Chapter 99

The cave in the gorge is a place where the power of the water spirits is strong. However, with the presence of Banning, a fire dragon, the power of the fire spirits has grown, allowing the use of fire magic through spirit magic.

This is called "balance." In a certain area, if the power of a specific spirit is strong, the power of the opposing attribute spirit weakens. This is something that users of spirit magic must always be aware of.

Sphere used the "Warm Heat Sphere" spell, taking warmth from the heat generated by the fire spirits. While maintaining this, she shared her magic power with the unconscious Cline and even maintained a light spell. Irena was not at all surprised by this.

"Miss Sphere, you can use various spells... and even multiple ones at the same time. I only have an aptitude for water spirit magic and cannot learn any others."

"Well, my dad and mom can use a lot of spells, so I can use a lot too. I'm good at imitating."

"No, no, it's not just imitation; you have mastered them perfectly. Are your father and mother famous mages?"

"Um, my dad tries not to stand out, but my moms are very famous."

"That's right... Even with such outstanding skills, they are so humble. Your father must be a great sage."

(Haha... Dad, a sage. Is that about right?)

(I feel like she's imagining something strange...)

When I was with Julius, I was more aggressive because we had invaded an enemy country, but is this how she acts when we're not enemies? Or is it Sphere's charm that's working again?

"Um, why were you running away from Cline?"

"... That... I'm sorry, but it's a secret of the Elsain Magic Kingdom, and I can't reveal it to a civilian like Miss Sphere."

(Sphere is the rider of this fire dragon and represents Albein in the dragon knight battle. From defeating Cline, I can see her strength. If the Elsain knights were fighting here today, I would have to hear the situation. If she can't say it, I'll have to take her to the capital, even if it's not my intention.)

"... I... If I hinder the dragon knight battle that Emperor Julius desires, I must atone with my life. If you insist on hearing the details, I will..."

Irena put her hand on the short knife she wore for self-defense. But Sphere held her hand, preventing her from drawing the blade.

"You mustn't waste your life. Life is precious. It would make your father and mother very sad if something happened to you."

(... Sphere)

Her voice was filled with an unexpectedly strong will. Sphere stared at Irena for a moment, then smiled innocently as usual.

"Go ahead and tell me. I have a great dad and moms. No matter how difficult the situation, I'm sure we can solve it."

"... Even though you're younger than me... If I could be as strong as you, Miss Sphere, I would..."

"Don't cry. Girls shouldn't cry in front of the people they like."

"Like... someone I like... I've never even thought about that at my age... Do you have someone like that, Miss Sphere?"

"... Um, well, it's okay when Dad isn't listening, but it's embarrassing now. I was born for Dad..."

(... Indeed, I can't hear that unless I'm not around... I'm blushing.)

"Ahh... Faah, Dad shouldn't listen!"

"... Haha. I lost my father early and lived with my mother... I envy you, Sphere. In a strange way, you're always together."

I want to think that I'll be back in my body soon, but what's happening now? My body, being warmed by everyone's skin in turns—while I'm worried, as a young man with a healthy mind, I can't deny my endless curiosity.

"... Hmm..."

"Ahh... Dad, Cline seems to be waking up. What should we do? Is it okay?"

Looking over, Cline, who was lying on Irena's mantle, was stirring. Her leather armor was dry, but it clung to her body, making it a feast for the eyes.

"Family matters are also my responsibility. I will monitor to ensure Cline does not harm Sphere."

"... Please do."

(Don't worry, Cline has very little magic power. If she attacks, I have a way to stop her.)

(Yes, thank you, Dad.)

Sphere, tense, waited for Cline to wake up. She slowly sat up, pushed her hair back from her face, and revealed her well-defined features.

"... Why didn't you kill me?"

Her clear voice, unlike the words of rejection. Cline looked at Irena and said, while looking at the short knife she held.

"... Why, Cline... Why did you give the 'Snowry's Poison Wine' to Emperor Julius's black dragon...!"

Snowry's Poison Wine—a drink made from the fruit of the Snowryad, a magical creature that lives only in the frozen land, which is rarely found in Albein.

The Snowryad, for self-defense, sends toxic components into the fruit when someone tries to steal it. If you can stop this and get the fruit, you can taste its sweet, soft flesh, but if you eat a fruit that has been poisoned, your magic power will go out of control, causing confusion and death.

When the toxic fruit is fermented into wine, its effects change. It causes a slow, gradual loss of control.

If you give this to the black dragon now, what will happen? If adjusted, it could cause the black dragon to go out of control during the dragon knight battle.

(... Why did you incite Emperor Julius to challenge the dragon knight battle, and then try to make him lose?)

"... Where is the voice coming from... from the direction of this child... a spirit... no..."

"This voice is my father's. Is what my father says true? Why did you do such a thing, Cline?"

"... Emperor Julius trusted me so much when I became a new royal guard. You yourself swore loyalty... Was it all a lie!?"

Even when rebuked by Irena, Cline remained calm and smiled faintly.

"Why do you think Emperor Julius trusted me? Because the Six Demon Dukes and the people still admire Lady Verlene more than the young Emperor Julius. Emperor Julius was seeking support more than anyone else."

"... To call the Emperor that is disrespectful!"

"Irena, you, too, follow Lady Verlene's decisions out of loyalty. When Emperor Julius moved to reclaim Lady Verlene, didn't you feel relieved? That the 'true Demon King' had returned to the country?"

"That... That's not true! I am a royal guard... Protecting Emperor Julius is my..."

She couldn't finish her sentence and swallowed her words.

Cline is not just imagining. As a royal guard, she has seen and felt things with her own eyes—this is why Irena can't deny it.

"He is stronger than me... but his power is not enough. Without Lady Verlene's power, my country... will perish."

"Perish... the country? Cline, what are you...?"

"Cline is a Dark Elf. But not from the Elsain Magic Kingdom... That's what Dad says."

Cline did not deny it. She smiled and looked at Sphere—looked at me.

"... Could it be... the other demon race country that separated from our country in the past..."

Irena murmured. Cline nodded and looked somewhere far away, as if thinking of her distant homeland.

"Yes... A hundred years ago, we separated from your country and created a new one in the south. A place of refuge we finally found... It was a wilderness at first, but it was enough for us."

(... What happened to the Latkris Magic Kingdom?)

The Latkris Magic Kingdom is a threat to the neighboring country of Velbekia. I thought it was a problem I couldn't easily interfere with, but I've unexpectedly run into it—perhaps it's fate. I wait for Cline's answer.

"... Latkris was invaded by a few humans... and is now ruled by them. They were originally adventurers from the Albein Kingdom."

Why did Latkris suddenly threaten Velbekia and demand tribute?

It all connected—humans who had usurped the throne of Latkris were ruling with tyranny.

Lady Verlene said the Demon King of Latkris had S-rank power. This also meant that a few SSS-rank adventurers could seize control of the country.

"... Why... didn't you formally request aid from Emperor Julius from Latkris...?"

"... Because his power is not enough. I aimed for Elsain to meet Lady Verlene... but the one on the throne was a weak boy. Lady Verlene's brother... I can see that he is strong. But he is weaker than Lady Verlene. I cannot accept or forgive a weak king who lets you all live comfortably without her... I even hate it."

"... You... You, who kept everything a secret, why do you have to say such things...! We... We thought of Cline as a comrade...!"

Cline's goal was to save her country. I don't know what the SSS-rank adventurers who took over her country are doing—my information network doesn't reach that far. But I realize that it was insufficient to realize my ideals.

(Dad... Cline knew about Mom Verlene and wanted her help.)

(Yes. But she took a roundabout way.)

Cline believed that only Verlene could save her country. That's why she used Julius to request that Albein return Verlene.

"... Cline, can you listen without being surprised?"

"... I admire how you have such power at your young age. But you are not as strong as Lady Verlene..."

It seems that in Cline's mind, Verlene is almost deified. If she met Verlene as a young Demon King, it would have left a deep impression—Verlene, dressed as a Demon King, still has the dignity to stand at the top of the magic kingdom even now.

(Can I say it, Dad?)

(Yes, go ahead. I'm a bit scared of how she'll react... She might get angry and attack if she thinks you're mocking her.)

(I don't think so... Cline seems kind, but she's trying to be strong. I think if we talk, she'll understand.)

It's strange, but I believe it when Sphere says it.

But, it makes sense. After all, Sphere has Verlene's magic within her.

"I am... Lady Verlene's... daughter."

"... !?"

"... The former Demon King Verlene's... daughter... princess...!?"

Cline covered her mouth in shock, and Irena's eyes widened. It's understandable—no one would believe that Verlene, who is in Albein, has a daughter of this age, especially since she's only been in my guild for a year.

"... If you've met Lady Verlene and remember her magic. I think you'll understand, Cline..."

With a burst of momentum, Sphere stepped forward. Cline put her hand on her chest as if she realized something—yes, there, where Sphere had touched and shared her magic.

"... Why... Why did I not realize... that I received power from Lady Verlene's... daughter...?"

Tears welled up in Cline's eyes and ran down her cheeks. She held Sphere's hand, as if in reverence, and began to cry, her shoulders shaking.

"R-really... Princess... I-I apologize for not recognizing you...!"

"No, no, I'm not a princess. I don't think Lady Verlene would say that either."

"No... You are a noble princess who has inherited Lady Verlene's power. Please forgive me for opposing you without knowing...!"

(... Cline, can you tell me your real name? With that level of skill, you're not just any demon.)

"... This voice is Princess Sphere's father... that is, Lady Verlene's..."

(No, not exactly, but I know Verlene well.)

Irena and Cline's attitudes toward me suddenly softened—more than that, they looked at me with respect.

Verlene was so beloved as a Demon King that I sometimes realize it. I feel guilty for taking her away from them, but I'm also proud.

A Demon King so respected has chosen to stay with me. I must do everything I can to ensure that Verlene can remain in the guild in a complete form.

(... Dad, I love you. Can I hug you when you're back to normal?)

(Well, that's... fine, but not too much, please.)

(Dad, that's why Mom and the others say you're cute.)

I can't say anything, so I don't. Just by revealing her true identity, Sphere has completely won over Irena and Cline—the inherited magic proved the unbreakable bond between mother and daughter.

"Creating a princess in spirit form with Lady Verlene... This Irena Buffon, at the age of seventeen, has learned the vastness of the world."

She's misunderstanding, but it's hard to correct, so I'll let it go for now.

Sphere wiped Cline's tears with a handkerchief. Cline, with red eyes, showed a smile for the first time, a smile that seemed more like a girl's.

"... My real name is Mermea Latkris... Princess of the Latkris Magic Kingdom. I used a false name and showed disrespect to Emperor Julius... I am truly sorry."

(... She's a real princess. So that's why she knew Verlene.)

Mermea nodded sincerely. Her initial stubbornness seemed like a lie, and Sphere couldn't help but smile.

The other magic kingdom that separated from the Elsain Magic Kingdom. Its princess, Mermea, infiltrated Elsain to seek help from Verlene.

If the Latkris Magic Kingdom remains under the rule of Albein adventurers, it will truly perish.

The black dragon that drank Snowry's Poison Wine, the princess Mermea seeking help. The problems to solve are increasing, but they are not unsolvable.

I need to hear more from Cline. Now that I have her trust, I can hear everything without her hiding anything.

Thank you for reading!

The next update will be the day after tomorrow.