I Favor The Villainess Chapter 97

Exposure

"…It's you again, huh"

As we barged into Salas-sama's office, he was briefing a soldier who appeared to be his subordinate about something.
In the room where gla.s.s-like curious are lined up, other than Salas-sama I could see four armored people stand.
From the crests on their armor, they appear to be Salas-sama's private soldiers rather that the kingdom's.

"I am currently at work. If you have any business with me, please schedule an appointment"

Salas-sama waved his hand to get rid of us.

"We came to talk about the 'matter from the other day'. For Salas-sama's sake, I believe it will be beneficial to clear out this room"

Without yielding to him, I spoke raising my voice.
Claire-sama and Lily-sama are watching us anxiously.

"That matter should already be over?"
"I received a new testimony from the daughter of Count Manuel"

As soon as I spoke the name Manuel, Salas-sama's expression changed.

"I will say it again. Clear out the room"

When I repeated Salas-sama let out a big sigh, and with a face that seemed to ostensibly say "Good grief", he ordered soldiers to leave the room.
But, I haven't overlooked it.
Salas-sama's eyes have a sharp glint.

"… And? What will you say this time? Are you still saying I committed wrongdoings?"

Salas-sama put his elbows on the desk and joined hands together.
It's the so-called Ge*dou pose.

"There is a suspicion of infidelity between Salas-sama and Late Queen Lulu"
"Ludicrous"

Salas-sama - let's stop with honorifics.
Salas sneered at me.

"You used Late Queen Lulu's feelings. Then, threatened Late Queen with the fact of your infidelity"
"How?"
"With this"

I took out the recording magical tool I received from King and showed it to Salas.

"You recorded your lovers' talk during secret meetings with a magical tool like this one. Then you presented it to the queen"
"Do you think I'd do something so foolish? In the first place, wouldn't I be the one ruined by such a thing"

Salas's composed expression didn't break.

"In those days, you were still a young middle-grade n.o.ble. It would be the Late Queen who'd receive enormous damage. Above all, Lulu-sama loved you"

With full backing of the Late Queen, Salas climbed to the current position.
There's no doubt he was competent at politics, but the world of politics is not so sweet as to allow a middle-grade n.o.ble to become the Prime Minister of the country.

"… You really have vivid imagination. But, I'll ask the same thing as before. Is there evidence?"

At last, it's the moment to corner Salas.

"There is"
"Hou. Where?"
"In that safe"

Salas's right eyebrow rose sharply.

"Salas-sama threated the Former Queen to rise to the current position. But, after the Queen's death, these blackmail materials instead turned into a rope around your neck. Therefore, you safely stored them inside this safe"
"You're saying strange things. Supposing I committed such infidelity, I'd destroy the evidence right after Lulu-sama's death"

Salas's point is right.
However――.

"There was a reason why you couldn't destroy the evidence. The recording magical tool is a rare item. Normally, it can only be used under country's control. What you used, was smuggled in from a certain place"
"Smuggled goods are even more reason to destroy the evidence"
"No. You used the same recording magical tool to record important personal political bargaining many times. That's why despite the Late Queen's matter, you couldn't destroy the evidence"

His Majesty also said it, this magical tool cannot be reproduced.
That's why, it was impossible to transfer part of the records onto other magical tools.

"… It's a false accusation"
"Is that so. Then, please let us investigate the safe"
"Please don't make me repeat myself. This safe contains highly cla.s.sified information about this country's politics and diplomacy. If you want to investigate it, please obtain the permission from the House of Lords"

If you can, was what he implied.

"That's impossible, isn't it. You grasped the weakness of almost every member of the House of Lords. There's no way we'll be granted the permission"
"It's not because I've grasped their weakness, your claims are simply nonsensical"

Salas smiled triumphantly.
But――.

"That being the case, I'll have the King's supreme authority invoked"

With my few words his complexion changed.

"Ki, King's supreme authority… you said?"
"You're aware of it, right? It's the privilege only the King owns that takes priority over the House of Lords. We intend to have the King exercise it"
"…"

Salas sank into silence.
Without caring about that I continued.

"If the King's supreme authority is exercised it'll be easy to investigate what's in that safe. If that happens, that will be it for your position and power"

As I said that, Salas glared at me with a grim face.

"Do you believe the King's supreme authority will be allowed for such a false accusation? The King's supreme authority is a powerful right, therefore His Majesty isn't able to use it recklessly. Without His Majesty's agreement, you have no prospects of success?"
"There are prospects of success"
"Shall we ask"

Salas, having completely lost his cool, said to me challengingly.

"I know it exists"

At my words Salas burst into laughter.

"Ahaha! This will be difficult. Do you believe you can persuade the King with your conviction alone?"

Salas regained his complexion and laughed.
Now.

"'Lulu-sama, there is no way this kind of thing will be tolerated', 'You are right, Salas. But, even if I were to go to h.e.l.l, I cannot forget my feelings for you'"

As I recalled the contents, Claire-sama and Lily-sama made puzzled faces.
Meanwhile, only Salas had a shocked expression.

"'It's sinful… However, If I am together with you, I do not mind going to h.e.l.l', 'Aah, Salas. My beloved' … Should I continue?"
"… You b.a.s.t.a.r.d"

Salas groaned in a low tone.
There are no signs of the gentle, intellectual, elegant man to be seen.
Only the figure of a cornered criminal.

"Yeah. This is the beginning part of what's recorded on your magical tool. If you wish for it, I can recite these to the end?"
"You b.a.s.t.a.r.d… How…"
"The reason doesn't matter, does it. If I tell such concrete details, His Majesty will have to do something"

Claire-sama and Lily-sama still have puzzled expressions.
They must be wondering where I learned that.
Naturally, it's the game knowledge.

"Now then, Salas-sama. What will you do? I'd recommend turning in yourself"
"…"

With a scary look Salas sunk into silence.
That excellent head of his must be working at full power thinking whether there's a way to escape this predicament.
But, I know what he'll do next.
Sure enough, Salas grimaced and said.

"If my crimes become public, sorry, but I'll have my revenge on François house"