122 Episode 18: Something You Never Give Up (1/2)
”... you can't make important decisions in a bar like this.”
”That's right. But sometimes you can't talk in public, you can't tell them, right? At least our brother is outside the war, and I'm sincerely angry with the guy who's trying to inspire the Palletian kingdom right now.”
”Can't you flatter me? The Emperor and the others.”
”The Empire suddenly got too big because of its fucking parents. My brother is running to tighten the interior to stabilize the Empire. It's not like we have a perfect internal footprint.”
Ha, and sighed and Falgana clasped her shoulders. I rang the call to call the clerk and put out a liquor order for the clerk who came.
”They will say that he is a good emperor, but he thinks he is a good emperor. But if you're alone, the country won't be wrapped up. Empires today invade and rule other nations in battle too commonly, and everyone and he are all blinded by the effects. Even the armaments of the Kingdom of Palettia, if they can be taken in, are attractive, if they are hostile, they can only be seen as a threat.”
Falgana to tell you pale, but its eyes are filled with brilliant and harsh light. It makes me feel angry and angry.
”The territory on this side is also peaceful with the attitude of the Kingdom of Palletia. But a war effort in an empire is directly linked to honor and standing. The point is, it's smoking, the kingdom is trying to keep the peace, but that's why there's only an expedition for nobles with territory on the kingdom's side to be effective. Expeditions cost less money and less people. Some people are dissatisfied with that. Some fools are blinded by the immediate interests of the central aristocracy, which only counts their lives as numbers.”
”Is that why the Kingdom of Palletia is also trying to get involved?
”The Empire will see further leaps if the resources, technology and talent of this country are available. That's what I dream about.”
After a modest knock, Falgana grabs the jock placed by the clerk who brought the alcohol. Momentum dried up about half of his contents, and he exhaled deeply.
”... just as there are countries where noble lords don't wrap themselves up, no matter how heroic they are, they are individuals. Think of it that way, and if you attack it, you can strike it down with the quantity. That's what some people think. It's all kinds of cravings, all kinds of cravings, all kinds of cravings, all kinds of cravings, all kinds of cravings, all kinds of cravings, all kinds of cravings, all kinds of cravings.”
”... so you say you can forgive me for raiding?
”No way! No way.”
”Yes, I also advised that we should rather use it for this raid”
”Hey, Priscilla!
”... is that true? Priscilla.”
Priscilla, who was picking a knob, is taking the booze and drinking it little by little. I stare at Priscilla for a confession sandwiched in between.
Falgana's rush made it clear that Priscilla's words were an unpleasant fact for them. I have a sense that I have a hard face, but I still couldn't stop staring at Priscilla.
”I'm prepared to punish you.”
”... why didn't you talk to me?
”Did you trust me if I talked to you?
Priscilla came looking at me strangely. In those eyes, there was just a pale, untouched feeling.
”If I confessed badly and was held in captivity, reading the timing of the raid could hardly guide me. I can't deny it if you say it's a theory of results.”
”... Priscilla said,” Who's on your side?
I dared ask that. Who is on Priscilla's side?... I need to make it clear here what Priscilla really is.
”I trusted Priscilla, at least. I can't say enough completely, I thought we had no choice because we're short on dating. But you can't believe Priscilla if you're trying to move me like a good person.... Why didn't you talk to me?
…………
”Priscilla, answer, including what you have with the Empire.... who are you on your side? Who's the enemy? What did you want to accomplish?
Exhale deeply to get your breath ready, then I ask Priscilla again.
”I knew Priscilla was harmless. Otherwise, my maid wouldn't have picked me. But you conspired against me. If you were seriously trying to trick me into falling for it, you'd be too dangerous. If not, why did you try to put things away by yourself? You have to know that. You can't leave it beside you.”
”... are you still going to put me aside?
Priscilla's expression collapsed in surprise. I once grabbed a jock the clerk had brought out of sight of Priscilla and poured the booze in momentum.
Cheap fruit liquor for the civilian population. Not at all like wine served after a meal in the outhouse or at a meeting. But I don't hate it. If you take it easy, you might prefer this one.
Honestly, I couldn't have done it if I hadn't been drinking. I was in shock when I wasn't sure myself. I keep holding a Moya Moya that I can't even grasp, and I keep my words going.
”It's not up to me to decide on a boulder by myself. But because I found out about Priscilla. So I thought I'd have to listen to you.”
”... you really think so?
... In terms of personal feelings alone, I can't deny that I pity her because I know what's going on with Priscilla. It is all too unreasonable to ask Priscilla herself for that sin, that Priscilla had no choice but to grow up with a depressed child.
Born as a child of slavery, raised without knowing otherwise, he came from his parents abused. To Priscilla, who grew up in that situation, believe someone, maybe it's impossible to say anything.
But that doesn't make it an absolution mark. I really think that there might have been something Priscilla could have done if she had told me in advance.
Nothing. I didn't want to kill the Raiders. I'm not saying anything sweet. You can't justify the regret of letting Charne stand in a place where they take each other's lives. Charne knew, too, so that leads to an insult to that kid.
Just still. It's much better not to be like that, I have myself to think so. So emotions and reason don't match. I'm looking for what I didn't get enough of.
So it was hard for me that Priscilla didn't rely on me or talk to me. Whatever reason you had there, because you get stuck with the fact that you couldn't create a relationship.
”I just want to convince you, Priscilla.... How could I have opened my heart to Priscilla?
Priscilla gave my words a slightly bewildered look. Maybe there are more gaps than her usual because alcohol is starting to come in too.
Priscilla was silent for a while, but after pulling her lips together once, she slowly opened them and started talking.
”... I was through with Fall. No matter how much it seems to benefit this country, it's not a compliment. I didn't think you'd believe me in the first place.”
”... yeah”
”I told the Aylene Empire that I admired my mother's homeland. When I get my revenge, at least he wants to die in my mother's birthplace. That was my wish.”
Priscilla puts her hands together on the table. That gaze doesn't focus on where you're looking, just like you're staring far away.
”... that wish still hasn't disappeared. But I have something that I value just as much.”
”Is that, what?
”Loyalty to Her Majesty Queen Uphilia.”
The confession was only a little powerful. The slight fact that my voice is about to tremble tells me that it is really important and thoughtful for Priscilla.
”Her Majesty Queen Uphilia took my revenge on my shoulder, even though it turned out to be.”
”Yufi did? Revenge?”
”The more His Majesty the Queen changed the way the country was, the man who was my father quickly lost the power he was obsessed with. Neither the man nor the lady fell to the bottom without me having to put my hands down.... and how much was saved. I just felt so bad about my chest.”
Floating on Priscilla's face is a distorted grin. It's like I'm attracted, I'm going to find madness.