『At first it was anonymous, but…』 (Roderich)
Roderich, feeling uneasy, apparently investigated the source of those rumors.
And then he became aware of a certain Baron household being the source of them.
『It was that man.』 (Roderich)
It was Roderich’s genetic father, Head of Financial Auditing Rückner, being also the younger brother of Finance Minister Rückner.
It seems that the servants of this mansion circulated that this rumor, they heard from someone, was a lie.
The expression of Roderich is grim.
From his point of view it is of no concern even if Rückner-otouto is his father.
Deserting his mother who had a child, naturally it can be said to be justified since Rückner-otouto hasn’t even acknowledged the born child.
『Don’t kill off people as you please!』 (Wendelin)
Even though it is a cruel story, it is complicated if asked whether this can be charged as a crime.
In the end a rumor is just a rumor. It is not like they could affirm the 『died』 part in the 『He might have died』.
As for the noble’s nature, the people themselves are taking that sort of gossip with a grain of salt only listening to parts of it as well. The level of confidence was as if it was someone from ○sport from my previous life.
Although it looks like occasionally there are great predictions too.
『Isn’t the hope of wanting you dead mixed in as well?』 (Erwin)
『Did I do anything to receive Rückner-otouto’s grudge?』 (Wendelin)
『No. He isn’t pleased with Lord-sama since you are on friendly terms with His Excellency, the Finance Minister, with whom he is on bad terms.』 (Roderich)
The elder brother and younger brother, who are on bad terms with each other.
In my mind I wonder, doesn’t this somehow appear to be somebody else’s problem?
『That’s the reason?!』 (Wendelin)
Together with feeling the irrationality, I end up thinking『My relationship with that money-pinching ossan isn’t particularly good either!』
Such relations are also called inseparable relationships in my previous life.
Or, 『the relationship will end if the money ends』, I guess?
『But, seeing that Wendelin-sama returned safely…』 (Elise)
『Yes, madam. There won’t be such nonsensical rumors any more.』 (Roderich)
Roderich concisely while also politely answers Elise’s remark.
Although the official ceremony hasn’t been held yet, he called her 『Madam』 treating Elise as legal wife.
『Besides, I retaliated against him in the same way.』 (Roderich)
He has retaliated with a likewise malicious rumor against those spiteful rumors.
Nobles are such animals. Following the style of nobles, Roderich also spread rumors in reverse.
Even so, for some reason Roderich is calling himself with a 『sessha』.
This word also exists in this world, but you can only find it within books depicting things like old historical plays. It was a word you didn’t usually hear of while living an ordinary life.
『Ah, a counter-attack, right?』 (Luise)
『That’s how it is, Luise-sama.』 (Roderich)
『What rumor did you spread?』 (Ina)
『Ina-sama, that is…』 (Roderich)
Since the rumour of 『I think Baron Baumeister’s group died since they didn’t return from their underground ruin investigation』 was spread by Rückner-otouto.
It seems he circulated the rumor of 『Head of Financial Auditing Rückner might have something to do with the cause of death. Didn’t he somehow influence the adventurer’s guild using his authority?』
Even this is only a possibility.
Therefore it has a question mark attached at the end.
As it isn’t absolute, Rückner-otouto can’t complain about it either since it doesn’t exceed the level of a rumor.