Chapter 70: Intersection

Ten days ago.

“Lueld. You really are a difficult man to track down.”

Geornia, who was draped in her long silver hair as if it were a blanket, looked like someone whose age would be impossible for anyone to guess just by glancing at her.

Yet, if there was any part of her that hinted at her years of experience, it was her composure and demeanor.

She sat half-reclined on a large sofa in the VIP Room.

And from that position, she glared at Lueld as he entered with a swagger.

“…My apologies.”

“Why the long face? Are you already terrified that I’m going to scold you? Or what? Did the kids tell you some strange news?”

“…….”

Geornia and Hamern, the blonde Elf standing behind her, simply remained still without showing any particular emotion.

Only.

Two pairs of bright, lush green eyes were meticulously tracking Lueld’s every move.

“I’ve agonized over it for a few days… but since avoiding it won’t solve anything, I’ve decided to make a choice.”

“…A choice, you say?”

“Melineos. It seems that child had a prophetic dream.”

“Why tell me that? Surely, does this have something to do with Kariel?”

“What’s with that? Why do you react as if you’re hearing this for the first time?”

Lueld thought.

If she was bothering to tell him, there must be a valid reason.

Above all.

…Lueld himself was currently in a state of great confusion after hearing the details passed on by Patina.

The fact that she reported to him first, before anyone else… was likely a form of courtesy.

And soon, once that information reached his superiors….

“Looking at your face, it seems you’ve realized something?”

“…….”

“Melineos cannot remember the dream, and it was the Golden Beast that made it so.”

“……Pardon?”

What did she mean?

Why was the Golden Beast, the Demon King of Wisdom, being mentioned here?

“I don’t know the details. It was probably just a fragment. A being of that caliber could exert influence even with a mere speck.”

“Is Melineos… safe?”

“From what I’ve seen… yes. There is nothing wrong.”

That made him even more anxious.

Just what kind of intention, what kind of scheme, was that crazy beast of a bastard plotting?

To continue acting so unsightly even in death.

“Whether today or tomorrow… I intend to glimpse what that entity truly is. I can no longer overlook this.”

“…….”

The information Lueld had encountered was shocking enough, but he hadn’t expected something even more extreme to pop up.

No.

“…Perhaps it is related to the information I received.”

“What… now? What else is there?”

Why was he acting like this, making her suddenly anxious?

“…Let us discuss it where everyone is gathered. By now… they should have all been informed.”

“Aw, damn it! Why does something keep popping up? What on earth are you all hiding from me?!”

“…My apologies.”

====

“…Are those words true?”

“It is the testimony of Alessia, the 4th Saintess of the Religious Order, who bears the name of Protection.”

Princess Elhermina was swept by a shock that made her world go dark.

This was not something that could be laughed off as a joke.

Furthermore, she did not care for jokes.

Perhaps that was why.

She didn’t have a shred of emotional composure left.

“Is there a possibility that it is a lie or an exaggeration?”

“…I believe the report regarding the birth of a Holy Relic in Kariella, Baronen, has already reached both the Religious Order and the Empire.”

“…Yes. Although the name wasn’t included, I also received news that a young man continuing his training as a knight, named Lueld, made a significant contribution.”

Elhermina spoke, brushing back her red hair.

“Of course, we all know that person is Kariel.”

“…….”

“Patina. Tell me in detail, from beginning to end, exactly what that Saintess told you.”

Patina bowed and calmly recounted what she had heard.

Since this could not be left in writing, no separate report had been organized.

Nevertheless, Patina’s expression and speech were fluent, as if she were accustomed to such matters.

Kariel, who had saved a village he happened upon.

The Saintess Alessia, the second son of the Baron of Baronen, Luke, and their small troop, whom he joined there.

The party that accompanied him to Kariella, where they glimpsed the memories of Saint Kariel during a Reminiscence Excavation conducted by Philbar of the Edenlevan Regiment, who had been dispatched to understand the past prosperity in commemoration of the Saint Kariel Festival….

“A Holy Relic.”

Even after hearing it, the story was so wondrous that it made her dwell on it in many ways.

However, that wasn’t the only important part.

The part where Alessia originally intended to accompany him, but Kariel refused.

The details revealed during that refusal were what mattered.

“Unconditional affection. Was even kindness… such a precious grace to him now?”

A sigh escaped her.

It was natural, if anything… so why was she….

It felt as if she had fallen into a ruthless nightmare while wide awake.

“So, he believes he must not be entwined with someone as cursed as himself, is that it?”

She didn’t know what that curse was.

But it was described as the Demon King’s Curse.

Above all, to have had an Alliance with the Demon King. She felt something ominous in that expression.

“Was there truly a curse… some kind of external influence we are unaware of?”

This was where it became critical.

The point at which Kariel was exposed to it.

If it was innate… this became very serious.

If he had been burdened with it during his time as a hostage… this was also serious.

But what if he had realized the reality of such a curse after returning to the Empire… no, she skipped a step.

What if he was exposed to it immediately after returning to the capital? Or if it happened in the recent past?

“…….”

Or truly.

At the time he intruded into the Treasure Vault… was he forced into it?

In that case, if it was unavoidable, it wouldn’t be strange at all if there were external or internal conspirators who manipulated things so that it would happen.

Then why Kariel of all people?

Or conversely, was it because it was Kariel?

Her mind became cluttered.

Even though it shouldn’t be possible, she felt as if the air had turned freezing cold.

No.

Separate from her rising heart rate, perhaps her body temperature was rapidly dropping along with the blood draining from her face.

Many things didn’t add up, but if she felt dizzy, her blood pressure must certainly be dropping.

Or was it the opposite?

“…Could you repeat the report you just gave, once more, to His Majesty?”

“If you command it.”

“…….”

Elhermina had heard directly from Geornia that an ominous sign had been read in the prophetic dream of her mother, Melineos.

That alone was enough to give her a headache, and now a problem she hadn’t even imagined had surfaced.

And in the worst possible form, beyond her imagination.

“Alessia, was it? The 4th Saintess? Of Protection?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“…She showed that much interest in Karl… I see. Is it even plausible to harbor that much affection after such a short meeting? Ah… right. Karl’s appearance is outstanding compared to those his age, so I suppose it’s possible….”

For some reason, Elhermina felt a sense of self-loathing.

Regret was too late, and longing was even later.

Her lingering attachments remained the same, and at times, they grew even larger.

“If it helps him, I could gladly bless it. If he can find solace simply because she is by his side.”

“……Your Highness.”

“Though we shall have to wait and see.”

It might be an affection like a fever.

It might be a love bordering on impulse.

Or perhaps a lust based on instinct, faithful to desire and passion.

It didn’t matter at all.

Even if the beginning was improper, as long as she could love and cherish him with sincerity and truth until the end.

…After all, does love not sometimes originate from hatred and loathing?

She had no intention of denying the countless and diverse forms of love.

For a pure and innocent love is not the only beautiful and flawless one.

Even if one rolls in the mud and is tossed about.

As long as love could bloom within that, she was ready to accept it.

“I suppose this is as far as I can go with just watching.”

However, if things had become entangled and surfaced in such a worst-case scenario.

She could clearly envision how her imperial father would respond, and what attitude Lueld would display.

“I hope the knot is untied smoothly.”

She had a feeling it wouldn’t be easy.

Even the brilliant princess could not think of a clear answer in this situation.

====

“They say traces were found near the Metran Kingdom.”

He was late by a hair’s breadth.

He had managed to capture the news that the target had boarded a ship and headed for Dabas, but that was it.

There was no way to grasp the circumstances after that.

Therefore, all Lueld could do was infiltrate Dabas and investigate further.

As the early morning mist drifted faintly through the forest.

Patina, who had fed a hawk and sent it soaring into the air, spoke while examining a small rolled piece of paper.

Simple signals and alarms could be handled by beacons, but those were affected by the weather.

Above all, it was impossible to convey complex information, so at that point, one had no choice but to use a messenger.

But no matter how fast a person is, there is a limit.

Thus, using trained birds or specific animals is a quite ancient method of information transmission.

And a much faster and more systematic means of communication is the use of special sorcery or magic.

While the methods and ways differ, the means the Empire can utilize institutionally are generally limited to magical means.

In this case, the problem of needing an accompanying mage arises, but the Empire never spared support in such matters.

In the ancient Great Empire, where such means didn’t exist—Bera—the state operated a relay station system, but even that had clear limits.

From there.

The Berg Empire reached a compromise by combining relay stations with magic communication, scattering intermediary communication centers that doubled as relay stations throughout the Empire.

However, since they were located in fixed positions, it was hard to feel their effectiveness unless one was on the path or nearby.

And from there, again.

The utility of communication birds trained through magic or special taming emerged.

Especially in a situation like now, while infiltrating another country.

“Right.”

In the forest, which reminded one of a damp wetland due to the rain the previous night.

Lueld, who had scattered firewood that emitted only a small amount of smoke without a flame, stood up.

Underneath, he wore the characteristic Knight Order uniform, but he had a coat draped over it.

The brown coat, which even had a hood, looked much like that of an ordinary traveler, but this too was strictly a magic tool.

From now on, he must traverse a foreign land, and not only that, he must illegally enter another foreign land.

Personal danger was not an issue.

However, since he could not overlook the diplomatic friction and conflict caused by his existence, he intended to be as cautious as possible.

“They say additional locations will be relayed as soon as they are identified.”

“Metran. Why on earth did he go there?”

For Lueld, no matter where on the continent he was, there were always things that brought back many thoughts.

Because there were battles and battlefields everywhere.

And all the connections, and ill-fated encounters, entwined there.

But right now, none of that mattered.

“…….”

He repeatedly recalled the events of ten days ago.

The Emperor, who was also his brother, had persuaded Lueld to prioritize this above all else.

…Lueld wondered if it was right for him to act this way now.

Princess Elhermina had repeatedly emphasized that it was impossible if it wasn’t him.

If she had gone so far as to say she wanted to go herself, she must have been truly desperate.

“We move.”

The party consisted of only Lueld himself and Patina, who followed under the guise of attending to him.

Had another country discovered this, they would have been utterly appalled and restless.

It was common knowledge across the continent that he would never commit such a reckless act.

…Nevertheless.

In a situation where a blade is pressed against one’s throat, anyone would lose their composure.

Though Lueld was alone, the fact that he had entered another nation’s territory.

Ultimately, that was what it meant.

‘Ermina.’

How long could he hide it?

Geornia hadn’t pressed him, considering the circumstances.

But by the time the postpartum recovery was over, she might feel that something was strange.

No.

By now, she might have already begun to grasp the sequence of events.

Even while moving on horseback, Lueld continued to ruminate on what he had heard then.

Ultimately, Geornia, who had re-verified Melineos’s dream, told him a shocking truth.

No, perhaps it wasn’t the truth.

Geornia, after organizing the situation.

Finally, immediately after coordinating opinions with everyone present, she gave Lueld an order.

[You must call Kariel and ask him directly. What happened and how. And you must use every possible means and method… to resolve this.]

Otherwise.

[…We will all have to watch with open eyes as that child becomes the Demon King and turns the Empire into ashes. And would it be only the Empire? I do not believe so.]

Therefore, Lueld.

[If you do not wish to harm that child with your own hands, now is the only chance.]

What was most serious of all.

[The fact that the Golden Beast might still be alive, or could be resurrected.]

This was an unprecedented crisis that must never be overlooked.

[Devote all your strength. If that is impossible.]

Lueld, you will face a choice you will regret more than any other time in the future.

[Lest such a tragedy occur. For your own sake, for the child’s, and for all of us.]

Without fail.

[Bring that child safely back to the capital.]

Perhaps.

The situation may have deteriorated beyond repair.

But….

“…….”

Since that does not mean giving up.

Why did things worsen to this extent?

Until he hears the fact directly from that child’s own mouth.

He will continue to pose questions to himself, like an Original Sin.