CH 574

The choice to meet Bertus had always been up to me.

Bertus knew I was assisting the allied forces' advance, but he had no idea of my whereabouts. I, on the other hand, could always predict where Bertus might be.

Bertus would be staying at three different locations.

The central palace Tetra in the Imperial City.

The headquarters of the allied forces' garrison.

And now.

"Is it definitely the place that stands out?"

"Yes, it certainly seems so..."

The Magic University Research Building before my eyes.

It was certain that Bertus would be moving between one of these three places.

The Imperial Palace was, well, the Imperial Palace, and the allied forces' garrison was, after all, the garrison.

And the Magic University Research Building was where a very important research project was underway, so it was obvious he would visit regularly to keep an eye on the situation.

"Even the exterior has such strict security. It's bound to be even more difficult to get inside."

Even for Sarkegaar, some things just couldn't be done.

"Still, Your Highness, instead of risking yourself, perhaps I should..."

"Forget it. How long do I have to ask you to do everything?"

"Well, that's true, but..."

Leaving aside whether it was possible or not, it was also an excessively dangerous task. I wasn't without some anxiety, but once I heard the Black Order was involved, my heart to send Sarkegaar had long disappeared.

That didn't mean there was nothing for Sarkegaar to do.

Sarkegaar would wait until Bertus appeared nearby.

"Anyway, just like Bertus won't attack me, you won't attack him either. If Bertus shows up here, approach him. Then tell him I have something to say. That way we can have a separate conversation..."

Before I could finish my sentence,

I could see Bertus and Saviolin Turner coming out of the research building from afar.

The fact that I could find them right away meant it was less a coincidence and more a sign that the emperor frequented that place.

"You've saved some trouble."

"Your Highness... Please reconsider just once more..."

"It's fine."

Even in unfavorable situations, it could be fine.

Leaving a worried Sarkegaar behind, I began to approach the Magic University Research Building.

------

Emperor Bertus did not like to mobilize a large number of troops.

He didn't have an aversion to royal audiences, but Bertus had ascended to the throne during a turbulent era. It was a time when he couldn't afford to manage every little thing, so royal audiences either disappeared or were significantly reduced.

However, this only meant that he did not mobilize 'many' troops. It didn't mean he didn't place importance on protection.

Bertus mostly moved around with Saviolin Turner. The protection provided by Turner was more than enough.

When visiting a place where confidentiality had to be maintained, it was only natural that he couldn't bring many people with him. So, when Bertus moved, Saviolin Turner took charge of everything related to security.

As a result, in addition to being the leader of Shanafel, Saviolin Turner also took on a role similar to the emperor's personal secretary.

Of course, when the allied forces were advancing or during a battle, others would take over the security duties, but now, with the temporary peace in place, Bertus was moving with Saviolin Turner.

So after stopping by the research building, Bertus and Turner were on their way back to the Imperial Palace.

Inside the temple, the streets were almost deserted and well-ordered, but it was only Bertus and Saviolin Turner who walked along the eerily quiet street.

"Things are going smoothly."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"It would be a problem if things were too smooth, though."

As Bertus forced a smile, Turner struggled to find the right words, her expression rigid.

"I didn't think those three would produce results so quickly..."

Bertus sighed.

"No matter how many were gathered from all over the continent, the Royal Class second-years are all remarkably special."

Adelia, who created the Titan and Power Cartridge.

Christina, who made Moonshine.

And Louis Ancton and Anna de Gerna.

The Emperor.

The Princess.

The Hero.

And the Demon King.

The Royal Class second-year students were full of unusually talented individuals, to the point where one could feel a powerful destiny at play.

"By the way, how is Ludwig doing?"

"Ah..."

Saviolin Turner's complexion worsened.

"Well... It seems he's having difficulty adjusting."

"...I think I underestimated the situation."

Considering what Ludwig would face in the security forces, Bertus couldn't help but wonder if assigning him to the forces was a mistake. Bertus had a lot to do, and although he was concerned for Ludwig, he couldn't afford to be too attentive.

"Maybe it would be better if he was in charge of the training camp instead."

"I will ask for Ludwig's opinion."

"Yes, and this time..."

-Meow

Bertus stopped talking at the sound of a cat coming from somewhere.

Both Turner and Bertus had no choice but to stare at the black cat standing silently in the middle of the empty street.

"Um... what's that?"

"It's a cat."

-Meow

The black cat slowly approached the Emperor.

"It's not just any cat, Turner. It's that one."

"If you say that, then...?"

"It's the cat Ellen takes care of."

"Ah..."

"I couldn't help it at the garrison, but I'm not sure if it's right to let it roam free like this in the temple. I understand not wanting to confine it, though..."

"Well, I've never raised a cat, so I don't know..."

It would be more strange if Saviolin Turner, who had spent her entire life wielding a sword, knew how to raise a cat.

"But it's come quite far from the dormitory. Will it know its way back?"

Bertus encountered the wandering cat in an unexpected place.

Had the cat been roaming such a vast area? Bertus didn't know.

But the black cat approached Bertus.

It was odd because the last time they met, the cat had desperately tried to escape at the sight of Bertus.

Bertus crouched down to meet the approaching cat.

The cat might be lost, and Ellen might be worried.

"It seems right to take it back to the dormitory first..."

The moment Bertus reached out to lift the cat.

Suddenly.

The cat's body began to change.

-Gurgle

"!"

"Your Majesty! It's dangerous!"

Saviolin Turner forcefully pulled Bertus away, creating distance.

The cat was transforming into something.

And in an instant, as they stared at the now-formed entity, both Bertus and Saviolin Turner were dumbfounded.

"Well... it's not exactly a long time since we last met."

The black cat.

"It's been a while, hasn't it?"

The Demon King Reinhardt appeared.

------

The cat that Ellen had been raising suddenly transformed into Reinhardt.

There was no way to know why it happened, the reason behind it, or the purpose of it.

Even if they couldn't understand the situation, what they saw before them was the truth.

With a pale complexion, Saviolin Turner drew her Gale Sword and hid Bertus behind her.

"Stop. Don't come any closer."

Saviolin Turner's expression was full of fear, though she had no intention of being an enemy.

It wasn't just Saviolin Turner who was confused by the unexpected turn of events.

"Reinhardt...?"

Bertus also swallowed nervously, taken aback by the unfolding situation.

"I understand you're shocked, but I didn't come here to fight. If I did, I wouldn't have shown up like this."

There were many better ways to kill them if that had been his intention.

There must have been a reason for him to reveal himself so blatantly.

"I'd like to talk in a quiet place. It's been a while."

As time had changed many things, Reinhardt had changed too.

"I can't stay outside in this form for long, you know that, right?"

Although there was not a single person on the street, walking around the temple in Reinhardt's form would have been insane.

Bertus stared at the suddenly appearing Reinhardt with a stern expression.

"Your Majesty..."

Saviolin Turner also gazed at the Emperor with a bewildered look.

"Alright. Let's go inside somewhere, anywhere."

It would be no better for the Emperor to be seen with the Demon King appearing in the temple.

------

Bertus and Turner knew better than anyone that the Demon King was helping humanity. Thus, they also knew that he hadn't suddenly revealed himself to fight.

Most of the buildings in the temple were empty, which was true for both schools and shops.

So they entered an empty cafe on the second floor of a nearby vacant building.

The door was locked, but that wasn't a problem for any of them in this situation.

Using the Aura Blade, they sliced through the door's lock, and the three of them took their seats.

There was dust on the table and chairs, but none of them paid attention to it.

All they needed was a place to talk.

"There's one thing I'd like to make clear. Let's not bring up the cat issue, it's not important and I don't want to talk about it."

Looking at the nonchalant face of Reinhardt, Bertus couldn't help but realize how he had changed over time.

He had become more shameless than before.

"Alright… Let's just assume that. I don't think I have any idea why, anyway."

He must have wanted to watch over Ellen.

And now they knew why he had had a fit when Ellen tried to entrust the cat to the Emperor.

Reinhardt, with his arms crossed, murmured quietly.

"Let's not dwell on the past either. Who did what wrong, where did things go wrong, that kind of talk."

Discussions about mistakes were also pointless.

Now, with the reality they had to face in front of them, talking about each other's responsibilities would only worsen the situation.

The Demon King had warned that if he wasn't released, his subordinates would cause the Gate incident, but the Emperor did not release him.

And so, the Gate incident occurred.

But now, discussing that matter held no meaning.

They had issues to face and problems to solve.

Everything else was meaningless, save for focusing on that.

At Reinhardt's words, Bertus nodded.

"You know we were clearing the path ahead of the alliance forces, right?"

"Yes, I knew."

Bertus looked at Reinhardt and asked,

"Can you really manipulate the weather?"

"Only to a limited extent."

Reinhardt didn't explicitly mention that it was the Supernatural ability of Liana de Grantz.

Upon hearing that something impossible for any wizard was possible, Bertus and Turner couldn't help but tense up.

"Don't worry. If I wanted to use that power to destroy humanity, you know what would have happened a long time ago, right?"

"..."

"..."

If the demon king were to cause havoc in the middle of the empire while the alliance forces were fully committed, the empire would be reduced to ashes.

However, knowing that it might happen and actually hearing the demon king confirm that he could do it were two different things.

Humanity should have perished long ago if it weren't for the demon king's mercy.

But most people, ignorant of this fact, despise the demon king.

If the demon king really wanted to annihilate humanity, it would only take a day, but no one thinks about that.

If the demon king threatens the emperor with humanity's survival at stake, the empire and humanity must listen to him, no matter what he says.

But so far, the demon king has never interfered with humanity in that way.

"I didn't come here suddenly to threaten or extort you. I just have a question."

Reinhardt asked calmly.

"One of our main forces is the Death Knights. We used a lot of them in the Serandia battle this time. So, we wanted to replenish them like last time."

At that, both Turner and Bertus listened silently to Reinhardt's words.

"So, we tried to resurrect the corpses as Death Knights from the Hall of Heroes in the royal mausoleum."

"…What?!"

Both Bertus and Turner were taken aback by this. They couldn't help but be shocked when they heard that he had tried to break into the royal mausoleum for no reason.

"The method is a secret, but anyway, we managed to get in."

What's more, they had already infiltrated it without their knowledge.

Bertus listened to the story with a pale face.

"But... as you know, all the coffins were empty."

"I wonder if it's only the royal mausoleum. We also confirmed that the bodies of the fallen warriors from the alliance forces were replaced and buried in the national cemetery."

"Like we tried to create Death Knights, it seems the empire is up to some bizarre things as well... but I don't know much about it."

"We were trying to find out secretly rather than making contact, but it seemed like there was a limit to that. So, I came here directly."

"I don't intend to say that you shouldn't do such things, or that you can't do them. I'm doing something similar myself."

"But we need to know what's going on. My people are very uneasy, and you might have even joined forces with those who might be my enemies."

"There are only two things I want to ask."

The demon king stared at the emperor.

"What's going on at Temple Magic University?"

The true nature of the research.

"Is it true that you've joined hands with the Black Order?"

And the suspicious alliance.

"I suppose I should explain."

The Demon King had two questions.

What research was being conducted at Temple Magic University?

And whether they had indeed joined forces with the Black Order.

Silence ensued.

As Turner would not speak before Bertus, the Demon King focused solely on Bertus.

If the Demon King had not approached them, they might not have known. But now that the Demon King had come forth to ask directly...

It was impossible to remain silent now that the Demon King had appeared, even if they had not engaged in such activities before.

"I knew you were watching us... but finding that out was a bit surprising."

Bertus said with a bitter smile.

"Yes. We're doing something with the corpses of the fallen heroes and warriors."

Bertus slowly nodded.

"But I have no idea what you're talking about regarding the Black Order."

"Really?"

The Demon King carefully observed the Emperor's expression.

It was difficult to discern the truth from his face.

Whether it was ignorance or the truth, it was impossible to tell just by looking at his face.

"At least as far as I know, we haven't cooperated with the Black Order."

Saying this, the Emperor shrugged his shoulders.

"There's no need to doubt. You know, right?"

"What?"

"Considering we're meddling with the corpses to end the Gate incident, would there have been anything we couldn't handle, even if it was the hand of the Black Order? No matter how much they tried to kill you."

It was strange to think that some things were possible while others were not while they were already engaged in dreadful acts.

"So, you're saying that if the Black Order had approached you, you would have joined forces with them?"

"Yes. But that never happened. And if we had joined forces, there would be no reason for me to deceive you in this situation. It wouldn't benefit me in any way."

"Hmm..."

As Bertus had said.

At the point of touching everything that could help them, there was nothing the Empire couldn't handle from the Black Order. Seeing the Demon King's dubious expression, Bertus gave a bitter smile.

"People just don't believe me when I tell the truth."

Bertus laughed bitterly, saying that when he told the truth, people doubted him.

"First, I can show you what we were doing."

At that, somewhat surprisingly, the Demon King appeared slightly taken aback.