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Chapter 84. Cleanup

The armies from the Western nations collapsed in an instant under simultaneous attacks from three directions. The crucial dragoon squadron held up well against the magic knights, but without any support from allies, many were forced to surrender.

While inspecting the aftermath and checking for casualties, it was confirmed that Frodil, the Minister of Interior Frodil, who had been in the arena, had died. The cause of death was a sharp weapon that had pierced his chest, but the arena was so devastated from the battle between the dragoon squadron and the magic knights that there was little circumstantial evidence. It was concluded to be an assassination by an unknown assailant. Regarding this, my father, who had witnessed the event, gave me a complicated look... but it seems I will be given a chance to explain myself later. For now, as the deputy leader, he probably can't afford to take a proper rest.

The Western nations, with many of their coalition soldiers captured, claimed that the invasion was based on information from a traitor within the Kingdom of Curia. However, as there were no specific names given, the Kingdom of Curia dismissed the claim. The Empire of Elgrant, showing a confrontational stance toward its ally the Kingdom of Curia, seems to be on the verge of a large-scale conflict, after a period of mere skirmishes.

On the other hand, the Kingdom of Croster, which launched a surprise attack from behind the coalition forces that tried to invade the Kuria Kingdom, saving many lives, received much praise from within the Kuria Kingdom. In response, the nobles of the Kuria Kingdom, swayed by the voices of the people, repealed several unfavorable treaties and established fully equal diplomatic relations. Well... the leadership of the Kingdom of Croster must be quite clever.

"Well, with everything that's happened, it seems there's nothing to worry about for now." 

"Good. I'm not a wanted man."

There was no other way but to take extreme measures to overturn the situation that had been so thoroughly set against us. Still, teaching the enemy how to launch a surprise attack and then assassinating the Minister of Interior during the chaos—it's honestly incomprehensible. If everything I'd done were exposed, it would surely lead to a death sentence.

"Still... was it really the right thing to do?" 

"What do you mean?" 

"Killing Minister Frodil." 

"It wasn't the right thing to do."

I understand what Ivy is trying to say. Frodil was a man of immense influence in this country, trusted by the people more than even the royal family, and unmatched in both political and military power. If he had truly been a villain, that would be one thing, but all he sought was a way to resist humanity's demise and to make the Kuria Kingdom the strongest nation in the world. Whether that's evil or not... in the long run, he probably saved more lives than he would have caused to be lost.

Even so, I pursued my own ego and took his life. In the first place, I can't view people as mere numbers like he could. Whether ten or a hundred die, each one has a family, people who will grieve their loss. As a ruler, you're supposed to see things by the numbers, but... that's where we differed. I'm just an ordinary citizen, after all.

"By the way... how did you manage to defeat Minister Frodil? Even the commander of the 1st Division couldn't stand up to him..." 

"Ah... well, that doesn’t really matter, does it?"

The only ones who know that he could reverse time are me and Jeremiah. There's nothing more to say about it. I'm not trying to protect Frodeil's honor or anything... it just feels inappropriate to discuss it.

The bigger reason is that if I talk too much, it will inevitably lead to the discovery of my original Grimoire, [Demiurge], that I possess. Right now, [Demiurge] rests as a bracelet on my right hand, unlike the counterfeit [Yaldabaoth], which I'm not planning to reveal to anyone. It's my true trump card.

The counterfeit [Yaldabaoth] is a Grimoire that manifested from my soul, that of Theodore Anthem. However, the original [Demiurge] manifested from the soul of my past life... a soul whose name I can't even remember.

Grimoires usually appear as one per person, representing the essence of that individual... but I am a fusion of the souls of Theodore Anthem and that other one. Hence, this abnormal situation where I have two Grimoires.

When my father told me about Grimoires, the two souls immediately came to mind. At the same time, I realized that by exploiting the belief that there can only be one Grimoire, I could turn it into a weapon to ensure the enemy's defeat.

The one thing I still wonder about... if the souls are mixed together, the grimoire should merge into one, but I have two. It’s almost as if... Theodore Anthem is still alive, isn't it? But I’ve never felt his presence since I was born. I don’t really understand... but if he does exist, I’ll have to return this body to him.

After all, if Theodore Anthem is still alive, then I’m just a dead man.

"Theodore? What are you spacing out about?" 

"...How long have you been there, Princess Elissa?"

"What do you mean, how long... I’ve been talking with Ivy this whole time."

It seemed that while I was lost in thought, Princess Elissa had arrived. Despite claiming she couldn't show herself in public for a while due to being targeted, she's already back at school.

In the first place, the Chronos Magic Knight Academy is currently in a state of suspension. After all, with such an incident happening within the academy, classes have been halted. Parts of the school buildings are damaged from stray magical attacks, so it's not going to reopen easily.

"Well then... I think I'll hole up in the ancient book library." 

"Again?" 

"Is that a problem? There’s a lot I need to research."

Things like the end times, Grimoires... souls. There's no end to what I want to investigate... I took his life and stopped his progress, so I need to move forward, at least that much.

"...Is something bothering you?" 

"Compared to before the Founding Festival, you seem pretty down. It’s probably about Minister of Interior Frodil."

"I’m worried."

I can hear you, you know... There's nothing for Princess Elissa to worry about, but I suppose I should at least put on a façade of having recovered.

Even though it's a pain.