-Fei's POV-
"She's asleep." Leonhardt stated.
For the obvious thing indeed. One could see with a simple glance since the girl in my arm was breathing quietly, her eyes closed as a serene expression finally graced her stained face.
So much blood. So much wounds. And so much tears were shed. Yet she was still conscious enough to win a fight against a mutated human.
"......you sure is easy to disregard these guys." Leonhardt remarked, giving a glance over the bloodied land.
However, I was used to it. Too used, in fact for I have seen a more violent place than this. In fact, I believe this battlefield turned out to be cleaner than any that I have seen so far. It still showed how accustomed I was with war and everything else that came with it though…
In the end, all I could do was limited.
"Ah. Death is a part of reality. I know more than enough that the army was mobilized not under my consent, considering Eliza tried to waltz in to steal Charlotte’s life." I said while watching over the sleeping maiden. "...but had I been more competent, I could have prevented all of this from happening."
The redheaded boy scoffed. "Damn straight. My older sister here just massacred hundreds of people. Humans, who possibly served directly beneath you."
The boy sent an accusing glare at me. His words clear enough to tell how much pain his sibling had to endure in facing her enemies. And I have to agree.
It must be hard for her. She must have thought she had betrayed me by killing people that knew me. As she swung her sword, she would probably remember her opponent so as not to forget her piling sins for the consequence of her action. Even though conspiracy and schemes can pit family against each other, her heart is far too pure to accept this as a form of reality.
"...truly. How much further do you intend to go, I wonder?" I mumbled, more to questioning the girl in my cradle.
I couldn't fathom it but... Charlotte has been hiding many things. Too many that it was easier to count the times she dazed off for a set of wild imaginations than when she thought about a certain thing.
Even though she explained her travels and her training periods, I was never allowed to know what her personal opinion was about them. Her thoughts when she fought an SSS-Rank Monster. Her motivation in following tortures that drained her mind and made her to vomit out blood.
What's more... her latest story about her trip to the south was never explained in details. All she gave out was a short summary, and that she was rewarded with an odd nobility title plus a Cursed Relic for free. One would frown at the prospect of giving out a cursed weapon that always did more harm than help, and a civil war occurring when she passed by was just too good of a moment to be regarded as a result of coincidence.
"And once again, she's burdening herself with the weight of her own actions..." I heaved a deep sigh, troubled by her antics that grew by days.
"Just like you. The two of you sometimes think alike." Leonhardt pointed out.
I scowled. For once, that notion sounded insulting to Charlotte. I may have gone somewhat insane in my pursuit but she's smarter than she looked. If not, there's no way she could survive the onslaught of Raumia's Royal Knight.
Besides, we're not linked anymore. My connection with her stopped working the moment my Lagnaris went broken. She’s no longer my Oratoria, no matter how saddening it was for me in a personal level.
"Hmph," The boy snorted. "Had you kept on admitting you are what you are, I'd have killed you even if you defeated that spirit."
"...what do you mean...?" I frowned at the sudden dropping of what sounded as if I dodged an arrow to the knee.
"Don't play dumb. That Spirit told you right? About what sister is."
I nearly choked. My eyes widened as they reflected his smug smile. The boy glanced on something on his right, then lowered his eyelids. As if he reminisced about something.
"She is special. Her soul is just so high in values that you can risk an entire Territory and be fine with its loss as long as you obtained it." Leonhardt said as he pointed his finger at me.
In silence, I cradled the girl tighter. It was because I felt something's off. Something in his words seemed to have a different meaning. It was subtle but I knew what feeling was crawling on my back.
Fear. The last time I experienced this unique fear was... back when I encountered the Bloodsucking Countess. An inherent fear against the magical race said to live for eternity, but soaking in blood out of pure greed.
Yet this fear came from a boy who was younger than me by several years? A boy who looked… humane?
"...Leonhardt... who... are you?" I asked as I prepared myself for the unavoidable. It can’t be… right? But, but why would…?
The red-haired boy snorted. "Do you think I will name myself? Impudent human, you should know that such question is moot when raised."
But as the last tirade of twilight sank, darkness descended together with the cold winds. Under the deep vermillion sky, in the battlefield where carcasses are strewn all over...
"The place where my sister goes to is the place I shall return to someday. If you intend to betray her feelings... her love, even if only for a single moment..."
The boy's eyes faintly glow in jade green color. A flitting shadow disappeared as soon as it surfaced on his pupils.
It was... it was the pupils of a serpent.
"Know that you will face the wrath of an abomination descending from the vilest king of this realm."
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-Luna's POV-
"So? How's it?"
I asked as I gazed beyond the window. The architect that designed this place is truly focusing in luxury and grandness rather than the method in using resources efficiently.
It is a sad fact that artists have been the key elements that kept the wheel of economy from stopping. By having nobles buying their works, the taxes can be safely collected and they will have easier access to the resources needed for their next works.
As a result, the nobles must work in some ways or the other lest their wealth and home would be all but confiscated. A political system where everyone is treated equally will soon tear down the twisted hierarchy system my ancestors created.
"The reformation of the Royal Court is halfway done. However, the mobilized troop under Lady Eliza's order has not returned means..."
"I see... leave them be. Cover it up with a story like 'Off to subjugate an earth dragon and having difficulty in both protection of target and assaulting the dragon'. After some times, enlist them as 'Heroes' that valiantly defended their homeland."
Yet again, one pawn has taken the wrong move. I have, assuredly, expecting such outcome since my elder sister's scheme was far too easy to unveil. Hence why I asked my faithful vassal to take over the procedure before handing the proposal to the Court.
Fake the writings and you have one excuse. Lies from your teeth and it will be bound to be revealed. Therefore, the correct answer is to mix both lies and truth together, reveal some but bend the real aim a tiny bit.
With just that, only extremely selected few could notice the 'authentic' truth. And I know more than enough that nobody with such caliber is in the Court.
Otherwise, I'd have them working in other fields that suited them the most to double my profits.
"...your Majesty, is that truly fine? What if Lady Eliza..."
"Oh, nothing to worry, Maria. She's just a bad root so I believed she has been dealt with by elder brother."
I smiled as the Head Maid exhaled while massaging her forehead. Oh my, have you had another wrinkle, my assistant...?
"Now we have five Princes, and five Princesses left. To think our kingdom lost not only one, but two valuable battle assets in a decade is surely a major decline." She commented.
I raised a finger, noticing something my irritable servant could not. "Ah-ah. Not one word, Maria. I believe that our guest has appeared."
Just as I said that, the door to the office was knocked gently. Maria headed to it, checking who was it and after a short banter, he appeared.
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With silent steps. Without showing any opening. Without even revealing his own face by wearing a mask reminiscent of an ancient mythical beast...
"I have arrived. What is your order?" A man in black clothing asked, his hair color revealed his descent as one that ruled over a distant branch family.
It was very contrasting, how a part of him gave the vibe of an undisciplined youth trying his best to look as authoritative and elegant as he could. Yet I knew more than anyone that it was nothing more than a façade; a lie needed to deceive the many, and to slowly bestow the wrong impression upon his targets.
"Now now. Please have a seat first, Marquise. Would you like a cup of tea?" I offered in advance.
The man breathed out. "...Earl Grey it is."
"Maria." I glanced at the Head Maid and she has thoroughly prepared the tray as well as tea set.
Such fine vassals I have with me... I feel so delighted albeit envious that your hearts are never put in the line of your works.
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"Now then... as you might expect, I would like you to take up an errand. One that is quite common ever since my great-grandfather's order." I began as the tea was served.
In the dead of night when the wind is gently blowing, the stone terrace next to the Ruler's office is a haven to relax in. Such an exquisite place where one can dance, party, basking under the sun and stargazing is a place that is worth of thousands of lavish praises.
"I see... Rats extermination?" The Marquise lowered his teacup from his lips, allowing only a small view of his lips.
"I'd like to say vermin extermination but if you are used to such wording, then I have no qualm." I replied. With a hand gesture, Maria handed him a parchment.
Oh, she certainly looked reluctant. Is it because she have yet to know what I am doing? It might be so as what I do in my personal time is of no concern to her. I even explicitly pointed that out, else I’d toss her to [Tree of Abraxas] during snack time.
Then the man read it with one hand. His cold eyes lying beneath his animal mask did not show any hint of change even as he finished reading and handing it back to Maria.
The servant looked at me as I gave a roll of an eye. Take out the trash, please.
“……please excuse me for a slight moment.” Maria bowed as she begrudgingly obeyed my order.
Marquise shifted his leg to lie on top of another. "How unusual. You have no hesitation in dealing with obstacles, young Queen."
Had it been anyone else, I would have had your head chopped off. But knowing the man in front of me, I smiled a thin smile and tilted my head.
"Oh? Is a leader's duty not to stay decisive?" I asked.
"As long as one possesses the right head." He quipped.
"You are speaking to the Ruler, you know?" I remarked.
"I believe you are already bored of being one." He pointed out.
Ah, spoken like a true gentleman, I whispered. Indeed, that I have grown tired of working for the people.
They have so much to desire for yet so little to fight for. They do not have what it takes to make up their own decisions and simply following the flow. A bunch of naive, indecisive as well as loathsome bunches who simply did not wish to get their hands dirtied and bothered.
"A society where no cooperation between the government and the people exists is not harmonious. It is a form of chaos, and nobody wishes for such thing." I placed the cup on the small round table in front of me. "Even in a kingdom where nobles oppress the commoners, such things do not change, much more so when one is within a republic."
"…the Merchant Guilds. I have heard their 'parliament' is falling."
I nodded. "Yes. The people have lost their trust and a pole to rely on. Not only that, other countries are descending into perils excepting those who entered the Coalition."
"An acceptable situation when knowing how Daemonia's invasion is approaching in three-and-a-half years from now on. But that is not the point, no?"
I put hands on my laps as I stared at the Marquise. He who was fond of the darkness. A man that remained a mystery for his descendants too wear 'masks' so as not to reveal their true natures.
Truly a family of enigmas...
"I know just from a single glance what you wanted. Are you certain, Young Queen?" He asked.
"I assure you, any information you've come across to is a valuable material to use for. It only depends on how you handle it." I answered in glee.
The Marquise's eyes, this time, showed a sudden change. Albeit brief, I noticed something in his lightless eyes.
A similarity.
"It seems we think alike, do we?"
"Indeed. Our aim seems to coincide with one and another."
A round of laughter appeared. As the night grew old, I realized how time has passed.
"My time's up. I will take my leave now." The Marquise left the table and wore his gloves back.
"Leaving already? Even though we were about to reach the good part..."
"Young Queen, I believe that a night of rest will help you grow even further."
Oh...?
"...you speak of interesting proverb." I muttered with a lopsided gaze and a smirk. "Not only a gentleman, but also a jester. I would have liked you to be my personal aide."
Will you? The request did not go unnoticed, as the light he flashed earlier in his eyes reappeared only to fade away into the darkness yet again.
A chuckle escaped from his mask. "A proposal that is not bad. But I am more than pleased with my current position, young Queen."
As he bowed and excused himself, I permitted him to do so and Maria escorted him out.
Once again, only the sounds of the wind and distant noise of the nightlife in the kingdom reached my ears. Nary it was a worthy view as I gazed down from the height.
Then I sensed Maria returning.
"The guest has left the palace." She reported.
"Very well done. I too shall also retire for the night." I replied back as I reentered the office and left it.
Walking through the hallway, I was escorted by only my maid. Maria was not only excelling in daily chores, but she was as capable as my elder brother in combat although her specialization is in disarming her opponent.
"Your Majesty..." But suddenly, she asked. "What is your view of the Marquise?"
I raised my brow. A realization dawned on me as I once again smirked a fickle one.
"An astounding clown. He has emptied his heart and devoted himself by only playing cards and throwing knives."
My words seemed to confuse her. After all, I have been using many vocabulary as well as metaphors. But that is fine, since I do not intend to ruin the fun.
But as we reached my bedroom, I halted my step before entering. The luxurious and spacious room was decorated with gold ornaments, first-class furniture and a wide bed with pillows filled by swans' feathers.
The light was still off as nobody was in it. Thus the light of the moons was the sole thing that illuminated the room.
"Ah, yes. Maria..."
As I glanced at the Head Maid, my smirk grew twisted, and my eyes narrowed with ethereal glint. How I loved human's reaction when I revealed my true nature...
And how jealous am I of their capability to even fear something beyond their understanding... Hence the reason why I took the liberty to 'correct' her previous statement.
"Not only have we lost two Vagnalos... but Four. With this, only three Sinned Swords remaining."
No matter how much I expected her response, the fact that I was both elated and jealous of her humane behavior made me to quiet down my temper.
Knowing how much I wanted to erase this poor aspect of mine, as a Homunculus, I am bound by a set of rules and will live with this 'Sin' reaping the most benefits until I break down. And so... to remain quiet over my personal agenda will certainly assist me.
Besides... Elder brother's [Soul Vessel] is no longer his, right?
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A/N: Thus it finally ends (this volume and Arc). Haaa..... I went through a lot and stressed a lot. Mostly the stress but it's because of my stupid leg. Hm? What about now? The cast is off! I don't need to use crutch any longer, mua ha ha ha haaaa! I! AM! FREE! AT LAST!!
...oh, wait. I can't run yet so I'm still not off the hook. Well, let's get back to walking tutorial allover again.