Chapter 138 - Episode 26: (Interlude: In the Royal Castle's Conference Room)
The King was looking down at the plaza from the window.
What he saw there was an impossible sight.
A dragon, flapping its demon-like wings, boldly alighting in the center of the Royal Capital. And riding that dragon were the arch-criminal, Violia Nico Fortesia, and... of all people, Chris Bay Clarino.
Thinking it couldn't be, the King immediately dispatched soldiers, but Violia Nico Fortesia's speech began before they could arrive.
...And in the midst of the arch-criminal's speech, the King came to know.
The horrifying conclusion that Chris Bay Clarino had been defeated and made into a slave.
"...To think that even the prodigy of House Clarino could not defeat that arch-criminal..."
The King immediately gathered the key figures and held a meeting. However, the only thing dominating the conference room was a heavy, oppressive atmosphere.
Everyone in the conference room already knew of Chris's end.
And... they were all afraid.
Violia Nico Fortesia was finally, clearly, setting out to destroy the nobles, and not just through a 'curse.'
They had realized that if they were targeted by that arch-criminal... they might end up being forced to show their shameful survival in a miserable way, just like Chris Bay Clarino.
...Until only half a year ago, Violia Nico Fortesia was nothing more than a 'curse.'
An existence that seemed to be there and yet not there. While ominous, there was no certainty that she was causing actual harm, and there was even a time when her very survival was doubted. Though they called the various misfortunes that befell the kingdom the 'Curse of Fortesia,' they didn't think it was the work of a single human.
...Now, she has become a great evil with a clear physical form, standing in their way under the banner of the 'Revolutionary Army.'
The things the daughter of Fortesia brings are no longer just a 'curse.'
The daughter of Fortesia surely intends to destroy this country.
Come to think of it, it even began to seem as if she had pulled the strings from behind to carry out some kind of maneuvering to ruin House Fruitier and House Hornbone as well.
And... the King and the others already knew.
'There is no longer any way to stop Violia Nico Fortesia.'
"...What should we do? How can this country..."
"Father, please keep your wits about you."
"That's right, Father. Please stay strong..."
The princes and princesses comforted the King, but they, too, could see nothing but the end of this country. No matter how they struggled, they didn't feel they could escape the demonic clutches of Violia Nico Fortesia.
Is this the end?
Everyone in the conference room thought so.
"...Father. Then, how about... going into exile..."
Finally, the sixth princess, Scola, spoke up.
She, who was originally of a reserved personality, became even more reserved and prone to fear after being caught up in the slave incident... and that was precisely why her statement was so shocking.
"U-umu... however..."
"We cannot run from those people. If we are killed, or like Chris Bay Clarino-sama... made into slaves and forced to endure terrible things...!"
Princess Scola, who had mentioned exile—the final resort for the royal family—eventually began to shed tears, her voice trembling.
To that extent, the idea of 'being made into a slave' was a terrifying thing for her. From the perspective of Princess Scola, who had actually been fitted with a Slave Collar and subjected to outrages, the approaching future was nothing but terror. That was why, despite her reserved personality, she had resolved to speak during the meeting out of fear of 'falling into slavery.'
"Father... it is as Scola says. This country will likely no longer even be able to accept proper governance. Then we should be the ones to abandon this country!"
"That's right, Father. Fortunately, there are several friendly nations. If we go into exile there, even the Revolutionary Army surely won't pursue us."
Eventually, the other princes and princesses began to agree with Princess Scola's statement.
The King, hearing them, began to harden his resolve that exile might be the only way...
"Wait, Father. It would likely be futile even if we went into exile."
The one who spoke up as if to throw cold water on the idea was the seventh prince, Dactor.
"Violia Nico Fortesia's goal is not the overthrow of this country. Surely... it is revenge against us."
"House Fruitier, House Hornbone, and even House Clarino have already fallen. These three houses were those who were present in the throne room that day as witnesses to Violia Nico Fortesia's crimes, were they not?"
At the terrifying content Dactor began to speak of, the King wanted to cover his ears. However, his position as King would not allow such a thing.
The King could only nod back to Prince Dactor and urge him to continue.
"...Then we are next. House Orchesta must be her final target for revenge. And if it is her... even if we flee to the ends of the earth, she will surely pursue us."
"Th-that's impossible!? We only denounced a single young girl! Just for that, to destroy noble houses and even lay hands on this country... on us, the royal family... she's insane!"
"That's right! How can such a thing be allowed! We are royalty!? Even if she is the daughter of Fortesia, if she lives in this country, it is only natural that she follows our decisions! What revenge! Such a thing should not be permitted!"
"Pursue us to the ends of the earth!? T-to have such strong obsession... there's no way, there's no way that could be! Surely! Surely such a thing is!"
Looking around the buzzing conference room, the seventh prince, Dactor, bit his lip.
...The King knew.
That what the young and brilliant seventh prince, Dactor, was saying was likely correct.
It is easy to turn one's eyes away from reality like the other princes and princesses. However... the King, too, was beginning to see Violia Nico Fortesia's true intent.
Her motive was simple and clear to the point of being anti-climactic.
'Revenge.'
Of course, Violia Nico Fortesia is clearly continuing to cause a series of incidents that go far beyond mere revenge, but even so, the will within that arch-criminal's heart is likely just that one thing: 'revenge.'
The revolution is merely a pretext for it. Yes. Violia Nico Fortesia doesn't care about this country.
Even if the country collapses, even if the people die, she likely doesn't care.
She is simply, as if possessed by madness, trying to start a revolution for the sake of revenge. That is all there is to it.
"...Dactor."
"Yes."
The King spoke heavily and turned his gaze toward Dactor.
Suddenly, the buzzing conference room fell silent. Everyone turned their gaze toward the King and Dactor, waiting to see what the King's words would be... whether they would be 'It is impossible for Violia Nico Fortesia to pursue us to another country,' or 'We should indeed go into exile.'
And the King asked.
"If Violia Nico Fortesia will pursue us anywhere, do you have some plan? A plan where we don't go into exile, but can ensure our safety, and furthermore, maintain our honor and wait for restoration without being threatened by that evil arch-criminal... do you have such a plan?"
The King's words were likely something no one expected.
To still try to find hope at this stage. Even though the future of the royal family is on the verge of being severed by Violia Nico Fortesia.
...But Dactor said it.
"I do."
"Th-that is...!"
The conference room stirred.
Incredibly, Dactor said he had a 'plan to counter Violia Nico Fortesia.' Facing this desperate situation, Dactor had not yet lost hope!
"Speak, Dactor. What kind of plan is it?"
When the King turned his words toward Dactor with a glimmer of hope, Dactor answered boldly.
"We likely haven't lost the trust of the Cathedral yet. We chose to overlook the matter of the werewolves and prioritized the Cathedral's decision."
"Th-that is true, but...?"
"Then now is the time for the royal family to join hands with the Cathedral. The Cathedral, too, would want to avoid this country being swallowed by the flames of war. If we can secure the cooperation of the Cathedral, there is still hope of unifying the public will."
"We shall fight. We should not yield in a place like this! Now is the time, for the sake of this country, for the sake of the people... to fight Violia Nico Fortesia!"
The King was moved by Dactor's brave words.
As the King of the country, he shouldn't be thinking about exile. There are still things that can be done. Running away can come after that.
He would do everything possible, and if things became truly hopeless after that, then he would go into exile. If Violia Nico Fortesia pursued them then, they could think about what to do next at that time.
For now, just do what can be done.
"...I understand. I shall contact the Cathedral immediately."
The King instructed the ministers to contact the Cathedral. They had to start with what they could do immediately.
The princes and princesses stirred at the King's decision... but even they would understand the shame of running away from an enemy.
Life is precious, but honor is also precious. Then, it is simply a matter of taking measures to protect both.
Seeing off the vassals and nobles who immediately began to move, the King also prepared to leave the conference room.
It was then.
"...Father. If, by any chance, the cooperation with the Cathedral does not go well..."
Dactor called out hesitantly.
But seeing that anxious expression, the King shook his head.
"Do not think of such things. For now, think only of success. Is that clear?"
"...Yes."
Dactor seemed to have something more to say, but perhaps reconsidering at the King's words, he nodded cleanly, bowed, and left the conference room.