Judging by the knock, it wasn't Amy.
'Who could it be?'
I straightened my clothes and opened the door.
"Good to see you, Theo Lyn Waldeurk."
Standing at the door was a middle-aged man with a lean figure, dressed in a black suit.
His prominent, broad forehead, bearing the advance of a receding hairline shaped like the letter M, was immediately noticeable.
Behind him were three other individuals also dressed in black suits— one woman and two men.
Of course, I recognized all of them.
The man in the black suit was one of Maximin's most trusted subordinates.
His name was Smith.
Operating under Maximin, he discreetly handled various dirty and bothersome tasks, essentially acting as a 'cleaner.'
Of course, his public title was the chief of security for the Chalon family.
Smith, as well as the three behind him, were all former heroes.
'I see, Smith was already working under Maximin.'
According to the information from the game, there might be some differences depending on the route, but it should have been at least a year later.
With that in mind, I looked calmly at Smith and said,
"Who are you?"
"Haha, you don't need to know that. I have something to discuss with you."
Smith replied with a sly smile.
'Amy has been exposed.'
The reason for this gentleman's visit was evident.
There could be no other reason.
'I've been tangled up with an annoying fellow.'
In terms of combat ability, Smith might be secondary, but he's particularly troublesome.
Because of his unique ability.
[Discernment]
Once a day, he can determine the truth behind someone's words.
This unique ability is closer to a supernatural power than a trait, and it cannot be viewed in the status window.
I'd wager no one other than me knows the exact nature of his power.
"I have no words for the rude."
Saying so, I immediately closed the door.
"Ah, why are you doing this?"
Smith caught the door as he spoke.
"If you keep this up, we won't be able to hold back either."
Smith then opened the door.
With a clack-clack of his dress shoes, he walked into my room, saying,
"Haha. You find it rude, so let me introduce myself. My name is Smith, the chief of security for the Chalon Duchy."
I stared at Smith without blinking.
"... I'll ask. Amy Watson. Why was your maid eavesdropping on our conversation, Theo Lyn Waldeurk?"
Smith looked at me with that same sly smile, trying to assert dominance over a young noble not even in his mid-teens.
'He thinks he's got the upper hand.'
Of course, such attempts had no effect on me.
The Waldeurk family is a marquisate*, while the Chalon family is a duchy.
Based on rank alone, the Chalon family holds a higher status, but that doesn't mean they can easily overlook the Waldeurk family.
If the Chalon family ranks second in the school, would the Waldeurk family be considered third?
"How incredibly rude."
I frowned.
Clearly, a calculated move on his part.
I must distract and dominate the narrative before he acts on any advantage he believes he holds.
I spoke up,
"How dare a mere servant utter the full name of a noble. Doesn’t the Chalon family teach their servants basic etiquette? Where is my maid, Amy?"
"She's being kept separately. But do you really think you're in a position to say that?"
Smith replied coldly.
"I have no idea what you're talking about. The only correct thing you've said is that Amy is indeed my maid. You think she overheard your conversation? How laughable. Whether it's Piel or anyone else... the Chalons are so deluded. Soon they might even confuse themselves with commoners."
Smith chuckled awkwardly, but I clearly saw him gritting his teeth.
He takes immense pride in his association with the Chalon family and his work.
By continually bringing up the Chalon family and provoking him, he seemed visibly agitated.
"I apologize, Lord Theo. I misspoke in addressing you. I beg for your mercy."
Smith bowed.
"Very well. I'll show you mercy. You can raise your head now."
I patted Smith's shoulder lightly.
He gritted his teeth audibly in response.
As he lifted his head, he said,
"Thank you. But separate from that, we can't ignore the fact that your maid, Amy Watson, overheard our conversation. Given how easily she lied, it seems the Waldeurk family teaches their servants deceit?"
"Do you have evidence?"
I calmly countered.
I know Amy well.
And I trust her.
She would never divulge information about me, even under the most brutal torture.
It's likely that she was just caught by Smith's [Discernment], nothing more.
In the main story, even when Amy was kidnapped by 'Turning White' and faced cruel torture, she never revealed anything about Neike.
I looked at the bewildered Smith and pressed,
"I asked if you had evidence. Don’t make me repeat myself."
Smith's unique ability, [Discernment], is a skill that absolutely cannot be revealed to others.
Depending on the situation and its application, this ability can be even more potent than [Prophecy].
Of course, Smith having the [Discernment] ability would be something that even Maximin may only suspect but not be entirely sure of.
Smith spoke,
"There's no physical evidence. But the situation is such that evidence couldn't possibly exist."
"Don't sidestep my question,"
I pressed.
"In the end, you're saying there's no evidence, right? Why are you detaining an innocent person? Intimidating an innocent member of the Waldeurk family... Can you take responsibility for your actions, Smitty?"
I further provoked Smith.
From his perspective, a bratty noble like me talking back would undoubtedly be infuriating.
"My name is Smith,"
he replied, his face reddening with anger.
"I can take responsibility. I stake the honor of being the Chief of Security for the Chalon family on it."
"I couldn't care less about the honor of some security chief. But I, being magnanimous, will let you off this time. Be grateful."
Smith, struggling to contain his anger, asked,
"May I ask why Amy was there, eavesdropping on our conversation?"
"Choose your words wisely. It was Amy's first visit to the Hero Association, so she was given some free time. She never left the premises but merely roamed within the association. I can't believe such an unpleasant incident occurred. It's unbelievable."
"...Will you stand by that statement?"
"I'll say what I please, Smith."
I continued to press him, every move calculated.
Smith might be angry now, but he'd soon regain his composure.
I feigned anger, and the [Twisted Noble's Dignity] trait transformed me into a genuinely enraged noble.
"I'm furious. If your actions cause strained relations between the Waldeurk and Chalon families, can you take responsibility? Can you, Smith? For someone who's just a security chief?"
This might actually work out better.
I wasn’t concerned about Amy getting hurt or things going south.
'I should meet Maximin face to face on this matter.'
The Chalon family isn't as aggressive as 'Turning White' or 'Equilibrium'.
They aren't pristine, but they uphold a certain standard of morality.
I stated coldly,
"I have no more to discuss with a mere security chief. I intend to speak with either Lord Maximin or someone of equal standing. Amy has been my trusted maid since childhood. If any harm comes to her, there will be severe repercussions."
"Understood,"
Smith replied, no longer daring to argue, nodding in agreement.
His face turned not just red but seemed as if it was about to burst.
The sound of Smith grinding his teeth could be heard from across the room.
"Smith. What's with that attitude now? After the maid, are you planning to go after the heir? My, I'll have nightmares from fear."
"I... My Lord. I apologize."
"We apologize! That wasn't his intention!"
"Please forgive us. We're truly sorry for upsetting you."
Smith's three subordinates spoke anxiously.
Their previously calm faces were nowhere to be seen.
'The best way to handle guys like these is to use their superiors.'
Now, the main issue isn't whether Amy overheard those guys' conversation.
From the perspective of the head of the house, it's infuriating that such trivial matters even reached his ears.
Furthermore, Maximin seems to have control over those guys.
Smith spoke with trembling voice.
"...Please wait for a moment. I'll reach out to someone who can communicate with you, my Lord."
"You show no regard, as always. The academic seminar is about to begin. I'm giving you three minutes."
"...Understood."
The door creaked open as Smith carefully stepped out.
*I originally thought his was family was a count's, but if they're just below the Chalon's they would instead be a Marquis/Marquisate so I changed it
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