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Translator Note: Can't wait to see where our characters head next. Thanks for sticking around 😊
The messenger from the castle arrived the next day.
The castle, transformed into a bizarre shape by the power of Mephisto, had returned back to a mountain of rubble with the disappearance of magic.
For now, the people from the castle had moved to the temporarily safe northern palace, where they were conducting assessments of various areas and providing support for reconstruction, as Cyril welcomed me and Julius at the palace.
Cyril, with his lost hand bandaged around his neck, informed us that his younger brother was currently handling the affairs in his place, as he was still not in top form.
Guided by Cyril into the depths of the palace, Julius and I arrived at an empty, sterile room where a white coffin was placed.
Inside the coffin lay Aliza, her eyes closed as if still in slumber. Aliza's body was laid in the coffin, adorned with flowers.
"I... hate Aliza. But... I also pity her."Â Cyril spoke about Aliza.
Julius, appearing disinterested, stood next to me with his arms crossed, gazing out the window.
I stood before the coffin, clasping my hands together and praying for Aliza's peace.
"Cyril, it seems that... inside Aliza's body, there was a demon named Mephisto that emerged from the gate of the underworld. Do you know anything about it?"
I rose from my kneeling position on the floor and returned to Julius's side.
Besides us standing around the coffin, the room was empty.
The guards were stationed outside the door.
Not sure if it was appropriate to discuss openly, I asked Cyril in a low voice.
"...A demon, huh... The underworld is where deceased humans fall. It's said to have a heavenly realm where angels reside. Demons are... the opposite of angels. I've heard of it from researchers in the underworld of the Sacred Nation of Rashid, but not in detail. They're secretive over there too."
Cyril placed his hand over his mouth, speaking.
If they were researchers from the Sacred Nation of Rashid, would they also know about Mephisto?
Although they were neighboring countries, I had never been there. The Astoria Kingdom and the Sacred Nation of Rashid had a similar stance, as they were both being invaded by the Dystiana Empire. While not allies, their relationship was not hostile, and occasionally, they exchanged knowledge about the gates to the underworld from researchers or shared information about the locations of newly appeared gates or the creatures of the gates.
"...Mephisto... escaped." Cyril murmured.
Cyril's parents had been killed by Aliza.
In other words, Mephisto was the real enemy. That was true for me as well.
"Both Chloe and Julius did well... The people of the capital are grateful to you. As am I."
Cyril said, shaking his head and bowing to us.
"Julius-san is really strong. I'm grateful to him too."
I said, tugging at Julius's sleeve and looking up at his face.
Julius, glancing at me briefly from outside the window, let out a small sigh.
Feeling affection in his sigh turning into a huff, I smiled.
Julius furrowed his brows, seeming annoyed. It might not be the reaction one would expect from someone they like, but I found it amusing in a Julius kind of way.
Cyril, as if seeing something dazzling, spoke while looking at us.
"It may be odd coming from a sinner like me, but I shall bestow favor upon Julius Kraft. And also upon the Seigrit family's reputation, Chloe."
"Thank you. I don't really care anymore, but... not having to worry about being pursued as a criminal by the country is still a relief."
I said, sensing Julius's impending complaint and beating him to the punch.
Having spoken first, Julius seemed to swallow his words.
"Chloe... No matter what I say now, it'll just sound like an excuse... I don't have much I can offer. Is there anything you want or need? That's about all I can do, I'm sorry." Cyril said.
"Cyril, is that... anything at all?"
I asked.
It might be considered ladylike to be reserved here, but I was no longer a lady.
I had learned about the shrewdness of commerce from Robert, the weapons shop owner.
"Oh, anything at all. If Chloe wishes for it, I've even considered returning the Seigrit family's territory to you."
Cyril replied.
The Seigrit Duchy had been under the custody of the royal family after the duchy was attacked.
I looked up at Julius, unsure of what to do.
He just shook his head lightly. It seemed he was telling me to make the decision.
"I don't need the territory. It's too much for me... Instead, if possible, could I have something else? You know the large green area near the west gate of the capital?"
I asked.
"Yes, there is one. The church that was once used as an orphanage was moved to another location on the outskirts of town due to inconvenience. It's state-owned land, but it's a neglected place with no use."
Cyril explained.
"Could you give that to me?"
"The land?"
"Yes. To tell you the truth, Julius-san has the most adorable wyvern. But, I can't keep it freely in the central square where I live... I thought maybe in the western green area, I wouldn't get in trouble for letting it roam around."
I explained.
It was the place I had been eyeing since I decided to build a house for Helios.
It was a spot with nothing but a church standing alone in a field surrounded by trees, enclosed by a wooden fence that nobody really came near.
It was large enough to graze sheep, but the land in the capital was expensive, so nobody thought to graze sheep in the city center.
I had thought it would be a good location, close to shops, and since alchemical items were mostly made to order, not having a shop in the city center wouldn't be much of a problem.
"It's originally Natalia-san's house, so it's not really mine to begin with." I said.
"I don't mind, but you saved the country, so I should give you something more..."
Cyril trailed off.
"The land in the capital is incredibly expensive, Cyril! This is more than enough. Besides, I've been wanting some land! Thank you so much, Cyril. Also, I'd like permission to keep my wyvern as a pet. Would it be okay to keep a wyvern in the capital without getting in trouble?"
I asked.
Cyril's eyes widened in surprise for a moment, then he smiled kindly.
I felt like when Cyril and I were engaged, before Aliza came to the ducal house, he used to smile and talk to me like this. It felt... nostalgic.
"As long as it's not dangerous, I don't mind. I don't know much about wyverns, but if you say it's okay, then it's okay."
He replied.
"Yes! Wyverns are incredibly intelligent and adorable creatures!"
I exclaimed, passionately discussing wyverns. Perhaps this was the first step in becoming a wyvern enthusiast like Julius.
Julius must be delighted to have land where Helios can roam freely.
Thinking so, I glanced at his face, but for some reason, he looked even more sullen than before.
I wonder if something happened to make him angry.
Maybe he's upset because I made decisions without consulting him.
"I intend to inform everyone of Aliza's and the royal family's crimes and make it clear. I'll also inquire with the Coldman Company and consider punishment. I'll promise not to lay a hand on you two again. I want you to rest assured... Also, I plan to abdicate the throne to my younger brother and devote myself to supporting the people affected by this recent turmoil in the country. Gates to the Underworld have appeared all over the kingdom, causing significant damage. There's a possibility of more gates appearing in the future. I'm thinking of becoming a knight and dedicating myself to the extermination squads."
Cyril said, his brows furrowing in regret as he looked at the coffin.
I shifted my gaze back from the unhappy Julius to Cyril.
His hand, covered in cloth, should have been missing from the wrist down. Cyril's determination was admirable, but joining an extermination squad seemed inconvenient.
"Cyril, if you entrust it to me, the talented and powerful Chloe, the Beautiful Alchemist, I'll make you a wonderful and strongest prosthetic hand! Of course, it'll come with a price tag, as alchemy is my profession, so even for a king like yourself, it won't be free."
I offered.
"...Thank you. Yes, someday I'll come to you for that. Julius survived three years in the slave arena with one eye crushed. I, too... Even with a useless arm, I want to become strong enough not to be a burden to the extermination squads."
Cyril replied.
"Is the conversation over? Then, Cyril Astoria... Let's go, Chloe."
Julius, who had been silent all this while, finally grew impatient to leave. I bowed deeply to Cyril and followed Julius out of the room.
Cyril thanked us deeply as we left the palace corridors and stepped outside. The sky over the capital was clear and beautiful as always. Despite the sight of rubble, destroyed gardens, and broken walls, seeing soldiers clearing away the debris gave me a sense of reassurance.
"Julius-san, there might have been more to discuss, you know. Why are you angry? Could it be... you're jealous because Cyril and I were former betrothed?"
I teased, pulling at Julius's clothes as we walked.
Of course, it was meant as a joke. Julius being in a bad mood was nothing new, and while our relationship might have changed slightly since yesterday, in many ways, it hadn't changed at all.
"I don't like seeing you talking to him."
Julius replied curtly as he stopped in the plaza in front of the main gate of the castle.
Wait, did Julius just admit to feeling jealous?
I was taken aback by this revelation, unable to fully process it, and before I could react, Julius gently kissed my cheek.
Julius smirked at my stunned silence after his brief kiss, lifting the corner of his mouth in a sly smile.
"Well, that shut you up. Surprisingly easy." He remarked.
"U-um, if you tell me to shut up or be quiet, I'll stay silent...! But, um, this kind of thing isn't really good for my heart...so...um, it's not good at all." I stammered.
"Do you dislike it?" He asked, clearly enjoying my reaction.
"N-no, it's not that...! And, um, we're outside, so..."
I covered my face with both hands, feeling incredibly embarrassed. My cheeks were on fire, and Julius's calm demeanor only irritated me further.
"You mentioned going to the Sacred Nation of Rashid to learn more about that disgusting demon. But Rashid is also known for its dragons. Convenient."
He changed the subject.
"You were still listening properly, Julius-san. Are you planning to buy Helios-kun's future bride?" I teased.
"Female dragons are less common than males. It's a possibility."
He replied.
"Dragons are expensive, aren't they? I should've asked Cyril for money..."
I mused.
Perhaps because we were talking about dragons, Julius's mood seemed to lighten. But I could understand his feelings as a dragon enthusiast.
"Shall we head back, Julius-san? We've been busy lately, so let's take it easy for now?"
I suggested.
"Yeah, let's."
"How about walking back for a change? If you're okay with it."
I proposed.
"If that's what you want."
He agreed. Tentatively, I interlaced my fingers with his, and he returned the gesture with a firm and warm grip.
"Let's buy Julius's favorite black robe at Robert's shop on the way back."
Such trivial everyday moments now seemed like such bliss.