Chapter 109
Chapter 109
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 109
Chapter Title: Conference (3)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
◆
“⋯⋯Tricked?”
Such a question slipped from Theodore’s mouth.
He looked utterly baffled, as if he had no clue what Carlyle was talking about.
“Me, Bella, and even the Hero right here—we’ve all been played?”
“At least, that’s how it looks to me.”
“⋯⋯The demonic energy detected in Princess Ilia’s body—”
“It’s real. I’m not denying that at all.”
But.
It’s the ‘intent’ behind planting it that we need to think about carefully.
The surest solution, as Theodore and Bellatrix suggested, is to kill Ilia right here.
She’s definitely been tampered with by a demon, and we have no idea what catastrophe that might trigger. Wiping her out entirely would be the most effective approach.
But.
My instincts, honed from countless cycles facing off against demons, were ringing alarm bells.
How many times has the path that seemed most righteous led straight to ruin?
That’s when it hit me.
“This is probably the type where ‘killing’ the Princess is what sets the incident off.”
Theodore and Bellatrix both flinched simultaneously.
“⋯⋯What did you just say?”
“There’s a high chance they’re luring us to kill her.”
In other words, it’s a trap.
One that people like the princes and princesses here—who have absolute confidence in their abilities—are especially prone to fall into.
Truth be told, I don’t fully grasp the middle steps.
But the fact that even the Hero and Carlyle, who were right beside Ilia, didn’t notice—figuring that out shows just how paranoid and thorough their investigation was.
These are people so supremely confident in their own abilities, and this is the conclusion they reached after such meticulous work.
That alone makes it easy to get tunnel-visioned on it.
At least, for Carlyle—who’s faced demons countless times—that’s how it had to be.
“Can you prove your words, Carlyle Bellfast?”
“Carlyle’s making quite the intriguing claim, isn’t he?”
⋯⋯And honestly. When I made this argument.
Instead of throwing a tantrum and calling it nonsense, the mere fact that the First Prince and Second Princess calmly reconsidered their logic made it hard to see them as lacking ability.
Normally, something they’d invested so much into uncovering wouldn’t be dismissed so easily, no matter what anyone said.
“If you’ll just give me the chance to prove it.”
So, for people like that, a proper discussion should be feasible to some degree.
“⋯⋯A chance?”
“I’ll take full responsibility, so please don’t stop me from doing what I’m about to do.”
I hadn’t seen it myself.
But I had a rough idea of the root cause of all this.
Retracing it, there was only one candidate left.
“I heard that Your Highnesses arranged this meeting precisely to test the ‘safeguard’ that is me.”
If anything, it was more like a detonator.
What he was about to do.
⋯⋯A massive detonator that would cause one hell of an explosion.
[Hard to find someone less suited to the term ‘safeguard’ than you in this world.]
“⋯⋯.”
⋯⋯Hearing something like that from the Hero felt a bit off.
◆
In the deepest recesses of the imperial palace lies an inner chamber, always guarded by elite knights clad in golden armor.
Even across the vast Empire, this is where only the most meticulously selected top talents serve—the primary station of the Imperial Guard.
It boasts the most ironclad security within the already impregnable palace, with the strictest level of guards deployed, yet no one would raise any objections to that fact.
It’s the private quarters of the man above all men, the Emperor.
⋯⋯Lately, though, it might be more fitting to call it a sickroom than private quarters.
“Your Majesty.”
The Guard Captain, Valen, cautiously addressed the Emperor.
The elderly man, his face mottled with age spots, slowly turned to look at the Guard Captain.
“Your Majesty. How are you feeling?”
“⋯⋯.”
Still, no response came.
He had to ask as a matter of duty about the Emperor’s condition, but he couldn’t even recall the last time he’d received an answer.
⋯⋯That alone was enough to unsettle the Guard Captain’s heart.
Who would believe that this dying old man before him was the pinnacle of the Empire’s power, the Emperor?
A sane Emperor would have laughed heartily, boisterously, with grand gestures and a voice louder than anyone, filling the room with lively energy.
In truth, he was a man better suited to the title Warrior King than Emperor. He had lived without the slightest air of authority, casually and vibrantly mingling with those around him.
But now, this state.
Compared to the previous-generation Hero—his close comrade—who, even at his age, remained a warrior unmatched by the younger generation and served as Cradle’s Dean, the current Emperor was practically a vegetable.
‘He does snap back to sanity occasionally⋯⋯’
There had been times when he seemed to regain his wits and issue fragmented orders, but afterward, he always reverted to this dazed state.
It had been quite some time since the Emperor fell into this inexplicable illness.
Countless physicians, priests, and mages had come and gone, but there was no improvement.
All they could hope for was that his condition wouldn’t worsen from here. That was the best they could do.
Thus.
“?”
Sudden commotion nearby was definitely not normal.
The Emperor needed absolute rest. Unless it was truly urgent, no one was permitted an audience—a custom long established.
“⋯⋯My apologies, Your Majesty. Things are getting noisy outside.”
With those words and a bow to the Emperor, Valen moved to step out of the chamber.
But before he could, the door burst open, and his face twisted in fury.
What the hell were the guards doing, letting an uninvited guest barge into the Emperor’s bedchamber like this—?
That thought hit first, but seeing the faces of those involved quickly dispelled his doubts.
“⋯⋯Your Highness? Princess?”
Theodore and Bellatrix gave awkward smiles and bowed to Valen.
“Long time no see, Sir Valen.”
“⋯⋯I’d love to exchange pleasantries, but what brings you here so suddenly? And who is this⋯⋯?”
Valen’s gaze fixed on the orange-haired young man they’d brought with them.
“Sir Valen. Sorry for barging in like this, but we have urgent business with His Majesty.”
With those words.
“⋯⋯Then state your business. I’ll judge whether an audience is appropriate afterward.”
Valen replied with thinly veiled anger.
What kind of nonsense was this in the Emperor’s bedchamber?
Even princes and princesses couldn’t commit such an outrage.
Especially with some unknown kid in tow.
These two might have the right to visit the Emperor whenever they wished, but this man? No way to justify it.
No—even princes and princesses showing up unannounced like this was a gross violation of protocol!
“That business is something this friend here will explain.”
“Carlyle, from here on out, it’s all on you? We’ve done our part holding responsibility?”
As Theodore and Bellatrix spoke, the orange-haired youth stepped forward.
Valen grew even more incredulous watching this.
No—from what they were saying, it sounded like all of them had been led here by this man’s words.
What the hell were they planning?
“⋯⋯I don’t know who you are, but you claim to have business with His Majesty?”
“Yes. I do.”
“⋯⋯.”
Valen took a deep breath.
“⋯⋯I’m holding back a lot right now because you seem to be guests of His Highness and Her Highness, but this is a situation where summary execution wouldn’t be out of place. State your business immediately. There won’t be a next time.”
“It’s a bit complicated to explain in words.”
With that, Carlyle gazed at the Emperor, who sat quietly in the chair behind Valen.
From the outside, he just looked like a frail old man.
But.
Up close like this, it felt right.
He wouldn’t have sensed it normally, but focusing intently and scrutinizing every inch, it was there—faint but unmistakable.
⋯⋯The ‘wrongness’ was definitely palpable.
A sensation of something that shouldn’t be there, dwelling within.
“Probably faster if I just do it myself and show you the results.”
“Hold on. Do something to His Majesty?”
“Yes.”
“⋯⋯.”
What kind of lunatic is this?
The ruler of the Empire wasn’t some roadside snack—he was brazenly declaring he’d do something to him. Right in front of the Guard Captain.
⋯⋯And.
Watching this back-and-forth, a chilling sensation crept down Valen’s spine.
Something.
Something felt off.
Looking at the orange-haired man spouting this absurdity, his eyes were remarkably clear and innocent.
From Valen’s perspective, seasoned as Guard Captain and having seen all sorts of people.
‘This guy seems like a total psycho⋯⋯’
He had the vibe of someone who’d calmly pull off something utterly insane.
“⋯⋯I’ll hear the explanation first. Let’s step out and talk. Whatever you actually plan to do, I need to hear the theory at least—”
“First, I have to do this.”
And.
The moment those words ended.
-!
Carlyle’s full-force dropkick theoretically connected squarely with the Emperor’s dazed face.
A perfect trajectory, honed from countless beatings by Gray⋯⋯
“⋯⋯?”
“⋯⋯?”
The action was so impressively swift no one could react, leaving everyone staring dumbfounded at the Emperor rolling on the floor.
“?”
“?”
As heavy silence fell.
From the holy sword came a low murmur of admiration.
[Heh. This mad bastard.]
“⋯⋯.”
⋯⋯Well.
Couldn’t really argue with that this time.
◆