Chapter 37 – Sacred Land? Pilgrimage? (3)

Sunset. Darkness crept in, even within the Empire’s heart. The Imperial Palace, lit by mana stones, not lamps. The Emperor and Empress sat with Geornia de Edelweiss, Elf Grand Mage, their teacher and historical advisor.

Geornia, robe discarded, lounged on a crimson sofa, clad in close-fitting shorts and a top. Pale, flawless skin, a stark contrast to her gray and gold attire. Bare legs crossed, an air of languid boredom. But her green eyes held a sharp intensity. Her long, silver hair cascaded over the sofa, a shimmering waterfall.

“Where’s Luelde?”

“Urgent business.”

“…You didn’t send him away?”

Bold, even before the Emperor. They didn’t flinch.

“Do I seem like a liar?”

“That’s what’s infuriating.”

Geornia grimaced.

“Melineos and I discussed Cariel’s situation.”

A demon encounter. A relic’s allure. A deliberate, guided intervention.

“…Predictable.”

“You don’t think he targeted the treasury out of greed?”

“…Unthinkable.”

The Emperor didn’t hesitate.

“Is that so?”

“There’s also the theory of hidden powers, or powers gained during the incident. It aligns with your scenarios.”

“Why complicate things? Demon pact. End of story. Unless you prefer angelic intervention, or a disgruntled ancestor favoring Cariel over you lot?”

“……”

Geornia’s irritation was palpable.

“I know you’re not blaming me. So don’t misunderstand my annoyance.”

“…Understood.”

The Emperor accepted her displeasure. The Empress, beside him, trembled with anxiety, soothed by his glance.

“Elhermina raised these concerns. I have questions only you can answer.”

“…Speak.”

An awkward silence. Geornia frowned, impatient.

“Perhaps… a curse? Rare, undetectable?”

“Wait. Are you accusing us?”

“No! Please, listen.”

“……”

Geornia settled back.

“Perhaps… during the World Tree connection… an ancient curse… a dormant affliction?”

“That is blaming us!”

“Even if unintentional?”

“Evidence?”

“…We’re investigating.”

“Are you mocking me?! That’s not an answer!”

“…It’s Elhermina’s theory, not mine.”

“Oh, of course.”

Geornia seemed to consider it, though.

“So, his terrible reputation in the capital… because of a curse? What kind of curse does that?”

“…If not, that’s a problem too.”

A delusion, perhaps. But Elhermina had felt the discord, only realizing it after Cariel left. That’s what bothered her.

“Ah, there you are.”

Geornia looked towards the door. A knock.

The chamberlain entered, announcing:

“Hamerne Ruslef Eihar.”

“Ruslef…”

A fallen southern kingdom.

“A descendant.”

Elf and half-elf.

“Hmm…”

The Emperor offered condolences. Hamerne bowed her thanks.

“So, tell us everything. No omissions.”

At least her speech is normal. Hamerne felt a pang of cynicism. But this wasn’t the time.

“This might take a while.”

“Summarize. We’ll ask questions later.”

“Cariel’s reputation… he supposedly ostracized a girl, helped expel commoners…”

“What?! Stop! What utter nonsense?!”

Geornia glared at the Emperor and Empress.

“Let her finish. It was a misunderstanding.”

“Misunderstandings ruin reputations. The damage is done.”

“…Exactly.”

“That’s it?”

“Incompetence, lack of skill, poor social adaptability, bad company, back alley dealings…”

“Are you sure this is the right Cariel? Not some… imposter?”

“…It’s all about Cariel Brendiar. The one we know.”

“…Has the Empire gone mad?”

“More recently… nightly visits to pleasure districts, assaulting a teacher, beating nobles half to death… the pilgrimage is supposedly exile…”

“Exile?! You exiled him?!”

“No! Absolutely not!”

“Then where is he?”

“That…”

The Emperor hesitated, silenced by Geornia’s rising fury.

“You don’t know where he is?! Or did he become some monster without your knowledge?! Is that it?! Is that why you asked about curses?! Because he went mad, and you don’t know why?!”

“Teacher, calm down.”

“Calm down?! This could mean severing diplomatic ties! We’ve supported you because of Cariel! Do you think we’d cower before Luelde’s World Tree threat?!”

“Let’s hear her out. Confirm the facts before passing judgment.”

“…You’re all deeply mistaken. Let me explain.”

“Don’t you see what he’s endured? Hamerne! That ostracizing incident, when was that?”

“Five years ago.”

“You imbeciles! Five years of misery! And you believed those rumors? I suppose Luelde and Ermina tried to… mitigate the damage? Didn’t you?”

“……”

“…Why are you silent?! You’re supposed to agree! Why the ominous silence?!”

Geornia’s head spun. She couldn’t understand them. Had the world’s values shifted? Had they gone mad? Had Cariel become truly monstrous?

“What have you been doing?! And why can’t you find him?! Is the Empire this incompetent?!”

A knock. The door opened.

“If I may, I can address that.”

Princess Elhermina entered, her expression impassive.