The Second Strongest Has Returned

Chapter 68

Senate

The Senate Hall was nothing short of a collection of achromatic shades. The fortress was made of ashen bricks, forming a somber wall, and the surrounding area was blanketed in white snow, making the scene somewhat intimidating.

Moreover, the night had draped itself over the sky, intensifying the eerie atmosphere.

And above all…

“The lion is… actually… despicable… and the wolf… is caught up in factionalism… even the white tiger, whom I trusted… haha…”

Beside him, a woman with an ashen face mumbled, making the scene even more unsettling.

[“I told you not to be so rash.”]

[“Do you think I wanted to?”]

In retrospect, the fault lay with Lady Chris, who, even at her age, was still lost in the fantasies of fairy tales. Just from that one remark, her mind had half-collapsed, as evidenced by how she immediately opened the door without a second thought.

[“But was that really such a shock?”]

In reality, all Leo did was explain a natural fact through scholarly means.

[“…If I’d known, I would have tried to comfort her.”]

[“You’re heartless.”]

Despite the criticism, Leonardo didn’t so much as twitch an eyebrow. After all, acting this way would help maintain Lady Chris’s dignity in various ways.

“Here it is…”

Now, Chris, her face completely drained of color, led him to the grand entrance. In the center of the massive door was a vivid engraving of the holy sword and the lion, symbols of the Reinhardt family.

[“…It’s been a long time.”]

Standing before the door, memories of the past resurfaced. Back then, it had taken him years to reach this door, but now he had arrived in just two years and a few months.

“The proud expression suits you, but don’t be too relieved.”

Seeing the nostalgic look on his face, Chris, with a bit of color returning to hers, gave him a word of caution.

“The ones in there are the people who have driven stakes into the very heart of Reinhardt.”

Surely, she was the one who understood that most deeply.

“I understand. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Well, then, let’s go in.”

Chris pushed open the door with both hands. What was revealed was a massive round table made of marble.

At the center of the round table sat the former heroes, all of whom had shared in the glory of Reinhardt—warriors and knights.

And among them sat an elder on the largest and most prominent chair.

“I greet Lord Jayron Reinhardt, Head of the Senate.”

Kneeling and bowing his head towards Jayron, the pillar of Reinhardt, Leonardo performed the traditional formal greeting. The others looked on with slightly surprised expressions.

“…Do you know of me?”

Even with his wrinkled lips, Jayron’s words carried weight. That weight hinted at the gravity of the Reinhardt name he bore.

“I am aware of the name of Lord Jayron Reinhardt and the lofty honor it carries. However, the history and achievements you have established are beyond what my limited experience can fathom.”

His words, while respectful and somewhat flattering, were met with the conservative elders of the Senate assessing Leonardo’s worth.

In contrast, those who had known Leonardo before looked at him with slightly disappointed eyes, as if to say that he was no different from the rest.

“Raise your head.”

At those words, Leonardo raised his head. The gazes that shot toward him weren’t merely unfriendly; they were laden with the clear intent of intimidation, bolstered by mana.

[What do these people, who haven’t even lived a quarter of my life, think they’re doing glaring at me like that?]

In truth, he was accustomed to such stares, and thanks to the ghost beside him, dealing with these old men had become something he had gotten used to, even if he hadn’t wanted to.

“We will now begin the hearing. You are to answer immediately when a question is posed to you.”

A hearing that started the moment he arrived—they had no intention of giving him any breathing room; instead, they planned to tighten the noose around him.

Without even waiting for him to acknowledge their statement, they began their interrogation as they pleased.

“Let’s start by addressing the matter of the Sage’s Legacy.”

The start of the hearing always involved probing the issue that seemed most advantageous to the subject. Naturally, the subject being questioned would feel confident about it, allowing them to unconsciously relax.

“First, I would like to know why there was no immediate report on such a significant matter. Why is that?”

The cunning members of the Senate were experts at digging into unexpected areas. Their strategy was to gradually probe through questioning, finding fault even in strengths, thereby undermining the legitimacy of the subject and devaluing their achievements—a petty but surprisingly effective method.

“I judged that reporting it would be dangerous.”

However, handling such tricky questions was one of Leo’s specialties.

“The first artifact we discovered, the ‘Ring of Peace and Protection,’ is a type of binding magical item. Once worn, it cannot be removed.”

He began with a fact-based premise.

“If I had reported the situation, certain mages might have tried to seize the ring by any means necessary.”

He then followed up with additional reasons and justifications.

“In such a scenario, I couldn’t guarantee the safety of the mage who was wearing the ring. According to the chivalry of Reinhardt, my decision was aimed at minimizing harm.”

If there’s no fault in the factual premise, then the existence of reasons and justifications further enhances the value and credibility of the explanation.

“You speak as if there were no way to report it discreetly.”

“If I had officially proposed and submitted a plan to search for the Sage’s Legacy, I would have accepted any reprimands.”

And most of the facts were indeed working in Leonardo’s favor.

“However, I merely took personal leave to secure the necessary permits from the Magic Tower.”

In the first place, there was little in his actions that could be considered outright wrong.

“If trust is an issue, you can verify the leave request approved by Butler Alfred and the head of the household.”

Leonardo had followed procedure, leaving him with no ground to lose.

“…Then why did you arbitrarily hand over the Sage’s Legacy to the Magic Tower afterward and have it displayed? Don’t you think that was a rather unilateral decision?”

Normally, it would have been enough to simply state, “Because it was mine.”

However, the relationship between the Senate and himself was one where they held the power, and he did not. Even if he claimed ownership, it would be easy for them to dismiss his claim based on that power dynamic.

“Had I kept it for myself, I would have had the right, but not the justification. There would have been value, but no benefit.”

Thus, he had to use what they valued most as his shield.

“The Sage’s Legacy is originally the wisdom left behind by the Sage for the mages working at the Magic Tower. If I had tried to keep it for myself just because I passed the trial, I would have become an open enemy to the Magic Tower and all its mages.”

What the elders of the Senate valued most was their authority and the source of their elitism, which made them think of themselves as superior.

“And this could have led to the dishonor of the Reinhardt family. I couldn’t let my personal rights tarnish the honor of Reinhardt.”

Using the Reinhardt family itself as a shield was enough.

“At the very least, you could have discussed it before making a decision. To me, it just seems like an excuse to gain the benefits that would come from it.”

Their retort was sharp, but that was the limit of these old men.

“Certainly, you’re not entirely wrong, but I also have the right to do so. I wasn’t sent by the Reinhardt family to find the Sage’s Legacy. I used my personal leave to do so.”

He emphasized the part they had already agreed on earlier.

“If my actions, based on my judgment, bring criticism or disgrace to the Reinhardt family, it wouldn’t be too late to punish me then.”

That would be practically impossible. On the contrary, some people were now praising his actions, and the chivalry of Reinhardt was being held in high regard.

“…Then how do you explain the next issue?”

Though it sounded like a threat, it was essentially a declaration of defeat in the first round of questioning. It meant that they had nothing to hold against him on that matter.

“How do you explain your response to the terrorist situation at the Magic Tower?”

“Pardon me, but the direction of your question isn’t clear. Could you specify what exactly you want me to explain, so I can respond accordingly?”

Though his tone and question were polite, those old foxes likely sensed the hidden intent behind his words.

‘With such vague accusations, it’ll be impossible to punish me.’

It was both a sign and a challenge, implying that they couldn’t punish or criticize him with their shallow tricks.

“Very well… Then, you left Ariasphil Reinhardt alone at that time, didn’t you? Did you forget your duties during your leave?”

“Your words are sharp and reckless. Maintain your dignity.”

Surprisingly, the one who defended him was Marquen. Whether it was because he had grown somewhat fond of him or because he wanted to personally beat the boy later, Leonardo wasn’t sure, but for now, he was grateful.

“I left because I believed that staying at the Magic Tower would be the safest place for Lady Ariasphil. In fact, the Magic Tower is equipped with the latest and best security facilities.”

“Did you misunderstand the point of my question? I’m reprimanding you for neglecting your duties, even in such a location. Why did you leave her unattended?”

[It seems you didn’t understand the meaning of my answer,] came the succinct summary, but the situation required that he wrap his words in the thick layer of “formalities and decorum.” These people were always ready to seize upon any word uttered by someone beneath them.

“Strictly speaking, Lady Ariasphil would have been in greater danger had she accompanied me to the scene.”

“Why is that? Are you aware that, depending on the circumstances, she too could have been subject to punishment…?”

Even Leonardo’s patience had its limits.

“Because the demon Jehad Dainons summoned me by threatening a civilian.”

Silence fell over the room. Leonardo was more exasperated than chilled by the silence. He had reported this, after all; they must have seen the report he’d sent. But it seemed they hadn’t paid proper attention.

“Jehad, out of personal resentment, threatened a civilian to lure me out. At the time, I wasn’t aware that he was collaborating with a clay shaper.”

This explained why he wasn’t present during the terrorist situation itself.

“That’s why I prioritized subduing Jehad and ensuring the safety of the civilian. I also judged that this was connected to Lady Ariasphil’s safety.”

Had it not been for the clay shaper’s involvement, Jehad would have been easy for Leonardo to subdue.

“How arrogant. Did you think you could handle a demon by yourself?”

“Hah, that’s quite something.”

This time, Chris spoke up as well.

“Is there any point in criticizing someone who actually faced a demon and emerged victorious?”

“I’m saying that your judgment was arrogant. What would you have done if you’d been defeated? If that had led to further harm?”

Chris found herself even more astounded by their petty nitpicking.

In that situation, calling for reinforcements would have been impossible, and Leonardo had not only captured Jehad but also significantly aided in the battle against the clay shaper and the abominations.

If anyone deserved to be reprimanded, it was the Reinhardt’s Execution Knights for their inadequate investigation of Jehad and the Senate itself for halting the inquiry prematurely.

If Leonardo had been of noble birth, he wouldn’t be facing punishment—he’d be receiving a reward.

“And taking Lady Ariasphil along on your personal leave is also incomprehensible. Considering what happened at the Magic Tower, shouldn’t you be punished for that?”

[When nonsense drags on, it just sounds like a dog barking,] the Sage quipped.

He was right. Even during a leave of absence, it wasn’t uncommon for a master and their knight to remain together. Besides, Leonardo hadn’t taken her to the Magic Tower during the “terror” but rather to a famous magical city.

“And as for your battle with the clay shaper, it was only resolved because Rios arrived in time. What would you have done if he hadn’t? That youthful arrogance of yours needs serious reflection!”

“…Is that so?”

Listening to their hypocritical sophistry, steeped in double standards and arrogance, Leonardo finally spoke.

From the beginning, he hadn’t expected to persuade them with words. In their relationship, he was the subordinate, and the Senate held the power. The power dynamics were clearly against him.

“So, how exactly should I be punished?”

What would their answer be?

“How insolent…! How dare you ask that yourself?! First, you are to return to the estate and reflect on your actions! The Senate will discuss this matter further…!”

“No. That wouldn’t be right.”

The solution was simple.

“By what authority do you decide what is right and wrong…!”

“My errors are so insignificant and presumptuous that they’re hardly worthy of the Senate’s supreme judgment. Through my shortcomings, I’ve realized that I can’t measure up to the sacred ideals of Reinhardt.”

The entire Senate fell silent. Though his words sounded remorseful, there was something off about the focus of his speech.

“So, I will punish myself.”

“What do you mean…?”

“I will resign from my position as a knight of Reinhardt. It seems the role was too burdensome for someone like me.”

If the power dynamic itself was removed, that would be the end of it.

Now, who would suffer the loss?