Chapter 204: Erunt Ducal Family's Secret (2)

People collapsed in the Duchy.

I wondered if it was an Attack by a Black Sorcerer, but they said it was my Fault.

"So the way to save people is for you to just quickly go into the lodgings, Older Brother."

"Do I really not need to look after them?"

"If you want to let the collapsed people Ascend as they are, I won't stop you."

It seemed I had accidentally cast the Heavenly Demon's Reign Step.

"Then is there anything I can do for those people?"

"You leaving quickly is the best way for them, Older Brother."

There was only one way to resolve this situation.

It was for me to disappear from in front of those people.

Eventually, pushed by Freya's badgering, I boarded the carriage.

However, even up to the moment I boarded the carriage, I didn't forget the Aftercare for the collapsed people.

"Since there is always the 'just in case', Gregor. If a problem arises, please ensure the News reaches me through the church."

"You do not need to Worry about that point. Leaving no stain on the Lord Saint's name is also the duty of the church, and in Preparation for such incidents, the church has already established countermeasures."

According to Gregor.

It wasn't the first time people collapsed because of me.

It was something that had already happened since the Holy City.

As if proving those Words were not a bluff, the Holy Knights were naturally moving the collapsed people.

Only after seeing that sight could I feel relieved and board the carriage.

*

After committing an unintentional Terrorist Attack(?) in the Duchy.

The Academy students, including us, headed to the lodgings.

The assigned lodgings were the Ducal Family's Annex.

When I heard that, I Worried for a moment.

Just the number of students reached 600, so I wondered if it could accommodate them all.

But as soon as we arrived at the Duke's 'castle', I realized that Worry was a Groundless fear.

"Thank you for visiting Erunt Castle, Lord Saint."

Inside the Car heading to the lodgings.

In front of the Ducal Family's mansion, no, castle, an elderly butler greeted us.

Behind him sat an Annex large enough to comfortably accommodate hundreds of students.

"We will serve you so that you experience no Uncomfortable feelings during your stay."

The Head Butler, whose distinctive feature was a black spot on his Fingertips, bowed his waist.

The carriage passed by that Head Butler and headed to the West Wing, which was assigned as our lodgings.

"This entire castle is the Duke's house? Wow...... this is......"

Overwhelmed by the Size of the Ducal castle, Erika's mouth dropped open.

"Weren't the mansions of other territory Nobles not at this level?"

"It is because they are a Ducal Family, after all."

"It's on a level comparable to the Imperial Castle, isn't it?"

"It is because they are a Ducal Family, after all."

"Still, isn't it too big?"

"It is because they are a Ducal Family, after all."

To Erika's Question, Freya answered like an answering machine.

It seemed I wasn't the only one overwhelmed by this sight.

"Charlotte, this is my first time entering a castle like this. Even when I was in the Imperial Capital, I only had to look at it from afar."

"I see."

"What's this, why is your reaction so lukewarm?"

"Do I look like a person who would hold sentiments for every single thing like this?"

"I suppose so......"

On the other hand, Charlotte and Lady Keres's reactions were lukewarm.

As for Charlotte, well, she was originally of that personality.

And as for the Duke's Daughter, she must have already been living in a house like this.

"Duke's Daughter. Are you planning to draw this castle as a painting?"

"Lady Freya, unfortunately, this castle will not become my Creation. I spent more than half my Life in a place like this, and I spent my darkest years locked in a place like this. How could someone like me get Inspiration from this castle?"

"That's a shame."

It was a disappointing piece of News for Freya.

Because she was showing the most Interest in the Duke's Daughter's paintings during this trip.

It wasn't that Freya suddenly opened her eyes to aesthetics.

"I wanted to leave this memory as a painting by the Duke's Daughter."

Rather than liking the painting itself, she was someone who wanted to preserve memories in the form of paintings.

It was probably an extension of her hobby of collecting the stories of Heroes.

"Do not feel too disappointed, Lady Freya. Even if the castle itself cannot provide Inspiration, the scenery of the City looking down from the castle gives a different feeling. Since the architectural styles of the Eastern Region and the Southern Region are different, I shall paint that landscape for you."

However, whatever the reason, the Duke's Daughter seemed to like that aspect of Freya.

It was bound to be so.

In her surroundings, Freya was the only one refined enough to recognize her paintings.

Not to mention Charlotte, and Jenny didn't seem to have refinement in that area either.

But then someone appeared who knew how to look at her paintings and even liked them.

From the Duke's Daughter's Stance, she couldn't help but be glad to see Freya.

"Really? You must show it to me when it reaches Completion."

"Of course. A painting only has value when someone recognizes it. If it isn't for a Lady who loves my paintings this much, who else would look at this painting?"

Perhaps because of that.

The Duke's Daughter was opening her heart to Freya more than Jenny and Charlotte.

She had hung out with Jenny and Charlotte for several months, but it had only been a week since she met Freya.

'As expected, they say there's nothing like sharing a hobby for making friends.'

Affection dripped from the Duke's Daughter's eyes as she looked at Freya.

I heard the Duke's Daughter has a younger brother, right?

Even her younger brother probably wouldn't be looked at with such eyes.

Ah, would the Metaphor be inappropriate?

Would a younger brother actually look at her with a gaze filled with contempt, unlike others?

Anyway.

After hinting at her next work to Freya like that.

The Duke's Daughter turned her body towards me and asked about my future Schedule.

"Ah, Lord Saint. Will you be participating in the Banquet tomorrow?"

"I will participate. The Department of Healing Arts students will also participate."

The Main Exam was scheduled for three days later.

And prior to the exam, a Banquet at the Ducal Family was scheduled to be held tomorrow.

It was the Duke's Consideration to relieve the travel fatigue of the students who came from afar.

However, there was one person who was not pleased with this Consideration.

"......I cannot understand it."

It was none other than our Shut-in Detective, Charlotte.

As soon as she heard there was a Banquet tomorrow, she frowned.

"We came here to take an exam, not to play. A Banquet two days before the exam? What does Duke Erunt think this exam is?"

The one who reacted to this was Charlotte's Designated Enforcer, Jenny.

"Let's get it right. You just hate places where you have to mingle with people."

"I won't deny it. Unproductive Socializing disgusts me. But isn't it also a fact that it is an act that strays from our primary Duty, the exam?"

"That's true."

Apart from the rebuttal, Jenny also seemed to agree with Charlotte's opinion.

Lady Keres, who was watching that sight, intervened in the conversation.

"Certainly. The Ladies' Complaint is a hundred times reasonable. Even at this Time, Soldiers are standing guard over the Demonic Realm. Enjoying Indulgence among ourselves with them behind our backs would not be something to be praised for."

"No, no, Duke's Daughter. Charlotte is not a person harboring such a noble Will like you, Duke's Daughter. She just prefers to do more Research during the Time she'd meet people."

"Hmm, so that was what it meant, Lady Charlotte?"

Charlotte nodded.

"Whatever my true Intention is, superficial Justification is important, after all."

"Ahem. I misunderstood."

The Duke's Daughter let out an awkward Dry Cough.

The nape of her neck revealed under the Cotton Cloth was slightly red.

"Since I am someone who was locked away in a castle during the Time when others were highly active in High Society, my wits have grown dull in this area. I ask for your broad understanding."

"It is fine, Duke's Daughter."

"Thank you, Lady Jenny."

Ahem, ahem.

Lady Keres cleared her throat and continued speaking.

"Apart from me misunderstanding Lady Charlotte, to defend the Duke's act of holding such a Banquet, it is not because the Ducal Family and the Academy are short-sighted."

"Are you saying there is a practical reason for the Ducal Family and the Academy's side?"

"Correct Answer, Lady Charlotte."

The Duke's Daughter pointed towards the castle gate with her fan.

"The superficial Justification would be that the Academy's Education curriculum is not so heartless as to make students who traveled a long way only take an exam. But in reality, it is because of a transaction between the Ducal Family and the Academy."

"A transaction?"

"Yes. Why do you think the Ducal Family provided their Territory as a Practical Training location for the Academy?"

"Isn't it because the burden on the Territory decreases if students put on a Great Performance in the Demonic Realm?"

"That does not account for a very large portion of the overall reason. The real reason is to show the Southern Region to the future Heroes."

"?"

Charlotte tilted her head as if she couldn't understand.

In contrast, Freya seemed to immediately realize its meaning.

"Certainly, a Hero corresponds to a future Noble before they possess a Territory. If they can increase the number of Lords settling in the Southern Region, leaving a good Impression during their school days would also be a Strategy."

"That is exactly right, Lady Freya."

Lady Keres spread her fan with a snap!

"The Duke providing a Practical Training location, offering an entire Annex as lodgings, and holding such a Banquet can all be considered a type of investment."

I was convinced too.

Using a Metaphor from my Previous life, isn't it like buying meals for Clinical Clerks or Interns?

Meaning please take good memories back with you, and choose our Surgery Department when you become a Resident.

......Although there weren't any kids who came to the Surgery Department just because they were bought Meat.

"If the Eastern Region also had the leeway, they would have invited the Academy before the Southern Region. Because when it comes to talents staying in the Eastern Region, the more the better."

After that explanation ended, Charlotte nodded her head.

She seemed to have accepted the necessity of the Banquet.

"If it is for that reason, playing along with the Duke's calculation would be a Courtesy."

"Charlotte? This is surprising? To think the day would come when you acknowledge such a Social Gathering."

"What are you saying, Jenny. Despite how I look, I am someone who has participated in Charity work many times with Yulian, you know?"

Saying so, Charlotte naturally pressed her body close to my arm.

"I too am aware of the necessity of Social Gatherings in my own way. As long as I can understand the reason, I can endure a bit of boredom."

I also nodded my head.

Starting from the Disabled Veterans Support Foundation Launching Ceremony, to the minor events afterwards.

Charlotte showed a fairly good image at all those many events.

She didn't abruptly deduce a hidden secret upon first meeting someone, (she substituted it by whispering to me instead.)

And if someone greeted her, she generally returned the greeting. (Although she never greeted first.)

Compared to the past, it could truly be called Great progress.

The one most shocked by that statement was none other than Jenny.

"Good heavens...... Charlotte has started to possess Social skills? No, wait a minute. Then what was attacking His Highness's Back of the knee during the last spar?"

"That was because I wanted to show that it was a problem that could be solved."

"It was selective Social skills? Doesn't that mean it's even harder to reform you?"

Jenny clutched her head.

It was evident she was agonizing over where on earth she should start reforming her.

Charlotte lightly patted such Jenny's Shoulder.

"Have you still not given up?"

"Just you wait. Because I will definitely make you into a human being."

"There is no need for that. I am fine just the way I am."

"Seeing that you aren't denying it, you seem to at least realize that you have a problem?"

"It would be a problem by others' standards. To me, it is not a problem."

"If you know, then fix it a little......"

Along with Jenny's Lament, the carriage passed the gates of the Ducal castle.

*

It became the evening of the Banquet day.

The students staying in the West Wing of the Ducal castle headed to the Ducal Family's Main Castle.

The Dress Code was the School uniform.

This was to clarify that the protagonists of this event were the students.

Fortunately, the School uniform wasn't awkward.

Since the School uniform's design was borrowed from military Uniforms, it just felt like a Banquet for Soldiers.

Among them, I, who was not a Student, attended the Banquet wearing an appropriate Formal wear.

"Ah, it's Beshbarmak."

As soon as we entered the Banquet, Erika pointed at the Dining table and spoke.

"Will it be different from what we ate on the train?"

"This one is closer to the original form. The Southern Mainland Style has flatter noodles."

"Okay. Then I should try it right away."

Erika was already filling her Plate.

Socializing, the original Purpose of the Banquet, was a low priority for her.

Even if it was a Banquet anyway, the format was closer to an evening Banquet.

There wasn't anything like an opening speech either.

It was due to the reason that they wanted the students to rest comfortably and go.

The entry and exit times were also flexible, and there were no special formalities or etiquette.

It was a part where one could glimpse how sincere the Duke was about securing future talents.

The students gratefully accepted such Consideration from the Duke.

Erika began to empty her Plate as if possessed by a glutton, without caring about anyone's gaze.

Lady Keres, the Bodyguard of the Valkyries, also decided to slightly let go of her tension and participate in the Banquet for this moment at least.

"Then I'd like to have a drink as well. Lady Freya. Is there perhaps any alcohol I must try in the Southern Region?"

"I don't know much about Wine either...... Older Brother, do you happen to know any?"

Freya requested help from me with an awkward Facial expression.

At that moment, I unconsciously brought up the name of a Wine.

"......Baer Dor."

"Yes?"

The reason I mentioned this alcohol.

It was none other than because of Demonkin Babel.

Because the Southern Region Specialty Wine he mentioned in my dream recently was this Wine.

"I recommend Baer Dor."

"Lord Saint, I did not know you were so knowledgeable in this area as well. Understood."

As soon as she received my Recommendation, the Duke's Daughter grabbed a passing server.

"Excuse me. I was recommended a Wine called Baed Dor, is it by any chance prepared at the Banquet?"

"Did you say...... Baed Dor?"

"Ah, I misspoke. It is Baer Dor."

"Did you say Baer Dor? Uhh......"

However, the server's reaction was strange.

"I apologize. Since it is a Wine I am also hearing for the first time, I will go ask the Head Butler."

If it was a server of a Ducal Family, they would memorize all the drinks prepared for the Banquet.

Yet even that server seemed to be unaware of Baer Dor.

'Don't tell me, did the Demonkin screw me over?'

At this rate, won't I get an image of being a Wine Novice?

I nervously waited for the Head Butler.

Soon, the server returned with an elderly man who looked like a Head Butler to anyone's eyes.

As soon as the old man saw us, he let out a Sigh of relief and bowed deeply to me.

"Ah, what a relief. I wondered if a Student was looking for Baer Dor, but it was the Lord Saint and Lady Keres."

At the Head Butler's Stance, the Duke's Daughter harbored Doubt.

"Is Baer Dor that precious of an alcohol?"

"Saying it is precious is an understatement. Since it is the first Wine in Humanity to embody Sunlight."

"Sun......light?"

Gulp.

I heard the sound of the Duke's Daughter swallowing her saliva.

A Wine made from grapes grown outside the walls where there is no Smog.

Anyone who liked alcohol could never be ignorant of its value.

"Then it must be a Wine that can only be seen in the Southern Region."

"Baer Dor is currently a precious alcohol presented only to the Imperial Court and the Duke. It is an alcohol whose name is not even disclosed to The public."

Inside the black bottle held by the Head Butler, a golden liquid sloshed.

"It is an alcohol so rare that even among Nobles, few know of it, so I was in a difficult spot when a Student asked for it."

"Are you saying it's an alcohol a Student shouldn't drink?"

"Of course."

The Head Butler nodded his head.

Then, turning his body away from the Duke's Daughter, he offered the bottle to me.

It was a polite Stance as if he had been keeping my bottle for me.

"Produced last year, this is an Inaugural Vintage with only a few bottles left in the Empire. The Duke prepared it, saying it had to be for the Lord Saint."

The Head Butler offered the bottle, urging me to take it quickly.

"We have prepared separate bottles for collection and for tasting. You may drink it right away without feeling it is a waste."

"Thank...... you."

I took the bottle with a slightly reluctant feeling.

It wasn't that the Goodwill was burdensome.

It was because something felt strange.

'If it's an Inaugural Vintage, the numbers would be perfectly controlled, right? Then where did that Demonkin get this?'

Inaugural Vintage.

It means the first vintage produced by this Wine brand.

Naturally, the Stock of the first production batch is bound to be strictly managed.

The Ducal Family, the masters of the Southern Region, would also know the exact quantity.

'If the bottles are distributed to the Imperial Court, the Ducal Family, and me...... where on earth did Babel drink this?'

Therefore, Babel's statement was a Contradiction.

He said he tasted this Wine a long time ago.

But this Wine was first produced last year, and the people who have tasted it so far can be counted on one hand.

There was no room for it to flow into the hands of a Demonkin.

However, the deliberation did not last long.

'......Since he's a Demonkin, he must have used some method.'

A Demonkin is a mysterious existence in itself.

I figured he must have tasted the Wine in an unimaginable way.

"Lord Saint. By any chance...... after you finish tasting, may I also have a sip?"

At the Duke's Daughter's Voice, I broke out of my Idle Thoughts.

"It goes without saying. Shouldn't such a precious Wine be shared together. Please call Erika and the other students as well."

"As expected, it is just like you, Lord Saint. Putting the Duty of sharing into practice yourself, it can truly be called the demeanor of an Honored guest."

The Duke's Daughter smiled brighter than I had ever seen before.

If the Duke's Daughter had a tail, wouldn't it be spinning like a fan?

She ran off hastily to gather our Party.

Even while getting further away, her gaze didn't leave the bottle.

Meanwhile, I handed the bottle back to the Head Butler.

"Please open it."

"Hoho. To think I would assist in the Lord Saint's first tasting. My, this is a story to pass down in my family for a long time."

The Head Butler's wrinkled hands received the bottle.

The motion of his Fingertips sweeping down the Bottleneck was as careful as a Midwife receiving a Baby.

When the Head Butler gave A glance, a server brought a Silver tray with tools.

It was iron tongs being heated red-hot over a Brazier and a Bowl filled with ice water.

It meant he would slice off the Bottleneck entirely instead of pulling out the cork.

Usually, this method is only used for old vintage wines, but it was also used for performance purposes for such high-end wines.

"Wine? I don't know much about that stuff."

"Don't be like that, shouldn't Lady Erika also taste something like this at least once. Lady Charlotte, come quickly as well."

"Hmm. I don't particularly care for alcohol......"

"If the Mistress of the House is absent at a moment like this, who will drink Wine with the Lord Saint?"

"Ahem. If you put it that way......"

The Duke's Daughter gathered the scattered Valkyries in an instant.

As soon as he confirmed the Party had gathered, the Head Butler proceeded with the Uncorking Ceremony.

Snap.

The Bottleneck was cleanly cut off.

The Head Butler wrapped a warmed cloth around the cut surface once.

Then, filtering out the glass Powder with a filter, he distributed the Wine into glasses.

"Your skill in pouring Wine is extraordinary."

"Thank you for recognizing it, Young Lady Nihilrit."

As expected, does long-standing experience go nowhere?

The amount poured into each glass was exact.

Like that, a total of seven glasses were filled with golden liquid.

One glass each went to the Valkyries, me, and Lady Keres, leaving one glass remaining.

"Huh? There's one glass left?"

"Did you make a mistake?"

The moment I harbored Doubt about why the Head Butler poured it like this.

The Head Butler quietly took a step back from the glass.

And in the spot the Head Butler stepped aside from, someone naturally reached out for that glass.

The owner of that hand was a middle-aged man.

Wearing Ceremonial dress adorned with a Medal, Calluses were embedded at the base of his fingers gripping the glass.

An Eyepatch was worn over his left eye.

A Scar that the Eyepatch couldn't fully cover extended past his eyebrow to his Temple (on head).

I could tell who it was as soon as I saw him.

Duke Erunt.

The master of the Southern Region.

"Lord Saint. I heard you were looking for Baer Dor. May I have the Honor of sharing the first glass?"

"His Grace the Duke?"

Freya and Jenny bowed their waists in shock.

Erika also bowed her waist belatedly.

Charlotte......

As expected, finished it with a brief, informal greeting of slightly bowing her head.

At least she greeted him.

The Duke waved his hand towards the girls.

"There is no need to bow that much. Since the protagonists of this Banquet are all of you."

The Duke's gaze, which had been stopping the girls, reached the Duke's Daughter.

His single eye that saw her widened.

His gaze swept up and down from the Duke's Daughter's Face to her toes.

"Hah. Has the Demon Disease been cured?"

"Yes. Receiving the Lord Saint's Grace, thankfully I am now able to step on the ground and walk with these two feet."

"That is a good thing. Duke Keres must have laid down a Burden in his heart as well."

The Duke smiled, forming wrinkles around his right Eye area.

'Huh?'

However, the corners of his mouth were pulled down for a very brief moment.

It disappeared in the blink of an eye, leaving a trace too vague to even say I saw it, but still.

What could that meaning be.

Before I could even wonder, the Duke finished his tasting and raised his Wine Glass to show.

"Isn't it an excellent taste, Lord Saint?"

"The taste of ripe apples and Citrus is impressive. If one were to express Sunlight as a taste, I think it would be exactly this taste."

"As expected, the Lord Saint seems to have deep knowledge in this area as well."

The Duke offered his glass, which had one sip left, to me.

I lightly clinked glasses, and we emptied our glasses together.

A satisfied smile formed on the lips of the Duke who emptied his glass.

"Why is it that such precious Wine always disappears in an instant."

"Don't they say that the more enjoyable the Time is, the faster it passes."

"Certainly, that is also a hundred times true."

Shaking the empty glass, the Duke muttered.

"That is why we live on, unable to forget that brief moment......"

"Duke?"

"Ah, I was lost in sentimentality in front of a guest. I apologize."

"Not at all."

"Then, please enjoy yourselves comfortably. I have quite a few places to greet, you see."

The Duke raised his glass to show and moved his steps to another Dining table.

When that back had moved sufficiently far away, passing two pillars.

"It seems His Grace is still keeping it in his heart even now."

Lady Keres opened her mouth regarding the Duke's state.

"What do you mean by that, Lady Keres?"

"It is understandable that the Lord Saint might not know. His Grace the Duke has one Youngest Child daughter. However, after losing her Fiancé, he has been rejecting every Marriage Proposal until now."

I see.

So it was the issue of his youngest daughter's marriage.

"Her Fiancé by any chance......"

"He passed away in the Demonic Realm. It is true that Hope arose in the Southern Region thanks to the Lord Saint's reform, but since it is a war, it's impossible to have no one die."

"I see."

Good grief, it was a bad Backstory unsuited for a good Wine.

I decided not to ask in more detail about this part.

I am a Doctor, not a Necromancer.

There was nothing I could do for a dead person.

It was right when I was trying to forget the Duke's Backstory like that and focus on the Banquet again.

Charlotte spoke in a nonchalant Voice.

"......Then wouldn't it be fine if Yulian treats him?"

Jenny admonished such Charlotte.

"Charlotte. No matter how great the Professor is, he can't treat a dead person."

However, Charlotte placed her Wine Glass on the Desk and still tilted her head.

"But that youngest daughter's Fiancé is alive, you know?"

"What does that mean, Charlotte. Explain it so we can easily understand."

The Party members looked at Charlotte with gazes that meant they had no idea what was going on.

At the center of those gazes, ironically, the one who was shocked was Charlotte.

"Don't tell me, even though the Clues were scattered that much, no one here had noticed? When you could know just by taking A walk for a single day yesterday?"

"Please. Don't think others will follow the Deduction you made by yourself."

"Good heavens...... Sometimes when I look at people, I wonder where on earth they are allocating their Brain functions."

"We are not you, Charlotte."

"But Yulian is following along, you know?"

"......"

People's gazes converged on me.

I wanted to shake my head if it were up to my heart.

But since I had the social Stance of being Charlotte's Rival, I couldn't say I didn't know at all.

Yet, it was also impossible to pretend to know what I didn't know.

So I answered vaguely.

"I didn't know that the youngest daughter's Fiancé was alive. I only knew that there was a Patient undergoing long-term recuperation in the Ducal Family's North Wing."

"How do you know that, Older Brother? You never came out of your room yesterday, did you?"

"I knew it yesterday when the Head Butler greeted us in front of the castle gates, though?"

"????"

The Party's gazes converged on me again this time.

Since they seemed to be demanding an explanation, I explained simply.

"Yesterday, when the Head Butler was giving Guidance, and just now while opening the Wine, I checked that there was a black spot on his Fingertips. It is a mark that usually appears when using a Silver Nitrate stick. Silver Nitrate is a tool used when cauterizing bedsores or an Ulcer. If you just know this, you can easily guess that there is a Patient undergoing long-term recuperation."

Of course, my Deduction ended here.

I didn't know anything beyond that either.

Because I didn't go around like Charlotte, I lacked Clues.

Guessing that the Patient might be the youngest daughter's Fiancé was a realm that could only be deduced if one did legwork themselves like Charlotte.

But Charlotte, who heard my simple guess, seemed satisfied with just this.

"As expected, it is fitting for a person I have given Acknowledgement to. Actually, I was also able to reach this Conclusion only after hearing an explanation about Silver Nitrate from Yulian yesterday."

With a boastful Facial expression, Charlotte spoke towards the Party.

"You see? I told you it wasn't a very difficult Deduction, right?"

"......No, no, that is only possible for the two of you, Older Brother and Young Lady Hausen."

"Come to think of it, the Professor was also deducing patients' Professions at the Infirmary, so......"

The Party members looked appalled and distanced themselves from Charlotte and me.