Episode 59: The Crown Princess Assassination
Even the most prosperous must eventually decline.
I had vaguely sensed that the authority of the Queen of Naia was waning.
“Queen Carlina… Certainly, I don’t feel the same vigor as her predecessor.”
The current Queen Carlina doesn’t seem to have any particularly strong episodes.
I’ve heard rumors that the atmosphere within the Ortenos territory isn’t as tense as it was when the previous queen was alive.
Even within the Ortenos territory, there’s a more relaxed atmosphere compared to six years ago.
That’s why we were caught off guard by this armed conflict with Naia.
“…The previous Queen built Naia’s golden age with her immense power, so it might not be fair to compare.”
“Maybe, but the fact that they’re divided into factions like this probably means something.”
“…That’s…”
Naia’s previous queen, Valeria, was a truly terrifying woman.
Since I was a child, I’d been repeatedly taught about the threat of Naia, and I remember hearing Valeria’s name so often that it became ingrained in my mind.
Although I didn’t see it with my own eyes, I heard that much of the damage Ortenos suffered in the war six years ago was caused by the previous queen.
It seems my grandfather defeated the previous queen after a fierce battle, forcing the Kingdom of Naia to retreat.
After that, Carlina ascended to the throne, so although there was no official announcement, it was assumed that the previous queen had died.
“Why has her authority declined so much? Is it because she gave birth to four sons? Considering Naia’s history, it seems like the queen’s strong hand could have handled anything.”
For Ortenos, the Queen of Naia is like a symbol of terror.
Even among the commoners, she’s spoken of as a demon in fairy tales.
The fact that the queen’s spirit has waned is something I still find hard to believe.
“…That’s part of it, but it all started with a major incident that occurred the year after the defeat six years ago.”
“A major incident?”
“…The assassination of Martina-sama and her daughter.”
“Ah, there was such an incident.”
Martina was the eldest daughter of the previous Queen Valeria.
At the time of her assassination, she was the Crown Princess and was supposed to inherit the throne.
Martina’s assassination was a major topic in Ortenos.
Furthermore, with the assassination of her daughter, Carlina, the second daughter of the previous Queen Valeria and Martina’s younger sister, was promoted to first in line for the throne.
“…Carlina-sama was not originally intended to inherit the throne, so there was extreme confusion when she ascended.”
“That’s understandable… So, was the culprit found?”
“…A servant and two attendants of the two were executed as suspects.”
“A servant and attendants? Not Stella-Class?”
“…Yes, poison was used in the assassination.”
So it was a poisoning.
An unexpected weapon.
If poison is used, even someone who isn’t Stella-Class can carry it out.
However, poison that can kill a Stella-Class shouldn’t be easy to obtain.
Also, security around the Crown Princess must have been strict, and it’s hard to imagine an assassin infiltrating Gordasht Castle.
It must have been someone on the inside.
“Did you investigate the background?”
“…The captured individuals had powerful Curse-Seal Magic engraved on them, so we couldn’t extract any information.”
“Was there no one who could Dispel the curse?”
“No, it was said to be an ancient technique not found in any literature, so Dispelling it was impossible.”
“An ancient technique… Any ideas?”
“…No, I have no idea…”
This sounds like the story Roa told me about the ancient races.
Judging from Nephthys’s reaction, the mastermind behind the poisoning hasn’t been identified yet.
Honestly, even if you tell me it’s an ancient technique, it doesn’t click with me, and it feels like a waste of time to think about the caster.
“I digress. If there was a poisoning, it’s understandable that there would be confusion. For example, if there were a ‘dissident faction,’ Carlina’s ascension to the throne would have been a perfect attack material.”
“…That may be so.”
The newly enthroned queen was not the one who was supposed to inherit the throne, and there are four princes.
For Princess Luna to ascend to the throne, the hurdles to overcome are too high.
It seems like a situation that is too convenient for the dissidents.
“How disingenuous. For you who support Alberto, the more the dissidents increase, the better. I wouldn’t be surprised if you were the ones who caused the poisoning.”
“…No, Alberto-sama would never do such a thing…”
“Who knows? In the end, it was your First Prince’s faction that grew by incorporating the dissidents, right?”
“…That’s true, but…”
Seeing Nephthys hesitate, I can tell that those who support Alberto are indeed the dissidents.
I’m curious to know which other forces are involved, besides House Hoshiros.
In any case, the fact that Naia isn’t united is good for Ortenos.