116 Marlene's Word
Roy fell down and did not get up. I don't think he's dead, though, as his chest is rising and falling and he twitches every now and then.
King Melvin and the rest of the royal family come out into the courtyard. The reason I didn't finish Roy off was because I lost consciousness, but also because I was in front of them, and also because I had achieved my goal.
Princess Mylene. Prince Josiah and Princess Stefania.
Even though his life was targeted, it was his immediate family. Whatever Roy was thinking, it was only on Roy's side. What they thought of Roy is another story.
"Roy...that's stupid."
Queen Mylene closes her eyes and shakes her head.
“A battle for succession, huh…”
"I thought we didn't have that kind of thing."
Hearing Prince Josiah's words, Princess Stefania looked up at the night sky and let out a sigh.
King Melvin opens his mouth.
"As for Roy, it's my responsibility as the king. I'll make it clear in my name that he will be punished in a way that is commensurate with his crime. Is that okay?"
...The blame is worth it. In other words, it also means that nothing other than capital punishment is possible. Although the actual form may be death due to illness or accident.
The royal family members present nod. Their thoughts may be complicated, but if I were to simply describe what Roy did to them, I would say he "betrayed their trust and tried to kill them."
They know that too. But my emotions don't catch up with me right away. I think he needs time to sort out his feelings, but as a member of the royal family, he still accepts it.
“Is that okay with Albert and Marlene?”
Albert came up next to me and looked at Roy, but he looked up as if he had been shot. yes. For Albert, it's simpler. Roy and others are just enemies.
So what if? Even if Albert moves to finish off Roy. I'm not going to stop it.
"I--"
That's when Albert was about to say something. Phosphorescent light rises from the broken mermaid's mourning curse tool and passes between us as if guided by something. Then, I was sucked into the body of Marlene, who was right behind us.
"..."
small. Really small. Marlene touched his throat and let out a sound he couldn't make. ...Has the cursed tool been destroyed and Marlene's voice returned?
"Mar...Lane"
Albert's eyes widen.
Marlene was also surprised.
Marlene seemed to be wondering whether or not to say anything for a while.
But... when he looked up with a serious look on his face, he looked straight at me and Albert.
And... he opened his mouth.
, as if trying to remember. However, speak slowly and carefully so that I can hear you. Her words are woven with small cherry-colored lips.
"Thank you, Nii-sama. For protecting me all this time. Thank you, Theodore-sama. For catching the culprit."
As he said that, he gave a small, slightly troubled smile.
Marlene said she didn't want to speak the words... but she really wanted to convey them to Albert and me.
“Ha, ha ha—”
Albert covers his face with his hands and laughs. Is he crying or happy?
"...Albert. Roy took something important from you guys. I haven't forgotten that either."
"...Yes. I'll leave the rest to you, Father."
……Really. That's right.
Just like affirming revenge. I also approve of Albert's choice.
Most of Cast Eater's functions had been destroyed, but the blade's ability to absorb magic power seemed to still be alive, so I used it to restrain Roy.
After tying him up, he uses earth magic to trap him in a sarcophagus with only his neck sticking out, and by embedding the Cast Eater blade inside the sarcophagus, Roy's magical power will be depleted forever.
As a result, there was no trouble with Roy regaining consciousness on the way back and becoming violent, and the return trip went smoothly.
All the assassins who appeared on the island have been arrested and recovered. They only gave first aid, stuffed it into a sarcophagus, and carried it out. Or rather, even if I don't restrain her that much, I feel like she won't be able to escape either way.
A full-fledged investigation will probably begin on these guys at some point.
King Melvin will be busy for a while. In addition to conducting a follow-up investigation into what Roy had done, he also made various personnel changes to fill in the gaps, considering who would replace Nan, and making adjustments to ensure that the resulting confusion would not become a big deal.
Well...that's King Melvin's job. They're going to provide as much backup as possible for things involving demons... They say they're going to create an environment where my actions won't be hindered.
I was lost in thought in the cabin, not doing anything in particular. I don't need to wear a disguise anymore, so I take off my ring.
Marlene is next door. Albert wanted to be alone for a while and went out onto the deck.
Marlene hasn't spoken since then. It's not like he's in a bad mood or that he's offended. I may be a little nervous inside, but at least on the surface it's business as usual. When our eyes meet, he gives me a soft smile.
Her silence...was originally like a vow. I guess he did it because he really wanted to convey those words.
Marlene tilts her head while holding a teapot.
"Hmm. Well then, nice to meet you."
When I said that, Marlene happily poured tea into my cup.
At that moment, a knock echoes inside the room.
"It's open."
"--Can I talk to you for a little while?"
The door opens. Prince Josiah and Princess Stefania were there.
We met the two of them and started talking while drinking tea.
"This time--I've caused you quite a bit of trouble."
"No. More than that, there were some things that got a bit risqué. I'm sorry about that."
"Hmm...I guess I should be the one to apologize and say thank you."
Princess Stefania smiled bitterly.
"I thought I knew a little more about Roy."
"Yes, you know. I can't help but think about all sorts of things, like maybe it's because we didn't get it right."
"Well, I guess it's just a difference in thinking. I think it's best not to get too worried about it."
As someone who knows someone like Byron, I know that there is no point in thinking about it. It seems like he was trying to build a good relationship with at least the two of them.
In the first place, no matter what Roy thought or what he said to the two of them... there was no room to even consider Marlene.
To seize the throne. Because I want to be free in my country's policies. That's why I took action. If that was necessary as a matter of policy, he should have argued it out loud and persuaded him.
It would be futile and poisonous to try to understand such a person and then ask yourself why.
Or rather, military intervention from the south. I don't think it's such a good move though. He was said to have purposely gotten involved under the pretext of getting revenge on the Duoberis Church. Even if you win the war and make a profit, you will end up having to deal with the consequences.
That's why Roy's story is fruitless. Let's change the subject.
I think it's a practical topic that the two of you might be interested in, so I'll share some stories that you can use as reference in the future.
"Moreover, both of you. Please be careful even when you return to your territory in the spring. The Duoberis cult this time was a Kyogen, but if it is not just a disguise, the southern part will be in trouble, so please be careful. This will make it easier for people to enter the Verdogar Kingdom.''
It's entirely possible that a real cult will make some sort of move in Japan this time.
"A cult, huh? I don't know much about it."
"You've already seen the crest, haven't you? They have the same tattoo as that somewhere on their bodies. If someone approaches you wearing a kimono with fluttering sleeves, you'd better be careful."
"sleeve?"
"That's right. The cult has a special assassination weapon that can have a switchblade attached to the wrist. Apparently they train assassins to specialize in all kinds of things."
I will explain to the two of you about wrist blades.
If we want to thoroughly prevent crime in this area, it might be a good idea to establish regulations regarding clothing in public places.
“That’s scary.”
"But it's helpful. You're a knowledgeable person. Could you tell me more?"
The two of them looked impressed--or rather, Marlene was nodding along with her with a curious look on her face.
Hmm. I feel like Marlene has been inspired by this too... I feel a little responsible though.
``Another idea would be to make special wooden swords like Halper and Shotel, and have soldiers practice fighting against opponents who use them.''
“What do you mean by shortel?”
"you know"
It seems that Princess Stefania doesn't know about Shortel.
It has a greatly curved blade that can ignore shields and attack. If you're going to deal with this, well, you'll need to get used to handling the shield in a different way than usual. It may be helpful to recognize the characteristics and train accordingly.
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