Chapter 219
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I can see Ryūgūin quietly taking a deep breath in and out.
In that moment, as if his previous panic had been a lie, he puts on a brazen expression and stares straight ahead.
「Well, I don’t remember,」 he says.
With a smile on his face, he continues speaking.
「You know, when you start asking someone if they remember something, that already shows you’re suspicious of them. Don’t you think that’s quite rude?」
He shrugs his shoulders in an exasperated manner.
「Was it… Chancellor Majison?」
He asks mockingly.
「It’s Madison. More importantly, I have many more things I need to ask you—」
Ryūgūin interrupts his words.
「Many more things? Earlier you said you wanted to discuss what happened between when I was summoned until I conquered the Blade Dungeon. Perhaps that paper in your hand is filled with incidents that supposedly occurred during that time?」
「’Supposedly occurred?’ You speak as if this doesn’t concern you. Hero, you’re not just some uninvolved third party—you’re already in the thick of it.」
「Ah, I see, I see, so that’s how it is. Fine, fine, let’s continue this discussion then. Knowing you people, you must have thoroughly investigated all the incidents that occurred during that period. I understand. I totally get it. So, did you find even a single piece of evidence that I did anything?」
Ryūgūin tilts his head with a 「Hmm?」
「I understand. You don’t have any evidence that I did it, right? Of course you don’t! That’s natural! Because I didn’t do anything! The person who did it—you people know who it is, don’t you?」
He suddenly spreads both arms wide. It’s an exaggerated, theatrical movement.
Madison answers his question with silence.
「What a coincidence, I know too.
The answer is ‘Yamada Ichiro.’
He did everything! The pharmacist’s daughter? I don’t know anything about her, but I’m sure Yamada threatened her like this: ‘If you don’t do as I say, I won’t save this country!’」
Ryūgūin continues on.
「Of course that’s how it is. That’s just how things are now. That’s just how it turned out. No matter where you look or who you ask, the answer’s the same. It won’t change. Yamada did it. It’s just a law of nature at this point.」
You can see his engine revving up even more.
「I mean, what is this? Some farce to string me up?
If so, there’s something that makes sense. Earlier, when the Holy Knight was being praised, I almost laughed. I mean, fundamentally, there’s no way there could be any decent people among the Holy Knights who are the same as Yamada.
In this world, it’s already common knowledge that ‘Holy Knights are cowardly and arrogant criminals,’ right? Yet there they were, getting all puffed up over some stinking praise, even shedding tears of joy. I had to watch such an idiotic exchange—it was completely pathetic.」
Ryūgūin doesn’t notice the temperature dropping around him. Or perhaps he’s maintaining this stance despite noticing it.
「…Well, that’s to be expected. Of course you would deny it. As you say, no clear evidence has emerged that proves you did it.」
Madison throws the paper in his hand behind him, and an attendant hands him a new document.
「Then what about this? Your numerous misdeeds in Lemone—we have evidence in spades for these. Do you have anything to say in your defense?」
Madison’s voice isn’t particularly loud, but it carries the solemnity of someone who has weathered many storms.
「I suppose that paper is also filled with trivial matters? No, it’s fine, don’t read it. It would be a waste of time.
I can already imagine what you’re trying to pin on me. You’re so predictable. I’ll say it again—I didn’t do anything. Just ask him. Hilbert!!」
The man Ryūgūin calls out to is the same one who had dealt with Ryūgūin’s earlier misconduct in the guest room. He steps forward to stand beside Ryūgūin, in front of Madison and the others.
「The Hero has called your name, but do you have anything to say in his defense?」
Ryūgūin shrugs and affects an air of resignation.
「Tell them, Hilbert! Tell them how much I wished for the people’s happiness and how hard I worked to conquer the Time Dungeon!!」
Hilbert narrows his eyes at Ryūgūin’s words, glances at him once, and then answers Madison’s question.
「Chancellor Madison, before I speak about Sir Hero, please forgive me if any of my words seem disrespectful.」
Madison nods at his words, saying 「You’re forgiven」 and gestures for him to 「Please continue.」
「While I cannot speak to events before I began supporting Sir Hero, I am aware of virtually everything that has happened since then.
To begin with, since meeting me, he has never once entered a dungeon, let alone picked up a sword.
Moreover, he is slave to his desires, spending all his time engaging in relations with the women I arranged for him. He also has a very short temper—if anyone talks back to him even slightly, he flies into a rage and becomes violent. It wouldn’t be surprising if Sir Hero, being so lustful and short-tempered, did anything at all. 」
Hilbert lifts his bangs, revealing a particularly large scar. 「This scar, 」 he says, 「was given to me by him. 」
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