoided power struggles. This had been Bernard's chosen path.
But now, things are different.
He had understood for some time. Ever since that day Austin had expressed his desire to become Prince Riley’s personal knight, Bernard had known that he would eventually have to act for his beloved son’s sake—he would have to step into the murky darkness actively. He had postponed this out of sheer inconvenience and a touch of cowardice. The fear of harming those he cherished—becoming paralyzed by such awareness—had held him back.
Yet it was this delay that led to Austin’s injury. If Bernard had acted sooner, Austin might not have been hurt. Perhaps he would not have even joined the monster stampede’s suppression force. The knights of the order might not have suffered such severe injuries.
It was all due to Bernard's weakness. Life was not like a chessboard. While chess pieces could be moved at will, lost lives could never be regained.
—Bernard knew this better than anyone. He thought he understood, but in reality, he was only pretending to know.
Bernard lowered his gaze. He closed his eyes, revisiting the memories and buried feelings from the past. When he next raised his head, his eyes shone with a strong resolve.
“But—now I must act. I need to show Austin that I can be a proper father.”
Bernard, smiling as if shaking off his hesitation, rang the desk bell. The shadow in the corner of the room moved closer, blending into the darkness along the wall.
The butler arrived promptly. Bernard handed the envelope to him and said.
“I’m going to meet with Baron Kennys. Send ahead a notice and make the necessary preparations.”
“Understood.”
As the butler departed, Bernard stood up from his chair to change. After preparing himself, he waited for the response from the notice. Upon receiving confirmation that he could meet with Kennys, Bernard retrieved a cane from the back of the shelf in his office. The cane, adorned with a tiger motif on its handle, was a cherished tool that Bernard had once used frequently.
*****
When Bernard Chad arrived at Baron Kenny's residence, he was shown into the reception room. Baron Kennys, who seemed to have been eagerly awaiting Bernard, greeted him with a smile.
"Welcome. I have been anticipating your visit, Duke."
"It has been a while, hasn’t it? Though it’s only been since the advisory council meeting."
"Indeed, it has been quite some time since we last met privately."
Baron Kennys laughed heartily. Following his invitation, Bernard took a seat on the sofa. He sipped the tea poured by a maid and waited for the room to clear. Once the door was closed, Baron Kennys spoke first.
"To be honest, even though I sent the letter, I did not expect a favorable reply from you."
Bernard, accurately judged, responded with a wry smile. Although he did not give a clear answer, Baron Kennys was certain his assumption was correct, judging by Bernard’s demeanor, and inquired sharply.
"May I ask why your stance has changed?"
"Well, it’s because my son—Austin—was injured during the monster stampede."
"—Do you regret it?"
"Yes. It is the second time in my life I have felt regret."
Upon hearing Bernard’s reply, Baron Kennys squinted his eyes. Bernard responded with a slow smile. Although Bernard was younger than Baron Kennys, his composed demeanor made him seem like an equal.
"You are aware of the circumstances surrounding my first wife, I presume?"
"Yes, my condolences for that time."
"It is all in the past now."
Bernard’s first wife had been four years older than him. She was a bright and cheerful woman, a childhood friend. Although she was the opposite of the quiet Bernard, they had been very close.
Few people knew the true nature of her death. Only Bernard and his younger brother knew the full story. Nevertheless, rumors had spread, reaching even Baron Kennys's ears, suggesting that Bernard had been responsible for his first wife’s death. Bernard had never denied these rumors, but Baron Kennys had obtained information closer to the truth through his shadow.
"My wife took her own life. However, I was, in a way, the one who caused her death. My arrogance led to her demise."
The couple had only one child, who was very young when the wife died.
Bernard’s memories of his wife remained vivid. He remembered her laughing joyfully, grieving in sorrow, and sometimes scolding him. The day before her death, she had come to see him with cookies and flowers after a quarrel.
On the day of her death—she had looked at Bernard with anger and contempt. She had shouted that people are not chess pieces and that lives are not so trivial. Bernard, unable to respond, had dismissed it, thinking she would return the next day with cookies or a bouquet. Instead, the next morning, Bernard was met with the cold body of his wife—never to open her eyes again or speak to him.
Baron Kennys glanced at the cane leaning against the sofa.
"However, you have brought that cane with you. You have decided to return to the public stage—am I correct?"
"Yes, otherwise I would once again be scolded by my wife in heaven. Besides, I must make amends to my current wife as well."
At Bernard’s response, Baron Kennys smiled quietly. His eyes, filled with kindness, were fixed on Bernard, and his voice sounded as if encouraging a young person.
"You said you have regretted twice. The first time was indeed regret. But the second time is not over yet. Whether it ends in regret or not—it is up to you, isn’t it?"
Bernard’s eyes widened in surprise at Baron Kennys’s unexpected words. Not being able to hold back a chuckle, Baron Kennys saw Bernard’s slightly embarrassed reaction and laughed.
"Well, in your presence, I feel quite humbled. I thought I had become a dignified grand duke elsewhere."
"No, no, I think you are doing just fine."
Baron Kennys grinned. In reality, the Ealdred was known for his strong influence even at the advisory council meetings. Even Duke Clark, who holds the position of Chancellor, cannot ignore Bernard’s words. The aura Bernard exudes during those times is extremely imposing, overwhelming others.
However, it is because Baron Kennys has known Bernard since his youth that he is able to see through the façade of dignity Bernard has built.
"So, regarding the matter I mentioned in the letter—"
"Ah, yes. The issues concerning the 'northern immigrants' and the recent monster stampede.”
Baron Kennys, who had been enjoying casual conversation with Bernard, quickly shifted to the main topic, acknowledging their mutual busyness. Bernard immediately recalled the contents of the letter.
"Indeed. We have been gathering information as well, but there are still many gaps and the data is quite complex, making it somewhat laborious to decipher. I was hoping to hear your opinion on the matter."
Bernard nodded. He had anticipated this issue from the moment he read the letter. During his journey from home to the baron's residence, Bernard had cross-referenced his own information with the letter he received and had a general understanding of the situation.
"As for the 'northern immigrants,' it seems to align with your thoughts, Kennys. However, regarding the mastermind behind it, we cannot say for certain. There are indications that merchants from neighboring countries are acting suspiciously, but linking them directly is somewhat hasty."
Baron Kennys nodded in agreement. Bernard’s observations were consistent with his own thoughts.
"And about the other matter—"
Bernard paused, frowning slightly, and stressed, "Please keep this to yourself as I have no confirmation yet." His demeanor suggested he wished to avoid taking any rash actions, and Baron Kennys narrowed his eyes slightly but soon nodded in understanding. He realized that Bernard, having experienced 'regret' once, was now compelled to be cautious.
"You are aware of the two major factions: the Royalist faction supporting Prince Riley as the next king and the Old Royalist faction backing our ducal house. However, it seems another faction is currently expanding its influence."
"Another faction—?"
It appeared that Baron Kennys was unfamiliar with this. He repeated the term with suspicion. Bernard nodded casually.
"Yes. It seems some nobles are beginning to support Franklin Slibegrad as the next king."
"Franklin Slibegrad—?"
Baron Kennys growled in response. A sense of foreboding surrounded him, and his presence became more intimidating. Yet Bernard remained unperturbed.
"Absurd! To propose that Duke Slibegrad be the next king is madness! Do they intend to destroy our country? How shameless!"
Baron Kennys's furious outburst caused the furniture in the reception room to tremble. Bernard recoiled slightly but maintained his composure, though his eyes darted around, reflecting confusion rather than fear, as he sought words to calm the Baron.
On the other hand, Baron Kennys seemed to regain his composure, though his forehead was still furrowed with anger. He sat back deeply in his chair, muttering under his breath and expressing his frustration.
"If such a fool were made king, our treasury would quickly sink like a ship with a hole in it, the nobles would run amok like beasts without a master, and the country would be in ruins in no time. Even a child could understand that."
"Yes, I agree. The Duke's faction is still relatively small compared to the Royalist and Old Royalist factions. Immediate action is necessary, especially since it appears neighboring countries are beginning to make serious moves to absorb our kingdom."
Baron Kennys calmed down, his anger subsiding as he began to think deeply.
"Do you have any leads on the nobles supporting the Duke?"
"Marquis Scone is almost certainly among them. It seems he is very close to the Duke."
"—Marquis Scone, you say?"
Baron Kennys dismissed this information with a scowl. Marquis Scone was known for his ambition and was reputedly very capable in business. His skill in revitalizing a declining territory during his predecessor’s time had made waves in society, and the current Marquis had gained influence in social circles as a result.
Suddenly, Baron Kennys realized something. He turned a grim expression toward Bernard.
"Wait. The second son of the Scone family is currently—"
"Yes. He is the commander of the Eighth Squadron of the Knights."
The Eighth Squadron—specialized in espionage and covert operations, responsible for cracking down on those plotting rebellion within and outside the Slibegrad Kingdom. The current commander of this crucial unit is Bruno Scone—the second son of the Marquis Scone.
Bernard responded cheerfully, but his eyes were anything but serene.
The Duke’s faction, led by Marquis Scone, has his second son, Bruno Scone, as the Eighth Squadron commander, who is also expected to become the next Deputy Commander of the Knights due to his age and capabilities. Meanwhile, Austin, a close aide to Riley, was severely injured during the monster stampede.
It was highly unusual for a mere apprentice knight to be involved in such an event, though it was approved due to a shortage of personnel. Whether this decision was influenced by the Knights' commander remains unclear. However, both Bernard and Baron Kennys, knowing Commander Hegaty’s character, believed that he would never have allowed Austin to accompany the mission.
— In other words, the instructions came from a party that even the Commander of the Knights could not refuse. Although indirect, it was highly likely that Bernard was pushed into a situation where he had no choice but to take action.
"It’s possible that the Commander of the Knights decided to accompany the mission as a last resort. If anyone could use the teleportation circle to keep the troops away from danger, it would be him. Once it became known that the Holy Mage could not accompany them, the Commander might have used his authority to ensure the mission's safety," Bernard speculated calmly.
Baron Kennys listened in silence, deeply exhaling.
"—What about Director Bergson?"
"He is an ambitious man without principles. He is not so much a member of any faction as a mere sycophant. He will support anyone who he believes will benefit him the most. As for the current master, well, I have my suspicions, but without concrete evidence, I’d rather hold off on stating them for now."
"I am curious, though."
Baron Kennys smiled wryly. Bernard's hesitance to speak, due to lack of evidence and merely intuitive guesses, prompted him to shake his head. He had no intention of divulging any further.
Shrugging, Baron Kennys decided to abandon pressing Bernard further and instead posed a different question.
"In any case, can we assume that their scheme has largely failed?"
Bernard nodded. "Yes, that seems likely."
"Their original intention was probably to dismiss the Commander of the Knights and the Second Squadron Commander and replace them with their own people. However, that plot seems to have collapsed. On the other hand, while the Deputy Minister of Magic avoided dismissal, he is now under indefinite suspension. This has likely gone according to their scheme."
The identities of "they" were still unclear, though Marquis Scone was certainly among them. Bernard had his suspicions about other individuals, but they were uncertain. He avoided speaking too freely, remembering the lesson from his late wife about not making unfounded claims.
As Bernard thought about this, a smile appeared on his face. He recalled the crown prince's concern about the aftermath of the monster stampede.
"Is something wrong?"
Noticing Bernard’s change, Baron Kennys asked with curiosity. Bernard shook his head but then reconsidered and replied.
"Actually, I was just reminded of the Crown Prince."
"The Crown Prince?"
Baron Kennys appeared surprised. Bernard nodded and briefly explained Riley’s concerns. Baron Kennys’s eyes lit up with interest.
"The Crown Prince knows the Deputy Minister of Magic. Despite this, he did not become emotional but rather suggested the possibility of a wrongful accusation logically. His ability to obtain information that should have been confidential and then to analyze and interpret the facts is impressive. It’s remarkable to see such ability at his age, as young people often become arrogant and self-satisfied with their talents."
"I see."
Listening to Bernard, Baron Kennys grinned. Stroking his chin thoughtfully, he muttered, "I must have misjudged the Crown Prince."
It was high praise from a guardian of the frontier.
Bernard beamed with pride. "The Crown Prince is indeed an exceptional person. My son was so impressed upon meeting him that he declared he would protect him as a personal guard in the future. That sentiment has not changed. He believes that by either becoming a magic knight or achieving merit in the Seventh Squadron, he can become the Crown Prince’s personal guard as quickly as possible."
Baron Kennys laughed heartily at Bernard's pride in his son’s judgment. His eyes sparkled with amusement, reflecting both his enjoyment and the unspoken truth of Bernard being a "proud parent.”
—