Published at 23rd of August 2022 09:58:20 AM

For a moment I was speechless as I watched Dona Euclid comfort Charlotte who was weeping.

How can you go to the North when you have such a soft heart?

Thats right. Look at Lady Anissa. Shes still a little girl but shes already having fun taking other peoples lives.

Dorothea added as if in response to her words.

Ha.

I wondered why she called for me. In the end, she had been up to something like this.

Does she really have no malicious intentions?

As situations continued to flow like this, even if shes the female protagonist, I couldnt help but be suspicious. It suddenly occurred to me that Charlottes dazzling white aura, as her face was dripping with tears, was artificial because it couldnt be that clean.

Young lady, what is so funny?

Dorotheas eyes fell on my smile. I shook my head, taking back the gun that Charlotte took.

When I turned the gun and touched the pretty tea table, everyone shrieked in surprise. I pretended not to notice their trembling shoulders and replied bluntly.

How are you going to eat the refreshments that came with the mince pie if youre this sensitive?

Dorothea frowned at my words and pointed at the baked dessert with meat and fruit.

How could the already cooked ingredients be the same as the preyed animal in the hunt?

What exactly was the difference?

I wanted to question her high-pitched voice right away but I held back my temper.

The nobility conference is just around the corner.

If I look despicable to these people now, it would only further delay the approval. I started to worry about the children I left in the North.

The summer in the North wasnt very hot, but I was terrified sometimes, afraid that the ice statues might melt on a particularly hot day.

...I will just go back and stay at that corner.

I whispered softly to Charlotte, who was wiping her eyes with a blue handkerchief and rose from my seat.

Id rather be alone where my heart would be at peace.

For a while now, Baal had been trying to come out so I had been struggling to step on the shadow with my feet.

There werent many eyes watching in the capitals mansion, so using an ability was able to get a free pass, however, breaking the law with so many nobles watching would have meant Veronica would be frozen forever.

You can come out now.

It was only when I reached a secluded place where I couldnt hear any people moving about did I lift my foot which was pressing on Baal.

Oh my goodness!

Baal crawled out of the shadow, groaning. He looked like a ghost that popped out from the television that Id seen a long time ago.

You have gotten a lot heavier. I thought my back was about to break.

I stared at the demon with a sidelong glance and leaned on an old tree.

You dont even have bones.

What were those trashes before? How dare they talk to you like that, Princess?

Its nothing.

What do you mean its nothing! Those rude southern punks.

I smirked at Baals temper rising as he continued to fume with a snort.

I cant believe its more comfortable to be with a demon than with humans.

When I was with Charlotte and the madams earlier, I felt suffocated, but chatting with Baal made me feel refreshed.

I guess Im really a Northerner now.

The people of the capital were too terrible.

Baal, do you know about the Saint of Vallandia?

Vallandia is the birthplace of Solisism. A saint from there would be a follower of Hera.

Then, can someone like that use the abilities of Eredia?

Huh?

Baals eyes widened and he circled his place. Following the demons movement, the trees that had been blooming for spring shook lightly.

Not at all. Hera and Eredias abilities are inherently different from each other.

If thats the case, then she didnt have the ability to purify an aura like Eredias.

So, how can Charlotte control peoples minds?

I opened my mouth again thinking that Baal knew more about the southern gods than I thought.

There was a prophecy about the savior of the North. Have you ever heard of such prediction?

Ha? Savior?

Baal giggled as if I was saying a joke. I quietly listened to the demons laughter sounding like thin fingernails scratching the floor.

Do you think the demons of the North are foolish enough to hand over their lives to the Southerners?

Then, why does the saint keep talking about salvation?

I guess stopping our clan is salvation from their point of view.

Baal frowned as if his pride had been hurt and added, But if those bastards prophecy is right, I would have been annihilated hundreds of years ago.

However, the people thought that the prophecy would surely come true.

It was like that in the original as well.

I shifted my eyes and turned my gaze to Baal who was slumped on the floor.

The demon was covering his face with a strange cloth I didnt know when he had taken out.

It looks just like a gas mask.

Baal tapped on his chest as if he had a hard time breathing.

Whats wrong? Are you hurt?

The air of the Southern land is dirty so its hard to breathe. Its hot.

Baal answered my question and pointed at the tree I was leaning on. It was then that I realized the forest was full of purification trees.

A light hawthorn scent wafted from behind.

I see. Thats why its suffocating.

I liked the purification trees, but I didnt want to stay in the South any longer.

I strongly sympathized with the demons words. Baal, who had been crouching next to me, patted my head.

Please endure a little more. No matter what the emperor or nobles do, there is no excuse not to give their approval.

Really?

Yes. As long as His Majesty doesnt cause a major incident, that is.

I scratched my jaw at Baals murmured utterance.

Why am I anxious?

What incident?

Like summoning me and wielding me in front of the Emperor and the House of Lords, or going crazy about establishing a kingdom, and so on.

My lips stiffened as I remember Dietrich worrying whether he should establish a kingdom or smash Euclid.

As I gnawed on my lips, Baal pinched my cheek to stop me.

Dont worry too much. You know how cold and sensible-minded a person His Majesty is.

He is, right?

I nodded, reassured at Baals trustworthy words.

Yes. Its all right as long as it doesnt have something to do with you, Princess.

If it hadnt been for those added words, I would have continued to be reassured. I opened my mouth, glaring at the grinning Baal.

...And if it has something to do with me?

Then, it would be a bit dangerous. Dont you remember that he almost threw everything away instead of handing you over to Asmodeus?

Of course, I remember.

How could I forget?

Dietrich was a child who didnt know how to get agitated and was willing to lay down his life with an indifferent face.

I clenched the back of my hand that turned pale in my fist and felt like crying.

I need to protect myself.

For now, I shouldnt get involved with other people. I made a firm resolve to hide until the hunting competition was over.

Anissa, what are you doing here?

However, Charlotte appeared on the other side with a rustling sound, overshadowing my determination.

I was looking for you.

As she approached me with a worried smile, she found Baal crouching next to me in a similar position to mine. She immediately pointed her finger and opened her mouth.

Isnt that a demon?

Baal frowned at Charlotte treating him like an object. The demon gritted his teeth and placed his hand on the floor as if he would jump out at her anytime soon.

Baal, no.

I whispered to stop Baal and stood up. Unable to take her eyes off of me, Charlotte retreated hesitantly.

Its a crime of treason to use abilities in the capital, Anissa.

I didnt use abilities. I let him out because he was feeling stuffy.

You can also use shadow abilities? But I definitely

Definitely?

I definitely didnt feel that kind of darkness coming from you.

Charlotte closed and opened her mouth as if she couldnt understand what was going on.

Im now certain she uses abilities similar to Eredias.

At any rate, I didnt use him to attack anyone. Can you pretend you didnt see anything?

I grabbed Charlottes hand and glanced at her meekly. The female protagonist is nice so she wouldnt be able to tell on me right away.

As I expected, Charlotte gave a defeated sigh and smiled.

I understand. But please be careful. Her Majesty is keeping an eye on Dietrich.

Why were you looking for me?

I thought that Madam Dorothea was rude to you earlier. Id like to apologize in her stead so I came looking for you.

Charlotte even shed tears as if she was really feeling sorry for me. I tilted my head to the side seeing her delicate face being distorted, shrugged my shoulders, and said, But Charlotte, it wasnt just the Countess who was rude.

Pardon?

Youre the one who set the mood by saying I brought a musket, Charlotte.

I narrowed my eyes and watched her reaction. Finally, the tears in her eyes which had been welling up, burst as she cried.

I was a little dumbfounded at her face which looked like she was being called out unfairly.

But I only said those words for your sake, Anissa.