Chapter 153

“Haa… Kafka, this isn’t simply a matter of justice. No matter how I think about it, something’s off. Jason isn’t the type to act alone for no reason. There must be something behind this.”

“Yeah. You’re not wrong. As you said, Gideon definitely seems suspicious.”

“If you know, then don’t interfere. This time, I’ll use this opportunity to find out about Gideon…”

“But Andrew, everyone has secrets and privacy.”

Kafka rested her greatsword on her shoulder, standing firm.

“That’s always been your problem. You try to know everything without respecting boundaries. Sometimes, you have to pretend not to notice.”

“I’m not trying to uncover every secret. Only the ones that might affect the Empire.”

“So what you’re saying is… Gideon’s suspicious behavior could influence the Empire?”

At Kafka’s question, Andrew thought for a moment before answering.

“I don’t know yet. That’s why I’m investigating it myself.”

“You must be really bored. Normally, you’d leave this kind of investigation to your branch family.”

Kafka said with a faint laugh, but Andrew’s face remained cold.

“Jason isn’t someone who moves recklessly. And he’s not someone who’d act without telling me. If Gideon’s managed to get even Jason on his side… then I have to confirm it personally.”

“Hey, be honest. You’ve already labeled Gideon as a threat to the Empire, haven’t you?”

“Not yet. I’ll decide after hearing his side of the story.”

“Well, I honestly don’t think that’s even necessary.”

Kafka turned to me as she said this.

“Hey, Gideon. Answer me truthfully. Are you plotting some conspiracy to overthrow the Empire?”

“No, I am not.”

“You don’t harbor some deep grudge against the Empire either, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

I answered with sincerity.

If my family’s secret had anything to do with the Empire, it might’ve been possible.

But so far, nothing had been revealed about the relationship between my family and the Empire.

And my instincts told me—

My family’s downfall had nothing to do with the Imperial Family.

“Hmm, yeah. That’s not a lie. Yep, you’re telling the truth. Hey, see that, Andrew? Gideon’s only telling the truth right now.”

“…You expect me to just believe that?”

“I don’t lie about things like this. You know me well enough.”

At Kafka’s words, Andrew went silent.

He seemed to sense that Kafka was telling the truth.

“…Yeah, you’re right. You don’t lie about things like this.”

“Besides, I’m better at detecting lies than you are. You’ll admit that much, won’t you?”

At her remark, Andrew once again had nothing to say.

He pondered quietly for a while, then looked at me again.

“Gideon, you’re really not planning anything dangerous, right?”

“Yes, I’m not. Sir Jason and I are… merely investigating the lost history and a group that might still exist.”

“…Hey, Kafka. Is that the truth too?”

“Uh, yeah. He’s not lying. But—‘lost history’ and a group that might still exist? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I don’t know either.”

“Hey, if you don’t know, then who does?”

Andrew sighed deeply, looking at me.

“I’d rather not get on House Balmuth’s bad side… and come to think of it, you’re participating in the upcoming Inter-Academy Tournament, right? Can’t believe I forgot that. If you suddenly disappeared… that’d cause another set of problems.”

Andrew glanced briefly at Kafka, then back at me.

“For now, I’ll let this go since Kafka trusts and verified you. But promise me one thing—if the truth you’re pursuing ever seems like it might endanger the Empire, you’ll tell me immediately. Understood?”

“I promise.”

“…You don’t seem like a villain. Definitely suspicious, but not evil.”

Andrew scratched his head, then looked at Kafka.

“You’ve always been fiercely loyal to your own.”

“Well, I do pride myself on loyalty. Especially since he’s my future son-in-law—I should look after him, shouldn’t I?”

“Yeah, that’s exactly what I expected you to say.”

Andrew turned back to me.

“Don’t forget my words. One day, you must tell me the truth.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. Once the investigation is over, I’ll tell you everything.”

“…That’s not a lie either. I can tell.”

With that, Andrew turned away, ready to leave.

But then, Kafka called out to him.

“Hey, when Jason comes back later, don’t you go cornering him and prying into every little thing again…”

“I’m not from the Isrinbloom Family, Kafka. At least, I don’t do that to my own people.”

Andrew replied with a dry laugh.

“Besides, Jason of all people… it’d be hard to do that with him.”

“Because he’s hard to catch?”

“If he really decides to run, even I’d have a hard time catching him. Of course, if I went all out, I’d manage somehow—but as Head of the House, I can’t just do that.”

At Andrew’s words, I couldn’t help but nod.

Indeed, Jason was known, even by setting, as the best intelligence agent in the Hawkbat Family.

If he set his mind to move, there was no information he couldn’t find, and even the members of the Hawkbat Family couldn’t track him down.

“So even if that kid comes back, he won’t get caught by me. No—he’ll probably not return at all and instead find some strange way to contact Gideon separately.”

After sighing again, Andrew showed a tired expression in his eyes.

“Jason… sigh, even though he’s my son, really. Once I catch him, I’ll have to give him a proper scolding. Anyway, Gideon.”

“Yes, Lord Andrew.”

“I don’t know what you’re doing, but do well. However, if that work becomes a threat to the Empire or the Imperial Family… even if Kafka’s on your side, you’d better be prepared.”

“I’ll keep your words in mind as well.”

“…You wouldn’t have been a bad fit for our family. I like your attitude. And you, Kafka.”

Andrew pointed to the floor of the hallway.

Because Kafka had slammed her greatsword earlier, a large hole had been carved into the center of the corridor.

“You take care of this. Either pay for it or fix it yourself.”

With those words, Andrew turned and walked back the way he came.

Once Andrew disappeared from the hallway—

“Ugh… this repair bill’s going to hurt. Tch, I shouldn’t have struck down just to make a cool entrance earlier.”

“Uh, Lady Kafka?”

“Hmm? Oh, Gideon. What is it?”

“Thank you for helping me.”

I bowed my head to Kafka in gratitude.

It wasn’t just a polite remark—if it hadn’t been for Kafka just now, I wouldn’t have been able to avoid a direct confrontation with Andrew.

“Hey, don’t think too much about it. I’m your future mother-in-law, after all. Of course I have to look after my future son-in-law.”

Kafka laughed and patted my back.

Then, soon after, her expression turned serious, her eyes filled with curiosity.

“I’m only trusting you because Lisa trusts you, but Andrew wasn’t wrong. You really are a mysterious, suspicious guy.”

“…You’re right. I’m also trying to find out who I am—that’s why I’m investigating with Lord Jason.”

“The lost history and that strange group, was it? You’re saying you’ll understand yourself by uncovering that?”

“I can’t say for certain, but I believe that’s highly possible.”

That wasn’t a lie either.

To uncover the lost history was to uncover my family—and ultimately, to learn more about the Gideon Kyrgram I had transmigrated into.

“Hmmm… you really almost never lie, huh… except for formalities or manners. Even so… you’re such an unpredictable fellow.”

“I’ll explain everything someday. But for now… I just don’t want anyone around me to be put in danger. Depending on what truth I uncover, I don’t know how things will turn out. So for now, I’d rather handle it with the fewest people possible.”

Kafka silently looked at me for a moment.

Then she smiled faintly, a knowing smile.

“If you’re doing it for Lisa’s sake, then it can’t be helped. But hey… does Lisa know you’re secretly doing something?”

“She’s probably aware. Of course… she doesn’t know the details.”

“I figured as much. Well, if it’s Lisa… she must’ve noticed long ago. Anyway, what I want to say is—tell her as soon as possible. If you tell her too late, that girl will really sulk.”

“Yes… you’re right.”

Having spent a lot of time with Lisa, I knew her personality well by now.

She trusted me.

Deeply.

And I had no secrets from her.

But the fact that I had a secret from her meant that…

“Yeah, you know it too. If you don’t tell her for too long, Lisa will be hurt. She’ll still love you, but she’ll be really upset.”

“…As soon as the investigation progresses, I’ll tell her immediately.”

“Do that. I don’t care if you don’t tell me, but make sure you tell my daughter—and soon.”

Kafka finished speaking and then flashed a bright smile again.

“Well, enough of that talk… why did you suddenly come out alone, leaving Lisa behind?”

“Eh? Ah, come to think of it… I just came out during break to buy something to eat.”

“Ah, you were going to buy a snack. Then…”

Kafka reached into her inner pocket, searching for something.

“Hmm, I’m sure I had a few left over… ah, here it is. Take this.”

What Kafka handed me were none other than five gold coins.

“Use these to buy yourself something nice to eat. Think of any change as pocket money.”

“Lady Kafka, I think that’s a bit too much to call pocket money.”

Just two gold coins could cover a commoner’s monthly expenses.

Of course, I wasn’t exactly frugal myself, but receiving such a large sum all of a sudden left me speechless.

Kafka, however, didn’t seem to care at all.

“Hey, hey, Gideon, my adorable future son-in-law. I’ll have you know, I’m a duke. Our family’s practically drowning in gold. I’m not joking—Natsu literally builds towers with gold coins for fun.”

“Even so…”

“Just take it. Anyway, once you marry Lisa, you’ll receive far more than this. Think of it as getting used to it in advance.”

“If that’s the case… I understand. I’ll accept it without hesitation.”

When I put the gold coins into my pocket, Kafka nodded in satisfaction.

“Good. Anyway, have a good time with Lisa today. And since today’s the day for the magic categories… your turn’s coming up soon, right?”

“Yes, but before that, there will be the Swordsmanship Competition.”

“Ah, right, the Swordsmanship Competition. Muktaba Academy’s sending Eisen again, and Lysquare Academy’s sending Sara, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“A sibling duel, huh. That’s going to be quite the sight.”

Kafka said with a faint laugh.

A few days later.

The morning of the Swordsmanship Competition.

“Jason still hasn’t come back yet, right?”

“Yes, no news yet.”

“That’s a shame. I really wanted to show that guy how much stronger I’ve become.”

Sara let out a small sigh.

Then she withdrew her rapier and looked at me.

“Thanks for sparring with me since morning. Thanks to you, my body’s fully warmed up now.”

“I’m glad I could help. Anyway, are you all prepared?”

“Yeah, I’ve done everything I can. So… watch closely. I’ll be moving up in an instant.”

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