Sophien sat in the inner room of the dark palace, facing Rohakan. He took the contempt, anger, and sorrow that she was showing toward him with a smile. The silence grew long in that awkward atmosphere.
Rohakan glanced around the room without saying a word. On one side of the wall hung a portrait of a man, the former Emperor, and father of Sophien.
"He was a great king and a good friend."
Rohakan's tone was bitter with remembrance. Sophien stared at him and put her chin in her hands. Her eyes narrowed sharply.
"He was also the husband of the empress you killed."
As she added that, Rohakan lowered his head.
"…Right."
He muttered in a low voice. Sophien clenched her teeth and exhaled a hot sigh.
"Rohakan, I will ask again."
The Emperor's voice was as cold and deep as the winter's sea. Even after ascending to the throne, it was a matter she couldn't let go of.
"Did you kill her?"
Rohakan's expression hardened.
"…Do you need to ask that again?"
"I ask because I'm not sure. The dim memory of that day is my only proof of what happened."
"Isn't your memory enough? It's the memory of an emperor."
"It may be, but you, who was also at the scene, know the truth."
Sophien pointed to Rohakan.
"Only a moron would be satisfied with conjectures when there's certainty."
Rohakan smiled quietly. He brought his middle finger and thumb together.
Snap-!
Whooosh…
The scenery changed with the wind. Sophien counted the seconds passing as she looked around. Now, she was in a white vineyard full of fruity fragrances.
"More importantly, aren't you curious about how I died?" asked Rohakan.
Sophien frowned. She looked past him to a figure looming in the mist.
"See for yourself. My timeline is spread out here."
Rohakan smiled as Sophien quietly watched. She saw his younger self, sitting next to a man by a hut in the middle of the vineyard. She recognized that man instantly.
–Rohakan. Did you kill the empress? asked Deculein.
The same question she had asked Rohakan moments ago.
—Who else would it be if not me? answered Rohakan with a soft smile.
—… I see, said Deculein, seemingly drawing is owns conclusions.
Sophien clenched her fists.
—Deculein. Do you believe in Sophien?
—Of course.
There was no hesitation in the answer. Rohakan nodded as if satisfied.
—Even if Sophien ends up killing you… you won't leave her, right?
—Of course.
Without thinking, without worrying, Deculein responded again.
—I can't stand by and watch someone else positioning himself higher than Her Majesty. Her Majesty should be the most supreme person on this earth, even if it's at the price of my life.
* * *
Complete. Immaculate. Elegant. Beautiful.
The further Louina analyzed his spell, the further she was dazzled. This was the conclusion obtained by refusing to eat and focusing only on it. Of course, magic was in the realm of subjectivity, just as it was a science and a mystery that couldn't be evaluated uniformly. Therefore, there was no such thing as a correct answer, and of course, the evaluation depended on individual opinion and taste.
Nevertheless, some results looked beautiful to everyone. For Louina, Deculein's work was like that.
Rustle-
Laying down the document she was studying, Louina grabbed her face and sighed.
"Haah…"
If she were to unravel and describe the magic he applied to this lighthouse, a thousand pages wouldn't be enough. It was vast and deeper than the ocean. Even a wizard excellent with theory would lose his mind. Louina herself got lost dozens of times in analyzing it.
There was no need to separate the series. All were in harmony. Every circuit had a basis. All the lines, dots, circles, and even the smallest parts of the spell that could be described as innumerable functioned perfectly. It looked more like art than anything else.
With his magic, she realized that attributes, series, and grades were only classifications made for their convenience. She didn't even feel a sense of inferiority. Deculein had already become the equal of a Giant. His theories, magic, knowledge, and abilities transcended the limits of human pursuits.
"…But why?"
The real purpose of this Giant's magic, which brought together thousands of circuits and implemented a lighthouse as a medium, was to bring destruction? Considering Deculein's actions now, considering his atrocities and behavior, it did seem to be the case.
However, Louina's insight could vaguely sense another purpose in this magic.
She picked up a pen, rubbing it against her forehead.
"It is said that magic is a subject impossible to understand entirely, but you seem to have come to the peak of its science. You seem to have understood its root."
He was the real thing, and the magic he left behind was an innovation that would completely change the continent. If they borrowed the very logic of this magic, countless new theories would appear.
Louina clenched her teeth.
The Deculein Louina knew would not be seduced by desires such as extending his life and could not devote his allegiance to a cult. The one who saw the end of magic, who finally achieved the truth, would never destroy the continent. Therefore, her conclusion was:
"…You are hiding something."
Louina stood, and at that moment:
—Hiding what?
A creepy mechanical voice resounded behind her.
"Kyaaah!"
Louina stumbled as she tried to spin around.
"You are…"
Louina's eyes were shaking.
—Let me introduce myself. I'm the leader of the Demon Bloods, Elesol. Now, what the hell is Deculein hiding to make you talk about truth and stuff? What is this mess?
"…"
Louina looked around. It was a mess here, papers were scattered everywhere.
"…Ahh."
─?!
She fainted under the bewildered look of Elesol, who quickly supported her.
* * *
During five days, I knelt in front of the door. It wasn't just me, though.
All the officials of the Empire were gathered, without eating or drinking, and knelt to chirp like parrots, saying, 'Your Majesty, we beg your kindness!'
It had been raining constantly during those five days, and thanks to that, my body was covered in mud. But today was different. The sky was clear, and the sun was warm.
"Your Majesty, we beg your kindness—!"
The servants cried out again.
"Tsk. Are your throats not sore yet?"
I glared at them as if it was very bothersome, and the Emperor's servants looked back at me with contempt…
The door creaked.
Everyone went silent and waited.
Gulp-
The seconds trudged on.
Tick…
Rattle-!
The gates of the Imperial Palace opened. Everyone raised their heads and looked beyond it. In the sun shining down…
─Your Majesty!
There was the blazing Sophien. She quietly looked around, and I met her eyes.
"…"
What was she contemplating, and what was she thinking? What did she decide? Those things most important to me were still uncertain.
"…Everyone, listen."
Sophien's voice was hoarse. Did she cry? Had she been that troubled?
"I…"
Sophien looked at me. My already dead heart couldn't even beat, but I felt my skin prickle with the tension.
"I will go to Annihilation now."
I was relieved to hear that, and in the next moment, Sophien continued:
"All of my bodyguards will accompany the march."
The moment Sophien mentioned it, everyone's eyes focused on me.
"Did you hear me, Deculein?"
It was because I was still the commander of the Emperor's bodyguard.
"…Yes. However..." I answered and stood.
I wiped the mud off and looked straight at Emperor Sophien.
"Your Majesty. Can you trust me?"
Other servants saying disrespectful words or committing disrespectful deeds to the Emperor would be immediately put to death. That was why the other servants looked as if they were going to kill me despite the fear in their eyes.
But the question meant something different for Sophien and me.
"Do you trust me?"
That was my way of asking her if she could kill me.
"…"
Sophien didn't say anything for a moment as she stared at me. Then, as if engrossed in thought or carefully choosing what to say, the most beautiful lips on this continent moved to speak:
"Go first to Annihilation and wait for me. There, I will doubt your loyalty."
All the servants were surprised. Telling me to go to Annihilation first was the same as an exile, and saying she'd doubt me was the same as calling me a rebel. At that moment, I asked back.
"Will you be able to handle it?"
Sophien sneered.
"…Of course."