Chapter 59, The Case Of Beffa

Translator: Lizz

 

“My name is Beffa. As Lady Sylvia and Mr. Calogero have already seen through, I am a spy hired by Marquis Onofrio.”

 

Edward thought, rather than an excuse, this was just blunt honesty.

 

“Ah, it’s not as though I’ve sworn loyalty to Marquis Onofrio. My family is different, though.”

He conveyed this with a smile.

 

According to Beffa…

 

Beffa’s family had for generations served the house of Marquis Onofrio as distinguished retainers.

His father was the butler, his mother the chief lady-in-waiting, and his elder brother was valued as a close aide to the Marquis’s son, slated to become butler himself.

Among this deeply loyal family, Beffa alone had not pledged allegiance to the house of Marquis Onofrio.

 

“Well, the eldest son had his future as butler guaranteed, received a proper education, and was treated well, but the younger sons were treated like expendable pawns. They were forced to do underhanded work, and were even made to take on spy-like jobs in neighboring countries like this.”

Beffa gave a wry smile.

 

Even if a son took on a dangerous mission and suffered a serious injury, he would be shouted at. ‘You failed!? Even if you lose an arm or a leg, complete the mission for the house of Marquis Onofrio!’

Even if Beffa died, they would probably only say, ‘Since he was of use, it was worth it.’ If Marquis Onofrio ever offered words of sympathy, the family would surely weep with joy.

 

“On top of that, both of my parents kept repeating things like ‘Devote yourself in loyalty’, almost like brainwashing, and I grew weary of it. But if I ever showed that in my attitude, I would be subjected to terrible punishment, so outwardly I kept up appearances.”

 

What was frightening about the parents was not that they treated their children like tools. It was that they also regarded themselves as tools and devoted themselves wholeheartedly.

 

It was such a fanatical family. From the start, they treated him like a disposable pawn, but he knew that if they realized he lacked loyalty, his own parents would kill him.

 

That was why his performance of overflowing loyalty became second nature, and even his suspicious family never saw through it; Beffa said with a dark smile.

 

“Even during that interview, I thought I acted perfectly. I had absolute confidence I would not be exposed. And yet… Lady Sylvia saw through me so easily.”

 

In truth, Beffa was the very first to kneel.

Everyone else followed and knelt.

All the candidates had probably been the type to devote themselves from the beginning. Influenced by Beffa’s performance and overcome with emotion, they had all knelt.

 

Beffa’s face turned dreamy, as if recalling something.

“When I recalled Lady Sylvia’s eyes from that time, I shivered…! Empty eyes without a single emotion, like looking at an insect beneath her foot… Pierced by those eyes, I received a divine revelation that this was the one I must serve…!”

 

Beffa spoke as if feverish, and Edward was utterly repulsed.

Then he understood what Sylvia had meant.

 

In other words, another fanatic devoted to Sylvia had been born.

 

When Edward looked at Calogero, he was nodding as if in deep agreement.

Then he smiled at Edward.

 

“His sins were purified by the penance of offering unwavering loyalty to Lady Sylvia. Right now, in this fortress, the only one following Lady Sylvia while still bearing sin is you, Edward.”

“Shut up. I’ll never confess to you. Besides, I already swore eternal loyalty to Lady Sylvia. I even made a magical contract with her.”

 

Edward groaned involuntarily.

And then, the two of them pounced on him.

 

“What!? Such a wonderful magic exists!?”

“Why didn’t you say something so important, Edward!!”

 

Pressed by the two of them, he realized too late that he had made a mistake.

The two ran to Sylvia and demanded a magical contract, swearing eternal loyalty.

 

“…So, the number of fanatics has increased. And since they made a magical contract, there’s no chance of betraying Lady Sylvia. But because of that contract, those two intend to stay with her until they die.”

Edward, looking weary, said this to Gina.

 

“Hah… Well, isn’t that good?”

Not knowing how else to respond, Gina gave a harmless reply. Edward’s eyes widened sharply.

“Of course it’s not good! Now there are even more annoying ones!”

 

He understood very well that Beffa’s family was deeply devoted to loyalty.

In the end, Beffa inherited that blood, and though the master was different, he was the type to fanatically devote himself to someone.

Whether he realized it or not… the fact that he went so far as to make a contract showed he was seriously unhinged.

 

“For Lady Sylvia’s sake, I will gladly handle secret work and espionage.”

 

He proposed. Wasn’t he reluctant about it just now?

 

“…Don’t send us weird ones, Marquis Onofrio…”

Edward let out a sigh.