151. What was half hidden (2)
Seeing my expression, the Empress smiled.
“Don’t stare. I am going to explain it now.”
“…… I wasn’t staring.”
“Don’t be so cute like that. I am weak against cute ladies.”
She threw a light joke and followed the explanation.
“I said the Rose Festival because of the rules set in this fight. In this festival, if a winner is decided according to the ancient rules, the defeated family can never cause trouble again.”
“What do you mean by not causing problems?”
“There will be no restrictions. For the rest of their life until they die.”
“…… Would they be imprisoned?”
“No, it’s not like that. For example, to create restrictions so that they cannot cause riots, such as ‘do not cause war’ or ‘cannot appear next to the Blue Rose’. Think of it as an unspoken power.”
After listening to it this far, I was deeply immersed in my thoughts. Considering the Roses’ irrational power, it was not incomprehensible. Thinking about it, it’s not a bad proposition.
After thinking, I nodded slowly.
“I see.”
The only thing moving in the silent hall was the bat perched on her shoulder.
A bat. Why was the guardian deity supposed to be a bat? With the bat beside her, the Empress no longer covered half her face. As if there was nothing to hide.
“Is Your Majesty’s only wish to eliminate the power?”
“Yes. Just one.”
In response, she briefly explained the process of the Rose Festival. Like a war over the Blue Rose, she said, and that I can decide the method.
That was never bad information. No, this is very satisfactory information. A plan flashed through my mind quickly.
I thought I might be able to solve this twisted problem if I use it well.
“Thank you.”
“I can get what I want, so there’s nothing to be thankful for. Rather, I am thankful to Lady.”
She had returned to the wise and virtuous Empress, unlike the dark and maddening face she had a while ago. It was only then that I thought about what this person had in her.
Seeing what I had just seen before, I couldn’t completely trust the Empress. Moreover, if she has already deceived me once, there is no way she won’t deceive me again. However, she wants to give up her strength for the sake of the country, so I have decided to believe in some of the desperation.
“Your Majesty, with all due respect.”
What does it feel like to be given power that you did not want one day and to be swung around? Actually, I already know this feeling.
“Actually me too. I don’t like it when otherworldly forces dictate someone’s fate.”
This was the thought I had been thinking about since I woke up one day in the prison. Because I came to a different world regardless of my will. That is why I have always wondered about the roots and origins of this strange and blind relationship.
The Empress fulfilled this question.
The Empress widened her eyes for a moment, then slowly bent her eyes.
“That’s what I think too.”
She said she didn’t want a situation where she would become a tyrant tormented by the ghosts, regardless of her own will.
“The ghosts make right judgments, but the ego makes a dying Emperor. How is it different from a doll?”
I wondered if the Empress’ appearance who spoke like that was her true form. She wasn’t a good person, but she was a good Empress.
The private audience ended after a long conversation.
“Lady, don’t you ever need more roses in your garden?”
With the Empress’s dense and mean jokes.
***
It was a dark evening when we arrived at Ricdorian’s castle.
As soon as I returned from the Imperial Palace, instead of laying down my weary body, I called everyone. Ten minutes later, Francia, Lenag, Jaire and Ricdorian gathered together in Ricdorian’s office.
“Sister, how did it go?”
Francia asked, curious about the outcome of what had happened in the Imperial Palace, her curiosity visible from her face.
“It worked out.”
I smiled and answered that question, then asked abruptly.
“Francia, do you know the origin of roses?”
“What? Origin? What are you talking about?”
“That. When did the roses exist? It was the first time I heard about the origins.”
“Ah. I don’t know that either. History is not my field, but, well, isn’t it a long time ago?”
Hearing her words, Francia seemed unaware of the origins that the Empress knew. The same was true of Lenag and Ricdorian.
‘Is this information monopolized by the Imperial Family?’
As expected, that’s the position where the original ghost held onto. I thought that might be the case.……It felt like my surroundings were becoming more and more uncommon and becoming a gathering place for abnormal beings. But it seemed like the end was not far away, so I had to be patient.
“I have something to tell you first. Bringing the tiara worked out well, but that doesn’t mean that we got our tickets to enter Kambrakam in peace.”
I looked at not only Francia, but the rest of the people, and finally Ricdorian, and said,
“There is one hurdle left.”
“What kind of hurdle?”
“I think we should break into one place.”
“Where?”
“Domulit’s base.”
No one was surprised by my words. They were just quietly waiting for my words. Of course, Ricdorian frowned slightly.
I said the place’s name.
“My guardian spirit is trapped there. I must bring it before we go to Kambrakam.”
Even now, listening closely, I can hear the faint singing voice. Perhaps I will be perfect only when I meet my guardian deity. Breaking into Domulit is one thing. I brought out the next important agenda.
“And I have one request.”
I looked at each one in turn.
“Let’s start a Rose Festival.”
“…… what?”
The first to answer was Lenag. He blinked quickly in disbelief.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Literally.”
I smiled and pointed to the office desk.
“Everyone, would you like to fight over me?”
Of course, I didn’t mean it, it was a joke to relieve the serious atmosphere for a while. I reached out my hand and tapped my cheek.
“The prize is my love.”
“…… When can I start?”
“What?”
Before I could ask, someone intervened.
“Sister.”
Francia called me with a serious face. I’m stunned by the reaction. I didn’t expect this at all. Huh? I turned my head. Francia said with her serious face.
“You should have told me that as soon as you came in.”
In one hand, with a huge hammer in her hand that I never knew when it appeared.
And the last place I looked……. Ricdorian stood there with a tearful face.
“…… Can I keep my place? Iana.”
Similarly, with his sword drawn out. I held my breath.
…… Dang it, I can’t even joke.