Volume 4 Chapter 32 Crown Prince Rouen, Questioning The Chou Family's Crimes I
──Meanwhile, in the capital Hokurin──
"Finally, His Highness the Crown Prince has allowed us to meet. Father."
"Don't get too excited. Shoukatsu."
The Chou family──Chou Sekimei and Chou Shoukatsu──were heading to the royal palace.
They had been summoned by Crown Prince Rouen.
Crown Prince Rouen had been sick for the past few days.
He reportedly caught a fever when he visited Ryougen-kun's mansion.
After that, he returned to the palace and continued to sleep.
Chou Sekimei sent a gift to check on him, but it was all returned.
Only the letter was accepted.
In the letter, Chou Sekimei expressed how much he cared for Crown Prince Rouen as an uncle. He wrote about his willingness to do anything for him.
Crown Prince Rouen must have read that letter.
That's why, after he recovered, he called for Chou Sekimei and Chou Shoukatsu.
"Rouen will surely become a strong ruler."
Chou Sekimei murmured, gazing into the distance.
"Chou Family must continue to support that person. For him, suffering from an unfair nickname, blood ties are the only salvation. Until now, and from now on."
"I understand, Father."
Chou Shoukatsu replied in a bright tone.
"That's why the Chou Family must grow bigger. We need to surpass His Highness the Prince."
"Supporting His Highness Rouen is our top priority. Don't forget that."
"With all due respect, I think that's not enough."
"...What?"
"After ascending the throne, His Highness Rouen will become a significant figure. To support him, we must also become a significant presence. We should do everything we can for that."
"Don't get the order wrong, Shoukatsu."
"────!?"
Chou Shoukatsu's body jolted and trembled.
It was because his father gaze, pierced through him.
Chou Sekimei was the former 'General of the Devoted Cavalry.'
He may not have experienced great battles, but he had been a warrior for many years.
Perhaps overwhelmed by that gaze, Chou Shoukatsu almost knelt down.
"Chou Family only needs to think about supporting His Highness. We must prioritize attacking and defeating those who are enemies of His Highness. The ones who care the most about His Highness are the Chou Family, and we are the ones closest to him. Even if other families become favorites for a time, His Highness will eventually remember us."
"Y-Yes, Father."
"Blood relations are the most important. Only we understand His Highness."
"...I understand."
With that, the Chou Family entered the royal palace.
They passed through the gate and moved toward the audience chamber.
Waiting there were Crown Prince Rouen and the 'Wolf Cavalry' members, Kei Koshou and Han Kei.
And also, Ryougen-kun.
"...Why is the younger brother of His Majesty here?"
Chou Sekimei stepped forward with a question in mind, kneeling on the floor with Shoukatsu and bowing deeply.
"We have come at your call. I am Chou Sekimei, and this is Chou Shoukatsu."
After introducing themselves, Chou Sekimei waited for Crown Prince Rouen's words.
Crown Prince Rouen stood directly in front of Chou Sekimei, about ten steps away.
Even though it was the usual distance, it somehow felt far away.
Crown Prince Rouen took a deep breath.
They could hear the sound of his heels tapping on the floor, as if he was holding something back.
"I called you here for a reason. This Rouen has something to tell the Chou Family."
Eventually, Crown Prince Rouen opened his mouth.
When Chou Sekimei glanced sideways, he saw Shoukatsu smiling.
He could tell what his older son was thinking.
'The restoration of the Chou Family'──that must be it.
The same words floated in Chou Sekimei's mind.
Yet, it was strange.
Why was their body trembling slightly?
Why did Crown Prince Rouen's words feel so cold...?
"In the name of Crown Prince Ai Rouen, I question your sins."
"────!?"
"S-sins!? What are you saying, Your Highness!?"
Chou Sekimei's eyes widened in silence, and Chou Shoukatsu instinctively raised his face.
Without thinking, Chou Sekimei reached out and pressed down on Chou Shoukatsu's head.
Chou Sekimei was a warrior.
He could sense the change in the atmosphere of the battlefield.
The situation had changed...
It felt as if a blade was being held to his throat.
Crown Prince Rouen was not questioning the Chou Family's sins lightly.
If he intended to settle this quietly, he wouldn't have called them to the audience room.
Ryougen-kun is also here.
On top of that, Rouen is scolding the Chou Family in the name of 'Ai Rouen.'
This meant that Crown Prince Rouen was sure that the Chou Family was guilty.
"I will inform Chou Shoukatsu."
Ignoring the rudeness of the Chou Family, Crown Prince Rouen continued.
"You were the captain of the defense in Toukaku of Eastern Town, and you were connected to a gang of bandits called the 'Hidden Five Gods.' You used your position to leak information about the soldiers to the gang. Not just about Toukaku of Eastern Town, but also about the defenses of nearby towns. I have heard that you made an agreement that those involved with Toukaku of Eastern Town would not be attacked. Is that not correct?"
His tone was calm.
He wasn't raising his voice or shouting.
He was simply stating the facts in a straightforward manner.
So, Chou Sekimei understood.
What Crown Prince Rouen was saying... was the truth.
"I humbly apologize!!"
Chou Shoukatsu raised his voice.
"Your Highness, where did you hear such nonsense...?"
"I, Rouen, went to Toukaku myself and confirmed it."
Crown Prince Rouen replied.
"I'm aware that there are differences between the records about Toukaku and the actual situation. So, with the help of my uncle──Ryougen-kun, I went to Toukaku. I wanted to see the real situation with my own eyes."
"...What!?"
"I also heard from Ri Kai, the current captain of the defense in Toukaku. Additionally, others found wooden tablets with information about the soldiers in the cave that the bandits were using as their base. I confirmed that with my own eyes."
"Th-That is..."
"The soldiers of Toukaku have already set out to capture the bandit group. By now, they should have caught the main ones. If we can get testimonies from them, everything will be clear."
"Your Highness is saying that all the responsibility is on me!?"
It seemed he couldn't hold back any longer.
Chou Shoukatsu shouted with his face still down.
"This Shoukatsu is Your Highness's cousin! I don't know what the soldiers said, but..."
"If you weren't a cousin, you would have been handed over to the authorities!!"
Crown Prince Rouen's voice echoed.
Chou Sekimei and Chou Shoukatsu hit their foreheads against the floor as if they had been struck by those words.
"The Chou Family is related to this Rouen by blood and is part of my late mother's family. That is why I am here to listen to the story myself. Understand that..."
Crown Prince Rouen said in a strained voice.
And then, Crown Prince Rouen changed his tone and said,
"I, Crown Prince Ai Rouen, have something to say to the Chou Family. Tell me everything about what you did in Toukaku. If you are my relatives and care for the country, speak without hiding anything."
"...Your Highness the Crown Prince."
"You cannot escape judgment. However... I, Rouen, do not want to hate you more than necessary. So, I want you to tell me everything... Chou Family."
In the audience chamber, Crown Prince Rouen declared this.
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