Stray Bullet

No matter how exhausted you are, a person will recover their energy if they eat well and rest properly.

Thanks to Azu and the others nursing me, I'd made a complete recovery.

Not getting seriously injured certainly helped.

… After I woke up, Azu was constantly attached to me taking care of me, which was helpful, but she went overboard and got scolded by Alexia.

She tried to do everything from changing my clothes to feeding me.

Being able to witness scenes like this was only possible because I was alive.

An audience with Crown Prince Kelves was arranged once I recovered.

He probably wanted to know the situation as soon as possible, but apparently made concessions.

"In the first place, the Empire had already blundered, so maybe they thought taking a magnanimous approach was best. It probably also has to do with this being the second time you got dragged into something."

"Exactly. What do they think Master's life is worth? Just remembering it gives me chills."

"It wasn't intentional this time, so don't be too hard on them. Besides, it's practically impossible to hold them responsible, so in the end we have no choice but to let it go."

The power dynamic between the Empire and the Kingdom, and Yohane's position.

I wouldn't be treated poorly, but asking for more would be difficult.

"In any case, they'll probably make some kind of concession, and that'll settle it as their apology for this incident. What I really want is for them to investigate the cause."

The incident where people were taken in by the remnants of a cruel god.

It was being called the Imperial Castle Disappearance, but as someone who had been taken in, Yohane didn't know why it had happened.

Though we managed to resolve it with the help of King Izard and Iefuda's group, the circumstances remained shrouded in mystery.

The Imperial side was likely conducting an investigation. I wanted to hear what they'd found.

I straightened my appearance.

The clothes I'd been wearing during the incident were completely ruined, so I had to get new ones made in the Empire.

The cost was of course covered by Crown Prince Kelves.

Imperial clothing was well-ventilated due to the hot climate, which was quite pleasant.

"Azu, hold onto this for me. I feel safer with you carrying it than me."

"Understood… What is this?"

"A souvenir for Duke Baroba and Lady Anatia. I'm sure they'll be pleased."

I handed the crown fragment to Azu.

Perhaps because it had lost its owner, the radiant gold had dimmed and become dull.

Giving this to Duke Baroba would be a small token of thanks to King Izard.

"Let's go."

We headed to Crown Prince Kelves.

We were shown not to the throne room, but to his office.

A lot had happened in that place, and my memories were still vivid enough to recall clearly, so being shown here instead was actually a relief.

Inside the room were Crown Prince Kelves, his guard Gloria, and several men who were working.

"Ah, Yohane, thank you for coming. I'd heard the reports, but you did well to return safely."

Crown Prince Kelves rose from his seat and firmly shook my right hand.

"Thank you for your concern. I feared for my life, but various things happened."

"I've been wanting to hear about that. Please, sit. I've called in people from the relevant departments."

Crown Prince Kelves introduced the several men.

They were the people leading the investigation.

After I sat in a chair, tea with plenty of milk was prepared for me.

The sweet taste seemed to soak in.

I moistened my throat with tea and began explaining the incident from the beginning.

Just remembering it all made my hair stand on end.

Moreover, the story was frankly outlandish, but since there were other victims besides me, it seemed they didn't think I was lying.

"So that's what was happening inside. There had been occasional rumors about the red moon, but no matter how much we investigated, nothing was clear. To think it was connected to missing persons in both the Empire and the Kingdom for so long…"

By the way, I changed the parts involving the god to just being a powerful monster.

In a sense that wasn't wrong, and I didn't want them thinking I'd lost my mind.

"I'm grateful, Yohane. To think you defeated such a dangerous monster. I keep being helped by you."

"No, I was only helped by others."

Regarding King Izard, I explained he was a Kingdom survivor who had been hiding inside.

The story was that he had died in a mutual strike with the monster.

Since it involved royalty, I couldn't share everything without consulting Princess Tianis.

"I understand what happened inside. Now let me explain the situation on our end. We've concluded that this incident was almost certainly targeted at either me or Duke Dantarg. In other words, an assassination. Based on your account, if we'd been caught up in it, we might have lost our lives."

"It was a dangerous place. I'm relieved Your Highness is safe."

"Yes. I'll tell you since it's you—ever since I was ambushed before, I sleep away from the castle. I had the old ma… I mean, Duke Dantarg and his wife do the same. I thought it might be excessive caution, but it paid off."

Just as I'd suspected.

I'd thought the Imperial Castle had been targeted.

It was hard to believe we'd been caught up in it by coincidence.

The question of whether such a terrifying monster could be directed remained, but that made more sense.

"I purged all blood relatives except those who had renounced their succession rights. If I didn't, the seeds of conflict would never disappear. In exchange, I was lenient with nobles who surrendered. They're the ones who manage and maintain the territories. Cutting them all down would make the country unmanageable."

"… It must be a difficult position."

A ruler's position was challenging.

When it came to a massive country like the Empire, many coveted its power.

Even if Crown Prince Kelves was crowned, as long as anyone with succession rights remained, they might be swayed by those around them and rebel at any moment, regardless of their own intentions.

It was a path drenched in blood.

"When I defeated Carlos and killed my young nephew with my own hands, I thought it was over…"

Crown Prince Kelves looked exhausted as he drained his tea.

Though he carried himself bravely, the mental toll must have been considerable.

"There were other victims besides you, as I mentioned. Most were found as gruesome corpses, but one was different. When we investigated, that person had been mummified while performing some ritual with a suspicious orb and a Wind Elemental Stone."

"Mummified?"

"Yes. When our mages examined it, they determined there was a high probability that ritual was being used to direct the red moon monster."

"Who was it?"

"Marquis Arius. A man who desperately wanted a seat in the Senate. When he failed to ingratiate himself with me, he immediately sided with Carlos. A real piece of work. I spared his life when he surrendered, but he must have resented losing his territory and power."

So I had nearly died again, caught up in Imperial infighting.

"Are you all right?"

Elza, standing behind me, spoke to Alexia.

When I looked at Alexia, her face was deathly pale and her hands were trembling.

"He's… my father's killer is already dead?"