Resolution
Emily was taken to the headquarters of the united front army in the form of a rendition of her work for the Nord Empire. However, this did not lead to her being judged. There is no one in the current united front army who has the right to judge Emily. In fact, that is not the case, but that is the way it was decided.
The reason is that if you want to judge Emily, the first question is which country does she belong to? In other words, where is the country to which Amalia, the master, belongs?
If you think about it normally, it's the Luine Kingdom. Amalia belongs to Yuya's knight order. That knight order is the knight order of the Luine Kingdom. But Amalia refuses to admit it. If she admits that she is a vassal of the Luine Kingdom, she will not be able to obtain the throne of the Saint Miriam Kingdom. Amalia's purpose would then be unfulfilled.
What did the Luine Kingdom do in response? Currently, the highest rank in the Luine Kingdom here is held by Yuya, the head of the Knight Order. There was no way that Yuya would make a request that Amalia did not want. Amalia belongs to the Saint Miriam Kingdom, and although Heinz of the Lemberg Empire and Jin of the Izrim Magic Kingdom have no authority to recognize this, they cannot deny it. The disposition of Emily was left to Amalia.
As a result――the sound of hitting a cheek echoed in the room. Immediately after that came the loud sound of Emily falling to the floor, engulfing the tables and chairs.
"How dare you humiliate me."
Amalia glared at Emily who was lying on the floor with an angry expression.
"...Humiliate. I have no intention of doing that."
Holding her aching cheek, Emily disagreed with Amalia's words.
"My retainer was acting selfishly. If that's not humiliation, what is?"
"You say selfish, but isn't it what Amalia-sama wanted to do to the people?"
"Even so, you should get my permission before doing it, right?"
"But... the order had already been issued..."
This is slightly different from the facts. Amalia gave the order. But it was rejected by her subjects as unworkable. At this point, it can be said that the order became invalid. But for Amalia, it doesn't matter.
"But that doesn't mean it's your place to do it."
What Amalia did not like was the fact that Emily went before the people. Emily did what she wanted to do in order to gain popularity.
"I was on my way back to the capital."
"I don't need any excuses. No matter what the reason is, I will not allow you to take arbitrary actions without my knowledge. Okay?"
"……Yes"
"So? Is the truce seem likely?"
After she had calmed down a bit from her anger, Amalia stopped reprimanding her and asked about the outcome of the negotiations with Ren. At this point, Amalia still belittling Emily.
It can't be helped. Emily is just a maid who doesn't have a particularly good family background. She is not a threat to Amalia, the royal family of the Saint Miriam Kingdom.
"I don't know. We haven't started negotiating terms yet."
"Then why did you come back?"
Hearing Emily's answer, Amalia's expression becomes stern again.
"You can't negotiate if you don't know how far you can give up and what you can't give up. This is the decision of the civil officials."
"…Even if that’s the case, is it necessary to come back?"
"Even if I remain alone, the negotiations will not progress."
What should she do if she stayed behind? Emily knows what Amalia is thinking. Precisely because she understood, she played dumb.
"Isn’t it to deepen the relationship of trust even if negotiations do not progress?"
"...I think there's a limit to what I can do."
By what means? Emily swallowed this question as well. She asks questions and gets answers, but nothing changes. Already the dislike for Amalia could not be greater.
All she can think about is how did she become like this? Trials not only make people grow, but they can also ruin them.
"Even so, we were able to obtain supplies. Will the trade still continue?"
Amalia was able to get the supplies she had been looking for from the Nord Empire. This was good news for Amalia. Of course, in reality, it is not good news.
"We won't know until we negotiate."
"Then negotiate immediately."
"I understand"
"As soon as you know we can get the supplies, let me know."
"Of course. Then, I will go now."
There is nothing to gain from Amalia. She could tell she still thought she was Amalia's obedient maid, though not as much as she used to. Judging that, Emily decided to leave the room.
"Ah, that's right. Find Yuya and tell him that I have something important to talk about."
"……I understand."
Emily has no intention of criticizing Amalia for this. She is madly in love, and so she is. She is aware of that. However, the difference between her and Amalia is that Amalia is trying to acquire a country on top of that. The difference is the magnitude of their desire.
With this in mind, she went out into the hallway and closed the door to her room.
"Are you hurt?"
A knight standing guard in the hallway spoke to her. He had heard the noise in the room.
"Thank you. But I'm fine. I'm used to it."
"I see……"
Amalia's violence is usual. The knight is surprised to learn that. He doesn't know that it is a lie.
"There is one thing I would like to ask you, if you don't mind?"
"Sure, if it's something I can answer."
“If there is a truce, I think the united front army will withdraw to their own country. Will that be enough to take back the Saint Miriam Kingdom from the Nord Empire?"
"That's... it's a truce, so I don't think there's going to be a fight."
There was no way that the former Saint Miriam Kingdom's army alone could take it back. On the contrary, even the royal capital, which is the only one they held, will be robbed. The knight did not say the answer to this question.
"Ah, that's right. I'm sorry. I don't know anything. It is a truce to avoid fighting."
"Yeah... I hope so."
Recapturing the old territory with only one's own army is a dream. The knight knows this. When Emily asked him about it, he clearly recognized that it was so.
◇◇◇
In another room of the same castle, a meeting of the heroes was being held. Mei organized the meeting. Yuya and Jin, as well as Satoko and Manami and the others. At the moment, everyone in the former Saint Miriam Kingdom is here.
Amidst the somewhat awkward atmosphere, the first to speak was Mei, the organizer.
"Now, the purification is complete."
"Ah. But does this really work?"
"We have no choice but to believe that, right?"
Ren's information acquisition is done through the use of spirits. To prevent this, they would use purification magic before the meeting.
Little did they know that this method of extinguishing spirits would make Ren furious. But, what would be the point of making Ren even more angry?
"Then let's start. What would you do if I told you there was a way to escape from the curse of a hero?"
"Wha!?" "No way?" "Eh!?"
Unexpected statement from the start. And everyone in the place let out a voice of surprise.
"I won't say for sure. Still, there is a good chance of success."
"……How?"
Jin asks Mei how to do it.
"I can't tell you that yet. Until you make up your mind and swear to me that you will never betray me."
"I don't think it's too much to ask for that just based on what you just told us."
Just saying that it could be done is not enough to make them feel that way. Others nod in agreement with Jin's statement.
"I can't talk about specific methods. If I could show you the possibility... the curse of the hero is not as strong as we thought. Are you aware of this?"
"...I've never been under its influence."
Jin has never been forced to obey. He doesn't know as he has never experienced it.
"It's the same for me."
The same goes for Mei. and others too.
"I have"
Yuya was the only one who experienced it.
"I guess"
Everyone agreed. They all knew that Yuya's selfishness was justified.
"What do you mean?"
"I don't care what it means. But how are you feeling these days? Are you constrained in any way?"
"...Because I'm not going against it."
It is useless to go against it. Yuya himself thinks that he hasn't disobeyed it since he was made aware of it.
"Not right in front."
"Eh?"
"Yuya's actions are enough against the country. I think so."
He is trying to make Amalia take the throne of the Saint Miriam Kingdom, on the contrary, he is trying to become the king himself. The Luine kingdom would never allow such selfishness. Then, why are his actions not restricted? Mei was paying attention to that point.
"......Because they are so far away?"
"That might be part of it. Perhaps the definition of being disobedient is limited to only something more direct. We don't know for sure around here, and I don't intend to pursue that."
Pursuing it doesn't necessarily mean they'll be able to track it down. They don't have the time to spend on it in the first place.
"We just need to have this level of freedom of action. Is that what you're saying?"
"Yes. That's right."
"...What if it fails?"
Unlike usual, Yuya is cautious. That is how much he fears the curse of the hero, and that is how seriously he is thinking about escaping from it.
"I don't think we'll be killed, but this is not a sure thing either. If they can win this war without our help. Any country that thinks that way will kill us without mercy."
"That's not good."
"Ah, that's unusual."
If it was them, they would be fine. Yuya, who was expected to say so, is worried about being killed. That was surprising to Mei, and to the other members of the group.
"I know that Prince Albert doesn't like me."
Not only by Crown Prince Albert, but also by those who follow him. Not only that, but Yuya knows that if it were Prince Albert, he would not rely on his strength. He is impatient to have his value recognized, and on the other hand, he strongly wishes to escape from the Luine Kingdom.
"You don't want to be killed?"
"Of course."
"But you don't mind killing your classmates?"
"That's......."
Yuya is at a loss for words. But it was not out of hesitation to kill. He simply refrained from admitting that it was fine in front of the people he was going to kill.
"Don't tell me it's too late. I was ready to kill my classmates a long time ago, and I won't hesitate to do it."
"Then don't ask."
"But I don't do it because I want to. I do it because I have to."
"So am I."
"If we can escape the curse, we won't have to do that. Maybe everyone here will survive."
"...That's right"
As soon as the battle with Ren ends, the battle in the Three Kingdoms begins. If that happens, the members here now will be killing each other. The loser will die.
"You may think you won't lose, but it's the same for us. If we do nothing, we may still die."
If you remain doing nothing, you will die. If that is the case, it is better to take the gamble to escape the curse of the hero. Mei wants to say this.
"Yes"
Hearing this, Yuya made up his mind. He does not intend to die as a loser in the slightest, but he cannot satisfy his own desire as it is now. Yuya does not want to rise to prominence in the conquest of the continent of the Luine Kingdom, but he wants to become a champion himself.
"What about Jin?"
"...I also choose freedom"
Jin had always been depressed by his position as a hero. He has no hesitation in risking his life in search of freedom.
"Well then, it's decided. I'll explain the outline of the plan."
Seeking freedom or satisfying desires? Either way, the heroes of the three great nations decided to take the gamble. If they succeeded, they would cause further chaos on the continent. Such a gamble.
◇◇◇
Today is a full moon. As usual, Ren was holed up in his room, trying to spend some time alone. However, he is not able to be alone as much as he would like these days. Whenever Ren is alone in his room, Claudia always appears and tries to talk to him.
But today, it is not Claudia who is interrupting Ren's alone time. On nights with a full moon, Luna is out and about in good spirits, but today was the only day she showed up at Ren's room.
"...Why are you puffing up your cheeks?"
Luna is glaring at Ren with her cheeks puffed out as big as possible. Ren asked Luna why she was angry.
"As soon as I take my eyes off you for a second, you bring a new woman close to you."
"No, I didn't do that"
"Even if you lie, Luna will understand. That woman is still nearby."
"…Is it about Clau?"
Claudia is the only new woman he has met recently.
"I don't know her name."
"Clau is my friend"
"I know that. But she's not just a friend."
"She may be a little strange, but a friend is a friend. It's not something Luna would be upset about."
Claudia is no ordinary spirit. Even Ren knows that. But even so, Ren thinks that the relationship is not something that would make Luna angry.
"Ren is insensitive after all."
"No, it's not like that."
"...Well, it's fine. But I'll give you some advice. That woman is a troublesome woman, so be careful."
"Have you met her?"
"I don't have to."
Luna knew roughly what kind of existence Claudia was. But she has no intention of telling Ren about it.
"...Even if you tell me to be careful. We're just talking normally."
"I'm done talking about her. Today you're going to talk to another woman."
"Yes?"
"Even so, it's not Luna who will speak, it's the person herself. So, please take care of the rest."
"Eh?"
Luna disappears from sight, saying something he doesn't understand. Ren knows that she is with him, just out of sight. Ren tried to ask for a more detailed explanation.
"...Ren-sama"
The voice that came into his ears before that caused him to freeze.
"...Ah, um, I'm sorry."
Rin apologized to the dumbfounded Ren.
"...You're alive?"
"Yes. I am alive."
"...I see ...I'm glad."
Ren takes a deep breath. Rin doesn't know what that reaction means. Still, she's happy to hear that it was good.
"I'm sorry for worrying you."
"Where have you been and what have you been doing?"
"I was captured by the Demon King's subordinates, but with Luna's help, I was able to return."
"Could it be that the Demon King is still alive?"
"The Demon King, no, my brother is dead."
The first step is to tell him what she has been hiding. Rin had decided before she came here that she had to do so.
"……Brother?"
"The man who was the Demon King is my brother."
"You fought against your brother? King Drakul's son. Why did you do that?"
"Father disowned my older brother when he left the country… No, that is wrong. He thought that because he was his son, he had to stop him himself."
"...It's my fault"
It was his fault that he made the decision to kill his son, Rin's brother. Ren took Rin's story as such.
"No, my brother was trying to lead the vampires, and the other races, in the wrong direction. We couldn't let that happen."
"...Are you saying that calling himself the Demon King was a mistake?"
"Honestly, I don’t know the details either. But as a parent and as the king of the vampires, Father couldn't allow that to happen."
"I see... the only way to know the details is to ask King Drakul himself. You mean you don't know?"
"Yes"
In fact, there is no way to know. If they know what kind of title the [Demon King's Vessel] Ren holds, they can understand roughly what it is. And there is someone close by who knows it.
But that is not something that Ren and Rin could understand.
"Anyway, I'm glad you made it back safely."
For Ren, the existence of a Demon King, and the meaning of his title, are irrelevant. He was glad that Rin had returned.
"……That's."
"Hmm? What's wrong?"
In contrast to himself, who was happy about her safety, Rin had an unflattering look on her face. Ren wondered about that reaction.
"…Today …I have a favor to ask of Ren-sama…"
"A favor? What is it?"
Rin is speaking in a trembling voice. And anxiety rises in Ren's heart.
"...For a while ...please allow me to leave Ren-sama's side."
Unable to look at Ren's face, Rin looked down and still managed to say what she wanted to say.
"……Eh?"
Ren was surprised by her unexpected words.
"Even myself, I don’t know why I thought of this. But just to be by your side...... no, I don't know if I'm qualified to do that in the first place......."
Tears fall to the floor. Rin is trying to explain her feelings while crying, but even she doesn't know what she is saying. Before she puts it into words, she has not been able to organize her feelings.
"...What are you going to do when you leave my side?"
"I will do what I can do and what I think I should do. I will try to be of service to Ren-sama."
"I've been grateful to Rin for a long time. I am satisfied with you being by my side and working with you in many ways. May I put it this way?"
"... I'm happy to hear those words. But I'm not convinced myself. By Ren-sama's side... I don't have the confidence to be loved."
"Rin……"
It's his fault for making Rin uneasy. Ren knew that too. Then how can he remove this anxiety from Rin? Ren doesn't know that.
"It's selfish. I know that. Just once, that alone gave birth to greed in my heart. I know Ren-sama hates that kind of feeling."
"...I'm sorry. It's my fault. It's because I don't know how to love someone."
"No, it's not that. It's my fault for not being satisfied with just giving."
"In the end, I... No, there's no point in talking about that right now. It's not something that can be solved with just words."
It's his fault for not giving. Ren tried to say that, but saying to each other that it was their own fault would not solve anything. Thinking so, he stopped halfway through.
"I don't know what will change if you give me some time. But I do want to change things."
"I see… people need that kind of time."
"I'm sorry."
"No need to apologize. If Rin thinks it is necessary, then so be it. Rin has your own way of life. You don't have to give that up for me."
Ever since they met, he has been binding Rin. As a contract. It's time to change that relationship. Ren thought.
"No, I live for Ren-sama's sake. That doesn't change."
"Rin"
However, for Rin, the contract she made with Ren when they first met no longer had any meaning. It is no longer a shackle.
"I love Ren-sama. This will never change. This is what I want you to believe."
"......I would never doubt it. Rin on a night with a full moon attracts my feelings and doesn't let go. It makes me feel loved."
"Ren-sama"
Two shadows approaching. An unforgettable night begins for the two who are separated. So that they can continue to wait for the day they will meet again with the memories of this night in their hearts. Such thoughts warmed their feelings.
◇◇◇
The full moon is still in the sky. Ren was alone looking at the moon. How much time has passed since Rin left this place? Certainly not that much time. And yet, for some reason, it feels as if it has happened in the distant past. Even though the warmth of the bed indicates otherwise.
"...Are you sure it's alright."
An unexpected voice. He knew at once who it belonged to.
"It's what Rin wanted."
"She might not come back, you know?"
"Even if that happens, it's what Rin wanted."
"…Why can you trust someone so much, Ren? I can’t. I could only doubt people."
Fearing betrayal, he was always testing the other person. Unable to endure that testing, the other person left him. It was a foolish thing to do, he thinks so now.
"...That's not true. I can't trust them. That's why I hurt the people around me."
"Just like me, right?"
"Is that so? I think Clau and I are different."
"...Different?"
Even though she felt that they could share the same thoughts, it was denied by Ren. Claudia looks a little dissatisfied.
"Clau can love people. And that's why you don't want to be betrayed. I am different. I can't love people, so I don't feel anything about being betrayed."
"I can love people... is that so?"
"If you can't love someone, you don't get attached to them. Because you want someone, you feel resentment when they leave you... These are just my words. I don't understand that kind of feeling."
"......I see. Maybe you're right."
The people she hurt were more important to her than anyone else. A sister to look up to and someone who has been with her since she was a little girl. There were also people she continued to be attracted to, even though she was strongly repulsed by them.
She loved them. She knows that does not justify her actions. Even so, she felt that something different from the past spread through her heart.
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