episode_0143

At Algot’s request, many people gathered to sit in the mansion’s reception room.

I, the owner of the mansion, Mariel, the goddess Stellania, the saint Selena, the mayor and guild master Argoth, the demonized beastman Aruru and her younger sister Meruru, the former demon shelter supervisor and former deputy knight commander of the kingdom, but the demonized Mirabel , to Edward, the last hidden royal bloodline in the kingdom.

The reason Algot brought Edward to Mariel’s mansion, which was off-limits to the public, was to show him in person the person who had been transformed into a demon.

Is it really okay?

To be honest, even though we were all sitting in the same place, I was still worried.

The people of the kingdom learn from old stories that demons are an evil and evil race from the time they are young enough to understand language.

Moreover, historically, even until recently, the demon army led by demons has threatened the kingdom.

There are good demons in the world too! Even if I said that, there were very few people who could accept it as is.

Of course, I and the people around me were able to break the prejudice because we actually saw and felt that demons are not necessarily like that.

When most people in the kingdom encounter ‘demons’, they mostly only see the cruel and scary appearance of ‘invaders’.

The prejudice was so severe that even the demonized people being protected here fell into self-loathing.

In the past, when the capital’s demon shelter was in good condition, I visited people who had been demonized and heard many stories.

Most of them suffered indescribable mental shock after becoming demons.

It would be a shock similar to when someone who hates cockroaches wakes up one day and realizes that they have turned into a cockroach.

It is said that some people hated themselves for becoming demons and even attempted to take their own lives.

Only Mirabel, who had personally cared for people who had been turned into demons for a long time, was quick to accept her fate.

In any case, this means that it is difficult to accept the existence of demons in the kingdom.

However, Edward never encountered demons, nor was he an adventurer.

Moreover, if he were a royal family, his hatred for demons would have been greater, not less.

I couldn’t help but worry about how he would react when he saw the demons here.

『Algot had a lot to talk about with Edward recently.

She slowly took the steps and shared her experiences with demonization with Edward.

Not only that, but he skillfully persuaded the man who was hiding his lineage to reveal his royal lineage.

As a result, Edward has now revealed his lineage only to Algot.』

I thought he had been visiting the mayor’s residence a lot lately, but I guess he was eventually persuaded by Algot.

It was Edward who seemed like he would never tell me about his lineage.

Did you use the story about the royal ring that I told you about?

『Even though Argot heard about the royal ring from Yunoa, he did not use it directly.

However, just by knowing the existence of the ring, I was able to tell the story based on the premise that Edward was of royal lineage.』

Edward is looking at Aruru and Mirabelle sitting across from him.

By looking at the energy in their eyes, I was able to recognize that the two were demons.

But he just looked at the two and didn’t say anything else.

“How about it? Mr. Edward.”

“It was true… … Honestly, I was surprised.”

Edward briefly answered Algot’s question.

Afterwards, we all sat in the same place and had a simple meal and conversation.

Algoth, I, and Edward mainly talk, followed by Aruru, Meruru, Mariel, and Mirabell… … .

In this way, the conversation groups were divided, so even though they were in the same place, the topics of conversation were different.

While talking with Algot, Edward occasionally glanced at the demons Aruru and Mirabel.

Sometimes I brought up trivial things, and sometimes I chimed in, and I fit into the conversation appropriately.

At the same time, the question grew as to why Algot brought Edward here and created this situation.

“Hey, I have something to tell you.”

At that time, Edward suddenly spoke to everyone.

Everyone who was talking in separate groups paid attention to Edward.

I too was waiting to see what Edward would say.

Edward played with the royal ring on his finger for a moment.

Everyone waited for his next words, but Edward kept his mouth shut.

Algot was looking at him intently.

“If you have something to say, say it.”

I, who couldn’t help the atmosphere becoming stuffy, annoyed Edward a little.

I think he was planning to talk about something important.

It seems like Algot is also waiting for something.

『When Edward revealed his lineage to Argot, he asked him to keep it a secret.

However, Algot did not give up persuasion by explaining the problem of people who had been demonized and the crisis the kingdom was currently facing.

And, emphasizing that Edward was the last of the royal blood, he strongly said that the kingdom needed Edward now.

But now he was hesitating.』

Then, the narration told me about Edward’s condition.

From the looks of it, Algot and Edward had a deep conversation, to the point where they revealed each other’s secrets.

Aside from Algot’s incredible ability to boil people with his words, I’m concerned about what Edward was trying to say.

The fact that he brought them here and even confirmed the existence of the demons they were protecting meant that he had revealed all his secrets to the extent that he had nothing more to show to Algot. By taking enormous risks.

However, since Algot was not a thoughtless woman, she must have judged that she was in a state where she could accept the demons here with her heart.

“Mr. Argot… … Of course, I can’t do that. I’m sorry.”

At that time, Edward shook his head and said.

『Edward was planning to publicly reveal his lineage to everyone here.

But by the end, he couldn’t open his mouth.

The moment he revealed his royal lineage, the enormous burden of responsibility that would fall on him weighed heavily on him.

He thought that he could not be such a vessel.』

Ah, that was it.

That’s how it was talked about with Algot.

But because of the pressure, I can’t say anything.

Now the situation was roughly organized in my mind.

Although I took it upon myself to do it, I didn’t expect that Algot would be so good at persuading me.

But I couldn’t come this far and watch Edward break his will.

“Mr. Edward, how do you feel about seeing the demons here?”

Edward answered my sudden question.

“I was a little surprised… … I felt that it was exactly what Mr. Algot said.”

“Why do you think Mr. Argot revealed the secret of this place to Mr. Edward?”

“… … .”

“I don’t know what Mr. Edward was trying to say. But now that we’re here, it’s like we’re all in the same boat. Of course Mr. Edward. Do you know what that means?”

I said, pretending not to know his lineage.

Algot persuaded me to bring him here, and I wanted to erase his hesitation by giving him a gentle push on the back.

To do that, wouldn’t it be necessary to instill confidence in him, regardless of his lineage?

Edward raised his head and was looking at me.

Having seen him all this time in the refugee camp, I was convinced that he had what it takes to be a king.

Considering how the kingdom was going before the rebellion, I think the kingdom led by Edward is unconditionally better.

More than anything, I need the power of the kingdom to subdue the demon king’s spirit.

“The more difficult times are, the more talented people are needed. Currently, in this kubel under the care of the Goddess, many people are gathered and trying to get through this difficult time in their respective positions. As a result, Kubel gained such a reputation that it is now considered the new center of the kingdom. You probably know this well as you are the representative of the refugee camp.”

Once we started talking, surprisingly, the words came out smoothly without me realizing it.

Edward was quietly listening to me.

“What Mr. Edward showed at the refugee camp became an example to many people. Thanks to this, the refugees were able to settle safely in Kubel. Mr. Edward may think he’s just doing his job, but in these situations, it’s rare for someone to take the initiative in difficult and difficult tasks. I, Mr. Argot, and anyone who has seen Mr. Edward like that would think that.”

Edward’s eyes were seen shaking.

Okay, it seems to be working.

“I don’t know what Mr. Edward was trying to say earlier. Maybe I’m just saying this out of old age and misunderstanding it. But if Mr. Edward is hesitating on something because he is unsure of himself, don’t worry. If you need help with something, you can get help from people here, including me. I don’t think it takes a person with special or great abilities to change the difficult situation in the kingdom right now. We all do. The person who changes the situation is the one who acts first.”

When I finished speaking, Edward looked deeply troubled.

If he was willing to come forward as a member of royal blood, there were many ways to support him.

Especially since we have the goddess Stellania.

I was waiting for Edward to react.

I said everything I could.

If Algot and I work together to persuade him and he still refuses, then there will be nothing we can do.

After a while, Edward spoke again.

“Actually, I’m still not sure… … Thanks to you, I know one thing.”

I could see some kind of determination on his face.

“If you ignore difficult situations and hide, nothing will change. Everyone is struggling to get through the difficult times in the kingdom, and it would not be good for me to run away when I have come all the way here and there is something I can do.”

Edward said, fiddling with the royal ring with two fingers.

“I am actually the last lineage of the royal family whose name was cut off by the rebels… … He is a prince who was kicked out of the palace a long time ago.”

In the end, he confessed his royal lineage in front of everyone.

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