This time, it’s an information round focusing on conversations.
In the Royal Capital, a demon appeared, and the people learned of its terror.
The number of casualties exceeded a thousand, and the deaths included young nobles, which the Aristocratic Faction used as ammunition to attack the Royal Family. However, numerous noble houses and citizens testified that Crown Prince Elvan, accompanied by the Saint, had defeated the demon. This quelled the Aristocratic Faction’s attacks, and due to various speculations, the name of Count Leicester’s daughter never surfaced.
“――――――”
A faint, raspy groan, like wind whistling through cracks, escaped Nasanitaru, who could no longer speak. His eyes, beginning to cloud over, looked up at the girl who had come to visit.
His already poor health had worsened in recent days. His skin, once vibrant with the life force of a thirteen-year-old, was now dry and withered. His glossy brunette hair had faded. Nasanitaru was so weakened that he could no longer stand.
Of course, the Holy Church had not silently watched this inexplicable condition. However, even the Cure magic of his grandfather, the Temple Head, had little effect. Even if he temporarily recovered, he would be the same the next day. The Temple Head decided that he could no longer prioritize treating those related to him over the common people and entrusted Nasanitaru to Saint Licia, whom he admired.
“Nasanitaru-kun… please hang in there.”
Saint Licia, accompanied by a white-clad maid, offered a gentle smile to Nasanitaru, whose eyes seemed to plead for something.
Cure magic would not heal him. Nasanitaru was not injured, sick, or cursed. His “soul” was gradually being eroded.
Like wiping a baby’s body with a soiled cloth, his soul was slowly and gently being consumed, and Nasanitaru was withering in terror.
All of this was because the new Contract Holder, a young girl, had ordered it. She had offered his soul to fulfill her wish.
“I love you… Nasanitaru.”
Saint Licia brushed her hair back with one hand and touched Nasanitaru’s cracked lips with her own.
He needed to live a little longer. His love and despair were the price of her wish.
“――――っ”
“Don’t worry… I will be happy.”
Licia gently restrained Nasanitaru’s trembling hand as he tried to reach out. In his tearful eyes, Licia’s face was twisted into a distorted smile.
＊＊＊
“Welcome back, Aria.”
Elena, looking a little tired, greeted me with a relieved expression when I returned from the countryside.
I had stopped by in my Adventurer’s attire to show my face and let them know I was back safely. But when I tried to change to report, she told me to stay as I was and join the conversation.
“…So, there was indeed a demon in that area.”
“It was a Bone Devil that appeared at the academy. There were quite a few casualties.”
Elena suspected the Holy Church and the Saint’s faction. As expected, the demon was there, but no material evidence was obtained.
“That’s… I don’t want to say it can’t be helped, but from what I’ve heard, the town could have been completely destroyed if it had been left alone. Besides, something terrible happened in the Royal Capital too…”
“…I’ve heard some of it.”
A demon also appeared in the Royal Capital. I heard that the Crown Prince defeated it, but Elena believes that Carla was the one who actually defeated the demon.
A demon disguised as the Crown Prince tricked Carla. Because it was Carla, she must have been considered a very dangerous person. But Carla willingly jumped into that trap. She is seen as a madwoman by those around her, but Carla has never put herself in a disadvantageous situation.
When Carla killed someone, she always made the other person strike first, placing herself in the position of the victim. Even if she retaliated excessively, Carla’s position prevented it from being considered a crime, and the accumulated fear of Carla made people even more afraid to lay a hand on her.
I did the same thing by opposing the Underworld, but Carla did it in aristocratic society. That’s only possible because of Carla’s personality and power…
But what I don’t understand is why she let the Crown Prince and the Saint deliver the final blow? When I said that, Elena quietly nodded.
“We were discussing that. Mikhail, please explain it to Aria as well.”
“Understood, Your Highness. Before that, Aria-jou… I’m glad you returned safely. It’s embarrassing, but there’s a big difference in our fighting strength with or without you.”
When Mikhail said that, smiling at me, Rookwell next to him nodded with a difficult expression.
“Yes. I am keenly aware of my own immaturity, but currently, you and Count Leicester’s daughter are the only ones who can defeat a Greater Demon alone. However, her giving that credit to those two has caused some trouble.”
The plan to remove Elvan from the position of Crown Prince has been carried out under the approval of His Majesty the King, mainly by Elena and the Melrose House faction. Many noble houses support Elena, who has the blood of a pure-blooded upper-class noble family, rather than Elvan, the son of a former viscount’s daughter. Thanks to Elena’s efforts, some of the less radical Aristocratic Faction and the Neutral Faction have already sided with Elena.
However, the Crown Prince’s reputation has risen due to this incident, and opportunistic noble families have begun to support the Crown Prince again. Moreover, not only that, but the name of the “Saint” who defeated the demon has also risen, and movements to make her the Crown Princess have begun, mainly among the Prince’s faction and the Aristocratic Faction.
I know almost nothing about that Saint, but according to Mikhail, she seems to be related to the Melrose House, and the opinions of the Melrose House, including the Prime Minister, are not unified.
“No, I’ll take care of Melrose. I don’t recognize her as a related party.”
“…………”
Mikhail looks at me worriedly for a moment, but he may have noticed it too.
“However, in exchange, the Dandole Family, which had been taking a wait-and-see attitude, has decided to join Princess Elena’s faction. The Dandole Family is also considering amicably (・・) terminating the engagement if Clara does not become Queen.”
Rookwell told me that, following Mikhail.
Certainly, for the Dandole Family, it is meaningless unless it is Clara or a blood relative like Elena. Amicably means carrying out the “Crown Prince removal” so as not to hurt Clara.
With the Dandole Family moving, the northern and southern major factions have sided with Elena, but the existence of the “Saint” who caused this has become a problem.
That was the premise, and from there, Elena takes the lead and starts talking.
“…Currently, Clara’s position, who is rumored to be on bad terms with His Highness the Crown Prince, is not good. Normally, the name of Dandole would still make her Queen, but His Highness the Crown Prince’s biological mother became the Crown Princess, so we must consider the worst-case scenario.”
“This time too, will it be like that?”
“If His Highness the Crown Prince wishes… it’s not impossible. But in that case, you have to be prepared (・・) for the country to be in considerable turmoil.”
At that moment, Elena’s eyes narrowed, and a dangerous light dwelled within them. Mikhail nodded in agreement, and Rookwell closed his eyes with a painful expression, and I finally understood.
Originally, Elvan had not grown as the Crown Prince and was infatuated with the viscount’s daughter, so Elena gave up on him and decided to become Queen herself.
If he becomes King without growing up and a suspicious person becomes the Crown Princess, the Aristocratic Faction will increase its power, giving other countries an opportunity to take advantage of the situation.
Before that happens, Elena’s eyes said that she would not hesitate to prepare a “poisoned chalice” for him.
“…However, it’s difficult for me to do that on my own. My father… His Majesty has decided to assess His Highness the Crown Prince until his graduation from the academy when he comes of age. Even if I persuade His Majesty by then, if we try to do something before that, His Majesty may side with His Highness the Crown Prince.”
Saying that, Elena sighed with her eyes downcast.
Elena’s goal is the peace of the nation. If she takes action to do that, it would be a rebellion, and it could even lead to civil war.
“Elena… I remember the ‘promise’.”
“Aria…”
I swore to kill even the King for Elena’s sake.
If Elena wishes it, I will kill the “Crown Prince” or the “Saint.” If I become a hindrance, I can just pretend to be dead.
It seemed that killing the Saint would solve most of the problems. But–
“…It’s difficult. I might have asked you to do it a little while ago, but she has gained fame.”
“…Yeah.”
Killing the Crown Prince or the Saint is a last resort. If it were the Saint before she killed the demon, her death would not have caused a big fuss. But at that time, even if she was acting suspiciously, she was just a girl who had not committed a crime in the eyes of others, and she was not an assassination target.
But right now, no matter how much of a nuisance he becomes, his death would be romanticized, garnering sympathy for the Crown Prince and pushing him towards the throne.
“Even if we have to resort to that worst-case scenario, it’s better to first seek a reason to ‘eliminate the Saint’ that the people and the Holy Church will accept, rather than assassination… Mikhail.”
“Understood. I will coordinate with the Shadow Unit and search for a reason that everyone will accept by the day His Highness the Crown Prince graduates.”
The demon I defeated was in the town where the Temple Head’s mansion was located. There’s no material evidence linking the Holy Church to it, but considering we suspected them and went to investigate, we can practically consider them guilty.
As a result, the Crown Prince’s side made the first move before we could, but having reached this stage, I’m sure Mikhail will handle it.
“Therefore, the execution will coincide with His Highness the Crown Prince’s graduation, as decided by His Majesty. I will focus on persuading His Majesty and winning over the noble families. Mikhail, you will gather and adjust information. Rookwell, please continue to be my bodyguard and win over and adjust the Dandole faction.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
Mikhail and Rookwell bowed in fealty to Elena, who had adopted the demeanor of royalty. Elena nodded in response and then turned to me.
“I want to speak with my brother, the Crown Prince, once without His Highness Amor or the Saint present. If possible, with Clara as well.”
“What should I do?”
Even though they are political enemies, they are still relatives to Elena, and she has some affection for them. Especially regarding Clara, she must have mixed feelings. Even if she eliminates them, she wants to see for herself where to draw the line and what their true intentions are.
“During that time, Aria, I’d like you to make contact with the Holy Church, but could you do that for me? I know it’s very dangerous.”
“…I see.”
I would directly infiltrate the Holy Church and confirm things based on my own suspicions. It’s certainly dangerous, but I thought it was an effective method.
The girl who seems to be the “Saint,” whose true identity is still unknown.
The Temple Head and his grandson who managed the town where the Bone Devil was.
The existence of the “Nightmare,” who still hasn’t appeared and whose existence can’t even be confirmed.
All the clues to these mysteries lie within the Holy Church in the Royal Capital. There’s probably no evidence. That’s why, by having me, Elena’s bait, go there, we might be able to lure them out.
If there’s anyone who can realize that, it’s only me.
“Understood, Elena.”
“Then let’s begin, Aria. Our battle.”
Next time: Elena, Elvan, and Clara’s Dialogue
And Aria finally confronts “Alicia.”