83 – 21. Invitation (3)
Unlike the north, which is full of cool energy even in the middle of the day.
Even in the morning in the west, a warm wind wraps your skin.
So those who came from the north had already unloaded the thick coats they were wearing.
“… .”
“Are you worried about anything?”
At that question, Shien suddenly turned her head and looked at Adele, who was sitting across from her.
Originally, Adele, the escort, had to ride a horse by the side.
That’s the original form of escort, much less the case of a servant who is not a knight riding along with the family head.
But no one in Liechtenauer, including Shien.
He didn’t open his mouth about it. He didn’t even seem to think so.
“I was thinking for a moment. things that happened And things to come.”
Speaking of things to come, it would be something related to the Fiore family, which is heading now.
And if you say what happened, you must be talking about entering the imperial castle a few days ago.
Adele looked at Shien quietly before opening her mouth.
“Did you have a good talk with Her Highness, the princess?”
“Well, to be honest, I was kind of scared. It’s something I feel every time I meet, but I’m not an ordinary person.”
Princess of the Empire, Ekaterina.
As much as he was mentioned as the next emperor, his abilities and tendencies were firm.
Every time I hear the story in front of her and do it again.
Shien felt like he was out of breath, not knowing why.
“hmm. You deserve it.”
As if agreeing with Shien’s words, Adele nodded.
Even in her own experience, the princess was similar to the emperor, but had a different side.
If the emperor was the warm spring sun, the princess was like a slightly hotter sun.
“I was also a bit burdened by the princess.”
“In what way?”
“He was always ahead of the curve, always looking out, and thorough. Those who are not prepared will not even be able to breathe before him.”
It was Adele who was talking about the possibility of a purge.
Clever Shien read a strange atmosphere in those words.
Fortunately, Lichtenauer didn’t do anything against the imperial family, so it’s fortunate.
Some of the nobles who are increasingly relieved that the Great War is over will be in danger.
“Aren’t you curious?”
“yes?”
“What kind of conversation did I and His Majesty the Emperor have?”
“… .”
Then Shien cleared his throat lightly and said, “Kuhmm.”
I’m curious, of course I’m curious, I want to hear what was said.
However, the opponent is the ‘Emperor’, not anyone else.
The absolute supreme of the empire, a being that any noble family should kneel at its feet.
As a servant, can you dare to want to know the story of your master?
It would be rude to even try to find out if it wasn’t a story between himself and the emperor.
Asking is not polite to the other party and the emperor.
That’s why Shien had been hesitant to open his mouth all this time.
“If you ask me, I will.”
“… That, I’m curious. I guess I shouldn’t know.”
“The emperor has allowed it.”
She is already aware of her true identity.
What more do you need to hide in front of him, the emperor said.
Shien, who was relieved a little thanks to this, opened his mouth cautiously.
“Well, then can you tell me? Adele?”
“As much as you like.”
Actually, we didn’t talk much.
We just shared what happened and what will happen in the future.
* * *
“… Did you say that a second-class Demonic Land appeared?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“It didn’t just appear, the 3rd grade demon scene suddenly changed to the 2nd grade.”
The emperor pondered Adele’s words while fiddling with the teacup.
First of all, my first thought was that it was nonsense.
It is the emperor himself who personally experienced and finished the terrible war.
I had never seen such a case in the long hell.
Not to mention, no similar news had been heard anywhere on the continent.
He is the emperor, the one and only master of this vast empire.
There is no news that does not reach him, and there is nothing that he cannot see.
Even now, the eyes and ears of the imperial family spread across the continent are sending all information.
Crows go to places where people can’t reach.
Everything that can be gathered there is delivered to the nest.
‘Even in that information, there was nothing similar to Adele’s story.’
However, there were many uneasy things to dismiss as just a coincidence.
First of all, recently, the frequency of appearances of 2nd-class demon spectacles has increased.
The Demonic View of the West that occurred a while ago, and the peculiar phenomenon of Lichtenau that appeared this time.
Other than that, strange signs were showing up in various parts of the empire.
Fortunately, it was not a time when power was insufficient as in the height of the Great War.
Because they are already soldiers and knights, they have thorough preparation and practical experience.
In addition, we received solid support, so we did not suffer as much damage as before.
However, in the meantime, a few other reports came up.
It was said that some of the witches seemed to be a little different from before.
“Adele.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“How did you see it?”
“It has changed. They say very little, but what has changed is what has changed.”
It was Wolfhedin’s opinion that it would be a pity to be second in a battle with the Witchbeast.
At this point, it was clear that something had gone wrong in the world beyond the Demonic Realm.
That’s why even the magic beasts that come over are affected by it.
“It is ominous.”
The emperor said so and quietly knocked on the table.
It was his habit that comes out when he has a lot of worries.
“I thought I was almost done. Do you mean no?”
I was worried that I might have declared victory too early.
However, from the emperor’s point of view, it was something that could not be done.
Already 20 long years have been spent only in war, war, and more war.
Although the crisis has passed, and now it has reached a level where it can even counterattack.
The long war left deep scars on people’s hearts, not their bodies.
If we continue like this, the world will not be taken away by demon beasts.
It could be that he was exhausted and gave up everything.
Thus, the emperor declared victory and called the war the eradication of the defeated soldiers.
It was a way to increase the sense of victory and elation of the people of the empire.
So far it’s worked out pretty well. Just in time, the magic beasts weakened and the demon realm decreased.
However, starting from one day, it is changing to the opposite.
The frequency of appearances of demons increases, and demonic beasts become stronger.
In this way, it meant that the probability of returning to the time of the Great War increased gradually.
“Return, should I?”
So Adele asked the emperor such a question.
He has already retired and Wolfhedin no longer exists.
Even if he were to return, no one other than Adele could fight properly.
Nevertheless, Adele puzzled the Emperor by asking such a question.
“… Adele.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“What did you say to me and let go of the sword?”
“… He said he wanted to do anything.”
“also.”
“He said he wanted to go somewhere.”
“So did you fulfill all of those words?”
Adele was briefly troubled by the emperor’s words.
The thought of wanting to go somewhere seems to have come true.
I went to the north and saw snow and experienced cold weather.
However, it seemed that the words that he wanted to do anything had not been achieved yet.
At first, I thought I just wanted to look at a woman named Shien.
A faint but clear existence, a woman who still lacks a lot but wants to advance.
While staying by her side, she had a desire to protect her.
“… I don’t think I’ve made it yet.”
So Adele came up with an answer after thinking about it.
Then the Emperor nodded as if he knew that.
Then he smiles and clicks his tongue lightly.
“Tsk tsk. Then what kind of comeback are you talking about?”
“… .”
“Don’t even dream of returning until you want to achieve everything, you bastard.”
I’m making a harsh voice, but that’s not the truth.
That I care about myself more than anyone else in the world, maybe even more than my parents.
Adele felt that feeling and smiled involuntarily.
“… You’re laughing now.”
“yes?”
“no. I’m glad you seem to be doing well. Did you say Lichtenauer’s Shien? Hmmm, resourceful. How can you change your guy like this? It seems reassuring.”
It was the emperor who suddenly spoke an unknown story.
Thanks to that, Adele tilted her head and just sipped tea.
* * *
“… Roughly, that’s all we talked about.”
As soon as Adele finished speaking, Shien unknowingly let out a sigh.
When you first imagine the relationship between the emperor and Adele, it is the one who gives orders and the one who fights.
All I could think of was that hard and cold.
But after hearing Adele’s story, she realized that it was her own misunderstanding.
Rather, the emperor was more concerned about Adele than anyone else in the world.
Just like parents worrying about their children, without any cost.
“I think it would have been okay if I had been by that person’s side.”
Why did he leave the emperor and why is he by his side?
Shien tried asking the question that way once.
I’m curious, of course I can’t help but wonder.
The emperor treated Adele very well, and his position was also unrivaled.
If he had been in the imperial palace longer, he would have risen to the rank of captain of the imperial knights.
Nevertheless, Adele left the imperial palace and eventually settled in Lichtenau.
Not as a knight commander, but as an attendant.
“Of course, His Majesty the Emperor is a good person. I will not deny it.”
After Adele answered, she was silent for a moment.
Then, I looked at Xian quietly and conveyed my thoughts plainly.
“But I like Shien-nim better.”
“… yes?”
“You are better.”
“… huh? eh? What?”
Even after that, Shien continued to make quite strange noises.