An area raised from the level of the wide assembly hall. That's where
Ryze-san, the King, and Amalie-san, the leading actress of this party,
appeared.
Their indicates that the party will soon begin, and a whisper that
resounded in my ears confirmed it.
[It's going to start huh~~]
[…Alice? Where are you?]
[I'm just around the corner. I would cause quite the ruckus though, so I
didn't show myself.]
I can hear Alice's voice… but I can't see her.
However, maybe it's because I don't know the details of the scenario,
I'm somehow feeling pretty anxious right now, so it's really reassuring
to know that Alice is nearby.
[Well, please don't worry…"About 20% of the attendees" are under my
control. I'm well prepared for any unforeseen circumstances, you
know?]
[…I see, that's very reassuring.]
[Well then, if you need anything else, just let me know.]
Saying that, Alice's voice disappears. Probably staying silent for a
moment as the party is about to begin.
But still… 20% of the people in this assembly hall are under her
control? Seriously, thinking about it again, Alice is actually one of the
most outrageous beings in this world huh. For her to even have her
roots within the pillar of the country like this…
I can somewhat understand the reason why the Phantasmal King is
feared by others. Perhaps, they were thinking that Alice… the
Phantasmal King, No face, is a being that should never be antagonized
in this world.
As one of the Six Kings, she has the power to shake the heavens and
earth… isn't the reason, as the greatest threat are her subordinates.
Because antagonizing Alice… means antagonizing her countless
subordinates around the world.
That means that they would be exposed to the horror of suddenly
having their own head cut off by their most trusted conidant, or even
their own beloved family.
I don't know if I should say that it's to be expected from her or not, but I
guess Alice really is the most frightening one among the Six Kings.
Ahh, while I was thinking about this, Ryze-san looked around the hall
while standing on the stage and slowly spoke.
[I would like to thank everyone for coming here today to celebrate my
daughter, Amalie's birthday. I'm glad to see so many faces, and I'm
happy to see the strength of the unity of our Symphonia Kingdom once
again.]
The majestic and conident tone of voice, and the fact that he uses "I"
(余/Yo) rather than "I" (私/Watashi) that he often used in private, made
me realize once again that Ryze-san is a king.
Ryze-san then began talking about the country for a while, before
ending his speech with a small smile on his face.
[…Well then, hoping that this day will be a good memory for everyone,
this is where I end my speech.]
Saying that, Ryze-san takes a step back, and this day's leading actress
Amalie-san steps forward.
Amalie-san slowly looked around at the nobles gathered in the hall, and
after blinking once, she spoke with a digniied expression on his face.
[Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much for taking the time to
attend today. Although I am still a young woman who has just turned
20, I intend to be as passionate about our country as everyone. As I will
be the future leader of our country. I hope to join hands with all of you
here and contribute to the development of our Kingdom of Symphonia.]
She also made a magniicent and splendid speech… I can't believe she's
younger than me. I don't know if I should say that it's to be expected
from royalty or not, but the way she speaks on the stage looks very
picturesque and cool.
Just like Ryze-san, Amalie-san talked about the country for a while
before she concluded her words. She was about to announce the start of
the party, but at that moment, Lilia-san raised her hand.
[What is it? Duchess Albert?]
[…His Majesty, the King, Her Highness, the Princess… First of all, I
apologize for my rudeness at the celebration. I would like to take this
opportunity to ask your permission to speak on something I would like
to say.]
[Something that you really need to speak on such an important
occasion… I assume that it would be quite an important one?]
[Yes.]
[I understand. Duchess Albert… You have my permission to speak.]
After Lilia-san raised her hand, she got down on one knee and asked for
permission to speak, Amalie-san replied to her in a slightly cold voice.
Although the two of them are close, it seems that in an oficial venue,
they need to only talk to each other beitting of their social status, as
the First Princess and the Duchess, and they exchanged words with
each other in a stiff tone of voice.
When Amalie-san told her that she was allowed to speak, Lilia-san
deeply bows her head once and then stands up.
[…In this gathering of so many people who are responsible for their
own countries, I just want to make something clear to the public…
There are those in this room who will draw their bows to their own
beloved country.]
Hearing Lilia-san's calm, yet powerful words, the surroundings fell
silent, as if they were suddenly splashed with water.
Well, that should be obvious… Because what Lilia-san just said is that
there are traitors in this country…
[…That's something I can't just calmly hear about, Duchess Albert. If
that really was the case, it would be quite a disappointment… Before all
these people, if what you said is just a misunderstanding… I will not let
you easily get away with it, you understand?]
[I'm ready for that. May I give out their names?]
[…Say it.]
Like Amalie-san, Ryze-san also spoke in a very solemn tone, to which
Lilia-san responded to him with a serious expression on her face…
before announcing the names of two nobles. The people that Alice
investigated… a Count and a Viscount that were sent to the frontiers…
At that moment, the quiet assembly hall suddenly became noisy. That
should be obvious why, as from the information I've heard so far, those
two nobles hold quite the authority, and thus, many of them must have
interacted with each other.
Of the two who were mentioned, a man dressed in a more lavish
costume… Probably the Count, spoke.
[My, oh my, what a surprise, this is… I have served this country for a
long time. And you think I'm rebelling against the country? I'd certainly
like to hear it… Where you're basing those thoughts from.]
[Umu… Everyone, be quiet. Duchess Albert. Speak, what have these two
men done?]
[…Yes.]
The Frontier Count and the Viscount still currently looked quite
carefree. Both of them must be conident that they didn't leave any trail
behind.
As a tense atmosphere dominated the hall, Lilia-san didn't waver and
continued to speak.
[Your Majesty, the King, do you remember the incident that struck the
Second Division of the Knights Order four years ago?]
[Umu, I remember the tragic event where a miscommunication nearly
destroyed the division and many people were injured, though
thankfully, none of them were killed. Moreover, I do remember… that
you were the Divisional Commander at that time.]
[Yes. There were many who put down their swords and left the Knights
Order because of that incident. With all due respect, let me ask you
something. Your Majesty, the King… What if the incident was
orchestrated by someone?]
[…What?]
With those words, the surroundings became noisy again, and Ryze-san
had to tell them to be quiet again.
Thereupon, as the silence has fallen again, Lilia-san spoke.
[The Knights Orders are the guardian of our country, protector of our
people. The country's sword and shield… And to spread false
information to that Knights Order and put them in a predicament… I
consider it an unforgivable crime.]
[…It certainly is. Doing such an act is nothing short of treasonous to the
country.]
[I see… That is to say, what Duchess Albert is trying to say is that the
two of us have committed such crimes… Good gracious, how dreadful.
And? The brilliant Duchess Albert… obviously wouldn't make such an
accusation without any evidence, right?]
Hearing Lilia-san and Ryze-san's conversation, the Frontier Count and
the Viscount exaggeratedly held their heads and announced with
creepy smiles on their faces.
They seem to be expecting that she held no proof at all, and how should
I say this… Looking at them pisses me off.
However, I clamped my irritation down when I heard Lilia-san's next
words.
[Yes, I obviously do.]
[…What?]
[Your Majesty, the King, please look at these. These are the information
that has been swapped, the tools that were used to prepare it, the paper
that had typographical errors, the reports of their actions over the past
few days… and the people who were involved in its execution, which
have now been secured by us.]
[ [ Wha!? ] ]
I guess they didn't expect this much evidence to pop up, as both the
Frontier Count and the Viscount are astonished. The carefree
expression they had changed, and their faces turned pale.
Receiving the evidence from Lilia-san, Ryze-san looked through each
one of them before looking at the two nobles.
[…I see, this would certainly be suficient evidence… The both of you,
any words you'd like to say?]
[Ahh… No, that is…]
[T- That is… ummm…]
Receiving Ryze-san's sharp glare, the Frontier Count and the Viscount
turned pale and they began sweating like a waterfall.
In this situation, they only have two options left… One is to uprightly
admit their sins… The second is… Resolutely not admit their sins and
try to talk their way out…
[T- Those are forgeries! W- We have done no such thing!!!]
[That's right! It's just a conspiracy to undermine us!]
And it seems that they chose the latter huh… For them to admit their
sins here, in this place where all the nobles of varying countries are
gathered, it will deinitely bring their ruin. They're going to persistently
not admit their sins.
In this case, it would just turn into an unsightly mud-slinging argument.
I feel like the blaming game is about to begin but… It seems like that
wouldn't happen.
As if to cut through the atmosphere created by the Frontier Count and
the Viscount's clamoring, the doors of the hall were vigorously opened,
and a certain being appeared, wearing an overwhelming presence and
magical power.
[…I will be intruding.]
[T- This is G- Goddess of Time-sama!?]
The one who opened the door and appeared was the Goddess who
governs time… Chronois-san.
The unexpected appearance of the Supreme Goddess immediately illed
the assembly hall with astonishment.
In that noisy room, Chronois-san leisurely walked and moved in front of
Ryze-san.
[Symphonia King. I'm sorry for the sudden visit… but may I borrow this
occasion for a moment?]
[O- Of course.]
[Umu, I thank you.]
After declaring in a digniied tone that she was going to borrow this
occasion, and nodding her head when she saw Ryze-san's approval,
Chronois-san slowly moved in front of Lilia-san and spoke.
[Lilia Albert… We will now conduct your "True Blessing".]
[Yes… It's a tremendous honor.]
The words that Chronois-san declared caused the assembly hall the
most astonishment of the day.
The True Blessing of the Supreme God… That is certainly an
unprecedented incident among the unprecedented incidents… It's a
situation that gives anyone astonishment.
In the midst of the commotion, Chronois-san quietly waved her hand in
response to the buzzing surrounding. Thereupon, the noisy people shut
their mouths at once and the hall was once again illed with silence.
[By my name——- By the name of Chronois——– I tell the perpetual
time.]
As her overwhelming presence befell on everyone, Chronois-san's voice
resounded in the silent room.
[That this person——— Lilia Albert———- is one I acknowledge
worthy of my blessing.]
Her resounding voice is solemn, and every word reaching my ears are
illed with certainty and power.
[Therefore——— By my name——— By the name of Chronois——— I
command the time.]
A dazzling light dances around Lilia, who had dropped down on her
knees with her lowered, converging on Lilia-san's body.
[Oh, Perpetual Time——— Protect this being and lead her to the
dazzling future——- By my name——- By the name of Chronois——–
That this one's name——– That the name of Lilia Albert——– As the
one I bestowed my blessings——— To be inscribed in time——– in
conjunction with my name.]
So much light gathered on Lilia-san's body that she couldn't keep her
eyes open, until she ended it with her closing words.
[I grant upon you——– the blessing of time.]
With those words, all the light is sucked into Lilia-san's body and her
blessing is completed.
Then, as Lilia-san slowly looks up, Chronois-san quietly spoke.
[Lilia Albert.]
[Yes.]
[From now on, you are now under my divine protection… And from this
time forward, I give you permission to speak in my name.]
[Hahh! I respectfully received it!!!]
Reaching this point, I can somehow understand now what scenario
Alice had written.
Right now, Lilia-san was given an absolute trump card, namely the
Supreme God, Chronois-san.
Then, Lilia-san slowly stood up and exercised the trump card she was
given to the Frontier Count and the Viscount, who had currently
stiffened with their face ghastly pale.
[…In the name of the God of Time and Space, Chronois-sama, I ask of
you. Your crimes that I have declared, they were true, weren't they?]
If this happens, there's no way they can escape.
Lilia-san asked using Chronois-san's name. Answering this question
falsely would be an act equivalent to turning their blade on the
Supreme God, Chronois-san.
The Frontier Count and the Viscount, with faces that already went
passed pale and turned white, kneeled down in front of Lilia-san and
bowed their heads.
[…Yes.]
[…It's true.]
With trembling bodies, they hung their heads and admitted their sins.
This admission will be recognized by the nobles gathered here, and by
the Supreme God, Chronois-san, and will be exposed as a sin that they
can't overturn.
Seeing this, Lilia-san deeply exhaled, as if the burden she held on her
shoulders disappeared, before she turned to me and smiled.
Dear Mom, Dad——- The fated battle between Lilia-san and the two
nobles occurred. The result——– It ended with Lilia-san's complete
victory.