The Emperor and Roa (5): A Night in Fredelia (1)

I told Tsetsie and Lulria about Reiz-sama.

Though deeply shaken, Tsetsie said solemnly, “I’m honored that you trust us enough to share such classified information concerning Rudek’s very survival.” Lulria, on the other hand, merely said, “Huh.”

When I asked Lulria why her reaction was unexpectedly mild, she replied, “Reiz-sama’s passing is sad, and I offer my heartfelt condolences. But when it comes to Reiz-sama, I can’t feel that Rudek is facing a crisis threatening its very survival the way you and Tsetsie do. Even without Reiz-sama, you’re all still here. To me, Rudek still looks strong. Reiz-sama wasn’t the only one supporting Rudek. Roa, Lapilia, Wickhart—you all supported it, too.”

Honestly, I was a little surprised.

To Lulria, who came from the southern continent, was that how Reiz-sama’s death and Rudek’s current situation appeared?

Not only the people of Rudek, but even Tsetsie felt that Reiz-sama’s death marked the end of an era and saw it as a crisis threatening Rudek’s very existence.

But perhaps we had been shackled by the person Reiz Stein.

Of course, hearing Lulria’s words didn’t change how great Reiz-sama was in the slightest. Even so, I realized I couldn’t deny that, somewhere along the way, I too had underestimated a Rudek without Reiz-sama.

It wasn’t that, with Reiz-sama gone, I had to handle everything myself. We all had to do it together. It was obvious, but I’d gotten so worked up that I’d somehow forgotten.

Lulria’s words had led me to that realization...