Chapter 140

Crime and Punishment

By the hands of the escort guards, the mastermind behind this case was captured.

Or so, was said.

The criminals were in a state that was not possible to put resistance when arrested or get up already when the guards arrived.

Fights for women between families …… Is what from Tanya informing team brought as what was said as the cause… … according to their informs, the Vortic family said to the guards that it was that what produced the situation.

Perhaps it is likely that he invited them to investigate himself to clear up suspicion in this case.

Also, while secretly moving the duke team of investigation who sensed that this case may have more people involved, the escorts caught by the enemies were rescued at the same time.

In other words, the duke’s involvement on solving this case was rumored.

This is a report about it from the escorts and the rumors that are told in town were appeased.

Although the doubt from the first rumors still remains, it was nice that the thought was washed little by little with the resolution of the case.

Well, it was three days since I made that promise that I could today finally fulfill … I promised to Dida that is also a victim from the initial rumors …… To listen to the current sight the citizens have of him ….

Dida was going to give a public talk as a party involved in the resolution of the case, but because the condition of the injury was not good it was delayed and he had to be at the hospital.

“……I am terribly sorry”

I was told that at the first time I visited him and before I even managed to say hi so I was stunned, excuse me but how can have you changed so much?.

Because his character is different now.

Well putting aside the jokes….

“… What is the apology for?”

I ask Dida.

“If it were not for me, this case would not have happened. Dorsen saw me over there and that caused that the range of measures that you could have used to solve the issue narrowed down by being caught up in the rumors and fights. I moved freely and annoyed my lady’s plans.. having the most inconvenience caused with the fight with Tori. All of the Vortic family are now your aides, but it is impossible to say that I had nothing to do with the problem even if I was released from responsability. “

To his serious answer, I smile.

“Dida, I worried about what you should apologize to me for … I think what you think is silly”

At my words, Dida rounded his eyes as if surprised.

“but……!”

“If I didn’t have you I don’t know how everything would have been now, I knew your past from the first moment I took you in, still I kept putting it on the side, I was the only one being helped with an excellent personal that you are, and a trustworthy escort.. if you were not in the first place and Lyle was the only one as my guard I would not feel free to go outside. Well, I could not have moved forward with the reforms I did at this speed…

… I thought it was encouraging for you that there was an intelligence study made to take a survey on the citizens judgment about this case and your involvement.. Because I made you take the good action of investigating the incidents in the east, I made a mistake in judgment and caused Tori’s case … It’s not something you need to apologize for as I was the one that gave you the instruction. “

“But … I can not forgive myself”

To the serious reaction of Dida, I breathe out and smile.

“… … If it is a punishment you are not already receiving it? Dida”

I asked him in a tense tone.

“You believed Tori, and the result that you got was to be captured and made into an imaginary bad person only heard in rumors is almost right … … any difference in what I said?”

And Dida rounded his eyes again at the words while I continued.

“Betrayed by those who you believed your dear people… I think that pain is something I know very well. I think that the pain you received and the one I have in my heart is the same, although there is a difference in degree.”

Both me and him, got a big scratch.

I do not mean to go deeper into such foolish mentions.

Because it has no meaning.

I am not him, he is not me.

To what extent does your opponent occupy your mind … it can not be understood if you explained.

For Dida, Tori must have been a big presence in his heart.

I asked if he still wanted to talk to Tori, and I could hear a “no” from the smiling face that expressed the feeling of incompetence when he denied it.

I wonder how much his dead wounds weight …. I do not know.

It may be that the big deep wound he received is harder to live with, perhaps than mine.

So it may be uncomfortable for me to easily talk about that feeling.

However, it is also true that both parties know the pain.

And because we both know it … I think that he no longer has to be punished for anything else.

“If still you can not forgive yourself yet … Please complete your duties … Well … if you do not want to quit such a good workplace like mine,”

Although he and Lyle were aimed to get by the Order and the military from the beginning, it seems that Grouse also caught sight of his abilities from this case.

He has a better looking workplace, does not him?

That is.. he is a competent commander and boss.

“No … … I want to work under the lady as always”

“Thank you. That feeling is enough”

Dida said that and lowered his head.

I started to speak to him again but he does not lift his face.

“You were okay and really okay …. You have to listen to that bright voice of yourself. Today I will take a good rest and take a break from tomorrow I am looking forward to seeing you. “

“Yes”

Looking at the smile with his face raised, I breathe out with a sense of relief.

And after I went out, Tanya put several reports in front of me.

“… … Did a reply from Rafsimons priest come?”

“Yes, it is … here.”

I receive a letter that took me all the courage I had to get my hands to receive it.

“Well, since I have to read this letter and these documents … Tanya, you can go now”

“……Lady?”

“What do you want to say, were you not very worried about Dida?”

Wrinkles were carved wonderfully between Tanya’s eyebrows.

“I recognize… I am … “

She said so with a hard voice, yet she did not stopped the words until the very end.

As a result of her will gathered firmly, I hand a bunch of papers to read.

The content is the result of the survey of the eastern guards who came up from Lyle.

I will return to work, but I need to know this.

“Is it a joke, can you not hand me over the care taking of Dida until he recovers?”

“… … well … ….”

Tanya accepted the document with reluctance and went out of the room.

When I look around at her back, I turn down my eyes to the letter from priest Rafshimons.

“… Oh, the priest Rafshimons. He moves fast, do I also move?”

While I muttered, I folded the letter.