Chapter 44
As if unable to retreat like this, the Imperial Consort desperately changed the direction of her words.
“Ha, haha! If it truly is such a dangerous item, then shouldn’t I be commended for discovering it instead?! According to Young Duke Castline’s words, the situation in the Rose Palace was indeed perilous.”
The Imperial Consort glanced around briefly before shouting with fervent intensity.
“Look at the demonic beasts filling this basement right now. The Imperial Palace has been attacked by beasts! Fine, perhaps Titania wasn’t struck by a curse. I’ll concede that much, Young Duke. But is it not thanks to me that this hideous object, buried by those targeting the Imperial Palace, was found?”
Imperial Consort Cleo forced a smile.
“Look at our Brian in this pitiful state—look at that poor boy who fainted while being chased by beasts! How could such a child be involved in this, with those villains….”
“P-Prince Brian told us to bring him bait so he could catch a demonic beast.”
At that timely voice, Imperial Consort Cleo’s eyes widened in fury. In this situation, she could not tolerate Brian being framed as an accomplice in the demonic beast attack on the Imperial Palace.
“Who dares utter such irreverent nonsense?!”
James—Prince Brian’s hunting companion and the plant we had prepared—knelt down, trembling. His timing was impeccable.
“Y-Your Imperial Majesty, please forgive this foolish subject. Actually, while out hunting, my friends and I saw a wolf with a beautiful golden mane…. We tried to catch that wolf.”
Imperial Consort Cleo’s eyes blazed as she glared at James. She likely hadn’t expected one of Brian’s incompetent, big-mouthed hunting buddies to turn on him like this.
“But although an arrow struck it from afar, it was so large and vigorous that it disappeared near the Imperial Palace, and we couldn’t catch it. When we told the Prince about it, saying it was a wondrous sight… the Prince said that any prey entering the Imperial Palace grounds was surely his. He demanded we get him bait for demonic beasts. I-I opposed the idea, but…!”
“It’s a lie! It’s a lie, Your Majesty! This is clearly an attempt to slander Brian while he is unconscious!”
Imperial Consort Cleo raved and stomped.
An attempt to slander Brian—yes, that was correct. But it was also true that Brian had fallen for such a stupid bait in a stupid way and passed out in a stupid fashion. To think a guy like that is a leading successor to the throne… what is to become of this Empire later…?
No, wait. In the original story, that’s exactly why a civil war broke out and everything went to hell…. While I was briefly pondering the bitter future of the Empire, the Emperor roared.
“So you are telling me this pathetic fool is in that state now because he was terrified and fainted all by himself in front of that beast?”
The look in the Emperor’s eyes changed.
“Now, Young Duke Castline. Answer me.”
“Yes.”
“Does that object the Imperial Consort claimed was evidence also lure demonic beasts?”
“It is an item that lures even dangerous beasts that could be called kings among their kind.”
“…Then, that large golden wolf beast from earlier. The one Brian said he would catch. Is it possible it entered the Imperial Palace because it was enticed by that object? Along with the other beasts?”
Imperial Consort Cleo’s face turned as white as a sheet. Raymon spoke quietly.
“I believe it is highly probable. Beasts that strong are drawn to strong power.”
“Y-Your Imperial Majesty. No. That is not it! Look, Your Majesty. It is your Cleo. There is no way I would put my Brian, whom I love more than life itself, in danger….”
“You love Brian more than life, but not me?”
“Y-Your Majesty, no!”
At the Emperor’s words, which sounded thoroughly twisted in mood, Imperial Consort Cleo trembled violently.
“Hmm, very well. Titania. Tell me. What kind of sword is that, that it spoke to you?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Actually, while wandering around the Imperial Palace, I happened to pick up that sword by chance.”
Imperial Consort Cleo ground her teeth in silence. That’s right, you shouldn’t have given me that sword….
“I made my own inquiries to see if it was a sword from the Imperial Treasury or if one of the knights had lost a family heirloom. However, no one claimed to have lost a sword. I didn’t think to draw it. Since no one was looking for it, I simply left it in my room and forgot about it.”
An era where magic was rampant.
The Imperial Palace, where all sorts of items were rolling around. Someone might later report to the Emperor that the sword is Veris or Pacio.
I couldn’t investigate the full history of the sword now, but anyone who used it long-term for over six months would surely have suffered for it.
But so what? If I frame it as ‘I awakened the true form of this sword,’ who’s going to do anything about it?
“That sword spoke to me just dawn this morning. It told me to wake up, that a crisis had befallen the Imperial Palace!”
I made a show of dabbing at my eyes.
“I know many have tried to grip this sword. And that only those who handle swords skillfully were able to move it with any ease. However, when I held it, this sword was perfectly fine! Even though I cannot use a sword at all! So, I wondered why anyone would call it a demonic sword after I woke up and heard the news.”
Image making, image making…. I appealed to the Emperor with a pitiful expression.
“I heard that the first person to touch this sword was a maid who broke into the Rose Palace to steal. Could it be that this sleeping sword was angered because someone touched it with ill intent? Or perhaps it was trying to send a warning to be careful because danger was approaching the palace. Now that it has fully awakened, I can’t hear the sword’s voice at all.”
“Oh…!”
“Perhaps it is a sword hidden within the palace by an ancestor to protect the Imperial Family.”
“I see. Titania, the reason you were able to hold the sword safely might be because of your Imperial blood.”
“They say great power comes with great responsibility. Perhaps it was possible because I was a young girl with no intention of killing with the sword.”
Though I did just swing it here and there, emitting light and smashing the demonic beasts to bits.
High Priest Illian, who was present, quickly caught on and backed me up.
“Your Majesty, when I treated Imperial Princess Titania… I did not detect any strange energy related to the sword.”
“Hah, the power of the sword is truly magnificent! To wipe out demonic beasts like this all at once!”
The Emperor marveled.
“Hmm, yes. If there was no problem while it was in your room and you were there, but a problem suddenly arose… it is more likely the fault of the maid who touched the item recklessly. Demonic sword, my foot. Look at the power of that sword as it slaughters beasts in one go. It wouldn’t be wrong to call it a holy sword instead!”
Greed flickered in the Emperor’s eyes.
‘Hey, Emoticon Sword.’
-Yes, contractor? ( ‘◡’)
‘Can you make it so it doesn’t cause a rejection reaction even if someone else holds it for a moment?’
-The target?
‘The Emperor.’
-Uh…. Normally, normally I can’t…. (ꉺ0ꉺ )
‘Just for a very short moment is enough.’
-Hmm…. Since I’m in contact with the <Insignia of Gloriana> right now, it’s possible for a short while. I’ll try to endure it!! (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ
…So you mean you didn’t endure it until now, which is why you were called a demonic sword?! All this hardship is your fault! I barely swallowed the surge of resentment and managed my facial expression.
“I offer this sword to Your Majesty.”
I demurely presented the sword to the Emperor. The Emperor chuckled.
“Our Titania is truly admirable. I must see for myself if this sword was indeed granted to protect the Imperial Family.”
Then, without even a gesture of refusal, he grabbed the hilt of the sword. The Emperor flinched for a split second. It was likely because the sword was heavier than he expected.
With no sparks flying and no humming vibrations, everyone marveled as the Emperor held the sword perfectly fine. The Emperor took on an arrogant expression.
“It is truly a masterpiece!”
Then, he swung it with a forceful whoosh. Inwardly, he seemed to want a bright light to pour out like it did for me earlier.
“…….”
“…….”
But nothing happened.
The Emperor frowned slightly with one eyebrow and stabbed the edge of the rat carcass Raymon had cut.
“…….”
“…….”
Likewise, nothing happened. No burning effect, nothing.
The Emperor tried not to show his disappointment. That’s when I carefully spoke up.
“Um, if I may be so bold.”
“Hmm?”
“Before I woke up, the sword asked me. It asked if I wanted to save the Imperial Palace from crisis.”
“Oh, I see. What did you answer?”
“Of course I said I did, and then it asked if it wouldn’t matter even if my lifespan were to be shortened somewhat.”
“Oh…!”
“I said I didn’t care.”
“Mmm….”
The Emperor let out a low groan. He then looked at my slender wrists, devoid of any muscle, the motionless sword in his hand, and the piles of beast ashes on the floor, before nodding as if convinced.
“……I see. We are safe today thanks to your sacrifice!”
I’m grateful he fell for it, but still, is this the only reaction when your youngest daughter says she took up a sword at the cost of her lifespan? I ground my teeth inwardly while smiling on the outside.