第２６５堀：ローデイでの暗躍準備 (Part3)
"W-wait a moment. I certainly intended to provide you with land and a mansion. But, you can mass-produce video cameras? I-is that true!?"
"It’s true. The production method is a bit unique, so I can't teach it to just anyone, though."
"That goes without saying. But, are you sure it was wise to tell us so easily? This isn't just a matter of a small fortune; this is something truly extraordinary, isn't it?"
The Duke said this while holding the video camera.
"It’s the opposite. We’ve been operating as a mercenary group until now. We couldn't possibly walk around selling such a great invention. We’d immediately face all sorts of interference."
"……Indeed. Something of this magnitude. Those with ill intentions would jump at it immediately; you’d be surrounded by enemies."
"That’s why I brought this proposal to you, Duke. Well, I apologize for dragging you into these kinds of problems."
When I said that, the Duke slammed his hand on the desk and stood up.
Whoa, did I actually make him angry? Well, in this civilization, a video camera is basically an out-of-place artifact, so I suppose it’s understandable.
"It doesn't matter!! I shall sweep away any problems that arise!! My son-in-law trusted me enough to tell me something this important. If I don't live up to that, I’m no man!! You don't mind, Viyu?"
"Of course not. It is only natural as a family. And as a House, if we let this opportunity slip by, we would have no reason to exist. The House of Huge shall protect Yuki and his companions with everything we have."
……It’s hot. Or rather, intense.
I’m happy, but why is everyone so hot-blooded?
"However, Yuki. Is there really a need to take the risk of producing them elsewhere?"
"That’s true. If you make them here at the Duke’s estate, the security is perfect, and we’d know immediately if any suspicious individuals approached."
As expected of a Duke, he’s sharp enough to immediately spot the inconsistency in my story and question it. It saves me the trouble of explaining everything from scratch, which is convenient.
"That’s exactly the point."
"The point?"
"You mean you’re intentionally making it easy to approach?"
"Exactly. You know the capabilities of the video camera, right?"
"Yes. I was surprised when I first saw it, but by pressing this button, you can record the current scenery... I see!!"
"I understand. We can capture the evidence of any scoundrels red-handed with this video camera."
Yeah, yeah, their minds work incredibly fast.
"Regardless, it’s only a matter of time before people find out the House of Huge is the source of these video cameras. And there will be those who don't look kindly upon that. Right?"
"Indeed. As expected of someone who managed a mercenary group, Yuki."
"……With this, we can settle the score with those who have been meddling with our House. Since we can now provide undeniable evidence."
Oh, Samantha’s mother is beautiful, but she’s terrifying when she’s angry. She’s practically radiating an aura. Well, not literally visible, but still.
"Well, for that reason, I thought you all could make better use of them than we could. Even if we are a well-known mercenary group, we lack the connections, and the video cameras themselves would be viewed with suspicion."
Nobles tend to sweep things under the rug if the opponent is of lower standing, even if there is evidence. No, I suppose that’s the same on Earth; covering up problems is the specialty of the big shots. That one country that had a massive explosion somewhere is busy blocking information for no reason. There’s no way the death toll is only 100 like they claim. It’s definitely in the thousands.
"……Leave it to me. I will explain the video camera to His Majesty myself so that there is no room for excuses."
"Yes. Once His Majesty and the Prime Minister know the facts, there will be no room for them to make excuses. Dear, prepare for an audience with His Majesty immediately. Let’s clean out the trash."
"I’ll leave that part to you, but do you have any good places for a base of operations?"
I have to cut the conversation here, or it’ll never end.
"Oh, my apologies. We can't start without first securing a location."
"I got a little too excited. For now, I’ve already screened some potential residences based on Samantha’s reports. As for a place that can be used for production and is easy to keep under surveillance... there are about three options."
"Then I’ll go take a look and decide later. Where are they?"
"No, we will accompany you."
"That’s right. If it were just a matter between the two of you, I wouldn't intend to interfere, but when it comes to the production of video cameras, it’s an issue for all of us. Right, Samantha?"
"Yes. I understand."
Well, it’s as good as secured, then. Now, the only thing left is the matter of Amanda.
"And, this is the last topic for now. How do you want to handle the Dragon Knight, Amanda? Amanda is a schoolmate of Samantha’s and has a connection to her. Naturally, we are also in the position of schoolmates."
Yes, the marriage talk with Samantha and the video camera issue have found a resolution, but the problem is how the Duke intends to treat the Dragon Knight, Amanda, who is currently a military asset of the Academy. If they intend to move to bring her into the fold of the House of Roday, I’ll need to keep them in check. We want the mobility of the Dragon Knight, Amanda, and if she stays at the Academy, it’s the most convenient way for us to head to other countries.
"You don't need to worry about that. Our House will not lay a hand on the Dragon Knight, Amanda. Naturally, that includes any unwanted advances. On the contrary, we wish to cooperate with the Dragon Knight, Amanda, and build a friendly relationship."
"……'Unwanted advances'? Does that mean you’ve known about Amanda for a while?"
"You’d know if you saw it. The flower-like smile she shows only to the boy named Eoid. To tear that apart would be nothing but boorish. Besides, if we were to incur her wrath, we might find ourselves submerged in a sea of flames."
……With Wai-chan’s abilities, that’s actually possible, so it’s terrifying.
As I was thinking that, the Duke took a personal letter that Eoid had been carrying out from his desk.
"As Viyu said, avoiding the Dragon Knight’s wrath is one reason, but this is the primary one."
He then showed me the contents of the letter. There were three pages.
One was about the signs of a massive monster outbreak.
One was about Samantha’s grades, evaluations, and information about me, her fiancé.
The last one was about the Dragon Knight, Amanda.
However, it only had one line written on it:
『If you lay a hand on the Dragon Knight, Amanda, or Eoid, I will crush you.』
……Yeah.