Chapter 18: Imperial Capital – Martial Arts Tournament – 41
In the waiting room, Freinir rushed over to me as soon as I returned, immediately casting a healing spell. The wounds I had sustained were nearly healed, but I decided to let Freinir do as she pleased for a while.
“Frei, thank you. I’m fine now. Did I worry you?”
“Yes. I was really worried because you seemed off, Soushi-sama. Sfenia-san also mentioned that your movements looked strange, possibly due to some skill or magic…”
“You’re quite perceptive. It seems I was affected by a skill that hinders movement. It should wear off soon… huh?”
The one controlling the young Momental had mentioned that the skill called “Shadow Prison” would last for about an hour (two hours). However, as I moved my body again, it felt like the effect had already faded. Before entering the waiting room, I had felt heavy, so it must have been thanks to Freinir’s healing magic.
“It seems your magic has dispelled that effect as well. As expected of you, Frei.”
When I patted her head, Freinir blushed and then hugged me tightly.
“Then I’m relieved. No matter what happens to you, Soushi-sama, I will heal you.”
“With you by my side, I can fight without worry. I’ll rely on you from now on.”
I gently stroked her back to calm her down, but Freinir remained still, her arms wrapped around me.
Noticing she was trembling slightly, I decided to let her be for a while, but when there was a knock on the door, Freinir suddenly pulled away, startled.
The one who entered was Grand Master Dorozitte. She looked at me with a meaningful gaze and said, “I apologize for interrupting after such a fierce battle, but may I have a moment of your time?”
“Of course. Frei, please return to your seat and let everyone know I’ll be a bit late.”
“Yes, Soushi-sama.”
Once Freinir left the room, Dorozitte took a seat.
I removed my battered armor and stored it in my Item Box before sitting down in a chair as well.
“That was quite an intense battle. It felt like your opponent had thoroughly researched you. With how well they countered your Shockwave, it seemed to give you a bit of trouble, didn’t it?”
“Indeed. He was very skilled in his movements. I feel embarrassed for thinking I could win just by swinging around Shockwave.”
“Well, if you had unleashed it from the start, you might have won decisively. But I suppose it’s difficult to hold back, so you didn’t want to rely on that strategy too much.”
“That sounds like an excuse. However, I never expected him to possess a skill that hinders movement. Considering Mariane’s Status Ailment Infliction skill, it wouldn’t be surprising, but…”
“With your level, I think it would take dozens of attacks to see any effect from Status Ailment Infliction. I’ve never heard of it working after just two attacks. Besides, I don’t think Marishielle mentioned he had such a skill.”
“Then it seems that ‘Shadow Prison’ is indeed a skill of the one who was controlling him.”
As I said this, Dorozitte narrowed her eyes sharply.
“As expected, he was being manipulated. Are we certain the culprit is the Candlestick of the Netherworld?”
“Yes. He mentioned a companion named Isunani. It seems the young Momental was already deceased, and they were controlling his corpse like that.”
“That’s a terrible desecration of the dead… Actually, after that, his corpse crumbled and disappeared. Marquis Fulcrum is in a half-mad state, and it’s quite a situation.”
“So the Marquis is still acting like a normal human, then?”
“That seems to be the case. By the way, was there any talk about the Marquis being the same as him?”
“No, unfortunately, I couldn’t get any confirmation on that.”
“I see… In that case, it might be difficult to forcibly detain the Marquis. It would be challenging for His Imperial Majesty to act against her without solid evidence.”
“If she were an ordinary human, detaining her would leave a significant scar on the imperial family.”
“Exactly. However, it seems I may have put you in a difficult position, Soushi. On the surface, Momental is still treated as the Marquis’s son. Given the circumstances, the scrutiny around you may become quite harsh for a while.”
“It was merely a coincidence that I faced him in the match; it’s no one’s fault. I couldn’t hold back during the fight, and I’ll accept the consequences.”
“The fact that he was manipulated by the Candlestick of the Netherworld will be announced once the full details of the incident are clear, as His Majesty has stated. Until then, I apologize for the burden, but please endure it.”
“I understand. As long as nothing happens to my companions, I won’t mind. I’ve already taken many lives myself.”
Hearing those words, Dorozitte shook her head, perhaps feeling a sense of self-deprecation.
“Adventurers are all the same. I’ve killed many as well. But, how should I put it? I might get scolded by Mariane for saying this, but there’s something very appealing about you, Soushi. You seem to have a certain detachment, yet you use that perspective to protect others.”
“You’re overestimating me. I’m not thinking about anything profound.”
“Hehe, let’s leave it at that. For now, I’ll inform His Majesty that he was already a corpse and that he was being controlled. The next step is to see if Marquis Fulcrum makes any moves.”
“The purpose of the Candlestick of the Netherworld is still unclear. If the goal was to arrange a marriage with Princess Marishielle, that has been thwarted, but if their ultimate aim is to cause chaos in the Empire, they might resort to other means.”
“That’s right. Well, the Imperial Capital is currently under martial law, so it shouldn’t be easy for them to act, even if it’s Marquis Fulcrum.”
“By the way, should I go apologize to Marquis Fulcrum? Regardless of the circumstances, I did end up killing her son.”
“I don’t think that’s necessary. In fact, she was quite distraught. I doubt you’ll be in a state to visit her today or tomorrow. Unless, of course, that was all an act.”
“I see.”
“If she returns to her territory without taking any action afterward, then it might be a good idea to go then. But I doubt that will happen.”
With a meaningful wink, Dorozitte left the room.
Determining that there was nothing more I could do today, I changed my clothes and headed toward the VIP seating area.