Chapter 62

Carries' strong, straightforward words.

Upon hearing them, Gairal clapped his hands.

"Excellent. As expected of Her Highness the Princess. Compared to His Highness the Crown Prince and Her Highness the Elder Princess, you may be inferior in appearance and ability, but your pride is admirable."

"……"

At Gairal's words, Carries felt a pain as if her heart had been tightly gripped.

With her plain brown hair and brown eyes, she was not particularly tall. She did not have a good memory for things she was taught, nor was she quick-witted. In terms of sports, she was aware that she was worse than children of the same age.

Gairal was by Carries' side.

That was why he knew about Carries' abilities and her feelings of inferiority.

"If you stay in this country, you will always be treated as a plain and inferior princess. How long can you maintain your pride? Come with me. I know that you are the child of God. You have that power."

"I am……"

—I am not the child of God.

"I do indeed lack ability."

The only power Gairal acknowledged was not Carries'.

Just a plain and inferior princess.

Carries knew this best.

"But……"

Even though I have nothing.

Even though I don't have a single outstanding quality.

"I will not lose my pride!"

Born and raised as a royal, no matter how weak, she would not let that be tainted.

To protect the people, to protect the children here and now. Carries would not yield to Gairal.

"Gairal. You are wrong. I will not go with you! Release the children!"

Gairal shrugged at Carries' words.

Then, he called out to the Living Mail that was waiting by the wall.

"Capture her."

Reacting to his words, the Living Mail moved.

Carries resisted, but being young, she was powerless and was quickly captured.

She was then brought to the center of the room.

"Do you know what is there?"

Her arms were held by the Living Mail, and she could not move even when she struggled.

Carries did not answer, but looked back at Gairal.

"The place where Her Highness the Princess stands is the center of a magic circle. I analyzed the large magic circle in Rewander and made some modifications. It allows the use of the power of the gemstones in Rewander remotely. However, the power is weak. Still, it is possible to erase a human body."

Gairal looked down at Carries and spoke clearly.

"The king who sought immortality thought of erasing his body and anchoring his soul to an object. Now, Her Highness the Princess, where do you think your gemstone is? —In your soul. It is with your soul."

His calm face.

"I learned from the gemstones of Rewander that they are passed down from parent to child. Therefore, I cannot obtain the gemstone myself. So, if I erase the body of a child with a gemstone and leave only the soul, the gemstone will rise to the surface, won't it?"

Gairal's expression disappeared as he said this.

"I do not have proof of this. Therefore, it should not be used. Her Highness the Princess, I served you as just a count, even though I am of royal blood. I have always wondered why a child with only the name of royalty and no ability was in front of me."

The expression Gairal showed for the first time.

It was not his usual calm face, but a distorted and ugly one.

"It seems I despise you more than I thought."

He was always by her side.

She thought he supported her.

She believed he saw her efforts.

"Whether the soul of Her Highness the Princess will remain as a gemstone, or disappear, or become a ghoul, I do not know. But, I will no longer have to hear your voice."

Gairal said this and placed his hands on the floor.

He was adding words to the magic circle.

And then—

"Farewell."

—With a calm voice, the magic circle on the floor began to glow.

"……"

In the world of golden light, Carries made up her mind.

This is the end.

But, will the children be okay?

I think I managed to throw the firework stone and let Reni know my location. And I managed to prolong the conversation and draw attention to myself.

Reni will do well. Believing this, she closed her eyes—

"Ugh……! What is this……"

A shock ran through her body, converging in her chest and then dispersing.

The glow of the magic circle faded, and the golden world returned to its original color.

"It should have activated, why am I still alive?"

Gairal looked at Carries with a shocked face.

At that moment, something fell from Carries' pocket.

It was—

"A doll……?"

A blackened [Substitute Doll].

The one Reni gave her, which Carries had stuffed in her pocket.

"Reni……"

The plain and ability-less Carries.

But, Reni said her hair was cute and her eyes were beautiful.

When Carries bowed, Reni acknowledged her efforts.

—Became her friend.

"……Reni"

I want to see you again.

I want to meet and laugh together.

"Help……"

She whispered softly.

At that moment, a loud noise echoed, and the ceiling of the basement collapsed.

Strong light shone into the underground facility. With the light, someone appeared—

"I'm sorry for being late."

This time, the second volume has been decided for publication.

It will be released on August 25 by MF Books.

Thank you to everyone who has read it. I appreciate it.

For the cover and more, see the link below.

If you would like, I would be happy if you could pick it up.

I will continue to work hard!