episode_0180

‘Leonor has become a colleague!’

If it were a game, would a phrase like this have appeared?

Unfortunately, this was reality, so nothing changed dramatically.

I guess it’s just that the way we talk to each other has become a little more comfortable.

“The idea of getting revenge on Isabella is a good one, but what specifically are you planning to do? Do you have any plans in mind?”

It didn’t matter what it was, as long as it didn’t drag on like it is now.

Even if you don’t adopt her plan… For now, it will be useful as a reference.

Since she is Isabella’s biological daughter, she may be aware of Isabella’s weaknesses that we were unable to identify.

If there is such a thing… It could be quite useful.

“There is none.”

“… … .”

There is none.

okay. There’s no way something like that would happen to me.

“No, isn’t it normal for you and Leopold to have some kind of strategy rather than me? It’s been less than a week since I vowed revenge, but you’ve been my longtime enemy. I was looking forward to that.”

The princess was more embarrassed than me.

“Yes, there is a strategy, but… What should I say about this… .”

I sighed and explained to Leonor the plan that Leopold and I had been discussing.

Isabella’s true identity is a witch, she plans to infiltrate the imperial palace on the day of the emperor’s funeral and secure evidence, and even that she will only act actively after Ludwig’s forces arrive.

“Wait a minute, wait a minute. That woman was a witch? What, it’s not just a figure of speech, it’s a real witch? Only in the church’s librarians?”

Leonor reacted with astonishment upon hearing about her mother’s true appearance from others.

“That’s right. Worshipers of evil spirits who manipulate demonic energy and manipulate demons. Isabella Benes is a witch. In reality, her subordinates who fought me were insect monsters that lived as parasites on people.”

“She was a woman who didn’t seem human, but I never thought she was really not even human… .Then, what am I? A witch’s daughter. Are you saying I’m not human either…? ?”

Leonor held her forehead and sighed.

My sagging shoulders were trembling like a cat caught in the rain.

“No, you don’t have to be so discouraged because you are a human being. Being a witch isn’t really a trait that runs through blood, right?”

To a witch, a child is not an heir, but rather something like property. High-quality ingredients to be consumed as offerings when the time comes.

These are the people who would rather sacrifice their children to extend their lifespan than to have children and continue the succession.

In short, a witch’s child is just an innocent human being.

I don’t know if these words will comfort Leonor.

“… … So, are you and Leopold planning to make this public?”

Leonor’s voice became even more subdued.

… It doesn’t seem to be of much comfort.

“Maybe? If we can find clear evidence that Isabella is a witch, we can push her out together with the church before the election even takes place.”

Although the two archbishops support Ernst, the moment Isabella’s identity is revealed, they will probably take the lead in attacking the imperial palace before anyone else.

If he didn’t do that, it wouldn’t be surprising if he were questioned about his relationship with a witch and taken to the Inquisition.

“… also. Leopold can’t be trusted.”

Leonor clicked her tongue and muttered.

“Why suddenly?”

That’s not wrong, but… .

In the story so far, was there anything worthy of criticizing Leopold?

I don’t think there is anything in particular.

“Well, if the truth that Isabella is a witch were revealed to the public, I wouldn’t be safe either. Will people really want to leave ‘The Witch’s Daughter’ alone? Even if in reality there is no relationship as you say… Rather than those who think so calmly, there are probably a lot more people who label her as the daughter of a witch and will become a witch just like her mother. There will be a flood of appeals demanding that I be interrogated and killed.”

… Come to think of it, that’s right.

Leonor’s point pointed out exactly what I had overlooked.

Certainly, even modern people often stigmatize the families of criminals.

In a world like this, more would be more, not less.

It was my miscalculation.

When I was making plans to announce that I was a witch, I hadn’t thought about Leonor.

Even later, I was only worried that Leopold might try to harm Leonor, and I didn’t even consider the public stigma.

Lacey, did Leopold already guess this?

Let’s say that’s the case with Lacey.

There’s a high possibility that she doesn’t know that Leonor and I have a decent relationship.

I don’t think I’ve ever talked about Leonor in front of Lacey.

However, Leopold is a different story.

If you knew this but didn’t tell me… .

No, it is still too early to speculate.

Leopold was also quite embarrassed when he heard Isabella’s identity, so it is possible that he forgot it in the confusion.

That guy couldn’t even think about Leonor before Ernst’s accident.

There’s also something I swore earlier.

“Leopold said he would guarantee your personal safety if you gave up your right to succession. I swear on Elfinel’s name.”

“Ha, you will guarantee my personal safety? Those are Leopold-like words, after all. You’re so good at saying that you’re going to lock me up in a monastery.”

Leonor let out a cold sneer. As if it was obvious without even looking at it.

… Is that what you mean?

Maybe Leopold actually wants to see his mother again… ?

Otherwise, you wouldn’t have tried to deceive me so much.

“Well, it doesn’t matter. If only I could get revenge like that… It might be worth it.”

“… I think you don’t have to risk that much. If that were the case, Leopold would know clearly how I would react, unless he was planning on completely ignoring me… .”

If you look at it calmly, it was likely Leonor’s prejudice.

Unless Leopold is completely driven by revenge, I wouldn’t make that judgment.

“… okay. So, you have to believe it.”

She smiled bitterly and lay down on the bed.

“In the end, we have no choice but to expect from those so-called ‘undercover agents’. I don’t think it will work out well.”

“I was a little nervous too, but since I was an expert in this field, it seemed better than sneaking in myself.”

As if it wasn’t a particularly trustworthy sound, Leonor had a disapproving expression on her face.

“Well, speaking of experts, she can also be said to be an expert at hiding her tracks. Look at her playing the role of empress without any problems for nearly twenty years. The fact that she was a witch wasn’t even revealed to her children. Would such a woman really leave a weakness in her base so obvious?”

It was a question that was understandable, and Leopold and I also had similar feelings.

There’s just no alternative.

“It’s not that I don’t know, but there isn’t really any other way. It’s inevitable. If you try to do it with force, bug knights are the problem.”

“Then how about targeting the hands and feet instead of the head? If we dig into the nobles who were involved with that woman, we may not be able to find any evidence of witches, but I think we will find at least some clues about other evil deeds. As for the people who participated in the ‘banquet’, there are some people I know.”

“Well. If it had been that easy to catch, I wonder if it would have been discovered a long time ago… . Still, it might be worth a try.”

There was a high possibility that it would end with the tail being cut off, but the cut off tail would also be a member of the Third Prince faction.

Even if it doesn’t achieve great results, it might at least lower your reputation.

I’ll have to talk to Leopold.

—-

As I expected, Asha willingly accepted my request to hide Leonor for a while.

I wonder if it is because of my friendship or the amount of compensation that Leonor whispered… For the sake of our friendship, I decided not to think about it.

“So, what do you plan on doing at the funeral? To hide and watch?”

“Originally, it would have been like that, but… No matter how much I do, I have no intention of doing something like that now that I know that woman’s identity. … Marty will understand, too.”

Leonor expressed her intention to wait quietly at Asha’s workplace.

Until Isabella’s identity is revealed and the moment comes when you have to fight her.

… And, that moment came faster than expected.

======[Ordos]======

Ishan’s capital, Ordos, was quieter than before.

Most of the legions, including Ser Khan Orhan, left to conquer the grasslands, and all that remained in Ordos were the bare minimum troops to protect the capital.

The same was true for the main palace inside the inner palace.

A young man resting his chin and leaning diagonally on the throne looked down at the empty interior of the main shrine as if he were bored.

A young man wearing a red long robe and covering one eye with an eyepatch.

The one remaining eye was filled with snake-like venom, and a long scar resembling a fingernail mark was engraved under the eye patch.

His appearance clearly revealed his stubborn and nervous personality.

“When I actually sat here… It was more uncomfortable than I thought. My father was sitting in a place like this.”

“Amin, I’m sorry, but if others see you doing this, bad rumors will spread. Ser Khan will also be angry… .”

Orhan’s third son, Amin.

The boy who lost an eye at the hands of Hashal several years ago has now grown into a mature young man.

The warrior guard gave him advice while breaking into a cold sweat at the arrogant figure sitting on the throne that was only allowed to Orhan, but Amin calmly waved his leg as if it was no big deal.

“Well, my great father must be enjoying a festival far away in the east somewhere. Jargal than that. Did you hear the news? That ghost girl.”

“Are you talking about Princess Hashal? Because the ears of my subordinates are not bright, I do not even know the rumors of the empire… .”

Amin’s expression distorted slightly due to the throbbing pain around his gouged eye.

Even though many years have passed, the pain from that time has never been forgotten.

“What about the princess? To that woman possessed by a ghost. Anyway, from what I heard, you seem to be doing very well in the Empire. Rumors are spreading. They were treated like heroes there?”

Amin’s single eye burned coldly.

“… Can we just wait and see?”

The low murmurs were full of fear and hatred mixed together.