It wasnāt long before the night came. After Uffi, who was climbing the castle, and Raini, who was accompanying him as his escortās maid, returned to the outhouse, I asked him to gather at the salon.
I, Yufi, Raini, Ilia, and five Priscillas are in the salon. Everyoneās face was tight because she told them she wanted to talk about something important in advance.
And I told everyone the other day what I heard from Priscilla and the information on the empireās inner compassion that the royal brother of the Aylene Empire was an adventurer in the Kingdom of Palettia.
ā⦠and Iām just sayingā
At the end of the whole conversation, I look over to see how Uffi and the others react. Nobody said anything and seemed to be seriously thinking about something. I unwittingly swallow in the tense air.
Looks like Priscilla sitting next to me is nervous somewhere too. I canāt feel the usual floating air at all. It also makes me feel as if Iām going to be a sinner to be told my sins.
It was Uffiās sigh that broke such a heavy silence.
ā⦠As long as itās done, I understand the story. So you also admit that this is due to the internal circumstances of the Empire, that Priscilla is related to His Royal Highness the Emperor of the Aylene Empire, and that you were proposing to direct this raid?
ā⦠Yesā
Priscilla replied quietly, but clearly, to Yufiās inquiry. For the time being, Yufi was staring at Priscilla, but by closing her eyes, she took her gaze off.
ā⦠aniseā
āYes, sirā
āYou do not intend to set things up with the Empire, but you will not be allowed to distribute the magic artifacts that the Empire has requested. Is that what youāre thinking?
ā⦠right. At least the circulation of magic props related to weapons will never be allowed. The Empire is a land of strife. You can easily imagine what it would be like to sell an easy weapon, canāt you?
āI agree with you on that perception. Most importantly, it would be premature to think about domestic and foreign distribution when it comes to magic tools that cannot meet domestic demand.ā
Demonic props havenāt gone all over the country yet. In the future, we need to do something about the factories and craftsmen that can be developed, and for this reason we cannot hope to develop the technology of magic without preparing a place for education for the entire civilian population.
This reform will take years. If we give civilians the opportunity to learn, the difference in status with the aristocracy that we now have will narrow. Even aristocrats will be dissatisfied if we make a sudden change.
So a slow reform was desirable. The nobles are also trying to differentiate between magic techniques and magic props in order to maintain their present position. It is also beginning to move to preserve and pass on culture and to leave it behind.
Therefore, the intervention of the Empire is honestly not very favourable. If we go to war, there will be munitions, even if we donāt like them. It could lead to a hustle and bustle about the value of the weapon. That brings about the muddling of war, no ex or child.
If I think about it, I donāt think the Empire should be thoroughly selling magic artifacts. Because only the people I should protect are the people of the Kingdom of Palletia, not the people of the Aylene Empire.
āOne day our relationship with the Empire may also change and we may be able to distribute demonic props. But thatās not now, at least. The same is true of the Kingdom of Palletia, where domestic conditions are not stable.ā
ā⦠I know what Anis thinks. So Annis has no objection to the Empire at the moment, so heās just trying to be quiet, right?
āYeah, I guess soā
He said, āYou donāt even care that theyāre after your life?
ā⦠a little angry, arenāt you?
āA little?ā
Unexpectedly, Raini squeaked in response. The sighs of Yufi, Raini, and Ilia overlapped at the same time, causing me to shrink unexpectedly.
āOkay, Priscillaā
ā⦠Yesā
āYou must connect with His Royal Highness Aylene. I will also officially apply for a meeting place with the protest documents here. In keeping with that, please move to tell His Royal Highness the Emperor that there is no intention of active hostility and that we are ready for dialogue.ā
ā⦠Huh?
āAt this time, we will thoroughly use your friendship. Do your best to build a relationship with the Empire.ā
āWait, then I hear no blame whatsoeverā¦ā
āYes, on the face of it, thereās nothing wrong with you, thatās what Iām gonna do.ā
Priscilla looked back at Uffi with an eye that was narrowing, incredible to Uffiās answer.
āBut I am silent about the imminent danger to Her Royal Highness the Kingā¦ā
āā There is no such fact. āEverything is what I was instructing you to do. I also lay low on Annis because I didnāt think Annis could do abdominal arts. This will be the fact.ā
ā⦠so what can I do in the futureā
āNothing has changed. However, you will report here regarding your relationship with your personal Royal Brother. ⦠and if there was a second timeā
Pale and Ufi groans in a voice that doesnāt make her feel emotional. And I told him, looking at him like he blamed me.
āAnis, dispose of it by your own handā
ā⦠the next time you think Priscilla has betrayed you, you want me to put my hands down myself?
āThatās right. She will not be punished withā superficial punishment. ā⦠Are you going to shelter Priscilla? Then all responsibility for it lies with Anis. The next time you betray Priscilla, she dies of illness.
Priscilla alternates between me and Uffi with a look like she doesnāt know what sheās been told. I canāt believe that Priscilla ever broke her expression so much, I donāt think so.
ā⦠ok. So you can take responsibility for yourself.ā
āYeah, donāt put Priscillaās betrayal on the table. It was definitely a betrayal, but itās an action on what I knew would be in our interest here as well. In view of that point, this ruling shall be made. I will not forgive you a second time, but I will not hold Annis responsible for her crimes in exchange.ā
āIs that such a sweet disposition goodā¦?
āSweetā¦ā¦?
Priscillaās baffled inquiry returns Uffiās chilled out voice. Itās cold enough to make me feel like Iāve been caught in the heart by accident.
āIt would certainly be sweet. But youāre not responsible for that sweetness, Annis. Because I sheltered you, Anis is responsible for itā¦. that it would be sweet to make that arrangement if this person were to get their hands dirty next time? Do you really think so? Priscilla.ā
Looks like heās asking, and Uffi stares at Priscilla like he wonāt allow objections. Is it difficult for Priscilla, stared at by Uffi, to breathe or breathe shallow? Sweat spreads on its cheeks.
Itās as much pressure as I feel even if itās not directed at me. I was about to feel sorry for Priscilla, who was pointing that thing head-on.
āYour failure will no longer compensate you for anything. I wonāt let you take any responsibility. Let Annis take everythingā¦. If you are a sweet fool there, you must learn from Anis who tried to shelter it. And if you regret it, keep regretting that you made the Lord shoulder unnecessary responsibilities. I canāt redeem your sins this time. I will not forgive you for redemption.ā
ā⦠Your Majestyā¦ā
āWe also know that there have been a variety of misery in your background. Still, you are Annisā squire. And Anise tried to protect you. I do what Annis wants, but I donāt condone everything unconditionally. To tell you the truth, if thereās no fence, Iād like to make the undead regret breathing for Aniseās life.ā
The air gets heavier and heavierā¦. If there really wasnāt any fence, I think Yufi would fly off to the Empire in anger. Thatās all Uffi is seriously angry with, and he tries to fulfill my wish until he suppresses it.
I appreciate it, but at the same time, Iām sorry. That you prioritized my desire to save over my feelings. And take responsibility for me, and I think it was Ufiās message to say.
You shouldnāt hold it too much. Even I donāt want to reach out to people indiscriminately. I know that people who are trying to use themselves have to be identified. Thatās why I want you not to do that inadvertently, Yufi.
ā⦠I want to keep Priscilla aside. Of course, this time, it makes me reflect. On top of that, Iād like to accompany you if you want to go that way when negotiating with the Aylene Empire.ā
ā⦠Her Royal Highness Sister Wangā¦?
āPriscilla said it was a dream. Wow, so much pain, so much grief, so much so that I think I can die if it comes true. Thatās how much I want to make it happen. Because Iām so sad that I think itās good to die. So if itās going to happen beside me, I want to make it happen for you. Thatās all I appreciate about Priscilla. As much as I regret being betrayed, Iād like to start all over again.ā
I stare straight back at Uffi and tell him. Uffi also sighed deeply after staring at each other for a while as he shifted his gaze to me.
Ilia sighs in a similar manner to Yufi, and looks at me with a bitter smile, as Raini also gave up.
ā⦠is that good? How can that be⦠and is Her Majesty really good too?
āItās not good. Thatās why I said I wouldnāt tolerate it the second time. Still, Iāll make it happen if Anis wants it. ⦠and itās hard to say no if Anise decides to.ā
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Priscilla asks Yufi how she said she still couldnāt believe it. At first it was Ufi, who had answered pale, but inadvertently soothes that look and turns it into a bitter laugh.
When Yufi smiled bitterly, Ilia and Raini were smiling bitterly at each other so that they could hang.
āWe were saved by Anisphere, too.ā
āWeāre the only ones who are good and Mr. Priscilla says no⦠weāre complicated tooā
ā⦠more, less. Weāre here to annoy Annis. I have never forgotten its benevolence. Thatās why Iām loving this guy, and I want to make my wish come true. But for that reason, this man can cut himself, Priscilla.ā
Uffi softly takes his seat and walks down to Priscilla. And I gazed at Priscilla, putting my hand on her shoulder.
āI donāt want to make this man a convenient hero.ā
ā⦠Your Majestyā
āYes, thatās why I took this seat. I didnāt want you to be a king until I let you kill this manās heart. Our focus is anise. Aside from your feelings, you will also live around anise in the future. So donāt forget. I will not forgive you for the rest of your life if you avenge your good fortune to have Annis.ā
Looking straight into Priscillaās eyes, Yufi told her softening her voice just a little bit.
Priscilla had opened her eyes and stared at Uffi, but gradually lowered her shoulders and gaze without force.
āRaini, Iāll let Priscilla rest for a while. Counseling in the meantime. Please take care of your distrust of others from past traumaā
āAre you sure?
āYeah, Iāll have you lean this way, even if itās slightly forcefulā¦. can you forgive me? Anis.ā
āUgh, yeah. If you mean only careā¦ā
I know Raini is a vampire, but Priscilla has no next. Uffi is totally going to take in Priscilla here. So weāre going to share our secrets and block the escape route.
On top of that, face the past that is eroding Priscilla. It is Raini who is suited to that care. No more qualified than Raini to wipe out past trauma.
āI have to take care of you more than Iāve held youā¦ā
ā⦠Iām sorry?
āIs it necessary? So donāt hold me alone. Plus I know how it feels to spare Priscillaās abilitiesā¦. and I donāt want to change the talent around Anis weirdly because of this. I donāt know when or what to catch.ā
Ha, and he sighed deeply and Yufi suppressed his eyebrows. I accidentally broke my heart and held my chest. No, I donāt know, because Iām not aggressive about helping people either because I wantā¦
With that in mind, Priscilla made a small laugh. I accidentally got zero, and I couldnāt imagine that the laughter was from Priscilla, and I stared at her unexpectedly.
ā⦠itās really just incredible. I also feel that Her Majestyās hardship has finally been detected. It was a failure to invite you to cheat easily.ā
ā⦠cheating?
That was the coldest voice Iāve ever heard. I feel a sweat coming out of my whole body all at once, and at the same time I feel the chills that made that sweat cold all at once.
Yuri, Yufi stared at me. Slightly inclined eyes stare at me with a flush.
āWhat do you mean?
āJust kidding!? Or why did you oil the fire, Priscilla!?ā
āNo, I honestly thought Iād confess my sinsā¦ā
āDo you want to cheat? Anisā¦ā¦ā
āNo! Never! Because there isnāt!ā
āBut isnāt there something dark behind that rush?
āBecause there isnāt!
ā⦠hehe, then Iām relievedā
Pelo, with a little tongue out, Yufi soothed her expression and laughed. Such a yuffy takes me by surprise.
Then Ilia and Raini also blew out and turned away from me. Ilia gently put her hands on her mouth, and Raini is folding herself into just a few letters.
ā⦠isnāt it possible that Master Anisphere could cheat?ā
āThatās right. Lady Annis canāt do that.ā
ā⦠could they have made fun of me!? Now they make fun of me!?ā
āYou canāt even joke about getting on an affair, can you? I believe that.ā
āUntil Uffi!
The air that we should have been seriously talking about until earlier is all foggy at once and kind of sends a warm glance at me.
Uffi stopped by me when I was embarrassed and accidentally obstinate. Still turning away, Uffi whispered with his face close to his ear.
āNo, you canāt, right?
⦠I hope youāre making fun of me, or are you serious! Already!