At dawn the next morning, Ren set out on horseback, emerging from the forest to find a village around noon.
It was a small settlement on the plains, with about a dozen houses scattered here and there. Although they didn't have the medicine he had hoped to find just in case, he was able to barter for food instead.
After the trade was finished, the middle-aged woman who had helped him struck up a conversation.
"Where are you two headed?"
"Um... we don’t have a specific destination yet. We’re just traveling."
"I see, I see. Well, if you keep going straight this way, you might want to stop by Clausel."
Ren had been careful not to reveal their destination to avoid any risk, but his brow twitched for a fraction of a second at the mention of the name. Fortunately, the woman didn't notice.
"Is there something happening in Clausel?"
"An adventurer who came through here the other day mentioned it. Word is that Baron Clausel might be facing punishment soon, or something of the sort. I imagine it’ll be quite the stir."
Lithia gasped when she heard those words.
"What do you mean?! Why would that—why is that happening?!"
For a moment, her voice rose in a sharp outburst. However, realizing she needed information, she fought to suppress her surging emotions, desperate not to offend the woman.
"Who can say? According to the adventurer, there are all sorts of suspicions. Some say Baron Clausel set monsters on Viscount Given, things like that."
"T-That’s..."
"I don't know if it's true, mind you. Those adventurers just said they overheard it when they camped with the Viscount’s party on the road."
As she listened, Lithia went pale, standing there in a daze. When the woman looked at her with concern and asked if something was wrong, Ren managed to force a smile.
It was time to leave.
"She hasn't been feeling well since yesterday," Ren explained.
"Oh, you poor thing. Are you alright? You're welcome to stay the night if you need to."
"Thank you for the kind offer, but we’re in a hurry. We should be going."
Ren gave a quiet signal to the stunned Lithia, and they headed back out onto the plains. They traveled in the direction she had pointed out before they reached the village.
"My lady. You did very well back there."
A few minutes after they left the village, Ren praised her for maintaining her composure. However, she didn't respond. Another few minutes passed, then ten, then twenty. Ren sensed the depth of her turmoil and didn't try to force a conversation. He waited patiently for her to speak first.
Eventually, her shoulders began to tremble. When she finally spoke, her voice was barely a whisper.
"...Hey, Ren."
The sudden use of his name without an honorific caught him off guard.
"Yes? What is it?"
Ren hid his surprise, choosing not to comment on the change in how she addressed him. He kept his tone as gentle and steady as possible.
"Why? My father has worked so hard, for so long... so why is this happening to him?"
"...It’s likely because Viscount Given was behind the incident from the start."
"No, that’s not what I mean..." Lithia said. She already knew the Viscount was the culprit. "My father has devoted his life to Leomel. Why does he have to be treated like this?"
"That is—"
"What did we even do? I know I’m young and perhaps I’ve been foolish. But there is no reason for my father to suffer this way. Why?"
In front of Ren, Lithia’s shoulders shook violently. This time, it wasn't out of a sense of her own helplessness, but out of pure grief at the injustice of the world. The girl who had shown such dignified strength in the Legend of the Seven Heroes was nowhere to be found. In this moment, she was simply a normal girl showing her weakness to the only person she could.
"...Viscount Given’s actions are wrong, no matter how you look at them. It makes no sense. Why is such unreasonableness allowed to happen?"
Her voice cracked with vulnerability.
Right, that makes sense, Ren thought.
The Lithia here with him was still just a child. She wasn't the Saintess Lithia from the game yet. Thinking it was an insult to equate her with her fictional counterpart, Ren offered a silent apology in his heart.
"I don't... I don't understand being a noble anymore..."
Finally, Lithia broke down and wept. Her tears dripped onto Ren's arms as he held the reins, her trembling body conveying a grief that seemed to have no end. It was a heartbreaking sight.
Ren didn't have an answer for her. Even so, he couldn't just ignore her. Almost unconsciously, he released one hand from the reins and gently patted her head.
"...Ren?"
Her hair was still matted and dull from their ordeal, with no trace of its usual silken luster. Under normal circumstances, Lithia would never have wanted anyone to touch her hair in such a state, nor was she the type to let others be so familiar with her.
"...If you’re going to do it, then do it right."
She didn't pull away. Instead, she leaned into his touch, adjusting her posture to make it easier for him to pat her head.
As evening approached, Lithia fell asleep, likely exhausted from the emotional toll. While holding her, Ren searched for a campsite, lost in thought.
He wondered if this situation was part of the original story of the Legend of the Seven Heroes, or if the world had diverged because of his presence.
Either way, if things continue like this, Baron Clausel will be framed and stripped of his status.
It was a blatant power play, but in a world of titles and factions, such absurdity was often permitted. Ren felt a growing desire to do something. Initially, he had intended to keep a safe distance from Lithia and her family, but he realized he had grown attached to them. Even if this world was inherently unfair, he couldn't stand by and watch this happen right in front of him.
But how can I save him? The high-ranking nobles of the Neutral Faction aren't helping. What can a kid like me do?
He thought desperately, but no clear path appeared. However, when he tried thinking of it like a game event...
If I don't focus on saving Baron Clausel, but on taking down Viscount Given instead... then...
By shifting his objective, a possibility began to take shape. For example, he could find evidence of the Viscount’s involvement in the attack on his village, or some other corruption.
No, that's a stretch. Who would listen to a kid even if I found evidence?
Still, it wouldn't be useless. It would at least buy time. Baron Clausel wasn't a fool; he was a minor noble with no factional support, but given enough time, he might find a way to maneuver or avoid being railroaded into a false confession.
So, where would I get evidence of corruption?
The best place would be the Viscount's mansion, but that was too dangerous and there wasn't enough time.
I might be at a total dead end here.
At the very least, they needed to reach Clausel. Once there, they could testify about the attack and their kidnapping. They would have to claim they were taken by bandits hired by the Viscount and escaped with their lives. The lack of hard proof was a major problem, but it was better than doing nothing. Though he was no expert in politics or debate, he had to try.
I have to do whatever I can.
If he failed, Baron Clausel would fall. And if that happened...
He felt Lithia's steady breathing as she slept against him. Now that he had seen her vulnerable side, he wanted more than anything to restore her life to the way it was.
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
The following morning, shortly after sunrise, Viscount Given arrived in the Town of Clausel.
The middle-aged man looked every bit the gentleman, his grey hair and beard meticulously groomed. As he rode through the main thoroughfare, one of his knights pulled up alongside him.
"Viscount, the time is finally here."
"Indeed. For the future of the Hero Faction, the House of Clausel must fall."
"Once it is done, I am sure our allies will be most pleased."
"Of course. This territory sits right between the Hero Faction and the Imperial Faction. By controlling this land, we will undoubtedly expand our influence."
"And by taking it from the Clausels, we also secure a foothold near the Imperial Capital," the knight added.
The Viscount nodded. "If possible, I would have preferred to bring the Clausels into our fold."
"But they refused to listen to your reason, Viscount. Now, we have no choice but to use force."
The Viscount reflected for a moment, then leaned in and lowered his voice.
"To save a declining Leomel, we must push the Imperial Faction into a corner. And we must punish those fools who call themselves neutral. Such opportunists are unworthy of their noble titles."
The knight felt a surge of loyalty seeing the Viscount’s conviction.
"Even so, Viscount, may I ask why you are so obsessed with Ren Ashton? He is a promising boy, certainly, but I didn't think he was worth this much effort."
Viscount Given smirked and looked up at the sky.
"The Saintess is a valuable bargaining chip for negotiating with the Baron later, certainly. But did you really think I’d move this aggressively for her alone?"
He paused for effect, then continued.
"The one I truly desire is Ren Ashton. The matter of the Clausels is merely a convenient byproduct. I was getting tired of the pressure from my patrons anyway."
"But why?! Even if he’s talented, he’s just the son of a country knight!"
"That's what everyone says. But I alone know the truth."
His voice was thick with confidence and a sense of grand ambition.
"If I get my hands on Ren Ashton... no, the House of Ashton, my family will rise to the top of the Hero Faction. Not just the faction—nearly every subject in the Empire will come to praise me."
He didn't elaborate further, leaving the knight to wonder. But one detail stuck in the knight's mind: why had the Viscount corrected himself from "Ren Ashton" to the "House of Ashton"?
◇ ◇ ◇ ◇
A few hours later, the Town of Clausel was buzzing with activity.
In the Leomel Empire, every city had a temple. These temples always featured a Great Hall, which was used for religious rites as well as trials for high-ranking individuals. Following the requirements of Imperial Law, observers were invited to the Ritual of Judgment.
"It’s beginning, My Lord," Knight Commander Weiss said as he sat beside Baron Clausel.
Outside, the sounds of the town reached them, but inside the temple, the atmosphere was heavy and silent.
"Weiss, look at the man sitting across from us."
The Baron’s seat was positioned before the altar at the back of the hall. The seats for the petitioner, Viscount Given, and the respondent, Baron Clausel, faced each other across the altar. The Viscount’s face was clearly visible.
"That... that man...!"
Weiss watched as Viscount Given chatted casually with his knights.
"He’s acting as if today’s arguments are a mere formality!"
"He likely believes they are. He’s confident he can denounce me here and walk away victorious. He has clearly made extensive preparations to ensure he wins, no matter how blatant his power play."
Weiss trembled with rage, his aura so intense it startled others in the hall. Viscount Given, catching sight of the knight's furious expression, momentarily lost his composure and gasped.
"Calm yourself," the Baron said.
"But, My Lord—!"
"I said calm down. If you cannot control yourself, I will have you leave."
Startled by his lord’s firm tone, Weiss lowered his head. He wasn't afraid; he was ashamed of his own lack of restraint.
"Just between us, I have been in contact with a certain noble," the Baron whispered.
Weiss's eyes widened. "A certain noble?"
"Yes. I can't give you details yet, but they have promised to speak for me if the situation warrants it."
"Then... that person is of higher rank than you, My Lord?"
"Yes. And of higher rank than Viscount Given as well."
That meant they were at least a Count. Weiss felt a wave of relief. He had thought no one in the Neutral Faction would stand by them, but his lord had been working in secret.
"However, I didn't expect the Viscount to move this quickly. At this stage, that support is difficult to mobilize." The Baron gave a self-deprecating shrug. "Because of that, I’ve had to put some of my hopes on Ren Ashton’s potential as well. It’s pathetic for a grown man, isn't it?"
The Baron fell silent, a bitter smile on his face.
"Everyone, the time has come," a Civil Official from the Imperial Court of Law announced.
The official stood in the center of the hall, ensuring he had everyone's attention.
"In accordance with the Great Imperial Law, these proceedings shall begin. First, the petitioner—"
The trial unfolded largely as expected. However, the Baron had not been idle. He had anticipated the Viscount’s arguments and prepared several counterpoints. He presented records of knight deployments and their successes, and provided evidence of the actual damage suffered by villages near the Given Viscounty to prove the Viscount’s claims were false.
It was an impressive defense for such a short preparation time, and it clearly rattled the Viscount, who had arrived expecting an easy victory.
"The Imperial Court of Law will now examine the arguments presented today. The ruling will be announced tomorrow morning at the same time these proceedings began. Do not be late."
The Baron let out a small, private sigh of relief at the official’s words. After the session ended, he remained in his chair and whispered to Weiss.
"The outcome is already decided. I’ve bought us two days at most."
Customarily, a noble judged to have a case to answer for would be moved to the Imperial Capital. However, if the Baron were moved, there would be no one to govern the territory. While a successor wouldn't be named immediately, time would be granted for a handover of duties to the remaining officials and knights.
"No, we can buy more time," Weiss argued. "We can appeal the ruling and take the case to the Capital ourselves. If that fails, we can demand a Divine Trial—"
"It won't work. They’ll block us before we even get to court. They’ll use Lithia and the others to threaten me into compliance, I’m sure of it."
Weiss bit his lip until it bled, his fists clenched tight. On the other side of the room, Viscount Given had regained his smug composure.
"Viscount, it seems things will finish as scheduled," one of his knights said.
Given smiled. "Yes. By moving with such speed, we’ve prevented the Imperial Faction from intervening. Finally, it’s happening."
Across the room, the Viscount watched the Baron's dignified behavior with a flicker of irritation. But a win was a win. He exhaled slowly, confident that the Baron had no moves left.
The next morning, the Civil Official judged that Baron Clausel was indeed worthy of punishment. It was decided that he would be transferred to the Imperial Capital within the next few days.
As Weiss had predicted, there were legal ways to stall, but as the Baron had feared, the path was already being blocked. Everything was unfolding precisely as Viscount Given had intended.