“…What on earth?”
Lucius muttered softly, gnashing his lips.
He glared at the man sitting in front of him with resentment, tightly clenching his fists as if frustrated with himself.
“What exactly were you watching to come to such a complacent conclusion?!”
The man, seemingly taken aback by Lucius’s demeanor, paused for a moment.
“…A complacent judgment, you say?”
The Emperor of the Empire, Duke, leaned back into his chair, furrowing his brow as if his head hurt.
‘Does he not realize that the one making the complacent judgment is himself right now?’
Lucius, the Hero who should inspire courage and hope among the people of the Empire, is currently siding with the Demon King.
Is that all?
The Saint, who should love and shine hope upon not just the people of the Empire but all ‘humans’ beyond them, is also standing by the Hero and agreeing with him.
‘Is this… even a situation that makes sense?’
The beacon of hope is siding with the clear enemy, the Demon King.
This situation was giving the Emperor a headache.
“Hero. No matter how you say it, my mind won’t change.”
“Why…!”
Duke let out a deep sigh as Lucius, looking frustrated, pressed him again.
“…Sigh.”
Of course, the Emperor wasn’t clueless about what Lucius was saying.
He knew the character of Cheon Ha-rang before she became the Demon King, having conversed with her himself.
How innocent she was.
It was at a level that made one worry she might fall for a trick somewhere.
…Well, there were also some sly aspects to her.
Anyway, if he, who had only met her a few times, could evaluate her like this, how much more so must Lucius, who had adventured with her for nearly half a year, feel?
Of course, it would be hesitant for him.
It would surely hurt his heart to think he had to strike her down.
Duke, being human himself, could fully understand what Lucius was trying to convey.
But still.
“Nevertheless, my thoughts remain unchanged.”
He was an Emperor before he was a man.
“It is right to remove any threats to the Empire in advance.”
He must make judgments for the Empire rather than his personal feelings.
That is the position of an Emperor.
“Why would Cheon Ha-rang be a threat—”
“Hero. You know better than anyone.”
Seeing that Lucius still looked unconvinced, Duke narrowed his eyes and met his gaze.
“Cheon Ha-rang possesses a power beyond common sense.”
Duke had only caught a glimpse of that power, but it was undeniable.
Her power was truly out of the ordinary.
“And that power is too destructive to be held by an individual.”
Though he didn’t particularly like making comparisons.
But it was highly likely that even if the entire Empire charged at Cheon Ha-rang alone, victory wouldn’t be assured.
“Of course, I’m not saying she must contribute her power to the Empire.”
…But he couldn’t say he didn’t have any ambitions either.
Hadn’t he already failed once to recruit her?
Cheon Ha-rang was not someone who could be subjugated to him or to the Empire.
In other words, it meant she was uncontrollable.
However, an already uncontrollable being beyond common sense had.
“Become the Demon King, didn’t she?”
“…”
Lucius, too, seemed at a loss for words and turned his gaze away.
After all, it was to be expected.
The testimonies of those who witnessed Cheon Ha-rang were unanimously terrifying.
Her right eye, with a chilling glare, and the enormous horn sprouting from the right side of her head.
Although it was only half a horn.
Such a figure was something one could only see among demons, not humans.
Moreover, there was clear evidence that all demons, part of the Cheonma Church, were obeying her.
To top it off, the imperial palace had already been attacked by that Cheon Ha-rang, hadn’t it?
Back then, they claimed it was to prevent another attack, but…
Now that time had passed, it was hard to fully believe those words.
“Therefore, Cheon Ha-rang is not a potential threat.”
She is a present threat.
“That’s to say, a threat that is right in front of us.”
How could they let such a being go unchecked?
Any sane person wouldn’t make such a foolish judgment.
“Therefore, when she is even slightly off guard or unprepared.”
They must ambush her first and eliminate the threat to the Empire.
“If we’re a moment too late, she could very well turn her focus on the Empire.”
That can’t happen.
It must not happen.
“A countless number of Empire citizens would lose their lives.”
Thus, there would be no negotiations.
Didn’t their ancestors tell them in the past?
“Demon Kings and their minions, the demons, are not the type to engage in conversation.”
They were simply a bunch of power-drunk ruffians.
“So, Hero. If you truly stand by the Empire, no, by humanity, then eliminate her.”
Duke gazed intently at Lucius, who remained silent, for quite some time.
*
“They’re probably saying something like that.”
Jack’s lively words made me tilt my head as if I’d heard them firsthand.
I’m going to attack the Empire…?
What kind of nonsense is that?
“Hmm…”
Despite my look of bewilderment, Jack shrugged and continued.
“So, shouldn’t we prepare for an attack from the Empire?”
Prepare, huh…
So, simply put, it means they want to fight?
“Hmm… I’m not too keen on that.”
It’s not that I don’t understand Jack’s words.
…But.
“Is it really necessary to prepare for that?”
If possible, I’d like to avoid any clash of forces.
That’s only natural.
Like it or not, between me and them…
Among those in the Empire, I’ve got more than a few acquaintances, right?
…Maybe not many at all, but still.
Anyway, ever since the ball in the imperial palace that didn’t end up with all good memories, I’ve had ties with the professors and students of the Academy, knights from the North, and merchants from various towns.
Those many connections are all there.
And yet, they want me to fight them?
It’s entirely understandable to be wary.
…Well, perhaps if I listen to Jack, they might not think of us as connected enough.
Lost in thought, someone tapped my shoulder.
“Master.”
Of course, it was Nameless.
“You don’t have to think like that.”
As if he understood my expression of contemplation, Nameless began to elaborate.
“Just because we’re preparing doesn’t mean it has to lead to a fight, right?”
“…Huh.”
His words touched closely on my concerns, and I couldn’t help but let out a small admiration.
“You seem to know my thoughts.”
“We’ve known each other for quite a while now.”
I let out a long sigh at Nameless’s small smile and nodded my head.
Well, that’s true.
If they were really thinking of attacking, we could hardly sit idly by.
Right?
If I hesitated because of my affections, and something happened to the Cheonma Church or the demons that decided to help me, that wouldn’t do.
Plus, I have promises to fulfill, the wishes of the Cheonma Church and the demons.
I have things to accomplish before I leave.
Maybe seizing this opportunity wouldn’t be a bad idea.
Waving my hand lightly, I added to Jack.
“Then let’s get prepared.”
“Understood!”
Jack, with a bright smile, left the scene.
“…”
Naturally, silence began to descend upon this small hut, leaving just Nameless and me.
‘This silence is unbearable…’
Yep, a thick silence lingered.
For some reason, Nameless, who typically would have a calm expression and engage me in various conversations, had been quiet for the past few days.
…Why is that?
As I pondered, I could think of no clear reason.
Could it be that he’s acting this way because I mentioned leaving? That thought crossed my mind, but…
Who knows.
If he truly recognized that I was leaving, wouldn’t he be even more inclined to talk, rather than remain silent?
Think about it.
If we were to part someday, wouldn’t he want to chat a little more with his Master?
You know, building memories and all that.
…Well.
Even holding me back from leaving could be one way to go about it.
Anyway, the crux of my thoughts was that there’s no valid reason for Nameless not to engage me in conversation.
Still, if I were to ask him why he’s not chatting, I might feel insulted for some reason.
In the first place, asking such a question is itself strange.
Earlier, when I was struggling, Nameless had offered his insights just like this, so when it came down to it, he’d already spoken up with what was necessary.
So, if I were to ask why he isn’t chatting, it would be like… like…
“Cough…”
It would make me look desperate to chat about nothing with Nameless, wouldn’t it…?
That alone is terribly insulting to my pride.
No, that’s clearly wrong!
In the first place! A disciple should charm their master with their tales.
Why does that guy have to be so awkwardly heavy-hearted about it?
That’s so infuriating!
But saying that outright is tough.
“Hmm…”
I snorted, merely hinting.
