Albions Pastoral House (10)

Kleio knew that scent like it had been carved into his mind; it was the stench of the north gate dungeon where he had been detained until three days ago.

Were you interrogating Arthur? You wont find anything special from him, so what the hell are you going to force him to do?

His head began to ache for a moment, but he strengthened himself not to reveal it. The world hadnt started to shake yet. If things went as planned, Arthur could soon be released. No, he had to make sure that happened.

Thank you for taking the time when youre so busy. You mustve taken the fast route to save your precious time.

The prince laughed a little at Kleios response. The conversation between the two was similar to a dance, returning the right answer at the right time without having to believe each others words. The crown prince pointed at the empty chair with his hand. Thanks to Separation, Kleio was able to move calmly and sit down without shaking.

Alright. Since you were relieved of the six-week wait, lets get to the main point. If it is judged that its not very informative, I will have to go to the next scheduled item.

The princes schedule was usually prepared six weeks in advance, and it was true that such an unexpected meeting was a great privilege. It wasnt very pleasant to hear from the one who detained Kleio and his friends, but now, he wasnt in a position to bring that up.

It wont be easy, but lets waste his time somehow.

It was the first time he had watched the prince closely after that winter night in the Tristein territory when Grendel attacked. Unlike then, his face was clear, and his eyes looked youthful. Perhaps the aftereffects of his skill use hadnt occurred yet. The crown prince tapped the back of his hand, appearing relaxed, but it was an obvious move to make Kleio hurry up.

He wouldnt be able to keep the crown prince held down with so little bait. Kleio thought of the ammo he held. Would it be appropriate to use now? Or would the future be distorted for the worse if some information were revealed now? He would be lying if he said he held no hesitation.

But I have to. I cant think of a better way.

Kleio forced his mouth to open.

I have a bit to say about the experiment that was conducted at the expense of your subjects. It is presumed to have happened in the process of improving a unique medicinal material that uses Ezras style and demons blood.

Well, tell me more.

The name of the medicine is Hydras Poison. Its a drug created by a student of the Capital Defense Force nearly a century ago. The aftereffects are great enough to destroy ones surroundings when ingested.

What does such a strange poison have to do with my subjects?

Ezras stylus, the main ingredient of the poison, has the effect of repelling evil. If you survive after consuming the poison prepared with demons blood, you will gain an etheric sensitivity that you lacked before.

The crown princes fingers stopped tapping, proving Kleios judgment was right.

Revealing an issue not listed in the last manuscript was a straightforward way to draw the princes attention.

Where did you gather that information?

Do you remember the uproar at the opera house last winter? I thought that perhaps the swordsmen who were involved in the incident had been taking this drug, so I continued a personal investigation.

What is the clue youve been tracking for two years?

It is red ether. Anyone who consumes the poison has a reddish ether, regardless of their level. However, it was difficult to report to the Defense Forces because there is no solid evidence other than the sightings.

The princes eyes shone with a metallic luster as a strange joy filled his face.

Red ether. The ether of Swordmaster Sir Rosa has a similar color. Is it different from hers?

Its completely different. Its not a bright red like Rosa, but a dark and cloudy red. No one has been able to reach the level of a swordmaster with the drug, and it seems that the higher the power it expresses, the weaker the reasoning of the subject becomes.

How does the weakness manifest?

Men turn into beasts, craving the blood of others. Thanks to the investigation, Ive come to that conclusion.

If the side effects are so severe, are there so many people who would drink it even with the potential benefits?

My guess is that the subjects arent doing it of their own volition, but someone is kidnapping or tricking innocent people into ingesting it.

Hmm. Who is manufacturing the drug, and for what purpose? Demons blood is difficult to obtain, after all. Experimenting with it would be tricky.

The purpose is presumably stabilizing the drug. It seems that adjustments are needed to increase the level of ether while suppressing side effects.

Kleio felt like he hadnt had a drop of water in days. His throat felt dry.

It is believed that the one who had repeatedly carried out these brutal experiments in an Albion with deep connections to Brunnen. Ive heard rumors that someone with this red ether has appeared in provincial towns of both Brunnen and Albion around the Pintos mountains.

And you must know the name of the person with those connections.

Thats right.

Tell me.

Haah, it is a name I cannot dare put in my mouth as a guess because I view my own life as precious.

Melchior smiled gently, flipped his flowing hair behind his shoulders.

Now before you stands the sole representative of the king of Albion. Still, if you are afraid to dare mention the name, havent you already answered it?

That casual reaction Did it mean Melchior already knew about Aslan and Juleika? Assassins with red ether had been running wild in the middle of the capital before, so Melchior wouldve had enough time to pursue information about them. But it wasnt easy to dig through that smile, so he lowered his attitude.

You may already be preparing a countermeasure to stop the cruel experiment, but I was surprised to hear about it, so I apologize for taking some inappropriate behaviors.

Well. It was an area somewhat overlooked, but I was in a hurry to inform my brother that his hobby was somewhat out of reach.

Hobby

How presumptuous.

After hearing Melchiors answer, Kleio suddenly realized that the prince seemed reasonably happy. The prince knew of Aslans biological experiments and was neglecting them.

No, its not neglect. He has no heart to stop it.

Of course, I will admit that it was difficult to grasp the reality as it was the first incident I encountered in my life.

Kleio knew the origin of the princes joy. Aslans raging about was also the first time it happened to Melchior, so how could he not be happy? This man, who had lived nine lives, couldnt distinguish between good and evil like those who lived only once. However, it wasnt acceptable, even though it might be understandable. Kleios fists clenched subconsciously as the illusory scent of rot passed by his noise. Geheims pain, his deteriorating humanity as he was imprisoned with others to suffer. All of that was an act that made human life insignificant.

Kleio couldnt forget the moment when the singers body collapsed in his arms.

I believe many innocent citizens of Albion and Brunnen would be sacrificed. Its an issue that shouldnt be left unattended.

Kleios tone was still calm, but Melchior could sense faint anger in his words.

Do you want to argue that their deaths are an irreparable tragedy?

Melchior looked down at Kleio with warm turquoise eyes, a faint vermillion light in their center.

You have a strong predictive unique skill, being chosen by God. Still, youre trying to insist that you dont know how this world is structured. Just know one thing, Sir Kleio. Youre poor at lying.

The crown prince was convinced that Kleio knew of the worlds repetition.

Time is this world is circling. Even those who have died now will be alive again in the next phase. Why would you mourn those deaths?

Kleio froze. It was clear that men should not kill their fellow men, whether it was in the real world or in this one. But in a place where the dead returned, what ethics could survive? The princes smile deepened before the wizards silence.

The lost flowers arent completely dead; theyll bloom again when the sun passes, and the season returns. If you garden as a hobby, you will understand what I mean.

Kleio realized now more than ever that human life wasnt worth as much as flowers to Melchior.

Even if history repeats itself if you dont have a complete memory of the repetition, then death is just death. Dont you know? Even if you can go back to what it was before, you still suffered.

Interest began to fade in the crown princes face, smeared over by cold indifference.

If you wish to preach, I will grant you a place at church, but dont test my patience. Then, is that the end of your report?

The prince turned his gaze to the wall clock, readying himself to leave, but Kleio answered urgently.

So, isnt it that the prince really wants the season to come when no other flowers will ever bloom in Gods garden?

Ultimately, it was a straightforward question that asked if he wanted to stop this repetition. The vermillion light in his eyes expanded like a flame as if he were trying to trigger his skill. Kleio increased his Separation intensity to the max as a sense of pressure bore down on the office. However, Melchior soon regained his composure.

Gods garden, what an accurate expression. Yes, if you look down on this world from afar, it might seem to be a garden of pleasure. Do you know, Sir Kleio? Under the gardens idyllic landscape, the cycle of death and life lurks, that struggle for survival to eat or be eaten. As difficult as it is to bloom flowers, it isnt easy to prevent a weed from growing. You cant see the results of the work today or tomorrow. In order to plant even a small flower, you need to have the patience that could last years

Im pretty used to it, watching the newly blooming flowers every time. The flowers that bloom again dont spread out their petals in the same shape; their sizes are subtly different. That difference is a reward given only to those who wait.

So, for example, to say I werent curious about how this magician would be refined next time, it would be a mere pretense. Someone who wasnt alive before is now standing in my office.