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Rohan merely gave a strange look and didn’t immediately open his mouth. As if not expecting an answer, the Demon God continued speaking without concern.
<If that’s the case, what would be the ‘conclusion’ of that story?>
It was a rather abstract question. Numerous thoughts kept swelling in his mind.
‘Conclusion’, a word commonly used to mean ‘ending’ or ‘finale’. Interpreted intuitively, it was no different from asking what he thought the end of this world would be like. As his thoughts progressed that far, they began to lean in one direction.
The end of the world. Quite an ominous expression, isn’t it?
<We see it as the destruction of the world.>
Annoyance, boredom, interest. The Demon God’s eyes, which had only contained such emotions throughout their conversation, shone peculiarly. Despite focusing on what was right in front of him, it seemed as if he was gazing at some distant place, exuding an air of mystery. This once again made Rohan acutely aware that the being before him was a ‘god’.
<In fact, it’s not something with a high probability of happening. We don’t want it, and the will of nothingness doesn’t want it either.>
Rohan’s brows quickly furrowed. As unfamiliar stories flowed smoothly from the Demon God’s mouth, he seemed unsure where to begin retracing.
Observing this expression quietly, the Demon God waved his hand, saying, ‘Hmm, I should explain from here again.’ Of course, his eyes were still full of annoyance, as if they had never contained any mystery.
<The ‘will of nothingness’ is what initiates the birth of gods and governs the principles of the world. If that’s too difficult, just think of it as a supreme being higher than gods.>
The corner of the Demon God’s mouth rose slightly. A voice that seemed almost mocking followed.
<It’s just desperately trying not to forget the meaning of its own existence. It loves everything that exists to avoid returning to the nothingness where nothing exists.
If we consider the world we created and the world you live in as one grand story, that will would be the only spectator who doesn’t want to see the conclusion of the story. Because if it reaches the conclusion, the world will return to nothingness once again.>
Then, a straight finger pointed at Rohan. More precisely, it was pointing at the small earring he was wearing.
<Anbae is a being infused with this will of nothingness. So whatever happens, it will guide you in a direction that won’t harm this world.>
Don’t think anything strange, just wear it quietly. The voice that added this sounded somewhat grumpy, but since it was clear that it would be helpful to him, Rohan nodded obediently.
<Got it? Now go. Please.>
The added “please” couldn’t have sounded more desperate. Was it because he had a face similar to Arpel’s? The expression that didn’t hide how exhausted he was evoked a contradictory sensation of familiarity and unfamiliarity.
Rohan hurried his steps that had momentarily paused. Perhaps because he had thrown away all the curiosities swimming in his mind, anxiety once again began to raise its head. He needed to quickly return and check on Arpel’s condition.
The strong will to leave this space began to gradually make his consciousness hazy.
<Ah, come to think of it, about that sacred object.>
It was around then that the Demon God, who had been silent, suddenly opened his mouth. Just as Rohan lifted his heavy eyelids to gaze at him quizzically, his eyes widened like saucers at what followed.
***
“Is this really true?”
“…Yes, Your Highness.”
Evelyn’s hands, holding several bundles of papers, trembled slightly. Her eyes, filled with great confusion and bewilderment, seemed overwhelmed just by their unsteady wavering.
No, in fact, she already knew. That what she was feeling wasn’t simple confusion. That this was a terrible sense of betrayal towards the Emperor, her father.
“Good work. You may… withdraw now.”
Her best effort was to leave a word of thanks to the subordinate who had come to deliver the information personally. Only after dismissing them could Evelyn be completely alone.
At that moment, even the last layer of her expression completely crumbled.
“……”
A heavy silence settled in the room where she was alone. As strong force entered her fingertips, the paper in her grasp was mercilessly crumpled. Her gaze, blankly staring at the distorted letters, grew cold. She could feel the embers of affection, faintly remaining, being extinguished as they were caught in a fierce wind.
On the night of the festival when she had confidently told Lexia, “I will investigate this matter myself.” Since that day, Evelyn had mobilized all her available abilities to carefully probe into the matter, and only after several days had passed could she hold all the results in her hands. That was now.
She had instructed a trustworthy person and conducted the investigation with utmost caution. Given her subordinate’s cautious nature, they wouldn’t have reported like this if the information was uncertain.
“To think that all of this… is true…”
Nevertheless, Evelyn had asked her subordinate, “Is this really true?” The confusion thrown by a short phrase, the sense of betrayal that she dared not resist, the great storm that had jumbled her mind had made her do so.
“Thus, under the temple’s guidance, it has been confirmed that the source of the poison determined to contain spectral power (hereafter referred to as spectral poison) is not the Salvation Church.
(Omitted)
Considering the above factors, it is judged that with a very high probability, the imperial palace is the one who produced this poison.”
Among the long text, that part particularly stood out.
Behind the imperial palace stands the Emperor. Even someone not interested in national affairs would know this fact. Just as Rohan and Arpel had experienced difficulties within the imperial palace with the Emperor’s tacit approval, if what was written on the paper was true… it meant that this too had been permitted by the Emperor, her father.
Numerous thoughts swirled in her mind. Was the ominous energy that Rohan and Arpel had felt beneath the imperial palace derived from this ‘spectral poison’? If so-.
“Why on earth…”
For what purpose?
The imperial palace that reigns over and governs the empire’s people, protecting the empire. But the imperial palace, her father standing at its pinnacle, had joined hands with the Salvation Church that threatens the world. Since learning of this contradiction of the imperial palace, Evelyn found it impossible to read his intentions.
What is he thinking, what purpose does he have, what is he trying to achieve by going this far? And that wasn’t all. If, after a long time, he finally obtained what he so desired.
‘Can he handle it? That calamity?’
She had long known that his goal was to neutralize the temple. “The empire doesn’t need two suns” was his political theory.
But the temple is an entity that prevents the calamity of specters and another wall protecting the empire. Without them, it would be no different from losing the means to protect the numerous people living in this empire from specters.
An empire without its walls was like a sand castle on the verge of collapse. Knowing this made it all the more incomprehensible. What on earth was the person at the top of that sand castle thinking?
She tried to sort out her complex thoughts and belatedly smoothed out the paper that had been mercilessly crumpled due to the force in her hand. Her bitten lips betrayed her mood.
How many minutes had she been standing there silently?
“The Princess has ordered that no one be let in.”
“Are you certain that ‘no one’ includes me as well?”
The voice coming from outside the door pulled Evelyn out of her contemplation. Was it due to the sudden appearance, or because of the lingering attachment still in her heart? There was a hint of disorder in her hasty movements to organize the papers.
Even until the moment the unexpected visitor barged in, all she could do was shuffle the documents to hide the written words. There wasn’t enough time to perfectly tidy up her surroundings.
“Don’t reprimand the knight outside; he was just carrying out my request. Since I’ve come without notice, I suppose there’s no need for a welcome?”
Narrowed eyes glared disapprovingly at the person opposite. The traces of numerous concerns that had been in her gaze had completely evaporated.
She tilted her head and raised the corner of her mouth slightly.
“You seem to be in a bad mood today. Could it be that you were rejected?”
The aura emanating from the other person intensified. When even the sound of gritting teeth could be heard, Evelyn raised her hand to cover her mouth. The gracefully curved lips peeking through her fingers revealed her desire to tease.
The man, Luciel, who seemed to be surveying the strange room, raised one eyebrow as if offended.
“…It was sudden, but since neither of us is in the mood for conversation, it would be better to get straight to the point.”
His lowered voice was not just cold, but ruthless like ice. As she noticed the ominous atmosphere within it, the smile that had been spread across Evelyn’s covered mouth gradually faded.
“Evelyn. For the time being, don’t leave the palace and take care of yourself.”
“…What?”
The words that finally came felt like a heavy sentence. Evelyn’s face, now completely devoid of any hint of a smile, visibly crumpled at the unexpected statement.
“It’s a direct order from His Majesty, so don’t think about trying to escape.”
“Wait, why suddenly-“
“Don’t you know that best yourself?”
That was the end. As if there was no reason to continue the conversation, Evelyn could only watch Luciel’s back as he immediately turned and left. The chain of thoughts that had been steadily building finally connected.
The investigation she thought she had completed safely without anyone noticing had been discovered by none other than her father.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
