CHAPTER 154………………………………………………….
Goddess of Death (2)
My question made Dad hesitate for a moment.
But then he smiled warmly.
“There’s no reason for me to be displeased. Unless that was their original attitude, of course.”
He added slowly, deliberately.
“Thinking of using bloodstones like that… I must say, I’m impressed.”
“……!”
A sudden wave of unease ran down my spine.
Could it be that Dad realized it was a scam?
No, if I show fear here, I’ll only arouse suspicion.
I deliberately smiled, full of confidence.
“Isn’t it a relief that you left this to me for a day?”
I believed, quietly but firmly, that maybe he wouldn’t cast me aside.
Perhaps, even if he had some doubts… he’d think, she’s my daughter, it’ll be fine, and let it slide.
“I’ve been bested, haven’t I?”
“Hehe…….”
“Yes. You handled it without losing a head, so I’d say your diplomacy is better than mine.”
“Why… why do you keep saying such terrifying things?”
When Dad says things like that, I can never tell if he’s joking or serious.
But I rested my head on his shoulder happily.
It’s done now.
Even if the invitation spoke of some ‘real’ outcome somewhere,
I am Elysion now.
No one would ever take this place from me, and I would continue living as this person’s daughter.
Forever.
The remaining schedule with the delegation went smoothly.
Both our demons and Illiod got what they wanted, so by the end, everyone seemed satisfied.
Before we knew it, it was the last day.
Etina gave me a ‘small gift’ as a token of thanks before departing.
Even if it’s small, could it be a jewel artifact or some ornament?
But I realized something I hadn’t thought of in a long time.
When royalty says something is ‘small,’ you shouldn’t take it literally.
“They… are giving me a palace?”
We were stunned to see the white palace appear before us.
The Illiod delegation had left me…
a “small palace” summoned by magic.
I should have noticed when Etina placed the miniature palace in my hands!
“This is called the ‘Palace of Water,’ Demon Princess,” she explained, winking.
“I’ve included the sea from our homeland, so enjoy it as you like.”
Indeed, in the glass conservatory, instead of flowers, a sea illusion rolled like waves.
Theia, putting her hand to her mouth, was startled.
“Wow…! It’s an illusion, but there’s saltiness?”
Well, how could we not enjoy it?
So Persen Palace and I decided to relax here for a while.
Theia abandoned her aloof noble persona and shoved Glauco fully into the illusionary sea.
“Glauco! Don’t just stand there—try going in!”
“I… hate physical activity…!”
“Knowledge isn’t only gained from books!”
“Gah!”
And with that, he fell in.
Being an illusion, his clothes didn’t get wet, but his staggering expression was priceless.
“Ugh… it’s really salty.”
Everyone nearby burst out laughing at his reaction.
I lay back on a cushion under the shade, watching them all.
I need a break too…
It had been exhausting trying to keep track of everything in such a short time.
And to think the Northern territories would already have the New Faith…
Halkion had been in ruins for a long time.
We also hadn’t heard from the priests or the Great Saintess since our escape.
Dad said he would look into it, but… will it be okay?
Just as I was worrying, shadows approached from both sides.
“Xion.”
“Lord Xion.”
“Uh…? Ares. Kalion.”
I quickly got up and alternated my gaze between them.
Then I turned to Ares quickly, because the moment I saw his throat, my face felt suddenly hot…
“Thanks for staying with me this time. It must’ve been a bit boring, right?”
“What are you talking about? You did a lot, Lord Xion.”
“Thank you, Kalion… huh?”
“What’s wrong?”
“You didn’t wear the necklace I gave you today?”
Kalion paused.
As far as I knew, he always wore the lapis lazuli necklace, no matter the outfit.
But he quickly laughed it off as if it were nothing.
“Ah… I was worried I’d lose it.”
“Really? Even if you did, I could just—”
I was about to say I’d make another one when suddenly…
“You’ve completely forgotten me this whole time, haven’t you?”
“……!”
Ares grinned mischievously at me.
For a moment, I froze at that rascal-like face.
Then his grin widened, and a dreadful premonition hit me.
“Princess. Everyone else already went in, you know?”
“Uh? But…?”
“Right now, you’re the only one not in.”
“……Ah. W-wait!”
In an instant, my body was lifted upward.
Perched on Ares’ left shoulder and Kalion’s right shoulder, my head was spinning.
“Wait! You two, wait, put me down!”
“Sir Icarus, you’re supposed to support the princess properly, right?”
“Ah! You two, wait…! Ughhh!”
And just like that, those two idiots dunked me into the sea.
The massive ship carrying the Priamos royal family slowly sailed toward the homeland.
Etina folded her arms as she watched the demons’ land recede into the distance.
I was nervous, but the outcome seems fine.
We might have ended up giving up customs duties and my younger sibling…
But we agreed on the doll export.
Illiod Mage Tower’s masterpiece, the “Perfect Doll.”
Dolls linked to consciousness were ideal as aids for people with physical disabilities or for menial tasks.
A few years from now, they would likely be formally introduced to the demon lands.
Etina smiled with satisfaction, tousling her brother’s hair beside her.
Cassandra gazed at the demon lands the entire time he boarded the ship.
“You’ll go back there again, Cassandra. Are you okay with that?”
“Yes, sister.”
He shyly smiled.
After living confined due to illness, his head was finally clear.
The dreams that made waking painful are gone too.
He was most relieved that he no longer had to see the fearful reactions when telling about those dreams.
I can’t wait to go to the school the demon princess will open.
Cassandra gazed across the lake once more.
Tartaros was fading into the distance, and mist blanketed the lake.
Then a strange dream he last had came to mind.
A woman with long black hair and silver-gray eyes, smiling…
She said Cassandra’s illness was caused by “ability.”
And if that power was too great and painful, she could remove it forever.
“Yes, please remove it.”
Cassandra answered without hesitation.
“If it lets me be healthy, I’d rather that.”
After answering this, his body truly no longer ached.
He no longer dreamed the strange, meaningless dreams.
Only the dream he had when colliding with the demon princess and losing consciousness lingered a little.
“…You, the demon princess with the power of a god.”
Cassandra’s silver-gray eyes glimmered with a fleeting haze.
You, the demon princess with the power of a god.
The fairest in the continent.
One who would punish demons and humans equally.
The one with eyes like a full moon… her true name was…
“The Goddess of Death who burns this world.”
…But as the unfulfilled ‘prophetic power’ disappeared, everything faded into fragments from the prince’s memory.
After laughing and playing with everyone, the “Palace of Water” was bathed in sunset hues.
But for me, the most important task remained.
Exciting, and also… nerve-wracking.
Now that all the work schedules are done, and Dad has gone to rest…!
It was time to confront Ares.
That “Lunai,” the girl who kept slapping his back—what’s their relationship?
And… how does he see me?
Alright. Speak naturally, so it doesn’t look like I’m being childish.
I didn’t bring any attendants.
I wanted to speak only with Ares.
But even after searching the rooms of the “Palace of Water,” he wasn’t there.
That’s strange. I was sure he hadn’t gone to the secondary palace yet.
The only place left was one.
“Ares? Are you still here?”
It was the glass conservatory where we had been playing earlier.
