“Then, I will gratefully put it to good use.”
I bowed my head to the giant stone statues.
Then, I turned to look at Camellia, who was preparing to dispel the magic.
「She is a smart one.
She has inherited the wisdom of her predecessors intact.」 「However, it is a Blessing and a Curse at the same time.
After all, in the Imperial Palace, the more outstanding one is, the more they are kept in check.」 「…She must have been very lonely, with no one to trust.」
The blonde woman whose expression looked quite good for the first time in a while.
It was quite a sight when she was on top of me, declaring her victory.
Because I had only ever seen her imperious character illustrations.
“I see.
She certainly looked happy, at least during the spar.”
「Help Her Highness, the Princess, a lot by her side.」
“I hope I can.
The Empire’s Peace will last a long time only if she lives.”
I walked on, dreaming of the comfortable Empire she would govern.
The princess, who had begun to dispel the magic, held out her hand to me.
“Did you say your goodbyes?” “Yes.
And I received a good gift, thanks to them.”
I showed her the dagger of the First Commander of the Black Knights, tucked into my inner jacket pocket.
“It seems Margrave Bertie Mikhail thought highly of you.
To give you something so precious.” “Indeed.
Wait a moment, but was he a Margrave?
I thought he was the Commander of the Imperial Knights.”
Is this a case of one’s Prestige rising after death?
Just what kind of achievements did he accomplish in his life.
“His son, my ancestor, was the Prince Consort to three different princesses.
He saved The Empire from crisis many times.” “A successful case of raising a child, I see.
I’m envious.”
It wasn’t in the Original Novel of the game, so I didn’t know, but what a comfortable life.
I wish I could be like him…
“I’m envious, too.”
Camellia also had a very exhausted look in her eyes.
As Confession Magic is a spell that distorts space, its Mana consumption must have been severe.
On top of that, she sparred with me, so she must be very tired.
I hope she goes back and gets a good, quiet rest.
***
While the rough spar continued inside the Magic Circle.
Outside, the Saintess Ange wore a Sullen, Blank Expression.
“This won’t do.
I’ll dispel the magic myself.” “That doesn’t seem like a good idea, Self-proclaimed Saintess.”
Great Elder Darc opposed with a solemn gaze.
“It’s none of your business.
You rotten Politician.” “When it comes to instigating the public, I think you and I are the same.”
The two prisoners stared ghastly at each other.
At that, the equally cold-headed Clea stepped forward.
“Both of you, be quiet.
The result is already decided, anyway.”
The woman with her Blue Hair tied elegantly to one side.
She raised her Monocle and spoke curtly.
“Now that the magic has been cast, there is only one outcome.
If the Warden is guilty, he will receive Punishment, and if not, that’s that.” “You seem not to care whether the warden disappears or not, huh?”
Clea responded coldly to Ange’s question.
“Of course not.
Among the Past Wardens, he’s the one who’s done the best work, so I hope he comes out safely.”
Ange, satisfied with the simple reason.
Then, this time, Darc asked back.
“Come to think of it, why are you worried?
You brainwashed all the Past Wardens and used them as slaves.” “Th-That’s, I think the same as the Adjutant.
Since he’s good at his job, I’d like to keep him around for a long time, I guess.”
As the two women spoke as if they had no particular reason, the veteran elder narrowed his eyes.
His gaze suggested he thought they each had some strange reason, but he let it go for now as there was no evidence.
For now, like the others, he looked back toward the Magic Circle.
While the prisoners were bickering…
Because at last, the Confession Magic had ended, and the two had returned.
Gooooo—.
However.
Not just the three who were watching silently, but even the White Horse Unit surrounding the prison were shocked.
The moment the magic was dispelled and they came out.
Because the princess, who had been standing side-by-side, stumbled and leaned against me.
“Her Highness, the Princess…!!” “Camellia!!”
Hundreds of soldiers shouted in unison.
The uncle who doted on his Niece also cried out with a startled expression.
They looked past the stumbling her and glared straight at the Snake-like Man.
At me, the one who had been crushed like a dog inside the Magic Circle and had even given her a Special Lecture.
“…?” “You Bastard, what in the world did you do to Her Highness, the Princess!?”
At Darc’s massive Presence, like that of a Beast of Prey, even the White Horse Unit fell silent.
The vast grounds in front of the prison completely froze.
‘Why is everyone really being like this to me.’
As I made the most wronged expression in the world, the princess stood up straight again.
Then, she raised one hand to show that she was fine.
“Great Elder, I am fine…
I was just tired for a moment.”
Camellia planted her Great Spear Landruin into the ground.
Then, returning to her noble, princess-like appearance, she opened her mouth.
“As the one who has inherited the right to govern The North from His Majesty, the Emperor, I will deliver the Verdict.”
Everyone focused on the words of The Empire’s most noble lady.
I was the same.
I held my head high to savor the declaration of my innocence she would deliver herself.
The White Horse Unit straightened their posture for the princess’s declaration.
Elder Darc also waited seriously, his hands clasped behind his back.
Wondering if the Promising prospect he had chosen from the Borderlands prison could truly blossom.
“As a result of the inquiry with the great Former Judges, I declare Derek Minster ‘Not Guilty’.”
Clea took off her Monocle and closed her eyes in relief.
Ange, too, with her arms crossed, let out a smirk.
Finally, Great Elder Darc looked at me and nodded.
As if admiring the meticulousness that had evaded even Confession Magic.
“However.”
But Camellia’s words did not end there.
“He is only not guilty for now, not cleared of all suspicion.”
Huh?
What is this about now?
I stared blankly at the princess.
The blonde woman who met my eyes smirked at my bewildered expression.
“Until the true culprit who killed the knights of The Holy See is revealed, I will be conducting Surprise Inspections.”
Like a Hunter who had discovered a tempting Large Snake.
“I’ll be visiting often from now on, so I hope you’ll teach me well each time I see you.” “What do you mean…?”
Her face drew closer and closer.
Then, she whispered softly into my ear.
“New things that I didn’t know, like before.”
She who always desires to become stronger.
She inherited the Ambition of the Former Emperor, who had to have whatever he desired.