12. Holy Land? A pilgrimage?(3)

When the sun goes down, darkness lifts its head.

Even the heart of the empire couldn’t be an exception.

Even so, it is not that there are no places where lanterns are lit at this time, but the purpose brings about a completely different difference.

And this, in the heart of the Empire, the Imperial Palace, which was once again in the center, could not be an exception.

It is not lit by a lamp, but by using a magic lamp fueled by magic stones to illuminate it.

And now, in that place, the emperor and empress.

And for the two of them, on the one hand, the teacher, on the other hand, the historical predecessor, the elven archmage, Geornia dei Adelweiss was included.

The red sofa is so soft that even a small body can be immersed in it.

Geornia, her buttocks buried deep there, was sitting leaning her upper body, including her arms, on a silver arm rest.

Thanks to taking off the robe, I actually only had shorts that were made of a material that fit snugly and a top that wrapped around my chest and neck.

Her skin was white enough to contradict her gray and gold outfit.

Not a single blemish, of course, everything that makes up her is straight, bright and fresh, to the point that one wonders if there are any wrinkles.

In that state, sitting barefoot and bare-legged, beyond a glance, boredom was deeply embedded in his appearance.

However, unlike the loose demeanor and loose expression.

Her green eyes gave off an unusual feeling.

She wondered if her hair was this long when it was hidden under her robe, and it overflowed beyond filling the back of the sofa, and even stretched out behind it.

“Why isn’t Rueld coming?”

“They said they had to leave because something urgent happened.”

“… Didn’t you do that?”

Even in front of the emperor, she was confident.

And that, the emperor and the empress accepted it naturally, without reprimand.

“Do you see me as a person who spreads lies so calmly?”

“That’s why it’s even more nasty.”

Geornia frowned as if her taste was bitter.

“First, I talked to Mel about what might have happened to Kariel.”

The first is seeing the devil and being related to him.

“The second is that a certain artifact attracted the child. Third is… Did someone lead the child there? With a specific intent.”

“… It doesn’t deviate too far from speculation.”

“Don’t you think that kid was greedy and aimed at the treasure house?”

“… Could it be that?”

The emperor answered without hesitation.

“okay?”

“Also, it is part of the speculation that Kariel was hiding her powers, or that she originally had no powers, but gained powers through this incident. There are nooks and crannies.”

“What else are you struggling with? It’s enough to just conclude that I got my power through a contract with the devil. What else is there? Or would you believe that an angel gave you power? Or did you say that the old ancestors of your royal family gave power to Kariel instead of you? Do you think it makes sense?”

“… … .”

Even Geornia’s voice slowly and bluntly began to show displeasure.

“I know very well that you did not call me to accuse me. So, the feelings I’m showing right now have nothing to do with this. That, don’t get me wrong.”

“… I know. Even if you don’t say anything, that’s enough.”

The Emperor meekly accepted her complaints and irritation.

The black eyes of the empress next to her trembled with anxiety, but the emperor diluted that anxiety beforehand by giving her a glance.

“My daughter, Elhermina, mentioned these questions to us. So, I came up with a question I wanted to ask, and I decided that I would not be able to get a normal answer to it unless it was Master or someone above him.”

“… Say it.”

For a moment, an awkward silence fell.

What are you trying to say?

Towards Geornia, whose expression is slowly getting crumpled from frustration.

“Perhaps Kariel is under some special curse. And if it’s so rare and special that most people don’t even notice it… .”

“for a moment. what is that? Are you suspicious of us now?”

“no. Calm down and listen to the end.”

“… … .”

Geornia, who had been sticking out her upper body as if she was going to bend over, struggled to get her stance back.

“Perhaps, at the time of the connection with the World Tree, it may have taken on some ancient curse or calamity, our guess.”

“What’s the difference between saying it’s our fault?!”

“Even if it was unintentional?”

“What is the basis for that guess?”

“… I am looking into it now.”

“Are you kidding me right now?! Are you going to fool around like that?!”

“… This is not my guess, but Elhermina’s guess.”

“Oh, you did well.”

Even so, Geornia, who had been expressing her displeasure, seemed to be trying to calm herself down, probably because she thought it was persuasive.

“Because of that, his reputation in both you and the system was so trash, right? I’m a little curious as to how the damn curse would be possible.”

“… If not, that would be a problem on its own.”

In a way, it may be an unrealistic delusion.

But.

Elhermina confessed that she felt a strong sense of incongruity.

And that, I only realized after Kariel left.

Why is she particularly suspicious of that?

“Oh, are you here?”

Geornia looking towards the door.

followed by

A knock is heard.

An elderly gentleman, the chamberlain of the imperial family, entered the interior and informed the visitor with a calm smile.

“My name is Hamerun Ruslev Eiha.”

“If it’s Ruslev… .”

I remember that one of the countries in the south, destroyed during the invasion of the demon king, used such a name.

“He is a descendant of the ruined country.”

A girl born between an elf and a half-elf.

“Hmm… .”

The emperor expressed condolences with a complicated expression.

Hamern also expressed his gratitude with a light example.

“So, let’s talk coolly about what you heard. Don’t miss any.”

… Fortunately, the tone has returned.

Hamern felt a bit skeptical about his own situation where he had to be relieved by such a simple part.

However, the important thing now was not such trivial feelings.

“This is going to be a bit long, is that okay?”

“summary. I’ll ask more if I’m curious, so tell me in a nutshell.”

“The decisive cause of Kariel’s deteriorating reputation was that he helped a girl out, despised and banished commoners… .”

“What? hey! hey! for a moment! shut up What kind of pus toad burps sound? Did I hear you right?”

there again.

Geornia turned her gaze to the emperor and empress.

“Listen to the end. Later it turned out to be a misunderstanding… .”

“Your impression is wrinkled because bad rumors have spread, but it must have already been firmly stigmatized as evil with just that one?”

“… … It’s exactly what you said.”

“Is that the end?”

“Lack of ability, low level, low ability to adapt to society, hanging out with bad people, wandering around the back alleys and reaching out for illegal activities… .”

“Where did you hear that nonsense? It’s not Kariel, isn’t it wrong that you brought a poisonous mushroom rumor about someone with the same name?”

“… Surprisingly, all of them are Kariel Brandiard. This is the reputation of the Kariel we know.”

“… Did the Imperial bastards drink poison as a group?”

“Recently, he went to entertainment districts every night to enjoy a promiscuous life, and according to the most advanced rumors, he caused violence, made teachers crippled, and even beaten the prince and children of nobles to death, and went outside in the name of pilgrimage to the Holy Land, practically temporarily. There is speculation that he was exiled… .”

“exile? Hey, did I hear correctly? Did you guys banish Kariel?”

“no. I can assure you… Absolutely not.”

“If so, where is Kariel?”

“that… .”

He opened his mouth several times, but the emperor was silent when he saw Geornia raising his voice as if it were about to explode.

“Just babble about saying you don’t know where a bastard is. hurry! if not? Kariel suddenly turned into a poisonous mushroom or toad without us knowing? Oh, I don’t think that’s impossible, is that right? What are you doing, earlier! Did you ask about a curse or something? The kid went completely crazy, but I don’t know why or why? uh? Was it like that?!”

“Master. calm down.”

“Calm? you mean If this news goes up to the top, isn’t it a problem that will end in a severance of diplomatic relations? You know who it is that we always look out for you and give you full support, don’t you? Well, since Rueld threatened to cut down the world tree, do you think we were afraid of that and crawled on our own?”

“The story isn’t over yet, is it? Make sure you find out whether it is true, and then be angry or angry.”

“… It looks like you guys are making a big mistake right now, so let me say a few words.”

you say

“Isn’t the ones that have been beaten? Hamern! What is that, the misconception that girls were bullied and commoners were banished? Who are you? When are you talking about that?”

“Five years ago.”

“These bastards who are not even as good as toads! Then, how much trouble did that bastard go through in the meantime… no, but what… Since you guys would have trusted me, Rueld and Ermina aren’t stupid either, so they must have tried to manage things somehow, right? is not it?”

“… … .”

“… … Why are you shutting up there? Here, yes, of course, you have to say yes. Why are you keeping your mouth shut ominously?!”

At this point, Geornia started to feel dizzy.

what is it

I don’t know what those guys are thinking.

Did the world’s values and way of thinking change without me knowing?

Or did they go crazy as a group after the Demon King disappeared?

Or really, something unavoidable happened and Kariel became such a bastard that even the devil would hate it?

“You guys. What tricks have you been up to for the past few years? And Kariel! Why can’t I find it?! Is that the only Empire level?! Did you calmly say that you’d rather not be looking for it!”

It was then.

With a knock, the door opens.

“If you don’t mind, may I say something about it?”

Princess Elhermina entered the VIP room with a polite, nonchalant face.