The noble’s villa was not especially luxurious, but it was quite spacious.
When a noble held a hunting party here, of course other nobles would be invited, and that meant attendants would have to stay as well. There were enough rooms for it to function as an inn.
Nice. I want one of these too.
At the end of a long corridor, the escorting soldier saluted.
「Here we are.」
「Thank you.」
I smiled and returned the salute lightly.
Perhaps surprised, the soldier stared at my face for a moment.
「What is it?」
「Ah—no, nothing…」
「Even the Grim Reaper smiles, you know.」
It was one of my best jokes, but it got no reaction at all. Leaving the soldier behind, I entered the room.
Truly, we’re hated.
Well, whatever.
「He did his job. Let’s do ours.」
「Y-yes, of course.」
Second Lieutenant Crimine nodded hastily.
「Your face is red. What’s wrong?」
「It’s nothing. Really.」
Since we had walked through the rain, I worried she might have caught a cold. People in this world don’t wash much, so they seem especially vulnerable when wet.
Once we returned to Battalion Headquarters, I’d have her get some warm drinks prepared. Thinking that, I knocked on the heavy-looking door.
A reply came at once.
「Who is it?」
「First Lieutenant Fonkt, Vice-Captain of the Imperial Ceremonial Battalion, Third Company. As promised, we have come for the duel.」
「Good. Enter.」
Cautiously, I stepped inside.
The spacious room held an elderly gentleman enjoying something like chess.
There is no chess in this world, but there is something very similar called “Varchis.” Translated directly, it would be “War Board Game.”
The white-haired old noble was on the thin side, not the robust type. He didn’t look quick, either. No wonder he hadn’t chosen swords or pistols for the duel.
But the deep wrinkles carved into his face, and the predatory glint of his eyes, radiated experience and authority. He looked formidable.
「I’m truly sorry to see young men cut down time after time just to dispose of a worn-out old man like me. It pains my heart.」
That was probably sarcasm. A deliberate provocation.
Of course, to Lord Grien, we are enemies sent to kill him. It’s natural he’d try to shake me mentally.
So I smiled back coolly.
「My apologies. But today will be the end of it.」
This bastard killed my comrade. I’ll never again share foul cheap liquor with First Lieutenant Meinen. Not that I minded—but it pissed me off.
Lord Grien smiled faintly at me.
「Good. I like you. You seem better than that last lieutenant, whatever his name was.」
「I am honored. First Lieutenant Meinen was my classmate, but he was the sort of man who couldn’t even handle a task this simple.」
I’m definitely killing you.
Still smiling pleasantly, I opened the briefcase I had brought.
「You specified ‘poison ingestion’ as the duel method, yes?」
「Indeed. A brave contest in which one carries sweet poison to one’s lips—truly befitting of an Imperial noble.」
If you’re a noble, just fight with a sword, old man. What a pain.
The truth is, this old fox knows poisons well. That’s why he killed both executioners in the past two duels.
And me? I know nothing about poisons. Sorry—no handy knowledge from my previous life.
I have no clue what poisons exist in this world.
「Since this is the third time, I thought it rude not to add a little flourish. So I have prepared something different today.」
Unwrapping embroidered cloth, I revealed a black-lacquered wooden box.
Well, it was basically just a furoshiki wrapping, though that’s not normally used in this Empire.
「Oh? Intriguing.」
「The intriguing part is still to come.」
I lifted the lid.
「Oh!」
It wasn’t surprising that Lord Grien exclaimed.
Inside the partitioned box were small cookies. Of course, cookies alone weren’t interesting—but there was more to them.
「These were made in the image of the knights of the “Gray War.” The dough’s shades express Black Knights and White Knights.」
Long ago, before the Empire was founded, this land had seen a fierce war between Black Knights and White Knights. Whether it was historical fact, I didn’t know. The reason they fought—there were many theories.
Lord Grien leaned over the box, fascinated.
「This resembles the setup of a Varchis match. Both armies about to clash.」
「Appropriate for the scene of a duel, wouldn’t you say?」
Lord Grien grinned.
「A fine touch. A pity to kill you.」
「No need for concern. I will not die.」
You will.
Lord Grien, looking entirely at ease, said to me:
「These pastries were prepared by you. You know which one is poisoned. Therefore, the ones to be eaten will be chosen by me.」
「Yes. Otherwise, the contest would not be fair. Whichever you choose, I must eat.」
Come to think of it, in my previous life there were foods like Russian Roulette with one super-spicy piece hidden. I loved spicy food, so hitting the “jackpot” made me happy.
Ah, how nostalgic those sweets were.
As I thought that, Lord Grien smiled thinly.
「No, no. There’s no need for you to be the one eating.」
「What do you mean?」
Lord Grien pointed straight at Second Lieutenant Crimine.
「The piece I select will be eaten by that young lady instead of you.」
Wait just a damn minute!?