Or perhaps he thought I was saying it impulsively.
'Whatever.'
Whatever he thought of my request.
'I just need to show what I've prepared.'
I looked straight into the Duke's eyes.
Violet eyes, proof that the blood of Rodbel flowed within him.
A color I alone didn't possess, and once desperately desired, I looked at those eyes, and...
...Drip.
A single tear fell.
"......!"
The Duke's eyes widened at the sight of the tear.
Feeling a surge of joy at his small change in expression, I said with difficulty.
"But... it's tarnishing the honor of the Dukedom because of me."
"...What?"
The Duke asked back with a bewildered look.
I silently shed tears.
Thankfully, it was turning out even better than I had imagined.
"Everyone hates me. They say I'm only half, with commoner's blood, that I'm tarnishing Rodbel's honor."
It wasn't a lie, so the words flowed smoothly.
I should stop crying around now, but...
'What.'
I was momentarily flustered.
'Why won't it stop?'
I only intended to shed a few tears to show sincerity.
"...Ah."
Far from stopping, the tears became harder and harder to control.
'I can't mess this up.'
Moderate tears are good for showing sincerity, but excessive tears will only irritate him.
I bit down hard on my lower lip, desperately holding back the sobs that threatened to escape.
The Duke stared at me without blinking.
I was on edge, afraid he'd see through my act.
I barely parted my lips and spoke with a trembling voice.
"...I don't want you to have a hard time because of me. If only I, if only I disappeared, everyone would be happy, so... so..."
"......"
"So I'll leave. Please disown me. Duke..."
I squeezed my eyes shut.
'That's it.'
I've said all the words I prepared. There were a few bumps along the way, but I said everything I wanted to say.
'Catch your breath.'
My breathing was ragged from holding back the sobs. I slightly parted my lips to catch my breath.
That's when it happened.
"...Disownment is..."
I slowly lifted my head at the voice I heard.
The Duke was still looking at me with the same cold, upright demeanor of an ice sculpture.
There was no sign of pity or sympathy for his crying child.
Well... I didn't expect any, though.
"...Denied."
It was a firm, cold voice, like a judge delivering a verdict.
"......"
I quietly looked at him.
I wasn't disappointed, not really.
'Just as expected.'
For the sake of Rodbel's future, the Duke would never let me go.
Because if not me, he'd have to sacrifice one of his precious children.
"No one can tarnish the honor of Rodbel. Your existence will not defile the name of Rodbel. So don't waste time with useless thoughts."
"...Then am I allowed to stay here?"
When I cautiously asked again, he coldly replied, his gaze falling to the documents as if he didn't want to discuss the matter any further.
"...I was the one who brought you here. To question your existence is to question my choice."
Those words, which would have made me endlessly happy in the past, now evoked no emotion in me.
But my expression was all smiles.
"Thank you, Duke."
"...It seems the matter is concluded. You may leave now."
"Yes."
Even at the dismissal, I didn't wipe the smile from my face as I turned to leave.
As I reached for the doorknob, I turned back as if suddenly remembering something.
"Ah."
"I... there's one thing I'm worried about."
"What is it?"
"That..."
I hesitated, then cautiously spoke, watching his reaction.
"I... I won't talk about Brother Banseis, but what if Brother's servant spreads rumors?"
As I spoke with a worried face, he looked at me for a moment, then replied in an indifferent tone.
"The servant survived, but he's paralyzed. So don't worry about unnecessary things."
"Ah, I see..."
At the tragic news of the servant, I drooped my shoulders and muttered.
"He really was a scary snake. I could have died if I wasn't careful."
Then I smiled brightly at him and said.
"Once again, I'm grateful to Younger Brother for saving me from that snake. Then I'll be on my way."
I bowed deeply to the Duke and left the office.
Thud.
After closing the door, I lowered my head and took a moment to catch my breath.
The Duke's words lingered in my mind.
I see.
'It was close to a gamble, wasn't it.'
When I asked him to disown me.
I was worried that he might lock me up somewhere, fearing my escape.
After all, as long as I was alive, he could offer me as a sacrifice.
But...
'The Duke won't do that.'
No, it was more accurate to say he couldn't.
'Because I might go berserk.'
Rodbel's potential is limitless.
Some are born with magic, some with swordsmanship, and some with everything.
It's uncertain what, how, and how much will manifest, and sometimes those who can't handle their power go berserk.
It's not certain what causes that berserk state, and more importantly...
'Those who go berserk wither and die.'
Yes, that.
If the one who went berserk isn't taken care of quickly, they die.
The berserk state was a phenomenon that only occurred in the Rodbel direct line.
Thinking about it now, I wonder if it's a side effect of borrowing the power of the Evil God.
Well, that's just speculation.
Anyway.
'I can't go berserk.'
So the Duke will probably try to keep me close, in a place where he can see me.
Even so, the reason I shed tears and asked him to disown me was because...
'I can't live like before.'
Now that I've decided to live in Rodbel and destroy this place, I need to improve the environment first.
By the way...
'I need to find a way to undo the Evil God's seal, too.'
Since he helped me live a new life, I must also help him undo his seal.
That's our contract.
But I don't know anything about it, so I don't know where to start.
"Hmm..."
First...
'Shall I go there?'
At the thought, I turned around.
I might find a clue if I go there.
After sending Lucia away, Ligrin entered the office and stared at the Duke, who was looking at the documents.
But his eyes were on the Duke, but his mind was full of thoughts of Lucia.
To be exact.
'They were definitely marks from crying.'
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