A few days later, I finished copying the mural of the example underground ruins into a document.
　The non-attribute magic "drawing" was useful. It's a magic that transfers what you see directly onto paper or other materials. Well, it's a copy machine.
　It's not me writing with a pen, it's just a copy machine because the letters come up on the paper. So I copied them onto paper while looking at the photo screen on my phone.
　This magic gave me an external printer. I printed out some recipes for snacks to try out and took them to Ael-san, who was very pleased with them. I had to use my "search" to find the ingredients, though. I figured out the quantities and so on from the weight of a hundred yen coin I had with me. You should have realized that earlier, myself.
　Now, let's go deliver it to the capital. I called out to everyone, but it seems I'm still not comfortable meeting the Duke, so I'm going on my own. I'm not sure I've ever seen such a thing. There was no such thing as a nobleman in the original world. I have to say, strictly speaking, there might have been, but.
　I take the documents I've finished copying and open the 'gate'.
　I passed through the Gate of Light and stepped out in front of the main gate of the duke's house.

''Whoa!''
Oh, I'm sorry.

　The gatekeeper is surprised by my sudden appearance. To tell the truth, he surprises me every time I come here. I want him to get used to it, but he has yet to get used to it.
　Huh?
　The main gate opened and a carriage came out from inside. Are we going out?　Was the timing bad?

''Fuyu-dono!　Thank God!　Get in!
'What?　What... what?　What is it?!

　The duke came out of the carriage door, and in the blink of an eye, he pulled me by the arm and dragged me into the carriage. What the hell is this?

"No, I didn't expect Fuyu-dono to visit me at this time...!　Perhaps God sent you. I should be grateful.

　The duke excitedly began to pray in my face. It's true that it's God who sent me here. Even so, this impatience is unusual. What's going on here?

'What on earth happened?'

　When I asked the duke this, he opened his mouth with sweat on his forehead and a voice that sounded impatient.

'Your brother has been poisoned.

　...What did you say?　
　I mean, if you're the Duke's brother, you're the King, right?　The king's assassination?　

'Fortunately it was dealt with quickly and we're still holding on. But...

　He grabbed his hands and squeezed them together, his voice trembling as he looked down. My brother is about to be killed, that must worry you.

Do you have any idea who did it?
I think I know who it is. But I don't have any proof. I'm sure you remember that Sue was attacked. I think it's probably the same guy.
'But what about the king?　Oh, assassins from other countries or something like that...
That would have been easier to understand...

　With a single sigh, the Duke looked up. There was a bitter expression on his face.

''Our Belfast Kingdom is surrounded by three countries. To the west is the Kingdom of Liefreth, to the east is the Regulus Empire across the Melicia Mountains, and to the south is the Kingdom of Mismid across the great river of Gau. Of these, we have a longstanding relationship and friendship with Emperor Liefries to the west.

　Hmmm.

I'm not sure if it's a good match, but I'm not sure if it's a good match. It's quite possible that they could invade our country again at any time. And the Kingdom of Mismid in the south, this is the problem.
Problem?
"Mismid is a new nation founded twenty years ago during the war with the Empire. Your brother wants to form an alliance with this new nation to provide a check on the Empire and create new trade. But there are some noblemen who are opposed to this.
Why?

　If we don't know when this thing called the Empire is going to attack us, I think we should have more allies. Isn't it that simple?

''It's because the Kingdom of Mismid is the land of the sub-humans. A country populated by sub-humans and ruled by a beastman king. I don't like that, those old nobles.
...What's that?

　So you don't like it, so you're going to interfere with what's in the national interest?　And I don't understand why it's a subhuman. If it's a beast that can't talk to you, I'd still be able to understand it, at least a hundred times. The beastmen can talk properly, and the Alma and others I met were very nice.

'The sub-humans were once considered lowly creatures and were an object of contempt. A lowly and barbaric race. In our father's time, however, laws were enacted to change this perception, and the practice gradually died out. In fact, in the castle town, beastmen walked around normally, and there was no discrimination against them on the surface. But behind the scenes, there are a lot of old aristocrats who don't approve of that.
Is that racist?
Yes. Why should we join forces with a nation of vile beastmen? We should attack and destroy them and make them our vassal states. To those aristocrats who insist on this, your brother is nothing more than a hindrance to them.

　I see. So that old nobleman could be behind this? But would you go that far?　I've had the feeling that Killing my sovereign, for example. Wouldn't we be in trouble if the king was dead?

'When your brother dies, the throne will pass to his only daughter, Princess Yumina. Perhaps that nobleman is willing to press the princess to take his own son or one of his family's as his son-in-law. In this case, the person who kidnapped Soo and was trying to blackmail her with that story may not have been me, but your brother.

　You would not enter into diplomatic relations with a mismid if you fear for your niece's life? She's a princess of a country, and her security must be tight. So maybe that's why he went after Su instead...maybe. No, he could have gotten carried away and made his son the princess's son-in-law, or something like that. However, it seems like a sloppy scheme to me.
　If I'm found out, I'll be executed for sure. I remembered a villain in a historical drama.

So, what should I do?
I want you to use that magic you cast on Eren. With that spell you cast on Eren.

　Abnormal Normal Recovery Magic "Recovery". Is that it? I'm sure that's the only way to get rid of the poison and the after-effects. The only thing I can think of to do is to ask the question. I'm sure that's why I'm here.
　In the meantime, the duke's carriage passed through the castle gates, crossed the drawbridge and arrived at the royal castle.
　The Duke hurriedly took us inside the castle, and we were greeted by a red carpeted, vaulted hall. The staircase that stretches from the center of the front to the downstairs curves gently to the left and right, and a gorgeous chandelier that shines like a glittering star can be seen on the ceiling. Is that a magical stone of light?
　I ran up the long carpeted staircase with the Duke and passed a man on the landing halfway up the stairs.

''Well, well, well, Your Highness, it's been a long time.
'　........Count Balsa...!

　With a glare, the duke looked at the man in front of him. He was a small, fat, thin-headed man with fancy clothes. He somehow reminds me of a toad. He is looking at me with a smirk on his face.

''Don't worry. I've subdued those who tried to kill you.
What?
'An ambassador from the Kingdom of Mithmid. His Majesty fell ill after drinking a glass of wine. It turns out that the wine was given to him by the ambassador of the Kingdom of Mismid.
"Stupid...

　The duke is surprised with a look of incredulity on his face. If that's the case, then a rift between the two countries is certain, no, a war would be inevitable.
　But I don't like it. It's too good to be true.

The ambassador is being held in a separate room. "The ambassador is being held in a separate room. "Beheaded and sent to Mismid...
'No!　It's all up to you, brother!　Just have the ambassador stay in his room for a while!
''I see. It's a waste of words for a beastman.... So be it. But if something were to happen to your Majesty, there is nothing I could do to stop the other noblemen.　I'm sure you'll probably say the same thing about me, though.

　Count Balsa smiles a disgusting smile. This guy. An old nobleman who discriminates against beastmen and opposes the king's policies? No, it could be that he poisoned the king........
　As far as the duke glaring at the toad, it seems that his prediction is not off. Yeah, this guy is the culprit. There's no doubt about it.

Then I'll take my leave. I'm going to be very busy from now on, you know.

　With that, the toad began to descend the long, limpid staircase. Getting busy?　Because the king will die?　The duke's hands were clenched and trembling as he looked off Count Baldy. ''Alright, let's give that toad a little punishment.

''Slip.
Wow!

　The toad stepped off and rolled down the stairs at a brisk pace. Without stopping, it fell to the bottom step and was thrown to the floor.

''Geez!''

　Eventually, the toad got up and began to waddle away, despite his calmness. The maids around him and the knights on guard were shaking with laughter. Tsk. Was she safe?
　The Duke, who had been pouting, turns to me, who clucked his tongue, and asks, "Is that you?

''Is that you?''

　I silently give him a thumbs up and return a fresh smile.
　The Duke had a dumbfounded look on his face, but he eventually returned the same smile.