Dream Life Vol 3 Chapter 22.2: “Taking Responsibility”

“That too. But for you, this is a punishment.” (Zack)

　His eyes widened as I said, “It’s a punishment,” with a surprised expression on his face.

“If I were to report directly to His Excellency the Governor, wouldn’t that mean I would be promoted? Thanks to His Excellency, I would be given a new position…” (Grenfell)

　I interrupted his words with a strong tone, “No!” Then, I drastically changed my tone and berated him in a firm tone.

“You seem to mistake yourself for someone of importance, Mr. Grenfell. You yourself have endangered the life of your lord, the Frontier Count, by your own negligence! Not only that! You let the lives of innocent knights and soldiers end in vain! …Do you think you can compensate for all this with your own life?” (Zack)

　Grenfell is aghast at my words. He understands that it appears to be true, but I don’t really feel that way.

“What you should do is not atone for your lordship and the fallen knights with death, but with your survival…” (Zack)

　At that, I paused.

“I’m not saying this for you. If you choose death, His Excellency’s position will be undermined. If people think that he ordered you to commit suicide like Baronet Gateskell, that’s all it takes. The plan will be rendered meaningless.” (Zack)

　Grenfell looks down, his shoulders shaking. Still, I continued to speak my mind.

“…That’s not all. If we make any mistake here, the Imperial Capital will take this opportunity to order the Northern Governor’s army to dispatch troops. If this happens, even more knights and soldiers will lose their lives. In order to prevent that from happening, we need you alive. ” (Zack)

　The knight commander looked at me with a blatant displeasure at the way I said it.

“It’s unreasonable to say that. Grenfell is also a victim of a trap. What you say is disrespectful.” (Manfred)

　I glared at the Knight Commander and asked in a low voice.

“Then, what will happen after Mr. Grenfell commits suicide has been pushed through?” (Zack)

　Both the Knight Commander and Grenfell are at a loss to answer my question. I continue speaking adding more meaning to my words.

“Let me be clear! Mr. Grenfell’s suicide was an abdication of responsibility! It is nothing more than self-satisfaction!” (Zack)

　At that moment, a murderous atmosphere rose up from the Knight Commander. I dare to ignore it and denounce him further.

“It is a long and painful process to live to make amends. You will probably be pointed at behind your back. If you don’t want to do that, then go ahead and kill yourself! But who will take care of the aftermath? Think about that carefully!” (Zack)

　A serious killing intent was released from the knight commander. He is about the same height as me, but he has a strong, well-trained body, and the intimidation that overflows from his entire body makes me feel physical pressure.

(His swordsmanship skills are probably not much different from mine, but his nearly 30 years of experience on the battlefield is unbelievable. If it weren’t for Grandpa’s training, I wouldn’t even be able to make eye contact…) (Zack)

　I glared back at the commander, feeling cold sweat run down my spine.

　Grenfell changed that tense atmosphere.

“…I understand Master Zacharias’s thoughts. I have dedicated my life and honor to His Excellency. Even if I may be disgraced from now on if it is for His Excellency…” (Grenfell)

　Perhaps he was relieved, his expression filled with agony turned into a bright one that could almost be described as radiant.

“…I made you say something that was hard to say. I’m sorry.” (Zack)

　The knight commander still hadn’t calmed his anger, but he seemed to have lost his fire when he saw Grenfell’s expression.

　I just bowed and walked away.

　This time, I deliberately spoke in a way that pushed the other person into a corner. Because I thought that if I didn’t say this, he wouldn’t stop choosing death as a knight. However, that is not to say that there is no real intention involved.

　Taking responsibility through one’s own death may at first glance appear to be a graceful thing to do, but in my opinion, it is nothing more than an abdication of responsibility. If he wants to take responsibility for his death, he must say so in front of the emperor and have him admit that he will take full responsibility for his death. Perhaps, even if I pointed this out, I thought it would not reach Grenfell, who only wanted death.

　Another purpose was to arouse the Knight Commander’s sympathy. The more angry the Knight Commander became with me, the less angry he would be with Grenfell. I will leave Welburn, but Grenfell will continue to be looked upon with angry eyes by the Knights.

　Although he turned his sword against his master and lost many of his subordinates, thanks to the generous governor, he not only survived, but also gained an important position comparable to that of a knight commander.

　At that time, if the First Knight Commander, the de facto leader of the Northern Governor’s Army, backs him up, his position should improve a little.

　And there was one more objective.

　I sensed that the Frontier Count was trying to win me over. He wanted to make me the guardian of his grandson, Francis, and he had shown his willingness to take up my opinion on many occasions. Furthermore, many people believed that I had saved the life of the Frontier Count in this rebellion.

　Even if I had no intention of doing so, I might be taken in by them. Thinking this, I chose to aggravate my relationship with the knights.

　With knights of bad character, there was a risk of death if I offended them, but there were no knights in the Northern Governor’s Army who would ignore the Governor’s orders and go on a rampage. It was because I saw it that way that I denounced Grenfell in front of Commander Brailsford.

　As a result, the Knight Commander must have disliked me. Originally, he must have had mixed feelings about me, just like Grenfell, because I have killed many of his men. Push that in a slightly negative direction, and there is no reason to favor me.

　The Frontier Count would not try to take me in if he knew there was friction with the knights. If he weighs the support of the knights against my ability, he will surely lean toward the knights.

　This time, the reason why I asked the Frontier Count to make me personally responsible, regardless of the Lockhart family, was so that even if the Knight Commander’s anger turned towards me, I would not cause any trouble to my family or my brother.

　That night, the Frontier Count complained to me with a bitter smile.

“Manfred, Commander Brailsford of the First Knights, has protested. That loyal man has come to yell at me himself.” (Hubert)

“I apologize for the inconvenience,” I said, bowing my head in a dramatic manner.

“I can’t underestimate master after all. Now I can no longer place you as Francis’ guardian… I guess that’s what you were aiming for from the beginning, right?” (Hubert)

　I just smiled vaguely and didn’t answer anything.

　The Frontier Count laughed and said, “Well, that’s fine.”

“Grenfell seems to have understood your thoughts. That alone is enough to thank you.” (Hubert)

　The Frontier Count informs me that the name of the “Imperial Forces” has been officially decided.

“It’s the Welburn Guards. If it’s like that, it looks like a unit named after a city. If it’s called the Imperial Force, they can be said to be aiming for usurpation.” (Hubert)

　It seems that they were conscious of the emperor of the imperial capital, and disliked the name “Imperial Forces,” which could be interpreted as synonymous with the Imperial Guards.

　I decided to forget about other matters and concentrate on the preparations for the grand banquet hosted by the Lockhart family.