Chapter 385 – The Prison of the Accused

“However… vampires coming from the Eastern Country to Kahar. If there’s a high possibility they’re gathering in the desert en masse… then we shouldn’t just grant investigation permission but also send our available forces. They are undoubtedly our enemies.”

“Thank you.”

“Theo—”

Grace called out to me. If this meant cooperation rather than just investigation permission, we also had things we needed to discuss. Meeting her gaze, I nodded, and she nodded back.

“That… the vampires who came from the Eastern Country are like my ancestors.”

Grace began explaining to King Farid.

“Oh? So you have some insight into the origins of these vampires?”

“I am a Dhampir. By using a Cursed Tool to seal my racial traits, I can suppress my bloodsucking impulses and live normally… but I believe the one who turned my father into a vampire might be the noble family vampire mentioned earlier.”

Grace told King Farid about her origins, what happened in the Eastern Country, how she escaped with her parents, meeting Mother and me, and our theories.

After listening to Grace’s story, King Farid closed his eyes and nodded.

“I see… The suffering of those driven from their homeland at a young age—well, I believe I understand it somewhat better than others… You must have endured considerable hardship until now.”

Embracing Queen Sheriti’s shoulder beside him, King Farid spoke. There was no doubt these words considered Queen Sheriti’s own circumstances.

The Queen sought protection from the Kingdom of Baharzad after her nation fell. But even Baharzad had its own turmoil due to the appearance of a tyrannical ruler… She must have gone through significant hardships alongside King Farid to reach this point.

Queen Sheriti had also closed her eyes while listening to Grace’s words, but eventually opened them, straightened her posture, and spoke.

“…I cannot promise to be of much help, but I suppose I must also share what I know.”

King Farid beside her nodded quietly.

“That day, at that time—I had left the castle with my wet nurse and the knights of the royal guard, heading to a spring near the castle. It was my fathers’ orders. They said I couldn’t be in the castle because important guests were coming. I remember being scolded with unusually stern faces when I protested.”

Having guests… and sending the princess away seemed strange.

“Reluctantly, I was playing by the spring when… I happened to look up and saw the castle enveloped by a pitch-black sphere of darkness… And when I thought the darkness was rapidly shrinking, nothing remained where the darkness had been.”

Queen Sheriti spoke matter-of-factly, deliberately keeping emotion out of her narration.

“There were… quite a few survivors. The casualties were those on the upper floors of the castle, and almost no one was crushed under rubble despite the castle being obliterated.”

“Rubble…”

The method of destruction might provide clues to understanding the King of Ignorance’s abilities. It didn’t seem to be simply blown away or anything like that.

“Correct. Those within the space enveloped by darkness lost their lives. With the King of Nahalbia, the royal family members, the Court Magician, the Knight Order Commander, the prime minister, and other key figures dead, rebuilding the nation became extremely difficult. I decided to seek protection from the Kingdom of Baharzad along with the surviving retainers and people who remained loyal to the royal family.”

“Originally, Sheriti and I were acquainted. I petitioned to accept the people of Nahalbia… and my fathers agreed, eyeing Nahalbia’s treasures. It’s hard to say Sheriti and the Nahalbian retainers and people were welcomed with generous treatment… but some now work as my retainers. Without them and the loyal subjects who care for this country, Baharzad would still be in chaos.”

So King Farid had incorporated the Nahalbian personnel that Queen Sheriti possessed. They probably served as King Farid’s trump card when exiling the previous king and Kahar, who had been prime minister.

“This is all I know. I certainly don’t know much about what happened that day. However… about Nahalbia. And about the forest you’re heading to, there are some things I can tell you. There are legends.”

Placing a hand on her chest, Queen Sheriti said this.

“The legend says that Nahalbia’s founding ancestors were born when those who came from the Forest of Bewilderment met those who lived in that land. But the forest depths are

the dwelling place of the condemned.

Therefore, they must be left to sleep peacefully. The condemned in their remorse. Chastising themselves for committing sins, sealing themselves in cages. And entrusting the chains to the children of Nahalbia.”

Legends, huh. How… should we interpret that?

It probably means someone lived in the Forest of Bewilderment, met the local people—or perhaps immigrants from elsewhere—and that became the foundation of the Nahalbian royal family… right?

“Is this the story of the Nahalbian royal family’s establishment?”

“That seems right. Remorse and sins—probably refer to the Overlord.”

I nodded at Ashley’s words.

The Overlord emerged from those living in the forest… and the forest’s condemned, fearing their own actions as remorse and sins, sealed themselves deep in the forest. Is that about right?

If so, the forest’s condemned would be the demons… but that leaves some things unexplained.

“I’ve heard that demons cannot bear children with humans because they harbor negative magical power within themselves.”

Rosemary furrowed her brow. Right. That’s why demons have small numbers despite expanding their territory during the Overlord’s invasion.

“That seems correct. Even I, having been involved in Guild work to some extent, have never heard of hybrids with demons.”

Auria added. Unlike vampires, hybrid cases don’t even exist. Concluding that the Nahalbian royal family are descendants of demons and humans feels somewhat hasty. And the same goes for remorse and sins.

“Let’s set aside the true identity of the forest’s condemned for now. The cages and chains probably refer to barriers and seals.”

“I agree with that opinion. Moreover, judging from the phrasing, they’re likely for confining themselves.”

Old Sigmund nodded at Claudia’s words.

So it’s a metaphor for having the hybrid descendants—meaning the Nahalbian royal family—build the barrier and entrust them with its maintenance.

What if the one called the King of Ignorance destroyed them to break that? If we assume the guest who came that day when the Nahalbian royal castle vanished was the forest’s condemned—the King of Ignorance… then it roughly makes sense.

Either the Nahalbian royal family tried to persuade the King of Ignorance and provoked him… Or they tried to seal or assassinate him and were defeated instead. That would explain why they sent Queen Sheriti away from the castle for mere guests, and why the Knight Order Commander and Court Magician were present. I shared these thoughts with everyone.

“…The possibility that the King of Ignorance emerged from among the forest’s condemned.”

“So my fathers fought and lost their lives trying to stop that being from leaving… I feel like some light has been shed on my long-standing questions.”

Queen Sheriti closed her eyes and let out a small sigh.

“Then… what about those cages and chains now? What’s their status?”

It was Princess Elham who said this.

“Depending on the spell formula… if inheritance didn’t occur, there’s a possibility the seal has been broken.”

Though whether they’d come out just because the seal is gone is uncertain, assuming the nature of the forest’s condemned hasn’t changed.

“Could I… also be taken to Nahalbia’s Forest of Bewilderment?”

Princess Elham said.

“That—”

“I too carry Nahalbian blood. If the forest’s condemned still exist, I might be able to inherit that duty from them.”

That’s certainly true. Not just Princess Elham, but having either Queen Sheriti or one of her children accompany us would allow us to handle more possibilities and situations. Not just regarding whether rituals can be inherited, but also when speaking with the forest’s condemned. So having them accompany us would definitely be better.

King Farid closed his eyes, crossed his arms, and seemed to ponder for a while before eventually looking at me and asking.

“Elham has some knowledge of magic. But against high-ranking vampires or demons, that won’t be enough. Is it possible to ensure safety with that flying ship? I’d like to hear your opinion.”

“I think the ship itself probably can’t be brought down without at least 8th or 9th rank magic.”

“…That’s sufficient. If you’re willing, would you take Elham with you when you go to the forest?”

Looking at everyone’s faces at King Farid’s words, I nodded.

“I have no objections. For us too, having your assistance would be helpful.”

“Then it’s decided. I won’t hesitate to cooperate with you all. I won’t deny there’s purpose for this country’s sake, but please allow us to fight together.”

Saying this, he extended his hand. Nodding, I grasped it, and King Farid showed that smile again.