Chapter 239

So, Daria eventually said,

“Um, so actually, today I wanted to share this story with both Kurt and Arisa and get some advice on what to do…”

“If it’s about that matter, then it’s fortunate. As you can tell from our conversation just now, the Holy Kingdom specializes in such things.”

“Th-that’s a relief. So, what should I do?”

“Originally… it’s the principle to eliminate anyone not affiliated with the Holy Kingdom who accesses the secrets of the Ancient Empire, regardless of the reason.”

“Eeek!”

At Daria’s words, Seiri immediately screamed and hugged herself with both arms, while the other party members also couldn’t hide their panic and stood up, taking defensive stances.

However, Daria continued speaking, unfazed by their reactions.

“But personally, I don’t want to do that.”

Of course.

From the beginning, Daria had brought up the topic without showing even a hint of hostility or malice.

I couldn’t say what Daria’s personality was like before meeting us, but at least after joining Arisa’s party, she clearly avoided harming others.

Whether that’s a good or bad thing from the perspective of being a special saint of the Holy Kingdom, I don’t know.

The important thing is that there won’t be any bloodshed here today.

“S-so, are you sparing me?”

“Instead, there’s one condition.”

“…A condition?”

“The principle is that anyone not affiliated with the Holy Kingdom who accesses the secrets of the Ancient Empire must be eliminated, regardless of the reason. That fact hasn’t changed. It’s because of that principle that the Holy Kingdom has been able to protect this world until now. So, I want to make a proposal to you, Seiri.”

“A proposal…?”

“The principle applies only to those not affiliated with the Holy Kingdom. So, how about you join the Holy Kingdom instead?”

“Me, join the Holy Kingdom…?”

“Yes. You have deep expertise in archaeology, so the Holy Kingdom could use someone like you. After all, talented people are always in short supply. However, if you join, there will be various restrictions. But in return, your safety will be guaranteed.”

“Th-then, I’d have to leave Astram…”

“I regret that part. But this is the only way I can guarantee your safety within my authority.”

“Uuuu… Understood. But please give me time to pack and say goodbye to everyone.”

After much deliberation, Seiri finally decided that losing her home was better than losing her life and reluctantly agreed, bowing her head with a tearful expression.

Daria, knowing that even her consideration was causing harm to Seiri, accepted her request with an apologetic expression.

“Of course. I’ll give you enough time for that.”

“But… if I join the Holy Kingdom, I can do as much research on archaeology as I want. Haha…”

Seiri, having completely resigned herself, slumped her shoulders and laughed weakly.

“Right. Now, what about us?”

At my words, the party members who had been watching Seiri’s situation as if it were someone else’s business gasped.

Right.

According to Daria’s words, since we’re not affiliated with the Holy Kingdom, we’re targets for elimination.

But unlike Seiri, we have no intention of joining the Holy Kingdom, so even if she offers, it’s hard to accept.

“I’ve thought about that part too.”

“You’ve thought about it?”

“Yes. I’ll do my best to ensure no harm comes to you, so don’t worry.”

A way to avoid harm?

After all the Holy Kingdom has done to control information, even harming people, and now there’s such a convenient method?

If things could be handled at the discretion of field personnel like this, the Holy Kingdom wouldn’t have needed to block the Ancient Empire’s information, and such control would never have succeeded.

Just look at Seiri—wasn’t it because that didn’t work that she was forced to change her affiliation?

That was a very suspicious statement.

“That method sounds too convenient… Is it really possible?”

“…Yes. Don’t worry. I’ll take responsibility and protect you all…”

What?

“What do you mean…?”

“Wow! Really?”

“Ahaha… Sorry.”

But before I could dig deeper into Daria’s words, the relieved comments of the other party members made me miss my timing, and I could only look at Daria with a complicated expression as she seemed to apologize.

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Anyway, after a few more conversations, we finally concluded the secret discussion.

But that didn’t mean the meeting was completely over.

While discussing the Ancient Empire’s journal, Seiri mentioned a secret room within the ancient ruins.

The artifacts we found together in the room where we discovered the journal.

Although we couldn’t identify exactly which artifact it was, the journal mentioned that using one of them would grant access to a hidden secret room.

“If that’s true, we can’t overlook it. If the secrets of the Ancient Empire still remain in the ruins, we must recover and destroy them or send them to the Holy Kingdom.”

Hearing Seiri’s words, Daria responded similarly.

“Seiri. As your first task as an ally of the Holy Kingdom, guide us to that secret room.”

“M-me!?”

“Yes. Among us, you’re the only one who understands the restored journal’s contents and has experience entering the Ancient Empire’s ruins.”

“I, I…”

“If you don’t want to…”

“N-no! I’ll guide you!”

Thus, Seiri, Daria, and Aila decided to head to the ruins again, and since I and Arisa had the artifact found there, we decided to join as well.

Additionally, Arisa’s party members, worried about her, volunteered to help, and Mari, thinking it unfair to explore alone, joined with my party members.

As a result, everyone present decided to explore the Ancient Empire’s ruins.

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“Alright! Let’s go!”

“Seriously. It’s not like we’re going on a picnic.”

“Eh~. If it were a picnic, it wouldn’t be this exciting! Adventurers must have adventures!”

“…Fine. Do as you please.”

Exchanging such trivial banter, Kurt and Arisa’s party headed from Astram toward the Ancient Empire’s ruins.

And from afar, someone was watching them.

“That’s definitely the alchemist who was reported missing.”

“Shall we follow them?”

“Yes. But since the Master is among them, let’s move carefully to avoid detection.”

Thus, the Empire’s knights, Albert and Louis, began tailing Kurt’s party.

Albert’s party, having been completely defeated by Kurt before, had been struggling to find a way to approach not only Kurt but also Arisa under his protection. Today, upon hearing from their informants about the sighting of Seiri, who was reported missing, they shifted their target to her.

However, even after finding Seiri, she joined Kurt’s party, and realizing they couldn’t just waste time, Albert’s party decided to follow Kurt’s group.

Thus, the two Empire knights quietly followed Kurt’s party out of Astram.

And from afar, two Lizardmen were watching them.

“Hey. Should we just leave them? With Kurt, the dark elf lady, the nun, and the knight all leaving the city? According to prognostication, they could either save the world or plunge it into danger. Shouldn’t we follow and keep an eye on them?”

Kirsh, watching the group leaving Astram from a distance, spoke with concern, but Lakia, with a relaxed expression, calmly replied.

“It’s fine. For now… but soon…”

“…Lakia?”

*Snore… Snore…*

“…Asleep?”

Seeing Lakia quickly fall into a deep sleep, Kirsh muttered in disbelief and sighed as he watched her completely asleep.

Then, as if accustomed to it, he began polishing his spear.

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