125 Episode 21: Payback from the Empire (2/2)

”... well”

”Admitting it made it a lot easier. As much as I've gone far, I've lost my strength.”

That's what Priscilla said after smiling bitterly. The look on Priscilla's face now changes so much that she thinks that her smile was really masked.

”Do you want revenge on the Sorcerer family, on your own father?

Priscilla turns off her smile at my inquiry and gives her a contemplative look. Once you lay your eyes down, you look like you're holding your thoughts together. As Priscilla opened her eyes, she spoke softly of the answer.

”I hate you for hate, but that's enough”

”... good enough?

”Yep. If it's going to happen, I want to keep my distance from this anymore. I want my father and my wife to never get involved again and die wild and out of my sight.”

”Oh, yes...”

”I don't want those people swinging at me anymore and my life going crazy...”

Priscilla smiles with her eyes narrowed. That was something that resembled a grin that had been floating around for a long time, but felt definitely warm. Is this warmth because Priscilla has been untied for years of trauma, or is it just my assumption?

I just don't mind either. That's fine if I'm satisfied. Priscilla looks more focused on the future now than she did in the past. That's enough for me.

”I could also talk to Master Falgana. I don't mind if I keep in touch, but I'll let you censor me, okay?

”Yes, again, thank you from what to what”

”Fine. Priscilla is my squire.”

”... although I usually find it odd to use annoying squire heavily”

”If it wasn't malicious, fine. If you don't have a choice, you don't have a choice.”

”... looks like you”

Couscous and laughing Priscilla. However, Priscilla's expression inadvertently turns into a worrying one. I shrugged with a grunt as I turned my gaze away.

”... living is a very scary thing to try to live. Her Highness Sister Wang.”

How was it right to return to the word? I could only look at Priscilla's side, unanswered.

My days of tranquillity continued when I did not go to the City of Magic and began to live in the outhouse.

If you don't leave the palace, you don't have to worry about assassinations or anything. Security seems to be thorough, and even the Empire can't move around so easily.

Although the serene routine had passed, it was Uffi who informed me that there had been movement.

We are now meeting with the Emperor of the Aylene Empire.

”A meeting. Where's the place?

”Carlise, right? This will be our explanation for the assassination of Annis, who protested, and our upcoming talks on national communications.”

I guess the letter Uffi has in his hand is a seal delivered by the Empire. I also get the impression that it seems aristocratic when I take it, but somewhat tough compared to the aristocratic literature of the Kingdom of Palletia.

The contents are not particularly apologetic, and they are content such as wanting to forge mutual perceptions in the context of talks. It is the city named Carlise that will be the venue for the talks.

”Carlise.”

”Has Annis ever been to Carlise?

”A few times as an adventurer.”

Carlise. That is the name of a city that guards the border between the Kingdom of Palletia and the Aylene Empire. The reason it's called a fortified city is because it's surrounded by robust fortifications. I've had a few trips as an adventurer, too.

It's just a place you don't go if you ask me if I like it. Because of the proximity of borders, development is underway in defence, so less nature and less acquisition of spiritual resources. So I wouldn't have gotten to my feet if I hadn't been an adventurer or a request.

”Of course, so am I. Right?

”Yeah, in addition to the usual members, I guess.”

”Okay, I know you've been talking to Navre and the others, but I'll let you know.”

”Yes.... anise”

”Hmm?”

”I will try to calm down quickly and return to the City of Magic again.”

Yuffi said that with a slightly tighter look. Besides, I laugh bitterly. Although I couldn't make it back to the City of Magic, Uncle Drags is doing something about the scene.

Besides, city building is still halfway down the road, and it will be a little while before I get my hands on the study of magic in earnest. I don't think I'd be so worried about it.

”I can't do things that never happened, so let's not have the next one. On the contrary, let's think of it as a chance, if we keep our relationship with the Empire strong here, we might even reduce our cross spears.”

”... I hope it's easy.”

”I'll see what I can do. I'm not studying magic to make you use it in war.”

Walk over to Yufi's side and slap him on the shoulder. Smiling to reassure me, Yufi soothed my expression as well.

And the emperor of the empire, huh? I wonder what the hell he's like. I thought of it with my gaze out the window.