Chapter 97

“Raul…? Camilla…?”

In front of the Empress’s terrifying smile, we had no choice but to face punishment.

“What brings you two here…?”

“Well, since the hunting festival is nearby, we thought we’d drop by to relax.”

The Empress, while gently holding my hair, smiled sweetly but spat out anything but sweet words.

“Do you think your lifespan is just for wasting? Have you ever thought you might die a dog’s death? Do you want to experience a real dog’s death, beaten to death like a dog? Ah, just thinking about it makes my blood boil…”

“Your Majesty, please consider your dignity…”

“Dignity? Do you want to feel some real pain today? Do you think your mouth is for making excuses? Thinking about it, this mouth also sucked down those enhancers despite your condition. Should I just sew it shut? Or maybe I should put a hole in your throat so you can’t speak or swallow? Ah, I’m so angry, damn it…”

In an instant, the Empress’s fist struck my temple and jaw.

A pain like nails being driven into my brain overwhelmed me, but strangely, no bruises were left.

It was painful, but seeing how even this scolding time was enjoyable, it seemed like I really didn’t have much time left.

“Camilla.”

“Hey, I’m not terminally ill or anything…”

“I warned you to only take one enhancer unless absolutely necessary, didn’t I?”

“But it wasn’t an ordinary situation…”

“You could have fought defensively and bought time. But no, your bloodlust kicked in, and you took more pills while slaughtering them. Am I wrong?”

“……”

As the Empress pinched Camilla’s side, Camilla let out a strange moan.

“That Penelope…?”

“Your Majesty, don’t you know?”

“Your Majesty, that hurts…”

“I’m pinching you to hurt you. Do you think I’m pinching you for your orgasm? I have no interest in such things. You don’t care about my requests either, do you? I’ll pinch you until you lose all sensation.”

“It really hurts. It feels like my side is being torn off.”

“My heart was torn apart when I heard you got hurt despite sucking on those things. So wouldn’t it be fair to tear your heart out too? Your head would sound hollow if I knocked on it. Do you even have a brain in there?”

“A little…?”

While the Empress twisted and pulled our ears, His Majesty the Emperor was enjoying the spectacle as he drank.

He was grinning at us, clearly finding it amusing.

“Well, Empress, that’s enough. They’ve reflected enough…”

“Your Majesty. Didn’t you also get injured chasing the Demon King when he was retreating? Come here too.”

“….”

And so, we all gathered together to endure the Empress’s scolding.

After enduring about three hours of scolding, we wiped the blood from our ears and finally sat down.

The Empress, having regained her composure, calmly sipped a warm glass of water while stroking her stomach. It was somewhat unusual, considering she usually enjoyed coffee or alcohol-laced tea.

“…. Sigh, I really should refrain from cursing now. But you guys make it impossible to hold back.”

At that, both Camilla and His Majesty burst into laughter.

“Our Empress not cursing? That’s as likely as Raul becoming the center of a social party with a bright smile.”

“Empress, no matter how you think about it, that seems impossible. It would be easier for Raul to become someone easy to talk to within the Empire.”

Their knack for earning punishment drew the Empress’s anger, and I sipped my coffee, slowly enjoying the Empress’s rage.

“… Sigh. By the way, Raul, don’t you have any questions?”

“About the Imperial Hunting Festival.”

“Well, honestly, it’s a waste of money. The cost of capturing and releasing beasts, plus all the logistical expenses. And the timing is terrible.”

“Then I must ask this question. Why are you, Camilla, and the two of you attending the hunting festival at this time…”

“It’s because of the timing, Raul. Because of the timing. Normally, we wouldn’t hold it due to financial issues.”

As a fool, I couldn’t understand.

“The enemies will surely use the hunting festival to launch a surprise attack. That’s what they’re planning. They’ll think they’ve caught us off guard… but… don’t make me laugh. We’ll be the ones striking.”

The Empress showed the devilish smile she only wears when she’s plotting.

“The defense of the capital will be handled by the Minister of War. He’s trash as a person, but his skills are undeniable, so he’ll handle the defense well.”

“But even he can’t handle the Demon King and the King of Specters attacking simultaneously.”

“That won’t happen, Raul.”

The Empress pointed to a corner of the map with a somewhat indifferent expression.

It was a place about half a day’s ride from here, and I knew what was there.

The ruins of a small city-state destroyed by war. No human traces remained, but the vegetation covering the city gave it a peculiar atmosphere.

“… If we hold the hunting festival here, that King will surely come.”

“I see.”

“You’re not going to argue? I thought you’d say it doesn’t make sense.”

“It’s a plan from Your Majesty’s brilliant mind. It must be perfect. It would be foolish for a fool like me to argue.”

“Raul. I was going to say to you…”

I knew what the Empress was going to say, so I deliberately shook my head.

The more she spoke those binding words, the more guilt piled up instead of being relieved.

A single mistake is something anyone can make. And death naturally follows in battle. It’s just that the death was Layla’s. It’s also foolish to blame the Empress, my friend, for that death.

“Anyway, Your Majesty, Camilla, and I will be the main force to capture the King of Specters.”

“No, I just want to enjoy the hunting festival…”

“Empress, it’s better if you stay still…”

“Everyone, shut up. And Kyle.”

Kyle, already scared, knelt down and showed excessive loyalty.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I’ll also entrust you with monitoring the hunting grounds. There’s no guarantee that some noble isn’t colluding with the demons again.”

“But… I’m currently guarding Lady Rizel and also have a top-secret mission from Raul.”

“You can handle both.”

“So… you’re saying I should guard that idiot… I mean, Lady Rizel, handle Raul’s top-secret mission, and also monitor?”

“You catch on quickly.”

“This damn ex-Emperor and the Second Prince’s brat…”

While the Empress twisted Kyle’s ears for his foul mouth, I decided to ask about my role in a serious tone.

“What should I do?”

“Do nothing.”

“That’s hard to understand. I don’t want to be arrogant, but I think I’m an indispensable force.”

“But you’re also a sick man and my friend who can’t be involved in such dangerous matters.”

“The King of Specters coming is no ordinary matter.”

“Your condition is more serious than that.”

This is why I hate arguing with the Empress.

No matter what I say, there’s no chance of winning, so it’s best to just agree.

Of course, agreeing verbally doesn’t mean I’ll actually follow through.

“… Yes. Understood.”

“Raul, your quick agreement is a virtue.”

“I am deeply grateful…”

“And your tendency to scheme behind the scenes is a flaw.”

I didn’t expect to be caught so quickly.

Trying to change the subject, I showed the gem-like heart fragments left by the Dragon Queen.

This should catch her attention.

“So this is the heart left by the Queen?”

“Yes. The King of Specters said this would be a useful gift for us.”

There were four gems in total.

Three small gems left after the King of Specters shattered the heart.

One gem embedded in the necklace the Queen left for me.

The Empress examined the gems carefully and handed two to Camilla and His Majesty.

“Your Majesty and Camilla. Please keep these gems with you. Raul, you should also wear that necklace.”

“It’s something left by the Queen and given by the King of Specters. There might be some curse.”

“There’s no curse. It’s more like… a small sun. It feels like an immense power. Especially Raul’s gem… it’s hard to describe. But just in case.”

The Empress isn’t usually one to keep mysterious objects close.

So there must be a reason for her to say this.

Though I wasn’t entirely convinced, I decided to wear the necklace.

“…?”

“Why, Raul?”

“Nothing. I thought the necklace vibrated for a moment… It must be my imagination.”

Common sense says a gem in a necklace can’t vibrate.

“… Anyway, Raul. I have something important to tell you.”

The Empress signaled, and His Majesty chuckled, taking Camilla and Kyle outside.

“The hunting festival will also be attended by your mother… no, Countess Latri Berze and Lady Rosie Nevermore.”

“……”

“I invited them to avoid unnecessary suspicion, but if you don’t want them in danger… I can send them back.”

“I…”

Suddenly, an inexplicable heat surged within me.

What is this hot, sticky liquid?

I couldn’t kill it no matter how hard I tried.

My hands, used to touching only beautiful things, felt like they would burn.

“I have no relationship with them anymore. What could I possibly say? Even if they are in danger… it’s not my place to intervene.”

“… Yes. As you wish.”

And I decided to congratulate the Empress, who was smiling mysteriously, as a friend.

“And congratulations on your pregnancy… no, your conception, Penelope.”

“……. Why are you so perceptive?”

“Because I’ve seen you in a way no one else has, twice.”

I decided to offer a short prayer for the unseen life.

I’m not particularly religious, but I doubt the gods care about the sincerity of such prayers.