episode_0219

Episode 219

“You are here, mother.”

Lord’s room. This is the room where we encountered James, who became a monster. Carmel was there, laying out all kinds of documents and looking through them.

It appears that they were investigating things related to Aila. The person who knows her best is none other than Carmel.

“Did you find out something?”

“No, nothing special yet. Even though he received support from the Marquis of Sesennes, he didn’t seem to have written a certificate or anything. Or maybe they got rid of it while dealing with the Marquis.”

“Hmm, I see.”

Carmel collected the laid out papers in order. It seemed like he decided there was nothing more to come out of this room.

“Aila said she headed to the Katerina Ruins. Does your mother know about that place too?”

“No… As I said before, this is the first time I’ve even heard the name Black Mountain Goat from you. There’s no way you know the base inside Lustier, right?”

“I guess so.”

Carmel turned her head and looked at me. Carmel asked after examining my complexion.

“You seem to be worried, Sarah.”

“…Does it look like that?”

“Okay. It’s written all over your face.”

No, that can’t be true. There’s no way you’d make the rookie mistake of showing your thoughts on your face…

Well, but there’s no need to hide it. Rather, it was likely that it would be faster to think about it together with Carmel.

“Yes, actually, that’s true. Rather than worry… I would say it’s closer to anxiety.”

“Anxiety? What is it?”

“It’s about Aila. Don’t you think it’s been so smooth while getting here?”

“Hmm…”

In fact, there were no obstacles. The soldiers of Sansenne were scarecrows, and the werewolf’s curse only slowed down their advance a little. Turning James into a monster was just a case of bad taste, and it was difficult to clean it up properly.

Ayla’s actions in Lurie gave the impression that she valued her own safety above all else. However, none of her actions after the military arrived in Seville were thorough.

“I still don’t understand Eila’s purpose. Actually, it is, right? Why was there a reason to play rebellion here with the Marquis of Sesennes? It would have been much more difficult to suddenly disappear…”

“It may have been for the purpose of gathering information, like it did in Lurie. To determine whether there are military forces and the means to counter his magic.”

“That makes some sense. But…”

I was about to reply that I didn’t think that would be the case, but then I closed my mouth. I don’t know much about Aila. I rather asked a question.

“Mother, what kind of person was Aila…?”

Carmel did not answer right away but thought for a moment. It seemed like he was bringing up memories from a long time ago.

“It was strict. He was a very strict person when it came to magic. Sometimes it was scary, sometimes it was kind. Before going to bed, I told him an old story. A story about the great witch, Enekra.”

“Are you saying it was normal?”

“Of course not. Those are the first episodes that come to mind. Because there is no way a person who teaches hatred to his or her child is normal. Yes, I think I was afraid of my mom at first too.”

There was a bit of longing in Carmel’s voice. It was a subtle nuance that anyone would naturally harbor when looking back on the past. But I was a little dissatisfied with that.

“Of course, after I outgrew my youth, I completely fell under Mystilia’s curse… so I completely agreed with Aila’s words. Hatred towards Lustier and worship towards Enekra.”

“When you saw the note saying you were going to the eternal forest… did you really think you were dead?”

“…Okay. Because it is no different from suicide.”

Carmel said calmly. Perhaps by then, he would have been completely immersed in Mystilia’s curse and would not have been able to feel human emotions such as sadness or loneliness.

Listening to Carmel, I felt the need to slightly revise my judgment about Aila. Aila willingly threw herself into danger to obtain the grimoire. It may be true that he is cautious, but he should be seen as the type of person who takes risks if there is such a return.

So what is the return that Aila hopes to obtain from this incident? At best, I felt that the information about the kingdom’s military power was completely unprofitable.

Of course, what Aila wants is Lustier’s destruction. Carmel, completed by her, and Mystilia, the essence of their hatred, were completely neutralized.

Also, they worship Enekra like an idol. I, who lifted Mystilia created by such a being, must be a very hateful being to them. He is even a legitimate heir of the Lustier royal family.

Considering these facts…

“…Ah.”

Something flashed through my mind.

It may be that not only Lustier’s goal of destruction is sacred to them, but also Enekra’s methodology.

One wicked woman and a twisted branch of mistletoe.

As a result, the kingdom is collapsing from within.

He may be thinking that this is the correct way to implement the curse of the great Enekra.

Two things are needed to rebuild a collapsed plan. One is, of course, to restore Mystilia, and the other is…

“What’s wrong? Even if something occurred to me…”

“This is my mother.”

“Huh?”

“What Aila wants… is you, Carmel, mother.”

“Me, me?”

“Think about it. The magic that formed Mystilia still remains inside my mother. Besides, how could she give up her position as the official queen and destroy the kingdom? Aela’s purpose is to keep the curse alive. By dragging us into their land and taking our mother into their hands.”

Carmel seemed to calmly gather her thoughts for a moment. He nodded and said as if it was plausible.

“Definitely… if it were my mom, maybe… Yes, it’s a possibility.”

Aila and I are at a point of symmetry with Carmel between us.

I saved Carmel from the curse. On the other hand, Aila denies everything and tries to bind Carmel to the curse again.

Just as I could never tolerate Aila’s goals, she would never have been able to tolerate what I did.

There is a high possibility that he is hiding more power than he has shown so far. If I lose to Aela, at least I won’t end up just becoming a werewolf.

“So, being in the Katerina Ruins is a trap? Anyway, the subjugation of Sejang is almost over. Isn’t it okay if I just return to the royal capital like this?”

“Of course, that is one way. But… I don’t want to do that.”

“Why?”

“Looking at objective power, it is clear that Aila is in a corner. What’s more, Aila doesn’t know that the ruse was discovered. This is an opportunity. An opportunity to definitely cut off the root of the problem. I caught it, but I have no intention of leaving it alone.”

Carmel’s expression as she listened to me was strangely dark. Carmel, who seemed a little hesitant, spoke cautiously.

“Do you have to do that?”

“Yes?”

“It may definitely be a chance… but it doesn’t mean there is absolutely no chance of losing. Wouldn’t it be better… to return safely to the royal capital?”

It’s not like Carmel. This is not Carmel-like at all.

Therefore, I had no choice but to doubt Carmel’s intentions.

“Mother, do you still have some affection for Aila?”

“Uh, huh?”

“If that’s not the case, then why… Aila will continue to target her mother? Next time I might take a much more threatening approach than this time. There’s no way you wouldn’t know that…”

There, Carmel momentarily avoided my eyes. I immediately knew that Carmel was hiding something.

I felt my heart getting a little stronger and grabbed Carmel’s shoulder.

“Look straight into my eyes, mother.”

“…Ugh…”

Carmel’s eyes are focused directly on mine. I could still tell from those eyes that there was something Carmel couldn’t say.

“Please answer me, mother. What exactly did you mean by that comment? Please tell me everything without hiding anything.”

It seemed like I was politely urging him on, but in reality, I was also agitated. I wonder if the answer I’m imagining will come out of Carmel’s mouth.

Carmel spoke in a low voice.

“I’m worried… Yes, I’m afraid that you… might go wrong…”

“…Yes?”

“Aila… is a scary person… I don’t want to lose you… even if it’s just a chance… ”

Carmel faithfully followed my orders. Although he was blushing with embarrassment, he was looking straight into my eyes.

“Ah… Really? Well, if that’s the case… ah…”

Rather, it became difficult for me to look Carmel in the eyes. The anxiety in my heart completely disappeared as if it had been washed away.