Ch.157Too Late. (2)

After sitting in the chair for a long time, Olivia shook her head.

Despairing wouldn’t change anything. If this was her “fate,” the best she could do was try something—anything—to avoid regrets later.

And if all else failed, perhaps she could get help from a quest like last time.

“That’s right, good thinking. Moping around doesn’t suit you.”

Aurelia said encouragingly as she puffed on her pipe.

“…What kind of person gives encouragement while smoking?”

Olivia muttered dryly, making Aurelia chuckle.

“If you’re jealous, have one yourself.”

As Olivia was about to leave the hut, Aurelia casually asked:

“Going back to your master already? Do you know where she is? If not, I could divine her location for you.”

Melina was probably staying in the Holy Kingdom. Although she hadn’t appeared in Asmodeus’s “mirror,” judging by her disciples’ presence there, that was likely correct.

“It’s fine. I roughly know where my master is. But will you stay here?”

“…I have some things to take care of.”

Olivia was about to ask what those things were but realized something and stopped.

Aurelia had taught a total of ten disciples. Even though they had never met face to face, their relationship wasn’t merely superficial. Despite the rampage being the cause, Aurelia must feel tremendous guilt for taking her disciples’ lives.

If not a full funeral, she would at least hold a memorial service.

Aurelia would probably join them after that.

“I’ll come when it’s time. The Saintess… she’s a good person, but we don’t really get along.”

Perhaps it would be even later than that.

Aurelia glanced sideways at the Serial Murderer.

“By the way, do you plan to keep dragging him around? He might be quiet now, but he’ll cause serious trouble someday.”

That was something Olivia had been considering too. No matter how strong the Serial Murderer was, his personality made cooperation with others virtually impossible. If he were to show his blood-soaked appearance in front of Livga…

The thought alone was horrifying.

“Leaving him with you is…”

“Are you crazy?”

Olivia clicked her tongue regretfully. Watching her, Aurelia smiled meaningfully and pulled a bottle from her clothes.

“Actually, I do have a way to make him a bit more docile…”

“What is it?”

The bottle contained an ominous magical potion.

“Elixir of Obedience. Of course, that psycho has excellent drug resistance, so the effect won’t be too dramatic… but at least he won’t easily disobey you. He’ll hesitate and waver each time he tries to act.”

Olivia asked, “How do I use it?”

“Imprint your magical energy on it, then make him drink it. Just so you know, if you give this to a normal person…”

Aurelia spread her arms with a “boom!” gesture and smiled.

Olivia wondered how Aurelia knew about the Serial Murderer’s drug resistance but didn’t ask. She quietly accepted the elixir and tucked it into her spatial storage.

Olivia immediately headed toward the exit of the Moon’s Magical Realm. Aurelia used her magical power to conceal their presence from prying eyes as she saw Olivia off.

Just as Olivia was about to take a step, Aurelia sent her a telepathic message:

[…One piece of advice. Don’t tell anyone you’re alive. The Golden Tower Master is your teacher so that can’t be helped, but it’s better if others remain unaware, like now.]

Olivia didn’t ask why. She understood better than anyone the impact her “survival” would have.

Some might rejoice briefly. But someone would try to punish those who had brought Olivia to that state, and it would eventually escalate into a major conflict.

‘The problem is that the parties involved are among the continent’s greatest powers.’

Just considering their individual positions, it wouldn’t be strange if war broke out.

‘…I need to meet Melina first.’

She needed to meet her and explain everything from the beginning.

*****

The Princess Palace.

Until six years ago, this was an unremarkable palace. With no advantage other than housing the Emperor’s only daughter, this place had now become a gateway for those seeking advancement.

And at the very top, a man and woman were conversing.

“Aria.”

“Yes, brother.”

“…Monsters are pouring out from the north, the Holy Kingdom has severed diplomatic relations with the Empire, and as the leader of the Eastern Alliance, they’re showing open hostility toward our Empire.”

“You’re well-informed.”

A smile of utter composure. The Crown Prince felt disgust at that smile. When had that once-pure child become so twisted? Why?

‘Perhaps she was always like this.’

He simply hadn’t known until now.

“In the north, hundreds of knights and soldiers are dying every day. It’s because the number of healing priests dispatched from the Holy Kingdom has significantly decreased. I hear… you’re involved in this matter.”

There was no need to ask who had told him such things. Aria’s brilliant mind immediately deduced the answer.

The Saintess Livga.

Aria mulled over those words. The Saintess had shown open hostility toward the Empire five years ago.

The very day Olivia was forcibly taken by the Great Demon Asmodeus.

From that day, all Light Order members in the Empire withdrew. Though they didn’t directly declare hostility, everyone knew the relationship between the Holy Kingdom and the Empire had soured.

It was a bitter situation, but unavoidable. Asmodeus’s intervention was like a natural disaster.

“Did the Saintess say so?”

There was no answer.

No, the silence itself was the answer to her question.

“Your Highness. You are gravely mistaken. Did you think I wouldn’t know about your contact with the Holy Kingdom’s spies?”

The Crown Prince froze.

“I knew and allowed it.”

“…”

Though her heart felt like it was being torn apart as she met her beloved brother’s sharp gaze, Aria didn’t show it.

‘…I’ve come too far to turn back.’

The Crown Prince’s eyes trembled. It was more shock from betrayal than anger.

“You… planned this from the beginning.”

Throwing the two princes into conflict while quietly building power behind the scenes. When the Second Prince’s support base, the Mage Association, collapsed due to Duke Kiel’s revelations, Aria’s dagger was already at the Crown Prince’s throat.

“I won’t deny it.”

Aria gave a bitter smile.

She hadn’t wanted to fight with her brothers. Both had the qualities of wise rulers and were talents who could revitalize the Empire in any era. But that wasn’t enough.

Not enough to face the coming destruction.

In the end, only she could do it.

“…Are you planning to wage war?”

“Since we never know what might happen in this world, shouldn’t we prepare in advance?”

“It sounds like you’re saying the Saintess will wage war.”

Aria turned her head to look out the window, toward the location of the Golden Tower.

“Surely not. No matter how much the Saintess dislikes me…”

Aria’s words were cut short.

Boom.

A sound from behind. The Crown Prince startled and turned around.

The imperial knights had collapsed powerlessly to the floor.

“W-what is this!”

The Crown Prince tried to draw the precious sword at his waist. He was the Empire’s Crown Prince. Though he couldn’t compare to the Sword Master Kiel, he possessed skills befitting a nation’s crown prince. The clear aura rising from his body was proof of that.

But.

Thud.

“Don’t draw it, brother.”

“…!”

“I don’t want to see you perish in vain.”

An invisible force firmly restrained the Crown Prince’s body.

“Y-you… Since when did you have such power…!”

“Rest assured, it’s not a deceitful power. It’s merely magic.”

Aria gave a bitter smile and formed a hand seal.

“Since the Crown Prince has nothing to do with me, may I send him back?”

She spoke as if addressing the empty air.

Though no answer came, Aria responded with a smile.

“Go, brother.”

“Who on earth are you talking to…!”

Flash!

As the Crown Prince was enveloped in light, his form gradually faded.

Realizing what this phenomenon meant, the Crown Prince’s face filled with shock.

‘Teleportation magic…!’

Space-based magic that moved not oneself but another person.

Aria was casually performing something that would be challenging for any mage except the Golden Tower Master.

“So you were alive after all.”

Aria bowed respectfully.

“Golden Tower Master, Melina Diviae.”