Chapter 58: I Am Cursed

A strong scent of lavender wafts through the air even before entering the city.

Perhaps it was because she had already inhaled so much of it on the way here that she felt intoxicated.

While some might have entered the city before the festival, there were quite a few who had arrived on the opening day, as evidenced by the long line stretching from the town entrance.

The festival was set to last for several days.

In truth, Patina had arrived in town long ago, but she had been wandering outside the city, fearing she might run into Kariel.

The area around Baronens Territory was relatively secure and filled with wonderful places to sightsee.

Moreover, since this was a time when outsiders frequently came and went, the general level of vigilance was lower than usual.

It was likely one of those coincidences that led her to strike up a conversation with a young man of the Demon Race who was painting a landscape with the lavender fields as his backdrop.

“At first, the criticism was endless. People asked, ‘How dare you join hands with the likes of the Demon Race?’ But now, it has established itself as one of the most successful outcomes, and as a result, our relations with the Federation have improved, starting with some of the territories. I believe it has been a good thing for everyone.”

The rumor that Baronens Territory was partnering with the Demon Race to develop the land had been a major topic of conversation at the time.

As a result, in five years, the area had achieved a growth scale incomparable to its previous state.

Though it was a Baron’s fief, in terms of scale alone, it was practically beyond that level.

Furthermore, its close ties to the center and its Emperor-friendly political leanings likely played a significant role in turning potential checks and balances into support.

As for the Widenberg family, who had a poor relationship with the Berg Empire back when it was a kingdom, it seemed that the Baronens side had been the first to bow their heads after the two parties reconciled through their connection to Saint Kariel.

Since the results of that reconciliation persisted to this day, it must be a very deep-rooted bond.

Additionally, the Widenberg family was among the founding contributors of the Berg Empire led by the Enjul Clan.

“Thank you for the story.”

“The pleasure was mine. It was a joy to converse with such a distinguished guest in a place like this.”

It was only upon returning to the city that she received a belated report that Kariel had already left.

Along with it, she learned the location of the person she wished to visit.

The church was crowded with an endless stream of visitors and believers.

She entered and headed further inside.

After revealing her identity and her purpose, she was easily granted access to the area forbidden to outsiders.

The person she wished to meet…

…was holed up in a guest room, pouring herself wine.

With striking red hair and a physique so sturdy that she could outmatch most men, she was the Fourth Saintess, Alessia, known to the world as the Saintess of Protection.

“Sister. It has been a long time.”

“I know it’s festival season, but I wonder if it’s just my imagination that the timing is quite coincidental?”

Alessia glanced at Patina with red eyes clouded by intoxication.

“You are likely correct in your guess.”

“…I thought so.”

Instead of a bottle, she tilted a wooden cask to fill a wooden cup.

Alessia took out another empty cup and tilted the cask again to fill it.

“Drink. I felt a bit awkward being a drunkard alone in the Lord’s backyard, but this gives me a good excuse.”

“…I will enjoy it.”

Sitting opposite her, Patina calmly took the cup and brought it to her lips.

For a moment, an unnatural silence lingered.

“I heard you had something to brag about.”

Alessia was the first to break the silence.

“He was an impressive fellow.”

“…….”

“I don’t quite know why he became so dark and gloomy.”

No, she had a guess.

“Excessive expectations and the gaze of those around him—anyway, everything must have been a burden to him in many ways.”

“…….”

“Now that peace has arrived, the existing power holders and the established elite probably found a Hero of baseless blood quite distasteful.”

Because he was not born a noble.

As always, the Blue Bloods, with their sense of superiority, could never accept the rise of those they considered primitive and inferior.

…Though not everyone necessarily thought that way.

And he likely utilized even that stupidity to build his own power, using slander as a foundation to expand his influence.

“It’s not as if the Empire is the only place like that.”

“…I didn’t expect you to know that far.”

“It’s not that I know, I just figured it would be that way.”

Even if she didn’t know the details, the problem was that she had encountered the information too late.

But even if she had known the truth a bit sooner, would anything have changed?

The person who was going to leave had already left.

“Sister, what did you think of that boy?”

“He was a wonderful child. His looks were my type, his personality was meticulous… I didn’t just like him; I was completely smitten. It feels like I’ve been alternating between a good dream and a bad dream. I’ve had my fair share of experiences being kicked away, but… this one hurts a bit more.”

“Sister….”

“I don’t know what kind of excessive expectations people hold for the bloodline of a Hero.”

Still.

“…But I don’t know if that’s enough reason for that child to grow up so dark.”

“That is….”

Not knowing what to say, Patina simply tilted her glass for a while.

“By the way, did you know about this?”

“…Please tell me.”

“About Kariel.”

Alessia remained silent for a long time after that.

As if she were deliberating whether it was right to bring this up.

…She looked as though she were thinking deeply.

Patina grew anxious.

What fact had she discovered that made her hesitate so much?

No matter how much Kariel resented his father or others.

Patina knew well that he would not easily confide such things to anyone.

They had known each other for that long.

To the point where he was called gloomy and dismal, he had been quite passive in interacting with others.

“…….”

When they were children, he had been the complete opposite of her.

Had he changed?

Or had the world’s treatment of him changed?

The Princess had lightly mentioned the possibility of external pressure they couldn’t perceive, or some magical effect, or malicious trickery.

Could it really be something so vague….

“He said he was cursed by the Demon King.”

And so.

The moment those words were spoken.

Patina snapped out of her thoughts.

Wondering if she had misheard something.

She stared blankly for a while.

“…Pardon?”

“You didn’t hear me?”

“No… wait. I was thinking about something else… I think I misheard you.”

“Then you probably heard correctly.”

That couldn’t be.

“He said he was cursed by the Demon King. Then he self-deprecatingly said he had colluded with the Demon King. When I first heard it, I thought I’d misheard too.”

Alessia let out a laugh, sounding somewhat vacant.

“So he told me not to get involved with him because it would lead to unhappiness. That’s the kind of curse it is. Isn’t that a very unkind explanation for someone trying to persuade another? Huh?”

“That… that can’t… be. You must have… misheard something….”

“Patina.”

Alessia spoke in a resigned tone.

“If you and the Heroes didn’t know… I think this is a very serious problem.”

“…….”

“You said you were family? That you thought of him as a younger brother?”

Then why….

“Why did you do nothing until he was driven to such a state?”

“…….”

Her head spun.

What had she just heard?

Had she misheard?

Was she perhaps having a nightmare?

Of all the possibilities in the world….

Why does the existence of the Demon King surface?

Wasn’t that a problem that had already been settled?

‘Could it be.’

As the Princess pointed out.

What if all the injustices that happened to Kariel were, in fact, related to the Demon King’s Curse?

“…….”

Then when did Kariel find out?

The thought made her skin crawl.

Before she knew it, her back was drenched in sweat, but without time to realize it.

“You didn’t know? Really? Why am I the first to… ah, right. I’m the first person to hear that fact directly from his own mouth.”

What on earth….

“……How perplexing.”

Alessia felt the strength leave her as she realized that something more shocking, absurd, and ridiculous could happen again.

To think she didn’t even have the energy to drink. This was a new feeling.

“If this fact reaches the capital, there will be an absolute uproar, won’t there?”

“…….”

“Kariel probably left quietly because he had no intention of shouting it from the rooftops. He didn’t seem like the type to easily reveal his inner thoughts to others.”

But still.

“…Was I too late again?”

“It’s not your fault, Sister… not at all.”

“Then whose fault is it?”

It was lamentable.

A sigh escaped her lips.

“It must be my fault.”

She should have tried harder to understand him.

Even if the Demon King’s Curse had led his mind and judgment astray.

…She should not have been swept up in it.

She should have looked after Kariel more, tried to understand him more.

…She should have put in even a little more effort.

“I don’t know the full details either. I’m only telling you what I heard.”

As she spoke, Alessia seemed to be suppressing her anger even amidst her resignation.

“I respect Lady Ermina and Lord Lueld. And the other Heroes, of course.”

Because it was an undeniable fact that they had saved her.

In fact, the reason she received all that education and became a Saintess was part of that.

“But if I see their faces again, I feel like I might accidentally unleash a torrent of curses. I can’t even judge whether that would be right or wrong.”

“…Sister.”

“I was lucky enough to stand shoulder to shoulder and back to back with you in several sectors.”

But you know.

“…It was so different from what you bragged about back then. Now that I think about it, your bragging was all about stories from the past you remembered, right?”

I should have noticed that was strange. I really was indifferent.

“To the extent that he gained various notoriety in the capital, he might have been quite vicious in the past I don’t know. Since I don’t know the past or the reality, I can’t make a definitive judgment. But no matter how much I think about it, I don’t think he could have been like that.”

So, let me ask you, since you know him well.

“Kariel—not the old days you remember, but the recent past—how was he? Did he commit acts so vicious that he deserved such criticism?”

“I….”

She didn’t know for sure.

However, the children and descendants of Heroes were always swept up in all sorts of slander.

She herself had been pushed into all kinds of criticism under the guise of being looked after by the Hero.

After all, the people of the world were the type to praise the Hero to their face but curse them behind their backs.

She didn’t believe everyone suffered from such malice.

However, she knew well that humans were by no means purely good beings.

Embracing such evil and moving forward, making even such people understand.

That is the correct guidance, leadership, and a good deed.

…Hadn’t they always said so?

That in the end, everyone would acknowledge it.

That is how great goodwill and justice are achieved.

The words Lueld and Ermina had spoken were a clear fact.

The fact that Patina herself had become the pride and boast of the Empire was proof and evidence of that, was it not?

So, Kariel could have been like that too.

……Was I swept away by a vague delusion?

He and I were certainly different.

Suddenly, she remembered the boy who looked at her with lonely eyes before turning away.

Now that she thought about it, that child really….

From some point on, he had stopped paying attention to her.

She was the one who had initiated the conversation.

Even that was based on one-sided expectations and.

Somewhat one-sided…….

“He seemed to have guessed that you all would follow him.”

“…….”

“Do what you want. I don’t know anymore. Beyond being troubled, I feel like my heart is about to shatter… I need to swallow this… anger? sadness? anyway, I need to digest this to feel like I can survive a bit longer.”

So, is there anything else you want to ask?

“…….”

There were many things she wanted to ask.

But looking at those empty eyes and that exhausted face.

She couldn’t bring herself to ask anything candidly.

Moreover.

Patina herself felt as if her chest were being poked by something sharp.

Suddenly, it hurt.

As if something were leaking out through those poked gaps.

Her strength vanished.

As if her heart had become completely empty.

“…You’re in a sorry state too.”

By this point, Alessia didn’t even feel like resenting or being angry.

A lost little lamb.

A little lamb who believed they were running hard without even knowing they were wandering, only to realize they were lost.

Is that why?

…Because she looked truly confused.

It’s hard to pour out curses when someone looks like that, isn’t it?

“Enough, just drink.”

Alcohol is truly wonderful.

As you drink, everything becomes peaceful, forgotten, and a smile naturally forms.

Of course.

That isn’t always the case.

When sadness and rage become so bloated and massive that they are hard to express in words.

It actually made her more vicious than usual.

She thought she could let it flow away and wash it off with alcohol, but not at all.

Rather, it was like stuffing all sorts of filth and trash into a narrow warehouse, piling up debts in the depths of the soul or the unconscious.

“Haa.”

At times like this, one should get some sleep.

Even though her mind was hazy with intoxication.

Why did that scene come back so vividly, as if it had just happened?

Her mind was too clear, making it seem impossible to fall asleep.

‘Was it that shocking?’

She lifted the cask and tilted it, but only droplets fell.

Even after tilting it for a long time, the amount remained infinitely insufficient.

Alessia considered throwing the cask away but ultimately set it down gently.

It seems I liked that fellow more than I thought, much more, much more…….

Than I realized.