It wasnât long before the night came. After Uffi, who was climbing the castle, and Raini, who was accompanying him as his escortâs maid, returned to the outhouse, I asked him to gather at the salon.
I, Yufi, Raini, Ilia, and five Priscillas are in the salon. Everyoneâs 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 empireâs inner compassion that the royal brother of the Aylene Empire was an adventurer in the Kingdom of Palettia.
â⊠and Iâm just sayingâ
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 canât feel the usual floating air at all. It also makes me feel as if Iâm going to be a sinner to be told my sins.
It was Uffiâs sigh that broke such a heavy silence.
â⊠As long as itâs 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?
â⊠Yesâ
Priscilla replied quietly, but clearly, to Yufiâs inquiry. For the time being, Yufi was staring at Priscilla, but by closing her eyes, she took her gaze off.
â⊠aniseâ
âYes, sirâ
âYou 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 youâre thinking?
â⊠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, canât you?
âI 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.â
Demonic props havenât 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 donât 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 donât 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.
âOne day our relationship with the Empire may also change and we may be able to distribute demonic props. But thatâs not now, at least. The same is true of the Kingdom of Palletia, where domestic conditions are not stable.â
â⊠I know what Anis thinks. So Annis has no objection to the Empire at the moment, so heâs just trying to be quiet, right?
âYeah, I guess soâ
He said, âYou donât even care that theyâre after your life?
â⊠a little angry, arenât you?
âA little?â
Unexpectedly, Raini squeaked in response. The sighs of Yufi, Raini, and Ilia overlapped at the same time, causing me to shrink unexpectedly.
âOkay, Priscillaâ
â⊠Yesâ
âYou 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.â
â⊠Huh?
âAt this time, we will thoroughly use your friendship. Do your best to build a relationship with the Empire.â
âWait, then I hear no blame whatsoeverâŠâ
âYes, on the face of it, thereâs nothing wrong with you, thatâs what Iâm gonna do.â
Priscilla looked back at Uffi with an eye that was narrowing, incredible to Uffiâs answer.
âBut I am silent about the imminent danger to Her Royal Highness the KingâŠâ
ââ There is no such fact. âEverything is what I was instructing you to do. I also lay low on Annis because I didnât think Annis could do abdominal arts. This will be the fact.â
â⊠so what can I do in the futureâ
âNothing has changed. However, you will report here regarding your relationship with your personal Royal Brother. ⊠and if there was a second timeâ
Pale and Ufi groans in a voice that doesnât make her feel emotional. And I told him, looking at him like he blamed me.
âAnis, dispose of it by your own handâ
â⊠the next time you think Priscilla has betrayed you, you want me to put my hands down myself?
âThatâs right. She will not be punished withâ superficial punishment. â⊠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 doesnât know what sheâs been told. I canât believe that Priscilla ever broke her expression so much, I donât think so.
â⊠ok. So you can take responsibility for yourself.â
âYeah, donât put Priscillaâs betrayal on the table. It was definitely a betrayal, but itâs 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.â
âIs that such a sweet disposition goodâŠ?
âSweetâŠâŠ?
Priscillaâs baffled inquiry returns Uffiâs chilled out voice. Itâs cold enough to make me feel like Iâve been caught in the heart by accident.
âIt would certainly be sweet. But youâre not responsible for that sweetness, Annis. Because I sheltered you, Anis is responsible for itâŠ. 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.â
Looks like heâs asking, and Uffi stares at Priscilla like he wonât allow objections. Is it difficult for Priscilla, stared at by Uffi, to breathe or breathe shallow? Sweat spreads on its cheeks.
Itâs as much pressure as I feel even if itâs not directed at me. I was about to feel sorry for Priscilla, who was pointing that thing head-on.
âYour failure will no longer compensate you for anything. I wonât let you take any responsibility. Let Annis take everythingâŠ. 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 canât redeem your sins this time. I will not forgive you for redemption.â
â⊠Your MajestyâŠâ
âWe also know that there have been a variety of misery in your background. Still, you are Annisâ squire. And Anise tried to protect you. I do what Annis wants, but I donât condone everything unconditionally. To tell you the truth, if thereâs no fence, Iâd like to make the undead regret breathing for Aniseâs life.â
The air gets heavier and heavierâŠ. If there really wasnât any fence, I think Yufi would fly off to the Empire in anger. Thatâs 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, Iâm sorry. That you prioritized my desire to save over my feelings. And take responsibility for me, and I think it was Ufiâs message to say.
You shouldnât hold it too much. Even I donât want to reach out to people indiscriminately. I know that people who are trying to use themselves have to be identified. Thatâs why I want you not to do that inadvertently, Yufi.
â⊠I want to keep Priscilla aside. Of course, this time, it makes me reflect. On top of that, Iâd like to accompany you if you want to go that way when negotiating with the Aylene Empire.â
â⊠Her Royal Highness Sister WangâŠ?
âPriscilla 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. Thatâs how much I want to make it happen. Because Iâm so sad that I think itâs good to die. So if itâs going to happen beside me, I want to make it happen for you. Thatâs all I appreciate about Priscilla. As much as I regret being betrayed, Iâd like to start all over again.â
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.
â⊠is that good? How can that be⊠and is Her Majesty really good too?
âItâs not good. Thatâs why I said I wouldnât tolerate it the second time. Still, Iâll make it happen if Anis wants it. ⊠and itâs hard to say no if Anise decides to.â
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Priscilla asks Yufi how she said she still couldnât 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.
âWe were saved by Anisphere, too.â
âWeâre the only ones who are good and Mr. Priscilla says no⊠weâre complicated tooâ
â⊠more, less. Weâre here to annoy Annis. I have never forgotten its benevolence. Thatâs why Iâm loving this guy, and I want to make my wish come true. But for that reason, this man can cut himself, Priscilla.â
Uffi softly takes his seat and walks down to Priscilla. And I gazed at Priscilla, putting my hand on her shoulder.
âI donât want to make this man a convenient hero.â
â⊠Your Majestyâ
âYes, thatâs why I took this seat. I didnât want you to be a king until I let you kill this manâs heart. Our focus is anise. Aside from your feelings, you will also live around anise in the future. So donât forget. I will not forgive you for the rest of your life if you avenge your good fortune to have Annis.â
Looking straight into Priscillaâs 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.
âRaini, Iâll let Priscilla rest for a while. Counseling in the meantime. Please take care of your distrust of others from past traumaâ
âAre you sure?
âYeah, Iâll have you lean this way, even if itâs slightly forcefulâŠ. can you forgive me? Anis.â
âUgh, yeah. If you mean only careâŠâ
I know Raini is a vampire, but Priscilla has no next. Uffi is totally going to take in Priscilla here. So weâre 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.
âI have to take care of you more than Iâve held youâŠâ
â⊠Iâm sorry?
âIs it necessary? So donât hold me alone. Plus I know how it feels to spare Priscillaâs abilitiesâŠ. and I donât want to change the talent around Anis weirdly because of this. I donât know when or what to catch.â
Ha, and he sighed deeply and Yufi suppressed his eyebrows. I accidentally broke my heart and held my chest. No, I donât know, because Iâm not aggressive about helping people either because I wantâŠ
With that in mind, Priscilla made a small laugh. I accidentally got zero, and I couldnât imagine that the laughter was from Priscilla, and I stared at her unexpectedly.
â⊠itâs really just incredible. I also feel that Her Majestyâs hardship has finally been detected. It was a failure to invite you to cheat easily.â
â⊠cheating?
That was the coldest voice Iâve 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.
âWhat do you mean?
âJust kidding!? Or why did you oil the fire, Priscilla!?â
âNo, I honestly thought Iâd confess my sinsâŠâ
âDo you want to cheat? AnisâŠâŠâ
âNo! Never! Because there isnât!â
âBut isnât there something dark behind that rush?
âBecause there isnât!
â⊠hehe, then Iâm relievedâ
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.
â⊠isnât it possible that Master Anisphere could cheat?â
âThatâs right. Lady Annis canât do that.â
â⊠could they have made fun of me!? Now they make fun of me!?â
âYou canât even joke about getting on an affair, can you? I believe that.â
âUntil 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.
âNo, you canât, right?
⊠I hope youâre making fun of me, or are you serious! Already!