294 That's why I asked you to follow me later.

Conflicts over heirs have been a natural part of Earth's history. It is not only the parties seeking power, but also the mothers who try to eliminate other competitors in order to let their children take control, and the vassals who disguise the will of the king in order to protect their own future and install the master they want.

In comparison to the horrors of the world, many of the great nations of this world have been able to go through generational changes in peace, and it can be thought that Serende is closer to the reality that I know.

Serende is one of the great powers that is free from the threat of the demon world, and this environment is probably created by the fact that Serende can afford to look out for its neighbors and its own country. If it had a king as a symbol like Trinh, it would have been a bit more peaceful. ...... The current of the times has not yet caught up with the awakening of democracy. It is only because they are beastly subhumans who have a strong sense of themselves as subhumans that they can be considered to have taken a different path from the times.

"Let's put Trinh aside for a moment.

As far as Serende's history is concerned, each generation has a very long regime. That's probably why their lifespans are longer than those of normal people. However, in contrast, the royalty who did not become kings had a noticeably short life span.

In any case, many of them died of illness, and accidental deaths are often seen. It would be reasonable to assume that they were assassinated, but since this is not correctly described as ...... history, we should assume that it is accepted in Serende.

If there are no demons, the scariest thing is people. ......

That's right. People can easily join hands if they have a common enemy, but if they don't, they are afraid to even offer their hand. It's really pathetic that you feel uncomfortable without an enemy.

"...... Who's your enemy, Mursht?

For a week now, Mursht has been showing up every day and sitting here. I've made it a rule to talk about important things at night, and at the moment I'm only collecting mundane information like the history of Serende, so there's no problem. ...... I'm tempted to wonder if Hilmera's guards are any good.

I'm not sure if it's a good idea to protect Hilmera. You don't know this because you haven't seen much of the interaction between the princes, but it's a terrible cold treatment.

"Is that so?

It's probably because Master Hilmera is not involved in politics. Even though Nuhusa-sama has a personality like that, she's a capable tool in everyone's eyes, and Washekto-sama seems to be a useful pawn, but Hilmera-sama is just seen as a competitor.

Nuhussa's behavior certainly makes sense. She looks unfit to succeed to the throne, and yet she's turning out to be the best person to help him in politics. Chisanthe and Yumyess would probably prefer to take the throne in a straightforward manner and use him afterwards rather than assassinating him, regardless of what is behind it.

Washekht has also given up the succession to the throne and is securing her position as a convenient pawn. In comparison, Hilmera, who continues to behave as a princess, is probably seen as an ungrateful person by the two princes.

"So many deaths by disease, is it really poisoning?

"Most likely. You've done some research on medicine, haven't you?

Serende's healing techniques are more drug-dependent than other countries'.

I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not.

However, when I was admitted to Serende's facility, I noticed that Serende had a wide variety of medicines. All of them must be used in conjunction with magical treatment, but they are clearly more advanced in research than other countries. In other countries, magic plays a role of eight and medicine two, while in Serende, the ratio is about 50-50. This difference can be attributed to the difference in history. In Serende, the development of restorative magic has lagged behind because there was a reason for the research of medicine.

The reason why medicine was prioritized over magic was because it was judged to be more useful. What kind of environment is that? Assassination. It is difficult to poison with magic, so the culture of medicine developed.

Poison with no smell or taste is the norm, which is why it's essential for royalty to have a poisoner. Each prince has his own food distribution route, and it is thoroughly monitored.

"A set of merchants, a set of suppliers, and a set of cooks. I don't think I can ask for recommendations.

"I'll show you around if you want my recommendation. How about tonight?

I'll pass on .......

The only thing I can do is to reply like this, since the "Purple" who is in charge of this evening's dinner is looking at me. I was a little curious about Serende's food, but I think I'll hold off until this one is over.

Ah, now I understand why Washekht had prepared so much food.

To be honest, I'm grateful for the presence of Murscht, a native of Serende who knows a certain amount about the royal family. He tends to like to chat, and even when he's just summarizing the information he's found, he's adding a lot of information.

His behavior is problematic in many ways, but he maintains a moderate distance from me. Once you get used to the intensity of the stares, you won't feel uncomfortable with her.

Oh, yeah. Sadly, I won't be able to come for a few days starting tomorrow. I have to be away from home for a bit on an errand for Lord Hillemera.

There's nothing to be sad about. Well, I'm not happy about it. Princess Hilmera would be bored if she had to spend so much time here in the first place.

Not really. Princess Hilmera doesn't like to go out by nature. This city is kind of under the control of the other princes, after all.

Besides the royals who have armies, there are others who have power. One is the nobles, who are in charge of managing the territory, and the other is the merchants, who are in charge of running the economy. The nobles are similar to those of other countries, but the merchants are a little different. There are ordinary merchants, but there is a group of merchants who are the face of the city.

They do not entrust the security of the city to the state, but rather to the vigilante groups they have established. It sounds good, but the attitude of the people is that they must not be spotted. In other words, they are like gangs, although their crimes have not come to light.

Exuik and the others reported that they were clearly being watched when they were gathering information in the city. Perhaps they are the people who work for the Chamber of Commerce.

The nobleman is close to Princess Yumyess, and the merchant is close to Prince Chisanthe.

You got it. Well, you can tell from Chisanthe's movements.

Normally, it would be natural for the soldiers of Serende to protect the peace. But the current situation allows merchants to establish their own territories and maintain security on their own. Since it is Chisanthe who is in charge of managing the soldiers of Serende, it is safe to assume that Chisanthe is, in effect, approving them. If Chisanthe has a strong relationship with the merchants, then the nobles are on the side of Umies by process of elimination.

Noufsa is a ...... official or something like that. In terms of influence, Prince Chisanthe and Princess Yumyess are the two leading candidates to take over the throne.

Of course Prince Chisanthe has his noble friends, and so does Yumyess. It is just that the consensus of each class of people is to favor their respective prince.

If these are the ostensible cards, then the trump card is the element that facilitates them, the method of secretly collecting funds.

It is possible that inhumane or illegal misdeeds are their secrets. If you try to expose them, you will be considered a hindrance.

How do you feel about this?

"There was an aristocrat at a dinner party once who seemed to value people. If they were really involved in human trafficking or something like that, the royals would be siphoning off that power for themselves.

It's hard to believe that the royals are not only letting the bad things slide, but helping them. ......

It is hard to believe that the royals are helping the evildoers instead of letting them off the hook. It's a bit cool that you look like a two-fisted knight because you have Murscht's sword with you. When I asked him the other day about fighting with two swords, he replied, "Of course it's stronger to hold it with both hands.

The knight of Taze is happy, rather than Ilias. You can continue to support the master you serve with a straight heart without being tormented.

I'm not denying it, but you're talking about us as if we're lukewarm.

I'm sorry if I offended you. I'm sorry. But it's true that I envy you. For us, the master we serve is good, and the rest is evil. We'll get used to it, but there's a process of killing our emotions in the process. I don't think there's a soldier with eyes as straight as yours here in Serende.

Serende is more earthbound than the other major powers. The Yugra religion created by Seiya Yukura, the threat of the demon world created by the Demon King, and the absence of these influences make it a purely constructed world. It makes me feel a little uncomfortable to think that this might be the way it should be.

"But, Mursht. I think your eyes are pure enough.

"That's just because I'm a heretic. I've been told I need a life, but not a heart.

No need for a heart. ......?

"If Master Hillmera hadn't picked me up, I'd be dead for sure. So in order to repay that favor, I have a duty to use this life for you. When Master Hilmera said that, I was convinced. But then she continued, "But your heart is your own. Don't be stained by me, keep your color.

Murshto was picked up by Hilmera eight years ago. Hilmera would have been six years old at that time. However, I understand what she meant when she said that. I'm sure she didn't want Murshto to become a servant of Chisanthe and the others.

"......, but does that really mean you're not giving your heart to him?

I don't know. I don't know, but those words certainly made me feel much better. I fell in love with you, and I've been there to protect you. I guess in a way I had her in my heart too. But now I'm different, even though I've given my life to you, I've found someone else to give my heart to.

I was a bit taken aback when Mursht turned his cute smile towards me. It's a good thing that you're not the only one who has a problem with this. I thought I was getting used to it with the purple, but I think I'm just getting used to that individual and it will be a while before I get used to Mursht.

"Oh, don't you think you should give your body and soul for the one you love?

But more than that, I'll never get used to this atmosphere. In response to Mursht's approach, he said, "I'm putting up with you because you're my guest, but if you do anything more, I won't be able to help myself. I'm holding back because I'm a guest, but if you do anything more, I won't hold back either.

I'm not sure if this is your first love or not. Is this by any chance your first love? If so, it's no wonder you don't know how to handle it. I'm sure you're not the only one.

"Heavy.

Oh, you've just said something that I'm slightly concerned about. He's aware that he's more aggressive than other people. No, it's nothing serious. It's just that I'm not immune to it.

On the contrary, the Iliad is nice. You keep a comfortable distance from him even though you're so formal.

"Stiff" is not what I am. I'm just trying to protect him as a person.

He's not going to ask you out on holidays or anything like that. You'll be alone on the porch all day with your knees in your hands.

What?

Hey, Murshto. Don't gouge me as if you've seen through my sober past experience. It was just a near miss! If I knew the Iliad was off duty, I would have asked him out!

"Mursht, no matter how true it is, you shouldn't torment Ilias and Miss Purple!

I'm sure you've heard of it, but I'm not sure if you've heard of it. But that's a tailspin, right? They both look like they've been beaten. I think it's rather intentional, but I won't touch it.

I didn't mean to bully you. The Purple Demon King's devotion and Ilias' stubbornness as a knight are both attractive elements. I'm just advising you what will happen if you don't make the most of them. It's up to you to be aware of whether your strengths become weaknesses or your weaknesses become strengths.

Mu ......

One thing is for sure, there is no one in this group of women who can beat Mursht in a war of words. I didn't try to guide him too much because I didn't want to see him beat up the other guy with a good argument, although I think he has the makings of a good tongue.

Wulfe, you've been watching him closely, and I'm sure he's been faithful to your teachings. That dedication is definitely a strength, but don't let it scare you. To those who don't want to see the best in you, you look like a coward who is terribly afraid of being disliked by the people he cares about.

Coward.

You look like you're just trying to get the upper hand, Mursht.

Iliad and Purple are still able to recover easily by themselves, but Wolfe is quite naive. I decided to help him before he got too depressed.

"Wow, Wolfe is protective, huh? Isn't that a little overprotective? I don't think you're doing her any favors by singling her out.

"......

By the third person, anyone but ...... Lakra would have stopped her.

Shishou, I'm not so sure about that.

That's what I'm going to do. You're a lot more fun to talk to.

I'd say 70% is teasing, 20% is sincere advice, and the rest is ....... This habit of bluntness must have been acquired through his interactions with Hilmera. From the looks of it, Hilmera herself seems to have been trained quite well by Mursht.

I don't really like the idea of hitting someone with words to see through their true intentions.

But you're good at it, aren't you?

I'm not impressed by jealousy and mean-spirited behavior.

That's why Mursht went out of his way to use words that would sting all three of us. In short, he is just jealous of Ilias and the others who can be with 'me' and is being mean to them.

Mursht groaned and scratched his head. He seems to be choosing his words as to how to respond.

He seems to be trying to decide what to say back, but then he says, "...... There's no point in getting worked up here. Yeah, I'm sorry about all three of you.

"Oh, yeah, ...... I'm not ......

I'm not the one who's upset by what you said, okay?

I'm sure you'll be scared at night when I tell you that I was very upset, so I'll try to be careful.

But Murscht gave up easily. He must have been convinced of his current feelings, and decided to admit his fault honestly. To be honest, it is troublesome to deal with people who can immediately reflect on their mistakes, because such people will not be broken down by one or two mistakes, but will grow more.

But it's still good. It sent shivers down my spine to think that you could so easily see through my heart.

"It's just that Princess Hilmera hasn't pointed it out to you, you're such an obvious guy.

Is that so? Yeah, I guess you're right. But it's indescribably comforting to have someone understand you when you're not even aware of it.

Mursht took the sword from Ilias with a satisfied expression and started to prepare for his return. When you think about it, it takes a lot of courage to throw words that pierce someone's heart in a place that might be enemy territory without a weapon.

I'm leaving then. I won't be seeing you for a while, but you're going to be doing a lot of work in the meantime, aren't you?

Yeah.

Word of advice. The people watching you are changing their tune. Under no circumstances should you let your guard down, okay?

Mursht smiled at last and left. There was no innuendo in his words, he was genuinely worried about me and was giving me advice. Yes, Mursht's emotions are so easy to read that you can see it. Although his way of life was different, it was as straightforward as the Iliad's, and was so pure that it almost drew me in.

Maybe that's why I don't feel threatened by the fact that deep down I'm beginning to wish that Mursht would stay on my side.