To be honest, I didn’t expect good results.
Even if the result of my actions was to save countless people of the empire.
My actions were enough to be seen as meddling in the internal affairs of other countries.
That’s why I didn’t even expect a reward in the first place.
I just needed a reason to meet.
“I can’t figure it out.”
But Antares exalted my heroism and promised me riches and other political benefits.
It was different from the first time I went to evacuate the people of the empire.
well, that’s a good thing anyway. As much as I was able to receive support from the empire, I think I can turn the dragon soldier I received from Tia into my own.
With this, I saved face, and when I went back to ＜Spelling＞, I was less criticized for eating.
You can’t avoid cursing, but… … .
What to do? Despite being the monarch, he prioritized other things.
Even if it was for the sake of the world, there are few broad-minded citizens who can understand it.
“Well, then… … .”
There was a harvest.
The problem is that Antares benefited from my actions as well.
There was no loss of the real Imperial forces, the elite, that he had been hiding for the one time in a while.
As a result, even in such a devastated situation, the absolute power did not collapse, but became stronger.
Perhaps that’s why he thought of rewarding me generously.
It could be said that bloody winds are already confirmed.
-The empire has grown too big. It’s gotten so big that even I can’t handle it. Same with plants. I’m trying to prune to grow healthy.
Antares did not hide his plans. Of course, there may be other plans hidden inside.
“A civil war at this time.”
What he said he would commit was not pruning, but burning.
It is like burning down the empire he worked hard for in his life and building a new empire on top of it.
“Anyway, in this confusing situation… … .”
No, did you do it out of confusion?
If this system is shaken, there are plenty of people who will take unexpected actions.
If it can’t be stopped, it must be Antares’s intention that he would rather gather them together and explode them.
Of course, the problem is that the crazy bastard made everything combustible even to the category of flame retardant that would not have exploded in the first place.
Well, then what?
If things that could explode and even the fragments of that possibility were removed, only two types would survive.
An insane patriot willing to truly devote himself to the Empire.
a son of a dog who bowed before the power of the empire
That’s how the solid foundation of absolute power is completed. Of course, it may depend on what you do after that.
But wouldn’t Stasia, who would become the next emperor, do well?
Even though it was laid that way, if it couldn’t keep its place, it wouldn’t have been able to take the place of successor in the first place.
“Discrete Punisher.”
The Punisher family and the Stillena family are in the category of flame retardants caught in the pruning of Antares.
Yes, like this man who appeared like a shadow in front of me.
“His Highness the King of Darkness. It’s okay if I dare to say something… … .”
He appeared in front of me, unable to hide his pale expression.
Seeing him banging his head in an extremely polite manner, it seems that the situation has taken a turn for the worst, as expected.
The Punisher and Stilena.
Those two families will probably have a hard time surviving.
executioner and assassin. Wasn’t he born into an insidious family?
It is they who should be on guard in this chaotic situation.
“His Majesty the Emperor asked for Lucia’s safety.”
“That can’t be the end.”
Beings who can easily decapitate opponents in the midst of chaos and shadows.
For a family that has been learning such things for generations, it is strange that they are not vigilant even if they are the world’s Antares.
“Yes, at this rate, Lucia will most likely be killed.”
“There will be any number of reasons.”
It’s not just about ending up as a hostage.
The Punisher and Stilena.
In order to completely break the momentum of the two, it is certain that Lucia will be charged with a crime that she does not have.
Well, after killing Lucia and claiming that she plotted the assassination, the emperor’s forces will trample both houses.
There is no need to prove guilt. Because the claim of the weak in front of absolute power is always ignored.
Furthermore, how would Lucia, who would have already become a corpse at that point, prove her innocence?
Discre must have felt like grabbing at least a straw.
but… … .
“You’ll have to think carefully before you speak.”
Things are different from before.
I’ve been carrying too many things. When I helped Tia, I had no choice but to take the risk, otherwise I would be heading straight for an apocalypse.
But what about now?
“You know that if I move, it will literally be meddling in internal affairs, right? Do you have the strength to deal with it and a way to solve it?”
“… … .”
There is no justification for the sake of the empire, and if I intervene in politics within the empire, a war will break out immediately under the pretext of meddling in internal affairs.
“This is a war if you do it wrong. would you know That Antares would do.”
“… … you’re right.”
You’re not going to war because it’s a chaotic situation?
That’s an overly optimistic view. Antares is a conquering monarch in the first place.
Considering that he had grown his country through conquest, war would have been what he wished for.
As usual, expensive magic tools are piled up like a mountain in ＜Spellage＞.
Even though it is a small country, it can be said that it is thanks to its technology that it can communicate in a position similar to the empire.
When it was said that the blood that flowed on the battlefield and the magic engineering technology of ＜Spellage＞ were put on the balance. How much would Antares consider bleeding?
It is something that cannot be judged hastily.
“So that’s what you want to tell me now. Speak carefully and carefully. draw a clear line Come up with a means to persuade me somehow.”
I don’t want to leave him and Lucia just like this.
But as long as there are no clear lines, we cannot simply interfere in what could lead to war.
“Discrete Punisher. What do you want to say to me?”
If you say you’re going to resist Antares and cause a coup, I can’t sympathize with him.
The guy is getting nervous now.
If you can’t get back to your old self, you can’t win the fight you won.
He won’t be able to achieve anything unless he overcomes his fear of the monster named Antares.
“Your Highness the King of Darkness.”
After hesitating for a long time, Discre closed her eyes tightly.
“I want to exile Lucia.”
And there was no more fear in those eyes that opened again.
As usual, only a cold and insensitive look was reflected.
“you?”
“I will stay.”
“yes… … .”
It wouldn’t matter if all the Punisher families ran away, but if only one individual ran away, even Antares wouldn’t be able to start a war.
Discree struck the balance.
He gave Antares a justification.
Even if you don’t kill Lucia, you can get rid of the Punisher family.
He would be willing to take all the blame and be executed.
“What about the rest of the family?”
“They accepted too. The fact that His Majesty the Emperor had already decided to kill us was something everyone could easily guess.”
“It’s unfortunate.”
“We have always been hounds. Everyone except young Lucia was prepared for something like this to happen someday.”
“Isn’t that a cat?”
“I mean.”
Discree smiled bitterly. In the past, he would have made a fuss over his hateful remarks about prisoners, but he was quite self-deprecating.
“Through this incident, there may be a crack between the Empire and Spellage.”
“Please be patient.”
“You’re so shameless.”
With such a serious face, he made a request like an order and fell asleep.
But, what can I do?
“Okay, since you all have done so far, I will guarantee that Lucia can live freely.”
“thank you.”
Discree disappeared, simmering into the shadows just as it had appeared.
It’s something I always feel, but it can’t be anything other than an absurd stealth ability.
It’s unfortunate. Had it not been for Antares, there would have been no need to prepare for death.
“Okay then.”
I decided to accept Discre’s request. Lucia’s free life is guaranteed. But what is it?
Isn’t that too unclear?
“Should we listen to Lucia?”
So it would be better to ask yourself directly.
* * *
Lucia still hadn’t removed the bandages from her eyes.
Now you can see the front, but it seems to be for a little more stability.
“I’m glad you look healthy today. Lucia.”
“What are you doing again today? There are many people waiting for you.”
“Unfortunately, that is. I must be a busy person.”
“Work?”
Lucia, sitting on the bed, tilts her head. Also… … . This guy doesn’t seem to know what’s going on right now.
It must have been hidden by Diskrae.
Lucia tried to hide Lesis’ existence for Eleanor’s sake.
Discre, who hid the situation in the empire, including the exile, for the sake of her sister.
It’s to the point of laughing because what he does resembles someone else.
“I hope you learn a lesson from this.”
“You don’t have the knack for saying things right. Oz.”
“You’re picky.”
As always.
“Oz, as you can see, I am a patient. So why don’t you go to someone else to do the work?”
“Well, listen first. Whether this will be work or rest is up to you.”
“I’ve never had a hard time when you said that.”
“Anything great? Even when I see it, it doesn’t look like it will end easily.”
“… … .”
Lucia’s expression rots.
Even though my eyes are covered with bandages, I can feel it clearly.
I told Lucia, who had such a displeased expression, about the conversation I had with Discre earlier.
Lucia, who had been listening to me with an expressionless expression for a while, said with a displeased expression on a completely different level when she finished speaking.
“… … Who am I to say that?”
it’s a soft voice
They are wary of me as if they were enemies. Well, as expected.
Even if I forced her into exile in the current situation, she would definitely resist.
Then there is a problem.
“Well? Discree seems to want asylum, but what about you?”
“I hate to die.”
“Then there is nothing you can do.”
Promise with Discre.
The part that will allow her to live a free life is at stake.
“Unfortunately, I hastily accepted the promise, so I have no choice but to help you with what you want to do.”
That’s right, the subjectivity of the promise is no longer in Discre. It is said that from the point of making an appointment with him, that authority passed to Lucia.
Lucia, who had been making a displeased expression all along, seemed to have noticed my meaning, and soon said with a displeased expression in a different meaning.
“… … You really have a bad personality.”
Yes, I said I would guarantee Lucia’s free life, but I never said I would give her asylum.
“So what are you going to do? What kind of freedom do you want?”
I do what he wants to do. Much better than a gloomy fellow like Discre.
Lucia eventually changed her displeased expression to a confident smile and removed the bandages from her eyes.
“What is it? I’m going to get that damn brother.”
Interference in internal affairs? What to do?
I have already accepted my promise.
I also did something very hasty.
Yes, unfortunately… … .
Contrary to what Diskre thought, Lucia is not a child who listens well.
“It’s good. Shall we make a plan then?”
It just hasn’t been revealed so far. He’s a bad boy like me.