Evidence of Previous Life
「My previous life’s name was「Lyle Dist」. I was Sobule Kingdom’s Royal Court Mage.」
The room goes into a commotion.
「Lyle Dist…? Impossible…」
It seems there’s many people that recognise this name.
「Well, it’ll be difficult to prove my relation to my previous life. However, coming from a different world, whether you believe me or not, I can speak this world’s language at least, Gildas Somur Lambert knew Lyle Dist, and so forth, there are several things which I seem to understand*. There’s no time to answer questions so I’ll go ahead and start my hypothesis.」 *[r1]
I cut off my words and moisten my lips.
「Regarding the subject of Gildas Somur Lambert killed Lyle Dist, in my previous life, I was given the mission to head to the neighbouring country, Serbatos Republic, for a diplomatic visit. Whilst returning at the end of our mission, we were at an area half a day’s walk away. Our group which took on the mission was attacked. It was most likely an ambush. From the way the bandit’s spoke, they were most likely hired by someone. The bandit’s numbered 60, our group including Lyle Dist numbered 21, we lost in numbers but we had the mage Lyle Dist, we expected to be able to deal with them.」
I looked at Gildas for a brief moment.
Gildas’ face was sweating and had a surprised expression.
「We took the initiative and shot off a fireball, once the melee battle started, I started manipulating a Fire Arrow, at that time, Gildas Somur Lambert who happened to a guard, pierced my chest from behind. At the time Lyle Dist collapsed, he saw the face of Gildas Somur Lambert gripping the sword which had pierced his chest, and so, that was the reason I said someone had hired them. What Lyle saw before his death was several knights, which were supposed to be allies, attacking the remaining knights.」
Once I finished, I observed the King’s face.
His face showed that he was puzzled on how he should judge this.
「LIAR! A FABRICATED STORY! I DID NO SUCH THING!」
Gildas screamed wildly.
He sure is a stubborn guy.
「To suddenly believe in such a story… Lyle-dono certainly went on such a mission, I did hear he was attacked by bandits when returning to the castle from the Republic. That was also the time Lyle-dono pa.s.sed away. It’s identical to the place I heard about. However. Gildas and several others that survived certainly at that time returned and reported that; the bandits were annihilated, half the knights and Lyle-dono were killed. It may be hard for you to believe, but Gildas is the Captain of the Imperial Guards and also an excellent knight. Killing Lyle-dono, as well as allied knights is too unbelievable…」
The King expresses his worries.
「It’s not possible to prove if those words are true. At any rate, Lyle-dono died 25 years ago. There isn’t any remaining evidence.」
Fumu, so the me from my previous life died 25 years ago? What an unexpected place to obtain this information.
「At the very least, I may be able to prove that I was Lyle Dist in my previous life.」
「How will you do it?」
「Before that, can you force that guy to be silent? He’s noisy so he’ll interfere with my story.」
Gildas is persistent, he’ll keep ranting on incomprehensibly.
Our conversation will be obstructed.
A single phrase from the King,「Remain Silent」was said, a gag was forced into his mouth by another knight.
It’s still a bit noisy, but it’s cons
iderable better.
While recollecting knowledge from my previous life, I nimbly look through the room, and identify some faces which I recognise.
「Let’s begin with the King. Your name is Lantis Il Sobule, you were taught by Lyle Dist since you were a child. If I remember correctly, you were 24 years old when Lyle Dist pa.s.sed away. You enjoyed sword training as a child, the knights had to bring you back to the castle several times since you always snuck out. At the age of 8, you got kidnapped when you snuck out of the castle. Around the age of 10, you sliced a vase in half with a wooden sword in Lyle Dist’s office. Around the age of 12…」
I pick out my knowledge about the King, and arrange them in order.
12 years old was his first love, wasn’t it?
「Okay, that’s more than enough, I understand, don’t say anymore.」
The King had gotten fl.u.s.tered. Even though I was getting to the good part.
「Is that so? There’s still a long way to go…」
Well, it may be troublesome for him if I were to expose his past like that.
I face towards my next target.
「Next is the robed man over there. Ren II Buraias right?」
I shift my attention to the man wearing a robe with a staff.
「Y-Yes!」
His voice creaked.
He seems to be frightened, I wonder why?
「Len Il Briath. Second son of a Count’s household, confirmed to be suitable at Magic at the age of 5, an apprentice of Lyle Dist. Started learning Magic at the age of 6, it was ignition Magic. Around the age of 7, you came back crying after a fight with another child in town. Mastered elementary Magic at the age of 8. Incidentally, at the age of 9, you set your hair on fire after failing to control an Intermediate Magic; Fire Arrow, and so you became bald. At the age of 10 you experienced your first love, your partner was…」
I arrange the information on my incompetent pupil.
「I recognise you! You were my master in your previous life! You are unmistakably Master Lyle!」
Ending midway again? I can still talk for about 30minutes you know?
「Is that so? But there’s still more to talk about… Well for now it should be okay right? Since I’ve been recognized.」
The King and Len-san, I didn’t realise the first time I saw them, I understood 25 years had pa.s.sed since my previous life, so there might be a possibility there’d be someone who I’d recognise, was what I was thinking, unexpectedly it was closer than I thought. If I look carefully, I can see their old features.[r2]
With that said, on the contrary if I didn’t take a close look I wouldn’t have realized it.
Has anything changed in the last 25 years?
However, that mischievous prince became the King and my incompetent pupil became the Royal Court Mage.
I’m deeply moved.[r3]
Before I lost myself reminiscing, the King’s voice emerged.
「You were indeed Lyle-dono, but even thought I recognise you, it’s still hard to believe Gildas murdered Lyle-dono…」
Suddenly declaring something as major as that without any evidence, it’s obvious it’ll cause confusion.
「This is just an a.s.sumption but, it’s likely the one who commissioned Gildas Somur Lambert to kill Lyle Dist was the Prime Minister at that time. The motive would be, before Lyle Dist’s visited the Republic, he investigated the Prime Minister of that time. The contents of investigation was weapon smuggling and embezzlement of the national treasury. Because Lyle Dist obtained evidence before departing to the Republic, he planned on silencing him. I don’t understand it well but just before I died, there were Knights who a.s.sisted in the murder, for them to be included in Lyle Dist’s envoy, I believe the only person who could be linked together with that would be the Prime Minister at that time. If I remember correctly, his name was…」
I dug out his name and face buried in my memories.
「Right, I’m positive its Raglia Or Schnade, the 3rd son of a Baron household I believe.」
That was his name if I’m not mistaken.
Suddenly, I look to see the obedient Gildas with a pale expression and sweat streaming down his face.
「Although it’s just an a.s.sumption, the agreement was likely a rise in status, or something along those lines don’t you think? Knight’s are mostly the second and third son of a n.o.ble, the remaining are commoners. Raising your status amongst the Chivalric Order, isn’t it an attractive reward? To some extent it’s possible using the Prime Ministers power, with his support there’s plenty of merit.」
Right, within the n.o.ble’s ranking there’s no one who could inherit a n.o.ble’s t.i.tle.
The eldest son is expected to inherit the t.i.tle.
Then how about the second and third son who can’t inherit a t.i.tle? They can start a business, but most of them become a knight.
Those that want to be treated as a n.o.ble. will need to complete some sort of achievement to be granted a n.o.ble’s t.i.tle, or else other n.o.bles who don’t have an heir will be adopt other n.o.bles into the family and have no choice but to become the son-in-law.
However, the exception within the Chivalric Order, a General leading 100 men will be given a t.i.tle of Quasi-Baron, a General leading 1000 men will be given a of Baron, and a General leading 10,000 men will be given the t.i.tle of Viscount.
Which is why, the merit of raising your status within the Chivalric Order, for those who can’t inherit a n.o.ble’s t.i.tle like the knights who are the second son and so forth, is exceedingly high.
「Fumu, When you say it like that I can agree*. I’ll direct an investigation on the survivors of the mission」*[r4]
You sure are a King with good senses.
After altering their opinion about my previous life, are they going to easily believe in what I say now?
「And so about the evidence of embezzlement, it’s supposed to be hidden in a vault in Lyle Dist’s office for safe keeping. It should still be there since it’s been concealed with Magic. It cannot be opened unless you unlock it with the keyword anyways.」
I use this opportunity to talk about what I remember from my knowledge
It’s not necessary to keep it hidden away.
「Len is currently occupying Lyle-dono’s office. We can confirm it anytime.」
「I don’t mind but… What should we do about him?」
We gazed towards Gildas who was completely silent.
Gildas’ sluggishly turned his head and looked over to the King.
「Well… Firstly, with no evidence to prove the murder of Lyle-dono, there will be no punishment at this current point. However at this rate, I cannot leave it as it is. Let’s see, drawing his sword despite being in the presence of a King, a.s.saulting not only a guest, but Sedrim’s benefactor, and so, throw him into prison while we conduct an investigation. As for Raglia Schnade, perform an investigation on the suspicion of a.s.sisting the murder of Lyle-dono. Restrain them immediately. The Prime Minister at that time was Lord Sodom Caral Balshnia right?** Once the evidence has been confirmed, the Chivalric Order will immediately start restraining them. Send Gildas to jail. Order the Imperial Guards to go restrain Raglia Or Schnade. I’ll entrust the personnel selection to you. I will head to Ren’s office. The rest will come with me.」
The King swiftly issued orders.
However, Gildas was said to be the Imperial Guard Captain. Speaking of an Imperial Guard Captain, he should be treated equally to a General leading 10,000 men. In other words, a Viscount. And without definite evidence, he was easy restrained in prison… Is that okay?
Well, there’s no point in me pondering about it right?