Chapter 129 - 2-11 Theodore's Perspective
"Theodore, thanks for today. I truly appreciate it. I heard the details from Rachel, but having you accompany her was the right call."
"No need for thanks. I learned quite a few things I wanted to know myself."
At Louis's request, I had spent the day observing the interaction between Lady Rachel and Prince Ricardo. It was a productive time. I finally grasped facts about the dark spirits that had eluded me until now.
"I've finally gotten closer to the mystery of the darkness, but there's still a lot even I didn't know. The more I learn, the deeper the mystery gets... I suppose."
"Yes. Darkness and light seem similar, yet they are completely different. Both have the power to manipulate time, but light is 'Sincerity and Compassion.' That power cannot harm others, even unconsciously. In contrast, darkness is 'Purity and Innocence.' Depending on how it's used, it can even kill..."
I was waiting in the next room, but I never said I wouldn't listen. Besides, that second prince likely knew I was listening and that the information would reach Louis.
"Louis, what do you think?"
"To be honest, it makes sense. The fact that the existence of darkness was erased in Dutoit. The fact that dark spirits were depicted as evil in fiction. And the fact that in Orta, they were deified yet kept secret from other nations. The Saints of Light and Darkness who existed simultaneously in the past when a single country split—it all connects back to three hundred years ago."
"Probably. To put it simply, they had a falling out."
"It must have been quite a fight to split a country in half."
Three hundred years is an incredibly long time to look back on. Too much time has passed. Still, conflicts between people always stem from pride, greed, or resentment. Often, all of them are tangled together. No matter how much the era changes or how much time passes, the seeds of conflict remain the same.
I let out a sigh and leaned back against the sofa, staring at the ceiling. I thought of her, exhausting herself with unfamiliar magic tools and powers she wasn't used to, trying her best to grow stronger.
Darkness is 'Purity and Innocence,' huh?
I think I understand why the Dark Spirit King chose her. Innocence is undeniably a virtue. To Louis, who is the poster child for 'suspicious and only trusts himself,' it must be especially striking. Of course, I've also been saved many times by the personality only Lady Rachel possesses—her straightforward words, thoughts, and eyes.
However, that straightforwardness can lead to ruin if one doesn't notice a mistake. That fragility might be the very nature of darkness. If she doesn't use her power with a full understanding of that, she could put herself in danger.
"So, where is Lady Rachel?"
"Resting in her room. She used a lot of magic today, so she must be tired."
"I see. It's only going to get busier from tomorrow."
Yes. The three-day festival finally begins tomorrow. Prince Ricardo will be busy, and it will be difficult to ask for lessons like today.
"Lady Rachel certainly has the talent and high magical power. But if you ask me if she can master it in a few days, I'd say it's unlikely."
"That's why you're here, isn't it?"
"Louis, what exactly do you think I am?"
"A superhuman, a genius, an outlier—the man who makes the impossible possible."
Louis smirked as he picked up his wine glass and took a sip.
Good grief. He always acts like I'm the one bringing him trouble, yet he pushes plenty of trouble onto me himself. I grumbled inwardly.
"Fine, fine. In exchange, I'm skipping as many festival events as possible."
"I know."
Louis nodded with a wry smile. I shifted my legs and took a defiant stance, saying, "I've got your word on that." Louis burst out laughing.
That alone seemed to lighten the air.
Well, if it's going to be a hassle anyway, I'd rather it be something interesting. It looks like things will get even busier tomorrow, but dealing with magic is ten times easier than dealing with social circles.
"So, you met the King and the first prince, right? Did you find anything out?"
"No, it's hard to say. But it doesn't look like the succession issue will be resolved anytime soon. The King himself doesn't seem very enthusiastic about naming a successor."
It seems Prince Faust, the first prince of Orta, was also present when Louis had his audience with the King today. Apparently, they wanted Lady Rachel to attend as well, but Louis managed to handle it.
Louis rested his chin in his hand with a troubled expression, thinking for a while before speaking heavily.
"But if the first prince is named Crown Prince, this country will surely rot. A King who only cares about his own grand throne. A Queen who blindly dotes on the first prince to avoid criticism. And a first prince who has grown used to being carried and has abandoned thinking for himself. The nobles will flock to him like bees to honey to use him as a puppet."
"It's a lost cause."
The future of a country where those at the top only think of themselves is already decided. They prioritized convenience and neglected the spirits who made them prosperous. As a result, they were abandoned by the spirits.
In a country that lives with spirits, will they only realize the future where the spirits are gone after it's too late? Or...
"The only hope is the second prince, who has the ability but has been treated coldly because of his birth. It's impressive he can sacrifice himself to change the situation in this mess."
"It's all for the people. We are given life by the country, and we have a duty to protect it. The ones who suffer first, before the nobles or royalty, are the individual citizens who are the foundation of the nation."
Ironically, the only one in Orta who can see the reality is the second prince, who was never wanted by anyone since he was a child. Prince Ricardo is overflowing with talent that blows away his poor environment. I'm almost surprised he didn't turn out twisted or wish for the country's destruction.
Ah, but maybe he has his one ally. It's possible that's thanks to the third prince, Prince Isaac. If a person has even one person who understands and stays by them, they can respond to that.
"I think you and Prince Ricardo are quite similar. So, what will you do? Will you help him?"
"Who knows. Ultimately, I am the Crown Prince of Dutoit. To protect my own country, I will sometimes make cold-blooded decisions."
In other words, if it's necessary to protect Dutoit, Lady Rachel... or anything else precious to him, he'll cooperate without hesitation. Is that it?
"I see. That's very like you, Louis. ...Well, I wonder who will move next."
In this palace where dark intentions are intricately intertwined, I just hope Lady Rachel doesn't get swallowed up by them.
When I close my eyes, her figure accompanied by light appears in the darkness. Letting out a deep sigh, I kept my eyes closed and let my thoughts wander for a while.
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