Chapter 722: Lie [3]

Even as I left the room on a good note, I couldn’t help but feel a sinking feeling wash over me as I walked away from the place.

’...Something about Aoife felt off.’

I couldn’t quite place it into words, but for a moment there, she almost felt like an entirely different person.

It was almost as if she were possessed or something.

"No, that’s not quite right."

I shook my head.

It was certainly Aoife. I could tell.

However, there seemed to be something a little extra in there.

Something more sinister.

’Am I imagining things, or is this all because of all the pent-up stress that she’s experienced from the current situation?’

I really wanted to believe that it was the latter.

However, a sinking feeling told me that things weren’t so simple.

It was also then that I was reminded of something that I hadn’t thought of for quite some time.

The calamity meter...

Now that I no longer had my original blood with me, I couldn’t tell the percentage of each of the three calamities. I still wasn’t sure as to what the calamities were. It had been about three years since I had come to this world, and even then, I still knew nothing about that meter.

’Fuck, I should’ve asked Noel when I had the chance.’

Would he even know?

’...No, never mind. I’m sure he has left most of his knowledge in the basement. I’ll just have to check the basement out and see if there’s some sort of answer.’

I had grown complacent with regard to the ’calamity’ meter.

I had been so focused on other things that I completely forgot about it.

It wasn’t without reason.

There really were a lot of things that I needed to handle.

...And the situation was under control.

At least, it was.

Now that I no longer had the meter with me, I couldn’t tell what their percentage was or whether it had increased or not.

’I’m sure it has increased, but by how much?’

I grew a little anxious.

The thought of not knowing made me anxious.

However, I knew that I needed to be calmer. Anxiety was a useless feeling.

I needed to assess the situation.

’Noel said that I’d get my blood back soon, but when will that be?’

It had already been quite some time since I had returned from the Mirror Dimension, and I had yet to hear any news regarding Jackal and my blood.

I had asked Noel about the situation, but all he answered me with was, ’In due time. You don’t need to worry too much. You’ll know when it is time for you to get your blood back. For now, just relax and train.’

I quietly pursed my lips and walked down the empty hall of the palace.

As I did, my steps slowed down.

"Ah, right."

I suddenly thought about Leon.

He was finally back at the Empire.

There was something that I needed from him.

’The Chalice.’

I had now collected three of the four relics. The only one that was missing was the chalice, which Leon was in possession of.

’...Although I still don’t understand what will happen once I collect all four, Noel said that the moment I collect all of them, I’ll be able to remember everything.’

That seemed like the most important thing at the moment.

My steps unconsciously moved faster.

I navigated down the halls of the palace before finding the exit and walking out.

The sun was still scorching outside, and as I looked around, I could see that a lot of people were still present. They were most likely ’socializing’, but upon closer look, I could see that the groups were divided into several large ones.

These were most likely the factions that represented the candidates for the throne.

There was also a separate group for those belonging to those outside of the Empire. I quickly spotted Leon. He was talking to Evelyn and Kiera.

I was just about to move in his direction when a hand pressed against my shoulder.

"Please wait a moment."

"Hm...?"

I slowly turned my head to see a familiar face. With jet black hair and piercing yellow eyes, he looked rather dashing. He had a calm expression on his face as he smiled kindly in my direction.

It had to be said, but those from the Megrail bloodline really did have nice appearances.

"Your Royal Highness, it’s an honor to meet you."

I bowed my head slightly in greeting.

This was an etiquette that I had to follow regardless of faction.

"...Haha, there’s no need for such stiff greeting."

The prince laughed before pushing his hand up.

"I am just a bastard child. There’s no need to greet me with such stiffness."

"Even if that is the case, I must do so."

I really wanted to rinse my mouth at the moment.

I felt disgusted by my own words.

’All that etiquette studying did pay off in the end, I guess.’

Had it been the old me, I would’ve probably said something like, ’Oh, nice. Good for you, and have walked off.

That would’ve probably gotten me in a lot of trouble.

I had improved my ways.

Regardless, I really just wanted to leave.

This prince...

There was something about him that made me uncomfortable.

"Well, since you insist, then it would be rude of me to stop you."

He just felt...

Like a snake.

’Yeah, that’s what it is.’

From his well put kind expression and smiling face, to his subtly closed eyes. I felt my body tense with caution.

I really wanted to use the fifth level of emotive magic to see his emotions, but I held back, knowing that the place was filled with incredibly powerful figures.

If someone detected something from me, I wouldn’t know when my head detached itself from my body.

"...It’s great that you’re quick to understand things."

The Prince smiled at me before turning his attention towards the distance.

I was prepared to leave when he spoke again.

"I heard that you’re about to participate in a Rite of Arms."

"Indeed, I am."

"...How are your preparations for that?"

"I’m doing as well as I can."

This snake...

I could tell that he was trying to probe me. Not only that, but if I had to take a guess, he was probably on the Marquis’s side.

"That’s good to hear."

He looked back at me.

Our gazes met.

"It would be such a pity if someone as talented as you got hurt. When the time comes, I’ll try my best to help you out."

This was all he said before turning around and leaving.

I stood on the spot for several seconds before pursing my lips.

’This guy...’

I wasn’t stupid.

I understood the meaning behind his words.

He was obviously saying that I was going to lose, and when that did happen, he’d help me out so that I would at least be able to remain standing.

I didn’t even feel like addressing his nonsense.

Secretly shaking my head, I turned around and headed towards the others.

But at the same time, I made a mental note to myself.

’I’ll check Noel’s notes later. This is the first time I’m hearing of someone like him.’

Something felt fishy.

*

"How was the discussion? Did everything go well?"

The others noticed me pretty quickly as I made my way towards them. As I approached them, I tried my best to look as lighthearted as possible. I was sure that Aoife wouldn’t want the others to be worried about her.

I looked around me.

I could see Kiera, Evelyn, and Leon. In the distance, I also noticed Amell, Kaelion, Agatha, and Caius. They were all with their respective Empires.

There was pretty much everyone that I knew.

’...I didn’t think I’d see them all at once so quickly.’

"Is Aoife doing okay?"

"...I tried messaging her, but she hasn’t responded to me at all."

"She’s doing fine."

I reassured both Kiera and Evelyn as they looked somewhat worried.

"Really?" Kiera raised her brow while looking at me, and I nodded.

"Yeah, she’s fine. If you contact her now, I’m pretty sure she might answer."

"Really...?"

Kiera looked at me in doubt. In the end, with a light shrug and a soft ’welp, let’s give it a try,’ she took out her communication device and sent a message.

Once she was done, she looked at me.

"Let’s see if y—"

Trrr!

She received an answer almost immediately.

"Oh?"

Kiera looked rather surprised as she looked at the message. However, it was also in that moment that I saw her fluctuate. In the end, she put the communication device down and pursed her lips.

"...She’s doing fine."

So she said, but looking at her expression, it didn’t seem like it.

"What did she say?"

Even Evelyn was curious as she leaned her head forward to stare at the communication device.

But...

"Wait, let me see!"

"No, stop."

Keira quickly pushed her head away.

...Her efforts were clearly weak, as Evelyn managed to get the device not long after.

She then proceeded to read the message.

"I was doing fine until you messaged me. Thank you."

"...."

"...."

Evelyn’s face grew stoic.

So did Kiera’s as Evelyn walked back to Kiera and placed the communication device in Kiera’s pocket before patting her thigh.

"There... there..."

Kiera bit her lips.

She was probably trying her best not to attack Evelyn.

In the meantime, I looked at Leon.

"...What are you still doing here? Aren’t you going to go with your people?"

"My people?"

Leon gave me a questioning look.

I tilted my head.

"Aren’t they your people?"

"I mean, yeah... but the way that you—"

"Nice."

I cut Leon off before he could start explaining. I wasn’t interested.

Leon’s gaze turned cold, but I ignored it.

"Anyways, you still haven’t told me why you’re here. I can see that they’re going to be leaving soon. If—"

"I’m not leaving."

"Huh?"

I blinked slowly while looking at Leon.

"You aren’t...?"

"No."

He shook his head.

"I’ve got a couple of things that I need to handle, and there’s a recent Rite that I have to attend as well."

I blinked yet again.

The cogs of my brain processed, and the lightbulb in my head lit up.

"...You’re going to be one of my representatives?"

"Yes."

"...."

I lowered my head for a moment before covering my mouth.

"Are you touched? Despite everything, I was raised by the Evenus Household. It’s only right that I help them out when—"

"...Okay, good!"

I clapped my hands in satisfaction.

This was great news. Not only because then I’d be able to ask for the Chalice in a more appropriate setting, but because Leon was quite capable.

Perhaps taken aback by my enthusiasm, Leon’s eyes narrowed with suspicion as he took a step back.

"All of a sudden, I’m not feeling this anymore..."

"It’s too late now."

I stopped Leon before he could leave.

Staring at him, I smiled.

"Welcome back, my useless knight."