Chapter 348
It is said that she does not have the ability to charm, which is a characteristic of a succubus, but Airi managed to seduce local influential people by running a bar as if there was no need for such a thing.
So, it was that stage that was important. Airi said that from now on, there will be no difficulties.
It is to deceive and trick people who have already won their hearts and eat their livers.
How will he handle the ill will of the people he will receive after all of this is over? Are there any measures already in place?
Just like I take my own risks, Airi was willing to take risks on her own even if I didn’t want to.
“Wait a minute, Valie.”
Airi smiles at me.
“Because the day I will dedicate the Edina Archipelago to you is not far away.”
Going beyond the monopoly of trade rights, they eventually want to swallow the entire Edina Archipelago.
Even when I first met the succubus captives, I wanted them to live in peace.
When I said things like seizing the empire’s money, I just thought that if I had a purpose in life like that, it would be okay to have such a dream.
However, seeing Airi’s actions, it did not occur to her that achieving that goal would be impossible.
“My opinion is the same. Please refrain from doing anything too risky.”
“okay. Thank you for your concern.”
Originally, the two of us would have been enemies, but after being saved by me, Airi changed her attitude toward me. In the first place, I didn’t know what kind of past I had with Airi, so I didn’t think much of it.
In the process of checking how Airi was doing on the Edina Archipelago, I learned some very strange things.
If Airi succeeds in the Edina Archipelago, this side will eventually have its own use later. I don’t know right now what its usefulness will be.
“Anyway, I came here because I was curious.”
And, finally, I was able to get to the point.
“Are you curious?”
“I’ll be going back to the Devil Castle soon, and I want to know what’s there.”
“… … To the Demon King?”
“uh.”
“If it were there, the Imperial Army would still be there. Even if you’re disguised as a human… … .”
“I’m going with permission from the imperial family, so there’s no problem with that part.”
“Oh, I see. But what are you going to ask me… … . That’s right, you lost your memory… … .”
Airi seemed to have a rough idea of what I wanted to find when I went back there.
“There is a golden region in the castle where only the royal family was allowed to enter. But humans must have searched all over the place. It should be assumed that nothing useful remains… … .”
Charlotte and Saviolin Tana are trying to go to the Devil’s Castle in the hope that they will vaguely know something.
But I want to find out if there is anything left in the castle, even if it has nothing to do with saving Charlotte.
There must be people who still remain in the castle for the purpose of robbery or research, so even if I take the form of Reinhardt, it won’t be a place I can visit anytime.
The opportunity is now.
According to Airi, there is a forbidden area that only royalty can enter.
But wasn’t there a physical barrier built there? If it is judged that it has already been stolen, there will be nothing to be gained there. Airi narrowed her eyebrows and was lost in thought.
“I don’t know either. However, there are definitely places in the castle where only the devil can enter. Of course, it must be thoroughly sealed so that no one can come in and out… … . It’s definitely possible that humans haven’t found it yet.”
Airi said that she didn’t know, but that there would be.
“How do you know a place like that exists?”
“… … The previous demon king would sometimes take you to somewhere in the demon castle.”
Airi had no choice but to know about the memories of Valie, which I did not have, and about the events at the Demon Castle.
“I don’t know where that is, and when I asked my mother, she never answered me like it was a secret. You seemed to know something.”
“Are there any secret rooms of that kind?”
“Perhaps. I don’t know what kind of place it is.”
The place where the previous demon king used to take Valie from time to time.
Airi’s mother, who was the Four Heavenly Kings, knew something, but didn’t tell Airi.
It’s possible that humans have already found the place, but it’s also possible that they haven’t.
The secret space of the Demon King’s Castle, where the previous Demon King sometimes visited with his son.
There will be something there.
i have to know that
* * *
The brief reunion with Airi ended with that.
“I can go in a few days.”
As if feeling regretful, Airi quietly watched me say that she would leave immediately.
“Sorry, I don’t have time.”
“… … I guess
Airi carefully lowered her eyes.
Originally, Valie was an incompetent, stupid bastard who believed in her father’s authority and trembled.
Now that the Demon World has been annihilated, we are the last royal family remaining in the ruined kingdom.
Airi approached me and held my hands gently.
“You have to be safe. to Bali.”
I felt a certain sense of incongruity because of the strange feeling I felt when I met that gaze.
Is it because the race itself called the succubus queen is easy to love?
no.
That’s not it.
I’m not Balie, but it felt strange, like Balie was reacting.
Balie was bullied by Airi, but somehow she instinctively knows.
A bizarre certainty that Balie would have liked Airi.
The strange feeling I felt just by looking into Airi’s eyes gave me that certainty.
According to the original history, Airi would have been enslaved by the empire, and Balie would have died wandering the wilderness.
Of course, I’m not Balier.
I am not fascinated by the race of succubus.
so.
“You shouldn’t overdo it either.”
“huh.”
I only brought out regards to Airi out of a sense of fellowship.
* * *
Just as he went to the Edina Archipelago in an instant, it was also an instant to return.
Lucinil said that if he was going to the Devil Castle, he could watch over me from nearby, but I declined.
The vicinity of the Devil’s Castle is already occupied by human forces, and Saviolin Tana is the companion. She knew that if she and her Lucy Neal ever ran into each other, she was likely to encounter something strange.
So Lucinil decided it was better to remain on the ecliptic and help Sarkegar with his mission.
There is a secret space in Mawang Castle.
But neither Airi nor I know where that place is.
And if you find that place, you have to enter it while avoiding the eyes of others, but you don’t have a proper plan yet about what to do about it.
Fortunately, Charlotte’s condition did not worsen before leaving for the Devil’s Castle.
In the Royal Class Dormitory, Saviolin Tana secretly called me.
time is night. Outside the Royal Class dorms, Saviolin Tana and I were facing each other in a dimly lit room.
“His Majesty gave permission. Departure in two days.”
“yes.”
When I answered calmly, Saviolin Tana suddenly grabbed my shoulder.
She looks into my eyes with a serious expression.
“Reinhardt, I asked you to go with me out of my greed, but you don’t seem to be properly aware of the danger of this.”
“… … Is it dangerous?”
“Yes, Her Highness, the princess, is very negative about you going with her.”
Charlotte said thank you, but also said she didn’t have to come because it was dangerous.
So you’ve been thinking about it for days?
Is it that there might be a threat to the castle that has not yet been properly grasped?
Is Charlotte negative about going with me because I took too many risks?
“If the demon castle is dangerous… … .”
“No, that’s not the problem.”
She shook her head as if I had no context at all.
“I’m not interested in politics and I shouldn’t be, but I’m basically in a position where I don’t have to get involved with those political issues. This is not self-praise, it is literally true.”
The continent’s strongest knight.
Thanks to the influence and authority that alone has, she can live a life independent of politics.
But am I not
That’s what I know.
The weak living in the middle of politics cannot be neutral. That, too, is possible only after power or influence is secured.
When I heard that it was politics, not physical danger, I knew what Saviolin Tanna was talking about.
“About Bertus… … . Are you talking?”
“okay.”
Bertus and Charlotte.
I had somewhat forgotten about the matter between the two. Charlotte values me, and it’s been a while since Bertus hasn’t tried to do anything against me.
“There are countless people in the castle of demons. And it’s not something that can be hidden that Her Highness and I are going there ourselves. So if you go with us, that fact will be known someday.”
“… … .”
If you go to the Devil Castle with Charlotte, Bertus will find out about it someday.
Bertus finds out that I’m definitely on Charlotte’s side.
“You have already received the imperial crest. His Highness will soon find out that you are the owner of Tiamata.”
And even about Tuan’s champion.
The fact that Ellen and I received the imperial coat of arms together was not information that Bertus could miss.
It is clear that the importance of people has increased, and of course, I am on Charlotte’s side.
Then, just by going to the Demon Castle, it means that I have no choice but to make Bertus a certain enemy in the future.
Saviolin Tana is not ignorant of politics, just not entangled in politics.
So it seemed that he was trying to warn me, thinking I was unaware of the real danger of this.
“This is the end, Reinhardt. It’s strange to say this after I asked for it. If it is judged to be excessively dangerous, it is okay not to come. Because His Highness wants that too.”
Charlotte doesn’t seem to want to put me in danger anymore.
If I go to the Devil Castle with Charlotte, I will have Bertus as my enemy in the future.
But what will happen if you stay like this?
Anyway, it is known that I am the champion of Tuan.
I need to know what’s left of the demon castle as well as Charlotte’s treatment.
And, I know that Saviolin Tanna and Charlotte’s worries are groundless.
The imperial crest given to me.
That in itself already says it all.
“I don’t think Bertus is stupid enough to tamper with Tuan’s champion.”
“… … .”
Treated like royalty?
No, more than that.
Ellen and I are more important to mankind than the prince and princess or even the emperor himself at this point.
In such a state, if you try to kill me or harm me just because I am on Charlotte’s side, you will be met with a backlash from the angry emperor.
Me and Ellen are consumables to fight against the demon lord, but until we become consumables, we have no choice but to be treated as the most important on the continent.
Lagann Artorius would never have used his political advantage, but I will not.
Bertus will not touch me.
Unless it’s at the level where my identity is revealed, you can never touch me.
“Then I will go.”
But the moment Bertus becomes an enemy, can my identity not be revealed?
I don’t know.
“… … Yes, I will tell His Highness that.”
I know my destiny is coming, and I cannot hide my identity forever.
* * *
Tuan’s champion.
It will protect me in every situation and situation.
I raised the sense of crisis in humanity by revealing the remaining forces of the Demon Realm, and prepared a political basis to protect myself through the fact that I am the champion of Tuan.
Acting as the savior in the crisis I created and solidifying my position is a very vicious act if you look at it at face value.
In the end, Elerith’s words that Tiamata would have greater political uses were true.
The day we decided to depart for the Demon King.
“It’s really okay. It won’t be long, and even if you don’t have to… … .”
Charlotte blurted out her words with a melancholy expression. I am grateful, but Charlotte was always apologetic in that she always took something from me and never gave me any help from her.
Even this work is a very big risk, no matter how strong the political position is.
So even on the day of departure, there was a glimpse of the wind that I did not want to go with them.
“I really believe in hearing that from the guy who came to me in pajamas and cried and cried and clung to me when something happened.”
“What, what?!”
Charlotte looked bewildered at my sudden speech. Saviolin Tana, who was ready to start by the side, also looked dumbfounded.
“It’s no use trying to call out when things really happen. So, let’s just go quietly together.”
“What are you talking about?!”
Charlotte’s face turned red and she started pointing wildly.
“Yeah, I’d rather be angry like this.”
“… … what?”
I’m sorry, I’m more distressed to see Charlotte looking like she’s about to die.
“That makes me feel better.”
Charlotte stared at me blankly, her lips quivering, and she finally gave a shout.
“… … really you He’s a strange guy who appreciates people, doesn’t appreciate them, and then appreciates them again!”
Charlotte took the lead, huffing and puffing, and Saviolin Tana sighed as she looked at me.
“You are also the one who casually says that you will be arrested for blasphemy, but I am getting used to your way of doing things like that.”
Normally, I would have to step forward, saying that it was safe and stern, but since I was like this, I was just embarrassed and didn’t step forward.
Saviolin Tana seemed to find it odd that she was getting used to what I was doing.
