“It’s been a while, big brother.”
“… … okay. Long time no see, Hones.”
After greeting, the two sat facing each other at the round table.
Morgan had agreed to meet him because he had business.
“So, what’s the matter? Cruz.”
“I just called because I was bored.”
“… … .”
“I’m joking, so don’t make such a scary face, brother.”
Seeing my small smile, Morgan let out a small sigh.
Hones said as if to supplement this.
“I think it’s okay even if I don’t have a special purpose. Since my older brother became the crown prince, we have never been together like this.”
“The last time we got together was before the festival, right?”
“That’s right, brother.”
“Thinking of that, it seems to be the first time that we have gathered with pure hearts without any hostility.”
“… … .”
Hearing my words, Morgan put on his glasses with a strange expression.
There was a little bit of bitterness there.
I wasn’t sure why I was feeling that way.
I thought maybe I felt regret and did that.
“Actually, it’s also a place that Mama made by pushing her back to meet her.”
“… … Did you?”
“Yes, he said that he secretly wanted to see us.”
“I have never been like that. I never said anything like that.”
“Of course you would.”
“… … .”
Morgan’s eyes, which had softened, sharpened again.
At this, I quickly changed the subject.
“Are you feeling better?”
“Yeah, practically everything is better.”
“That’s a good thing. I am willing to teach you some magic, if only you wish.”
“I have no intention of learning from you even if I die, so know that.”
“Don’t do that, just take it, big brother. There are quite a few people in the SS who are anxious to be taught by the second older brother.”
“… … .”
“The Royal Guard’s mage units are unmatched in the kingdom. And it was Crews who guided them. Not only that, but also individual skills… … .”
… … Something began with Hornes’ lengthy explanation.
Morgan listened to it in silence, then interrupted Hones when it seemed appropriate.
“Yes, Cruz is great.”
“Your big brother knows that too. Sometimes it’s a bit self-intoxicating, but… … I think it deserves it. I’m not ready for my second older brother yet.”
“I heard about you too. You defeated a 7-star mid-level warrior one-on-one.”
“yes. It was possible because of thorough preparations for unmanned Solstad.”
“Still, it’s amazing, because it’s higher than you.”
“Brother Cruz’s advice to always use information gaps to deceive others has been effective.”
“Brother, I also defeated a 7-star superior.”
“No, don’t bother talking about it.”
… … Isn’t the temperature of dealing with someone different?
There’s something kind and affectionate about Hornes, but he’s infinitely sharp on me… … .
[Are you upset?]
‘No, it’s not like that, but something is like that. I feel like I’m being discriminated against.’
[I’ve felt this since a long time ago, but it will be difficult for the superiors to like you.]
‘… … Didn’t Mama do that?’
[That woman is an exception. As far as I can see, that person is outside the standard.]
‘Are you talking about skills?’
[That is true, as well as the soul and the sense of existence itself.]
‘Hmm… … .’
… … Well, I’ll stop with small talk to lighten the mood.
Now let’s talk about the main topic.
“How is the situation inside the kingdom recently?”
“Isn’t it being reported to you too?”
“It is, but to be honest, it is only refined once.”
“… … I see, you have to focus on the Feyer Continent.”
Morgan, lost in thought for a moment, opened his mouth slowly.
“To be honest, there are quite a few disgruntled people.”
“That’s right, because of the war preparations, the taxes collected have increased significantly.”
“It’s a situation where people are tearing it off mainly for wealthy people, so there are a lot of comments behind it.”
“But that’s still good enough.”
“It’s not like that. And those who annoy me with matters related to you will not diminish.”
Those who want to get ahead by proving something to me.
Rather than that, those who want to receive and eat soybean food by making connections.
Those who want to find out my next move in advance and take advantage.
… … It was said that such people were also flocking to Morgan.
“Among them, the most annoying is the matter related to your engagement.”
“… … yes?”
“Others are either timed where appropriate or there are reasons to reject them. But this didn’t make any difference to me either.”
When you become crown prince, it is said that the normal order is to find a marriage partner right away in order to see an heir.
However, it was postponed due to the special situation in which I am directly on the battlefield.
Suggestions and inquiries related to this were all pouring into Morgan.
“Even if you don’t want to hear about your engagement, there’s no reason to refuse it, and there’s no one to pass it on to.”
“… … Yes, I do understand. That’s why I can’t ask you to tell my mother.”
“So you too, prepare to welcome your partner at the right time.”
“Didn’t I tell you that I have no thoughts until the war is over?”
“That is not enough reason. Do you know how many requests are made to make even the same seat as the face-to-face?”
“… … .”
“Aside from being the crown prince, my older brother is said to have the best appearance among the royal family.”
“Anyway, be aware. Cruz.”
“… … Yes, brother.”
“It’s Father’s Day in a little while, what are you planning on doing then?”
The father Morgan was talking about was, of course, the queen’s husband.
He died of illness shortly after Hones was born.
Since then, the ancestral rites have been held every year.
“I will participate if the current atmosphere on the front is maintained, but if something goes wrong, it will be difficult.”
“As expected.”
“This is something that Mama also allowed.”
“Okay, then let’s proceed with the preparations to welcome the head of Rien and the messenger of Yorgil, who will come in a week.”
“Yes, brother.”
* * *
A week later, the messengers of Shardan and Yorgil arrived in the kingdom.
The purpose of concealing information was the reason why he came all the way to Rien’s household.
I had to hide the fact that Yorgil was giving information to the kingdom in exchange for an heirloom… … .
The messenger of Yorgil, who arrived at the place of the meeting secretly, appeared.
“My name is Derek Yorgil, who was ordered by the head of the household.”
“This is Cruz Alexander. Sai Yorgil will come with the Shardan family in a little while.”
After a while, Sai and Shardan came inside.
Derek quickly got up from his seat.
Unlike when he greeted me, his face was full of worry.
“Sai, are you feeling well?”
“Okay, no problem.”
“Life here is… … .”
“I’d like to postpone saying goodbye until later. Now we have to fulfill the contract.”
In response to my sudden interruption, Sai confirmed silently without showing any sign.
Derek bit his lip for a moment, but… … As if agreeing, he nodded his head.
“The exchange of information proceeds in a way that you and I speak in turn.”
“All right.”
“And after all the information is exchanged, I will use the confessional to make sure everything you said is true. Do you agree?”
“… … Yes, His Highness said that he also drinks, so there is no objection.”
“Then tell me first. Ronberg is hiding the power of Hastur, an ancient god.”
A slight crack appeared in Derek’s expression.
It was a face of shock when what he had been saying turned out to be true.
Soon, his emotions were contained, and he opened his mouth.
“S-class artifacts contain the power of the ancient gods.”
“… … Does that mean the heirlooms of great families?”
“yes. I can’t say anything about the Sigvarda continent because I don’t know, but the possibility is high.”
“But compared to Ronberg’s secret, it seems a bit lacking.”
“… … Admit it. So I also add something about the power of evil spirits.”
At those words, I touched the heavenly spirit and listened.
“The artifacts of the Evil Gods in the Feyer Continent are not, in fact, items containing the power of the Evil Gods.”
“… … Then what are they?”
“They contain the power of divine beasts that followed evil spirits.”
… … It is said that the things called super senses and extraterrestrial spirits are the power of the heavenly senses.
In fact, I had never even seen anything like it.
Is it because my realm is still low and I can’t draw out the proper power?
“The only thing that contains the power of evil spirits is the one on the Sigvarda continent.”
“Okay. It’s my turn next.”
After taking a deep breath, I revealed the information the Western warriors had hidden.
At my words, not only Derek, but also Sai and Shardan were shocked.
The Continent of Sigvarda has relatively few contacts with ancient gods, but the Continent of Feyer does not.
Everyone knew that the ancient gods protected the world… … .
For them, this truth was difficult to accept beyond the Kingdom.
Besides, this is information that could shake the foundations of Western warriors.
In other words, depending on how you use them, you might be able to greatly shake them, who are a nuisance.
[Are you okay? There may be fewer allies.]
‘It doesn’t matter, this incident made it clear.’
[What do you mean?]
‘Western warriors are not allies. If the great family is pushed back, they will stab us without hesitation.’
That’s why it was necessary to aim for this time when the giant family was shaking internally.
“Your Highness, is that true?”
“Will I ever tell a lie? Lord Shardan.”
“… … Excuse me. No, but… … .”
“I understand. I figured it out a while ago, but even now it’s hard to believe.”
At this time, Derek opened his mouth as if chanting.
“… … The words that they descended from generation to generation within the Resurrection Church were true.”
“Hubris is not an evil spirit, but a savior, you mean?”
“Yes, these days they only want to use evil spirits rather than worship them, but… … You probably won’t know as much detail as Your Highness.”
“I would like to hear the next information, Derek Yorgil.”
“… … Originally, I was going to say only one of the two, the power of the evil spirits and the prophecy, but I guess it would be worth talking about both.”
“prophecy?”
“Yes, it is shared among the great family alliances.”
One with the qualities of a guardian will be born in this era.
… … He added that the prophecy of the contents was transmitted through the magic tool.
“What is that Guardian?”
“He is the one who can break the human limit of 8 stars.”
Except for Hubris, an evil god who was said to have existed in ancient times, no human had reached 9 stars.
In the first place, there weren’t even those who had reached the 8-star level… … .
“That means that there are people who are gifted with great qualities.”
“Yes, that’s what it is.”
… … I thought about this for a while, but then I put my emotions under control and said.
“Let’s hear about the rest of the powers of the demons.”
“Yes, it’s rather long, so you might want to read this sooner.”
I read the papers Derek gave me.
… … There were quite a few things that bothered me about the content, but I just nodded.
“This seems to be similar to the level of information I handed over.”
“thank you. And Your Highness, a personal request… … .”
“I’ll keep you seated. I’ll give you permission to talk to Sai Yorgil here.”
“… … Yes, thank you.”
“I’d like to let you roam the outside, but there’s a possibility that you’ll be caught by a spy from a large family, so you’ll have to be careful.”
“I understand.”
“Give me two hours. I’ll bring you a meal, so you can talk slowly and rest.”
After saying that, Shardan and I went outside and went into the prepared secret room.
Shardan, who was alone with the two of them, took a small breath before asking.
“Are you satisfied with the information Yorgil gave you?”
“Once it is. I lacked clear information about this power, and this would be of great help.”
“okay. So, the reason for calling me separately… … ?”
“I want to ask the head of Shardan about the manifestation of the spirit.”