Intelligence from Kir
“Even after gaining independence, you'll be designated as a first-class ally of our Fiore Empire, meaning we can maintain our existing exchanges. And you'll be called a princess instead of a grand duchess, won't you?”
“...”
“Or is that wrong? If Plan B succeeds, perhaps you'll be called a duchess instead?”
“...”
Cecilia had grown fond of teasing Irene, hoping to see the same flustered reaction as before.
However, Irene seemed to have steeled her resolve, showing no further signs of shaking.
“From what I've seen, the Hero's wounds from his former party haven't fully healed yet. So, Irene, if you can exploit that opening and succeed, you'll be able to monopolize his heart.”
“Yes, Your Highness. I will succeed without fail.”
“Wouldn't your chances of success go up if you smiled a bit instead of wearing such a stiff expression?”
“...”
“And stop wearing those masculine uniforms all the time. Try wearing feminine clothes, like dresses, once in a while.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Sigh...”
No matter what Cecilia said, Irene's attitude remained unchanged. It made Cecilia seriously doubt whether Irene could ever become a woman charming enough to pull off Plan B.
“I'm worried. So worried.”
“Pardon? What do you mean, Your Highness?”
“A pretty half-elf has already joined the Hero's party, and the Arzen Kingdom has that sly fox, Princess Clara... I wonder if you can really succeed...”
“I will do my absolute best not to disappoint you!”
“Answering with a face like that only makes me more anxious...”
“...”
Irene had answered with grim determination to reassure Cecilia, but it had the opposite effect, only adding to the princess's worries.
“Irene, by my authority as Imperial Princess, I command you. As of today, you are relieved of all duties and will undergo special training until we hear from them.”
“Northern Commander Irene Alsmeyer. I shall obey your command, Your Highness.”
Receiving the order, Irene rose, bowed politely once more, and headed outside to carry out her instructions.
Cecilia watched her leave, massaging her temples at the sight of Irene's rigid, soldier-like march.
That evening, after dinner, a party was held at the palace.
It wasn't a grand affair with nobles invited, but a cozy, private gathering between the royal siblings and the Hero's party.
The idea had come up during dinner when Clara recounted the events of the afternoon.
Edwin, thoroughly delighted by the news, had insisted on throwing a small celebration.
“That was incredibly satisfying! I mean, how did you even think of bringing up the five hundred million gold?”
The story of Lydia clinging to my feet and begging earlier that day had already spread not just through the palace, but across the entire kingdom.
Having lost all hope from my words and unable to bear the judging stares, Lydia had reportedly left immediately for the Jeremiah Kingdom.
“Ugh, if I had been there, I would have just ordered the guards to drag her out.”
“Stop it. Do you want to start a war with the Jeremiah Kingdom?”
Edwin, regretting that he hadn't been there to witness it, listened intently as Clara retold the story.
Lucia simply smiled softly as she listened to their banter, remaining quiet.
“I'm going to get some fresh air.”
The whiskey Edwin had swiped—served from the former king's crystal decanter—was starting to kick in, warming my body.
Stealing away to the terrace, the cool night breeze washed over me, soothing the heat.
“Are you alright, Hero?”
“Hmm?”
Lucia had followed me out. She stepped up beside me, peering intently into my face as if checking on my condition.
“Are you feeling nauseous or breaking out in a cold sweat?”
“No, I'm fine today. I suppose it's because you've been taking such good care of me, Lucia.”
“If you ever feel anxiety coming on, please try to avoid alcohol. It might seem to help in the moment, but it only makes things worse in the long run.”
“Thank you, Lucia.”
It had only been a short while, but without Lucia's care and treatment, I probably would have suffered an anxiety attack in front of Lydia today, unable to utter a single coherent word.
I would have to repay this debt of gratitude someday.
“But how do you know all this so well? It's like you can see right through me.”
“T-Truth be told... I suffer from something similar.”
“You do? I don't think I've ever seen you have an attack.”
“It's better these days, but it used to be very severe.”
A similar condition to mine...
It could be anxiety born from a traumatic experience like mine, but anxiety could stem from any number of reasons.
Seeing how she didn't elaborate, she likely had her own painful history.
“So, making lavender tea for me was also...”
“Yes. It's a remedy I often used when I had similar symptoms.”
“I see...”
Perhaps recalling a dark memory, Lucia squeezed her eyes shut before slowly opening them again.
“Huh?”
As I watched her, a sudden wave of bloodlust washed over me from the palace gardens below the terrace.
Since there was no immediate attack, they were either biding their time or waiting for something, but the intent to kill was incredibly potent.
“Uh... Lucia. I'm sorry, but could you brew me some lavender tea?”
“Of course. Right away, Hero.”
I wasn't actually feeling anxious, but Lucia went back inside to brew the tea without a second thought.
A moment later... rustle.
A woman materialized behind me, silently pressing a dagger against my throat.
“You seem to be enjoying life quite a bit, don't you?”
She spoke in a low whisper, but she couldn't hide the sharp, distinctive tone that was uniquely hers.
“What happened to saying you felt better because of me when we were together?”
“It was true then, and it's true now...”
“Oh, please. Excuses... I'm going to poison that lavender tea soon, so you can cross the gates of the underworld hand-in-hand with that girl.”
Kir pressed the dagger a little harder against my throat, punishing me for my poor choice of words.
“When did you get here?”
“This afternoon.”
“What brings you here?”
“I was planning to kill that bitch Lydia before she could ask for reinforcements...”
“But?”
“She's pregnant. Killing a woman in that state leaves a bad aftertaste...”
“So you couldn't bring yourself to assassinate her and just stayed here all day?”
Kir lowered the dagger from my throat, spun me around to face her, and continued.
“I've been following you all day, you know? You looked like you were having a grand old time. That sly fox of a princess clinging to you, flirting with that half-elf...”
Kir glared toward the room inside, never letting go of her dagger.
“So? Are you just going to head back without killing anyone?”
“Well, since you decided not to help them, there's no reason to assassinate her anymore. I only wanted to kill her so you wouldn't get dragged into their mess...”
“Did I accidentally save a life, then?”
“Who knows... If the child in her womb had been yours, I might have killed her anyway.”
“Why? Because it would be a threat in the future?”
“No. Because she would have had your child before me.”
After trading jokes for a bit, Kir suddenly wrapped her arms around me, still holding the dagger.
While I nervously glanced back toward the room where Edwin and Clara were, she simply closed her eyes and held me tight.
“How is your leg?”
“Much better. I even assassinated thirteen nobles from the Jeremiah Kingdom just a few days ago.”
“You say that like it's something to be proud of.”
“Hmph, of course it is.”
Kir nuzzled her head against my chest as if bragging, clearly wanting me to pat her.
“Aren't you going to pat my head?”
“Why should I pat the head of a woman who came to kill me?”
“Tch...”
When I refused to pat her, she pouted, stepped out of my embrace, and began tidying her slightly disheveled hair.
“The Demon King's army's next target is the Fiore Empire.”
“What? But... to get there, they would have to pass through here, wouldn't they?”
“If they were using the roads built by humans, yes...”
“Then...”
“They won't go through the Arzen Kingdom. They're planning to cut straight through the desert and enter the Fiore Empire directly.”
There were three main routes to reach the Fiore Empire from the central continent.
The first was the invasion route using existing trade roads, passing through the Horon Kingdom or the Arzen Kingdom.
The second was crossing the massive mountain range that separated the central continent from the Fiore Empire.
However, the mountain paths were treacherous and narrow, making it extremely difficult for a large army to traverse.
The last option was bypassing the mountain range entirely by traveling through the vast desert.
Not only was this detour more than twice as long, but the lack of any staging points like oases meant no human had ever successfully crossed it.
However, for demons with physical capabilities far superior to humans, or monsters with beastly endurance... it was entirely possible they could traverse the desert and march straight into the Fiore Empire.
“I believe the vanguard has already set out. The Fiore Empire is surprisingly defenseless right now.”
“Naturally. Who would have ever imagined they would cross the desert...”
“But since it's a long detour, Carlos, if you leave now, you can still arrive before the Demon King's army.”
“Understood. I'll set out tomorrow.”
“Then...”
Having delivered the news, Kir stepped close to me again, took my hand, and placed it on her head.
“Now you'll pat my head, right?”
“Yeah. Thank you, Kir.”
As I stroked her hair in gratitude for the vital intelligence, a satisfied smile spread across her face.
For a brief moment, memories of our time living together in the cabin flashed through my mind.
My lips curled upward, and before long, I found myself smiling back at her.
“I'll be off now.”
“Kir.”
“Hmm?”
“If things get even slightly dangerous, come straight to me. Understand?”
“...”
While her constant flow of information made my battles much easier and safer, she was walking on thin ice.
There would eventually be a limit to how much intelligence she could leak from the Demon King's army, and when that time came, Kir herself would be in grave danger.
“I know. Don't worry.”
Leaving me with those reassuring words, Kir vanished back into the garden.
I stood there for a long time, staring at the empty space where she had just been.