18

Some sorcerers reached that realm on their own. However, that was quite rare. In that case, it was reasonable to assume this sorcery-related disturbance was more likely the work of someone who was already a sorcerer. But even then, the only confirmed sorcerers in the Santia Kingdom at present were Lizelotte and Ains.

As far as Lizelotte knew, Ains did not possess black flame sorcery. Lizelotte herself also did not possess black flame sorcery. Therefore, that earlier possibility was ruled out.

That was where Kansas, who would be coming to the castle in the afternoon, and the holy relic he planned to present, came into play.

Considering the nature of holy relics, they could greatly affect the “Restriction” tied to black flames. And it was Kansas who was coming to present it. Under normal circumstances, one could not find causality there—but if it was Kansas Brandy, the man looking after Ains, it was a different story.

It was unlikely that Ains had directly caused the incident, but without a doubt he—the Demon God—was involved in this matter. And the fact that they were bringing a holy relic meant everything was already over.

“If so, why not have Ains come to the royal castle too, and ask him directly? That’s his personality—I bet he’d answer plainly.”

“…Don’t. Darte’s face will turn beet-red again. This time a blood vessel might burst.”

“He is a devoted man, though,” Wenceslav murmured.

“But if you say so, then this matter is no longer something to worry about.”

Tilting his glass, Wenceslav took a sip of room-temperature water.

“Yes, Father. All that remains is—”

“Ah. The issue between Lord Brandy and Lord Sobi… Politics among nobles is just as troublesome as diplomacy, if not more so.”

Haral poured water from the pitcher into his glass as well, then took a small sip to wet his throat.

“Yeah. Those houses don’t get along. What’s the cause this time?”

Lizelotte finished her breakfast, then poured herself more wine into her empty glass.

“It’s about Talidge, the attendant of Darius, the Sobi house’s eldest son. Can you believe it—Ains, who never stops being the talk of the town, went and made him his own attendant.”

“Haaah…”

Wenceslav held his head.

If it were an ordinary noble, a single word from Wenceslav would settle everything. But both the Sobi house and the Brandy house were long-established nobles of the Santia Kingdom, with considerable influence and power. Even as royalty, Wenceslav’s true feelings were that he did not want to get involved carelessly.

“The Sobi house is moving to press charges against Lord Brandy through you, Father.”

If they mishandled the response, Haral feared it could become a three-way conflict.

With such a long history, even a prosperous kingdom no longer remained a monolith. And because of that, complex internal politics rose to the surface as a problem.

“Ains taking an attendant, huh. What is he saying about it?”

“We didn’t receive a direct explanation from Sir Ains, but his attendant Sophia-dono answered in his place. I can’t understand it, but all she said was, ‘Lord Ains is still in the midst of a question-and-answer with Talidge.’”

Having listened to Haral’s explanation, Wenceslav let out another sigh and spoke.

“I don’t really get it, but don’t go stealing another noble’s attendant over something like a mere line of questioning. Honestly…”

Watching Wenceslav, Lizelotte shook her head.

“Don’t, Wenceslav. If he says he’s in the middle of a ‘question-and-answer,’ then do not involve yourself in it at all.”

“Why, Lizelotte?”

Wenceslav raised his face and looked at Lizelotte.

“If you get involved, you will die—without question. Anyone who interferes with his ‘question-and-answer’ will be blown away without hesitation—nobles, royalty, even nations—regardless of whether they’re women or children. If you want to preserve the people’s safety and the kingdom’s peace, back off, Wenceslav. You’d be destroyed before even a night passes.”

Lizelotte unusually showed concern for Wenceslav, but Haral still looked unconvinced.

“…Haa. Just mention my name to the Sobi house. Tell them that if it doesn’t settle, I will come in person. Zoin doesn’t not know who I am, does he?”

Zoin Sobi—the current head of the Sobi house.

A long-established noble family of the Santia Kingdom, standing alongside the Brandy family.

Its current head. He rarely appeared on the public stage, but the power he wielded behind the scenes was on a different order from ordinary nobles.

In the public world, Marquis Brandy was rising. In the underworld, Marquis Sobi. And caught between them were Wenceslav and the rest of the royal family.

And the Brandy family, trying to secure Ains, had only grown stronger than before.

“That helps, Lizelotte. I’d like to take your name in writing at once and send a messenger.”

Haral excused himself briefly and brought back a single sheet of paper.

At the bottom of the blank page, Lizelotte swiftly wrote her signature.

“Write the rest yourselves however you like. Honestly—since when did I become your adviser?”

Wenceslav took the paper bearing Lizelotte’s name and said,

“Don’t be so stiff about it. I’ll repay you next time.”

He stood up and moved to leave the room.

Then Lizelotte remembered—the incident in the throne hall the other day, involving Ains and Lizelotte.

“…Ah! Hey, Wenceslav, I just remembered! You still haven’t repaid what you owe me from before!”

By the time Lizelotte finished saying it, Wenceslav was already gone.

Only in moments like this did he move with agility that belied his age.

“Honestly… that brat…”

“Lizelotte-sama. Shall I pass those words to Father just now?”

Haral looked confused.

Lizelotte waved him off with a hand.

“No, no. It’s the usual. You should go back too, Haral. And keep a close eye on Kirishiya. If you look away, you might find yourself standing in the middle of a storm in an instant.”

Haral bowed at the door and left the room.

As if passing him, Mireine came in while closing the open door.

Lizelotte took a sip of wine, then looked outside through the sunlit window and spoke.

“By the way… Mireine. Do you know what a ‘holy relic’ is?”

“Yes, I do. They’re often personal belongings of prominent figures—royalty, heroes, champions, and the like. Unlike mana stones, they generate mana without limit and supply it to their holder.”

But that was only the result.

“Now that you mention it, something is strange. I’ve received a report that the holy relic Marquis Brandy is bringing this time is an unknown one.”

“I’ve never heard of an unknown holy relic.”

Mireine said as she cleared the table.

“They gave something like that a pretty name—‘holy relic.’ There’s no such thing as unknown or famous. Do you know why those things generate mana without limit?”