“I… am…”
About three minutes had passed since the Gargoyle had fallen silent.
Its massive and ominous form was gone, leaving only Jean’s body, battered by our attacks, gradually turning into white sand.
“You took the life of your own mother, Queen Paula, and were easily defeated by us. You have almost no time left.”
“I see…”
I confronted him with reality, but Jean replied with a somewhat relieved expression.
“In the end… I… was just manipulated…”
“Hey, Jean. Why did you attempt such a reckless coup d’état at this timing, when preparations weren’t even complete?”
His lower body had already turned into white sand, and he might not have even a minute left.
Even so, I desperately wanted to know.
Why did this man choose the path of usurpation when he could have automatically become the next king by simply waiting for King Salomon to die of old age, as in the main story of “Engage Hazard”?
“King Salomon… Father… when… will he die…”
“That’s…”
“A year from now? …Or… three years… ten years… or… maybe even later… And during that time, I too will… grow older…”
Haa… How foolish.
I thought there might be a slightly better reason, but it turns out he was just impatient to fulfill his ambition.
Besides, your ambition… world domination… even if the coup d’état had succeeded, it would have been impossible to achieve while you were still alive.
And this is the result, ending up unrewarded after all.
If you had chosen a different way of life from Harold in “Engage Hazard,” like I did, you might have seen a different view.
“One more thing. How did you obtain the Sunlight Holy Sword Durandal and the eyeball in the liquid… the Eye of Gargoyle?”
Neither the UR weapon nor the Eye of Gargoyle are things that can be obtained in the Capetien Kingdom, at least.
Moreover, there’s no way Jean, who shouldn’t even know of their existence, could have searched for them.
“…Ulisse.”
“Huh…?”
“That man… that’s… what he called himself…”
Jean didn’t say anything more.
Because his entire body had turned into white sand.
“Ulisse, huh…”
The person Jean told me about at the end, the one who supposedly gave him the Sunlight Holy Sword Durandal and the Eye of Gargoyle.
I don’t know why a man named Ulisse had those things.
“Lord Hal…”
“Yeah…”
Sandra gently placed her small hand on mine, which was clutching the white sand.
She might have the same premonition as me.
That someday, we will meet a man named Ulisse.
◇
“Jean… you fool…”
In the throne room of the Royal Palace, after hearing the whole story from me, King Salomon muttered in a strained voice.
From those words, it seemed that King Salomon had expectations for Jean.
“Prince Jean has lost his life, but many who participated in the coup d’état, including the Knight Commander, still remain. In order to prevent something similar from happening again, I ask that His Majesty Salomon impose strict punishments.”
“I understand…! If we had taken one wrong step, this country might have been finished! Those who participated in the coup d’état, including their entire families, will not get away with it!”
King Salomon, his face red, slammed his fist on the armrest of the throne in anger.
Seriously, please do it properly.
Otherwise, the next king… no, queen, Lisette, will be in trouble.
“Also, in suppressing this coup d’état, Princess Lisette admirably took command and bravely stood against them herself. This should be widely known within the Capetien Kingdom.”
“Indeed! That’s right! Now that the Crown Prince Jean is dead, there is no one else to take over but Lisette…”
“Oh? Is that so?”
“Sister!?”
Lisette, who had been subservient until now, suddenly stood up and smiled.
Thanks to that, Eline next to her has a troubled look on her face.
“In that case, I’ll be able to indulge myself as the Crown Princess from now on. I just wanted a new dress, so I think I’ll get them all new. All the money will be contributed by the commoners.”
“Wh…what!?”
Ehh… Lisette, she’s pulling a villainess move here.
Thanks to that, King Salomon is gaping.
However, we’re not stupid enough to not understand what she’s doing.
“So, by all means, please appoint me as Crown Princess. I’m looking forward to it, Father.”
“Mumu…”
King Salomon seems to understand, and is holding his head.
Well, I guess I’ll lend a hand, since there’s no helping it…
“Your Majesty Salomon. It wasn’t just Princess Lisette who was active. It was also thanks to the cooperation of Princess Eline that we were able to corner Prince Jean and the others.”
“Prince Harold!? I, I didn’t do anything!?”
I’m sorry, Eline, but I’ll have to side with Lisette this time.
It’s okay to have at least one ally of the villainess, right?
“Haa… Enough. Everyone, leave.”
Pressing his temples, King Salomon made a gesture as if to chase us away.
We stood up, bowed, and left the throne room.
“…Are you really okay with this?”
“It’s okay… Don’t you think the country would be ruined if a villainess like me became queen?”
Lisette said, joking.
She seems to think that if she becomes the successor, the nobles will rebel.
“You’re an awkward woman. Well, I don’t dislike you as a friend.”
“Is that so? That’s good then.”
Lisette showed a refreshing smile, as if she felt relieved.
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