Book 2: Chapter 48 (1/2)

「So there really was an 8-star skill orb…」

「Yes, although, I didn’t see it either.」

The Earl then told me about everything that happened in the temple.

I see… No wonder the young lady blames herself for Louis’ death.

「It seems that the 8-star skill orb needed to be offered to a pure person, someone who has never received a skill orb, from the Holy Royal Family. I don’t know why it should be offered specifically to that person, but as recorded in the documents so far, it seems that the skill orb appears about once every 100 to 300 years. Every member of the Holy Royal Family who was given the skill orb disappeared without exception. It is thought that they left for the “Other World”.」

「…Did His Majesty give it to Louis to save Prince Kluvshrat from that fate?」

「I can’t say for sure that that wasn’t the case.」

How ridiculous. It’s even more ridiculous that the young lady is grieving because of that.

「However, we cannot blame His Majesty alone.」

「Why!? It’s like giving a poison that has a high possibility of death!」

「If Louis-sama didn’t challenge it, it would have been awarded to Prince Kluvshrat. His Majesty was in hesitation until the day before the award ceremony, but I heard that he finally decided to give it.」

「But…!」

「Louis-sama told His Majesty that “opportunities must be equal.” Hearing such a noble reasoning, His Majesty’s heart was shaken—that is what it means to be a parent.」

「…………」

I grasped both hands tightly.

Was there no other way? Why is this happening?

Would Louis have refused it if he knew he would “die”? — No, if he was only told that he would go to the “Other World”, then Louis might have been willing to accept the skill orb.

「The Holy Royal Family is the core of this country and holds great power, but it also accepts the ruthless obligations that comes with it.」

「…So my achievement is that I saved Prince Kluvshrat’s life which was spared?」

「Reiji-san.」

As the Earl called to me, in a blaming tone, I slammed my right fist on my thigh.

「…I am sorry. It was a shitty excuse. Please forget it.」I said.

I can’t go around acting like a saint when I myself am acting out of my own self interests and not telling the young lady everything about my situation.

「No, I will not forget.」

I was feeling utterly sick of myself, the Earl, however, said so, with a deadly serious face—a faint smile showing.

「I am glad that you finally showed me the human side of you. Whenever I talk to you, I feel like I am talking to a full-fledged adult instead of a 14 year old. But it would seem that you do have a human side to you.」

「…Is that something you should be saying, Earl?」

「The blood flowing through me seems to be as cold as ice, so it might be unreasonable for me to seek that feeling. …Anyway, His Majesty will not be subject to punishment, but he has many difficulties awaiting him.」

「Difficulties?」

「First is that the 8-star skill orb may appear again before long. As I learned for the first time, although commoners try to get their children a skill orb as soon as possible, nobles wait until their children are 12 years old to create a period of “purity” for 12 years. It would be good if the next child was born in that period, but if not, the child with the Holy Blue would have to continue staying “pure” by giving whatever reason to the public.」

「Does that mean the award ceremony was created so the nobles could follow that practice?」

「Maybe it’s more of a camouflage. There are so many secrets regarding these. In any case, even El-san doesn’t seem to know what the 8-star skill orb means, either that or he is hiding the truth. When the 8-star skill orb reappears, it has to be given to Prince Kluvshrat’s younger brother, the 3rd Holy Prince.」

Does that mean that the chain of sorrow will continue?