NOVEL NEXT chapter 109 - Summit Meeting (3)
“...Fooled?”
That question slipped out from Theodor.
He looked as if he had no idea what Carlyle was even talking about.
“You’re saying that I, Bella, and even the Hero here were all played with?”
“At least, that’s how it looks to me.”
“...The demonic energy detected in Princess Illia’s body—”
“It’s real. I don’t intend to deny that.”
But.
What we need to think about is the intention behind planting it.
The surest solution would be exactly what Theodor and Bellatrix suggested—killing Illia here and now.
It was undeniable that some trick of a demon was at work, and no one could predict what kind of disaster it might trigger. Erasing it entirely seemed the most effective choice.
But.
After crossing through countless regressions and facing demons unnumbered, his instincts screamed a warning.
How many times had the path that seemed most correct led only to ruin?
And so, when reasoning it out—
“This is the kind of case where, if we kill the Princess, the incident will explode.”
Theodor and Bellatrix flinched at the same time.
“...What did you just say?”
“There’s a high chance that we’re being led to kill her.”
In other words—a trap.
The sort of trap people like Their Highness the Prince or Princess, who had immense faith in their own ability, would be all too likely to fall into.
He didn’t know all the intermediate steps.
But from the fact that they had deduced something neither the Hero nor even Carlyle himself had noticed while standing right beside Illia, it was clear just how obsessively these two had investigated.
People so utterly confident in their own skills had carried out such a meticulous inquiry—and then arrived at this conclusion.
That alone ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) was enough to blind them.
At least, that was what Carlyle, who had confronted demons countless times until now, could not help but believe.
“Can you prove what you’re saying, Carlyle Belfast?”
“Carlyle makes an amusing claim, doesn’t he?”
...And honestly, the fact that when he threw out such a claim, instead of exploding in fury and dismissing it as nonsense, the First Prince and Second Princess calmly reconsidered it—showed they weren’t lacking in ability.
Normally, when someone went to such lengths to uncover the truth, they’d ignore whatever outsiders said.
“If you’ll only give me a chance to prove it.”
For people like that, it was worth striking a bargain.
“...A chance?”
“I’ll take responsibility. Just don’t stop what I’m about to do.”
He hadn’t seen it directly, but he could already guess where the root of this mess lay.
Tracing it back, there was only one candidate left.
“I heard Their Highness the Prince and Princess created this gathering in the first place to test whether I was a ‘safety device’ or not.”
In reality, it was closer to a detonator.
What he was about to do now—
...was the kind of detonator that would set off a massive explosion.
[Few in this world are less suited to being called a safety device than you.]
“...”
...Hearing that from the Hero made him feel some type of way.
***
It was where the finest talents, carefully selected from across the Empire, served—the domain of the Imperial Guard.
Even within the Palace, already famed for its impenetrable security, this was the most heavily guarded of all. And no one objected.
For this was the chamber where the one above all others, the Emperor himself, resided.
...Though lately, it would be more accurate to call it a sickroom than a chamber.
“Your Majesty.”
Valen, the Captain of the Guard, carefully addressed the Emperor.
The old man, his face mottled with age spots, slowly turned toward him.
“Your Majesty. How is your condition?”
“...”
As always, there was no reply.
It was his duty to ask about the Emperor’s health, but he couldn’t even remember the last time he’d received an answer.
That alone was enough to weigh heavily on the Captain’s heart.
Who would believe that this dying old man was the Emperor who stood at the peak of the Empire?
If the Emperor had been in his right mind, he would have roared with laughter, expansive and boisterous, filling the air with his large gestures and even larger voice.
In truth, “Warrior King” suited him far more than “Emperor.” He had been that kind of man—lacking in airs, sociable, lively, open with those around him.
But now...
Compared to his old comrade, the previous Hero, who even at his age still remained a great warrior beyond comparison with the younger generation and served as Dean of Yoram, the Emperor’s state now was practically that of a vegetable.
He does regain his senses from time to time, but...
Though he had occasionally issued a few fragmented commands, each time he soon lapsed back into this vacant state.
It had already been a long time since the Emperor had fallen to this mysterious illness.
Countless physicians, priests, even magicians had come and gone, yet there had been no progress at all.
The best they could hope for was that it wouldn’t grow worse. That was all.
And so—
“?”
When sudden commotion arose nearby, that was anything but normal.
The Emperor absolutely needed rest, and by long custom no one could approach him unless it was a matter of utmost importance.
“...Forgive me, Your Majesty. It seems noisy outside.”
Bowing, Valen turned to leave the chamber.
But before he could, the door swung open, and his face twisted in fury.
What were the guards doing, letting an intruder burst into the Emperor’s chamber—?
But the moment he saw the faces, that doubt faded.
“...Your Highness? Your Highness the Princess?”
Theodor and Bellatrix smiled awkwardly and bowed to him.
“It’s been a while, Sir Valen.”
“...I would greet you gladly, but what brings you here so suddenly? And who is this...?”
Valen’s gaze locked on the orange-haired young man they had brought.
“Sir Valen. Forgive the sudden intrusion, but we have urgent business with His Majesty.”
At those words—
“...Then state it. I’ll decide whether an audience is permitted.”
Valen answered, his voice edged with anger.
What was this outrage, here in the Emperor’s chamber?
Even if they were the Prince and Princess, such lawless behavior could not be excused.
And to bring along an unknown brat besides!
Those two at least could claim the right to see the Emperor if they wished, but this man—there was no way to accept it.
“This friend will explain.”
“Carlyle, from here on you’re the one taking action, right? We’ve done all we can on our end.”
As Theodor and Bellatrix said this, the orange-haired young man stepped forward.
Valen’s bewilderment only deepened.
Judging from their words, it seemed they had all come here following this man’s lead.
Just what were they trying to do?
“...I don’t know who you are, but you say you have business with His Majesty?”
“Yes. I do.”
“...”
Valen drew in a deep breath.
“You may be Their Highnesses’ guest, but as it stands this is grounds for immediate execution. State your business now. There will not be a next chance.”
“It’s a little too complicated to explain in words.”
Saying this, Carlyle turned his eyes to the Emperor, who sat slumped in his chair.
On the surface, he was just a withered old man.
But.
Now that he was close, he could feel it clearly.
If he focused, searching carefully, it was faint but undeniable.
...There it was. The wrongness.
Something that should not exist was dwelling within.
“It’ll be faster if I do it directly and show you the result.”
“Wait. You’re going to do something? To His Majesty?”
“Yes.”
“...”
What kind of lunatic was this?
He spoke brazenly of laying hands on the Emperor—not just anyone, but the sovereign of the Empire—right in front of the Captain of the Guard.
And yet—
As Valen watched the exchange, a chill crept steadily down his spine.
Something felt wrong.
Looking at the face of this orange-haired man spouting such madness—his eyes were terribly clear, terribly pure.
From the perspective of one who had served as Captain of the Guard for years, reading countless people, his impression was—
This bastard’s a total psycho...
The kind of man who would calmly commit the unthinkable.
“...We’ll hear you out afterward. For now, let’s step outside and discuss. Whatever you want to do, at least theoretically—”
“I have to do this first.”
And before those words were even finished—
—!
Carlyle’s flying dropkick smashed squarely into the Emperor’s vacant face with perfect execution.
It was a flawless strike, honed by taking countless beatings from Gray...
“...?”
“...?”
The speed and impact were so overwhelming that no one could react, staring dumbfounded at the Emperor’s body rolling across the floor.
“?”
“?”
As they gaped at the sight of the Emperor rolling on the ground, a voice of astonishment rose from the Holy Sword.
[Hah! This crazy bastard.]
“...”
...Hm.
Honestly, he couldn’t even refute it this time.