The 5th Princess betrayed the Empire.
As soon as Ezekiel checked the note, he set off. It couldn’t be helped. There had never been a case of a Princess betraying the Empire.
Not only was it unprecedented, but the fact that the Princess turned her back on the Empire was significant.
Most importantly, the once-stalwart allies had now become enemies. This was a huge threat.
Ezekiel suddenly recalled the past image of the 5th Princess.
—Hello.
—See you again.
—Good night.
She was extremely quiet, spoke very little, and rarely left the library. The Princess who only liked scrolls and magical research.
‘Even if the Imperial Palace caught fire, the 5th Princess wouldn’t run out.’ It was a joke that became accepted fact within the Imperial Family.
‘…The 5th Princess betrayed the Empire?’
Did she really betray them?
Why did she betray them?
What was she trying to do?
He still had no real understanding of anything.
Ezekiel moved quickly towards the outskirts of the Empire with Seina and Agnes.
He wanted to confirm things as fast as possible, but it was frustrating that he couldn’t use the dimensional portal because the Emperor was out of the audience chamber.
Clank— Clank—
The carriage rushed forward anxiously. This was due to Ezekiel’s request to go as fast as possible.
Even inside the carriage, Ezekiel diligently consumed the Sun Elixir. The spirit of the Sun Elixir was knocking on his stomach, as if he had just finished a very hearty meal.
The distance was from one end of the Empire to the other.
They had to travel nearly to the opposite end of the Imperial Capital. After traveling for a whole day.
“Arrived. We’re at the outskirts of the Empire.”
Agnes opened Ezekiel’s carriage door, then indicated the scenery around with her gaze.
“As you know, this is the only area directly connected to the Demon Realm, and that huge green barrier you can see in the distance is the one the 5th Princess set up.”
Because it was an area directly connected to the Demon Realm, it was chaotic. The movements of the procession were beyond imagination.
Seina squinted her eyes and stared at the barrier for a long time, then tilted her head.
“I know the 5th Princess has accomplished many magical feats, but that barrier is considered the best among them. It completely blocks the things of the Demon Realm.”
“Correct. This barrier, called the Spirit Trap, is indeed the 5th Princess’s masterpiece. Not once has it allowed an intrusion from the Demon Realm.”
Agnes nodded her head.
The Spirit Trap meant a barrier that cuts off demons, and that meaning was not mistaken. Even demons couldn’t rashly attack and break through this barrier.
Questions mounted on Seina’s face.
“It looks perfectly fine, but is it really true that the 5th Princess betrayed the Empire?”
“Oh, as for that….”
Agnes rummaged through her belongings and pulled something out.
[Announcing the 5th Princess’s betrayal of the Empire. Assemble personnel to ascertain the truth and apprehend the traitor. It will be executed as soon as you return to the audience chamber.]
“This is a public document that was posted in front of the audience chamber. It’s definitely in the Emperor’s own handwriting. There’s no reason to make such a falsehood.”
Seina examined the public document Agnes unfolded.
It was written in a lively script, like a dragon writhing. Such calligraphy could only be written by the Emperor himself.
Additionally, there was the seal certifying the Emperor on it.
It was then that Ezekiel spoke up.
“Agnes is right. We need to investigate this now.”
As soon as he confirmed the document, Ezekiel took matters into his own hands. Not for public duty, but because he believed the 5th Princess couldn’t possibly betray the Empire.
‘In the past, the 5th Princess seemed to have no complaints at all.’
If this matter were left unaddressed, the Emperor would surely try to kill the 5th Princess as soon as he returned. Therefore, he wanted to ascertain the truth as much as possible beforehand.
‘But… what if she really did betray the Empire?’
What should he do then?
“…”
For now, he shook his head as if he didn’t even want to think about it.
Hoping that the 5th Princess had not betrayed them and praying that this was merely a misunderstanding.
There’s no better place to gather information than a dining hall. The group entered a venue bustling with as many people as possible.
Ezekiel gestured for a waiter to come closer.
“What can I prepare for you?”
However, instead of answering, Ezekiel handed gold coins to the waiter. He hadn’t come to the dining hall to quell his hunger in the first place.
“Forget the food, I just have a few questions.”
“Ah….”
The waiter glanced around nervously.
The dining hall was spacious, and it was packed with people without a single empty seat. In the midst of the ruckus, Ezekiel surreptitiously slipped one more gold coin into the waiter’s hand.
Immediately, the waiter nodded vigorously.
“Understood. I will answer your questions to the best of my ability.”
“First of all, I find it strange that this place is full. The outskirts of the Empire are barren, so there shouldn’t be so many people.”
“This just appears to be the entrance to the outskirts. The actual town’s population has been rapidly decreasing.”
The waiter sighed deeply.
“See how everyone is carrying heavy luggage? They’re all leaving this town as soon as they finish their meals. The center of the town is already extremely desolate.”
“Is the cause possibly the 5th Princess’s betrayal?”
Gasp.
The waiter gulped as if he had heard something he shouldn’t have. Beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead, and he quickly scanned his surroundings.
Ezekiel maintained a calm expression. He simply slipped three gold coins into the waiter’s pocket.
The waiter trembled before nodding.
“That is correct.”
“But when we got here, I saw no suspicious circumstances at all. Just looking at the Spirit Trap, it looks perfectly sound.”
After asking this, Ezekiel perked up his ears.
It wasn’t just him; Seina and Agnes were also listening intently, waiting for the waiter’s next words. Finally, the most important question was posed.
“…No, it’s not fine at all.”
The waiter slowly shook his head.
“If it were fine, there would be no reason for people to leave. Though it looks okay on the surface, there have been several strange occurrences, like mana leaking.”
“Do you know the cause?”
“I’m sorry. I have no knowledge of magic, so while the soldiers might know the details, they don’t tell me anything…”
Ezekiel and his companions quietly nodded and left the dining hall. They had gauged the public sentiment. Now they would need to find the soldiers and inquire about the situation in detail.
The waiter seemed grateful for the gold coins and walked them to the door. But then…
An extremely bizarre old man caught their eye.
It was clear he was an elderly man, but his appearance was so shabby that his face was indiscernible. However, what stood out the most was his abnormal gaze.
And sure enough, it was abnormal.
“Attention, salute─!”
The old man stuttered and suddenly shouted.
“I have a request─!”
His frail body resembled a dried-up tree, yet his voice was so loud that it immediately drew the attention of Ezekiel and his companions.
But surprisingly, nobody in the dining hall paid any attention to the old man. The people on the street were the same.
The waiter explained the strange phenomenon.
“He’s a somewhat famous old man in this town. His mind has completely gone, and he always shouts the same incomprehensible words. He just wanders around the barrier.”
“Well, that’s unfortunate…”
Seina replied briefly. That was all the reaction Ezekiel and his companions could give toward the old man for now.
They continued walking and passed through the center of the town, eventually reaching the vicinity of the Spirit Trap barrier. They saw the tightly guarded soldiers.
The unusual thing was that both the heavily armored soldiers and the robed priests were completely hiding their faces. Completely covered up.
Seina asked.
“Why is everyone hiding their faces?”
“It’s a characteristic of those who work under the 5th Princess. It seems the 5th Princess doesn’t enjoy mingling with others, so it naturally turned out this way…”
Ezekiel quietly nodded at Agnes’s answer. Because that reason was indeed true.
As the group continued to approach, the soldiers, having noticed their presence, came forward first.
“You cannot proceed any further. May I ask where you are from?”
Instead of answering, Ezekiel showed them the public document sealed by the Emperor. Just as the soldier was about to nod…
“Wait, is that you, Ezekiel?”
Another soldier recognized Ezekiel. Seina puffed up with pride beside him.
“That’s right! You’re the Inspector from the Imperial Tower, and since you’ve come at the Emperor’s command, I suppose we can’t stop you.”
“I see… Could you please wait a moment?”
Though he hoped things would go smoothly, the soldier spoke in a somewhat peculiar voice and entered a nearby tent. Moments later, he emerged with another mage.
Dressed in the thick robes of someone serving the 5th Princess, the mage wore a plain white mask with no patterns whatsoever.
First, he bowed respectfully towards Ezekiel and his group.
“Are you Ezekiel?”
“Yeah.”
“I apologize. You cannot approach any further. Even with the Emperor’s command, this is still the case.”
When Ezekiel frowned, the mage added,
“What I’m about to show you is highly confidential.”
He spoke mysteriously and then suddenly pulled out a crystal orb from his robe.
The orb began to project a square-shaped screen in front of them and started playing some footage.
Whirr—
“…”
At the same time, Ezekiel’s eyes widened.
The pink-haired figure, with her unique gloomy eyes and fragile frame, looked like someone who was deep in thought. If she were even slightly extroverted, she’d have been surrounded by admirers.
Lo and behold, it was footage of the 5th Princess.
—I am the 5th Princess.
It was at that moment two women’s eyes also went wide. They had realized that the figure in the crystal orb was the 5th Princess.
—The fact that you are watching this recording means you have reached the outskirts of the Empire. Unfortunately, you will not be able to meet me. I will no longer be there.
Ezekiel quietly observed the footage.
—As you might know, the Spirit Trap is not one barrier. It’s a masterpiece created by intertwining thousands of barriers.
The position of the 5th Princess’s eyes projected in midair seemed peculiar. It looked almost like she was genuinely staring at Ezekiel.
—Those barriers are slowly collapsing one by one. I set it up like that. Ultimately, they will all break.
“…!”
It was a shocking statement.
It was as if the 5th Princess herself had declared her betrayal of the Empire.
—Ezekiel, if you approach, the collapse speed will double. So, do not approach.
That was all the crystal orb showed them.
Ezekiel narrowed his eyes and asked.
“What the hell is this?”
“That’s all you have seen. The 5th Princess activated the collapse of the Spirit Trap and mysteriously disappeared, but if you approach, it will accelerate…”
Everyone was in shock and confusion.
The fact that the 5th Princess had actively activated the collapse of the Spirit Trap, and that she specifically pointed out Ezekiel and told him not to approach was also baffling.
Nevertheless, one thing was clear: they needed to get close to the barrier right now and check on its condition in detail.
Ezekiel gestured to the mage in front of him.
“Why are you still here?”
“We’re trying to do our best to prevent the collapse of the Spirit Trap. The moment it breaks, the army of the Demon Realm will invade. It will be a full-blown war.”
Ezekiel pondered for a moment.
Should he forcibly enter, just as he had done when meeting Arcne, using every means necessary?
He quickly dismissed the thought.
Though the 5th Princess had left unexpectedly, these people were genuinely making efforts to prevent the collapse of the Spirit Trap. They should be allies working together.
So, he chose to proceed without any force and simply stated.
“Still, it would be better if you let me in.”
“Excuse me?”
As the mage asked back, Ezekiel suddenly recalled a day from long ago with the 5th Princess. Closing his eyes and reminiscing, it was still vivid in his memory.
—Teacher.
—I want to make something.
—Please check it for me.
While recollecting that memory, Ezekiel continued speaking.
“This barrier? About half of it, I made you know.”
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