Chapter 287 - Chapter 286: Changes in Kernils
Mika and the others decided to change their hiding place, following Rosalinde's advice.
It seemed some sort of order had been issued to Rosalinde by the organization.
She had come to inform Mika of what could be expected from that.
Since Rosalinde herself had come to them, they adopted Tsudazen's interpretation that "there must not be other surveillance yet," and began moving out normally through the back entrance.
It was a mystery how she knew Mika was in this brothel, but let's just assume Rosalinde had some connection of her own.
A gloomy man prepared a shabby cart for them, and they boarded it.
The members moving were Mika, Yaroibarov, Ozendorwa, Lebrantes, and Tsudazen.
"What on earth is going on?"
Yaroibarov asked Tsudazen, looking cramped on the narrow cart bed.
For now, Tsudazen would be the one who understood the situation best.
All eyes turned toward Tsudazen.
"The kings of old possessed their own intelligence organizations. They created them themselves, and dissolved them only when they died."
"Wouldn't they pass them down from king to king?"
Mika asked, but Tsudazen shook his head.
"It seems that organization is created entirely by the king as an individual. A king who felt the need would create it himself. It seems it is not something passed down to the next generation."
"Oh... I think I heard something like that when I was a kid. They called it the King's Ears or something, right? Did that really exist...?"
An organization spoken of like urban legend.
Everyone knew of it, but no one knew the details.
Was it like the Illuminati?
Tsudazen looked at Mika with a serious expression, though he seemed somewhat uncomfortable in the cart.
"You are quite close with that woman, aren't you?"
Hearing that, Mika made a strange face.
"......Well, I don't think we're enemies. We're like fighting friends, you know?"
Mika muttered with a complicated expression, and Tsudazen shook his head.
"One cannot come to warn us like that without a firm resolve. Probably... that woman intends to disappear from sight from now on."
Hearing Tsudazen's words, Mika's eyes widened.
"What!? Why!?"
"It's the King's intelligence organization! If you betray them, your head is cut off immediately. They will likely make it look like you've gone missing."
No charges were revealed, simply processed as missing.
Rosalinde had come to warn them despite such danger.
Mika tried to stand up involuntarily, but Ozendorwa held his arm.
"Endure it, Mika."
"But! If we leave it like this, Rosalinde-san will!?"
Yaroibarov scratched Mika's head vigorously as Mika panicked.
"If you want to save that sister, shouldn't you deal with us first? Once we're dealt with, things might work out over there too. Right?"
"But..."
If the organization was created by the king and dissolved in a single generation, then if the king died, the organization would vanish.
But that meant choosing to eliminate the king and support the Crown Prince.
More importantly, would Mika's safety truly be guaranteed even then?
Ozendorwa let out a large sigh.
"......If what was said earlier is true, it means Mika is wanted while His Majesty is still alive."
"What will you do? Are you our enemy?"
With Mika sandwiched between them, Yaroibarov and Ozendorwa exchanged glares over Mika's head.
But soon, Ozendorwa shook his head.
"I do not understand why His Majesty has put Mika on the wanted list. As far as I know, I do not think Mika has done anything to harm His Majesty..."
"That would be the case from Ozendorwa's position."
Tsudazen admonished Ozendorwa, who voiced his doubts.
"As a Knight Commander, the information you are told is limited. In the first place, you probably don't even know properly why Mika was placed in a position of suspended punishment?"
"Is that so?"
Mika looked at Ozendorwa, who grimaced.
"It all started when His Majesty banned [Divine Wrath]. That one incident spiraled out of control and led to the Crown Prince's actions. It is impossible for those who do not know [Divine Wrath] to truly understand this series of disturbances."
"[Divine Wrath]...?"
"What is that?"
Yaroibarov and Lebrantes exchanged glances.
It seemed only Mika and Tsudazen knew about [Divine Wrath] in this place.
The Kingdom Army was crushed one-sidedly by the Empire's [Divine Wrath].
In the Kingdom, the Crown Prince had secretly kept [Divine Wrath] alive, but using it was forbidden.
By His Majesty.
The Crown Prince had managed to keep the knowledge of [Divine Wrath] alive, but he could not immediately counter the Empire.
Unless they moved openly and increased the number of people who could use [Divine Wrath], the Kingdom's [Divine Wrath] would end soon.
Therefore, it seemed they were currently opening information to the Court Magic Institute and planning to spread [Divine Wrath].
Its handling required more caution than [God's Miracle].
They wanted to increase users at once, but they were in the stage of exploring who to teach and how to teach them.
"It is not something that can be used immediately just because it is taught. It seems one must get used to a method of acquiring it... or rather, manifesting it as a group."
Since such training periods were necessary, the Crown Prince was anxious.
Even though they lost an entire army in the first battle in the blink of an eye, His Majesty still rejected [Divine Wrath].
Because of that, distrust grew, and with anxiety, they moved to eliminate the King.
Hearing Tsudazen's story, Ozendorwa groaned.
He seemed unable to speak.
As Mika looked up at such Ozendorwa, his head was patted gently.
"......I didn't know it had come to this. You've worked hard, Mika."
While patting Mika's head, Yaroibarov muttered deeply.
Rarely did Yaroibarov call Mika by his name.
Usually, he was 'the monk'.
"There were rumors that you used a lot of power on the battlefield. So, that's why you ended up in that position?"
Saying that, Yaroibarov looked at Ozendorwa.
"Even after hearing this, do you still intend to side with the King? No matter how you look at it, the monk is not at fault, and the Crown Prince isn't evil either? ...True, the methods might not be praiseworthy."
Ozendorwa said nothing, just bowed his head and seemed lost in thought.
"We won't be found out here right away."
Saying that, Yaroibarov entered the building from the window.
This was an inn located almost in the center of District 7.
However, it seemed to be unused now.
Yaroibarov unlocked the door from the inside.
Once everyone entered, they locked the door again.
"I told you we went out this morning, right? We came to inspect this place."
Apparently, the owner of this inn had suffered damage during the Chimera disturbance.
Until recently, the owner's wife had managed things, but it seemed too difficult, so they decided to sell it.
There were quite a few shops that went out of business due to damage to the building or the death of the owner in that disturbance.
"Are you increasing the number of inns?"
"Yes. I'm currently evacuating the little ones from Sarbengeal to the Capital
It seemed the employees of the Sarbengeal inns had been evacuated to the Capital without Mika noticing.
The building was still owned by Yaroibarov, but the inn had closed within last month.
This inn was not yet purchased by Yaroibarov, but when he came to inspect, he noticed one of the window locks was broken.
"......So, it's illegal entry."
Lebrantes voiced what everyone was thinking but remained silent.
Mika did not retort to such Lebrantes and simply ignored it.
Silently, he followed Yaroibarov up to the third floor.
Since it seemed to have been operating recently, dust had not accumulated much.
Yaroibarov entered the room closest to the front on the third floor.
A round table was placed in the room, with four chairs.
Yaroibarov brought one chair from the neighboring room.
"Well, let's think carefully about what to do."
Mika, Ozendorwa, Lebrantes, and Tsudazen sat on the table chairs, and Yaroibarov sat on the chair he had brought from next door.
"......Why are you sitting there?"
Mika turned around and looked at Yaroibarov.
Somehow, Yaroibarov was sitting diagonally behind Mika.
He should sit at the table.
But Yaroibarov grabbed Mika's head and turned him forward.
"Don't worry about me. Just decide quickly."
When Yaroibarov said that, Lebrantes raised his hand lightly.
"Then, shall I start? I've gathered quite a bit of information."
"Oh yeah, a messenger came from the Guild."
Prompted by Yaroibarov, Lebrantes began to explain.
"First, His Majesty the King had fallen ill and was secluded in his quarters for a while."
When Lebrantes said that, Ozendorwa glared at Tsudazen.
"However, around noon, he suddenly came out of the room. He broke down the door."
"Broke down the door?"
Mika asked back, and Lebrantes nodded.
"It seems he forced open a locked door. The hinges supporting the door seemed to be damaged."
"Hey, hey, hey, he's in great health. Or rather, the seclusion was a lie, wasn't it? He could get out on his own."
Yaroibarov blurted out involuntarily.
Suddenly, the story had become inconsistent.
"After that, he threw one of the Royal Guards blocking his way into the wall. With one hand."
"No way...!"
Mika had seen the King about three times so far.
He was not that large, nor did he look strong.
He might be able to make a Royal Guard stumble if he caught them off guard, but throwing someone who stood in his way into a wall...
It felt far from his image.
"After that, he took the lead himself and went to the Crown Prince's location, accompanied by Royal Guards."
"Isn't this quite different from the image I heard? Was our King such a martial type?"
Yaroibarov said to Tsudazen, but Tsudazen was stunned.
It seemed Tsudazen had heard the commotion from an acquaintance Royal Guard, but he had not heard such specific details.
"......There is one final thing."
Lebrantes lowered his voice slightly from his previous light tone.
"It seems he had some exchanges with the Crown Prince, and he punched the Crown Prince who was trying to say something."
"......Punched him?"
"Yes, the Crown Prince's jaw is reportedly fractured. He ordered strictly that no [Heal] or potions be given, and he was thrown into the dungeon."
No, no, no, that's wrong!?\br>
That King
Cranzard trained reasonably well.
His type leaned toward a warrior.
Could that King
Everyone in the room fell silent at the King's obviously strange actions.
Lebrantes continued.
"The ministers accompanying the Crown Prince, except for some, have been retained. The Prime Minister was dismissed and sent to the dungeon. The Minister of Military Affairs who went missing was dismissed, and the Vice Minister was promoted to Minister."
To quickly suppress the chaos, the ministers who sided with the Crown Prince were retained for the time being.
Was this showing the King's magnanimity?
"The upper ranks of the Royal Guards who sided with the Crown Prince were captured by the Royal Guards' mutiny... or rather, by the Royal Guards who sided with the King. It seems most of the Royal Guards did not know the situation well. For them, obeying the King was natural, so it is a natural response."
It seemed the Crown Prince had only brought in the upper ranks to proceed smoothly, and only a very few others.
If the succession of the throne proceeded smoothly, that would indeed be the smoothest way...
At that point, Lebrantes twisted his face slightly.
"Regarding the Crown Prince, they have deliberately not deposed him. And, a public execution is scheduled for noon tomorrow."
"What!?"
Indeed, they intended to execute him while keeping him as Crown Prince.
Ozendorwa seemed to be in strong shock, speechless.
"Also, an order was issued to 'Cut' the Dispeller upon finding them. No specific reason was given. However, they have announced that if anyone shields them, the Church will be wiped out."
"......This is madness."
There seemed to be other minor details, but these were the major movements.
Yaroibarov patted his own head and muttered.
"It's not just that he's changed. He's a completely different person."
That one sentence was the impression held by everyone except Tsudazen.
No, that was not just an impression; it clearly indicated a possibility.
"......It must be that kind of thing. There is no other way to think."
Ozendorwa bowed his head slightly and closed his eyes.
To Mika, it looked like a moment of silent prayer.
"Let's move soon. If we leave it, who knows what other orders will be issued."
When Mika stood up, Yaroibarov also stood up.
But Ozendorwa shook his head.
"I understand your feelings, but we must wait for now. Fortunately, the Crown Prince's execution is at noon tomorrow, right? Then, there is still time."
"But, the more time passes, the greater the confusion becomes?"
"I understand that, but you should rest a little, Mika. You just returned from the front lines, you know?"
"Huh? ...Front lines?"
Lebrantes looked back and forth between Mika and Ozendorwa.
"Hibujiza appeared on the front lines. Mika defeated him."
"Defeated... him? ...So...?"
Yaroibarov asked Ozendorwa as if to confirm.
Ozendorwa nodded.
"Yes, he was defeated. The dispelling was successful."
Hearing that, Lebrantes slammed the table.
"Didn't you do it!"
"Hahaha! You did it, hey!"
Yaroibarov kept patting Mika's head.
In a flash, his hair was messed up.
Ozendorwa, who was watching such Mika with a smile, tightened his expression.
"That is exactly why you should rest a little now. Going back and forth between the Capital and the front lines. Defeating the 'Cursed Child' and repairing the protective barrier. You have moved more than enough today. You should rest properly and prepare."
Yaroibarov also nodded at Ozendorwa's proposal.
"If that's the case, I agree with Ozendorwa. Rest now."
Yaroibarov pinched Mika's head from behind with both hands.
At that moment, Mika's consciousness flew away—
Yaroibarov caught Mika, who was about to collapse, and lifted him up.
"Hey, hey!? What's wrong with him!?"
Lebrantes was startled and asked Yaroibarov.
Ozendorwa glared at Yaroibarov half-heartedly.
"Hey, there should be some way to do that..."
"Wasting time arguing is useless? It's fine, I'm taking care of it."
With restraint, a mild concussion.
Yaroibarov seemed to just pinch Mika's head with both hands, but actually, it was different.
It was, in a way, a light blow.
By shaking the head directly, he shook the brain.
If the restraint was wrong, it was a dangerous method that could cost a life.
"I do not like such methods much."
"Yes, yes, I understand. I will use a different method next time."
Ozendorwa sighed at Yaroibarov's reply, who clearly did not understand.
So, I will stop the nagging here.
"......If Mika imitates this, it will be Yaroibarov's responsibility."
"Ugh...!?"
That was bad.
Mika's imitation was not something to joke about.
Hit where it hurt, and Yaroibarov made a pained expression.
"......Next time, I will be careful."
"Yes, please do so."
Watching such exchange, Tsudazen made a suspicious face.
■■■■■■
【Royal Castle Dungeon】
"U... ugh..."
In the dim dungeon, Cranzard, wearing handcuffs, lay on the floor.
Cranzard's jawbone was shattered by a single punch from Kernils, who was over sixty years old, and he could no longer speak.
Kernils sentenced Cranzard to death for being knocked down and unable to move.
Since Kernils, the King, had been unjustly imprisoned and the royal authority wielded arbitrarily, that was a natural response.
If it was Kernils.
Kernils had barged in while personnel arrangements for relief to Wyedges and instructions for the front lines were being discussed in the conference room.
Kernils easily pushed aside the Royal Guards who stood in his way to protect Cranzard.
Thus, they exchanged a few words.
Just that was enough to be certain.
It was not Kernils.
The difference in atmosphere was noticed immediately.
He felt the darkness lurking deep in those eyes.
And then, he realized immediately.
Was this the "Cursed Child" Mika Noisheim had spoken of?
It was hard to believe someone had taken over, but indeed.
It was not that another person was impersonating him like a body double.
This was the real person.
The real person had become a different person.
The careless mistake was speaking that out loud.
"Are you the 'Cursed Child'?"
He blurted that out.
Before he finished speaking, he was punched away and could not speak properly anymore.
He must convey this fact to someone.
But he could not even speak, and furthermore, no one was here.
If left like this, the Kingdom would perish.
Like Gronoir collapsed.
"Gugh... guu..."
Overwhelmed by terrible pain, he could only groan.
He must somehow convey this fact to someone.
Above all, he must convey it to Mika Noisheim.
Currently, only Mika could do something about the "Cursed Child".
Sending Mika to the front lines would be a blessing or a curse.
Even Cranzard did not know.
Now, Cranzard could only pray in the dim dungeon.