Book 8: Chapter 31

Febris Castle, which was at the center of Elarc, was surprisingly quiet.

If one step out were taken, the worried voices of refugees and the sounds of battle that resounded in the distance could be heard.

However, only within this castle, it was quiet as if it were a different world, or like it was an isolated place.

And that was only natural. Right now, within this castle, there was only the minimum amount of people.

In other words, Third Princess Celis and the Swords of Light Chivalric Order, several servants and the cabinet minister, the parliamentary officials……and then, Reina, who was a guest.

The cabinet minister and the parliamentary officials were trembling in the rooms they were given, and the servants were in a similar state.

The members of the Swords of Light Chivalric Order were being vigilant of the Alva, which they didn’t know when or where they might come from, and only made the bare minimum amount of conversation.

On top of that, the enemy wasn’t just the Alva. The people of First Princess Narika’s side might take advantage of this chaos and start something. Not too long ago, there was a spy that tried to sneak in.

Rather, those were the ones that they should originally be wary of, but thanks to the Alva, everything became a mess.

Among the Canal Kingdom’s Swords of Light Chivalric Order, there were even some that were gossiping, saying that Princess Narika had joined hands with the Alva.

More accurately, it wasn’t that Princess Narika had formed a structure of collaboration with the Alva who they couldn’t communicate with through words, but it was a story that she had joined hands with someone that manipulated the Alva.

An existence that would manipulate the Alva, which were Mazoku──In other words, the Zadark Kingdom’s Demon King Vermudol.

He had formed a friendship with the Jiol Forest Kingdom, but there were rumors that he was doing various suspicious things in the shadows of that.

If the Zadark Kingdom was making a move, that would mean that Princess Narika had a powerful existence known as the Mazoku as her backer, and Princess Celis’ chances of winning were slim.

In reality, there were some among the Staves of Light Knights that immediately gave up and went to the First Princess’ side.

Even among the Swords of Light Knights, it wasn’t like there weren’t any that changed sides, but even so, most of the Swords of Light Chivalric Order had sword their loyalty Princess Celis even now. As for why, it was because they believed that Princess Celis was the righteous one.

Even Celis herself understood those feelings of theirs.

The flames of determination dwelled within Celis’ eyes as she offered her prayers in the Altar Room.

Holding up a beautiful silver long staff in front of her, she prayed.

The Magic Gem that was fitted into that long staff received the light that poured down from the ceiling and shone beautifully.

This Altar Room, which was placed on the highest floor of the Febris Castle, had light pouring down from the ceiling that had beautiful crystals set into it, and that made it seem like the entire room was illuminated.

That was also the fundamental structure of a temple that worshipped the God of Light Raidolg.

When praying in this room, anyone other than the royal family was forbidden from entering, but Reina frequently entered without worrying about that rule.

That being said, now that there was no telling if when the Alva would appear in this room as well, even Celis was unable to strongly reproach her, and offering her her honest opinion was the most she could do.

But, as expected, since she felt that it was wrong for her to repeatedly intrude over and over again, she requested that she stand in wait on the floor below right now.

「Raidolg-sama……Please, help us……」

「Are you praying?」

What came from behind Celis, was a voice that was clearly not Reina’s, but a voice that sounded male.

After noticing that and turning around, there was a black shadow standing at the entrance to the stairs that went from the Altar Room down to the floor below.

Sinister horns. Bat-like wings. A body with a black lustre.

He clearly seemed like an Alva, but he had a slender and muscular body, his claws weren’t long, and instead, he somewhat resembled a member of mankind.

And then, above all, he spoke words that even Celis could understand.

「Whoa there, if you’re expecting help, then it’s pointless. My comrades are downstairs as well, and are stopping her from leaving after all.」

「……What do you want.」

After Celis glared at him, the Alva went “Oya” and raised a surprised sounding voice.

「How courageous. Or is it just a bluff?」

「I asked you, what do you want.」

After the Alva shrugged his shoulders from how Celis stubbornly didn’t show any sign of fear, he made a bow as if he had suddenly remembered it.

「First, I apologize for the sudden visit……I am Guzelshio. I have come as there is something that I wish to receive by all means. If you feel any pity for this errand boy, please grant it to me.」

「……And what is it you desire?」

After Celis asked that question, Guzelshio answered without breaking his bow.

「The Altluwand. You know where it is, don’t you?」

「I refuse. And then, if your sender is Narika-ane-sama, tell her this. That……as long as she continues such foolish things, the Altluwand will never acknowledge Ane-sama.」

Hearing that, Guzelshio broke his bowing posture, and caressed his chin looking like he was worrying over something.

「Fumu. I, don’t recall saying that my sender was that Narika-ane-sama or whatever though.」

「What drivel. The reason why we weren’t confident in the connection between the Alva and Narika-ane-sama was because of the common sense that it wasn’t possible to converse with the Alva. If there is a being like you, then it’s already decided that you have a connection with Narika-ane-sama.」

Hearing Celis’ words, Guzelshio nodded over and over, going 「I see, I see」, and looking like he was being convinced.

「Just as you say. My existence makes that Narika-ane-sama or whatever’s sin conclusive. I see, I see. It would seem that your head works much better than what I had heard.」

「……Do you still intend on playing dumb?」

「Now, now, don’t get so mad. The truth is, there is one more thing that I require.」

Guzelshio suddenly extended the hand that was caressing his chin out towards Celis.

「The truth is, I was also told to come and erase you.」

「……!」

Celis turned the long staff that she held in her hands this whole time towards Guzelshio.

When she did, Guzelshio raised up both hands looking flustered, and took a pose that looked as if to say that he was surrendering.

「Now now, no need to rush! Although I’m like this, I’m actually a bit interested in you, you know?」

With a gaze that looked baffled yet didn’t undo her vigilance, Celis glared at Guzelshio.

「In short, it’s fine as long as your existence vanishes.」

「I won’t run away.」

「No no no!」

After Guzelshio flapped his hand in a way that said she was wrong, he alternately pointed between himself and Celis.

「Here’s what I mean. I’m thinking of taking you back to my hometown for a bit. You will have essentially vanished as long as you never come here again, and you happily won’t have to be killed either. And while we’re at it, I’ll also get an interesting toy……Or rather, I’m satisfied with receiving a guest. See, that leaves everyone happy.」

Celis thrust her staff at the slowly approaching Guzelshio.

「As for the whereabouts of the Altluwand……well, let’s slowly hear about that after I bring you back. Ahh, it’s fine, you know. I understand mankind’s culture to a certain extent after all. I consider myself to be quite able in looking after a pet, see?」

「……If you come any closer, I will attack!」

「Feel free to? It’s just, I feel like not resisting will connect to your happiness after this though.」

Slowly, Guzelshio approached her.

While thrusting her staff out, Celis slowly backed away.

Most likely, she would have only one chance to attack.

Moreover, at this distance, she wouldn’t have time to use anything but elementary magic. However, she wouldn’t be able to defeat him with just small scale magic.

「What’s wrong? Weren’t you going to attack?」

The complacently approaching Guzelshio……in the next instant, turned his gaze to the air above.

What was there, was the ceiling that had crystals set into it.

Fragments of that ceiling that was cut with something sharp poured down aiming at Guzelshio.