“Hmm… Has your majesty been defeated, then?”
“…To be precise, the one who has failed is not you, your majesty, but merely me. There is nothing that follows after that.”
After forcibly having Isis, who had been strongly opposing, escorted out, only the emperor and Selian remained in the audience chamber.
“Let’s leave that topic for now. Listening further would only dampen my spirits. I detest spoilers above all else.”
The emperor casually dismissed the subject they had been discussing until just before, and instead brought up a topic that sparked his interest.
“So, Selian. Is your purpose still to vanquish the Demon King?”
“…That is the role of a Hero.”
Since she was a child, this was the role she had been told about by her father, the head of the house, her gentle mother, her older brother who was five years her senior, and everyone around her.
“To be exact, you are still only a candidate for the Hero role. It would be wise to clarify this point. Remember that.”
“…Yes.”
“Then I’ll ask again. Is your purpose to vanquish the Demon King?”
“…”
It was the same question as before, but this time she could not answer.
“Hmm. Your purpose isn’t that. You simply wish to protect that child.”
And that silence was as good as an answer to the question.
“However… The child you so wish to protect will indeed set out to vanquish the Demon King, surely. And you will go with her.”
Selian’s delicate brows furrowed, and she glared fiercely at the emperor. Although this level of rudeness, which couldn’t be defended against even if she were dragged off to prison immediately, would normally be unforgivable, the emperor didn’t seem to care.
“My word, it seems like you’re ready to eat someone alive.”
As expected, while it was unclear what the emperor himself thought, Selian spoke, believing that they did not align well.
“…That will never happen. I won’t take her along.”
“Selian, candidate for Hero. Surely you know many things, don’t you? This includes something about my eyes. Aren’t you curious as to why I can make such a bold statement?”
As the emperor had said, Selian was already aware of the matter with his eyes. While the emperor’s insight was akin to seeing the future, it was not truly predictive.
Going to vanquish the Demon King was the most perilous undertaking in this world. Surely she wouldn’t take Alicia on such a dangerous journey.
Thus, the emperor’s prophecy-like words would never come true.
“The composition of the Hero’s party is entirely at the Hero’s discretion. My thoughts will not waver, so your words will not come true either.”
“Hmm… you are quite certain, aren’t you. As I am also confident, this disagreement calls for a wager. Such a contest could prove a delightful diversion.”
The emperor smiled as if he had discovered an entertaining toy and continued.
“What do you say? Will you accept the wager?”
“…It’s childish.”
“Hmph. What if it were childish? Just as you disregard others’ opinions, so do I. Ah! Could it be you lack confidence? Claiming you won’t bring her along suggests your resolve isn’t that strong, isn’t it? Or perhaps your feelings for her aren’t as deep as you claim.”
The emperor, losing all of his dignity, spoke in a voice akin to a gambler starting a betting ring in a back alley, taunting Selian.
And that childish taunt had an undeniable effect on Selian.
“Very well then. If your majesty insists, I will partake in your wager. My determination will not falter.”
“Good. Then it’s agreed. However, the most important element of a wager is missing— the stakes.”
The emperor made some thinking noises for a moment, then clapped his hands and spoke.
Despite the emperor’s theatrics making her brow furrow again, the emperor paid it no mind.
In fact, his mood only improved with her facial changes.
“What if we wager the child herself, since this is about her? If you win, I will allow you to have her. No matter what, even if it means overthrowing the empire.”
“…Alicia is not an object. Even someone of royal standing cannot insult her thusly.”
“Enough with the dull words. There’s only you and I here, after all.”
The tone was like coaxing a child.
“Yes. To be honest, your majesty’s offer is undeniably appealing. But just as my resolve won’t break, I won’t be swayed by desire. What I want, I shall achieve on my own.”
“Hmm… boring answer. Mr. Prentz would have found this more amusing.”
Once again realizing that she and the emperor did not suit each other.
“Anyway, we’ll roughly decide the stakes later, but for now, that will be all. Please leave for now. Next time, I hope to see a more interesting expression from you.”
The emperor shooed Selian out just as he had done with Alicia.
*
After confirming that Presia was asleep, I got up from my seat by the bedside.
However, since I was still lost, I could only struggle my way back to the room with the help of Presia’s dedicated maid for a moment.
Returning to my room…
I was a bit embarrassed by the looks from my dedicated maid, who seemed to have anticipated this, but there was no room for excuses, so I quietly read a book.
Knock knock.
Someone knocked while I had barely turned a few pages.
I turned the door handle myself instead of the maid waiting by the door and saw Selian standing in the corridor.
“Hey, come in.”
When I gestured for her to come in, she nodded lightly and came inside.
Once we were seated facing each other at the small round table, the maid waiting nearby quietly placed teacups before us and poured tea without a word.
“Speaking of which, Selian, you’ve just been talking with His Majesty, right?”
It had been a while since my conversation with the Emperor. Assuming Selian had been summoned after me, her discussion should also have concluded by now.
“Yes. The conversation just ended a while ago. Did His Majesty not say anything strange to you?”
Somewhere in her tone, there was an interrogative note, but I didn’t find it harsh because I sensed her concern for me.
As I recalled the conversation I had with the Emperor, there were no unusually peculiar conversations, only slightly startling ones.
“Uh, yes… Your Majesty granted me a baron title for some reason. Although it’s only in name.”
Lines appeared on her smooth features.
“Did His Majesty not mention anything else? For example, something about the Demon King…?”
I felt a twinge at her sharp question but decided to lie instead of honestly confessing.
For if I had confessed sincerely, she might have misunderstood me as trying to exploit her and myself for the Demon King conquest, solely to satisfy my greed.
Of course, even if I were indeed to embark on the Demon King conquest, the primary motivation is to support Selian rather than to fulfill my personal greed, but only time will tell.
“Not really, why? Did His Majesty say anything about me?”
“No. Never mind. It’s nothing. I just thought so because His Majesty and I discussed the Demon King.”
Certainly. As Selian is the sole Hero candidate now, the topic wasn’t out of place.
“Then, since you’ve also met His Majesty, has the purpose of the royal invitation ended?”
“…Likely.”
“Then, shall we go out?”
Looking at Selian’s slightly darker face than usual made me feel heavy-hearted. A smiling face suits her.
“I’ve never been to the capital before. If it’s your first time too, we can explore together. Otherwise, could you show me around?”
“Uh… I have been here a few times. I’m not sure if those stores I remember from before are still around, but it should be enough.”
Her furrowed brow smoothed out in response to my suggestion, and a slight smile crept onto her lips.
“Then, let’s stay here longer and make up for the days we left early from the Selian’s estate. What do you say?”
Well, it’s just a matter of changing the location from the Selian estate to the royal palace. Since the primary reason for staying at Selian’s estate was Selian herself, the location didn’t matter much.
We’ll go out like this, cheer Selian up, and pick up some snacks for Presia on the way.
“…Are you not thinking of someone else right now?”
Ouch!
