717 Protruded Blade
It was just a coincidence that Soma came to the place.
When I had finished training the soldiers today and walked thinking about the emperor's and hence the empire's problems, which I began to see little by little, I had arrived at some point.
There is nothing to block in front of you, and there is a blue, clear sky over your head.
Is the distance to the ground five meters or so?
At the edge of his sight, he sees a place that would be the courtyard he had earlier taken to, and in the distance he sees the streets of the Imperial Capital.
It was a beautiful, open place.
"Oh... there was a place like this here."
To be honest, Soma's scope of action at the Imperial Castle is narrow.
It is not restricted otherwise, but on the contrary it is difficult to get to other places inside because it is not restricted.
In the castle, we only went about the rooms, the dining room and the courtyard, so much so that it was more overwhelming to go outside.
Therefore, this is naturally the first time I've seen the Imperial Capital from above.
"- Hmm? Ho... that's something with a very rare face."
And, looking somewhat at at the streets, a voice was thrown from the rear.
I was not surprised because I realized that someone was approaching me in advance.
If I say it at last, I also know who it is... if I just looked back at my neck, it was still what I saw there.
"Well, I certainly don't deny that it's unusual... but rather, as a senior, it's more surprising that you're coming here? Wouldn't this be the kind of place where the emperor would come, at least?
The person - Victoria - shrugged her shoulders back to Soma's words.
And if you proceed with your legs without saying anything, your shoulders will come as close as they are to touching each other.
Lined directly beside him, he narrowed his eyes as he turned his gaze toward the Imperial Capital, just like Soma.
"Sometimes concubines want to change their mood."
"Isn't it a change of mood to go to the city?
We only went there on the first day together, but given how it was then and listening a little bit afterwards, we should be going almost every day.
But Victoria says I'm not in the mood for a change.
"It is the duty of the concubine to watch over the lives of the people. I'm part of the concubine business again."
"It's a statement that's going to erupt when the civilians hear it."
No matter how much the civilians favor the emperor, the job is to do.
It is undoubtedly an unacceptable statement, given that the emperor is undoubtedly a civilian who is likely to suffer lag damage from his work by going to the city.
... However, it is actually slightly suspicious around here.
Think about it, I don't remember hearing any of those complaints.
Maybe it's because I haven't had a chance to interact directly with the civilians...
And with that in mind, Victoria has turned to the side.
"Well, it was just right to see you here, in a way."
"What is?
"I haven't been able to talk much here lately. I was wondering... it's better than looking strong."
"Nevertheless, wouldn't we be face-to-face every day in the dining room?
Indeed, the last time I spoke decently was a few days ago because I was asked to train the soldiers.
But we don't have to talk, we have to meet each other in the cafeteria.
You should know enough that this one is fine.
"Well yes, but would it make a lot of difference to just talk to each other?... By the way, speaking of rarities, are you alone today?
"Hmm? Yeah, she asked Aina to go back to her room first because she wanted to think alone. That's why I came here when I was thinking about it."
I could do it in the room if I just thought about it, but I wanted to think about it on my own with the meaning of changing my mood.
Thoughts have come together to some extent because of this...... should I say that Victoria showed up there at a good time in a way?
"Hmm... I thought I was overprotecting you for a long time... but if that accepted that we didn't need that in our country, you mean?
"Well, even if it doesn't hit, it's not far away, so on."
"Ho ho...!
It's bad for Victoria, who has sparkled some eyes, but even if something happens, Aina won't be able to do anything about it right away, and in the meantime, she can run for it or not.
I just decided it was more manageable than I thought it was safe, so it's not a pleasure to be the ruler of the country.
Most importantly, I'm not going to say anything extra... and it's also true that I'm starting to think it's somewhat safer than when I first got here.
"Uhm, apparently you're starting to understand a little bit more that this is a great country...!
With that said, Soma narrows her eyes to Victoria, who smiles happily.
He gazed at the sight of the Imperial Capital as it spread in the distance and exhaled one breath.
"... you are. Actually, it's not bad... No, I think it's a good country"
I understand that what Soma has seen is still only part of this country.
But it was, without a doubt, the true meaning of Soma.
And that's why I still have questions.
"This is a good country, and it conveys that thou lovest the people of such a country wholeheartedly. - But why destroy it?
The moment I said it, the grin disappeared from Victoria's expression.
Even if he turns his side here for just a moment, he will soon be brought back forward.
"… what they are saying is not wrong. But at the same time, it's not right."
"What do you mean...?
"Surely the concubine loves this country, the people. But that's why the concubine must be destroyed. This is the empire, and the concubine is the emperor."
I'm not sure what you're talking about, but did you guess that look on this one?
As he hoists the edge of his mouth, Victoria goes on to overlap the words further.
"The concubines built up the longest period in this world and the result was the most flourishing. It is only then that the concubine must set an example. You have to do the right thing because you are a concubine who should stand above people."
"Is it right to destroy your beloved country, kill your beloved people, and destroy the world?
"Whatever it is, it's not a mistake. But there's no other world that shouts it. If… it is the concubines who are wrong."
If that face had any madness color, it might have been something else.
But there was only a color of sanity there, and that's why Victoria really thought so and knew she was going to obey.
Victoria chose to be right for the world, even though she understood she was wrong.
"Besides... above all, it's a contract"
"Contract......? With the devil, is it?
"No? - With God."
"A covenant with God......?
Satya didn't say a word about that.
Does that mean that Satya doesn't even know... that it is likely a covenant with the Evil God?
Nevertheless, I don't know how that has anything to do with destroying the world.
"The people have all forgotten about it. But with that contract, the concubines can do what they do here and now. To reward you... and above all for those ancestors who failed to fulfill their vows. My concubine will have to do it again."
The word had power.
In half-breed language, there is a force that I don't think I can do anything about.
As I knew from the beginning... apparently it's not easy to do something about this emperor.
Looking at the side, Soma sighed out, wondering what was going on.
Victoria was on a light footing on her way to the office.
The paperwork is waiting for me now, but my body is gaining strength because of the stories that have been made earlier.
Though it's true that Soma still looked hard to comprehend.
"I didn't think it would be that easy from the start. You seem to understand the goodness of this country, and it's still to come. And most importantly, you've been able to recognise your thoughts."
Destroy this world.
That was because Victoria loved this world, and above all it must have been decided a long time ago.
More than 500 years ago now.
Since when the Empire begged God for strength and a covenant was made.
It was the power given to the Empire at that time that made it the empire.
The Empire may ensure that the contracts and undertakings it has entered into with its opponents as an Empire are honoured.
It is now recognised as an influence as a nation, but in fact it was a power given by God.
Its power, still valid more than five hundred years after the covenant, is the power of reason that the Evil God had when he was still called a goddess.
It was because of this that the Empire was treasured by connecting with each other and never caught up in strife.
Therefore, it is all thanks to God that there is an empire today.
"Mm...?
And as I walked thinking about it, I saw what I saw at the end of the aisle.
But he turned away immediately, because he knew that he hated him.
He was the captain of the Kingsguard.
Though it's rare to walk around like this, I guess I had some errands to run.
I look sideways for just a moment at that figure approaching me one by one, and I look right back at it.
Thinking of it, it was a lot of things.
Some I got, some I lost.
But that, too, is just around the corner.
Almost there...... while I think so, biting my lips, passing beside the person who used to be closest to me.
and it was at that moment.
"Ah, Emperor, do you have a minute?
I doubted my ears for a moment because the voice, the way it was said, was familiar to my ears.
That was something I used to hear a lot about, and now I can't hear it at all, so much so that I honestly thought it might be an illusion.
Or it might have been more realistic to be told it was a dream.
But I knew right away that it wasn't.
Because there was something there that I could make you recognize even though it was real.
"........................ what? The other side -"
With a flashy voice and a flashy look on his face, Victoria stared into her own stomach.
There's a blunt tip sticking out there.
It was the fever, not the pain, that I felt instantly, but the thought never lasted any longer.
Because before that my body was blown straight to the side and slammed against the wall.
"but ha......!?
"I've been worried about it scattered...... actually, it's enough to make me stupid to wonder why I was worried. Damn... I should have just done what I was told."
The only thing that was visible in my sight was at my feet trying to come close, but I knew from above that I was being seen with hateful eyes, without having to see it.
But still, the thought of why comes to mind.
Why, why...
"Come on - it's over"
But there was no voice to answer the question, and Victoria's consciousness sank with the dull sound to the bottom of darkness.