“…So, Victor and Camilla survived?”
Emperor Alvaise, having arrived in the audience chamber, asked the question while wearily settling into the throne.
He looked down at Victor and Empress Camilla with eyes as cold as if he were looking at trash.
“Indeed, Your Majesty! This lowly Mazoku’s daughter tried to kill my dear Victor!”
Empress Camilla raised her shrill voice, appealing to the Emperor.
Victor and Empress Camilla, who had been embedded in the wall, were rescued by the Imperial Court Mage Order led by Count Saint-Germain and received thorough treatment.
Both of them recovered to the point where it was hard to believe they had been seriously injured, and the very next day, they promptly requested the Emperor to punish us siblings.
Due to Empress Camilla’s intentions, our mother, who would have defended us, was not invited to this hearing.
What was about to begin was, in effect, a trial without a lawyer.
“Father, please execute this monster woman!”
“Not only that girl, but also her brother and mother should be held responsible for their supervision. The Dark Elf royalty, who continue to resist in various regions, should all be exterminated at this opportunity!”
Victor and Empress Camilla glared at us siblings with loathing.
Seriously, after trying to kill me first, they sure are saying whatever they please.
At this stage, it was impossible for the Emperor to lay a hand on Diana, but there was a possibility that he would calmly order a flogging. Besides, I had to prevent my mother from being caught in the crossfire.
“Dia is not at fault! Dia will punish anyone who bullies Brother Luke!”
Diana puffed out her cheeks indignantly.
“Hey, Dia.”
I hurriedly tugged at Diana’s sleeve. I appreciated her feelings, but it would be bad if my sister incurred the Emperor’s wrath by saying something careless.
“Leave this to me, okay? Please don’t say anything unnecessary.”
“Y-yes… Brother.”
Whispering in her ear, Diana nodded obediently.
“I was asked by Brother Victor for a practical magic training session, and I got a little too enthusiastic, Your Majesty.”
I explained the situation succinctly.
“As expected of Brother Victor, a member of the Celestia Empire’s royalty who values martial prowess. If that’s the case, I believe he was prepared to be injured. What do you think?”
“Hmph, exactly.”
“What…!”
Empress Camilla was astonished, probably not expecting the Emperor to agree with my defense.
“My son does not need anyone weak. You should be ashamed of your weakness, Victor!”
“H-hick…!”
Victor stiffened, subjected to the Emperor’s thunderous anger.
“W-what are you saying, Your Majesty! It was Luke that Victor challenged. That girl barged in and tried to kill not only Victor but even me!”
“No, that’s not right. Brother Victor used [Fire Rain], which has a wide area of effect, so Diana, who was nearby, was also caught up in it. Empress Camilla encouraged my brother to use this magic, knowing its danger of involving innocent people. Therefore, the fault lies with Empress Camilla, and Diana’s actions were self-defense.”
I pressed on further.
“In the first place, the cause of this unfortunate accident was that Diana’s Magic-Sealing Collar was broken. In that case, shouldn’t the one to blame be Count Saint-Germain, the head of the Imperial Court Mage Order, who was in charge of the collar’s production and maintenance?”
“…What!?”
Empress Camilla’s eyes widened at my rebuttal.
“Y-you, did your mother put you up to this!?”
They probably thought that if they were dealing with a child, they could hide their faults and dispose of us however they wanted.
But, fortunately, those who were there mistakenly believed that the Magic-Sealing Collar was broken.
I had asked Diana to destroy the collar to the point where it was beyond recognition, so there was no way to confirm what actually happened.
So, I shifted the focus and questioned Saint-Germain’s responsibility.
Sowing discord between the Emperor and his right-hand man, Saint-Germain, would weaken the Emperor’s power, which was only advantageous for me.
Perhaps Saint-Germain was the one who undertook the assassination of my mother…
I felt bad for Saint-Germain, but this was also to protect my mother and Diana.
“That there was a defect in the collar I made…”
Saint-Germain, who was behind the Emperor, made a face as if he had bitten into a bitter bug.
“I am truly sorry, Your Majesty.”
“…Hmm. Just to confirm, is it possible that Diana broke the Magic-Sealing Collar on her own? Or that someone else destroyed it?”
“The former possibility is zero. As for the latter, I believe it is almost impossible. The collar is made of Damascus steel. It is extremely difficult to destroy it by physical means. As for destruction by magic, the moment magic touches the collar, [Dispel], which nullifies magic, is automatically activated, so I can confidently say that it is impossible.”
That’s right. The Magic-Sealing Collar was a truly troublesome magical tool created by Saint-Germain.
However, fight poison with poison.
I thought that if I could nullify the automatically activated [Dispel], I could destroy the collar with [Dark Edge], which had its attack power maximized.
The result was the Dispel Sword, which specialized in eliminating magic.
The result was a great success.
Now, if I could just get through this predicament…
“If there was someone who could destroy the collar, it would be one of the top five warriors on the continent. Or they used a very powerful weapon…”
“I see. Then from now on, maintain the collar even more carefully.”
“Yes!”
I, who had been watching the situation with bated breath, breathed a sigh of relief.
I managed to deceive the Emperor and put the responsibility on Saint-Germain.
However, it didn’t seem realistic to drive a wedge between these two.
In the game’s main story, these two only appeared in flashback scenes, so I didn’t know… but the Emperor seemed to completely trust Saint-Germain.
Was there some special reason?
“By the way, I heard that Diana completely defended against [Fire Rain] with Dark Magic. Truly splendid.”
The Emperor’s face broke into a smile as he looked at Diana.
“Eh? That’s not…”
Diana started to reply, but remembering my instructions, she hurriedly shut her mouth.
Instead, Saint-Germain answered.
“Yes, after examining the remnants of magical power, it was found that S-rank Dark Magic was used. As expected of Princess Diana.”
“Hoh, not only [Black Moon Swallowing the Heavens], but also being able to use such powerful magic at the age of only six. Truly, she has remarkable talent.”
“Indeed. If Princess Diana continues to grow like this, she will eventually surpass even me as a magic user.”
“To make you say that much. This is becoming more and more enjoyable.”
The Emperor and Saint-Germain seemed to be in a very good mood, thinking about Diana’s future.
“…Brother is the one who’s really amazing, though.”
Diana muttered discontentedly.
I couldn’t help but flinch.
My mother and Diana are also helping me to keep my abilities hidden.
My mother wanted to avoid a situation where I would become the Emperor’s dog because of the Magic-Sealing Collar, but Diana seemed emotionally unable to accept that I was being devalued without being recognized.
“Your Majesty! Then, are you saying that the girl will not be punished at all!?”
Empress Camilla snapped at the Emperor.
“Attempted murder by a member of the Imperial Family is the most serious crime!”
“Dia, you might not be able to accept it, but say you’re sorry.”
I whispered softly so that only Diana could hear.
“…Guh, if Brother says so.”
Diana reluctantly obeyed.
“If Prince Victor and Empress Camilla didn’t bully Brother Luke, Dia wouldn’t have used violence either, Father.”
No, what is that…
Rather than an apology, it’s more like a threat to Empress Camilla and the others.
“Hahahaha! So your brother is that important to you, Diana. Alright, I understand.”
The Emperor laughed heartily, as if he was very amused.
“It’s quite convenient that her brother is an incompetent who can’t use magic properly, isn’t it, Saint-Germain?”
“Yes. That is exactly right, Your Majesty.”
Knowing the game’s scenario, I realized the Emperor’s intention.
He’s planning to use me as a hostage to turn Diana into a tool of war?
Though the means are different, he’s trying to exploit Diana, just like in the game.
But he’s naive.
If he thinks he can use me, he’s dead wrong. I’ll become stronger and make him realize his mistake.
“Camilla, as you’ve heard, the fault this time lies with Victor, who used magic that could endanger innocent bystanders, as Luke says. Saint-Germain is responsible for the collar being broken. Therefore, Diana’s crime is dismissed. Also, as Diana requests, do not endanger Luke’s life in the future. Even a good-for-nothing has his uses.”
Yes! This is a better outcome than I expected.
Looking at Diana next to me, my little sister smiled brightly.
“Now, Brother Luke won’t be bullied anymore. I’m so glad!”
Huh? I thought I was protecting Diana, but was I the one being protected?
Diana is truly a kind and good girl.
Well then, let’s take advantage of this and push it a little further.
“Brother Victor, as long as you don’t use dangerous magic that could harm others, I welcome practical training sessions anytime. Please, invite me again.”
“Y-You…!”
On the surface, it’s an offer of reconciliation, but Victor seemed to take it as an insult, his eyes narrowing.
“That is good. Victor, strive to improve.”
But with the Emperor ordering him like that, he can’t refuse.
In that case, Victor is the perfect training partner for me.
If Diana or Mother were my opponents, we’d hold back, so we couldn’t have practical training sessions.
Yeah. I’ll have him be useful to me as much as possible.
However, Empress Camilla was not convinced and became furious.
“Your Majesty! Victor-chan and I were seriously injured! At least, you should take away the rights of that brat and girl to freely walk around the Imperial Court! If those Mazoku are allowed to act so brazenly, it will tarnish the honor of our glorious Empire!”
“That’s right, Father! That woman should be locked up in the Prison Tower forever!”
Victor immediately agreed.
Because Mother had been obedient to the Emperor for many years, and Diana was favored by the Emperor, Diana was allowed to leave the Prison Tower, albeit with the condition that she wear the Magic-Sealing Collar. I was also allowed to walk around the Imperial Court as a result.
Victor and Empress Camilla apparently don’t like that. They were clamoring to take away even that right.
“Enough! I have made my judgment. If you understand, then disappear!”
But that only ended up incurring the Emperor’s wrath.
“Eek!”
Empress Camilla let out a short scream and backed away.
“…Damn it, I will never forget this humiliation! Remember this!”
Victor spat out a sore loser’s remark as he left.