Ch.3712. Sacred Site? Pilgrimage?(3)

When the sun sets, darkness raises its head.

Even the heart of the Empire could not be an exception to this rule.

Nevertheless, there were places that kept their lights burning at this hour, though their purposes varied greatly.

And this was true even for the Imperial Palace, situated at the very center of the Empire’s heart.

There, not ordinary lamps but magical lights powered by mana stones illuminated the space.

And present in that place now were the Emperor and Empress.

Also among them was the Elven Archmage, Geornia Dei Adelweiss, who was both a mentor to the royal couple and their historical predecessor.

On a red sofa so soft that even a small body would sink deeply into it.

Geornia sat with her buttocks buried deep in the cushion, her upper body and arms reclining against the silver armrests.

Having removed her robe, she wore only form-fitting shorts and a top that covered her chest and neck.

Her snow-white skin contrasted starkly with her predominantly gray and gold attire.

Not only was she without a single blemish, but one might wonder if wrinkles even existed on her—everything about her was flawless, radiant, and refreshingly pristine.

Sitting with her bare feet and legs crossed, her posture exuded not just indolence but profound boredom.

However, despite her relaxed posture and expression,

Her eyes, lush with verdant hues, betrayed something unsettling.

Her hair, which seemed surprisingly long now that it wasn’t hidden by her robe, not only filled the entire backrest of the sofa but spilled over, extending beyond it. She idly combed through it with her fingers as she asked:

“Why isn’t Lueld here?”

“He said he had an urgent matter to attend to.”

“…You didn’t order him away?”

She was bold even before the Emperor.

And both the Emperor and Empress accepted this naturally, without reproach.

“Do I seem like the kind of person who would calmly tell such lies?”

“That’s what makes you even more detestable.”

Geornia grimaced as if tasting something bitter.

“First, Mel and I discussed what might have happened to Kariel.”

The first possibility is that he saw a demon and became connected to it.

“Second, that some artifact drew the child in. Third… that someone guided him there with specific intentions.”

“…Your conjectures aren’t far off.”

“Don’t you think the child might have been greedy and targeted the treasury?”

“…How could that be possible?”

The Emperor answered without a moment’s hesitation.

“Is that so?”

“And among our speculations is that either Kariel was hiding his power, or that he originally had no power but gained it through this incident. This also aligns with what you mentioned earlier.”

“Why make it so complicated? Just conclude that he made a contract with a demon and gained power. What else could it be? Would you rather believe an angel bestowed power upon him? Or perhaps some ancient ancestor of your imperial family thought you were all like bloated toads and gave power to Kariel instead? Does that make any sense?”

“……”

Geornia’s tone gradually revealed her unmistakable displeasure.

“I know you didn’t call me here to place blame. So, the emotions I’m showing now have nothing to do with this matter. Don’t misunderstand that.”

“…I know. You don’t need to say it.”

The Emperor readily accepted her discontent and irritation.

The Empress’s dark eyes trembled with anxiety beside him, but the Emperor dispelled her unease with a single glance.

“My daughter, Elhermina, mentioned this question to us. So, I wanted to ask, and I judged that only you, our mentor, or someone above you could give us a proper answer.”

“…Speak.”

For a moment, an awkward silence descended.

Why is he beating around the bush like this?

As Geornia’s expression gradually soured with impatience:

“Could it be that Kariel is under some special curse? And if it’s so rare and unique that most wouldn’t notice…”

“Wait. What’s that? Are you suspecting us?”

“No. Please calm down and hear me out.”

“……”

Geornia, who had been leaning forward, deliberately straightened her posture.

“Our speculation is that perhaps during the connection with the World Tree, he took on some ancient curse or calamity.”

“How is that different from blaming us?!”

“Even if it was unintentional?”

“What’s the basis for this speculation?”

“…That’s what we’re trying to piece together now.”

“Is this bastard playing games?! Trying to gloss over things like that?!”

“…This isn’t my speculation but Elhermina’s.”

“Oh, how wonderful.”

Nevertheless, finding it somewhat convincing, Geornia tried to calm herself despite her outburst.

“So that’s why his reputation was absolute garbage both among you and within the system? I’m curious what kind of damned curse could have made that possible?”

“…If it’s not that, then that’s a problem in itself.”

It might seem like an unrealistic delusion.

However.

Elhermina confessed that she felt a strong sense of dissonance.

And she only realized it after Kariel had left.

The reason she was particularly suspicious about this point was…

“Ah, you’re here?”

Geornia looked toward the door.

Then.

A knock was heard.

The elderly gentleman who served as the imperial chamberlain entered and announced the visitor with a calm smile.

“Hameren Ruslev Eiha, Your Majesties.”

“Ruslev…”

He recalled that one of the southern nations that perished during the Demon King’s invasion had used that name.

“A descendant of a fallen nation.”

A girl born between an elf and a half-elf.

“Hmm…”

The Emperor expressed his condolences with a troubled expression.

Hameren lightly returned the courtesy to show her gratitude.

“So, tell us clearly what you’ve heard. Don’t leave anything out.”

…At least her manner of speech has returned.

Hameren felt a twinge of skepticism at having to find reassurance in such a trivial detail.

However, such petty emotions weren’t important right now.

“The content might be a bit lengthy. Is that alright?”

“Summarize. If I’m curious, I’ll ask for more details, so give me the summary.”

“The decisive cause of Kariel’s reputation deterioration was that he allegedly contributed to ostracizing a girl, helped in despising and expelling commoners…”

“What? Hey! Hey! Wait! Shut up for a second. What kind of toad-belch nonsense am I hearing? Did I hear that correctly?”

At this point,

Geornia turned her gaze back to the Emperor and Empress.

“Please listen to the end. It was later proven to be a misunderstanding, but…”

“Bad rumors spread everywhere, ruining his image, and that alone was enough to firmly brand him as villainous?”

“…That’s exactly right.”

“Is that all?”

“Lack of ability, substandard performance, rock-bottom social adaptation skills, associating with unsavory individuals, lurking in back alleys, reaching into illegal activities…”

“Where did you hear such absurd claims? Are you sure you’re not confusing Kariel with some poisonous mushroom of a person, someone with the same name?”

“…Surprisingly, all of this is about Kariel Brendiar. The Kariel we know.”

“…Did the entire Empire collectively drink poison?”

“Recently, it’s said he enjoyed a dissolute lifestyle in the entertainment district every night, and the most recent rumor is that he caused a violent incident, turning a teacher into a cripple and nearly beating the imperial prince and noble children to death, so he was effectively temporarily exiled under the pretext of a holy pilgrimage…”

“Exile? Did I hear that right? You people exiled Kariel?”

“No. Let me be absolutely clear… that is definitely not the case.”

“Then where is Kariel?”

“That’s…”

After opening and closing his mouth several times, the Emperor fell silent in the face of Geornia’s increasingly explosive tone.

“Just try mumbling that you don’t know where one mere child is. Quickly! Or what? Are you saying Kariel suddenly turned into some kind of poisonous mushroom or toad without our knowledge? Well, I don’t think that’s impossible, but is that it? Is that why you were asking about curses earlier? Because the child has gone completely mad and you can’t understand the reason or context? Huh? Is that it?!”

“Master. Please calm down.”

“Calm down? Let me tell you something. If this news reaches the wrong ears up the chain, it won’t end with just severing diplomatic relations. You know very well who’s been the reason we’ve been overlooking things and giving you our full support all this time, don’t you? What, do you think we’ve been cowering because Lueld threatened to cut down the World Tree?”

“The conversation isn’t over yet, is it? Confirm the facts first, then get angry or upset afterward.”

“…It seems you’re making a big misunderstanding, so let me say a few words.”

You see.

“Can’t you clearly picture what that kid has been through? Hameren! That misunderstanding or false accusation about ostracizing a girl and expelling commoners—when did that happen?”

“Five years ago.”

“You worthless toads! So all this time, that kid has been through all sorts of… No, but still… you must have believed in him, right? Lueld and Ermina aren’t stupid, so they must have tried to smooth things over somehow? Right?”

“……”

“…Why are you silent? Here, you should agree, say that of course you did. Why are you ominously closing your mouths?!”

By this point, Geornia was starting to feel dizzy.

What the hell.

She couldn’t understand these creatures’ thoughts at all.

Had the world’s values and ways of thinking changed while she wasn’t looking?

Or after the Demon King disappeared, had they all collectively gone insane?

Or was it really that something unavoidable happened and Kariel had become such a degenerate that even demons would avoid him?

“You people. What the hell have you been up to these past few years? And Kariel! Why can’t you find him?! Is that the best the Empire can do?! At least have the decency to say outright if you’re not even looking!”

It was then.

With a knock, the door opened.

“If it’s not impertinent, may I offer a word on that matter?”

Princess Elhermina entered the reception room with her characteristically indifferent face.