Baronet Bjorn Yandel. There was not the slightest blink in the marquis' eyes as he pronounced that name. If Erwen or Amelia had looked at me with those eyes, I would have confessed all my misdeeds before getting into more trouble. That's how sure the look was.
But the marquis was different from those two. There was nothing more naive than believing in the eyes of a politician who had gone through all kinds of conflicts and had managed to remain in the position of second in command of the kingdom for decades.
«Marquis, I think there has been a misunderstanding». I didn't rule out the possibility that he was groping me and maintained an air of ignorance.
Of course, the marquis didn't even play along with me. «It's very uncomfortable to hear you talk like that. I still vividly remember the day you were awarded your degree».
«...Is Erwen the reason you have the wrong idea?»
«I understand the position you are in, so I won't condemn you for lying to me. But...» On the other side of the crystal ball, the marquis sat forward in his chair and rested his elbows on the table top. «In order for us to have a proper conversation, it seems that I have to create a situation where you have no choice but to admit it».
A situation where you have no choice but to admit it? Were you thinking about using a lie detection spell or a Numeric Object as Wrong Trust? Or torture? Although I kept my poker face, I shuffled several possibilities in my head, but in the end, all of those theories were wrong.
«Let me start with this». The marquis chose the conversation option. «Baronet Yandel, there is no need to be on guard. I am one of the few people who know that you are not an evil spirit».
So, coming out strong from the jump, huh?
When she learned my identity, what had surprised Amelia the most was this: how could I, an evil spirit, receive a noble title?
«Hmm, now that I think about it, it's possible that the palace was silent on purpose. Since at that time you were little less than a hero in the city».
That was the hypothesis Amelia came up with then, and I also thought it had some degree of credibility.
But if what the marquis just said is true, that means he didn't really know.
Of course, there was also the possibility that the marquis was knowingly provoking me. I decided to keep my mouth shut and listen to him for now. In the game, there were times when going second could be more advantageous than going first. He could act after hearing everything he had to say.
«Riehen Schuitz and Baronet Bjorn Yandel. It's a waste of time to get into the similarities between these two adventurers so I won't go over them. Is that okay with you?»
«Yeah, well, I've been mistaken for him several times, so...».
When I nodded, the marquis went over one by one the reasons why he was convinced that I was the baronet. «First of all, confirming that you were not Riehen Schuitz was easy. I was able to hear the entire story of the employee who happened to damage and throw away your file».
Apparently, they revealed that a woman had come to threaten them. It was then that the marquis' suspicions began to deepen.
«Of course, at first I thought it was nonsense. But do you know what the most important part of administrative work is? Just look at the numbers. No matter how logical and reasonable an explanation is, if the numbers don't add up, it is false. That was exactly your case».
Bjorn Yandel was dead. The marquis explained that when he discarded that premise, all the dots began to connect.
«You were too strong to be Baronet Bjorn Yandel, of course. But if they gave you two years and enough resources, it was entirely possible that you could be so powerful. So the question was how you evaded detection for so long. This also made sense if you weren't staying in town».
If not in the city, where? That was too obvious.
«When you disappeared on Farune Island, you came into contact with people from Noark, correct?»
The timing was too suspicious to be a coincidence. In fact, as a result of his investigation, he learned that I had reappeared two years later in the now abandoned underground fortress, which was said to have a passage leading to the outside world.
«You appeared right after Blood Spirit headed there».
Now that I saw it from his perspective, it was not in vain that the gentleman broke down the door of my house and accused me of collusion. At the time, I thought it was just an excuse to bring me here.
«Now, I would like to hear your opinion on my theory». The marquis looked at me from beyond the crystal ball and smiled. It was a theory that deserved confidence. After all, it was a much more likely explanation than the idea that he had been traveling in time for two years.
I only had one thought after listening to his long monologue. It seemed like he wasn't saying it to provoke me, but because he really believed it.
Should I call this a case of excellent imagination or lack thereof...? I didn't realize that you could interpret my story that way too.
I didn't have to think about it much, because I always prioritized my goals in order of importance. My first concern was our survival, the second was to retake the identity of Bjorn Yandel and the third was to clear up suspicions that I was an evil spirit. When I entered this conversation, I already had my priorities set.
«As I expected, you are smart, Prime Minister».
I took off Riehen Schuitz's mask and revealed my barbaric self. The reason was simple. For me, the most important thing to clear up the accusation of being an evil spirit was to get my name back. Whether he knew me as an evil spirit or a traitor, it didn't matter. That particular matter could be easily resolved with enough negotiation.
If he was going to kill me for being a traitor, he wouldn't have called me here to talk in the first place.
«Yes, I'm Bjorn Yandel. So long without seeing each other, Marquis.» Not for the first time, I realized that words had power. If they didn't, there would be no way to remove my human facade with such confidence that I would face any challenge that came my way from now on.
That's much better.
«Haha, thank goodness. It would have been very inconvenient for you to continue denying it». I chuckled at the marquis' sharp words.
Disadvantage, huh?
This was the main reason why I had obediently revealed my identity. After this, he would no longer bother to converse, but would devote himself to objects. And if he found out that the objects weren't working on me, it was obvious that his attention would be focused on Erwen, Amelia, and Raven. If they were investigated enough, it would only have been a matter of time before the truth behind this absurd misunderstanding was revealed. That being the case, I decided it was best to face it calmly so I could get to the real point of this conversation. After all, deceiving others was now my specialty too.
«Now we can finally talk business». The marquis cut off the chatter and lowered his voice. «Baronet Yandel, why have you allied yourself with Noark?»
«Is that important?»
«That kind of uncooperative attitude doesn't work. I know you are an intelligent man».
«I can't really say I took his side. I was only there temporarily to work towards my goal».
The marquis looked at me in silence. The more I did it, the prouder I straightened my shoulders. Although I wasn't completely wrong. Actually, I went back in time and stayed in Noark for six months. Not to mention, I even broke the castle lord's skull.
«...It doesn't look like you're lying...»
Fruit.
«Oh, sorry. I have gas». That really wasn't intentional. Actually, I had been feeling bloated since before.
«I guess you were nervous.» Did my sudden hiccups change my mood? The marquis did not interfere and continued forward. «Anyway, can I understand then that you don't work with them now?».
«Of course».
«Even if you say that, I still can't accept it. If you're not a spy, why have you been hiding your identity?»
«The palace announced that I was an evil spirit. I was thinking of finding out why they did it before clearing my name».
«You distrusted us, huh? I see, that could explain it». The marquis nodded.
Now it was my turn. The best way to get information was to exchange questions, right? «And, while we're at it, why did the palace make that announcement? I'm sure you would know the reason».
«I can't tell you. Just think of it as a politically motivated movement. Besides, at that time we didn't even know you were alive».
This was what I had asked myself the most, but I didn't end up receiving any explanation. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed, but I kept going without regret. «So tell me this: what do you want from me? If you really thought I was a traitor, you would have killed me instead».
«The palace doesn't handle things that way».
Yes of course. Every time I return from the palace, my body reeks of all kinds of plague.
«So you're saying you don't want anything from me?»
«If you were a spy, I planned to gain your favor and use you in the war.»
You see, that answer came out directly without any insistence. «That's unfortunate.»
«Well, there is nothing to be disappointed about. Our current situation is not that bad either.»
«It's not that bad?»
«Wars always need heroes».
Gosh, did you forget that you announced that I'm an evil spirit?
To be honest, I was shocked to hear him say something so shameless, but I was sure I had gotten to the position I was in because I was that kind of person.
«Baronet Bjorn Yandel, returns to work for the palace».
«And why should I?»
«Because you need us.»
«Well, I don't know anything about that.»
When I once again rejected him, the marquis showed his true colors. «Whether you broke ties with Noark or not, the fact is that you once joined forces with them. That is sufficient cause for prompt execution».
«Simply put, will it make all that go away if I join my forces with yours?»
«Not just disappear. I will help you recover your name and your noble title, of course.»
«And the advertisement?»
«The people will accept any story if it makes enough sense». It seemed that the marquis had already mapped out how he wanted to proceed here. «Didn't you say you only stayed in Noark to accomplish one goal? If you feel emotionally reluctant to do what I ask, think of this as a deal».
I felt weird. No, should I say uncomfortable? That was because he had been anticipating the worst-case scenario, thinking he had entered the den of the wolf.
How can things go so easily...?
Things were progressing so smoothly in my favor that I was actually getting anxious. My heart was beating hard.
«Baronet, if you have made a decision, will you give me your answer?»
My options were limited. Even if the marquis and the palace were up to something shady, what could he do about it right now? I just had to accept this offer and find out his point of view on my own later.
«Okay. Tell me in more detail how you are going to restore my title and what you want in return». When I expressed my agreement, the marquis nodded satisfied. But the moment he was going to say something, a strong tremor shook the garden.
¡Kwa claim!
I wondered what caused that commotion, and the marquis soon gave me an idea. «Wow, it looks like he's come. Although I didn't think it was so unbridled». It must have been Erwen. «Let's continue this conversation another time. You should calm her down before things get more out of control».
«..I will do it.»
That marked the end of our discussion for that day.