120 - An Unforgivable Relationship
Ray continued to run at full speed toward Anfang. He wasn't just running; he was releasing scouting crows to check the situation ahead. It was a success. As he drew quite close to his destination, he captured a sight. He discovered that the Royal Guard was advancing toward Anfang.
Ray agonized over whether to head toward that military column or proceed to Anfang. In the end, he decided to arrive at Anfang first and hide within the mansion where Princess Ekaterina lived. It was not desirable to go meet the King in a place where the Royal Guard was present. Furthermore, there was no point in meeting the King when he didn't know if the information he had been given was true. Regardless of the truth, the King would likely deny it.
Ray hurried forward, but there was someone who obstructed him.
A dagger plunged into the ground in front of him. He lightly jumped to avoid it and dove behind the cover of a tree. He drove his fist with all his might into the stomach of the man hiding there.
"Guh...!"
The man collapsed to the ground from that single blow. Ray then leaped onto the tree the man had been hiding in, ran across the branches, and jumped to the next tree. Then to another.
Just as another man moved to pursue him...
"N-no way..."
Ray was already behind him.
"Who are you? Give me your name if you don't want to die."
He threatened the man, pressing a sword against his back.
"..."
"If you won't talk, I'll ask the others."
Ray knew that there weren't just two people lying in ambush. There were probably very few people in this entire world capable of hiding their presence from him.
"...I will explain. So calm down."
"...The Head."
The voice belonged to the Head of Intelligence. Ray recognized it immediately.
"Magic tools don't work either, huh? How do you erase your presence from me? Tell me."
Mere skill as a spy was not enough to fool Ray. Knowing this, the Head had also used concealment magic tools, but they had failed to produce any effect.
"I cannot possibly reveal my own weapons. Now then? What is the meaning of this?"
"That's what I want to ask. What did you come here for?"
"...Where is His Majesty heading?"
"You should know. He is going to see the Princess."
The conversation was slightly out of sync. Ray judged that the Head wasn't playing dumb. He didn't sense that. While he couldn't let his guard down around the Head, he felt something was different.
"Just to see her? Is there no other purpose?"
"...I see. In other words, you were told something by the Crown Prince that made you think so?"
"You know about it?"
"Due to certain circumstances... there's no point in hiding it. The Crown Prince plotted the assassination of the Captain of the Royal Guard."
"Excuse me?"
Why would he try to kill the Captain of the Royal Guard, with whom he had a long-standing relationship? Ray couldn't understand the reason at all from this alone.
"Whether it succeeded or failed is unknown at this point."
"...Probably a failure."
After thinking for a moment, Ray judged it a failure.
"Why do you think so?"
The Head thought the same. However, that was because he had circumstantial evidence. He was curious why Ray had judged it a failure based solely on the current conversation.
"The fact that you're saying this means you can see the desperation of failure in Crown Prince Neil. He himself isn't moving. Was it the pages?"
"That's right."
"In other words, he couldn't kill him on the spot. He let him escape. And no body has been found."
"You believe he's alive based on that alone?"
There was a possibility that the body simply hadn't been found. It wasn't enough reason to conclude he was alive.
"The underground organization the Captain of the Royal Guard possesses. Don't you think he's being sheltered there?"
"...Damn. How could I. The ones used in the attack on the Princess... there are others, aren't there?"
The perpetrators of the attack on Princess Ekaterina were fallen knights. And the mastermind was the Captain of the Knights. He had known this, yet he hadn't realized until now that the Captain of the Royal Guard still harbored such people. The Head felt ashamed of his lapse.
"I haven't investigated. But I think it's doubtful that those were all of them. Even if they were, I think it's more likely he continued building the organization. Though, as for whether he's alive, that's only if his injuries were treatable."
Since it wasn't even clear if he was being sheltered, Ray couldn't definitively say he was alive either.
"If the injuries were severe, it's more likely he would have been found somewhere not far from the scene."
"Surely... so? How does that connect to the current situation?"
To be honest, Ray didn't care whether the Captain of the Royal Guard was alive or dead. He was an opponent Ray had thought about killing if the opportunity ever arose.
"Yes. The indirect talk has gone on too long. While investigating that incident, I was searching the pages and the slums, which are the pages' family homes. Then I caught wind of slums residents leaving the royal capital and heading north."
"...And if you'd let them swim, they would have reached Nordende."
"I thought the Crown Prince might be plotting something sinister again. I captured the person, but they knew nothing other than the fact that the letter was addressed to you. They were apparently told absolutely not to look inside."
"...And that's why you're doing this to me?"
If he suspected the Crown Prince's plot, why take this kind of action against him? The Head's story was strange.
"It couldn't be helped. If it's Nordende, the opponent is you. While staying alert with that thought, I caught wind of a person who looked like you moving. But I didn't know the purpose. Even if I wanted to ask, my subordinates couldn't catch up to you. I had no choice but to ambush you, right?"
"Ah... I see."
Ray also knew that someone was transmitting something. Smoke signals or sounds couldn't be made so that only the intended recipient could see or hear them.
"Now then? Your turn to explain. What are you trying to do?"
"...I was told that His Majesty is trying to kill the Princess."
Thinking that the conversation wouldn't progress like this, Ray stopped hiding the content he had been told.
"What? The Crown Prince said such a thing?"
It was outside the Head's expectations. He doubted the sanity of Crown Prince Neil for telling Ray such an outlandish lie.
"The truth?"
"There's no way such a thing could happen. His Majesty cares for the Princess very deeply."
"I know that. But for the sake of the country, wouldn't he sacrifice her?"
"There is no reason to be driven that far."
He didn't deny the possibility. As a King, to protect the country, there might be times when he had to harden his heart. But right now, that wasn't necessary.
"What if the father of the child were discovered?"
"...Is that so?"
"No, I'm the one asking."
"I know nothing of such a thing. I don't know. It hasn't reached His Majesty's ears either."
"I see..."
How should he take the Head's words? The King had no motive to kill his daughter. Provided the Head wasn't lying. He didn't sense any sign of lying. But he wondered if it was okay to trust his intuition alone.
"...Hearing that, it's even more impossible to let you proceed."
Hearing Ray's story, the Head reaffirmed that the discovery of the child's identity would cause a tremendous problem. If that were the case, he couldn't let Ray get close to Princess Ekaterina.
"I wouldn't have intended to go see her if not for this story."
"It's a lie from the Crown Prince."
"Why would the Crown Prince tell such a lie?"
"...I don't know that, but the relationship between His Majesty and the Crown Prince isn't very good. I think it will improve a bit once the Prince becomes a bit more mature."
The Head knew the emotional disconnect between the two. While reporting on the Crown Prince, he had often heard the King's complaints.
"Are you thinking that he tricked me into trying to have His Majesty killed?"
"...I can't deny the possibility."
"...His Majesty should try to get to know the Crown Prince better. Then he would understand the reason why the relationship isn't working."
Crown Prince Neil interacted with the King while faking his personality. The only people he could be himself around were the pages. Ray knew this. He had been told.
"There is something, isn't there?"
"I cannot say what it is. But... if His Majesty could interact with him not as a King but as a father, regardless of everything else, just from the position of a parent... I'm not the Crown Prince, so I don't know."
He couldn't say that knowing the truth would improve their relationship. There was a possibility it would get worse. If he viewed Crown Prince Neil as royalty, as the future King, that would surely happen. But if he thought only of his happiness, he had to hope for that possibility.
"...I see. At least it's not a motive to harm His Majesty?"
"It isn't."
For now. Depending on the King's attitude when he learned the truth, the situation might change.
"Understood. I cannot keep His Majesty completely in the dark. I'll ask you to make an effort to clear up the misunderstanding."
"...The Princess must absolutely—"
"Absolutely. I guarantee it with my life. Please believe me."
"...I understand."
The emotions of the Head as he spoke those words were easy to read. Ray felt it was okay to believe him.
"Anything to convey? If you don't show yourself, no one will know."
"...No, there is, ah, that's right."
Remembering something, Ray reached into his shadow. What he pulled out was a sword, though it was a very short one.
"Convenient."
The Head seemed more interested in the Shadow Storage than the sword.
"Well. But for some users, it's just enough to avoid carrying a leather bag. It's a convenience possible only because I'm a member of the Demon Race with strong magic power."
"I see... and that sword?"
"Please give it to the Princess's child. Just say it's a gift from His Majesty."
Ray didn't say "to my child." He had decided to erase that consciousness. Furthermore, he would absolutely never put it into words.
"Is that alright?"
"Yes. As for this sword, please let the child be the first to draw it from the scabbard. By doing so, it will become impossible to cut the person themselves. Or anyone they don't direct hostility toward. But it's only that the blade won't cut, so it will still hurt if swung hard."
"...Convenient."
"They're still small. I can't give them something dangerous."
"I suppose."
The knowledge of magic possessed by the Demon Race was far beyond that of the Human Race. The Head was reminded of that once again.
"Then, I'll be going back..."
"No need to worry. I will not lie about this. I can't afford to die over something like this."
"I'm sure your subordinates feel the same. Then, I hope the day we meet next is far in the future."
"Yeah."
The end was a threat. Ray was saying that if Princess Ekaterina were to be killed, he would kill not only the Head but all the spies in the organization. And he would do it swiftly. The Head had no need to fear. Such a thing would not happen. It must not happen.
◇◇◇
The King arrived at Anfang. He immediately met with Princess Ekaterina, but an awkward silence continued. Princess Ekaterina didn't say a word, only glaring at the King. The King hadn't expected such a reaction.
"...You can let me see him, can't you?"
"I don't think it's necessary to let you."
"I just want to see my grandson's face."
"Despite not acknowledging him as your grandson."
He tried again, but the result was the same. Princess Ekaterina would not let him see the grandson. She suspected the King was plotting something.
"I came all this way specifically to see him."
"I didn't ask you to."
"Ekaterina."
"Don't call me so familiarly."
Princess Ekaterina was completely unreceptive. In the end, she was acting spoiled toward her father. If she truly intended to sever ties, she wouldn't be able to defy the King.
"...I brought a gift."
"I won't be lured by things."
"Not for you. It's a gift for my son."
"...What is it?"
He had gone to the trouble of preparing a gift for the child. Knowing that, Princess Ekaterina became a bit more willing to listen.
"A sword."
"Rainheart is still small, you know?"
"It's fine. Apparently, it's made so that the owner cannot be cut."
"...What does that mean?"
Princess Ekaterina didn't understand the King's explanation. Even without knowledge of swords, she knew that wasn't normal.
"If you want to know, let me see him. Apparently, the owner must be the first to draw the sword from the scabbard."
"..."
Princess Ekaterina glared at her father again with half-closed eyes.
"It's not a lie. Apparently, it's really that kind of sword."
"...Fine."
Princess Ekaterina finally felt like letting him see the child. She stood up from her chair and stood in front of a wardrobe in the room. The King thought the child was hidden in such a place, but that thought was naive. Princess Ekaterina took out dresses hanging inside the wardrobe one after another and threw them on the floor. Once a significant gap was created, just as he thought she was reaching deep inside to do something...
"What?"
The door of another wardrobe opened, and Miria, holding Rainheart, emerged through the dresses.
"What kind of trick is this?"
"It's a secret. Now, where is the gift?"
"Ah. Bring it here!"
The one who entered the room in response to the King's voice was the Head. A short sword was gripped in his hand.
"Here it is. I have the scabbard, so please do it slowly—though perhaps that's impossible. Please be careful not to get hurt."
The one who had to be careful wasn't Rainheart, but Miria. Telling Rainheart wouldn't work. He didn't even know if the child would draw the sword. But that worry was unnecessary. Rainheart gripped the hilt of the offered sword and drew it with ease.
"Hm?"
Rainheart looked at the black-glinting sword with curiosity.
"Is that really unable to cut?"
Princess Ekaterina seemed anxious that Rainheart might get hurt.
"We cannot test it, but it should be fine. No parent wants to hurt their son."
"But... eh?"
Princess Ekaterina noticed that the Head's explanation was strange.
"You may leave. Leave the scabbard behind."
Seeing Princess Ekaterina's reaction, the King ordered the Head to withdraw. The King also realized that the Head had said something unnecessary.
"Understood. Then, the scabbard. Ah, I forgot. Apparently, it cannot cut not only the owner but also anyone toward whom no hostility is directed."
"Hey?"
The Head had intentionally not mentioned this. Even to the King.
"Excuse me."
Ignoring the King's retort, the Head left the room. What he wanted to convey had been conveyed. There was no longer any need to remain in the room.
"...This sword?"
"It's a gift from me."
"I see. Thank you."
The King went out of his way to insist it was from himself. With that, Princess Ekaterina became certain. The Head hadn't misspoke. This was a gift from father to son.
"Can it really not cut?"
In truth, the King was also anxious.
"Miria. Try getting cut."
"Huh?"
Here came one of Princess Ekaterina's unreasonable requests. Though she didn't feel she was asking for anything unreasonable at all.
"He said it can't cut anyone toward whom no hostility is directed."
"I heard that, but..."
"Eh? Do you perhaps lack confidence?"
"No, I have it. It's fine."
She didn't want to be thought of as being hated by Rainheart. In reality, she wasn't hated, presumably.
"Now, Lord Rainheart. I shall be your opponent. It's Miria, who is always kind to you, who is the opponent."
Miria stood before Rainheart, appealing to her own kindness. Toward that Miria...
"...Yah!"
With that shout, Rainheart swung the sword.
"...O-ow."
"Eh!? Are you okay!?"
Seeing Miria in pain, Princess Ekaterina panicked. She had believed that if it was something Ray gave, it would absolutely be fine.
"...Ah, no, I'm fine. It hit my shin, so it was just more painful than expected."
"It didn't cut, right?"
"Yes."
"Thank goodness... On the contrary, I wonder if it can actually cut."
She wondered if it couldn't cut regardless of hostility. However, that was something she couldn't test.
"It's fine if it doesn't cut. He's still at an age where a toy is sufficient."
"I suppose... Did you meet?"
"No, I didn't meet him this time."
The two spoke without mentioning who.
"This time?"
"...We've met several times. That's part of the reason I came here."
"I see..."
What kind of stories were there about Ray? When it came to stories from her father, only anxiety welled up.
"I cannot let you meet. As long as you are a Princess. Even within the territory."
"...That sounds like you're saying you'll allow it if it's otherwise."
"I am saying that. However, in that case, you would be unable to meet anyone in this country."
"...I wonder what happened?"
The relationship with Ray must not be known. She understood that. But the restrictions her father spoke of were too severe. More than that, she didn't understand the reason he felt like allowing her to go to Ray.
"The fighting in the north has settled. The Demon King was defeated."
"...I see."
Princess Ekaterina didn't think this was a completely unrelated story. Ray was with that Demon King.
"However, it seems a new Demon King has been chosen. Ah, only a few people know this. Keep it a secret."
"..."
Princess Ekaterina wasn't so obtuse as to not understand what the King was trying to say. Ray had become the Demon King. She was lost for words at that fact.
"It's a troublesome thing. It's a saving grace that the new Demon King is not bellicose."
"...Will they still fight, I wonder?"
"Not for the time being. Now is the time to concentrate on foreign expeditions. The enemies are not only demons. Other countries will be more troublesome."
There would be no fight with demons for the time being. What he was concerned about was not the demons, but the humans. That is what the King was trying to convey.
"I see... Father."
"...What is it?"
"I'm sorry. Could you leave me alone for a bit? I seem to be tired."
"...Understood. You should rest a while."
The King noticed his daughter's agitation. The person she loved had become the Demon King. No human would be unaffected by that shock. The King knew she wasn't a daughter who wouldn't understand what that meant. The King stood up and headed for the exit.
"...Ekaterina. You are still fine. But the child... I want you to think carefully."
While he didn't want to allow Princess Ekaterina to act honestly according to her feelings, he thought he would give up. But was it okay to involve a child who didn't yet have the power to judge? The King conveyed that last point and left the room.
"Miria. You too."
"...Understood. Please leave Lord Rainheart to me."
"Yes."
Miria took Rainheart and left the room. Princess Ekaterina was left alone. Tears were spilling from her eyes.
"...Why... why... what... what should I do?"
She was confident that her feelings of love for Ray would not change in the future. Even if he became the Demon King. But as her father said, what about Rainheart? When he grew up as the son of the Demon King, what would Rainheart's future be? Would he inevitably become the Demon King too?
Would he be able to walk a happy life? She couldn't believe that he could. Even if things were settled now, conflict would arise again someday. At that time, Rainheart might have to fight against his mother's country.