human
Julius:  "Don’t tell me he used his influence as the dad of the Sword Saint to land that position?”
gpt
Julius:  “…That is also part of it. But the greatest reason lies not with the vice captain but with Reinhard…or perhaps it is more accurate to say the Astrea family.”
human
Julius:  “The Astrea family… Does that include Wilhelm too?”
gpt
Julius:  “Well, that man is Master Wilhelm’s son and the current head of the Astrea family. He is also Reinhard’s own father. What would happen to the kingdom if such an individual rebelled due to discourteous treatment?” As he rattled off another explanation, Julius strove to keep his replies as emotionless as possible.
human
Subaru:  Listening to his words, Subaru sank into thought for several seconds. Then he immediately arrived at the answer. The reason that man, Heinkel Astrea, was treated so favorably by the kingdom was—
gpt
Subaru:  “—If Heinkel revolts, that’d mean the family of the Sword Saint becoming an enemy of the kingdom. So he’s being treated like a big shot to maintain good relations…? In other words, the kingdom doesn’t trust Reinhard, or Wilhelm for that matter? !”
human
Subaru:  If that was the case, Subaru could only think of such treatment as a grave insult toward Reinhard and Wilhelm both. Considering the pair’s personalities, how could anyone think they might betray the kingdom?
gpt
Julius:  "Your anger is justified. However, those in charge of the kingdom must consider all possibilities.”
human
Subaru:  “As if that’s even possible!! There’s no way something like that could even…!”
gpt
Julius:  “…Master Wilhelm is the former captain of the Knights of the Royal Guard.” When Julius took a step forward and spoke those words, Subaru’s breath caught, his body coming to a halt.
human
Subaru:  “Fifteen years ago, someone abducted a member of the royal family from the Royal Palace. At the time, Master Wilhelm was in charge of the search for the abducted royal as captain of the Knights of the Royal Guard.”
gpt
Subaru:  “So? Even I’ve heard about that kidnapping.”
human
Subaru:  A kidnapped royal—would that mean Felt? That incident was supposedly the whole justification behind her taking part in the royal selection. Why was Julius digging up that surreal story?
gpt
Subaru:  “I also know that the abducted kid was never found. But what of it? Does that mean Wilhelm has some sort of grudge against the kingdom because he had to take responsibility and quit the knighthood?”
human
Julius:  “That is not so—however, the ‘Grand Expedition,’ the effort to bring down the White Whale that included the prior Sword Saint, took place during the time Master Wilhelm was absent from the capital to conduct the search.”
gpt
Subaru:  The words Julius spoke made Subaru’s mind go blank once more. Sliding into that blank space were words he recalled hearing from Wilhelm at some time or other. Wilhelm had said he had been unable to be with his wife at the time of her death.
human
Subaru:  “Because of the incident, he couldn’t be there when his wife died, so he holds a grudge against the person responsible?”
gpt
Julius:  “I do not know Master Wilhelm’s true intentions.