CH 348

Although Airi, a succubus, lacked the characteristic power of charm, she didn't need such a thing as she successfully seduced influential locals while running a tavern.

Airi said that the important thing was that stage, and now that they were progressing, there would be no particular difficulty.

It was all about deceiving and exploiting those whose hearts they had already won over.

How were they going to handle the malice they would receive from people after all of this was over? Was there already a plan in place for that?

Just as I was taking risks on my own, Airi was also willing to take risks even if I didn't want her to.

"Wait just a little longer, Valier."

Airi smiled at me.

"The day when I'll dedicate the Edina Archipelago to you is not far off."

She aimed to swallow up the entire Edina Archipelago, beyond just monopolizing trade rights.

When I first met the succubus prisoners, all I wanted was for them to live peacefully.

When I talked about seizing control of the empire's financial power, I thought it was okay to have such a dream as long as it gave purpose to life.

However, watching Airi's actions, I couldn't help but think that achieving that goal was far from impossible.

"I agree with you. Let's restrain ourselves from taking on overly dangerous tasks."

"Alright. Thanks for worrying about me."

We might have originally been hostile to each other, but since I saved her, Airi had changed her attitude towards me. I didn't know what kind of past I had with Airi, so I didn't think much of it.

In the process of checking on how Airi was doing in the Edina Archipelago, I learned some unexpected things.

If Airi succeeded in the Edina Archipelago, eventually, this side would also have its own use. I couldn't know exactly what that use would be at the moment.

"Anyway, I came here because I'm curious."

Finally, I could get to the main point.

"Curious about what?"

"I'll be returning to the Demon King's Castle soon, and I want to know what's there."

"...The Demon King's Castle?"

"Yeah."

"It's still occupied by the imperial army. Even if you're disguised as a human..."

"There won't be a problem since I'm going with the royal family's permission."

"Ah, I see. But what do you want to ask me... Oh, right, you lost your memory..."

Airi seemed to have roughly guessed what I wanted to find when I returned there.

"There's a restricted area in the Demon King's Castle that only the royal family could enter. But humans must have searched it thoroughly. I doubt anything useful would be left..."

I wanted to go to the Demon King's Castle with the vague hope that Charlotte and Saviolin Turner might know something.

However, even if something remained in the Demon King's Castle, I wanted to understand it, whether or not it had anything to do with saving Charlotte.

The Demon King's Castle would still have people there for excavation or research purposes, so it wouldn't be a place I could visit at any time, even if I took on Reinhardt's appearance.

The opportunity is now.

According to Airi, there exists a restricted area accessible only to royalty.

However, was it not protected by a physical barrier? If it has already been plundered, there would be nothing left to gain there. Airi furrowed her brow, deep in thought.

"I'm not sure, but there must be a place in the Demon King's castle that only the Demon King can enter. It would naturally be sealed off to prevent anyone else from entering... There's a definite possibility that humans haven't found it yet."

Airi was uncertain, but she believed such a place might exist.

"How do you know about this place?"

"…Occasionally, the previous Demon King would take you somewhere within the Demon King's castle."

Airi had no choice but to know about the memories that I, as Valier, did not possess, and about what had transpired in the Demon King's castle.

"I don't know where exactly it is, and even when I asked my mother, she never answered me as if it were a secret. She seemed to know something, though."

"So, there's a secret space of that sort?"

"Probably. I don't know the specifics of where it is, though."

The place that the previous Demon King occasionally took Valier to.

Airi's mother, who had been one of the Four Heavenly Kings, knew something but didn't tell Airi.

There was a possibility that humans had already found the place, but there was also a chance they hadn't.

The secret chamber within the Demon King's castle that the previous Demon King took his son to from time to time.

Something must be there.

I must find out what it is.

------

My brief reunion with Airi came to an end.

"I could go in a few days."

Airi watched me, seemingly reluctant, as I insisted on leaving immediately.

"I'm sorry, but I don't have time."

"…I understand."

Airi cautiously cast her eyes down.

Originally, Valier had been a useless, arrogant brat who relied on his father's power, and Airi, the daughter of the succubus queen, had been the one to discipline him.

Now that the demon world had been destroyed, we were the last remaining members of the royal family of a ruined kingdom.

Airi approached me and gently held both of my hands.

"Please stay safe, Valier."

As I met her gaze, I felt an odd sensation, which made me feel strangely uneasy.

Was it because the succubus queen's race was inherently easy to love?

No.

That wasn't it.

Although I was not Valier, I felt a bizarre sensation as if Valier was reacting to her.

Valier had been tormented by Airi, but somehow, I instinctively knew.

A strange certainty that Valier would have liked Airi.

The odd sensation I felt just by looking into Airi's eyes convinced me of this.

In the original history, Airi would have become a slave in the empire, and Valier would have died wandering the wasteland.

Of course, I am not Valier.

I am not captivated by the succubus race either.

So.

"Don't push yourself too hard either."

"Yes."

I simply asked Airi how she was doing, a question stemming from the camaraderie between us.

------

It seemed as if no time had passed since I had gone to the Edina Archipelago, and the return trip was just as swift.

Lucinil had offered to accompany me to the Demon King's Castle and keep watch from a distance, but I had declined.

The area around the Demon King's Castle was already tightly held by human forces, and I already had Saviolin Turner as a companion. There was a chance that an unexpected encounter between her and Lucinil could lead to complications.

Thus, Lucinil decided it would be better to stay in the Imperial Palace and assist in Sarkegaar's mission.

There was a secret space within the Demon King's Castle.

However, neither Airi nor I knew where it was located.

And if we were to find the place, we would have to enter it without being seen by others – yet we had no concrete plan for how to do that.

Fortunately, Charlotte's condition did not worsen before we set out for the Demon King's Castle.

In the Royal Class dormitory, Saviolin Turner covertly summoned me.

It was nighttime. Outside the Royal Class dormitory, I stood facing Saviolin Turner in the dimly lit space.

"His Majesty has granted his permission. We depart in two days."

"Yes."

As I calmly replied, Saviolin Turner suddenly gripped my shoulder.

She stared into my eyes with a serious expression.

"Reinhardt, I asked you to accompany me out of my own selfishness, but it seems that you do not fully understand the risks involved in this matter."

"…Risks?"

"Yes. Her Highness, the Princess, is very negative about you coming along."

Charlotte had thanked me but also said it was dangerous and that I did not have to go.

Had she been worrying about it for days?

Were there still unknown threats in the Demon King's Castle?

Did Charlotte think I was being too reckless, so she was negative about me accompanying her?

"If the Demon King's Castle is dangerous…"

"No, that's not the issue."

As if I completely misunderstood, she shook her head.

"I have no interest in politics and probably shouldn't, but I am in a position where I can avoid getting involved in political matters. This is not self-praise, but a simple fact."

The strongest knight on the continent.

Her influence and authority alone allowed her to live free from politics if she wished.

But it seemed that it was not the case for me.

I was aware of that.

The weak living in the midst of politics cannot remain neutral. That is only possible after securing power or influence.

When she mentioned politics instead of physical danger, I thought I had understood what Saviolin Turner was trying to say.

"Are you talking about… Bertus?"

"Yes."

Bertus and Charlotte.

I had somewhat forgotten about the issue between the two of them. Charlotte valued me highly, and it had been quite some time since Bertus had made any moves against me.

In the Demon King's realm, there are countless people. And the fact that the Princess and I are heading there directly isn't something we can hide. So, if you go with us, that truth will eventually be revealed."

"..."

If I go to the Demon King's realm with Charlotte, Bertus will eventually find out.

He will know that I have firmly sided with Charlotte.

"You've already received the royal crest. Soon, His Highness the Crown Prince will know that you are the master of Tiamat."

And on top of that, there's the matter of the Champions of Tu'an.

It's not information Bertus can miss that Ellen and I have received the royal emblem together.

The importance of my position in the country has undeniably increased, and it's clear that I stand with Charlotte.

That means, simply by going to the Demon King's realm, I will inevitably make Bertus a definite enemy.

Saviolin Turner is not ignorant of politics, though she prefers not to be involved in political affairs.

So, it seemed as if she was warning me, thinking I didn't know the true danger of this matter.

"This is the last time, Reinhardt. I know it's strange for me to say this after making the request. If you deem the situation too dangerous, you don't have to come. Her Highness wishes that as well."

Charlotte seemed to not want to put me in danger any longer.

If I go to the Demon King's realm with Charlotte, I will eventually make Bertus my enemy.

But what would change if I just stay still?

My identity as a Champion of Tu'an will inevitably be revealed anyway.

I need to not only cure Charlotte but also find out what remains in the Demon King's realm.

And I know that Saviolin Turner and Charlotte's concerns are nothing but unfounded.

The royal crest given to me.

That itself speaks for everything.

"I don't think Bertus is foolish enough to carelessly lay hands on the Champion of Tu'an."

"......"

A treatment on par with royalty?

No, it's even more than that.

At this point, Ellen and I are more important to humanity than the First Prince and Princess, or even the Emperor himself.

In such a situation, if someone tries to kill me or cause harm just because I'm on Charlotte's side, they will face the wrath of the furious Emperor.

Ellen and I are expendable in the fight against the Demon King, but until that moment, we must receive the utmost importance on the continent.

Ragan Artorius may not have utilized any political advantages, but I will not do the same.

Bertus will not be able to touch me.

As long as my true identity isn't exposed, he absolutely cannot touch me.

"So, I will go."

However, once Bertus becomes my enemy, can my identity remain hidden?

I cannot know that.

"......Alright, convey that to Her Highness."

I know that my predetermined fate is approaching, and I cannot hide my true identity forever.

------

Champion of Tu'an.

That would protect me in every situation and political climate.

I had exposed the remnants of the demon world's power, escalating humanity's sense of crisis, and secured political justification to protect myself by becoming the champion of Tu’an.

It was a rather wicked act to establish my position by playing the savior in the crisis I had orchestrated, but that was the reality.

In the end, Eleris's words that Tiamata would be more useful politically proved to be true.

The day we decided to depart for the Demon King's realm.

"It's really okay. I won't be gone for long, and you don't have to be there..."

Charlotte trailed off with a gloomy expression. She was always grateful, but she also felt guilty for only receiving help from me and not being able to give anything in return.

Even though my political position was secure, this task entailed taking on a great risk.

So, on the day of departure, her wish for me not to go was evident.

"To think I'm hearing such words from the one who came to me in tears, clad in pajamas, and clung to me when the crisis struck. It's quite convincing."

"W-what?!"

Caught off guard by my sudden words, Charlotte's face flushed red. Saviolin Turner, who had finished preparing for departure, also had a baffled expression.

"It's useless to cry and call for help when the crisis hits. So just quietly come along."

"W-why are you saying it like that?!"

Charlotte's face turned red and blue as she began hitting me randomly.

"Yes, get angry like that instead."

"…What?"

Looking at Charlotte, who had a remorseful expression, I felt even more tormented.

"It makes me feel more at ease."

Charlotte stared blankly at me for a moment, her lips trembling, and then finally let out a wail.

"…You're really something else. You make people feel grateful and ungrateful at the same time. You're so strange!"

Charlotte strode forward, sniffling, and Saviolin Turner sighed as she watched me.

"You're one to talk, making light of blasphemous words so casually. But I find it stranger that I've grown used to your antics."

Normally, she would have jumped in when things got out of hand, but she had become so accustomed to my behavior that she only felt disconcerted now.

It seemed that Saviolin Turner also found it strange to grow accustomed to my antics.