第３３６堀：ローデイの日常 (Part1)
### Chapter 336: Daily Life in Roday
**Side: Yuki**
"Well, well, if it isn't the country-bumpkin Hugh family. What exactly brings you to the Royal Castle?"
...The world is full of clichés, isn't it? It seems these types only ever crawl out of the woodwork when you're in a hurry. Fortunately, he wasn't bothering me, but rather Samantha’s father.
"Dokusen, I don't have time to bicker with you right now. I am here for an audience with His Majesty."
*Do-ku-sen!!* What? Is he asking for it? Honestly, with names like Ardes, Jama, and Hikky, there are just too many people around here practically begging to be targets. Well, I suppose Ardes was just me mentally renaming him "Ahodes" (Idiot-des), so that might not count.
"So, what's up with that idiot?"
Since I couldn't exactly step between the father and the moronic noble, I secretly started recording with my video camera while asking Samantha about the fool standing nearby.
"Um, he belongs to the Dokusen family, a ducal house based in the Royal Capital that possesses no actual territory. As you can see, he frequently tries to pick fights with our Hugh family."
"No territory? Isn't that just because they lack the talent to manage one...?"
"Yes. As expected of you, Master. That is precisely the case. That man has such a complete lack of aptitude for land management that he managed to run a deficit so severe he didn't even know where to begin fixing it. Consequently, he ended up imposing heavy taxes on his people. Back then, the former head—my master—was asked for help, investigated the Dokusen family’s management, and exposed it to His Majesty... or rather, petitioned him directly. The result was the confiscation of their territory and a sentence of house arrest in the capital. That is the correct understanding of the situation."
Sasari really is something; she can recite the history of the house she serves without a single stutter.
"Sasari. Even if you have a personal grudge, you must at least mention the Dokusen family's redeemable qualities."
"Ha! My lady, you jest. They have, perhaps, the tactical and martial talent of a single water flea. In no way, shape, or form do they compare to the Master, so you may safely ignore them. Yes, I have no personal grudge whatsoever. But if you give the order, I could crush the entire Dokusen family in a single day. I shall prove that the Master is the strongest."
"No, that’s clearly a personal grudge. What happened?"
"Well, to put it simply, Sasari was once a knight. Does that tell you everything you need to know, Yuki-sama?"
"Ah, so they got in her way back when she was a knight?"
"It was more than just 'getting in the way.' To protect their own status, those scum would only ever try to recruit or crush anyone in the knight academy or on the field who was more skilled or useful than them."
That kind of thing exists everywhere, doesn't it? It’s depressing how little the core of society changes, whether it’s the Middle Ages or the modern era.
"And so, a furious Sasari ended up beating the living daylights out of her boss and the Dokusen idiot who clung to him. She was framed perfectly, stripped of her knighthood, and nearly sold into slavery before my father stepped in to protect and take her in."
"I am nothing but grateful to the former head. He took in a woman the public called a 'violent shrew,' so I imagine the surrounding eyes were quite cold. If I had stayed there, I likely would have been assigned to care for the two men I’d rendered incapable of working."
"Oh, so that was the other reason for taking her in?"
"As you can see, Sasari is beautiful, has a great figure, and is highly capable. The Dokusen family likely set their sights on her for that reason. And thanks to that whole mess, she’s still single..."
"Kyaa!? That’s not it, that’s not it at all, Master!! As I said, I just haven't found my ideal man yet..."
"Ah, I know, I know. There are no bad rumors about Sasari in Weed. I’m sure you’ll find someone good."
"Right!? You're right!!"
"Though I don't think there’s anyone better than Yuki-sama."
"Yes, yes. Please keep the lovey-dovey talk elsewhere. The only reason I’m refraining from becoming Yuki-sama’s concubine is to avoid him becoming more obsessed with me than with you, my lady. Honestly, your chest isn't the only thing that’s grown."
"...You’ve got some nerve, Sasari."
"Last time, the fault was on my side, but this time, I have no reason to be slandered as a 'spinster.'"
It seems they enjoy hurting each other, too. Did Seraria and Qual do this as well? What is it with the master-servant relationships in this world? Are they all just constantly brawling with their guards down?
"...The three of you, stop there. Samantha’s father and that idiot noble’s conversation is heading in a strange direction."
" " "Eh?" " "
At the prompt from Cleena, who had come along with us, I turned my attention back to the father and the idiot noble...
"I cannot let someone through without an audience request. I am, after all, one of the captains of His Majesty’s direct-command unit."
"Don't talk nonsense. This is a state of emergency, by ducal authority! Move aside."
"I’ve heard. You rode into the Royal Castle on some sort of never-before-seen vehicle. You’ve caused quite a stir. You are currently suspected of high treason. Do you understand that?"
...Excuse me? What kind of structure does this guy have in his head?
"...*Sigh*. You really haven't changed at all. This is the last time. It is an emergency. Move aside. Otherwise..."
*Crack, crack...*
Oh, he’s radiating magic power and freezing the surroundings. To be able to do that so casually—was his magical talent actually higher than Samantha’s? Both of them are completely off the charts now, though.
However, the idiot noble smirked at the father’s actions and drew his sword.
"Unauthorized use of magic within the Royal Castle confirmed!! There’s no way your magic attack will reach me at this distance!!"
Ah, I see. It’s a "This is the Imperial Palace!" kind of trap. But this guy really is an idiot. Since he froze the area around the father, he naturally froze the floor of the hallway too...
*Whoosh—!!*
"Whoa—!? Y-You schemed against me, Hugh!?"
*CRASH!!*
He disappeared into a massive vase at the corner of the hallway.
"Do something about that thoughtless fool. Honestly, I’ll be reporting this to His Majesty."
"W-who do you think will believe such a thing without evidence!!"
"Oh, but I do have evidence. Don't I, son?"
The gaze was directed at the video camera I was holding. I had recorded the whole thing perfectly, without missing a beat. Ah, so he intentionally took the bait to get this on film. Yeah, this father is sharp.
"Got it all on tape, Father."
We shook hands firmly. I see, the person the father wanted to eliminate most was this guy.
"...You both have such nice smiles. But I don't want you to have that kind of relationship with Master."
"Well, honestly, I’d rather you pay attention to us than get along with Father."
"As expected of the former head and the Master!! With this, the Dokusen family is surely doomed!!"
Sasari was cheering "Hya-ha!", which I’m not sure about, but...
"Let’s hurry. My wife and Runo are likely already taking action. We can’t waste any more time."
With that, we strode through the Royal Castle, heading not to the audience chamber, but to a private room, where he spoke to the soldiers standing at the door.
"The head of the Duke Hugh family has arrived!!"
*“Huh? Hugh? What is it? Don't start with that stiff, troublesome nonsense again. Get in here!!”*
That reply could be heard all the way out in the hallway, and the door swung open.
...Wait a second, what is that vibe? Is the person inside, by any chance...?
"Yo, Hugh. It’s been a while, we’ve both become old men, haven't we!! But I can still go at it in my prime!!"
The man who said that was an old guy who instantly drew a rugged sword from the wall and took a stance, while another old guy stood beside him, clutching a piece of parchment and holding his head in his hands.
"...Your Majesty. Duke Hugh is merely observing proper etiquette. Could you please..."
"You’re too stiff, too. Put that parchment down. It’s been ages since the three of us were together. Let’s have a blast talking!! Yeah?"
" "Shut up!! You said that last time and then tore up the documents!!" "
The father and the old man with the parchment chanted in unison.