* * *
“Bati wants you to talk and get lost, so if you know something, spill it. Fast.”
“Lord Zerbin…”
Ugh, what a pathetic bastard.
“Otherwise, Bati says he’ll kill you.”
“Bati… did you say Bati…?”
“Oh wait—don’t tell me. Is this one of those things? ‘If my love’s not returned, then at least let me die by his hand’?”
“Gasp—no! No! I…”
Heros wiped his tears and finally started to speak.
If Bati hadn’t suddenly reached for his sword mid-sentence, it might’ve taken even longer.
“Zeppelin. Dieter Zeppelin, son of the Marquis—he’s about to leave the temple and travel across the country.”
Dieter?
Why would that kid, being coddled at the Grand Temple, suddenly go on some national tour…?
‘No, wait.’
It’s not just a trip.
Now that I think about it, I vaguely remember Dieter saying something like that.
That he’d go around the country helping people suffering from the growing monster problem—raising funds, throwing charity balls in other territories…
To be honest, it was the corrupt nobles that were a bigger thorn in his side, but since he couldn’t do anything about them right away, he said he started by taking their money.
That stuck with me.
He said he wanted to scrape them clean and give it to those in need, but he had no justification to do so.
Hearing that, I remember thinking, ‘He’s really consistent… Makes it hard to even hate the guy.’
For the record, this was after we handed over our emergency funds to the starving civilians.
So then, this means it’s all true.
‘…This is seriously information I desperately needed.’
While he’s staying at the Grand Temple, top-class knights are guarding him from all sides—but the moment he steps outside, there are bound to be gaps.
That’s when guys like me would have a perfect opening to approach.
‘Still, though.’
Why is life so damn ironic?
Why is it that the person handing me this critical piece of intel has to be such a pain in the ass?
Sure, I know it in my head: *’ou never know who might help you, so live kindly.’
But when stuff like this happens, it just feels unfair.
I’ve been living a good life, but he started it.
He was the one who came at me swinging an axe.
Now I’m supposed to thank this jerk for the helpful information and even give him a chance to spar with me?
I really don’t feel like it.
Should I just say I don’t need it?
Pretend it was useless info…?
“I don’t need a reward,” Heros said.
“I… really came because I wanted to help Lord Zerbin. I don’t know what connection the Marquis of Zeppelin has to the false charges, but… I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”
He said it in the most sincere voice I’ve heard from him yet.
“Honestly… I still really hate that things turned out the way they did with you and Raul, but… if that’s Lord Zerbin’s choice, then… well, whatever.”
“Either curse me out or bless Bati. Pick one.”
“…I hope you’re happy. Truly!”
Maybe living in the temple really did bring him some enlightenment.
He said that and left without asking for any kind of reward.
It was the most surprising thing that happened today.
Once I had the information, the rest was simple.
The hardest part of my plan had been: “How the hell am I going to make contact with Dieter?”
“We just need someone from the temple to find out which inn Dieter Zeppelin is staying at after leaving the Grand Temple. Once we know that, we’re more than halfway done.”
“You sure you can really butter up that young noble? He’s an aristocrat, you know.”
Aimone voiced a very reasonable concern.
Honestly, if he’s the cherished heir of the esteemed Zeppelin Marquisate, it’s only natural to assume he’s full of himself.
But this wasn’t the time to say something like “He’s actually a really nice guy once you get to know him.”
I mean, how would I know?
They’d just ask if I’ve met him.
And if I say I have, they wouldn’t believe me anyway.
“Bati, you heard my plan in detail. You think it’s doable, right?”
Much easier than telling the truth:
Borrow the credibility of someone more respected than me!
“Yeah.”
Bati nodded without even a second of hesitation.
That seemed to put Aimone’s doubts to rest too.
Apparently, even he didn’t think Bati, the King of Adventurers, would back me up just because we’re dating.
Honestly, if I hadn’t mentioned that Dieter was part of the Hero’s party, he might’ve answered differently.
“If you’re that confident, I’ll trust you.”
“So what should we do?”
Naike asked.
“You guys just stall the inn’s guards for a bit. Say you’ve been wronged and absolutely have to meet with Young Master Zeppelin. Beg if you have to. Just say you need his help. Nothing else, that’s the key.”
“You want us to make a fuss at the kind of luxury inn a noble heir would stay at? Are you asking us to get arrested?”
Vasco grumbled.
Of all people, the least likely to actually get arrested was the first one to freak out.
Of course, it’s not like I’m sending them in without thinking.
That guy—he’s probably still living in luxury at the Grand Temple.
Yet, he left it behind to collect relief funds and help the people. Isn’t that telling?
If someone’s in pain, he’s the kind of guy who runs straight toward it to find out what’s going on.
Even if my friends did get arrested, he’d probably ask why people who wanted to meet him were being detained and demand they be released.
But obviously, just saying that won’t earn me instant trust.
“It’ll only take a moment. What, don’t you guys trust me?”
I said, a little cockily.
“The place doesn’t even have security. We know where it is. You think I can’t get in?”
A beat of silence.
“Ugh. He’s so annoying.”
“But he’s right, so I can’t even argue. This guy strolls in and out of noble estates like it’s nothing.”
“Exactly. If he can do that, a luxury inn shouldn’t be a problem…”
They seemed more annoyed by my smugness than worried about getting arrested now.
But hey, they still acknowledged me.
Can’t lie—it felt good!
“I’m not even going to have a long conversation with Dieter Zeppelin. I’m just going to leave some documents related to Count Covington. So don’t stress too much about it.”
“Okay, Raul. We’ll trust you.”
Naike smiled gently, looking reassured. That should be enough setup for now.
If some documents suddenly appear in front of Dieter, he’s bound to be curious and read them.
And if they turn out to be evidence of corruption by Count Covington, the King’s faction’s enemy and a tyrant in power?
There’s no way a righteous priest like him would ignore it.
Especially not when it’s solid proof, not just rumors.
Sure, people around him will probably say, “It could be forged,” or “It might be a trap.”
But so what?
If he were the kind of man to back down from that kind of talk, would he really be traveling the country right now in such a dangerous time?
Not a chance.
Once he confirms with his noble connections that the documents are legit, he’ll definitely see this as his chance to root out noble corruption.
It’s something he’s probably already wanted to do.
And then, the first person he’ll look for… will be me.
Because I’m going to put my name on the back of those documents.
Honestly, this is an incredibly risky plan.
Worst case, I’m the only one who gets caught and it ends there.
But I’m betting everything on Dieter Zeppelin’s character.
And this isn’t a gamble.
Because I believe in Dieter.
I trust completely in the goodness and righteousness of Dieter Zeppelin.
In how much he’s fought for people dying for no reason…
* * *
