Ch.104Chapter 104. A Glass of Champagne to Honor Your Achievement

Though not widely known, the coastline of the Zramun Archipelago was beautiful.

Even at dawn, the sea sparkled with the first rays of sunlight, and the pleasantly cool weather made it a perfect place for a stroll.

“Huff… huff…!”

Running lightly along this coastline was none other than the shield knight Rainfold.

“Sir Shield Knight!”

“Good morning, sir!”

The archipelago residents, already working in the early dawn, spotted him and greeted him cheerfully.

The golden-haired young man, waving with a bright smile, looked like a painting come to life to anyone who saw him.

After running until no one was in sight, he leaped up a towering coastal rock in a single bound, reaching its peak.

As he gazed down with satisfaction at the magnificent view before him, the Demon God spoke to him.

[When will the Imperial Princess arrive?]

‘It’s been four days since she departed, so it should be soon.’

[She’s traveling secretly without using teleportation magic circles, right?]

‘Why would you, who can observe the world more broadly than I can, need to ask such a question?’

[Just being cautious. Don’t mind it.]

Rainfold sat down on the edge of the rock.

The sea breeze pleasantly swept through his hair.

‘I’m still anxious. I’m not at all comfortable with sending the Imperial Princess alone.’

It was understandable why Rainfold would say this.

Moreover, when he had subtly suggested that she should go alone, her reaction had truly made the shield knight break into a cold sweat.

“Why should I go alone?”

“The matter is that urgent. You know this. The Holy Nation has been purified. By now, even the Saint must know everything…”

“Are you planning to abandon me and receive some sort of favor from that wench?!”

Rainfold wanted to wash his ears immediately, shocked both by a woman daring to interrupt him and by her use of such crude, archaic language he had never heard before.

“The Holy Nation has been purified, and Pope Agreus’s corruption has all been revealed. The Saint must know everything by now. Including the fact that the Alley no longer exists.”

“What can someone like her possibly do? A worthless woman who’s lost even the Holy Nation that was backing her?”

His head ached at her immature words.

Even without her backing, she was still the only being who could use holy power.

If she went around helping people and rallying public opinion, it would be no small headache.

“What could a simple-minded woman who only believes in her fists possibly try to do?”

This time, even Rainfold couldn’t refute her statement.

Having observed Arsil up close, he knew she focused only on the battle before her, lacking both a broader perspective and proactivity.

“Very well. The Saint is someone we can deal with quietly anyway. But the real problem is Duchess Airan Dekarrun.”

“My aunt? Aunt is my strongest ally. No one in the imperial palace is more loyal than her.”

“That was when Duchess Dekarrun was a soldier. Now she’s serving as your political proxy. She dares to handle the affairs of the Imperial Princess, the sole heir to the empire. She sits in a position far above her station, and if she takes all the credit for purifying the Holy Nation and receives congratulations from everyone, do you really think she’ll want to return to being a mere soldier?”

“My aunt, Duchess Dekarrun, is imperial blood, albeit from a branch family. Lord Rainfold, you should retract that statement and choose your words more carefully.”

When he subtly implied treason, Rinasien immediately hardened her expression and warned him.

As she responded sharply, deliberately addressing him formally with both title and honorific, Rainfold couldn’t understand why he always had to convince this foolish woman to proceed with their plans.

As an aside, if Rin had known Rainfold’s true thoughts, he would have laughed mockingly.

To Rin, who was bound by various shackles including Luci, a shield knight who couldn’t even properly handle Rinasien was nothing but a novice.

“Please read this.”

Rainfold handed her a letter he had received from a spy.

Rinasien took the letter with suspicious eyes.

However, as she read it line by line, the Imperial Princess’s expression grew increasingly grim.

“…What is this.”

“Have you received no news from your spies yet?”

Rinasien bit her lip tightly.

It had been a long time since she had heard from Ravin after he departed for the Holy Nation.

With reports of a goddess descending and a fierce battle with the Pope, the Imperial Princess had been waiting with some patience, but her anxiety had been growing with each passing day.

Finally, Rinasien had to reluctantly nod.

“Fine. I will go.”

“Please reclaim Your Highness’s rightful position and show both dignity and grace to those ungrateful ones.”

The painful recollection ended.

Rainfold sighed deeply and asked the Demon God with a glimmer of hope.

‘Sending the Imperial Princess was a rational decision, but the Imperial Princess herself is an irrational person. Wouldn’t it be better if you intervened directly, like the goddess in the Holy Nation incident…?’

[Oh, come on!]

The Demon God cried out as if having a fit as soon as he heard Rainfold’s words.

[It’s a proxy war! A proxy war! A proxy war fought through influence using our respective subject races! Proxy wars and causality are the rules of this world. The existence of rules means there are beings who created those rules!]

In fact, the Demon God had received many such requests from the Demon King as well.

At first, he had explained kindly and in detail, but after the count exceeded several dozen times, he felt like he was developing neurosis.

[If proxy wars hadn’t been established, I would have been finished by my sister’s hand long ago. Without causality, I couldn’t have dragged the situation this far with my luck and fortune! And all of this might be set up for someone’s entertainment. I’ve been walking a tightrope, deploying strategies and trapping my sister somehow. That’s why you, who wanted to become a guardian of balance, received my choice. So please stop bringing up that simple-minded nonsense. I’ve been suffering enough from the Demon King’s daily pestering!]

‘I understand. I misspoke. Please forgive me.’

[There won’t be a second time. Watch your words.]

The shield knight felt like he was talking to another Rinasien.

‘If I may ask, do you have any idea who created these rules?’

[I have one. Not that I know their identity, but I believe they exist.]

‘Can you tell me?’

[You know the World Postal Service, right?]

He couldn’t not know.

A group that casually uses the ultimate utility skill, the Art of Teleportation.

No one knows who runs it or who its leader is.

[They appeared at some point. A type of humans neither my sister nor I know about. I suspect that whoever controls them is one of those who established the rules.]

‘Hmm…’

Though there were many uncertain factors, it made sense.

[So whatever happens, don’t mess with the World Postal Service people.]

‘I’ll keep that in mind.’

[Hah… I’m still angry, damn it.]

But the shield knight had one last question to ask.

‘Since the Imperial Princess has departed, I should be leaving soon too. When will that be?’

[As soon as your exclusive item is completed, you’ll depart.]

‘But my body isn’t in perfect condition.’

[Hmph, you don’t need to worry about that.]

Surprisingly, the Demon God answered confidently.

Gone was the angry demeanor from earlier, replaced by a tone full of confidence.

[Your exclusive item is special. It can absorb power. You can use it to drain life force and magical energy to recover.]

‘Oh… I heard about it before, but it sounds like it will be a masterpiece surpassing any other exclusive item.’

[Of course! If it weren’t that good, I would have whipped it up quickly like my sister does.]

Then the Demon God hastily added one more thing.

[In that sense, the Porter must be captured alive. You absolutely must not kill him.]

‘The Porter…?’

Rainfold was increasingly uncomfortable with the attention Rin was receiving, especially since even Angria had called him an irregular.

[That guy should have fallen to corruption from negative emotions even before the Demon King was subjugated. And not just any demon, but a high-ranking one—a Demon Dragon Knight level.]

‘The mere Porter?!’

[Is there any reason to be surprised? Corruption isn’t a choice. What matters is how much negative emotion has consumed you. Even I can only create the conditions for corruption, not directly cause it. The total amount of negative emotion is what forges a demon’s rank.]

Rainfold let out a groan.

If it was the Porter he had observed throughout the Demon King subjugation journey, the sorrow and pain that Rainfold had witnessed beside him would indeed be enough to make him a Demon Dragon Knight and more.

Even the Demon Dragon Knights had said, when they first encountered him in this archipelago, that they would use him as a medium for the Demon King’s revival.

The Demon God had said it was just made up, but Rainfold suspected it wasn’t a complete lie.

Especially since it came from this Demon God, a master of deception.

[You have one job. Use the exclusive item to release the negative emotions sealed by my sister within the Porter, and when he becomes a demon, absorb that power over time. Then your link with me will become stronger, and you can truly become a guardian of balance.]

‘So that’s how it works.’

[Yes, that’s why the Porter must be kept alive.]

‘I understand.’

Though it felt suspicious, Rainfold decided to go along with it since it would become his foundation.

After all, once absorbed, the Porter would become nothing but a withered corpse, so he only needed to focus on securing him.

[Just wait a little longer. It’s almost complete.]

While the Demon God placated Rainfold, he secretly relished his sinister intentions.

[The game is over, Rin. From now on, it’s all-out war.]

—

Kaul Empire.

A grand banquet was being held at the imperial palace.

“Congratulations on the successful purification of the Holy Nation, Your Grace.”

“Baron Wilsten, thank you for coming despite being busy with your territory’s affairs.”

“I couldn’t miss celebrating this victory.”

“That’s reassuring to hear.”

It was a banquet to celebrate the successful purification of the Holy Nation.

This feast, personally hosted by Duchess Dekarrun, was significant in many ways.

The participation of great lords and influential figures from various regions was essentially a declaration of support for Airan.

Unlike the Imperial Princess, many central nobles had gradually turned to Airan, impressed by her proper handling of state affairs.

Her supporters were chatting merrily with her, while the ineffectual nobles loyal to the Imperial Princess gathered in a corner, casting envious glances.

As the atmosphere reached its peak, Airan raised her glass.

“To His Majesty the Emperor who granted us this occasion, and to all of you who have joined us! I shall personally offer a toast.”

Everyone quietly waited for the Duchess’s toast.

After surveying the gathering with a satisfied expression and deliberately taking her time, Airan finally spoke.

“Though I gave the orders, I am not the true hero behind the successful purification of the Holy Nation. It was the hero’s party. And also, although currently bedridden, the one who gave me permission…”

“It was I who granted that permission.”

Startled by the sudden intrusion, Airan hurriedly looked toward the entrance of the banquet hall.

“My father, His Majesty, has been unable to attend to state affairs for over a month due to his illness. I personally approved your request, Aunt.”

Platinum blonde hair like molten gold.

Sharp, refined features.

A form-fitting purple dress that emphasized her figure, making it clear to anyone that she was the true protagonist of this gathering.

“You did well indeed, Aunt.”

Rinasien, who had somehow appeared before Airan with a glass in hand, raised her voice to address the nobles in the hall, blocking the Duchess from view.

“All of this is due to His Majesty the Emperor’s grace, so I shall raise a glass to His Majesty.”

Someone immediately led the cheer, as if they had been waiting for this moment.

“To His Majesty the Emperor!”

Rinasien raised her glass in response.

And the nobles followed with their chorus.

“To His Majesty!”

After downing her wine in one gulp, Rinasien immediately approached Airan.

“Please drink, Aunt.”

The Imperial Princess smiled with extraordinary warmth as she personally poured champagne received from an attendant.

“So that I may then pour you a glass in honor of your achievements.”

On this day, at this gathering, Imperial Princess Rinasien Karrun terminated Duchess Dekarrun’s role as political proxy.