Chapter: 623
The girl opened her eyes and, at first, let out a stream of curses, but quickly calmed down as she took in the faces surrounding her.
With two princes and a duke’s young lady around, she must have calculated that her life was on the line.
“Ganerin. You’ve always been good at picking up on things despite being sloppy, right? What do you think you should do to survive?”
“…What are you curious about?”
“About His Majesty the King. You know, right?”
The girl looked confused, as if she had no idea what he was talking about.
No way, does she really not know anything? She’s in a high-ranking position and hasn’t heard any rumors?!
“Ha! Wow, you’ve improved your acting skills.”
“No, really. I don’t know anything.”
“I can tell. Dummy.”
But her natural acting became meaningless in front of Karia’s abilities.
Even if she claimed to have mind-reading powers, she’d just accept that the girl had buried her thoughts deep.
“Do you remember how I interrogated you back then? You’re doing it now, so it should be easy to talk.”
As Karia grinned, the girl’s shoulders trembled.
“Would you rather go somewhere secluded with me, just the two of us, or act cooperatively here? Either way, I don’t care.”
“Ka-Karia! You know our restrictions!”
“You just have to keep quiet. If I ask, just think it.”
Under the near-scolding command, the girl eagerly nodded. What had Karia been like before to make her so compliant now?
“All right, everyone. If you have any questions, speak up. She says she’ll cooperate no matter what you ask.”
“I’ll ask first.”
The first to raise a hand was Rene.
“How much does the Information Department know about the First Queen’s actions?”
“They’re claiming from the initial concealment to disruption of information, it all passed through their hands.”
“What about the First Queen’s objectives?”
“Looks like they don’t know about that part. They’re just soldier types doing what they’re told.”
As Rene stepped back, Arthur took his turn.
“Does the kingdom’s Information Department know about the existence of the Watcher?”
“They’re as clueless as I am. That info is likely something you’ll have to pressure the current Duke Kurten for.”
As Arthur clicked his tongue and zipped his lips, the crowd’s gaze naturally fell on Joy. Staring blankly ahead, Joy finally realized the attention and shook her head.
“What about our Employer?”
“The filthy trash has been babbling about the delusional Queen’s ongoing activities.”
“There aren’t too many useful things, but I’ll lay them out. Negotiations related to the Fairy Forest, talks with the black wizard group, pursuit missions for several key figures, investigations on Lord Erginius, preparations for the founding day event… Ah, so that’s why they meant to launch something at this time.”
They are a year ahead of what I know. According to the original plan, something should have happened on the founding day of the third year.
“The founding day is less than a month away.”
At Rene’s words, Karia nodded.
“They’re ready to act, it seems.”
“What were they planning back then?”
“To deal with the troublemakers amid the chaos created by that crazy woman. Beyond that, she doesn’t know. Just move wisely.”
“So, only the First Queen knows the detailed plan?”
“It’s clear that it’s a situation big enough that several key nobles could die without a second thought.”
“Great. We need to know what it is to prepare on our side.”
“It’s related to the piece of trash.”
In the tense atmosphere, I bluntly dropped the words.
“…Piece of trash?”
“I’m talking about the Evil God Agra, right?”
“That’s correct. The biggest of the trash. Only shows up when he thinks he can win, sneaks out, whines, and flees like a pathetic child.”
In the game, the First Queen awakens the Evil God’s fragment, stored beneath the Soul Academy, to achieve eternal prosperity for the kingdom using that power.
“I’m not doubting what our Employer says, but how is that possible? I don’t know much, but doesn’t the resurrection of an Evil God cause chaos?”
“Ha! Do you think he’s just any old loser?”
He has been shattered into multiple pieces and was sealed away for hundreds of years, so Agra doesn’t know which piece is the core anymore.
No matter how powerful his original strength was, it can’t be strong now.
Especially the fragment sealed beneath the Soul Academy is even weaker than the others.
Erginius has made sure to tire out that power over those hundreds of years.
Even if the seal is lifted, it won’t be too threatening.
Compared to the evil god of darkness I saw in the Fairy Forest, it might be a level of a newborn baby.
If that kind of being is our opponent, it’s definitely possible to snatch away power. In fact, it happens.
“I guess we can assume that’s possible, but how does it relate to the kingdom’s prosperity? If things go wrong, it could be branded heretical and the country could collapse.”
“That’s why useless shells need to be disposed of. A true loser. How can a God, holding that title, be used by humans and discarded?”
Using power to achieve what she desires, the First Queen planned to defeat Agra herself.
The lifting of the seal is a tragic accident, one that has been resolved after numerous sacrifices, a scenario, right?
She meant that by claiming she personally defeated Agra, the church wouldn’t be able to interfere.
“Karia.”
“Your Highness the First Prince. Wait a moment; there’s still something to confirm. The most important thing. Why have they committed such insanity?”
“Isn’t it obvious? Why would the delusional queen act like this? For this sloppy country, of course.”
The monarchy system means the fortune of the country hinges on the ability of one king.
If the capable takes the throne, there’s nothing more wonderful than that. Even if an ordinary person takes over the nation, as long as nothing major happens, it’s fine.
However, if a tyrant holds power, the monarchy can easily tip over.
Even if there’s a capable king currently in place, or even if he’s nurtured one, what happens after that?
A hundred years from now?
After an unfathomable time passes?
This kind of thinking led the Queen to resolve to create an exceptional figure.
A king who would forever lead the palace to prosperity.
“Can such a thing be possible with Agra’s power?”
“Of course it is. If it’s not possible, how could he call himself a God?”
If the evil god of darkness contrasts with the symbolism of light that Armadi possesses, then Agra exists on the fundamentally opposing side.
If Armadi heralded the beginning of the world, Agra symbolizes its end.
Beginning and end. Creation and destruction. Birth and death.
Delaying the end by borrowing Agra’s power could lead to achieving immortality.
“…I’m glad I got out of the palace.”
“If either of my brothers were there, we would have been caught up in it.”
Aren’t they all believing too easily?
Other kids might accept that I’m an Apostle of God, but Rene, you shouldn’t go along with that.
Why are you believing my words, treating them as if they were obvious? You’re not that kind of person.
I was even going to say that if reasoning doesn’t work, Rene would become the final boss, but alas.
I wanted to show how miserable and pathetic she’d die back then.
“Lucy. Doesn’t that mean we should guard the seal beneath the Academy now?”
“Dumbass. Use your brain. How many idiots following the delusional queen are there over there?”
Arthur’s people who used to guard the Evil God’s seal were likely caught too, and more of the First Queen’s people have entered the Academy than in the game, so it’s safer to say they’ve been extracted already.
“…Brother, it seems Lucy Allen is telling the truth.”
“How do you know this?”
“There’s a way to confirm. Just keep that in mind.”
I knew it would be like that.
[Let me ask one thing. Why didn’t you stop it knowing it would be stolen?]
‘What if the First Queen runs off somewhere?’
It’s impossible to fathom the mind of a madwoman.
It’s better to fight in a known situation rather than risk giving her more variables as she’ll go to any lengths to achieve her desires.
‘If I get backstabbed in the last moment, it’d be a huge deal.’
I can’t handle an opponent so overwhelming if they’re causing chaos on both sides. For a veteran gamer like me, it’s advantageous to prep beforehand and prepare for the final battle.
‘Don’t worry, Grandpa. You know I’m a genius when it comes to dungeons, right?’
[Ha. That sounds reliable.]
‘Right?’
While I was shrugging and chuckling, Arthur and Joy were checking each other’s current powers.
They think they’re going to fight against Agra’s fragment later, don’t they?
It’s true, but there’s no need for so much tension.
He’s not an opponent more dangerous than what we faced in the Fairy Forest.
At least I hope so.
“Everyone, we’re going to fight the Evil God Agra, and how can you be this calm?”
Rene blinked as if she found it odd that we were preparing next without any signs of panic, and Arthur snickered.
“It’s not the first time we’ve faced an evil god.”
Then Joy laughed, following his lead.
“It’s true that it is nerve-wracking, but we have Lucy with us. With her, we will surely win, just like always.”
At their responses, Rene, who had stiffened up a moment ago, let out a light sigh and wiped her face.
“Well, that means I shouldn’t complain.”
“You’re the oldest, but are you also the most scared? You can run away, you know. What will you do if you wet yourself?”
“I don’t plan to run away twice.”
Hmm. Really? Let’s see how long you can hold out. If you start to whimper halfway, you’re done.
While I was glaring at Rene like that, harsh footsteps echoed from the corridor.
Wondering what sort of guest had come, as I turned my head, the door to the reception room swung open.
“Brother! I’m sorry! I failed!”
The Second Prince Cecil Soladin, dressed only in his underwear, stumbled in.
“Ahhh?!”
“Little brother!? What on earth?!”
“Did everything get cleaned out?”
“Yes! A complete failure! Duke Kurten really is strong at gambling! I didn’t even get to start the story!”
Cecil, who was laughing heartily without a shred of shame at his state, soon spotted me and greeted me warmly.
“Oh! Lucy Allen! It’s been a while! Have you been well?”
“Tiny.”
“…What?”
“Like a peanut?”
And I failed to return the greeting.
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