The Island of the Voice
Sophien's life is concentrated in a particular span. The era of endless deaths through poisoning.
Yet the truth of that time, and her rage toward those behind her poisoning, isn't all that great. She feels no particular interest in it.
It's probably a form of defense mechanism, thanks to that certain professor who shared those memories with her.
Those days in her mind have been purified to some extent. Even if she slaughtered every last one behind it, nothing would return to her.
"The reason Your Majesty hates Altiegue...... is what you're asking?"
However, Sophien harbors an oddly fervent hostility solely toward 'Altiegue.'
"Indeed."
Sophien leaned back at Ahan's question, exhaling a heated breath.
"The empire's subjects despise Altiegue. Because they make money with the power of 'demons,' living better fed and clothed than others."
Demonic energy flows faintly in Altiegue bloodlines. Because of it, each member of their tribes possesses demonic abilities.
Telepathy to read minds, psychometry to extract memories and sensations from objects, demonic eyes to induce emotions with a gaze......
Powers of demons, distinct from magic in that they require no learning or training.
Many in the empire's Altiegue use those innate superhuman abilities to succeed.
"However, My reasons differ from theirs."
Ahan swallowed hard. Sophien chuckled softly, gazing at the sky beyond the window, murmuring low.
"There is no reason I reject Altiegue."
"......Pardon?"
"I hate the Altiegue race without reason."
"......"
Ahan blinked blankly. Sophien's expressionless lips twisted.
"That emotion grows fiercer by the day, now an impulse and desire pounding at Me. As if I was born solely to hate Altiegue......"
In this way, Altiegue represents Sophien's flaw. They prove she is not perfect, riddled with deficiencies.
But so what?
The emperor's will was never that of a 'perfect human' to begin with. Merely one of the positions attained by one born of imperial blood.
"Of course, some of them plotted My near-assassination and even Kreto's murder. And in My youth, there was a time I mistakenly believed My curse came from Altiegue."
Sophien took a draw from her pipe.
"Now, it matters not."
She exhaled blue smoke, looking down at Ahan. Ahan slowly looked up at her.
"......Ahan. Did I not tell you?"
The chamber's air grew thick and sticky in an instant.
"Perhaps I am a monster."
Her crimson pupils narrowed like a bird of prey. Those eyes traced a deep arc. A serpentine smile coiled around Ahan's waist.
"N-no, Your Majesty—"
Breathing grew labored, her skin slick with sweat. Blood seemed to pour through the open window in torrents.
On that bare ground, Ahan felt the threat of drowning.
"......Hmph. Enough. Whatever the case, I shall suppress Altiegue."
Thud!
The pipe struck the table with a sharp ring.
That sound restored the chamber. The boiling pressure subsided. Ahan exhaled her held breath and bowed her face.
Sophien spoke.
"Not even the professor can defy that will of Mine."
A tone approaching like a blade, chilling.
This was a warning from Her Majesty to Deculein.
"Yes, Your Majesty. I shall keep it in mind......"
Ahan had the duty to relay these words to the professor now.
Late at night. A full moon rose outside the tower's window, and Ifrin was likely holding an all-nighter meeting on the 30th floor lounge right now.
—This is the Imperial Knights.
I'm listening to the radio transceiver in trial operation.
It's the line from the capital's Imperial Knights to Recor Dak.
—Knight Dayah. How is the situation there?
—Recor Dak is peaceful. The monsters approaching the barrier are as usual, and the 'collision values' aren't high, so no threats.
Julie's voice, working at Recor Dak. Still clear as her convictions.
I listened quietly, fiddling with the 'bracelet.'
Info
Depleted Bracelet
Category
Broken
Special Effect
Location tracking engraving remains.
To the naked eye, it's worthless junk, but to Julie, her most precious treasure......
—Yes. How is Knight Dayah's condition?
"......"
But the content of that transmission irked me slightly. My brow furrowed unconsciously.
—Condition...... you say?
—Yes. We're curious about the state of Lady Dayah, in charge of Recor Dak.
Listening closely, it's Gawain. Julie's junior, a famed senior knight in the capital.
—I'm fine.
—Are you eating well?
—......Yes.
That mundane exchange twisted my gut for no reason.
Is this Deculein's personality at work? Is this why Deculein tormented Julie and her circle?
—Good to hear. The capital hasn't forgotten Lady Dayah. Once the Mieolji expedition is confirmed, we'll meet there again.
Listening to Gawain, I think. Sensing some dark emotion bubbling from the depths.
"......Shall I kill him?"
It's clearly official business comms, yet he's spouting nonsense—Gawain must be rotten too.
Good call pushing Delik.
—Yes. If any other emergencies arise, please radio.
As Julie moved to end the transmission.
Clunk!
Suddenly, the office door flew open. I turned that way.
"Oh my?"
The diminutive president. Adrienne, clutching a staff larger than herself in one hand.
"Professor Deculein! You're still here!"
"......"
I glared at her and said,
"Are you a present offender of office intrusion?"
"What?! Present offender? This is the president's authority too!"
Adrienne proudly flashed the master key.
A key opening from floor 1 to 98, all floors at will.
I shook my head.
"......Do you have a reason for visiting?"
"Who knows! Just bored!"
Adrienne toddled over and sat opposite. Then grinned and asked,
"Oh right! You argued with Her Majesty, right?!"
"......"
How did she hear that rumor? And how did it spread so fast?
Adrienne waggled her brows slyly, and I looked disconcerted.
"Source of the rumor?"
"Hehehe. So it is true! Testing is key to gauging rumors!"
"......Testing?"
"Yes! The news originated from the palace! Her Majesty was in a foul mood all day! The throne room was frozen solid~! I wondered if you were the reason!"
"......"
Indeed, Adrienne excels at judging and acting on rumors. That constant smile is poker face, really.
Caught off-guard at an unexpected moment.
"And the fight was probably~ over Altiegue!"
"Secret. Keep it secret, President."
I said. Adrienne made a strange face.
"Keeping secrets from me? Isn't that too naive?!"
"......"
"Anyway! You didn't like Her Majesty's Altiegue policy, right?! Too lenient?!"
......Policy too lenient.
Fortunately, Adrienne missed the key point.
"But what exactly didn't you like?! From what I hear, Her Majesty plans to kill all old Altiegue and cram the rest into camps!"
"Why tell someone who can't keep secrets?"
Adrienne narrowed her eyes.
"Hmph! Fine, I'll think what I want!"
"Yes. Do so. You might get dragged for treason."
"Me, treason? Pfft. I'm so nice 'cause I'm scared you'll send me abroad! But seriously, isn't it weird?! Why does Her Majesty hate Altiegue so much?! She's softer on other minorities!"
As she said, Sophien hates Altiegue.
But the reason is 'unknown.'
Not undisclosed—literally unset.
"I get why you hate Altiegue! Yukline and all!"
As I let Adrienne's chatter flow in one ear.
A sudden thought flashed.
"Yukline can blame demons, demonic energy! Kill 'em and say they were demons—everyone buys it!"
I looked at muttering Adrienne. Sensing my gaze, she paused.
"Why?"
"......Go on, to the world."
"Huh?!"
"Deculein advocated harsher policies than Her Majesty's."
Adrienne's loose lips have surprising credibility. As president, she hears imperial secrets and doesn't pass 'half-wrong rumors.'
A canary with persuasive power, at least.
"Deculein pushed 'extermination,' more brutal than Her Majesty's proposal, but she refused...... leading to the fight. Not a bad rumor."
"......"
Adrienne eyed me, then nodded.
"......Really?"
"Spread it that way."
For Her Majesty, I can be endlessly vile.
Shouldering Sophien's burden is essential for quest clear anyway.
"Got it! Yeah, that fits even to me!"
Krzzzzzt!
The radio screeched. President and I turned to it simultaneously.
"Huh?!"
Adrienne turned to me. I replied,
"The Voice has succeeded in 'erosion.'"
The world of the Voice. That thing drawing concentric circles in the void's heart has finally revealed its territory to the world.
"Erosion?!"
"Yes. The Voice seems identified with the world."
It shouldn't have progressed this fast originally, but 'repeated regressions' twisted something.
—Currently—
I grabbed the radio mic.
"This is Deculein von Grahan Yukline."
—Ah! Professor! Yes!
"If rumors are rampant enough for you to hear, adventurers will swarm there soon."
Adventurers are hyenas in this regard.
"By the Guard Captain's order, I command prohibition of entry and detention for all heading there. No fitting laws yet, but if adventurers are found, charge them with 'imperial waters violation' and detain all."
—Yes. Proceeding immediately.
"Also, select some to accompany as a strike team."
I said, donning my overcoat.
"Transmit coordinates."
—Yes.
"I'll head there soon too......?"
My departing collar was grabbed.
"Professor Deculein! Can I come too?!"
Adrienne looked up with sparkling eyes.
Rooooar!
A swarm of boats cleaved imperial waters.
Just visible, over thirty. Many adventurer parties rushed here on some 'news.'
"......A lot."
Lia of Red Garnet muttered in one line, awed.
"Adventurers are always like this. They've all experienced the Voice, so they know the goldmine there. Where there's money, adventurers go—even hell."
Ganesha steered skillfully. Sea spray wet her hair.
"Hey, Sylvia? You okay? Face all tense."
Sylvia. The mage who'd partied with them since before the erosion Voice.
Her face stiffer than usual, she ignored Ganesha's question.
"Really tense, huh...... Hehe."
Just amusingly cute, she laughed—then.
"......Ah."
Ganesha's face hardened slightly. She hit the brakes hard.
Rooooar!
The boat bucked the current, halting abruptly. Sylvia, Lia, and passengers tumbled roughly.
"Ack!"
"Ow!"
"......Leader. What is it?"
Karos asked.
Ganesha tapped her earring crystal and replied.
"Tch. Entrance ahead—Professor Deculein's set something up."
"......"
Karos's expression darkened visibly.
Lia, scrambling up, asked,
"Professor Deculein?"
"Yeah. Go now, we'll all get caught."
As Ganesha spoke—Kabooooom!
Ahead, a dozen leading boats soared with waves. Frozen mid-air.
Professor Deculein's Telekinesis.
To all who have entered imperial waters:
Unauthorized adventurers may not approach further. Ignoring this warning will be deemed violation of imperial waters law, resulting in detention.
If you have complaints or wish to object, come anytime. I am Deculein von Grahan Yukline. The channel for communication is open.
The all-too-familiar, alluring timbre of Professor Deculein.
Communication channel always open—blatantly meaning no talk.
"Sigh. Should've come sooner."
Ganesha slumped on the deck.
Deculein.
Whatever it is, if the professor moved first, better not irk him needlessly.
"......Meeting here first? Decide what to do."
"Yes!"
Lia replied vigorously, Leo still slept, Karos already hid below deck.
Only Sylvia glared seaward with thick hostility.
"Okay. All agree~"
Ganesha snatched Sylvia's wrist, dragging her below.