Adventurer's Guild Café: I Was Wrongfully Exiled by the Saint, So I Will Enjoy My Second Life with My Fluffy Friends - V 2.2 Chapter 7.4

“I’ve heard everything.”

Standing before me, the man placed a hand over his chest and bowed deeply.

I hastily tried to stop him, and he raised his head—his gaze turning toward Father.

“Earl Leiria, was it?”

Father, struck dumb, could only stare as the man spoke.

“My name is Redrick. Redrick Orstiard. In this kingdom, I bear the title of Duke.”

A duke. The very instant that word was spoken, Father’s face drained of all color.

“N-no… impossible… A duke? Why—how…?”

“Everything that has transpired here today—I, Redrick Orstiard Berta, will bear witness to it.”

—Berta.

The duke placed deliberate weight on that name before turning his eyes to me, giving a deep nod.

…It was truly fortunate that I hadn’t severed that tie. He was the same Duke who, after the Albert incident, had sent me a letter of apology. I hadn’t wanted to remember that time, so I left it in Simon’s care without ever answering.

But when I resolved to use the Scales of Truth to expose Father’s crimes… I knew that merely exposing them would not be enough. To have his sins properly judged, we needed undeniable witnesses. Ones powerful enough that victory in court was assured.

And that’s when I remembered… Albert, and Duke Berta.

“These kinds of ties… you never know when they might come in handy someday.”

I recalled Simon’s words. It felt a little underhanded, but I had asked Simon to summon the duke here as a witness. Of course, the duke came without hesitation.

Gratania might not have racial discrimination, but a social hierarchy still existed. In theory, trials were fair regardless of status—but I wanted a witness of unquestionable standing. Someone whose very presence would silence doubt.

I had chosen to use that hierarchy.

“…What is the meaning of this?”

Father looked at me in shock. Then, his face twisted with rage, his body trembling.

“You tricked me, Kuna!?”

“…I didn’t. You swore to speak the truth before the Scales yourself, Father.”

“Then what is this!? Why do people of such high standing gather around some brat!? Around a worthless, half-breed child like you!?”

His hand lashed out to seize me—

—but it was caught midair, crushed in Gier’s unyielding grip.

Father’s face contorted in pain.

“…So that was your true feeling all along, Father.”

Back when I lived in that mansion, I had lost all will to live. I never thought for myself, never acted on my own. I merely drifted through life—just like Gier in his childhood.

That must be why Father never imagined I would know Mother’s true name, and why he so carelessly swore to speak the truth before the Scales. He must have thought that even if the Scales tipped, no one would ever listen to me anyway.

That was the entirety of his feelings toward me. He never trusted me, never cherished me. He never loved me at all.

“…Perhaps you thought I could do nothing. And it’s true—back when I lived in that house, I really couldn’t do anything.”

But—my hands clenched tightly.

“Since the day Lulu brought me here, I’ve changed.”

No matter where I run, discrimination and prejudice will never vanish. That’s why I decided—not to beg the world to change, but to change myself instead.

“With the help of Ruri, Dan, and everyone else, I regained the strength to live. I learned what happiness truly means.”

Back in that house, I was probably little more than a dead thing, still walking. Unacknowledged, trampled on, treated like air itself. I never even knew what reason I had to live.

“But my happiness is here, Father. I love the everyday life I spend with everyone.”

His eyes glared at me, cold enough to freeze the blood in my veins. Yet I was no longer afraid.

“I’ve found something precious as well. My treasures are the bonds I’ve made with people. I discovered them with my own strength, and I’ve carried them all the way to this day. Even those who stand here for me now—they’re proof of that.”

I saw Leah give a deep, steady nod.

“If it’s to protect those bonds, then I can be strong. I am… I am not empty. I am not just some beastkin child. I am a person—worthy of the same respect as anyone else.”

Taking a deep breath, I faced Father directly and spoke.

“My home is here. The adventurers’ guild café—that is where I belong.”

No more tears came.

Because my happiness was never with Father. It was here—living every day with everyone.

“Goodbye, Father.”

It felt as if the tangled ribbon that had bound me for so long finally slipped free. What had tormented me all this time unraveled, leaving my chest light.

“…Earl Leiria. You will be escorted to the royal capital. There, you will undergo proper investigation and trial, and atone for your crimes.”

Gier’s voice rang out firm. Simon followed, his tone calm yet unwavering.

“All that has transpired here—I, Simon Ligg, Guildmaster, bear witness to it.”

“Gier Ethel, Captain of the Staff Knights, swears the same.”

“…Ingrid Lucia, acting Duke of Lucia. I will cooperate as witness to see your crimes judged.”

“I, Redrick Orstiard Berta, also swear to testify without falsehood.”

Last of all, Ares let out a sharp, resounding cry as if to affirm his own vow.

“All five of us hereby swear, before the Scales of Truth, to report without deception what we have seen this day to the kingdom.”

Simon smiled as he declared it. At that, Father collapsed to the floor with a heavy thud.

“E-Elena… Atlantia was connected to House Lucia? I… I never knew…! I only rescued Elena from the slavers, that’s all! She loved me—she loved me!”

“Loved you!? Don’t make me laugh!”

Ingrid-san’s cry—half scream, half roar—shook the hall.

“My sister had a fiancé! The White Wolf tribe only ever loves one person in their entire life! No matter what excuses you spew, my sister loved only him!”

Leah and Duke Berta held her back desperately, restraining her as she trembled with fury.

“The details will be heard in the capital. For now, you’ll come with us to the Wand Knights’ barracks to await escort.”

Father offered no resistance. His face was hollow, emptied of all emotion, staring blankly as though nothing of him remained.

—At last. It was finally over. I had protected my place… with my own hands.

Relief hit me so hard I nearly collapsed where I stood. The fluffy ones rushed over, brushing against my arms to comfort me. I stroked Lulu’s head, trying to steady my breathing when—

“Wait!”

A sharp, high-pitched voice of a young girl rang through the hall.