[ The frankness of the question causes him to chuckle. Even with Meropide's autonomy, he scarcely believes he'd be allowed to serve as Administrator if he'd killed the last one. One never knows, he supposes. Does he give that impression? ]

He fled before I could. [ It's the truth: Wriothesley would have done anything at the time to get his fortune back. He wouldn't have challenged him to a duel if that hadn't been the case. ] I only took up the Fortress' duties because there was no one else left to do it in his absence. So you could say that Lady Luck showed me some kindness, too.