I won Count Flantrude's heart as planned.
　If it had been me in my previous life, I would have been able to do what I had to do without any emotion, but it was quite painful for me now.

I'm glad it worked out for both of us.
　I'm not optimistic enough to think that a color scheme is a surefire success.
　We had a back-up plan in place if it didn't work, and it was a few steps worse than the color scheme.
　And I'm waiting for him in the room I borrowed.
　I've taken off the mask of a noblewoman named Lou and am here as Lug Touahade.
　He has prepared a private room for each of us, and I am the only one in this room.
　The door is opened vigorously, with the kind of misbehavior that is typical of noblemen of good taste.
　I guess I was really looking forward to Lou's answer.

''Please let me hear Lou's answer!

With an upbeat face, he asked a hopeful question.
　In his hand was a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

'Sorry, the woman you fell in love with isn't here.

Coldly, he tells her the reality.

'How did you get into my mansion?
It's better not to make a scene ... if you do, she won't survive.

He walks behind the stunned Count Flantrude, closes the door, pushes him back, stumbles, and sits down, hooking his feet up to the chair I've prepared for him.

'Who the hell are you!
You don't know who that is. Whoever you're trying to frame. Lugues Touahade, don't tell me you don't know who you are.

He exclaimed and looked away.

'Why?'
What do you mean by 'why'?　You're telling me why I found out about the plot in King's Landing?　Are you telling me why I am here when I am supposed to be in Touahade, in a distant frontier?　Why are you saying that you noticed that Count Frantrude would give false testimony?　No, I mean, how did you know that you were in love with a girl named Lou?

In order to gain an advantage in negotiations, we make the other party think we know everything.
　In fact, I know most of the things.
　Count Flantrude's face is pale.

''Shall we discuss it? I'd like to be a gentleman, if possible. But you see........I'm really pissed off about this. Depending on Count Flantrude's attitude, I don't know what I'll do.

As I say this, I throw the necklace.
　Yesterday, I told him that I wore it as Lou's, and to make a strong impression, I told him it was a treasure in my mother's possession.

''That's it, that's Lou's,''
Yeah, I kidnapped you because I thought it would be a bargaining chip.
You're kidding me!　She has nothing to do with this!
I don't care. He's your boyfriend. You put your life in danger because of your boyfriend. Poor kid. My heart goes out to you.
Me and her are not a couple!
Not yet. I'm told your name was called out by your men when they kidnapped you. In fact, this has left Count Flantrude very upset.
'Kah, I won't bend my will for her. I even killed my father for the House of Frantrude. I'll show you one or two women I've fallen in love with and cut them down.

They're not too smart, apparently.
　When a hostage is taken, the most effective thing you can do is to make the hostage feel like he or she has no value.
　As long as it's worth it, they're going to try to take advantage of you.
　I just can't help it, I'm not a good actor. I guess I don't have any experience with these types of shuras.
　On the other hand, I have a certain amount of experience with this sort of thing.
　"It's easy to convince.

I see, so let's turn back for today. Tomorrow I'll bring her a finger or two as a souvenir. Yes, you'll want to know she's okay. Shall I let you write a letter with the blood dripping from the finger you cut off?　I'll deliver it to you every day until your fingers are gone.

He whispers, bringing his face up to his ear.
　With a real killing intent on top of it.
　No matter how strong he is, his everyday life is too far away from the scent of death.
　His first contact with the cold world and the killing intent of a real assassin.
　It's enough to peel away his vanity.

''Wait, wait. I'm sure Lou is safe, right?
Yeah, and I promise to be polite as long as you don't do anything stupid.
What do you want?　What the hell do you want me to do?
Well, you know what to do.

I want to clap for him.
　My teeth clatter in fear, but I still haven't stopped thinking.
　When I'm not killing this guy and negotiating with him, I'm properly aware that the goal is not retribution.

You are right not to attack me here and not to call anyone. We know it's impossible to take down a monster as brave as you.

'When you testify at the trial, read the script I've prepared for you. When you have done that, I will give you the woman back.

Carelessly, he throws a letter.
　When he sees what is written there, he sloshes his greasy sweat away.

'You want me to betray the Marquis of Karonarai. I can't, he's my benefactor.''
You're a good man.

What is written in it tells me that the Marquis of Karonarai threatened me, made me hold the money and forced me to testify falsely.
　The Marquis of Karonarai was the mastermind behind this time, and he was the one who tried to frame me.

''First of all, such a statement would ruin me. It would be an attempt to falsely accuse the Marquis of Karonarai.
Yeah, it's all right. We've got it all behind us. Count Flantrude will not be charged with a crime.

Throw in another document.
　There is information and evidence about where the victim was actually killed, and traces of the Marquis of Karonarai using his crony nobles to direct the transportation of the body.

Even though I'm not approximately wrong, I still don't have enough information that I need to know.

Still, it's enough to fool a man whose horror and nervousness have narrowed his vision.
　That's enough for now.
　At this moment, agents from all over the country are still working to perfect this material.
　However, even if the material is perfected, it is still just one step short of hunting down the Marquis of Karonarai. This man needs to fill in that one step.

''Oh no, how could it be, how could it be, impossible, because only, only a few days after this plan was put into motion, I could gather all this information and evidence to get to me. The math doesn't add up in any way!
'Don't you know, unlike the heroes, the [Holy Knight] was chosen by the Goddess. The goddess told me at my bedside. That something had appeared to interfere with the salvation of the world. And when I woke up, I found myself in King's Landing.

A lie so cheap it almost made me laugh.
　However, the overwhelming speed of information transmission and movement speed, two impossible things, made me think it was an act of God.
　In addition, I had been conveniently using the term Goddess oracle when spreading the 【Made-Killer】 technique around the world for some time now.
　It is a well known story that if you are a nobleman, [Holy Knight] Rougu Touahade can hear the voice of the Goddess.

''The goddess told me. Those who stand in the way of saving the world will not receive any blessings in the future. ........Your life is over, isn't it?
I, I, I didn't mean to... I didn't mean to interfere with the salvation of the world, I didn't mean for the goddess to abandon me, no, I didn't...
I don't care what you thought you were going to do, as a matter of fact, the goddess chose you to stand in my way of saving the world.

He's slipped out of his chair.
　Now, is that enough of a whip?
　The basis of persuasion is candy and a whip.
　After you've beaten him to death with the whip, you have to give him candy.

But there is only one way to be saved. You'll do what I say and testify. You're still trying to interfere, but you're not interfering, are you?　In fact, if you cooperate with me, you will have helped save the world. The goddess will be happy to see you. Maybe the goddess will bless me for the rest of my life.
You want me to help save the world?　But if I betray the Marquis of Karonarai, in an aristocratic society, and besides, I need money, money, money.
What do you care? After all, the Marquis of Karonarai will be guilty after his trial. Criminals have no authority and no one can blame them. You could betray them, no one would blame you. Besides, the money is right here. You can have it if you cooperate.

I take out a bag full of gold coins from [crane skin bag] and let him hold it.
　Although paper money has already started to be used in this country, gold coins are still in use in correspondence with other countries, and they can still be used within the country.
　He chooses to use gold coins instead of paper money because they rule his mind, and he chooses the one that has a stronger sense of being gold. This weight, sound, and shine can drive one's mind crazy.
　His eyes change color as he opens the bag of gold coins to examine the contents.

''Wow, what a lot.''
"Three times the amount of money that the stingy Marquis of Karonarai promised me. That will wipe out the debt your father has ponied up for you. I won't have to listen to those rich bastards. On the contrary, you'll be able to boost your domain.

The Marquis of Karonarai made all sorts of mistakes.
　There are traces of the mistakes he made here and there because he is always sloppy in order to speed up his plans.
　Above all, he was stingy with the money needed for the takeover.
　It's only 1,000 gold coins for the acquisition of the most important witness, and that's how small the vessel is.

"Ah, ah, ah, ah!

The candy after the whip seemed to have helped a lot.
　One more push and he would be completely broken.
　The candy and the whip are the basis of negotiations, but the first-rate adds a secret ingredient here.

"And I'm sure you want to give the Marquis of Karonarai a pat on the back for tricking you into exploiting him.
"He tricked me?　What are you talking about?
You don't think he knows?

He cowered his shoulders and showed them, "Oh dear.

You owe the Marquis of Karonarai a debt of gratitude for the junk your father bought for you. You think that because you were introduced to these rich people, you could sell your aristocratic pride for a day's money, don't you?
'That's right. If he hadn't bought that junk, the Frantrud family would have been done with it long ago. He's the one who introduced me to those rich people. So how could I ever betray him?

It's not an act, but this guy really seems to think the Marquis of Karonarai is his benefactor.
　This is a masterpiece.

You're far too trusting. Your father had a collection of artifacts that were fakes. But 90% of it was the real thing. The remaining 10% were very close to the real thing, and worth every penny.
'No!　I had to call a couple of appraisers to make sure it was right.
'No matter how many of them there are, they would all be introduced by the Marquis of Kalonarai. The Marquis of Karonarai was breathing down my neck. I want to show you something interesting. A list of the works of art you sold to the Marquess of Karonarai, to whom you sold them. The Galatian necklace to the barons of Dreilah, the Flatula vase to the Marquis de Maluida, the landscape by Falan Float to the great baron Balor, all sold by the Marquis of Karonarai for a handsome sum. If you don't believe me, you'll find one or two acquaintances in here. Why don't you come to my home and show them the goods? Feel good, brag about your treasures, and snort about how expensive they were.
Oh, no. No way. No way.
Your father was a fool, but he had a good eye for things. The artworks were worth more than the price he bought them for. If he had sold them at the right price, he would be rich, not just in debt, but in money. And those rich people you introduced me to, they gave the Marquis Karonarai a commission. The Marquis of Karonarai is a clever man who, unlike the House of Hrantrud, makes his money without losing anything. In short, Count Flantrude was being preyed upon. Can you forgive me for this?

When I looked into it, I started laughing.
　It's not often that I see a case of such brilliant deception and exploitation.
　Count Flantrude was smart, but he was naive and assumed too much that his father was stupid.
　He was easily taken advantage of there.

''I...........I can't, I can't forgive you!
Then you will get what you deserve. I have proof that the real culprit is the Marquis of Karonarai. All you have to do is testify and the Marquis of Karonarai is dead. When the trial is over, you can take this money and be reborn with Lou on your return.
'I'll get rid of the grudge and the money and Lou is mine, oh, oh, what a wonderful future.
I'm sure the goddess will shower you and Lou with her blessings for helping to save the world.
"The goddess will forgive me. Goddess bless you and Lou.

I heard a gulp and a raw spit, and Count Flantrude hugged his bag of gold coins.
　He is free of fear and sees only the best of the future in his eyes.

The basis of negotiation is candy and whip, ... and the element I've added to it is vengeance.
　No longer is Count Flantrude my puppet. He dances to my heart's content.
　Now my work in King's Landing is done.
　Let's get back to Touahadé.
　And I will use all the eyes and feet in the world to hunt down the Marquis of Karonarai and frame anyone who dares to frame me on the day of my trial.
　He will spend the rest of his life in prison, wishing he hadn't messed with me.

I won Count Flantrude's heart as planned.
　If it had been me in my previous life, I would have been able to do what I had to do without any emotion, but it was quite painful for me now.

I'm glad it worked out for both of us.
　I'm not optimistic enough to think that a color scheme is a surefire success.
　We had a back-up plan in place if it didn't work, and it was a few steps worse than the color scheme.
　And I'm waiting for him in the room I borrowed.
　I've taken off the mask of a noblewoman named Lou and am here as Lug Touahade.
　He has prepared a private room for each of us, and I am the only one in this room.
　The door is opened vigorously, with the kind of misbehavior that is typical of noblemen of good taste.
　I guess I was really looking forward to Lou's answer.

''Please let me hear Lou's answer!

With an upbeat face, he asked a hopeful question.
　In his hand was a beautiful bouquet of flowers.

'Sorry, the woman you fell in love with isn't here.

Coldly, he tells her the reality.

'How did you get into my mansion?
It's better not to make a scene ... if you do, she won't survive.

He walks behind the stunned Count Flantrude, closes the door, pushes him back, stumbles, and sits down, hooking his feet up to the chair I've prepared for him.

'Who the hell are you!
You don't know who that is. Whoever you're trying to frame. Lugues Touahade, don't tell me you don't know who you are.

He exclaimed and looked away.

'Why?'
What do you mean by 'why'?　You're telling me why I found out about the plot in King's Landing?　Are you telling me why I am here when I am supposed to be in Touahade, in a distant frontier?　Why are you saying that you noticed that Count Frantrude would give false testimony?　No, I mean, how did you know that you were in love with a girl named Lou?

In order to gain an advantage in negotiations, we make the other party think we know everything.
　In fact, I know most of the things.
　Count Flantrude's face is pale.

''Shall we discuss it? I'd like to be a gentleman, if possible. But you see........I'm really pissed off about this. Depending on Count Flantrude's attitude, I don't know what I'll do.

As I say this, I throw the necklace.
　Yesterday, I told him that I wore it as Lou's, and to make a strong impression, I told him it was a treasure in my mother's possession.

''That's it, that's Lou's,''
Yeah, I kidnapped you because I thought it would be a bargaining chip.
You're kidding me!　She has nothing to do with this!
I don't care. He's your boyfriend. You put your life in danger because of your boyfriend. Poor kid. My heart goes out to you.
Me and her are not a couple!
Not yet. I'm told your name was called out by your men when they kidnapped you. In fact, this has left Count Flantrude very upset.
'Kah, I won't bend my will for her. I even killed my father for the House of Frantrude. I'll show you one or two women I've fallen in love with and cut them down.

They're not too smart, apparently.
　When a hostage is taken, the most effective thing you can do is to make the hostage feel like he or she has no value.
　As long as it's worth it, they're going to try to take advantage of you.
　I just can't help it, I'm not a good actor. I guess I don't have any experience with these types of shuras.
　On the other hand, I have a certain amount of experience with this sort of thing.
　"It's easy to convince.

I see, so let's turn back for today. Tomorrow I'll bring her a finger or two as a souvenir. Yes, you'll want to know she's okay. Shall I let you write a letter with the blood dripping from the finger you cut off?　I'll deliver it to you every day until your fingers are gone.

He whispers, bringing his face up to his ear.
　With a real killing intent on top of it.
　No matter how strong he is, his everyday life is too far away from the scent of death.
　His first contact with the cold world and the killing intent of a real assassin.
　It's enough to peel away his vanity.

''Wait, wait. I'm sure Lou is safe, right?
Yeah, and I promise to be polite as long as you don't do anything stupid.
What do you want?　What the hell do you want me to do?
Well, you know what to do.

I want to clap for him.
　My teeth clatter in fear, but I still haven't stopped thinking.
　When I'm not killing this guy and negotiating with him, I'm properly aware that the goal is not retribution.

You are right not to attack me here and not to call anyone. We know it's impossible to take down a monster as brave as you.

'When you testify at the trial, read the script I've prepared for you. When you have done that, I will give you the woman back.

Carelessly, he throws a letter.
　When he sees what is written there, he sloshes his greasy sweat away.

'You want me to betray the Marquis of Karonarai. I can't, he's my benefactor.''
You're a good man.

What is written in it tells me that the Marquis of Karonarai threatened me, made me hold the money and forced me to testify falsely.
　The Marquis of Karonarai was the mastermind behind this time, and he was the one who tried to frame me.

''First of all, such a statement would ruin me. It would be an attempt to falsely accuse the Marquis of Karonarai.
Yeah, it's all right. We've got it all behind us. Count Flantrude will not be charged with a crime.

Throw in another document.
　There is information and evidence about where the victim was actually killed, and traces of the Marquis of Karonarai using his crony nobles to direct the transportation of the body.

Even though I'm not approximately wrong, I still don't have enough information that I need to know.

Still, it's enough to fool a man whose horror and nervousness have narrowed his vision.
　That's enough for now.
　At this moment, agents from all over the country are still working to perfect this material.
　However, even if the material is perfected, it is still just one step short of hunting down the Marquis of Karonarai. This man needs to fill in that one step.

''Oh no, how could it be, how could it be, impossible, because only, only a few days after this plan was put into motion, I could gather all this information and evidence to get to me. The math doesn't add up in any way!
'Don't you know, unlike the heroes, the [Holy Knight] was chosen by the Goddess. The goddess told me at my bedside. That something had appeared to interfere with the salvation of the world. And when I woke up, I found myself in King's Landing.

A lie so cheap it almost made me laugh.
　However, the overwhelming speed of information transmission and movement speed, two impossible things, made me think it was an act of God.
　In addition, I had been conveniently using the term Goddess oracle when spreading the 【Made-Killer】 technique around the world for some time now.
　It is a well known story that if you are a nobleman, [Holy Knight] Rougu Touahade can hear the voice of the Goddess.

''The goddess told me. Those who stand in the way of saving the world will not receive any blessings in the future. ........Your life is over, isn't it?
I, I, I didn't mean to... I didn't mean to interfere with the salvation of the world, I didn't mean for the goddess to abandon me, no, I didn't...
I don't care what you thought you were going to do, as a matter of fact, the goddess chose you to stand in my way of saving the world.

He's slipped out of his chair.
　Now, is that enough of a whip?
　The basis of persuasion is candy and a whip.
　After you've beaten him to death with the whip, you have to give him candy.

But there is only one way to be saved. You'll do what I say and testify. You're still trying to interfere, but you're not interfering, are you?　In fact, if you cooperate with me, you will have helped save the world. The goddess will be happy to see you. Maybe the goddess will bless me for the rest of my life.
You want me to help save the world?　But if I betray the Marquis of Karonarai, in an aristocratic society, and besides, I need money, money, money.
What do you care? After all, the Marquis of Karonarai will be guilty after his trial. Criminals have no authority and no one can blame them. You could betray them, no one would blame you. Besides, the money is right here. You can have it if you cooperate.

I take out a bag full of gold coins from [crane skin bag] and let him hold it.
　Although paper money has already started to be used in this country, gold coins are still in use in correspondence with other countries, and they can still be used within the country.
　He chooses to use gold coins instead of paper money because they rule his mind, and he chooses the one that has a stronger sense of being gold. This weight, sound, and shine can drive one's mind crazy.
　His eyes change color as he opens the bag of gold coins to examine the contents.

''Wow, what a lot.''
"Three times the amount of money that the stingy Marquis of Karonarai promised me. That will wipe out the debt your father has ponied up for you. I won't have to listen to those rich bastards. On the contrary, you'll be able to boost your domain.

The Marquis of Karonarai made all sorts of mistakes.
　There are traces of the mistakes he made here and there because he is always sloppy in order to speed up his plans.
　Above all, he was stingy with the money needed for the takeover.
　It's only 1,000 gold coins for the acquisition of the most important witness, and that's how small the vessel is.

"Ah, ah, ah, ah!

The candy after the whip seemed to have helped a lot.
　One more push and he would be completely broken.
　The candy and the whip are the basis of negotiations, but the first-rate adds a secret ingredient here.

"And I'm sure you want to give the Marquis of Karonarai a pat on the back for tricking you into exploiting him.
"He tricked me?　What are you talking about?
You don't think he knows?

He cowered his shoulders and showed them, "Oh dear.

You owe the Marquis of Karonarai a debt of gratitude for the junk your father bought for you. You think that because you were introduced to these rich people, you could sell your aristocratic pride for a day's money, don't you?
'That's right. If he hadn't bought that junk, the Frantrud family would have been done with it long ago. He's the one who introduced me to those rich people. So how could I ever betray him?

It's not an act, but this guy really seems to think the Marquis of Karonarai is his benefactor.
　This is a masterpiece.

You're far too trusting. Your father had a collection of artifacts that were fakes. But 90% of it was the real thing. The remaining 10% were very close to the real thing, and worth every penny.
'No!　I had to call a couple of appraisers to make sure it was right.
'No matter how many of them there are, they would all be introduced by the Marquis of Kalonarai. The Marquis of Karonarai was breathing down my neck. I want to show you something interesting. A list of the works of art you sold to the Marquess of Karonarai, to whom you sold them. The Galatian necklace to the barons of Dreilah, the Flatula vase to the Marquis de Maluida, the landscape by Falan Float to the great baron Balor, all sold by the Marquis of Karonarai for a handsome sum. If you don't believe me, you'll find one or two acquaintances in here. Why don't you come to my home and show them the goods? Feel good, brag about your treasures, and snort about how expensive they were.
Oh, no. No way. No way.
Your father was a fool, but he had a good eye for things. The artworks were worth more than the price he bought them for. If he had sold them at the right price, he would be rich, not just in debt, but in money. And those rich people you introduced me to, they gave the Marquis Karonarai a commission. The Marquis of Karonarai is a clever man who, unlike the House of Hrantrud, makes his money without losing anything. In short, Count Flantrude was being preyed upon. Can you forgive me for this?

When I looked into it, I started laughing.
　It's not often that I see a case of such brilliant deception and exploitation.
　Count Flantrude was smart, but he was naive and assumed too much that his father was stupid.
　He was easily taken advantage of there.

''I...........I can't, I can't forgive you!
Then you will get what you deserve. I have proof that the real culprit is the Marquis of Karonarai. All you have to do is testify and the Marquis of Karonarai is dead. When the trial is over, you can take this money and be reborn with Lou on your return.
'I'll get rid of the grudge and the money and Lou is mine, oh, oh, what a wonderful future.
I'm sure the goddess will shower you and Lou with her blessings for helping to save the world.
"The goddess will forgive me. Goddess bless you and Lou.

I heard a gulp and a raw spit, and Count Flantrude hugged his bag of gold coins.
　He is free of fear and sees only the best of the future in his eyes.

The basis of negotiation is candy and whip, ... and the element I've added to it is vengeance.
　No longer is Count Flantrude my puppet. He dances to my heart's content.
　Now my work in King's Landing is done.
　Let's get back to Touahadé.
　And I will use all the eyes and feet in the world to hunt down the Marquis of Karonarai and frame anyone who dares to frame me on the day of my trial.
　He will spend the rest of his life in prison, wishing he hadn't messed with me.