140 The Lies of the Demoness (1/2)
”If you only met that lord once, it would be hard to imagine him as an influential figure who would leave his mark on the world. With a dashing face framed by his golden hair, which was as radiant as the sun, he always wore a tender smile. Even towards subordinates like us, there wasn't the slightest arrogance in his tone, nor was there the regal air great aristocrats spoke of with great relish. He directly said what he wanted. Sometimes, he would lower his head shyly in contemplation, like an amateur who had just begun his job.
”However, everything changes the moment he speaks. In that negotiation which decided the fate of the three countries, the situation had been within the grasp of the 'amateur' from the very start. 'Sharal Silver Fox' Lord Gagalol and 'God of War' Lord Gars were, indubitably, incredible heroes. History had also proven their astonishing strength and wisdom. However, in the negotiations with Prince Roland, their nervousness made them seem like newcomers to the scene. Eventually, the situation came under the complete control of His Highness. However, in a certain sense, that was also the reason why the Alliance of the Northern Lands could rise so quickly. It had the alliance between the three as the foundation, with East Mist serving as the core of the alliance
—Extracted from the diary of Sharal Lord Residence's Secretary, Kasorla.”
”This… This is impossible!! You are lying! This… must be forged. An imitation means nothing no matter how lifelike it looks!”
The surroundings mountains were familiar, and just from the scenery itself, it was clear that it was their homeland, Sharal. However, unlike Sharal's usual bustle, there was nothing but a barren land in the image.
There were no fools here. Gagalol already understood that if the image were true that could only mean that either there was either no civilization here from the start, or that the civilization had disappeared along with the wind. Furthermore, such barren land would only occur a few hundred years after complete destruction.
”Hmph, think about your own identity and his. Would he come up with such a lie to fool you all? You all are putting yourselves on too high a pedestal! Take a look at your own reflection in the mirror!”
While I was touching my nose and smiling wryly at the suspicions of the hosts, Amelia had begun to chastise them arrogantly.
”This is?”
Without a doubt, Amelia, who just leapt out of nowhere, was extremely conspicuous. According to the intelligence Sharal had gathered, she was only an accompanying Mage. She doesn't even have a robe or insignia representing her level of strength, so they thought of her as a wild Mage without any identification. Yet, the attitude she arrogantly chastised Gagalol with was absent of the humility and prudent attitude a member of the entourage should have.
”Amelia Milan. Maybe none of you have ever heard of this name. However, you should know of the Truth Overseers of Arlodante. I haven't been out for around a century, so I am not aware whether the youngsters of this generation still remember me.”
They had heard of it. No doubt, they have definitely heard of it. From how they subconsciously backed their chairs away to maintain distance from her upon hearing that name, it seemed that her vile name had left quite an impression.
”Um, Senior Amelia, may I ask you what you have done recently?”
I felt a little exasperated. No matter how ludicrous a shut-in who had confined herself to her home for a few hundred years was, it should be impossible for her to be so notorious.
”I didn't do anything recently. I was only commissioned to do some sales.”
”Um… is that Thorned Forest of Bardi Empire your doing? As well as that famous Deep Slumber Curse?”
The secretary at the side interjected abruptly. His words caused Amelia to smile gleefully.
”Of course. Despite being relatives, they actually failed to invite me to the young princess's birthday celebration. Thus, I took revenge on them. When the young girl turned 16, a thorned needle was placed by the spindle outside her room. Naturally, the Poison of Deep Slumber I had prepared beforehand was smeared on it.”
At this point, I vaguely realized that my perception of the world was about to be torn apart. On the other hand, Amelia was already laughing frenziedly in glee.
”Haha, as expected, her finger was pricked by the needle and she fell into a deep sleep due to the poison. Initially, seeing how we were relatives, I didn't want to go too far, so I prepared a remedy. Yet, they sent an order of knights on a crusade against me? They were suicidal! Thus, I created a Thorned Forest, trapping all of them inside, causing all of those knights to starve to death.”
”Is that the legendary true love's kiss? How romantic! It's like a love story out of a fairy tale!”
Sometimes, I really find myself unable to comprehend women. Even though it was clearly an act of terrorism that almost destroyed a kingdom, it became a romantic legend in their eyes. At this moment, the female secretary looked at Amelia with reverence.
However, Amelia shook her head.
”True love? Little girl, magic isn't omnipotent, and a human's heart cannot be fathomed. If I could tell whose love was true and whose was false, I wouldn't have been scammed so tragically by another.”
At this point, a gleam flashed across her crimson-red pupils. It was apparent that she was on the verge of going on a rampage, and her killing intent seemed to be directed towards me. A chill ran down my spine. However, it was fortunate that she returned back to normal in the next instant.
”It was just some insignificant magic. I've customized the spell so that anyone who fits my requirements can unravel my magic. Back then, I had already lost all confidence in men and thought of them as beings driven by physical lust. Thus, in order to find an honest husband for little Nana, I set it so that only people who were interested in corpses could unravel the curse. Yep, going by the words of the human society, it should be called necrophilia.”
”AHHHHH!”
That pitiable little girl dropped her pen and book in fright. How could she accept it when the truth behind that romantic and legendary love story was something that would topple her perception of the world?
”Hmph, I have already left them a note on the solution. That was just a kind joke. Did they have to launch a crusade against me? They could solve the problem just by looking for a necrophile. If not for our relationship as relatives, I would have long ago knocked on their doors.”
Amelia spoke so gleefully that it seemed as though the one at fault was someone else. However, I think the reason why Bardi didn't start a war against Arlodante was on account of them being relatives.
”...I remember that Princess Fina Milan married the prince who awakened her in the end. After which, the prince became the emperor of Bardi Empire two generations ago. That is to say…”
Gagalol quickly covered the mouth of the secretary. How could he allow her to finish her words? Bardi was a powerful empire. If news that their emperor two generations ago was a necrophile were to spread out from here, that would mean massive problems for them.
”Actually, the Poison of Deep Slumber and the Thorned Forest weren't my greatest masterpieces. However, the poisonous apple given to Seere Kingdom's Snow Queen is.”
Somehow, I vaguely sensed that the information that I would hear would definitely ruin the perception I had of the world once more. However, I was too late in covering my ears.
”I had good relations with that queen, and she specially looked to me for a poisonous apple. The poison on it was similar to the poison on the needle as well; the cure was the kiss of a necrophile. However, it is really unfathomable why all passing princes are necrophiles.”
”Snow White and the Seven Gold-Armored Dwarves!? That is my favorite fairy tale. I beg you! Do not go on! You will ruin my childhood!”
Alright, where should I start retorting from? Should I start from the passing necrophile princes or the Golden Dwarf warriors? Damn it, Amelia. Can you do something normal instead? Why did you have to choose to create parodies of the fairy tales, taking the role of the villains, to ruin the childhood of others?
”What about that 'Little-footed Cinderella and the Crystal Slippers Only She Could Wear'? It can't be that you…”
”Oh, that. This time, I am on the side of the protagonist. Do you know the pumpkin carriage in the story? I am the witch who created that carriage. Right, this time, the prince isn't a necrophile but a podophile. Because of this, he couldn't remember Cinderella's face, insisting on using the glass slippers instead. I had to intentionally get her to leave the slippers behind. As expected, princes are a bunch of perverts.”
”Do you have such a large grudge against princes? Marrying a prince riding a white horse should be the dream of every little girl!”
”Hmph, that was what I thought back then as well. Truth has told us women that princes are a bunch of bastards and perverts! However, it is a pity that not a single printing press was willing to publish my book that is filled with numerical data and case studies named The Truth Behind Princes. Those cowardly bastards! Those were actual events that I went through personally, yet they refused to print them even though I was willing to pay them to do so!”
Alright, this childhood destroyer wants to publish a book to ruin the image of princes in the minds of everyone else! What deep-seated grudge was this!
Thus, after realizing why Amelia's reputation was so horrid and why Gagalol retreated far away upon hearing her report her name, as the only human prince in the room, as the one responsible for her resentment towards princes, I backed my seat far away without any hesitation.
”Hmph, I will tell you all directly now. In the circles of SemiGods and true Gods, the Indestructible Roland is much more famous than me. You doubt that he would lie to you? You should first consider whether you are worthy of him going through the effort to.”
”Indestructible Roland?”