Everyone Has Flaws They Cannot Fix

I silently followed behind the two princesses.

The deeper we went, the more soldiers and officials we encountered.

"Under the Chancellor's orders, the great hall has been converted into a temporary command center."

"Looks like the emergency protocols are functioning properly."

The great hall's doors were thrown open, allowing anyone to enter.

The maid who had been leading us moved to take her position behind Lady Anatia.

This was my first time setting foot in the royal castle's great hall, but my only impression was how chaotic it was.

Under normal circumstances, it would surely have been a place of solemnity and grandeur, but now multiple desks had been brought in, papers with information scattered about, and messengers were running back and forth.

That's how serious the emergency was.

It must have been like this within the ducal house when the earthquake struck Alsarm.

Among the chaos, two groups stood out in particular.

One was centered around a slender middle-aged man, while the other was centered around a well-built man older than Yohane.

And there was clearly a hostile atmosphere between them.

"That's Secretary of Military Affairs Crispus and Chancellor Dorikal. They always get like that when they're in the same room."

"Are they the ones who handle the kingdom's actual affairs?"

"Yes. They'd be truly exceptional if not for that."

Lady Anatia quietly approached and whispered the explanation to me.

I might have occasion to see generals, but actually laying eyes on the chancellor or secretary of military affairs would be difficult unless you regularly visited the royal castle.

She must have sensed that.

"We shouldn't move troops carelessly. We don't even know what happened."

"The fact that there's damage is undeniable. We should mobilize the army immediately to assess the situation."

"And what if they strike the moment we're spread thin?"

As we drew closer, I could hear their conversation.

They seemed to be debating something.

"With neither side yielding, contradictory orders are being issued and the field is in chaos."

"Understood. Leave the rest to us."

The two princesses approached the commotion with the same confident stride they'd had when they arrived, showing no fear whatsoever.

Then one of the Chancellor's subordinates noticed us.

After informing the Chancellor, everyone immediately bowed their heads.

"Princess Tianis, Lady Anatia. We're relieved you're safe."

"Fufu. A kind person helped us."

"Yes. Somehow. Kanon protected me."

"… That tomboy… her loyalty alone is commendable."

"Don't speak of her that way. She's the only one who shows me true loyalty."

"Surely that's not—"

The Chancellor deflected Princess Tianis's somewhat reproachful gaze.

Next, the Secretary of Military Affairs approached and knelt on one knee in greeting.

The Chancellor swiftly put some distance between them.

They must really not get along.

"I am ashamed that we failed to protect His Majesty and the Crown Prince."

"Crispus. I heard Father and the others are seriously injured."

"… Skilled priests and physicians are attempting treatment as we speak. I believe His Majesty and the others will certainly pull through."

"I hope you're right."

"Most of the renowned priests left when the Sun God Prohibition was issued. And now this."

"That wasn't a wrong decision. Besides, we've received word from Duke Baroba that this was the work of the Church of the Sun God."

"That hasn't been verified."

The atmosphere grew heavy.

From the Secretary of Military Affairs' tone, I gathered it was probably a miracle the king was still alive.

But considering the effectiveness of Elza's healing miracle, I felt like something could be done as long as he was alive.

Even Kanon, who had been on death's door, had been saved.

"Couldn't Elza heal him?"

"I'm not sure. The healing miracle isn't omnipotent, and…"

I spoke quietly with Elza.

"Also, the healing miracle's effectiveness varies from priest to priest. I'm fairly capable, but…"

"Then—"

"I don't think they'd let me provide treatment. They wouldn't entrust life-or-death treatment to someone whose identity isn't clear."

"Good point."

Elza's position was as a priest of the Creator King faith—and a slave.

Even if she said she could provide treatment, in this situation they surely wouldn't allow it.

"In any case—"

Lady Anatia's voice rang out.

Strong, yet clear.

"I am here not merely as a duke's daughter, but as the representative of Duke Baroba Deiancle. That makes me the highest-ranking noble present."

"… Mm. That may be true, but…"

"This is no place for a child."

The Secretary of Military Affairs and Chancellor looked at Lady Anatia with sour expressions.

Their faces said they might accept this from Duke Baroba himself, but not from his daughter speaking down to them.

"And this chaos is the result!"

Then Lady Anatia shouted.

"The citizens of the Royal Capital are suffering damage too. Whichever opinion you chose, if you had decided immediately, you could have responded. The royal family hasn't been wiped out, yet here you are with factional disputes!"

At Lady Anatia's words, both men tried to immediately retort.

But they held back.

They could say whatever they wanted, but precisely because it was the truth, the more they argued, the more they'd be tightening the noose around their own necks. At least, that's probably what they thought.

"I'm aware of your mutual animosity, but now is the time to join forces. Isn't that right, Princess Tianis?"

"Eh, ah, yes. That's right."

Princess Tianis responded quickly when suddenly addressed.

She seemed startled by Lady Anatia's intensity.

Whether it was Lady Anatia's intervention or Princess Tianis's appearance, from that point on, orders became unified and effective measures were quickly implemented.

Even people who don't get along can come together when there's a mediator.

"They're both excellent individuals. Yet their feud just won't go away."

"As long as there are differences in status and wealth, that won't go away."

"If only everyone were like you, Yohane-san."

I laughed at Lady Anatia's words.

I'm not such an excellent person, but I'll take the compliment.

Once the urgent emergency measures were handled, the discussion shifted to who had done this and why.

"The Anti-Magic Orb and barrier reactions confirm it was magic. It's hard to believe. Could our army's mages do something like this?"

"The range, power, and number… it would all be difficult. Even as head mage, with thorough preparation and time, and consuming an enormous amount of magic stones, one or two would be my limit."

"I see. Then they likely can't do the same thing again easily."

"Didn't Duke Baroba report that this was the Church of the Sun God's doing? They've even spoken of a holy war against the kingdom."

"Wasn't it you, Chancellor, who said the verification hasn't been done?"

It seemed Duke Baroba had managed to send word somehow.

But given the nature of the claim, it was understandable they couldn't immediately accept it.

In the end, they decided to send reinforcements to Duke Baroba.

"The discussion is finished. I'd like to see how they're doing."

"I'll show you the way."

One of the soldiers took the lead.

Meanwhile, Princess Tianis looked our way and beckoned.

Apparently she wanted us to follow.