Chapter 145

As befits a nation that values magic, Geoffrey’s reputation and status were beyond imagination.

Had it been under normal circumstances, her visit alone would have been quite the topic of conversation, but now, even that was impossible to discern amidst the chaos and confusion overwhelming Faceulan.

Still, as a country that valued the use and understanding of magic over racial distinctions, the treatment she received was steadfast.

However, many individuals sought to make their mark during this opportunity, and fierce struggles for advantage quietly unfolded among them.

That said, was the reason Geoffrey was hastily invited to the royal palace of Faceulan and granted an audience with the king due to the possibility of special procedures? This was undoubtedly an unprecedented event.

While diplomatic relations between nations might have been fine if they were well-established, there weren’t many human countries in the eastern continent that maintained friendly ties with elves or neighboring races.

“Did they inhale some kind of toxic fog en masse? Anyone looking at this place would think there’s a civil war or something going on.”

The scenes she had witnessed on the way here were exactly like that.

In the midst of all this, those busy hunting down instigators and ringleaders of rebellion were violently suppressing anyone suspected.

Based on the brief information she gathered while entering, Geoffrey immediately understood that the country had fallen into disarray within just one day.

‘With the core city in chaos, the entire governance system is paralyzed, huh.’

Of course, the destruction of key administrative personnel due to damage to the capital and seat of government was an obvious consequence that could severely cripple national administration.

But the problem arose because the existing power structure had refused to decentralize authority, shouldering too much responsibility, leading to this situation—a simultaneous and widespread manpower shortage that revealed itself entirely.

…Even though makeshift replacements are trying to step up, it’ll likely take at least a month or two for things to stabilize.

Because positions and ranks equate to power.

How many leaders can bear seeing someone else sitting above them when their eyes are wide open?

After all, it’s the nature of rulers to never let their enemies look good—even if it means the downfall of the nation.

‘Isn’t this none of our business anyway?’

This part could be left to her homeland to handle if necessary.

She wasn’t renowned for her political acumen, after all.

Though she could probably do so if she wanted, she wasn’t the type to be shameless or brazen about it.

Not to mention, she wasn’t the sort who could spout lies without blinking an eye or calmly betray trust while talking about truth and faith.

“This way?”

Most importantly, since Ruelde infiltrated without causing a commotion, it seemed he also had no intention of stirring up a massive incident.

Still, isn’t it too quiet?

When she entered the assigned room, there were several others present besides Ruelde.

No sign of the nobles or royal guards of Faceulan; instead, a man clad in plain steel armor typical of security patrols appeared. A phoenix, the national bird of Faceulan, was emblazoned on his chest, indicating a rank far above ordinary patrolmen.

In a nation that values magic, such attire usually invites disdain. However, if this individual could wield magic and wield a sword skillfully, he’d inevitably earn respect in some form.

…Although, he’d still likely attract jealousy and disdain from others.

Without any formal introductions, Geoffrey quickly deduced all of this based on snippets of information she’d overheard.

“I’ve heard much about you. As for me…”

Geoffrey gave a slight nod in acknowledgment to the noble attempting to introduce himself.

She then glanced at Ruelde standing off to the side and the puppet king of this land.

For some reason, the young boy’s short hair had lost its luster and turned stark white. Some parts were even balding.

“…”

He seemed to still be in shock, his expression crumpled, yet somehow managing to hold onto his sanity—how should one interpret this scene?

“What? What happened?”

“The current state of affairs is as follows.”

Ruelde briefly summarized the situation.

After somehow arriving here shortly after the incident, the situation had already been resolved. While many survivors were found within the palace, only a small number regained consciousness.

“Interrogating the regent revealed… a deal with a demon.”

“Who? Himself?”

“Yes. And…”

Ruelde’s gaze shifted toward the young king.

“How pathetic.”

Despite Geoffrey’s apparent criticism of her own nation’s monarch, they remained silent, averting their eyes or closing them as they waited.

“So, he has nothing to say?”

“He hasn’t fully recovered his composure.”

What sights, sounds, and experiences could have reduced him to this state?

Yet both Geoffrey and Ruelde had long ago discerned that the young boy hadn’t lost his mind or gone insane. They were simply treating him formally as the king out of protocol.

“Since you’re fine, stop pretending.”

Unlike Ruelde, Geoffrey held nothing back.

Even so, this seemed too harsh, prompting a reaction from a Faceulan noble.

“Ah, no matter what, you’re being disrespectful to His Highness…”

Geoffrey cut him off mid-sentence.

“I think you easterners are no better than beasts or daemons. If I were to describe you, your citizens’ pitiful state speaks volumes. You don’t govern a nation—you run labor camps, acting as slave overseers and jail wardens. But even then, you fail to manage your slaves properly. Make up your minds already—are they slaves, citizens, comrades, or siblings?”

Fools who seek only contempt and relative superiority by driving others into despair.

Whether to treat manpower as short-term consumable resources, store them as mid-to-long-term assets, or regard them as sentient beings to lead and nurture—it all depends on how decisions are made. Why so much fuss?

“…I didn’t come here to teach you, so stop arguing needlessly.”

Despite her low tone, the aura of a grand mage carried an undeniable authority that couldn’t be ignored.

Regardless of her youthful and beautiful appearance, as a grand mage, even minor emotional fluctuations manifest as commanding presence and intimidation.

The faint resonance of mana emanating from her body.

Even the minimal mana fluctuations radiating from her were enough to leave them breathless.

“You should watch your words.”

Seeing Ruelde’s expression, Geoffrey was about to cross another line.

There was clearly a limit to what she could learn from listening to him explain the situation.

The regent had lost consciousness midway through an attack, so while detained as the culprit, he seemed unaware of most details.

Still…

“…”

A young man’s features reminded someone of another person.

However, since they didn’t know who he was or what he did, they dismissed him as some inexplicable entity.

And…

The audacious young king possessed by a demon got repeatedly beaten while fighting against someone.

According to the regent, that was all he remembered, leaving no choice but to delve into the king’s mind.

“I’m scared…so scared.”

What will I see now?

If possible, I’d rather not associate with junior demons—but if they caused this much chaos, this guy must not be ordinary.

As Geoffrey touched the young king’s snow-white hair,

His eyes filled with fear.

Under normal circumstances, a meticulously crafted contract would be required, carefully adjusting and balancing the situation. However, since starting this process would be cumbersome and time-consuming, Geoffrey decided to be flexible.

Thus, this resulted.

Since recent events suffice, there’s no need to delve into distant pasts.

Just reviewing yesterday’s events should suffice.

…

Despite appearing dozens of times larger in size,

The youth could easily overpower or kill this kid with a single slap, yet he kept getting beaten while lying down.

Turn back a bit more.

A young king possessed by a demon conversing with the youth.

Their dialogue was brief and disjointed.

Roll back further.

Right after the battle ended.

However, from this point onward, things become unclear.

Unless we probe deeper into the subconscious…

Is someone deliberately concealing something? If it’s Carriel…

This isn’t the kind of mental ability that can be easily replicated or manipulated by magic, even by high elves naturally attuned to such skills. Still…

It starts to become visible.

Carriel spoke about demons.

Countless forms of demons, large and small, flowing like a river, with the two of them gazing upward.

And Carriel showed the young king another landscape.

One that definitely wasn’t from this world.

Even though she couldn’t see everything, the partial glimpses made her stomach churn.

Despite her considerable years of experience, Geoffrey wasn’t one to collapse or become mentally exhausted so easily.

But…

The worst was yet to come.

[If the Lord sent you, it would be proper for me to meet you.]

[But I am another voice calling from the wilderness.]

And it…

Began directly observing Geoffrey, who was watching the situation.

The entity spoke.

Though these words weren’t directed at her,

They were a proclamation targeting her nonetheless.

[Even if the heavens fell, it would be impossible for someone as insignificant as you to greet me.]

[Having already welcomed my presence, I will no longer tolerate your insignificance.]

Geoffrey immediately withdrew her hand from the young king.

Not only that, she took several steps back and began spitting blood while kneeling on the floor.

“-?!!!”

Her vision disappeared, followed by hearing, touch, and smell.

Everything vanished.

Nothing but overwhelming desolation remained.

Like being dragged into an endless ocean.

“-­—!!!”

Language faded, rationality collapsed.

In an instant, she became nothing more than organic matter, devoid of intellect.

Deeper than the abyss, her eyes widened dramatically.

Something—no, not hands, but something indescribable—began extending outward slowly.

This shouldn’t have been visible.

But since she saw it, it was only possible because it intended and allowed her to.

“-­—?”

Consciousness drowned.

For what felt like hours, days, perhaps even decades…

Suddenly, light descended.

“Cough!”

Breathing resumed, and the metallic taste of iron filled her mouth and nose.

Unaware, Geoffrey was staring at the ceiling.

Someone nearby, holding her head, was reciting something incomprehensible.

It was a woman with bright red hair and a formidable build.

Had the woman not tilted her head downward, Geoffrey might have been blinded by her ample bosom, obscuring her face completely.

Impressive indeed.

“…?”

From the corner of her vision, another familiar figure came into view.

This one also had red hair, identical to the other.

However, upon catching a glimpse of her blue eyes, even the dazed Geoffrey instantly recognized her.

‘Imperial Princess?’

Why is she here?

More importantly, how long has it been since I collapsed?

What happened to me?

Attempting to recall triggered sharp, needle-like pain throughout her body.

A continuous stream of bizarre sensations.

But experiencing it again would be utterly unsettling.

“How…long…have I…been like this?”

The princess, Ellie, responded clearly and firmly to Geoffrey’s shaky question.

“According to Sir Ruelde, about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.”

Just that short?

To me, it felt like decades.

Even though I remember none of what I experienced, heard, or saw.

“…”

Let’s focus on important matters.

Why am I here?

What was I trying to accomplish?

“Where’s Ruelde?”

“Lady Geoffrey mentioned that Carriel is here, and if we miss this chance, it may be irreversible. So, he rushed off following her advice.”

“…”

Can he find someone just by rushing off?

“She also mentioned to find the Knights of Aid as they might be connected, but she struggled to maintain consciousness afterward.”

“…I see.”

“That’s when we arrived. We consider it fortunate timing.”

Ellie’s words left Geoffrey internally wrestling with either relief or irritation.

Indeed. Was it luck…?

Most importantly, the woman supporting her head right now was clearly no ordinary being.

Otherwise, how could she explain the infinite divine power radiating from her entire body?

“Are you…from the Order?”

“For now…yes?”

…What does ‘for now’ mean? Is this some kind of cryptic answer?

“How do you know about afflictions like magical poisoning? The degree of mana saturation covering my body is unlike anything I’ve encountered before, even among daemon-kind.”

“How would I know that?”

“My main area of operation was the northern region of the Empire.”

“…”

Why is someone from the north hanging around the east?

While Geoffrey wondered,

“Ah, forgive me for not introducing myself earlier to such a distinguished High Elf elder. I am…the Fourth Holy Maiden of the Order, Alesia. For now, at least.”

…What’s with all the qualifications? Why the unnecessary additions?

Though tempted to retort, Geoffrey forced her eyelids open against the creeping wave of sleep due to her lack of energy.

“I see…now I remember. You…and Carriel…”

But sleep overtook her faster than she realized.

Before finishing her sentence, Geoffrey closed her eyes.

“…”

“…”

Thus.

Except for the sleeping silver-haired elf,

Only the two red-haired women remained in the guest room of the Faceulan Royal Palace.

An unnaturally strange silence hung heavily in the air.

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