I stepped out in front of the Moonlight Palace and watched as the knights gathered in formation.
The formation of the knights for the hunt of Camilla was completed in less than 30 minutes.
Under normal circumstances, Heike would have led them, but she wasn’t in the Imperial Palace as she was currently on a business trip to the border conflict zone.
Since she was the Empress, the Emperor preferred to handle things quietly, so the hunt for Camilla would be carried out by the Emperor’s personal guard from the Imperial Palace and the knights from the Moonlight Palace.
“Teacher, are we heading to the scene together?” Tanya asked me.
“Of course. It looks like Acella is going too.”
“Since Camilla used to be affiliated with the Moonlight Palace, you think she wants to deal with it personally?”
“Acella is probably too filled with thoughts of fighting. The formation is already complete.”
“That’s true. Since the enemy is a Black Magician, only the elite have been dispatched. I’ll guard you, Teacher.”
“Thank you. But if it looks like they need help over there, I don’t mind joining the fight.”
I nodded toward the Emperor’s personal guard.
“So it’s the Imperial Guard from the Imperial Palace. Camilla intends to take them on as the main force.”
“Every one of them are skilled. There’s even a Swordmaster among them.”
“You’re talking about Sir Sigmund, nicknamed the Blazing Sword, one of the Three Swordmasters of the continent.”
A total of thirty knights had gathered from the personal guard. The commanding figure among them was the robust middle-aged man, Sigmund. He donned his Orihalcon armor in case combat broke out.
“Aren’t you curious? You should make a lasting impression on this opportunity.”
“Hmm. I’d love to hear some anecdotes about the Sword Aura that only those who have reached that realm can use.”
“Don’t you think the Commander could use it if he practiced a bit?”
“Not yet; I’m not at that level.”
“You said ‘not yet’? You must be quite confident.”
As I subtly teased him, Tanya responded deadpan.
“I have to reach it someday.”
“Oh, then I’ll be the doctor who is guarded by a Swordmaster? What a remarkable luxury.”
I openly flattered her, and it seemed to sting her pride a little, as she snorted.
“I was just joking. I have the most faith in your potential. Soon you’ll surpass Sir Sigmund easily.”
“That’s quite an expectation. Unlike your knights, I haven’t received systematic training.”
“Haha, just trust me. I do the Commander’s health check-ups every year. It’s all about physical constitution.”
“…You’re not joking, but you really believe I’ll become a Swordmaster?”
Tanya tilted her head as I lightly nodded.
“Have you ever seen me joke about work? I’m serious.”
“Well… if you say so.”
Her mood seemed to lighten as she crossed her arms and let out a small smile.
“Thirty-two from the personal guard, and twenty from the Moonlight Palace will participate. The Togin Palace likely doesn’t know about our movements yet, so this will be a surprise operation. It would be nice if they surrendered.”
“Camilla could use her tricks, so be careful.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. But is it alright that we haven’t seen the Royal Princess?”
“Why do you ask about Acella?”
When I questioned her, Tanya gave me a heartfelt piece of advice.
“She fought with you earlier and Camilla is essentially the Royal Princess’s biological mother. Her thoughts must be complicated.”
“That’s true. I don’t wish for Acella to directly hunt Camilla either.”
I opened the status window.
―――――――――――
No. 056 Wicked Woman’s Hatred 7% → 15%
No. 088 Demon Worship 11% → 33%
No. 101: Magic Explosion 9% → 14%
……
―――――――――――
Overall, the probability of a bad ending due to Acella’s wicked deeds was rising little by little.
‘In the original history, Acella killed Camilla.’
Even if it was an incident triggered by an accidental magic circuit explosion, the shock would have been significant.
Looking back now, I thought Acella must have regretted that incident.
Perhaps, to bury the guilt of the heinous act she committed, Acella was compelled to commit even more evil deeds.
She must have convinced herself that she needed to prove she was an evil person to rationalize the existence of her past murderous transgressions.
‘I never considered that Acella might have a conscience.’
Perhaps because she sometimes displayed different behavior from the Emperor I knew, my attitude toward her had softened a bit lately.
‘Anyway, Camilla needs to be hunted down.’
Ending 88, Demon Worship. This is when the hidden Black Magicians in the Empire, charmed by the Demon King’s army, performed a massive black magic spell targeting the continent.
Even 30% of the common citizens of the Empire perished, and I died while trying to stop a first-class demon summoned.
‘Camilla must surely be nurturing the Black Magicians.’
Now, even the court magicians she claimed to have as her disciples seemed a bit suspicious.
‘It would be best if the Emperor’s personal guard hunted her down instead of Acella.’
I decided to follow Tanya’s advice and speak with Acella.
Acella was already suited up in her magical attire and prepared for battle.
As she issued commands to the commander of the knights, I approached her.
“Your Highness, do you intend to fight personally?”
Acella spun around sharply. Her long ponytail, once tied back, flew up and slowly settled.
“I won’t tell you.”
“Huh, since this is an external activity, I must accompany you.”
“Why is it an external activity when we’re inside the Imperial Palace?”
“Because it’s a military operation with the possibility of combat. It’s written in the manual.”
With my logical response, Acella couldn’t refute me and fell silent, mumbling one word.
“Annoying.”
“I can see how that might appear.”
“The Prince won’t listen to me either. I’ll do what I want.”
“I’ll follow your judgment, but the opponent is Camilla, the former Empress. Are you sure you’re alright with that?”
“That…”
Acella trailed off, her thoughts clearly converging.
To her, Camilla must be a loathed person who had tormented her throughout her life.
But family is family. The Emperor was much older, and it was hard to meet him. Her brothers were all foes in this Imperial Palace.
For Acella, Camilla was essentially the only blood relative she had known from childhood. The current situation, where she might have to take Camilla’s life, must be unbearable.
“Your Highness, don’t overdo it. It’s alright to wait in the Moonlight Palace.”
“…Huu.”
Acella took a deep breath and tightened her grip on her wand.
When she opened her eyes again, her expression had hardened.
“I’m ready. I won’t be lenient in defeating the enemy of the Imperial Family.”
Her voice returned to that of a charismatic leader, but her lips trembled slightly.
I took both of her hands clutching the wand.
“W-what are you doing…!”
I gently stroked the back of her hands to relax her grip, causing Acella to settle down like a cat being stroked behind the ears.
“Leave it to the knights and watch from the back. Isn’t that the true role of a ruler?”
“…Even so.”
“Do you understand?”
Acella lowered her head, looking up at me with a mix of sorrow and resentment in her eyes.
“That’s unfair. The Prince won’t listen to anything I say, yet keeps nagging me.”
“When he listens, he listens well. Your Highness should listen to me so you can live long and healthy.”
“…Will the Prince also live long?”
“Of course. He’s a doctor, after all. I have to take care of my own body, don’t I?”
I was sincere. This time, I wanted to live a long life without dying in a bad ending.
As a doctor, I felt like I was finally on the right track, and I had started a business from my family to live abundantly.
I wanted to enjoy life as much as possible until the day I die, to be compensated for all the painful times I’ve endured until now.
“…Alright, but in exchange.”
In an unexpected turn, Acella nodded in agreement, adding one condition.
“Once this is over, make some time for me.”
“Of course, if that’s your command.”
Wait, did I just answer too easily, caught up in the atmosphere?
The price Acella was requesting shouldn’t be taken lightly.
“By the way, what do you want to do?”
“I want to go out. Secretly, like before, without others knowing.”
She was referring to the time we snuck out to the café from the Marquis’ residence.
“And I also want to know the answer from last time.”
“Last time?”
“…I haven’t yet heard how you feel about me, Prince.”
I could say it easily now.
The most notorious wicked woman in human history, the tyrant of iron-fisted rule, the ruthless golden witch.
No matter how often I saw her, the fear she invoked in me was not easily erased.
She was a trauma, in every sense of the word.
Demons, Four Heavenly Kings, tribal chieftains—all those who had tried to kill me were naturally a bit awkward to face.
‘Well, still.’
It felt a bit different from then. I had responsibilities now as her attending physician.
It might be difficult to define perfectly with just one word.
“I understand your wishes, Your Highness.”
Upon hearing my answer, Acella turned her body to look at the knights.
The commander reported to her.
“Preparation for deployment is complete. Please give the command.”
Acella scanned the knights and boldly proclaimed in a resonant voice.
“This military operation is a war against the Black Magician. There is no need for mercy. Protect the Imperial Family and remain loyal to the Empire.”
With her declaration, the knights steeled their gazes.
“Moonlight Palace Knights, advance!”
We began our descent toward the Togin Palace.
*
“Everyone, halt.”
The lead knight, Swordmaster Sigmund, raised his arm.
It takes about 30 minutes to get from the Moonlight Palace to the Togin Palace. We stood in front of the main gate leading into the Togin Palace.
Fifty elite knights took their positions. Acella acted as the command center in the rear alongside the Emperor.
I quietly stood next to Acella with Ambrosia and the Emperor’s guards.
“Is there no response from the Togin Palace?” Sigmund inquired, and one of his subordinates shook his head.
Inside the walls of Togin Palace, it was eerily quiet, without even a servant or gardener in sight.
Just before making entry, a communication sphere flew to us with an imperial order to surrender.
The lack of response meant they were refusing to comply.
“I will proceed in.”
The personal guard quickly moved. Their formations were perfect, proving them to be the finest veterans of the Empire.
The moment they arrived at the central hallway of the main palace of the Togin Palace—
Whoosh!!
Black mana writhed from the ground, surging up into the air.
“Black magic, evade!”
Grrrgh!
The knights quickly reacted, but a few were hit.
Their bodies began to decay rapidly.
Gack! I’ve been hit!
“Healers!”
Including one of the Emperor’s vice physicians, the healers from the Imperial Palace quickly pulled the injured back while casting spells.
The black energy that soared endlessly soon enveloped the entire Togin Palace in a dome shape.
“Is that black magic?”
The Emperor’s expression hardened as he witnessed the scene.
“Does she intend to wage war, Camilla?”
Ambrosia advised the Emperor.
“It seems to be a dangerous spell, Your Majesty. Please avoid any contact.”
“Ambrosia, do you know what spell that is?”
“Umm, I can’t identify the type…”
Even Ambrosia, who had reached heights in healing, had never fought against a Black Magician, so it was understandable she didn’t know.
She turned to me.
“Gothberg, do you know?”
“It’s a type of barrier.”
“A barrier?”
“Yes. It melts any living beings that enter and converts their life force into mana. Given its instantaneous nature and power, it seems to be at least 5th tier.”
Ambrosia clicked her tongue.
“That’s dangerous. So that’s why the skin of the knights who came into contact is rotting.”
“Is it possible that Camilla is inside that barrier?”
The Emperor asked me, and I replied respectfully.
“The barrier requires the caster to be inside for it to operate. I think she is definitely within.”
“You said it melts life, right? What about the other palace members aside from Camilla?”
“That, unfortunately…”
The Emperor’s cold fury shone through the cruel attitude that carelessly takes life.
“Suggest a method to break through. Can the healers dispel it?”
“The barrier isn’t part of the curse category, so it lies outside the healers’ domain. However, there is a useful holy spell we could use.”
“What is it?”
“Purification spell. A barrier can be nullified with purification. Sister, can you use it?”
Ambrosia nodded vigorously in my direction.
“I can use it at around 3rd tier.”
“Very well. Then please assist me.”
“Teacher, you can use purification? I thought it was a rare spell only employed by the Inquisition.”
I rolled up my sleeves as I responded.
“I have some expertise in it. I can manage something at around 4th tier.”
“4th tier! You mean you can use such a high level holy spell?”
Ambrosia gasped in surprise and excitedly relayed this to the Emperor.
“Your Majesty, if the girl works with Gothberg, they can break through the barrier.”
The Emperor nodded at me.
“I will rely on you, Gothberg.”
It brought back some memories.
I smiled broadly as I stepped forward.
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