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Chapter Epilogue 1 \nVol 2: Epilogue (1)\n
* Holy Royal Palace *
After hearing all the reports, the Holy King folded his arms and looked up at the sky.
Although it was the audience chamber of the Holy Royal Palace, instead of a “formal” environment, a round table was placed in the center, like that in the reception room. The “formal” environment can be seen mostly in the “1st Holy District”. Only those from the Holy Kingdom could enter the Holy Royal Palace, after all.
In addition to the Holy King, only the Holy Prince Kluvshrat and Border Earl Mule were in the audience chamber. As usual, the Border Earl was still wearing his gray bear pelt.
「So, what…? The man who helped us drive away the mediator who appeared at the skill orb awarding ceremony, prevented a situation where a large number of people could have died, and on top of that, defeated the giant snake… Of all things, they tried to capture and murder him?! Just because of black hair and black eyes?! Moreover, they got beaten at their own ploy?! And you just saw him off as he left the Holy City without doing anything!?”
「Indeed.」
Tthe gray bear responded without being disturbed by the Holy King’s angry voice.
「What was that idiot Ebene thinking!! In addition, the Knights Order!! Even if it was a mistake in communication, they publicly announced that they were the ones who subjugated the snake!?」
「Impatient for merit and profits, and not wanting to lose everything to the Adventurer’s Guild, they insisted on their claims even if they knew it wasn’t the truth… They’re more like a noble, than a knight. It’s exactly the same as nobles saying, “This is just a slipup”, “I haven’t reported false information”, “Everything is for the sake of the country”, etc.」
「Border Earl! I don’t need cynicism!」
「It’s not cynicism, but a fact.」\n
「Then close that mouth that’s dropping the shitty facts! It doesn’t mean anything!」
「F-Father… please calm down.」
When Kluvshrat intervened, the Holy King seemed to calm down a little and drank the water from a cup.
「Ah, shit… it wasn’t the time to be investigating Duke Riviere.」
「Hmm… How did that go?」
「…It didn’t go well. Duke Ebene strongly supports Duke Riviere. He is unable to stomach the evidence brought by Earl Sillys.」
「It would be difficult to use Earl Sillys’ “Magic Eye of Inquiry” as evidence.」
「That’s right. Furthermore, that escort… Reiji, he’s called I think. The fact that he was with Earl Sillys complicated the problem further. But, well, it was just a matter of time. He’s just looking for a point of compromise.」
「Compromise?」
「Yeah… Even Duke Ebene should know he can’t protect Duke Riviere, since he is pretty much exposed. However, if left alone, Earl Sillys would rise in society, and could start bad rumours such as “Duke Ebene tried to kill the hero”. That is why he’s barking out trying to lower the legitimacy of Earl Sillys while he can.」
「…………」
The Border Earl did think that it was a “fact” rather than a “bad rumor”, but in the noble society “fact” does not always equal the “truth”.\n「On top of all that, he even criticized Duke Luciel saying that if Sword Saint Augustin of House Luciel had been present, the damage could have been even less.」
「Duke Ebene and Duke Luciel don’t really see eye to eye, after all…. Well then, Your Majesty, I shall take my leave here.」
「Hmm… you’re going back to your territory, huh. I am grateful for your unchanging loyalty, Border Earl Mule.」
「Yes.」
「I will never forget the scolding you gave me at that time.」
「…You jest.」the Border Earl said, with a brutal-looking smile, and left the room.
「Your Majesty, what is this “scolding”…?」Prince Kluvshrat asked.
「…You also need a friend. A friend you can rely on and entrust everything to.」
It was almost as if he was telling himself that.
There were many problems awaiting the Holy King from now on. In particular, how to explain to the nobles about what happened at the skill orb awarding ceremony—in the end, he prepared himself to explain it as it was.
However, explaining that is to admit the “sin” of the Holy King who did not wish to sacrifice Kluvshrat’s life. And he has to think about how to deal with House Rozier who lost Louis—House Rozier said that it was their child’s fault but there is no doubt they feel differently on the inside.
Since this will be entwined with the crushing of House Riviere, one of the 6 Great Dukes, a great turmoil is inevitable.\n\nHe, too, knew. He was saved by sacrificing Louis – the boy who could have been his friend.
He didn’t understand what was going on, and by the time he noticed things had already taken a dark turn. While he’s horrified to think he might have died, he also succumbs to the guilty consciousness of surviving on another’s account.
He thought that if death was the duty of the Holy Royal Family, it should have been fulfilled.
「I wonder what Miss Eva is doing…」
Kluvshrat remembered the beautiful girl from that time. The daughter of Earl Sillys, his father’s right-hand man, was escorted by the “hero” who prevented a great casualty.
During the award ceremony, she looked unwell, but–.
「…………」
Kluvshrat shook his head. He knew he was charmed by her, but he wasn’t in a position where he can afford to do that.
(Truth is, I should have died.)
If so.
「I will devote the rest of my life for the sake of this country…」
This incident had cast a dark shadow on the Holy Royal Palace, to the point where this 12-year-old boy was compelled to take on that sorrowful resolution.