Chapter 13
Chapter 13
So far, Cult’s expression, which had easily brushed off any of Robelia’s criticisms, had stiffened.
As expected, Cult wasn’t yet fully composed mentally. He was still human.
But knowing that, I had managed to push the atmosphere to its absolute worst.
It couldn’t have been any worse.
“Honestly, that was a very unpleasant interpretation.”
“Hooh…”
Robelia stretched her hand out to protect me against the blatant hostility. True to her word as a princess. Majestic beyond measure.
“What does that mean?”
“Cut the act. I lost. I think you were trying to scratch at my core, and you succeeded.”
“…Does that mean you’re admitting you are the leader of Eden?”
“Yes, that’s right. But such a flimsy claim has no effect. The emperor isn’t here, and I’ve got the power of the Ereticus Marquis backing me up.”
“Bold, but aren’t you being too careless? Who knows who might hear you?”
Yeah, I didn’t expect him to admit it so readily. What kind of confidence is that?
“Anyway, the Imperial Knights are far away.”
“…Why do you think so?”
“Otherwise, would they have just stood by when you blabbered, Johahn?”
“Ah.”
“Indeed…”
I hadn’t even thought that far, yet this guy deduced it from my random nonsense. I wasn’t even aiming for it; it just came out.
Could it be that I’d thrown myself into a more dangerous situation than Cult? My slip could have gotten us both killed. I really need to watch what I say from now on.
“And I’m only human. I got heated, so I couldn’t help it. In that sense, Johahn, you’re remarkable. To make me so angry—carelessness led to a big wound.”
“Me? What are you talking about?”
Cult smiled. I wondered what his eyes behind the bandages looked like. Was he staring at me?
“I thought you might be connected to Oracle. That was it. But I see now—you have your own weapon too.”
“I don’t have such a weapon.”
“Excessive modesty. Or is that also confidence?”
He smiled in agreement. Did he think I was joking? What nonsense.
“May I ask one thing? How did you know I am the leader of Eden? Did Oracle tell you?”
“No, what nonsense is that…”
Since earlier, he kept tying me to Oracle, but I’ve never met that guy, not in real life, not in the game. How could I know?
“Oh, so you won’t tell me?”
No, you idiot! How would I tell you something I don’t know?
“You should have let me open your mind back then… what a shame. From now on, with the princess watching closely, I’ll need to lay low.”
“You don’t need to lay low if you’re confident you won’t be traced.”
“I’ll pass.”
The princess of the empire and the leader of Eden. With their positions clear, the atmosphere surprisingly relaxed more than before. Robelia seemed relieved, and Cult smiled awkwardly, like a child caught while playing a trick.
But the calm didn’t last long.
“Too bad. Originally, I was supposed to be a victim of this terror, to remove suspicion from myself.”
“…Terror? What are you talking about?”
“Well?”
Kaboooom!
The restaurant we were in was suddenly caught in an explosion.
I was lifted into the air, but, as promised, Robelia grabbed my neck and held me close to protect me.
Wow! Our princess keeps her promises! But wasn’t it a mistake to bring me to a place like this? I told her I didn’t want to come!
“The plan’s off, but hopefully this vented some frustration?”
“Do you really think you can survive this?”
“There’s no evidence I caused it, right? I’m just a victim too.”
Suddenly, hooded men came through the collapsed wall.
Cult casually walked toward the explosion, then returned, standing next to me by Robelia.
“I trust that the great Princess Robelia will not abandon someone frail who cannot even see.”
“Should we just take advantage of his confusion and kill him? I’d be in trouble if I got caught, but you could get away with it, right?”
“Wonderful suggestion, Johahn. That’s why I like you. Power suits you naturally, like a long-lived schemer.”
“…That was presumptuous.”
“It was a joke.”
How am I supposed to tell the difference? I just warned him not to use me, yet now this. How will this even play out?
“So you want death… uh?”
“Isn’t that the princess?”
“You came so quickly? Were we being tracked?”
“No, someone didn’t even confirm the princess’s appearance?”
Even the attackers were bewildered. Eden, the princess, Under Chain—a chaotic three-way standoff. Hilarious that it unfolded without any solemnity.
Of course, I was like a shrimp caught between whales. The moment the three clash, I’d probably explode. Literally.
“What now?”
“No retreat before a great task. Proceed as planned.”
“Yes!”
The atmosphere turned tense. The black mages of Under Chain, their chains transforming into weapons, spread death around.
Even being in the room could kill the weak-hearted.
I’m no ordinary person; I can handle some of it, but I’m not sure if I’ll survive the peak of this battle.
“There they are!”
“Protect the princess!”
“In Eden’s name…”
“God will restore all!”
To make matters worse, reinforcements arrived—Robelia’s Imperial Knights and Cult’s Eden followers. The elegant restaurant became a battlefield, and I was in the middle.
“…Princess? You’ll protect me, right?”
“From now on.”
Electricity flared on Robelia’s hand.
“Don’t move a step behind me.”
“Yes.”
I nodded, my expression firm. Normally sly, she sounded serious—so the situation must be dire.
“And you,” Cult nodded too. Why is he sitting politely next to me?
“If I’m here, Eden’s followers won’t attack. They wouldn’t dare harm the weak, right?”
“Indeed.”
Apparently, Cult proposed a temporary truce. By staying put, he reduced Eden’s threat. Clever bastard.
“Johahn, shall we talk while the princess deals with the situation?”
“What could we possibly talk about in this peril?”
“Dangerous? From what I can see, this won’t be enough to topple the princess. With Imperial Knights’ support, we should be fine. Where else is safer than here?”
Kaboom!
The rags-and-bones golem summoned by Under Chain’s black mages exploded from Robelia’s punch, leaving a dented floor next to me.
“…I think my backyard flowerbed is safer.”
“Safer, huh?”
“Try doing something?”
“I’m frail. What can I do?”
What the hell? She can cast protective barriers, I know it. She’s capable of defending herself; why is she acting helpless? If she keeps denying Eden’s connection and the black mages hit her, what then?
“Let’s mutually ignore minor things and work together here. For instance, shield me? Good proposal, isn’t it?”
“Haha, you keep talking nonsense.”
I cowered, realizing I couldn’t match him. This bastard’s calm makes me want to relax, but I have to stay sharp.
“Hmm, Princess Robelia fights well. If the Third Princess is this strong, I wonder how strong the First Prince is… I still have a long way to go.”
“…”
I pretended not to hear the lament from the head of a group seeking the empire’s overthrow. Robelia destroyed everything approaching her with both hands.
Electric red lightning flashed with each strike, scattering Under Chain and Eden’s followers. Her fighting style, brutal yet beautiful, was unfit for a princess. But she made it stunning.
“As expected, this is nothing. Even with Under Chain involved, the result won’t differ.”
“Eden’s followers… annihilated?”
“That was expected.”
Under Chain, unaware of Robelia, hadn’t prepared enough troops. But Eden’s numbers were low from the start.
“Life of people… never mind.”
Cult had likely planned for their annihilation to erase suspicion toward himself. He forced dozens into death while remaining composed, memorizing each face.
“What should I say to a monster?”
“If we don’t act, how can we overcome a monster like the emperor?”
A monster facing his sins but still moving forward—this made Cult a candidate for the final boss.
“It’s over. Only cleanup remains. I’ll head back first; my body isn’t well.”
Cult stood up, swaying, probably from not casting a shield.
“Next time, let’s converse more leisurely.”
“Let’s never meet again.”
“That’s my decision, not yours.”
With that, Cult staggered away.
I glanced at him heading toward the marquis’ retainers and looked around.
Under Chain’s black mages were dead. Eden’s followers, too, had perished at the hands of the Imperial Knights.
This dining hall, once for meals and conversation, was now soaked in blood. A horrific terror.
“Are you okay?”
“Ah, yes. Some attacks flew by, but I was unharmed.”
“Mentally, I mean. You aren’t accustomed to such horrors like us.”
“Perhaps.”
I looked around at Eden’s followers, Under Chain’s mages, Imperial Knights, and the civilians caught in it—their corpses. Uneasy, pitiful, but my thoughts were clear.
“They’re strangers anyway.”
The deaths of civilians? Sad, but I didn’t feel responsible. I’m no different from them, mentally.
“…I see.”
Robelia seemed like she wanted to say something but shook her head. Strange, evasive behavior.
“You didn’t know you’d earn the grudge of Under Chain too?”
“…Huh?”
“Hmm? Didn’t notice? They seemed to target you; the black magic aimed your way.”
“No, why them…!”
What did I do? I’ve never met these guys!
“Who knows? Maybe you earned a grudge without knowing.”
“…Let me check.”
I moved to examine the black mages’ bodies. Not pleasant, but who cares—I could be next.
After sifting through, I found something unusual on the floor.
“…What is this?”
A strand of pink, wavy hair. It reminded me of someone from the training grounds. I couldn’t fully recall their face, but the cotton-candy pink hair connected everything.
“…Why is this here?”
The F-rank class coup. Apparently, Under Chain had their hands in it.