[Interlude] The Lady’s Schemes
"… Was I too forceful?"
She murmured, staring at his back as he fled from the fitting room.
Lake Gallard.
His family runs the Gallard Company, which boasts the largest market share in the country.
Their extensive information network and supply chains have even led the nation to entrust them with "special missions" as a means of handling unsavory tasks.
What his father does could be called a necessary evil.
The operation of a state sometimes requires more than just clean and upright measures.
However, if it were revealed that the royal family was directly involved in such activities, citizens unaware of the details might lose trust in them.
No matter how sincerely it is explained, suspicions cannot be fully erased.
That is why entities like the Gallard Company are indispensable.
Since even before the current king ascended the throne, they had maintained a close relationship.
Out of a desire to help, Robert Gallard willingly took on the role of the dirty hand.
Perhaps even his son, Lake Gallard, is unaware of this.
But eventually, he too will inherit that path—to be one who sullies himself in the name of upholding justice.
Signs of it are already beginning to show.
Thus, despite being a commoner, he is a man of immense utility.
That is my straightforward evaluation of him.
However, the recent rumors about him paint a picture far removed from that of a villain.
The destruction of an underground fighting ring that even the Knights Order and Magic Corps could not handle.
And now, the exile of Craig Beckart from the country.
If he were truly the successor to the infamous merchant, he wouldn't have acted to eliminate these two highly valuable opportunities.
Moreover, Connie Lyle becoming attached to him was entirely unforeseen.
A commoner with extraordinary aptitude as a mage.
It was she who forced the academy to create a special slot, disregarding its usual concern for appearances.
Additionally, she is likely one of the rare survivors of “that facility”.
If that’s the case, she may have compatibility with what has long been considered a legend.
… Though, based on my conversations with her, she doesn’t seem aware of it yet.
At the very least, the academy’s upper echelons must have recognized it and allowed her to enroll.
The Beckart’s family’s foolish son nearly ruined everything, but once again, Lake Gallard saved the day.
Still, why did he approach Connie Lyle?
Pure coincidence?
No, that seems far too convenient.
Could it be… because she’s his type?
—No, that’s absurd.
He’s not the sort to be driven by such base desires.
… But it’s frustrating.
Originally, I should have been the one to invite Connie Lyle to the ball and slowly groom her with care.
All of this is because of that incompetent, perverted professor.
And then, there’s that maid he brought along as his caretaker—I find her intriguing.
I feel like I’ve seen her somewhere before, yet I can’t clearly recall where. It’s unsettling.
Still… what is that man planning?
A hero trying to save the masses?
Does he seriously intend to reform this corrupt world?
Or is he merely gathering talented individuals to make an easy fortune?
… Surely, he isn’t that shallow.
If his priority were profit, he could have manipulated the underground fighting ring’s manager into selling the weapons his company produces or used Craig’s weaknesses to blackmail the Beckart family.
Well, it doesn’t matter either way.
To me, that man’s existence is insignificant.
If he dares to interfere with my plans, I’ll deal with him accordingly.
Should he resist, I’ll crush him mercilessly under the name of the Heartland family.
"I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s ball."
For now, I shall calmly watch from my vantage point above it all.
What do you think about this chapter?
