How a Two-Life Scoundrel Lives - Chapter 4

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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【Episode 4】

News of Carlisle’s trial spread to all members and retainers of House Sigmund in less than a day.

Most reactions were along the lines of what was bound to come had finally arrived.

Indeed, considering all the things Carlisle had done up until now, it was almost miraculous that his head hadn’t rolled already.

Even so, there weren’t many who welcomed the prospect of a severe sentence being handed down to Carlisle, a direct bloodline member of House Sigmund.

No matter how much of a scoundrel and murderer he was, it wasn’t easy to be cold-hearted enough to stand by and watch one’s own blood disappear as dew on the execution ground.

Therefore, it was only natural for the members of House Sigmund to seek out the family head, Grand Duke Guntram, and plead with him.

“Father, no, daddy. Please show mercy to Carlisle. Please?”

“Brother has committed a grave sin, but… I hope you won’t sentence him to death.”

Selena and Frey went to Grand Duke Guntram and begged him.

It wasn’t just out of concern for Carlisle.

The truth was that their greater wish was for their father, Grand Duke Guntram, not to stain his hands with the blood of his own flesh and blood.

They didn’t want the tragedy of a father killing his child to unfold.

However, Grand Duke Guntram didn’t bat an eye at his children’s pleas.

“Punishment for criminals will be dealt with strictly according to the law. So withdraw.”

“F-Father.”

“But…”

Despite Selena and Frey’s pleas, Grand Duke Guntram seemed to have already made up his mind.

“How could I let personal feelings interfere with punishing a criminal? If you bring up this matter even once more, I will consider you as defending a criminal and punish you severely as well.”

In the end, Selena and Frey had to return having failed to change Grand Duke Guntram’s mind.

However, it wasn’t only Selena and Frey who appealed for Carlisle’s lenient treatment.

“Please, couldn’t you at least spare him from execution?”

“We only hope that Your Grace’s hands won’t be stained with the blood of your own flesh and blood.”

They too came to Grand Duke Guntram and appealed for Carlisle’s lenient treatment.

And among them was Carlisle’s aunt.

“Brother-in-law, are you really going to sentence Carlisle to death?”

Hestia de Hilder.

An excellent knight, she was the sister of Guntram’s wife and Carlisle’s mother, Adelia, who had passed away long ago.

“Carlisle is the child who most resembles my sister. Do you truly intend to cut off such a child’s head?”

“…”

Guntram didn’t utter a single word in response to Hestia’s words.

“You may impose any punishment you wish. But please, just don’t take Carlisle’s life. I beg you, brother-in-law.”

“…Withdraw now.”

Grand Duke Guntram firmly issued an order to leave even in response to his sister-in-law Hestia’s plea.

Thus, Grand Duke Guntram’s resolve to punish Carlisle severely seemed unshakeable.

* * *

Late at night.

Grand Duke Guntram stood blankly before the portrait of his wife Adelia.

Though it had been fifteen years since Adelia passed away, her portrait still remained in Grand Duke Guntram’s bedroom.

“I’m sorry. It’s all my fault.”

Grand Duke Guntram spoke to Adelia in the portrait.

Her eyes, which held a gentle smile, were the same beautiful violet color as Carlisle’s.

And those violet eyes were something that only Carlisle had inherited among the three children born between Grand Duke Guntram and Adelia.

“I failed to properly educate our child. Carlisle became so corrupted because I couldn’t fill your absence. I must be a truly worthless father. If you had been alive, Carlisle wouldn’t have ended up in such a state… I always miss you, but… I miss you even more today.”

Grand Duke Guntram’s eyes reddened slightly.

But that didn’t mean tears actually flowed.

His tears had completely dried up long ago when his wife Adelia passed away…

“As a father, I could forgive and embrace Carlisle a hundred or a thousand times. But not as the lord of Dekaron. I have a duty to impose fitting punishment on those who commit grave crimes. My beloved Adelia, never forgive me. I am nothing but a worthless husband and worthless father.”

Despite Grand Duke Guntram’s monologue, his wife in the portrait didn’t move a muscle.

She simply gazed at her husband Grand Duke Guntram with that gentle smile…

* * *

At the same time.

Carlisle had some conversation with Evangeline, then left the house together with her.

“Where is the crime scene?”

“This way.”

Carlisle, guided by Maranello, headed to the crime scene with Evangeline.

“Hmm.”

Carlisle’s gaze swept over the crime scene.

However, due to the long period of three months that had passed, no traces or clues remained at the scene.

Even the bloodstains that might have remained had already been washed away by rain that had fallen long ago.

“Young master, finding or discovering anything here would be…”

“Naturally impossible.”

Carlisle agreed with Maranello’s words.

“But why did you come here?”

“Because even if I can’t, she can.”

“Pardon?”

At Carlisle’s words, Maranello looked back at Evangeline.

Maranello’s eyes were full of doubt, as if thinking ‘This girl?’

“So this is the place. Right, let’s see. Whether I really killed Alberto.”

Carlisle muttered to himself like that, then looked back at Evangeline.

“Now, it’s your turn.”

“I don’t know if it will work well…”

“It probably will. It’s not that difficult.”

“Th-then I’ll try.”

Evangeline nodded, then held hands with Carlisle and concentrated her mind.

Carlisle also concentrated his mind while holding hands with Evangeline.

Some time passed.

“…”

“…”

Nothing happened.

“It’s not working?”

“I-I’ll try again!”

Some more time passed again.

“…”

“…”

Still nothing happened.

Even after holding hands and concentrating several more times, the result didn’t change.

“What, you really can’t do it?”

“…I’m sorry. I’ve never tried anything like this before.”

“Hmm. Is it because you’re still young?”

As Carlisle frowned and spoke, Maranello asked.

“Young master, may I know what you’re trying to do?”

“Trying to read the earth’s memories about me. She’s a spirit mage.”

“…!”

“She recently made a contract with an earth spirit.”

“What?!”

Surprise flashed across Maranello’s expression.

Spirit contractors were extremely rare existences even in this world dominated by Sword and Magic.

In the case of legendary spirit contractors, there were even records in history books of them single-handedly reducing entire cities to ashes.

Moreover, those who had contracted with earth spirits were said to be so tremendously useful that they could sometimes determine the rise and fall of nations.

Of course, that wasn’t what mattered right now.

No matter what anyone said, finding out the truth about that night had to come first.

“Is, is that really true?”

“Yeah.”

“How do you know that, young master?”

Maranello asked Carlisle with an expression of complete disbelief.

‘How do I know? I recruited her while playing as Frey in the game, so of course I know.’

Evangeline was a character who appeared in the scenario mode of Frey, one of the protagonists in Overlord.

Of course, Frey recruiting Evangeline would be something that happened much later.

‘The timing was good. It would have been troublesome if she hadn’t contracted with the earth spirit yet.’

From talking with Evangeline, it turned out that she had contracted with the earth spirit only six months ago.

Of course, he couldn’t tell Maranello the truth about this, so Carlisle made up a story.

“About four months ago? I happened to see her while walking on the Forest Path. She was talking with an earth spirit.”

“My word, and you just passed by? Without reporting it to His Grace the Grand Duke?”

“I forgot.”

“….”

Maranello was left speechless by Carlisle’s words.

Of all things to forget, how could he completely forget such a crucial fact?

A spirit contractor who had made a contract with an earth spirit was a matter of great importance that even the Royal Court would take keen interest in….

“It’s fine as long as I remembered it now, what more do you want? It’s not like I forgot forever.”

“….”

“But it’s not going well. Since she contracted recently, she must still be inexperienced. To know exactly what happened that night, she’d need to read the earth’s memories about me.”

Then Evangeline hung her head low and said.

“I’m, I’m sorry. For not being able to help.”

“That’s troublesome.”

Carlisle frowned slightly.

“I absolutely need that information.”

“But I can’t do it….”

“We still have time, so let’s keep practicing.”

There was one week left until the trial.

From Carlisle’s perspective, he needed to reveal the truth of that night and prove his innocence at least before the trial.

Of course, he might not be innocent, but either way, the fact that Evangeline needed to read the earth’s memories remained unchanged.

“Do you think… I can do it?”

Evangeline looked uncertain.

“You can do it.”

Carlisle said firmly.

‘She’s going to contract with the Earth Spirit King later, so how could she not manage something like this?’

Evangeline was scheduled to contract with the Earth Spirit King in the future and become one of the most powerful cards Frey possessed.

Carlisle couldn’t even imagine that such a person wouldn’t be able to read a single earth memory.

The ritual failing was purely a matter of proficiency, not a lack of ability on Evangeline’s part.

“Can I really do it?”

“Yes. I believe in you. So let’s keep practicing. You have talent.”

“Oh, understood!”

Encouraged by Carlisle’s support, Evangeline clenched both fists and made a determined expression.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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