Chapter 31 : Millennium Height (5)

The current imperial crown prince was the First Prince, Orphin Eterno.

He maintained a friendly image, and thanks to that, Orphin was quite popular among the citizens of the empire.

He had already been selected as crown prince and was well-liked, so barring any unforeseen circumstances, it was almost certain that Orphin would ascend to the throne.

However, the world is full of variables.

There were two major variables in Orphin’s succession to the throne.

The Second Prince, Isaac Eterno, who had achieved great success in conflicts with the southern barbarians and enjoyed strong support from the southern army of the empire, and the Third Prince, Neoth Eterno, who had gained a unique magic at a young age and had the strong backing of the mages.

These two were the major variables.

Well, other princes might also be eyeing the throne with burning ambition, but the information known to the general public ended there.

Frankly speaking, the average person didn’t even know the names of any princes or princesses beyond the First, Second, and Third ones.

“Is it true that the Second Prince has obtained the Holy Grail?”

“The rumors are quite specific. Also, aside from me, other paladins are roaming the capital.”

“Hm.”

It had already been assumed that someone might own the Holy Grail.

While Leon had unconsciously planned the expedition under the assumption that there wouldn’t be an owner, I had judged that such a possibility was low.

Because treasures like the Holy Grail always bring bloodshed in their wake.

Still, the idea that the Second Prince owned the Grail—it was hard to believe.

It was too random.

All wealth in the world was gathered in the empire, and the imperial family stood at the pinnacle of that empire.

So logically, it made sense for the imperial family to possess the Holy Grail.

But it just didn’t feel believable.

The reason wasn’t anything grand.

It was about the image.

“What image? Luina, you care about such weird things.”

“A military-type like the Second Prince feels more like someone who’d obtain an Ego Sword than the Holy Grail.”

“That’s complete nonsense, but also oddly convincing. What about the First Prince?”

“He seems like the type to get a dragon’s egg.”

“Makes sense, makes sense.”

Chris chuckled, clearly entertained.

Chris had a strangely similar emotional wavelength to mine.

I continued in a soft voice.

“Even if it’s a dragon, it shouldn’t be too powerful—more like a young wyrmling that flies in during speeches and gets cheers. Not for battle.”

“And then during a crisis, the wyrmling sacrifices itself, and the First Prince awakens his power, right?”

“Lately, it’s trendy for the wyrmling to awaken instead. Gaining strength from someone’s death—what is this, a funeral home?”

“Leon? You have something to say?”

I felt a strange gaze and asked, but Leon shook his head.

He seemed to have nothing to say.

What a boring guy.

I raised my index finger.

“Also, I get the feeling the Third Prince is holding onto a forbidden tome.”

“Luina, you only say things that could get you charged with lese-majesty, huh?”

“That’s why I put up a tight soundproofing spell.”

I lightly tapped the lamp on the table with my finger.

In response, the flame that had been absorbing sound gave a satisfied flicker.

Confirming the magic was working fine, I wrapped up my words.

“With that forbidden tome the Third Prince holds, a major incident happens, and the succession war begins in earnest. The final winner will probably be the Fifth Prince—the one who’s been quietly chasing girls.”

“When’s the next volume coming out?”

“Maybe we should turn this into a play and sell tickets? You like money, don’t you, Chris?”

“I want to live a long life.”

“Me too.”

That was enough small talk.

I voiced the biggest question I had at the moment.

“What’s the source of this rumor? Even if the Second Prince really has the Holy Grail, he wouldn’t be bragging about it. Or did he officially acknowledge it or something?”

“No. There’s been no official response.”

“Then what is it?”

“The source of the rumor is, ahem.”

Leon cleared his throat.

Curious, I narrowed my eyes, and Leon slowly opened his mouth.

“It was a dark night. Only moonlight lit the world, and I was strolling drunkenly through the streets.
This damned world, why am I the only one like this—.”

“Wait a second.”

I interrupted Leon.

There was something I didn’t understand.

“What part don’t you get? I haven’t even gotten started.”

“From the very beginning. What is this? A play?”

“…It’s just that I heard the story told this way. So I’m repeating it as is.”

“The pubs in the capital sure sound fun.”

Just hanging around in one, and someone puts on a play or sings—seemed like you’d never get bored.

“I’ll start over.”

“Okay.”

“This damned world, why am I the only one like this?

I sighed.

My life was crushed under the weight of work, and alcohol was the only pleasure left to me.

When I raised my head, the splendid imperial palace came into view.

The place where the great founding emperor’s bloodline resides.

Not that I ever hoped to live in a place like that.

But at least to live in a mansion—

That’s what I was thinking when it happened.

Someone entered the palace.

Others may not have known who it was, but I did.

I’d seen him once during a victory parade.

It was one of Prince Isaac’s attendants, wasn’t it?

Why would he be wandering around at this hour?

I absentmindedly walked toward the palace.

Half because I was drunk, and half because I had a strange feeling.

And then, the attendant stumbled, and the box he was carrying rolled across the ground.

And I saw it.

The world, once bathed only in moonlight, suddenly became bright as day.”

The attendant who hastily grabbed the glowing cup that had popped out of the box quickly entered the imperial palace, but I knew what it was.

A companion of the great First Emperor.

A goblet made from his bones.

The Holy Grail has appeared in the world!

Clap clap clap.

As Chris and I clapped, Leon sat down with an awkward expression.

Leon spoke.

“Well, what do you think?”

“The acting’s subtle. You should probably learn how to express more emotion. Also, the story drags. If it were me, I wouldn’t fill it with the monologue of a drunken nobody—I’d start right at the moment the Second Prince’s attendant falls.”

“…It’s not a story I made up. And I wasn’t asking about that. This is the source of the Holy Grail rumor—what do you think?”

“Even upside-down, it still looks like a Holy Grail.”

“Right?”

“If it’s real, that is.”

“There are quite a few other witnesses besides this guy. They all gave similar testimonies. Even then, you don’t believe it?”

“Nope.”

I didn’t think the person who told that story was lying.

It’s just that human memory is fickle.

It tends to reshape things in ways that feel convenient or familiar.

This wasn’t a matter of honesty or deceit.

That’s just how the human brain works.

So they all gave the same testimony?

Sure, maybe they saw something glowing fall.

That much I believe.

But being sure it was a goblet-shaped object?

That was probably a manipulated memory.

They probably watched the Grail play later and thought, “Yeah, I saw a goblet back then too.”

“Why would they do that?”

“It’s not intentional—it just happens naturally. So even if you ask why, there’s no real answer.”

“…So you’re saying the story is false?”

“I don’t know that either.”

I was only talking about possibilities.

If a succubus came and said, ‘Lady Luina, the Second Prince either has the Grail or doesn’t. Pick one.

If you’re wrong, you’ll lose all your magic,’ I’d bet on him not having it.

But without stakes that high, I didn’t want to make any bold claims.

There just wasn’t enough evidence.

“Anyway, wouldn’t it be a problem for you if the Second Prince actually does have the Grail? What would you do, take it from him? That’s not exactly an option.”

Leon went silent.

He was finally seriously considering the possibility that someone already owned the Grail.

“Even if it’s not the Second Prince, I think the Grail already belongs to someone. So what will you do then?”

“Well, first we’ll try to negotiate.”

“And if they refuse?”

“…Then we’ll just have to negotiate better so they can’t refuse.”

“That’s a much better answer.”

If he had said, “The Grail originally belongs to the theocracy, so it must be returned,” I would’ve immediately switched to Team Chris.

It’s smarter to cut losses on a dead-end investment.

But since he wasn’t that kind of person, I was still sticking with the Leon route.

“Any other rumors?”

“Nope.”

“Then our next task is clear.”

Gather rumors related to Isaac, and prepare a negotiation strategy in case he really does have the Grail.

“Negotiation is my specialty, Lady Luina.”

“Then please handle that, Lord Chris. We’ll gather more rumors.”

And with that, the roles were assigned.

Since there were no more secrets to share, I lifted the soundproofing spell.

Noise immediately returned.

Amid the now-loud tavern hall, I took a drag from my pipe.

Rumors, huh.

Where should I start gathering them?

Leon’s heading to the pubs, so I’ll wander around the chess clubs and gather info—

“Do they really not know who we are?”

“Leave it, Jerry. They didn’t even realize from our robes. Even if we told them, they wouldn’t get it.”

A sudden commotion snapped me out of my thoughts, and I looked around the tavern.

Three men in robes were facing off with a man who looked like a mercenary.

Judging from the conversation, it had been going on for a while.

I must’ve noticed late because of the soundproofing spell.

Why were they fighting?

No one spilled a drink on anyone’s clothes… were they familiar with each other?

That’s when it happened.

A man wearing a robe of black and blue shouted:

“I’m a disciple of Adelian Croft! Trashy mages like you don’t even come close to my status or talent!”

Adelian Croft?

That name was very familiar, and my eyes lit up.

Wait, wasn’t that Kelton’s master?

So this guy’s a fellow disciple.

What a small world.

Nice to meet you.