Chapter 120 (1/2)

Roland and Kudyastoria

Roland N. Zaracia, the boy who studied the art of crossing worlds, was the previous owner of Hikaru's body. The person who brought him into this world.

Margrave Grugschilt wanted to take Roland under his protection?

Hikaru searched Roland's memories. After his parents' death, he was supposed to be taken in by a distant relative in the countryside. But it wasn't the Grugschilt family. As Hikaru was perplexed, Lawrence spoke.

「I heard you lent a fair amount of support to the Viscount's research, my Lord.」

「Indeed. It was more his son's research, really. He perfected the theory.」

「The Order secured the doc.u.ments and materials that the boy left behind.」

The Margrave shook his head.「The things a genius left behind would be too complicated for an average mind to comprehend. The doc.u.ments should be preserved. Once a competent person shows up, they should be handed over to him.」

「I see.」

Hikaru was astonished. He didn't expect Grugschilt to have such a high opinion of Roland. Perhaps the family that was supposed to take Roland in had the a.s.sistance of the Margrave. There could be a number of reasons why he didn't put the boy directly under his protection—it could be that he didn't want to provoke Count Morgstad.

「Either way, this kingdom has to change so incidents like that never happen again.」

「Count Morgstad is no longer with us.」

「But instead the Grand Chamberlain is throwing his weight around, correct? At the end of the day, the problem lies with the king's competency.」

「My Lord, I will not tolerate such criticism towards—」

「Calm down. It's just a trivial matter. Now then, you came here alone. Tell me what you really think.」

「You know what I think? I think Roland killed Count Morgstad in exchange for his life. His only daughter can't be the culprit.」

Hikaru whistled in surprise. It was probably nothing more than the Margrave's hunch or wishful thinking, but he hit the mark.

「My Lord, are you trying to use Sir Gafrasti to stage a coup?」

「I'd very much prefer things to be settled peacefully with no bloodshed.」

「What you said a while ago is indeed very interesting. But it's not enough to replace the current King. Right now, the Order is with him.」

「I know.」

Lawrence looked confused, not expecting Grugschilt's answer.

「Lord Valves.」the Margrave called.

「Yes.」Gafrasti simply nodded, adding more to Lawrence's confusion.

「By the way, Lawrence. Who do you think is fit to be the next ruler?」

「Uh, well… there's the Crown Prince, Austrin G. Ponsonia.」

「I'm asking you who you think is fit to be the kingdom's ruler. Just hypothetically. Humor me.」

「Even hypothetical, it's still disrespectful.」

「What a stubborn man! I'm sure you have someone in mind. Someone who you think can make this kingdom a better place.」

Lawrence had his mouth shut. He didn't say a word, but his silence said there was another candidate besides Austrin.