Thank you for the report, Tudori and Morari. Hmm, ...... Chisanthe and Yumyess have dropped out. From the way he did it, it looks like he was forced to invoke the other position.

　In the room where Arcreal was lying, Master Ritual was listening to the report of me and Morari. Having decided to keep a watchful eye on the situation for the time being, Lord Ritual ordered Morari and I to keep an eye on Serende.
　The scandal surrounding Prince Chisanthe and Princess Yumies had spread throughout the country, triggered by the sudden collapse of houses and the outbreak of fires in the city. The princes could have taken steps to prevent such rumors from spreading, but ...... it is likely that the people of the planet Yugra are behind it.

What would you like to do, Mr. Littoral? We could go a little further with our investigation. ......
It would be to my detriment if you were to become unnecessarily involved, so there is no need. This report is all I need to know about the situation in Japan.

　I don't mean to be such a screw-up, but I don't feel bad about being taken care of. I don't mean to be such a screw-up, but I don't feel bad about being treated well. ...... This is enough to make me blush, though not as much as Morari.

I'm not sure what to make of it.

　When Morari bit into her little happiness and didn't want to open her mouth, I opened mine, but she gave me a sullen look. It seems that she can't stand the fact that I'm depriving her of the opportunity to talk to Mr. Littoral, but if that's the case, she should just get on with it.

I'm passive, but that's fine. It's an opportunity to ingratiate yourself with him, but it's not the time to take any risks.
"Ugh. ......

　Arclial, who had been unconscious until a moment ago, squeezed out a moaning voice. The other day, the body began to respond, and Littoral-sama said that it might be time to wake up. .......

"Are you awake, Arcturial?
...... How long have I been asleep?
More than seven days.
Oh, ...... Hatake ...... must be ruined. ...... d*mn. ......

　You can say that it's typical, but ...... you were wandering between life and death, how is it that the first thing you notice when you wake up is a field?

"Jastet is taking care of your field. The original order was to have him keep an eye on it in case another assassin showed up.
Seriously, I'll give Jastet a kiss later.
I don't think you should return the favor. Now that you're awake, I have a question for you. Do you recall any contact with the royalty of Selende in the past with Raheit?

　Although he looked languid, he must have known that Lord Lytial wanted that information urgently. With his eyes closed, Arclial spun his words as he recalled memories of the past.

'...... Once, that guy asked me to escort him and we met people together. He's the kind of guy you'd find in a deserted tavern, ...... stocky and laughing all the time.
You look like Prince Chisanthe. Do you remember what we talked about?
No, not really. I remember that the purpose was to procure supplies, but ......, I think he showed you a crystal, I don't know...

　The crystal reminds me of the communication crystal we took from the Yugra cult. The technology of a neighboring country is a good bargaining chip for those who are responsible for the future of Serende. It's no wonder Rahite, who has frequently infiltrated Medis, has been stealing more than just what we need.

We've seen the whole thing: ....... What do we do now?
"Oh, yeah, the guy who attacked me, he's more beautiful than most women, he's called Murscht. And by the way, I'm pretty sure he's a bastard.

　I've got a name match on that one, based on Morali's sighting. He was known to be Princess Hilmera's bodyguard, but Lord Ritual had warned him that it would be dangerous to get too close to someone who could defeat Arkreal.

What did you think of the fight?
I'm not sure what to say, but I'm pretty sure he's weaker than me. It's just that I've never seen a guy who ...... didn't collapse when you slashed him.
"Unbreakable ....... It's probably best to avoid fighting that guy. Morari, Tdoari, we have a plan of action. We'll make our move.
"Yes, sir! I'll go along with you as far as I can!

　We'll be with you as long as it takes!" The reason why Mr. Ritual is moving as soon as he decides on a course of action is because he knows that something will happen in Serende soon. There is no doubt about it, but if ......, what about the people of Yugra's planet?

"Hey, what about me?
"...... keep the wounded at ease.
Wow, it's rare that T'Douris are so kind. Are you in love? I'm kidding, don't draw your weapon without saying a word!

　I'm sure you'll be happy to know that I'm not the only one who's had to deal with this. It's not good to have only one knife hit you at this distance. I'll try not to think about anything else.

　I'll be back.

　As soon as I regained consciousness, I felt a strange lassitude in my body. I remembered the time when I was in a daze after taking medicine to cure a cold when I was a child, and my current condition was very similar to that time.
　Is this something that can happen while taking care of my physical condition? There's something wrong around my body to begin with.

"What?
Good morning, brother. I used a slightly stronger sleeping potion, is your body okay?

　Even though I had regained my judgment, it still took me a while to comprehend the situation. Her hands were shackled and her feet were chained to the wall.
　Where am I? My body seemed to be lying on a bed, but it was not a prison. It's a small private room, surrounded by a series of familiar stone statues.
　Yes, this is the one I gave to Hilmera, who was watching over me as I awoke. Hilmera is the same as always, with a calm expression on her face, but ...... in this situation, the lack of change is even eerie.

"...... What's this all about, Hilmera?


To protect you. I didn't think he'd take me seriously if I told him, so I was a little rough with him. But you're being too careless, sir. Don't leave any guards on your person. ....... I'm sure you're making arrangements so that I can see you at any time, but doesn't this just give the other princes an opening to take advantage of you?

　It didn't explain why, but I understood that Hilmera had abducted me to this room using a sleeping potion. It's not as if I don't have an idea why my sister would act this way. .......

Would you mind telling me your purpose, Hilmera?
"Of course, it's for your brother to become King of Serendipity. Since your father has chosen Nuhussa as the next king, it is no longer possible to do so by ordinary means.
"...... are you going to kill Father and Brother Nufusa?
That's not enough for you, is it? Your brother is a kind-hearted man, he will not seek the throne as long as there is a possibility of taking it or being taken away. ....... Then we can make sure that no one else will seek your brother and think of taking his position.

　Hilmera's words felt like thoughts, but they were not accompanied by rationality. Normally she would be able to see that she was speaking only ideals.
　Now Hilmera is insane. She is probably trapped to the point that she is running away from short-sighted thinking and deciding that outrage is the right thing to do.

Hilmera, listen to me. People learn through experience, and each of us lives in the best way possible. The way we live is not something that can be easily changed. Even if I kill all the other royals, they will not receive me as their king, but will choose a new one.

　I'm already out of the competition for the throne, I'm not qualified to be king, and the people understand that. That's why I've been able to survive all this time without any other prince trying to kill me.
　If I were to succeed to the throne instead of Brother Nuhusa, the people would not be satisfied and the country would take a more dangerous turn.

"...... Yes. Your brother has abandoned the trust of his people. He went so far as to protect me and himself. I'm sure killing Nufusa and your father won't convince him.

　Funny, we're having a conversation. Hilmera understands what I'm saying. How can she look at things so calmly when she's the one who kidnapped me?
　I have a bad feeling about this. Could it be that Hilmera is still calm? Isn't it possible that she has decided that this is the best thing to do?

"Then--
"Then control it, brother.
What are you talking about ......?
There's no point in listening to the people. You don't need to gain their support. You don't have to let your brother talk about whether he's fit to be king or not.
Does that mean you'll follow him by force? That's exactly what you and I--

　I couldn't say any more negative words. The look on Hilmera's face convinced me. She has the power to control this Selende. It is because of that power that she is doing this.
　Hilmera, who has no influence over the troops, plans to rule by force over this country. One possibility came to mind, and I connected it with what was creating this situation.

"Brother Washekht. I will not let you get your hands dirty. Wait just a little longer in this room. And then I'll give you the kingdom.

　"◇

　Hilmera came out of the door and closed it tightly and locked it as if to interrupt Washekht's words. I'm not sure what to make of that.

We have to do this as soon as possible. ...... We can't keep your brother locked up in that small place for days on end. Mursht, follow me.

　I was summoned out of the blue and shown that Washekht was in captivity. And then I heard the unbelievable story through the door. But Master Hilmera, as usual, seemed unconcerned and moved on to the treasury.
　As soon as she removed Washekht's painting from the treasury, she pulled on the clasp. Then the wall cracked open, revealing a staircase leading to the basement.
　I was tempted to make a snide remark about the existence of such a place, but even I could read the air well enough to restrain myself from doing so.
　At the end of the stairs, there was a barrier that people could pass through, and as soon as I went under it, a strong smell of death pierced the back of my nose. This is not the smell of one or two people, nor is it the smell of being left alone for a day or two.
　There was a room ahead, and when Master Hilmera passed her magic power through the magic stone, the room was dimly illuminated.
　What was there were countless corpses. Some of the bodies were fresh, some were rotting and full of bones.
　If you look closely, you can see a few familiar faces here and there. There was a butler who was said to have quit his job and left the castle before, a soldier on guard. Oh, isn't this the same maid who greeted me yesterday?

You're not as surprised as I thought.
I'm a little surprised. This maid was a nice, sincere girl. What did she do wrong?
A pawn of Nufusa. She was spying on me, and she was annoying, so I let her use me as a pawn.
What about the ...... arm that's been cut off?
It's because I used it to carry your brother to that room. I'm a maid and I touched your brother, so I deserve it.

　When I responded to the topic of Washect-sama's ruins, Washect-sama grabbed my shoulders. I'd rather not say.

I'm not going to tell you. "What the heck is ......? I'm not sure what to make of that.


Evacuate. Evacuate.
I don't think I'm going to help you evacuate Master Washekht.
I did this.

　Master Hilmera pulled out a book from a bookshelf in the corner of the room. It was a tattered book that had been read and reread many times, with many sticky notes stuck on it.
　Opening a page in the book, Master Hilmera cast a spell. Then the dead maid's corpse begins to twitch, and her severed arm begins to distort and regenerate.

It's the forbidden magic that destroyed the necromancy ...... spines. How dare you use this ......?
I've been practicing it seriously for about ten years, but it's not stable without the medium of a book describing its construction. Still, I've been able to sublimate some of what Lahite taught me into my own style. I think I'm going to have to cut off my arm one more time later.

　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not. I'm not sure what to make of it, but I think it's a good idea. Learning to manipulate the dead at the age of four is no small feat.

What are you going to do by showing this to me?
"I'm going to use this power to rule Serendipity. I'm going to bring everyone else into this, no questions asked, but I'm going to let you choose. You can fall with me as my knight or you can pretend you never saw anything and leave this country. You can do whatever you want.
"...... Have you thought about me telling him about this?
You wouldn't, would you?

　I don't know about that. If Lord Hillemera tried to use necromancy to control Selende, many people would probably die. He's not someone who can turn a blind eye to that. He would certainly try to thwart Lord Hilmera's purpose, as that would be a threat to him later.
　If you report this to him, he might be grateful. ...... It's a fascinating future indeed. But ...... well, if you're asking me if I'd actually do it, I'd probably ...... not.

You'll be able to get a lot more than just a pair of shoes.
You'll be an enemy of the angel if you follow me. I'll let you choose whether or not you want to make an enemy of someone you love.

　The right answer for me to choose is the one that doesn't betray him or you, Hilmera. If I do that, I'm sure they'll both accept me after all.
　I think back to the last time I saw him. I remember the last time I saw him... a man who respected the human heart and tried to be a man, but pretended to be something else in order to act like a bastard. That was undoubtedly one of his aspects.
　Even in this distorted form, he was willing to part with me. I thought I was satisfied with that. I tried not to think about what would happen to him after that.
　Yeah, but this choice is making me greedy. I tried so hard not to notice that I shouldn't think about it, that I shouldn't choose it.
　Excuses, excuses, excuses, excuses, excuses, excuses, excuses, excuses, excuses, excuses, excuses, excuses, excuses, excuses, excuses, excuses, excuses.

"Fine. I'm your knight in shining armor, so I'll stay on your side until the end.
"...... You and I are different after all. We're both insane, but our fundamental desires are opposite.

　When Master Hilmera saw my face, she smiled a little sadly. I didn't know what she meant by that, but I knew that if we were going to fall together, I wanted us to at least laugh together.