Chapter 13

Chapter 13

“Well, it’s Harui that we’re talking about. He’s probably just sulking, isn’t he?”

“…”

She was suddenly acting very familiar, but this was still the Queen.

I had to answer everything she asked.

But this was about my father. I wasn’t sure how I should answer.

I mean…what exactly was their relationship, anyway?

“Uhh… My father is doing very well.”

No! I couldn’t find an answer.

“So, you haven’t heard anything?”

“Yes. I’m terribly sorry…”

Did he have such a close friendship with the Queen?

I hadn’t heard of this!

“I see. That’s fine then. …Oh, by the way, Leon.”

“Your Majesty.”

“How did you get here?”

She changed the subject so quickly.

“I used the underground waterway that connects the dormitory to the castle courtyard.”

“Indeed. The underground waterway. …Yes, you triggered the probing magic, but only once.”

She was talking about when I entered the area below the resident district.

So that’s what it was.

I nodded.

“How did you deactivate them?”

“No, I didn’t deactivate them. I saw that they were lines instead of a flat surface, and so I just avoided them.”

“…!?”

“…!?”

“…!?”

What?

The Left Hands were staring daggers at me.

It was honestly painful.

“That is what he says. Is it true?”

The Queen said as she looked around the room.

A single person who was probably the top of the Left Hands stepped forward and took a knee before the Queen.

“I have sent men to go and confirm this.”

“These magic barriers. How many did you set up in the waterways?”

“As they connect to the castle itself, we have set up many, Your Majesty. But I do not know the precise number.”

The Left Hand added that if necessary, a detailed list could be made for her, but the Queen was not interested.

“By the way, didn’t you say that you hadn’t felt that the detection barrier had been broken?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I was mistaken.”

“So, he got through without even deactivating it… You agree that that is what happened?”

“…I’m very sorry.”

Perhaps he was the one who set them up. He was now bowing very low.

“I had heard that they were the latest barriers, but clearly they have some issues.”

“Yes, they were the latest. …I can assure you of that.”

I see. So they were testing the effectiveness of their new barriers.

“Should we return to the old ones?”

“As he says, they use lines to detect movement. However, the old barriers detect over a wide surface. This causes an immediate sense of discomfort, which alerts the intruder.”

“So, it’s harder to notice, but also allows for a loophole.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I believe the danger is still higher with the old barriers.”

“Indeed. And so that is why you changed them. And they were so very expensive. I’m not sure. It still seems like a failure to me.”

I didn’t know anything about money, in this case, but I decided to offer some help.

After all, the Left Hands present seemed quite shaken up over what the Queen was saying.

“Even I was caught by it once. I think it would be very hard for someone to avoid them the first time. It’s a terribly difficult detection barrier to deal with.”

“Oh, is that right? And Leon.”

“Yes.”

She was going to change the subject again.

“I grant you complete absolution. It must have been very hard to get here. You can meet me directly next time. So it should be a little easier for you.”

“Y-your Majesty, is that wise…”

“Yes. It will be harder for us to protect you…”

The Left Hands said in alarm.

“It’s fine. He is Harui’s son. …Besides, could all of you even stop Leon if he was serious?”

“Yes, if we did our best.”

“We would not let him or anyone else through.”

“You shall be protected.”

“I’m glad to see such dedication, but I don’t believe it at all. Anyway, it had been decided.”

Her Majesty said, and everyone fell silent.

“…”

As for me, I felt very left behind and didn’t know what to do.

I had only just learned today that the Queen had such a personality.

“So, you will all arrange it so that Leon can visit me whenever he wants to. Furthermore, he will now be permitted to bring his weapons and to use magic.”

“…”

Was that what she meant by complete absolution…?

Really? Weapons and magic?

I looked towards the Left Hands.

They looked like they had bitten into something very bitter. There was anger for sure.

Some of them looked like they were on the verge of tears.

“Take Leon’s bracelet off of him. He can’t use magic with it on, can he?”

The Queen said, and so one of her maids came to remove it.

“I suppose that’s all we have to talk about. Well, at least we can meet any time now.”

She said as she whacked her fan against her hand.

The sound echoed throughout the room.

That seemed to be a signal, and everyone started to move hurriedly.

“Well, I should take my leave then.”

“Since you are here, why don’t you show it to me?”

What? Oh, she was surely talking about magic.

“Do you mean Shadow Crossing?”

“Yes. Why don’t you use it to leave?”

“If I have your permission, Your Majesty.”

It would make things much easier, that was for sure.

“Of course. Complete absolution. You can use it whenever you like.”

Yes, she had said that.

“Then I won’t hesitate…”

And with that, my body dissolved into the shadows.