Chapter 155

For sure.

Minette was never gonna get cozy with alcohol, that much was crystal clear.

Tasting it for flavor? Nah, doesn’t make sense. Smooth swallowing? Also incomprehensible.

And drinking to get drunk? Even more baffling.

Not to mention, after downing a few shots despite the risks… zero excitement.

“So just enjoy the vibe then.”

“…Do I really have to enjoy this?”

“You gotta relax a bit. If you rush and keep running, you won’t last long. You’ll trip or collapse halfway.”

This situation of having a drink with Alesia in the guest room might be exceptionally rare.

After all, Irene’s Order’s Holy Maiden is someone even harder to meet than kings or nobles.

“Didn’t you say everything you needed to say to Ruelde and the Imperial Princess? I don’t know what went on since I wasn’t there.”

“Are you curious?”

“Personally.”

Sitting cross-legged, she gave off an air of authority despite her sturdy build not appearing rough or rigid at all. Though slightly tomboyish, each subtle gesture exuded grace.

“What’s your relation to him anyway?”

“Ugh… That’s hard to answer.”

What kind of relationship?

That’s awkward. Yup.

“?”

When Minette showed confusion, Alesia hesitantly scratched her brow before responding.

“It could mean nothing depending on how Carriel feels about it. But if viewed positively, it might be a good relationship…”

“…”

“Isn’t the other person’s feelings more important than mine?”

Vague phrasing.

On one hand, it made logical sense.

Still…

Showing interest in someone usually means there’s a valid reason, right?

“As you know, both the Warrior and the Imperial Princess personally came here to see Carriel, didn’t they?”

“That’s true.”

“But now that he’s left, how many people can still talk about him?”

There’s Rupert who got captured earlier, and Minette herself who came voluntarily.

But if there’s little to learn from Rupert, Minette’s stories would differ.

Regardless, Minette had kept watch over Carriel during his seclusion and continued traveling with him until recently.

However…

“There wasn’t much I could tell.”

She only revealed basic details about his life within reasonable limits. To begin with, Minette didn’t know much about Carriel. He wasn’t the type to blab personal matters either.

A man who stays silent all day unless spoken to—there was no way Minette would pry into others’ affairs.

“On the contrary…”

Aiseus and Venus seemed to know him better.

Time spent together doesn’t necessarily deepen understanding. That realization came through Venus.

Even in short periods, how much attention you pay, how deeply you involve yourself, how insightful you are, and how much care you give makes a difference.

Given her generally disinterested nature towards others, this outcome felt somewhat inevitable.

“I’m not expecting too much.”

Alesia said calmly.

“If there’s something important, you can go talk to him directly. I just wanted to gather some info beforehand, just in case.”

“…”

“We might find it harder to have open conversations once we leave tomorrow, you know?”

The Imperial Princess, the Knight of the Giant, and the two Elves didn’t seem easy to bond with. Did Alesia feel the same?

Was there an unbridgeable chasm between them and her, as well as Minette?

With a hint of nostalgia in her tone, Minette quietly observed Alesia.

“I’m not exactly eloquent, so I might bore you.”

“You’d be perfect as bar food. Better than staring at a holy scripture until your eyes pop out, right?”

It’s really nothing special.

Alesia tilted her silver goblet to her lips while Minette finally spoke after observing her.

“I’ll just stick to answering whatever the two of you asked me.”

Firstly…

What’s Carriel’s current condition?

To which Minette responded: Cannot know.

Health? Mental state? Anything else?

“He stands at the boundary of life and death.”

His body abandoned by mana might as well be seen as a cursed existence. In that sense, mana has long lost its meaning to Carriel. There was none detectable in his body.

Instead, an unknown power resides within him. According to Carriel, it’s the power of the stars—but honestly, who knows?

“That’s why I see it as the root of his divine-like abilities.”

Of course, Minette doesn’t know. Even as the inheritor of the Great Demon King’s legacy, Minette couldn’t predict the outcome of a fight against Carriel.

If someone were to ask whether it’s because Minette couldn’t sense any hostility or murderous intent from him…

All Minette could do is shake her head.

“Yeah, I heard vaguely. They say he became something incredible.”

But Alesia doesn’t know either. However, she hasn’t forgotten for a moment the sight of him willingly facing an overwhelming power gap.

At least when it comes to willpower, she doesn’t think he’d kneel or fall easily.

“You must’ve asked him about the Demon King, right?”

“…That part’s beyond my knowledge.”

Did Carriel ally with the Demon King? Did he sell his soul?

Then why does he continue such actions if he doesn’t want to?

For what purpose?

Isn’t that strange too?

But…

If his absurd strength stems from that, maybe it kinda makes sense?

…However, if that’s the case, why bow to the Demon King, sell his soul, and make such a contract? Isn’t the loss too extreme?

Considering he inherited the vision of Grandeous and secured his legendary sword…

…Unless there’s a definite plan like Venuss grumbled about, this possibility seems unlikely. Who can guarantee that the Knights of Salvation weren’t involved due to Grandeous’ foresight?

And if all this stems from the arrangement of the Demon King of Wisdom?

Isn’t that what Minette suspects?

“I don’t know his past. Just his present. But… I know he’s stubborn and selfless. And he has this bad habit of putting himself at a disadvantage.”

“…He is kind, isn’t he.”

Kind?

Maybe, in a way, it fits.

But how can you be certain there’s no intention behind his actions?

Does anything in this world happen without purpose or intent?

Like watching an injured beast and worrying but not reaching out. Even if emotions fluctuate…

It’s foolish compassion stemming from weakness and indecision.

Compassion requires qualification. Giving it recklessly will only lead to being devoured.

Good people die young and often brutally. The world becomes overrun with evil.

Evil thrives because it’s advantageous, suitable, and justified for survival.

“From what the princess told me… there were times he meddled in things he didn’t need to and got entangled.”

“…”

“At least he wasn’t always acting purely out of kindness, so that’s a relief.”

“What do you mean…?”

Rather than asking, Minette decided to stay silent.

“Next, you asked about the power Carriel gained, and I honestly admitted I don’t know much about it.”

“That’s not important, though, right?”

…Why isn’t it important?

Isn’t that the most crucial thing?

“And what he’s aiming for. His purpose.”

“…So?”

“I said I don’t know.”

Sort of knows.

But doesn’t really.

Minette isn’t shallow enough to recklessly divulge vague information.

Because within his goal of overthrowing his father lies a depth Minette can’t fathom, along with another hidden darkness.

Better to remain silent than cause unnecessary misunderstandings.

“In the end, there wasn’t much to say.”

“Exactly because there wasn’t much to say.”

She didn’t come here to be interrogated. She merely wanted to understand their feelings and intentions towards Carriel, which could be inferred from how they treated her.

Had they been hostile, she might’ve dismissed it casually. But… their situation seemed complicated too, giving her a headache.

Take Alesia here.

Initially thought to be a watchdog sent by Irene’s Order to monitor for demon extermination purposes… but apparently not.

Only now, through this private meeting, did Minette become certain.

The reason was simple.

“Carriel told me before leaving that he’d allied with the Demon King. I didn’t outright reveal it, but because of that, I was confined for a while.”

Speaking about it lightly as if it were a trivial misunderstanding causing inconvenience, she smiled it off.

There was no blame towards Carriel. No resentment towards those who caused her trouble.

Understanding that those who misunderstood her had every right to do so—this too was altruism and consideration.

Deep comprehension and empathetic awareness leading to consideration.

Prioritizing others’ thoughts, attitudes, judgments, and treatments over one’s own gains… That’s what it means, right?

…How long can she maintain such a benevolent attitude?

“He actually told you that?”

By the way…

…He never said anything like that to me. Or did he? Maybe I just didn’t ask?

If I had asked, he would’ve either stayed silent or replied, right?

So, did she inquire about this?

“Yeah. When I said I wanted to join your journey, the kid rejected me saying that.”

“…Rejection.”

He didn’t reject Minette.

Then what’s the reason?

Because he possesses the Demon King’s power, making him another form of Demon King?

Or because he believes he can handle himself in any situation?

…That guess probably isn’t wrong.

Then…

“By the way, neither the Warrior nor the Princess seems to know why Carriel got involved in the incident at Soremn Village.”

“Really? I heard rumors about a new young warrior emerging amidst the chaos during that event.”

Even though only bits and pieces reached Alesia, the fact that even she knew some details meant it must’ve been quite the big deal. Especially since it also spawned ominous rumors about a dead Demon King resurrecting, completely opposite to the joyous news of a new hero’s birth.

“I briefly explained the whole story to them. Still… this might be the first time I’m telling you, Alesia.”

“Come on. You said you’re not eloquent, but you sure know how to raise expectations.”

For someone claiming to lack words, he sure knows how to make people anticipate.

“The incident at Soremn Village. In reality, Carriel was originally unrelated.”

It was actually between Minette herself and the newly knighted Leo.

Neither the Knights of Salvation,

Nor Carriel,

Nor Soremn Village,

And certainly not the clumsy Legion Commander among the remnants of the Demon Army…

Frankly, none of them had anything to do with her personally.

“Still, in the end, both the Warrior and the Demon King ended up saved by his hands.”

Through this, Leo regained the chance to bring back his village’s people.

Minette obtained opportunities for redemption and a new life.

“…Hearing that makes me want to share my own story too. About how Carriel followed in the footsteps of an ancient saint bearing the same name, awakening a new Sacred Relic. Aren’t you curious?”

“…?”

Oh, what’s that? Sounds like an incredibly fitting tale for him!

Pretending not to be interested, Minette couldn’t help but get intrigued.

Stopping the conversation momentarily by raising her hand, Alesia refilled Minette’s empty glass with red liquid.

“Since the story might be long, let’s have a toast first!”

“…I’d rather not.”

“Just loosen up a bit and take a sip.”

“Will drinking this really loosen my tongue?”

“Sure. Plus, it disinfects and detoxifies all the bad stuff, right?”

“…”

Never heard that before.

Still, since alcohol sometimes suppresses illness or serves as a cleaning agent for wounds, maybe drinking will have similar effects?

…Reluctantly, Minette accepted the glass offered by Alesia.

“This is the last one.”

It tastes bitter and heavy. Feels weird in the mouth and worse going down. Why bother drinking this for anyone else’s sake?

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