Chapter 54
While I was lost in deep thoughts about the meaning of my existence, Retsy spoke casually.
“You, I, we all bear the mission of protecting this continent. You are well aware of that, aren’t you?”
“…Of course.”
“Yes.”
Dazar and Morokanil, who had been staring at each other with still-unsettled expressions, relaxed their faces slightly.
Retsy glanced at me briefly.
She had no intention of revealing that she was the Emperor, but for now, having called me here, she seemed to be explaining the reason for arranging this meeting. Seeing that I showed no particular reaction, she continued with a relieved expression.
“And we are not the only ones tasked with protecting the continent.”
“Well, that’s true.”
Dazar’s mouth twisted slightly as he replied.
It seemed he didn’t have particularly positive feelings toward the “others” Retsy had mentioned.
Naturally, I recalled Dazar’s unfavorable opinions of the Temple that day.
She means the Temple, doesn’t she?
Lost in that thought, I watched Retsy lift the cloth covering her and sip some tea.
Beneath the cloth, a surprisingly strong jawline for a woman appeared briefly, then disappeared again. The lips glimpsed beneath were so vividly red they gave off a somewhat androgynous aura.
Now that I think about it… I’ve never even seen a portrait of the Emperor.
Having lived apart from worldly affairs, I had never seen Retsy’s true face.
This whole effort to cover her face with the yellow cloth is pointless. Sorry about that.
Even though she had wrapped her face completely, it didn’t matter—if she revealed it openly, I probably wouldn’t have recognized her anyway.
I scratched my head, then slowly lowered my hand, as the atmosphere had turned slightly serious.
“I assigned each of you a different task. Morokanil is currently pursuing the followers of Ruben.”
“Mm. That was expected.”
Dazar ran his index finger along the rim of the teacup in front of him, showing no particular interest in Morokanil’s work.
“Considering his abilities, that makes sense.”
“Indeed. And recently, we caught up to them.”
“Oh?”
Morokanil’s abilities, huh.
I wondered what they could be, then instinctively held my breath as the three pairs of eyes grew serious.
“Recently, there has been an increase in unusual religious proselytizing in the capital’s slums. I don’t know what they intend to do, but it’s their doing.”
“……”
Dazar frowned.
“The slums of the capital?”
“Yes.”
For some reason, Dazar’s gaze briefly flicked to me, then away.
At that moment, Morokanil spoke.
“Our investigation found that they mark a target and relentlessly pursue that target to draw them into their religion. Most targets were women, and those women shared a common trait.”
“A common trait?”
“All had light platinum hair. You know that’s a rare color, don’t you?”
“…Light platinum hair?”
At that, his golden eyes, which had briefly looked away, snapped sharply toward me.
“Lady Evanroar here has a similar color. Therefore, you were once targeted in the slums.”
“What?”
Dazar’s eyes widened, then he raised an eyebrow.
There was a slight flicker in his gaze.
Is he asking me why I didn’t say anything?
I glanced between Morokanil and Dazar, then replied reluctantly.
“Well, it wasn’t particularly important, I suppose.”
In truth, the timing had been off as well.
“…You, really.”
“What? What is it?”
“Ha. Never mind. Forget it.”
Dazar revved up as if about to scold me, then sighed heavily.
He then asked Morokanil,
“Do you know why they target platinum-haired women?”
“That is still… unknown.”
“They’re surprisingly good at covering their tracks. We didn’t get that information, but we obtained others.”
Retsy produced a document from her sleeves.
The rolled-up papers naturally unfurled as she pushed them open, as if never having been rolled before. Almost as if a magic spell had been cast.
“It seems they plan to act at the ‘Assembly of Respite’ this time.”
“…At the Assembly of Respite?”
“Yes. Brazen, aren’t they?”
The Assembly of Respite: the day before the ‘period of rest,’ when the Emperor gathers the nobles for a social event.
Not just a ball, but also a day to recite poetry, showcase scholarly knowledge, and report major news from each noble house.
So… like a year-end banquet, in a way?
Though calling it a year-end banquet felt like an understatement considering its scale.
Anyway, it seemed the followers of Ruben planned to carry out something there.
Retsy, Morokanil, and Dazar spent a while planning for that day together.
By the time the tea in the cups cooled, their plan was complete.
“Ah! Time has slipped by too much. I had planned to finish the discussion quickly and then spend time with Cillia.”
Retsy checked her watch and exclaimed in surprise, her voice tinged with regret.
“Let’s quickly share Dazar’s assigned tasks and finish this discussion. That’s why Cillia is here with us today.”
She coughed lightly, as if apologizing to the day she had waited for, and continued.
A glint of curiosity appeared in Morokanil’s eyes.
It seemed the Transcendents didn’t know about the new food Cillia and Dazar were developing.
Even Eishu and Corado at the Temple didn’t seem to know. I introduced myself, but they showed no reaction.
So only Chancellor Cedric, Emperor Retsy, and Dazar knew.
Ah, Elsden knows too.
Then the Saint would know as well.
The Transcendents apparently interacted less than expected and didn’t share their work.
Makes sense. Seeing how badly Morokanil and Dazar get along, I could understand a little.
“Cillia is currently developing a new food source for the Empire with Dazar.”
“…!”
Morokanil’s eyes went wide. He looked at me once, then at Retsy, and slowly rubbed his chin.
“Impressive. If other nobles knew, they would all be astonished.”
They probably would. The “food genius” is finally showing her skills.
Though not exactly the reaction I hoped for.
“Of course, it’s confidential.”
“Morokanil, as you know, Miarr’s growth stoppage is spreading. Cillia is working to develop this as quickly as possible.”
Retsy straightened her shoulders slightly, as if proud of her friend.
Meanwhile, I, having done little, felt a little embarrassed.
“A new food source, huh? I’m curious. May I take a look?”
Morokanil asked eagerly, eyes wide.
“Well, uh…”
Just as I opened my mouth to grant permission,
“Where do you think you’re going? Not allowed.”
“Rum…”
Dazar cut me off, stepping slightly forward between me and Morokanil.
Leaning his shoulder in, he blocked half of Morokanil from view.
What exactly was he trying to do?
“We’re currently at my mansion. I cannot allow your visit, so don’t even think about coming.”
“…You mean at the Siaster Ducal House?”
Morokanil squinted slightly, as if asking me.
I gave an awkward laugh and nodded.
Why did this feel like a lame excuse?
“It’s more effective for food development this way.”
“….”
Morokanil opened his mouth as if to argue, then slowly closed it.
He seemed to decide it wasn’t his place.
He brushed his hair back, looking slightly embarrassed at his own conflicted expression.
He looked very angelic.
…And next to me, a demon.
Appearance and personality alike.
Thus ended my second meeting with these two opposites.
“Well then, shall we have some fun? Retsy?”
“Good!”
And so began our endless chatter.
Hearing about how Sir Hael had almost fallen backward in the garden yesterday after being startled by a frog, I suddenly remembered:
The followers of Ruben are planning something at the upcoming Assembly of Respite, right? Will I encounter them there?
“Thank you for escorting me, Morokanil.”
“It is my duty, Your Majesty.”
Scarlet surveyed the area as she looked at the small hole ahead. Thanks to Morokanil’s abilities, no one recognized her, but this made her feel more at ease.
“Please enter safely.”
“Understood. I just hope Sir Hael doesn’t notice.”
“….”
Morokanil watched the Emperor navigating the streets without her guard, a bit troubled.
She had no choice—no matter how many guards she had, she couldn’t fully trust anyone.
“Oh, by the way… didn’t Dazar tell you Ruben had appeared?”
“Ruben, you mean?”
Morokanil blinked slowly at the sudden topic. Scarlet lowered her gaze slightly, speaking in a soft voice.
“You know one of his abilities is detecting Ruben, of course. The followers have begun moving, but it’s strange that Ruben himself hasn’t appeared yet.”
“…Perhaps the followers are preparing in advance. Before Ruben’s birth, for the world he will influence. Or Ruben has been born, but Dazar hasn’t discovered him yet. Ruben instinctively knows how to hide.”
“Like the Ruben you encountered in your previous life?”
Morokanil paused briefly, then answered,
“…Yes.”
“I see. That could be possible. Even in the previous world, Ruben’s discovery was delayed. Detection may be possible, but not perfect. Perhaps I expected too much.”
“No. The Siaster House is special; such expectations are natural.”
Scarlet nodded slowly, as if satisfied, then waved her hand.
“I’ve kept a busy person too long. Farewell, Morokanil.”
“Not at all.”
She crawled through the small hole, and Morokanil watched her, then turned to go. Memories of prior arrangements reminded him of the tasks he had pending.
By now, the orders I placed must be completed.
Just as the stone he had commissioned was finished, Morokanil turned toward the capital’s alleyways—to retrieve the stone.
“Hello.”
Soon after entering the shop, he dashed out.
Huff, huff.
In his hands were the stone and note Cillia had entrusted to him.
His breathing was uneven, his eyes shaking fiercely.
“…My goodness.”
He murmured in disbelief, his voice trembling with joy, doubt, happiness, and fear.
“Finally… finally…”
The stone he had prepared to find her had served its purpose.
He wiped his face dry, staggering forward.
His destination: the place where Cillia was waiting.
The Siaster Ducal House.
