The anti-Robin countermeasures are working, though I have mixed feelings about this.
It seemed that Master Robin had completely lost interest in me, and he didn’t turn to look at me again. This should help with Lord Nazel’s frustration.
All that’s left is to watch over the discussion.
For the time being, Prince Leonardo was able to quietly continue the conversation.
“Therefore, Robin’s magic isn’t the saint’s. Your spy told us that you’re searching for someone who could be the saint, Prince Rivage. However, I will tell you the truth on this occasion. Robin’s magic is slight purification and recovery that can only soothe the mind a little. Because my older sister Mia once went around exaggerating about his magic, baseless rumors spread in various places. We have also been troubled by them.”
Master Robin intentionally put people in an absent-minded state when using his magic, which he abused to toy with people, but his magic was actually meant to put people at ease somewhat. The healing aspect of his magic might closely resemble the saint’s magic, but he was no saint.
“To begin with, if Robin truly was the same as a saint, we wouldn’t have locked him up in the Sempli Convent. Even if his personality is rotten to the core, we would have thought of a way to make more effective use of him,” Prince Leonardo said.
“Huh? What a cheeky prince. Who the hell do you think you are to ‘make more effective use of’ me?” Master Robin spluttered indignantly. However, his complaints were completely ignored. Prince Rivage wasn’t interested in Master Robin anymore either.
The discussion continued, with Master Robin making a fuss and everyone ignoring him, and it was decided that everything would be settled with reparations from Myzahn.
“Then the reparations will be as written here...” After arranging a detailed agreement, Prince Rivage promptly headed back to Myzahn. He stayed indifferent and showed no hint of kindness to the end.
The storm had already passed, so transportation using mountbeasts was easy now. The Myzahnis would be able to cross the ocean without too much trouble.
With negotiations over, Prince Leonardo left the fortress and returned to the estate with us. He looked dejected and exhausted, and Lord Nazel was cheering him up. I’d gotten changed out of my traditional attire and listened to their conversation.
“You were impressive, Your Highness. You were able to progress the discussion even without me taking the lead,” Lord Nazel said.
“But...you helped me here and there, Nazelbart,” Prince Leonardo replied.
“That was my role. But I think this was a good experience for you as you take on a diplomatic role for our country.”
Prince Leonardo looked a bit thoughtful for a moment before nodding.
“Yes, you’re right. I built up some resistance.” It was great to see that Prince Leonardo had grown up from the timid man who relied on Lord Nazel for everything. “Incidentally, about the Myzahni spy, if he has nowhere to go, then we—”
“We plan to take him in here in Sutrena.”
“But that will burden—”
“We’ll take him in,” Lord Nazel repeated with a grin.
The two of them knew that Defi’s magic was actually absolute release.
“Nazelbart. Since Defi was the one who helped Robin escape, I believe that it would be best for him to be under the country’s control. So I’d like to take him under the royal family’s care.”
“I refuse. It looks like Agnes also wants to take him in, and Defi himself probably wants to stay here too.”
“If you do that, don’t blame me if Defi steals Lady Agnes from you. They seemed to be getting along pretty well during the confer— Grmgh!”
“Shut up.”
Lord Nazel created a carnivorous-looking plant which gobbled up Prince Leonardo’s head. It didn’t seem to have injured him, but his voice got muffled and was no longer audible.
A struggle for Defi has casually started. Even though he’d originally worked for Myzahn, it seemed that Lord Nazel and the prince both wanted someone who not only possessed a rare type of magic but had also proven himself highly skilled.
“Then let’s have Defi himself decide,” Lord Nazel suggested with a smile after freeing Prince Leonardo from the plant.
Defi, who’d been brought along with us, had been quietly watching over them, but he started getting nervous when he was suddenly asked for his own opinion. He’d never had the opportunity to voice his true feelings before, so he got perplexed when he was put in this kind of situation. I’d suggested that he could stay in Sutrena during the meeting, but I hadn’t received a firm answer from him yet.
“Lord Nazel, it looks like Defi’s troubled. How about giving him a little time to think about it?” I proposed.
“You’re so kind, Agnes.” Lord Nazel turned to me with a smile and embraced me. “Oh, of course you aren’t just kind, but also cute, intelligent, brave, virtuous—”
“Hey, Nazelbart. Come back to reality.” Looking a bit weirded out, Prince Leonardo stopped Lord Nazel as he started going out of control. “Also, I need to return to the capital, so I can’t leisurely wait for Defi’s answer.”
“I wanted to prioritize Agnes’s suggestion, but...I guess there’s no other choice.” Lord Nazel freed me from his arms and addressed the confused Defi. “Defi, according to the earlier discussion, you are now a free man. However, as the margrave of this land, I can’t immediately let you go unchecked. In other words, I need you to decide, right here and now, where you’ll stay for the time being. To be more specific, your two options are Sutrena or the capital.”
“Yes...” Defi nodded, looking like he’d readied his resolve. “I understand how both of you feel. The kindhearted Lady Agnes made a lax proposal, but I expected to remain under surveillance from now on as I stayed in Desnim.”
I looked at Defi with my mouth hanging open. Lord Nazel gave some gentle support to comfort me.
“That’s one of the great things about Agnes. There aren’t many women who would be kind even to a foreign spy. Besides...”
Prince Leonardo sensed that the conversation was about to get derailed again, so he hurriedly interjected.
“So, Defi, do you want to live in the capital or in Sutrena? In either case, you won’t be imprisoned as long as you don’t commit any crimes. If you pick the capital, I will take care of everything for your daily life.” It was a generous offer.
However, it seemed that Defi’s mind was already set, as he turned to face Prince Leonardo and started speaking apologetically.
“I am terribly grateful for your offer, but I’d like to remain in Sutrena with Lady Agnes.”
I looked up at him in surprise.