Killing the mind. It's an act of pretending to be something you're not, that it's the way it is, that it's the way it's supposed to be.
　But as long as you are a willful beast, your heart continues to accompany you through life. If you try to reject all pain, it will come out.
　The position of "I" has been established to prevent the heart from being damaged by guilt. However, since we share memories, there is a limit to our relaxation. No matter how insane you may think you are, ordinary people do not have the spirit to endure medieval torture.

"Huh. ...... huh. ......

　I made the mistake of trying to lie down until the Iliad and the others arrived. The memories that I had unconsciously suppressed were invading my dreams without mercy.
　Zuccio's tortures were deliberately deceiving me by getting me high. I wished that I could just cut myself off and forget about it. The actual experience of torture is not something that even "I" can mentally handle.
　However, considering the current situation, it is true that it is difficult for "I" to deal with this kind of situation. Even if it means sharing the burden, "I" must have been needed to help.

...... It's about time.

　I looked at Chisanthe, who was twitching next to me, and threw the tablecloth over her contorted face. Watching this stuff is only bad for you.
　This door has a trick, and only Chisanthe and her entourage can open it. If you understand the philosophy of the one who made the door, you might be able to open it, but your knowledge of the artisans in Serende is too limited to make any real attempt. Above all, it was unlikely that I would be able to concentrate properly under the influence of this paralyzing poison that I had taken with Chisanthe.
　Chisanthe's breakfast was made with a slow-acting, non-lethal poison with symptoms similar to the one they were using, and the bottles she brought with her were both fast-acting, paralyzing poisons that took away her physical freedom. It was fortunate for this man that the poison Mixu used to incapacitate his opponent was tasteless and odorless, otherwise he would have had to use the original contents.
　The door swung open to reveal Chisanthe's men, Ilias and Ecdysium. Ilias and the others had been briefed, so although they looked uneasy, there was no sign of surprise.
　At first, Chisanthe's men would not let them through, but if there was no response for several hours, they would be disturbed.

"Lord Chisanthe! Oh, my! You're going to tell Chisanthe...
"It's interesting that you're all upset that Chisanthe brought me into this room when she knew what I was going to do. You can blame me all you want, but how are you going to publicize it? Were you force-fed a drink by a man who can only be beaten by a young child? I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do that, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it. Which one do you think he likes better?
"Ah!

　I drink the antidote that Ecdysium offered me. It's a palliative, so you won't be able to move right away, but you won't have to worry about the symptoms of paralysis getting any worse.

He admitted his guilt and drank the poison of his own free will. Fortunately, the poison he drank was not the life-threatening one he was expecting. How's that for a good story?
"How dare you be so brazen, ......!
I think you should treat the man before you bite him. Unfortunately, I'm out of the antidote I prepared for the dose I just took. It's not lethal, but if you leave it too long, it might cause permanent damage.
That's right! Hurry up and bring Master Chisanthe!

　I watched as Chisanthe was carried away with Ecdysium on my shoulder. I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do this, but I'm sure I'm going to be able to do it.

...... You didn't take any lives, did you?
You can't regret what you've done if you just kill them. You have to take away their pride and power, and let them suffer the rest of their lives by their own hands.

　Both Chisanthe and Yumies are problematic people, but they have established human trafficking and drug smuggling routes in this era, so their sense of money and power is definitely top-notch.
　However, he can destroy most of the drug distribution routes before Chisanthe can move on, not to mention Yumiess, whose collaborator, a nobleman, betrayed him. All of their backers will be crippled by this uproar.

Who drank the ...... poison first?
Chisanthe.
Then you didn't have to drink it, did you?
I didn't need to drink it to kill him. But if I wanted to keep him alive, I had to drink it in front of him. It's a poison only I can make him drink.

　The reason why he dared to drink the poison in front of Chisanthe was to imbue his mind with the poison of 'I'.
　In this case, he was able to give "I" a shot in the arm. But there's no point in letting him live if he's going to get even more vengeful. So I had to use an unreasonable method to make a strong impression on him.
　Chisanthe really thought she was going to die, and from now on, whenever she remembers me, she will see that scene. He created the madness in order to imprint the impression that he was a crazy man who would drink even poison without hesitation in order to drive himself into a corner, and that even if he read and won, it would be himself who would be defeated in the end.

I'm not going to say much more if you need me to, but ...... I still don't feel good about it. It's frustrating to just be along for the ride.

　In the event that you're not sure what to do, you'll be able to find a number of things you can do. I know it will be a burden on them, but they have to take this kind of risk in order to create an opening for the powers that be who have been so vigilant.

That feeling alone is enough to save my life.

　These words are true. This mission was also a tightrope walk, made possible by the proximity of Ilias and the others. If he had been completely alone, he would have had very limited means to hunt down Chisanthe while keeping her alive. It would be best to kill him completely with breakfast poison.

"Compatriot. It's good that you've managed to subdue Yumyess and Chisang-tae, but what are you going to do now?
"Now that the charges are out in the open, the government has no choice but to investigate. I'm sure that Washekht will be the one who will be in charge of the investigation, so I'll take advantage of that and find out if he is a collaborator of Rahite and the others or not.
If it's an internal matter, wouldn't Nuhusa be the one to take action?
"Nuhusa will be busy dealing with the nobles of the Umies faction. Noufsa will be busy with the Yumyess faction's nobles, so he'll go to Washekht, who has more time on his hands.

　Then, as we had expected, the investigation around Chisanthe and Yumyess began under Washekht's command. Both of them were in no condition to move, and their subordinates were not able to hide themselves completely in order to deal with the human trafficking and drug smuggling that was their main mission.
　As the hidden facts came to light one by one, the thing we were looking for finally came to light. It was a tool that was hidden in Chisante's residence.

　It was a tool hidden in Chisanthe's house.



　I hear singing. This is a children's song that Washekht taught to Hilmera. Master Hillemera thinks of her memories of Washekut every day.

"You're in a good mood, Miss Hillemera.
"Yes, of course I am! I can't tell you how happy I am that you've done so well!
I'm glad to hear it. I'm making a lot of progress too.

　Thanks to his efforts to hunt down the princes, my work has become much easier. Their pawns, who had been lurking in the background, are now working hard to put out the fires.
　Even if the pawns are highly skilled, the board can easily go awry if there is no one to move them. Although Chisanthe and Yumies were arrogant, their sense of crisis avoidance was nothing short of brilliant. As long as those two were unable to move satisfactorily, Master Hilmera's trick was going to work like a charm.
　As for me, I only need to follow her instructions to make contact with the person I'm going to kill, so it's easy for me to move without thinking about anything else.

"That's all well and good, but you'd better get rid of the smell of blood. You look like you haven't had a bath in days.
I just took a bath. If you're going to complain, may I ask for new armor and a new sword?

　I remove the sword from its scabbard and hand it to Master Hilmera. When she pulled out the sword, she seemed to understand why I was complaining.

"Wow, it's covered in gore. The blade spills badly. Didn't I just give it to you?
"Not all men are killed without a fight. Some of them are better than others. It can't be helped.

　The armor has been washed with water, but there are still clots of blood stuck in the grooves. This is the reason why I can't get rid of the smell of blood, but it's ridiculous to wash it seriously when I'm going around killing people every day like this.

Can't you avoid getting blood on your hands?
"Unfortunately, I'm targeting people with blood and tears.
I hate it when you say you have a heart. Okay, I'll get you your armor as soon as I can.
I think it's time for a new sword.
You can take the sword from my treasure room. You should reward yourself once in a while.

　Hearing these words, I feel a little better. The majority of the items in Hilmera's treasury are memorabilia of her and Washekht, but there are also treasures left behind by Hilmera's parents. Among them, there was one that even I, a half-decent swordsman, could not help but admire.

You don't mind? It's a memento of your parents.
It would be a lie to say that I don't have any feelings for it, but I think the sword would be happier if you used it. You're my knight, so accept the honor.
I'll take your word for it, but whether I'll take good care of it or not is another matter.
You should at least take care of it. I'm pretty sure it's a great sword.

　It's a good idea to take care of your own health and wellness. I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but it's a good idea.

So where should I kill him next?
"That's the thing, I've had enough. The pawns and backers of Chisanthe and Umies will be almost completely destroyed, and if I make any more moves, Noufsa might try to interfere with me. The last time you tried to use your brother Washekht to get me to calm down? How dare he try to use my brother?

　I'm saying that Prince Chisanthe and Princess Yumyess are more scum as human beings, but Prince Nuhusa is the most unforgivable person to use Washekto-sama, and this princess is complicated in many ways.
　Well, the reason is clear. Prince Nuhusa is the one who broke the heart of Master Washekht, so it's only natural.

"But what do you really want?
"I'd like to kill Nuh-Uh-Sa, but I think I can forgive him for giving me an excuse to see my brother.
That's very honest of you. So, Master Washekht told me to be quiet, and I'm going to do that.
Yes, the board is already set. I think I've achieved my goal.

　Master Hilmera hummed as she opened the window. Hilmera's room has a very good view of the city of Serendipity. If it weren't for Master Hilmera, I'd invite him to stay with us.

"The purpose is .......
"Don't make me repeat it. Of course you want your brother Washekht to be king of Serendipity.
Isn't the King still in office?
No problem.
You don't think he's ......

　I'm afraid this princess might do it. Since she's not even related to him, she really doesn't seem to have any hesitation.

That's not true. Originally, your father was planning to choose the next king in the near future. But after this incident, the influence of the princes has changed greatly, so he must have made up his mind earlier than planned.
Is that what happened?
Yes, that's why Chisanthe and Yumyess were also trying to suppress the messenger with extreme measures.

　Or should I say, "I see. The king allowed Washecto to get in touch with him in order to make a final decision on who would succeed to the throne. ....... That's why the other princes were interested in him and showed hostility when they saw him as a threat: ....... It is a terrible nation from the very top to take advantage of a benefactor who protected the peace of the nation.

But then, doesn't Prince Nuhusa still have influence?
That's not a problem. I've already taken care of that.
"What? When did you ....... It looked like you were having fun with Master Washekht under a temporary illness.


These days, yes. But the poison I planted took root a long time ago. That's why your father will definitely choose your brother Washekht as king.

　Master Hilmera seems very confident. But I wonder if Prince Nuhusa will be so easily seduced. If you look at it without any favoritism, Prince Nuhusa is definitely the best among the princes.
　Yes, he is the only one who sees me as if I am dangerous from the start. I'm sure I'm as good at understanding people's inner world as he is.
　Still, I don't see the same charm in Prince Nhusa. The shape of that man's soul has no trace of transience. It is a solid, self-contained, wall-like form.
　I personally thought that Prince Noufsa would be the biggest obstacle, but ....... If Hilmera says it's okay, then she has to bear the responsibility.

I'm not sure what I'll do then. I think I'd like to go check on him.
That's fine. The angel's purpose will be complete when he finds the evidence in Chisanthe's place. Maybe he'll just go back to Taze.
I'm not sure what to make of this, but I'm sure it's a good idea." "Oh, I see. ...... Once his purpose is over, there's no reason for him to stay in Serendipity. ......

　If that happens, I won't be able to see the shape of his heart when I want to. It's very sad, and just thinking about it makes me want to cry.

"My role as a princess will soon be over. Then you won't have to be my knight. You can chase after me all you want.
That's honestly what I was thinking, Master Hillemera.
Your loyalty has saved me enough, I need you to be honest with yourself.
"Doesn't ...... make you cry when you're embarrassed to be honest?
You have to keep up appearances with me.

　You can follow him and keep watching the way he lives. It's a very attractive future, and I wish it could be.
　But I have a hunch that it won't work. This feeling of guilt has never failed me before. It will not come true, and the outcome will be sadder than I can imagine.
　And yet, for some reason, my heart is more elated than ever. I wonder what kind of development I am hoping for.