「Sylvie, do not just eat and speak of your business.」
「*Hanguh*……*Ngaguguh!* Puhaa! Don’t rush me like that. I urgently came to the royal capital after all.」
*Perori* Completely eating up the roast chicken, she licked her lips with her tongue.
Rem asked a question.
「……How did you determine that we were in this inn?」
「It’s because when you guys visited Faltra City, you all were bringing along the High Chief Priest. You also said that you would be heading to the royal capital. And so, after going to the Grand Chapel, I was told from the person herself.」
「……You say it as if it were so simple, but I am surprised. At Faltra city, Lumachina covered her face so that her identity wouldn’t be exposed. Moreover, to have a face-to-face meeting with the High Chief Priest, several arrangements should have been needed.」
「I have confidence in my powers of observation. And although a face-to-face meeting would be difficult normally, after bring out your names, I was allowed to meet with her immediately.」
「……Doing something so dangerous……If we had failed and the Cardinal Institute were still in control of the Church, what would you have done?」
「Of course, I completed my investigations on that part. Well, in regards to the source of information, I guess I’ll keep that a secret. They do say that “maidens with many secrets are more charming”, right?」
She expressed a childish smile.
Diablo encouraged her to continue her story.
Sylvie drank up some grape juice.
「*Gokun*, *gokun*……Puhaa! So bittersweet～, I’ve come back to life～. And so……one piece of my business, was about Shera-chan’s father but, it looks like there’s no longer a need for me to tell you guys, is there?」
「……Just to be sure, I would like to confirm it. “Shera’s father, the Greenwood King has passed away”, is that the information?」
「Yup. Although the queen who is her mother is alive, since she was married in from an outside house and isn’t of royal lineage, she has no inheritance rights. Putting it bluntly, if Shera-chan doesn’t return home, the bloodline will come to an end.」
Diablo snorted.
「That is no concern of mine.」
「Haha……I thought you’d say that. But, don’t you think that Shera-chan would want to go back home at least once? After having a parent die, people would normally think that they would like to offer a prayer in front of their grave after all. Diablo-san, you wouldn’t object to this either, would you?」
Even when they were in Faltra City, even though he had not met with Sylvie that frequently, she had completely seen through his personality.
Rem asked a question.
「……If Shera returned to her country, would she become the queen?」
「Who knows? I don’t know as far as the Greenwood Kingdom’s finer customs. Something like an Elven king passing away while only having girls for children, as far as I know, this is the first time this has happened. Well, if you’re worried, wouldn’t it be fine if you just went along with her?」
「……That is what I intend to do though.」
「Fufu……You’ve changed, Rem-san.」
「Eh?」
「In the past, you’d say “I don’t need specific companions”──and no matter which party invited you, you would refuse to join them.」
「……Th, that is……I had various circumstances.」
「Could this be an influence from Diablo-san?」
「……In a certain meaning, one could say that.」
「Did it also have any connection to the Demon King being sealed within you, Rem-san?」
「Wha!?」
Kicking back the chair, Rem half-rose to her feet.
Diablo was also surprised.
──Why did she know!?
However, he had his outward appearance remain calm.
「Sylvie, this story……Did you hear it from Celes?」
「Celes-san wouldn’t talk about secrets. Magicians are tight-lipped. Well, if I had to disclose the secret──I heard it from Krum-chan. After I gave her some Ralivel almond biscuits which were rumored to be the tastiest in the world, she told me various things.」
Sylvie knew that Krum was a Demon King.
That’s why she might have thought that it wouldn’t be a problem to tell her about some other things.
Rem’s facial expression went grim.
「……Kuh……As I thought, I cannot let my guard down around you.」
「That’s unfortunate. But Rem-san, it’s better than being unable to help you without knowing your circumstances. Why didn’t you talk to me about it? Even though I think of all of the Adventurers affiliated to the guild as family.」
「……It’s because I can’t trust your speech and conduct.」
「Aryarya. Can’t you do something about that──the most important business that I came to the royal capital from Faltra City was actually related to you, Rem-san.」
「To me……?」
「I do understand that you are being cautious of me after the case with Krum-chan though. I’d really like it if you trusted me this time♪」
Sylvie winked at Rem.
Rem seemed like she still couldn’t decide on what attitude to take.
「……C……Certainly, the Demon King Krebskrum was sealed within me. However, that is something of the past.」
「Is it really?」
「……Just how much do you know?」
Rem looked like she would run out from the room at any moment. Her triangular panther ears were down and flat, and her long and narrow tail was swaying left and right from nervousness.
Sylvie spread out both of her hands.
「Don’t be so vigilant. Why don’t I tell you everything that I know. The fact of the matter is, unless I am trusted by you, I can’t do anything, ‘kay?」
「……Let’s hear it.」
After taking a deep breath, Rem returned to her seat.
Sylvie started talking, as if she were telling an old story──
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