Chapter 37: Holy Land? Pilgrimage?

When the sun sets, darkness rears its head.

Even the Heart of the Empire was no exception to this.

Though there were places that kept their lamps lit at this hour, the purpose behind doing so created a stark difference.

And this was no exception for the Imperial Palace, situated at the center of the Heart of the Empire.

The place was illuminated not by lamps, but by magical lights fueled by Magic Stones.

And present there now were the Emperor and the Empress.

Along with them was the Elf Great Mage, Geornia Dei Adelweiss—who was, to the two of them, both a teacher and a historical predecessor.

A red sofa, so soft it felt as if even a small body would be completely submerged in it.

Geornia, sinking deep into the cushions, sat with her upper body leaning against the silver armrest.

Since she had taken off her robe, she was wearing little more than a tight-fitting pair of shorts and a top that covered her chest and neck.

Her skin was stark white, contrasting sharply with her attire, which was dominated by grey and gold.

Not only was it flawless, but it was so smooth that one wondered if wrinkles even existed; everything about her was neat, radiant, and fresh.

Sitting there with her bare legs crossed, she looked beyond mere laziness; a thick sense of boredom clung to her posture.

However, contrary to her relaxed posture and expression, her deep green eyes hinted at something unusual.

Her hair was so long that one wondered if it had been that extensive while hidden under the robe; it filled the backrest of the sofa and overflowed, stretching out behind her. She combed through it playfully with her fingers as she asked.

“Why isn’t Lueld here?”

“He mentioned that something urgent came up, and he had to leave.”

“…And not because you told him to?”

She was bold even in front of the Emperor.

And both the Emperor and Empress accepted this naturally, without any reprimand.

“Do I look like the kind of person who would lie so nonchalantly?”

“That’s why you’re even more annoying.”

Geornia frowned, as if the taste in her mouth had turned bitter.

“First, I spoke with Mel about the possible situations that might have occurred with Kariel.”

First, that he had seen a demon and become associated with one.

“Second, that a specific artifact drew him in. Third… that someone guided him there. With a specific intention.”

“…That doesn’t deviate much from our conjectures.”

“You don’t think the boy targeted the Treasure Vault out of greed?”

“…Could that possibly be the case?”

The Emperor answered without a moment’s hesitation.

“Is that so?”

“Furthermore, the possibility that Kariel was hiding his power, or that he originally had none but acquired it through this incident, is also part of the conjectures. When compared with the points you mentioned earlier, there are parts that align.”

“Why are you speaking so formally and convolutedly? Just conclude that he gained power by contracting with a demon. What else is there? Or do you want to believe an angel bestowed power upon him? Or maybe your Imperial ancestors thought you lot were like pus-filled toads and gave the power to Kariel instead? Does that sound plausible?”

“…….”

As Geornia spoke, a sense of blatant displeasure began to seep into her voice.

“I know well that you didn’t call me here to shift the blame. So, the emotion I’m showing right now has nothing to do with this matter. Don’t mistake that.”

“…I know. You needn’t tell me.”

The Emperor docilely accepted her dissatisfaction and irritation.

Beside him, the Empress’s black eyes trembled with anxiety, but the Emperor diluted that anxiety in advance with a single glance.

“My daughter, Elhermina, mentioned a certain question to us. Thus, something came to mind that I wished to ask, and I judged that I could not receive a proper answer from anyone other than my teacher or someone above her.”

“…Speak.”

For a moment, an awkward silence descended.

Why is he hesitating so much before speaking?

As Geornia’s expression gradually soured out of frustration.

“I wonder if Kariel might be under some kind of special curse. And if that curse is so rare and specific that most people wouldn’t notice it….”

“Wait. What is that? Are you suspecting us now?”

“No. Please calm down and listen until the end.”

“…….”

Geornia, who had been leaning her upper body forward, forced herself back into her position.

“Our conjecture is that perhaps, during the connection with the World Tree, he took on some ancient curse or Calamity.”

“How is that any different from saying it’s our fault?!”

“Even if it was unintentional?”

“What is the basis for that conjecture?”

“…That is what we are currently narrowing down.”

“Is this brat playing games with me?! You’re trying to gloss over it like that?!”

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

“Oh, how wonderful.”

Nevertheless, perhaps finding it persuasive, the raging Geornia seemed to try and calm herself.

“So you’re saying that’s why his reputation within the capital and among you lot was absolute trash? I’m starting to get curious what kind of godforsaken curse would make that possible.”

“…If not, then that would be a problem in its own right.”

In a way, it might be an unrealistic delusion.

However.

Elhermina confessed that she felt a strong sense of dissonance.

And she realized it only after Kariel had left.

The reason she found that point particularly suspicious was—

“Ah, you’re here?”

Geornia looked toward the door.

Following that, the sound of a knock was heard.

The elderly gentleman who served as the Royal Court Attendant entered and announced the visitors with a calm smile.

“It is Hamern, Ruslef, and Eiha.”

“If it’s Ruslef….”

She recalled that one of the southern nations that perished during the Demon King Invasion used that name.

“They are a descendant of a fallen nation.”

A girl born between an Elf and a Half-elf.

“Hmm….”

The Emperor expressed his condolences with a complicated expression.

Hamern also gave a light bow in gratitude.

“So, tell me clearly what you’ve heard. Don’t leave a single thing out.”

…Fortunately, her way of speaking returned to normal.

Hamern felt a slight sense of skepticism at her own situation, having to feel relieved by such a trivial detail.

However, the important thing right now was not such a petty emotion.

“The details might be a bit long; is that alright?”

“Summarize. If I’m curious, I’ll ask for more, so give me the summary.”

“The decisive reason for the deterioration of Kariel’s reputation was that Kariel contributed to bullying a girl, contributed to the contempt and expulsion of a commoner….”

“What? Hey! Hey! Wait! Shut up. What kind of pus-filled toad burp is this? Did I hear that correctly?”

Once again, Geornia turned her gaze toward the Emperor and Empress.

“Please listen until the end. It was later determined to be a misunderstanding, but….”

“Bad rumors spread and people’s impressions soured; would that alone be enough to firmly brand him as malicious?”

“……That is exactly the case.”

“Is that all?”

“Lack of ability, substandard level, lowest social adaptation skills, associating with bad people, frequenting the back alleys and reaching out to illegal activities….”

“Where on earth did you hear such nonsense? Are you sure it’s Kariel and not some poisonous mushroom of a brat with the same name? Did you bring the wrong rumors?”

“…Surprisingly, it is all regarding Kariel Brandiar. The reputation of the Kariel we know.”

“…Did the bastards of the Empire collectively drink a cup of poison?”

“Recently, he enjoyed a promiscuous life in the entertainment district every night, and the most prominent rumor is that he caused a violent incident that left a teacher incapacitated, and assaulted princes and children of nobles to the point of nearly killing them, leading to the conjecture that he was practically exiled under the guise of a Holy Land Pilgrimage….”

“Exiled? Hey, did I hear that right? You lot, did you exile Kariel?”

“No. I tell you certainly… that is absolutely not the case.”

“Then where is Kariel?”

“That is….”

The speaker hesitated a few times, but seeing Geornia’s voice rising like an explosion, the Emperor remained silent.

“Try telling me you don’t know where one little brat is! Hurry up! Or what? Did Kariel suddenly become a poisonous mushroom or a toad without us knowing? Ah, I don’t think that’s impossible, but is that it? Is that why you asked about some curse earlier?! Because the brat went completely crazy and you have no idea why? Huh? Was that it?!”

“Teacher. Please calm down.”

“Calm down? Listen. If this news reaches the higher-ups incorrectly, it won’t be a problem that ends with a severance of diplomatic ties. You know very well who it was that we kept walking on eggshells around and gave full support to, right? Do you think we crawled and watched our step because Lueld threatened to chop down the World Tree?”

“The story isn’t over yet, is it? Please let us establish the facts first, and then you can be angry or rage all you want.”

“…It seems you lot are gravely mistaken, so I shall say a few words.”

You people.

“Can’t you see exactly what that brat has been through? Hamern! That thing—the misunderstanding about bullying a girl and expelling a commoner? When was that?”

“It was five years ago.”

“You bastards, worse than toads! Then for all that time, how much suffering that kid must have… no, still… you must have believed him, and Lueld or Ermina aren’t stupid, so they must have tried to settle things reasonably, right? Isn’t that so?”

“…….”

“……Why are you shutting up there? You should be nodding and saying ‘yes, that’s right’ here. Why are you closing your mouths so ominously?!”

By this point, Geornia began to feel dizzy.

What is this?

She couldn’t fathom the thoughts of these people.

Had the values or way of thinking of the world changed while she wasn’t looking?

Or did they all go mad together after the Demon King disappeared?

Or was it truly that some unavoidable circumstance occurred, and Kariel became such a piece of trash that even a demon would recoil?

“You lot! What on earth have you been up to these past few years? And Kariel! Why can’t you find him?! Is the level of the Empire only this much?! Just tell me plainly that you’re not looking for him!”

It was then.

With a knock, the door opened.

“If it wouldn’t be an intrusion, may I say a word regarding that?”

Princess Elhermina entered the VIP Room with her usual indifferent face.