The Hero Party Couldn’t Kill Me

Chapter 8: Second Revenge (1)

A few days later. Inside Roswell, vicious rumors began to circulate.

There were rumors that Iris Rossier had poisoned her father.

“What nonsense is that? Wasn’t he the one who grieved more than anyone else when the duke died?”

“I’m just saying this now, but I get the feeling that the Duke was overly sad at that time….”

“Ugh! Where are you saying such blasphemous things? Neither do you. Who wants to believe such nonsense?”

Of course, most people still don’t believe the rumors.

However, few people raised their suspicions accordingly.

“But think about it. Isn’t it Prince Fleance who was originally nominated as the next head of the family? I’m sorry to say this, but in fact, if the current duke had been alive for a long time, the current duke would not have been able to rise to that position.”

“Well, come to think of it, it is unusual for a woman to inherit the position of head of the family like the current duke.”

“First of all, isn’t it too strange? For the past 30 years, Lucas, who has been consistently manufacturing medicine for the former duke and has been close to him, suddenly poisons him?”

“It could have been a mistake.”

“Isn’t the timing too exquisite to call it a mistake?”

“… That’s what I heard.”

And I mingled with the people and told them the truth bit by bit.

With this, people began to be persuaded one by one.

– Have you been instigating people like this?

After talking with the people, Mina, who was hiding in my shadow, said a word telepathically.

– Agitation. I’m telling you the truth.

– I’m glad it’s true. However, rumors spread slower than expected. Will this work?

– Don’t worry. Because there are other cards.

I said as I moved to the market place. I saw children playing there.

“Ring around the rosies”

(Let’s go around the rose)

Pocket full of positions

(A bag full of flowers)

Iris! Iris!

(Iris! Iris!)

We all fell down!

(We all fell)”

For now, the children sing in a version with only the third line changed.

However, unlike before, the fact that Iris’s name was called directly was a big change.

– It’s already explicit, don’t adults stop it?

– See other people’s reactions directly. Don’t you still think it’s just a children’s song?

– Well, Iris doesn’t have one meaning.

And so far, there have been no mishaps that have been stopped by other adults.

However, to the main character of the song, it will already feel like he is being sniped. I don’t know when she’ll hear this song, but if she does, I hope she reacts as furiously as possible.

The more you do, the more the rumor will spread.

– I have a question, is this all? There is no concrete evidence yet.

– It’s urgent. I’ve already written other numbers besides this one. And now I’m on my way to write the last card.

– Can I go with you?

– Well, the person I’m going to meet this time is a wizard. Are you sure you won’t be caught?

– There is nothing to be discovered unless you are the wizard of the Noir Mage Tower.

– Yes, then I’ll be watching from there.

I changed direction while communicating with Mina telepathically.

I’m heading to the pharmacy of Clovis, Lucas’ disciple.

Unlike before, the broken windows have been repaired and the interior has been tidied up. But still no one else was seen inside.

“Welcome… Oh, and you?”

“It’s been a while.”

Clovis recognized me at a glance because I was wearing the same makeup as when we met before. It must have left a very strong impression then.

“What happened this time? Another matter related to Duke Rossier?”

“Yes.”

“… Come in at once. It’s hard for other people to hear.”

Clovis hurried me into the pharmacy. After closing the door again, he let out a long sigh.

“I can see you are trying to suggest something sinister.”

“It is to reveal the truth. Do you know the rumors that are floating in the world right now?”

“I have ears, so I have heard. In fact, it’s strange that such rumors are spreading now.”

“At that time, everyone was in an atmosphere of remembrance. Anyway, what I want to say is, isn’t it time to clear Lucas-sama’s false accusation? Shouldn’t we restore his honor?”

“It sounds like you are being told to jump on the bandwagon. I’m sorry, but I don’t intend to. I know that my life is not worth it.”

“I’m not asking you to point out Duke Rossier as the culprit. Just state the clear facts. Lucas-sama wasn’t the one who made a mistake, and he was the one who even prepared an antidote in case of an emergency. And perhaps even that he ingested the petals of the Mystic Rose through an unknown route to the former duke.”

“… ….”

“What lies here? Oh yeah. It could be something other than Mystic Rose, but in any case, isn’t the previous duke one who would make mistakes?”

“But won’t people criticize me if I reveal it now?”

“If someone asks you that, be honest. People will understand. In fact, if I had told you this at the time, they wouldn’t have listened. Rather, you might have been judged immediately.”

“And, as you know, this is not conclusive evidence. Anyway, the antidote Lucas-sama should have taken that day must have already been disposed of, and it was too late to perform an autopsy on the previous duke.”

“As long as people know exactly how Duke Rossier was poisoned, that’s enough. Leave the rest to me.”

At my last words, Clovis looked at me questioningly.

“I asked you then, but what the hell is it? Why are you trying to frame the Duke of Rossie as the real culprit?”

“Because it is the truth.”

“And what kind of power do you have?”

I made up my mind when he asked. Since I was on the boat with him anyway, I needed to tell him the truth too.

“If you swear not to tell anyone what you see here, I will reveal your identity.”

“… I promise.”

“No, don’t talk, make a contract. In case of violation… Yes, I’d rather take your life.”

“What….”

“That’s how serious it is. Instead, I promise to do it too. I will risk my life to protect you.”

When I put the right conditions on it, Clovis reluctantly signed the contract. After being stamped, he said.

“Now, reveal your true identity.”

At the same time, I never took off my mask. Then, his half lifeless eyes widened.

“Everyone, you… ….”

“Yes, I am Edmund. On the day I defeated the demon king, the party of warriors tried to kill me.”

“And this is how you seek revenge?”

Realizing my identity, Clovis asked. His voice trembled, and his body shrank.

As expected, am I the object of fear to him? I felt disappointed.

“Revenge… Yes, it is. But don’t focus only on revenge. This is to do justice. For the sake of the former Duke Rossier, and for Lucas-sama.”

“… ….”

“Does it feel like an elixir? That b*tch, Iris, was blinded by the headship and murdered his father. And she framed Lucas-sama, who had known her for a long time, to death. Do you really think it’s right for her to live comfortably?”

“… You are right. But I am a coward. I am afraid of retaliation.”

“Isn’t that what I promised? I will risk my life to protect you. I can even arrange a shelter for you if you want.”

Of course, you need Marion’s permission to hide, but… Thinking of Mina’s time, there’s absolutely nothing that can’t be done.

“… It’s a hiding place. Please just protect me and this workshop.”

“Okay.”

For the time being, Mina and I will have to take turns guarding this pharmacy. If necessary, you can also get help from the Imperial Guard.

“I… Let me ask you one thing. Really duke… No, can you punish Iris Rossier?”

Before I left, Clovis asked me one last time.

I reassured him with a light smile.

“I promise. She will surely fall.”

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“… I will believe you.”

Clovis nodded his head as if he had made up his mind. His lifeless eyes lit up again.

Seeing that, he was relieved. After he said hello to him, he left the pharmacy.

– Hey, I didn’t expect you to reveal your identity there.

Mina, who had been silently listening, opened her mouth.

– So, how do you feel?

– I feel it again, but it’s a pity that you remain as a vengeful ghost.

– Didn’t you see his expression earlier? As soon as I revealed my identity, I was terrified. I am that kind of person to people.

– That’s my strength. How many powerful people in this world are suppressed by fear.

– That’s not the normal way to dominate. It has a huge adverse effect.

– That’s a desirable belief. So it’s even worse

– … Stop it

I overheard Mina’s words and headed back to the city.

I was going to keep spreading the rumor until the sun went down.

***

As rumors about her spread little by little, Iris, not yet aware of the seriousness of her situation, invited the Duke of Valois to her mansion.

She knew she would decline, of course, but the Duke of Valois unexpectedly accepted the invitation.

“Welcome.”

“I was surprised by the sudden call. Except for the original meeting, we rarely meet face-to-face like this.”

“I thought it was an important word to have a conversation only with a crystal ball. Please understand.”

Iris ushered him into her conference room. Immediately, her servant served her tea to her and the Duke of Valois.

“So why did you call me this way?”

The Duke of Valois asked while taking a sip of tea. Iris looked at the teacup for a while, then looked straight into the eyes of the Duke of Valois and said.

“I think it would be better not to do something that takes our strength away from each other for the time being.”

“You are proposing a truce.”

“I remembered what Archduke Charles emphasized to us. Raising power is important, but maintaining that power is also important. Our fighting is trampled in his eyes.”

“I agree with that story. We can’t benefit from being divided among ourselves right now.”

Up to this point, both Iris and the Duke of Valois agreed.

But the problem comes next.

“… But it’s unpleasant. In the end, do you hear me telling you to put down your pride and submit to yourselves?”

“You may be ignoring me now because I am young and female, but think about it. Originally, House Rossier was superior to House Valois. It was like that with my father, and it is like that now.”

“So, you mean to be obediently crushed?”

The expression of the Duke of Valois was distorted. But in fact, Iris wasn’t wrong.

As it was originally, he couldn’t dare to do anything about it. The reputation of the Rossier family, which produced even the previous warriors, was high, and it was only that their political capabilities were not proven, and Iris’s achievements were also superior to those of the Duke of Valois.

Even though it’s a parachute, the title of being a member of the warrior’s party is absolutely not an illusion.

“Yes, I admit it. I underestimated you too much. It is also true that I acted in vain.”

“… Thank you for your understanding.”

“But, there are definitely things I need to point out.”

“What is that?”

At the moment I thought it was strange that the Duke of Valois seemed to be stepping back, he smiled meaningfully.

“There are rumors going around about you. I want to check whether it is true or not.”

“What are the rumors?”

An ominous iris. The Duke of Valois took something of his from his inner pocket and threw it at Iris.

Seeing that, Iris’ expression instantly hardened like a stone.

Now, it was Mystic Rose that I got tired of every time I saw it.

After checking Iris’ reaction, the Duke of Valois narrowed his eyes and said.

“I heard you assassinated the Duke of Rosie the previous day?”