Chapter 83
──Dolgaria Empire, Conference Room──
This was the Imperial capital of the Dolgaria Empire.
The Crown Prince Dias, the chancellor, and the grand general had gathered in the palace conference room.
It was a regular meeting held by those with the authority to decide national policy.
"The next agenda item is Princess Liana's tour of her territory."
The chancellor said,
"Former Minister of Military Affairs Zagran has submitted his tour plan. There are no problems with it. However, Princess Liana wishes to meet her elder sister during the tour."
"We should not allow it."
"Yes. The princess is unstable after losing her tutor. If she meets her elder sister, she will find it difficult to part from her."
"As the wielder of the Sacred Sword, Princess Liana must become stronger."
The grand general and the chancellor exchanged words in turn.
Crown Prince Dias listened to them with satisfaction.
Even after Zagran's departure and Sofia's disappearance from the Imperial capital, the Empire continued to function without any problems.
The country would grow stronger in accordance with their policies.
As Crown Prince Dias was thinking this──
"Excuse me. May I join the meeting as well?"
A deep voice echoed through the conference room.
The grand general and the chancellor both gave a startled jerk.
The grand general was an excellent warrior, while the chancellor was a powerful mage.
Yet both of them instinctively stood and backed away.
The man standing at the entrance radiated a truly overwhelming presence.
"The former Sword Saint... Karon Riistan-sama..."
"It has been some time. I stopped by while traveling to hunt demon beasts."
The man replied to the chancellor's trembling voice.
A tall man stood at the entrance.
He was not especially muscular. In fact, it would be fair to call him slender.
He was in his mid-forties, yet his skill with the sword was said to rank among the Empire's five finest.
If not for the injury to his left arm, he would likely have held the title of the strongest without question.
The man called Karon had once gone alone to hunt demon beasts and suffered a serious injury. Because he had been far from any town, it had taken too long to use healing magic. Even now, only the movements of his left arm were awkward. That was why he had stepped down from the rank of Sword Saint.
Perhaps because of his age, half his hair had turned white. The scar around his left eye had come from a battle with a demon beast. The former Sword Saint had never removed the scar, so he would not forget the formidable opponent who had inflicted it.
It was a famous story still passed down throughout the Imperial capital.
A living legend, Karon Riistan.
He was the former Sword Saint and the lord of the grand duchy east of the Empire.
"Well, well, Grand Duke-dono. It has been some time."
Crown Prince Dias remained seated as he looked at the Grand Duke.
"I am pleased to see you. However, is it not rude to come to a meeting without even notifying anyone?"
"I have obtained His Majesty the Emperor's approval, Your Highness."
"His Majesty's?"
"When I went to pay my respects, His Majesty asked me to advise him about the incident at the border. As a result, I decided to join this meeting."
Grand Duke Karon twisted his lips into a smile.
At those words, Dias let out a small sigh.
The Grand Duke's family was a branch of the imperial family.
The current Emperor regarded Karon as a dependable younger brother.
That was probably why he had allowed him to attend the meeting.
"So you are aware of the circumstances, Grand Duke-dono?"
Crown Prince Dias asked.
Grand Duke Karon slowly nodded and said,
"A new species of demon beast appeared in the northern border region, did it not? Zagran, the Minister of Military Affairs, failed to deal with it. I hear you are at a loss over how to respond from here on."
"We are not at a loss."
"You have decided on a response?"
"The next Minister of Military Affairs will deal with the new species of demon beast. We also intend to decide on that appointment during this meeting."
"I see. So the person in charge has not been chosen yet."
Grand Duke Karon thumped his chest with his unhindered right arm.
"Then why do we not go and investigate? We are already traveling to hunt demon beasts. One detour will cause no trouble. If our opponent is a new species of demon beast, it will be a perfect chance to test our skills."
"There is no need to trouble the Grand Duke over it."
After a while, Crown Prince Dias said,
"Besides, the new species of demon beast has already been defeated. You would be making a wasted trip."
"What a shame."
"We should have informed you as well."
"There is no need to worry. Even while traveling, my subordinates keep me informed of the rumors."
"Rumors?"
"Indeed. I heard that someone of His Majesty's bloodline is using the Empire's secret art, 'Summoning Magic,' to conduct... a pointless experiment."
Silence fell over the conference room.
After glancing at the grand general and the chancellor as they exchanged looks, Grand Duke Karon continued.
"The demon beast that appeared in the border region was a new species. There is no other demon beast like it. Therefore, I believe we should assume that it was summoned from somewhere."
Grand Duke Karon said,
"I do not know whether it came from some remote region or another world. But if a demon beast that did not exist in this land was summoned, then surely the Empire's Summoning Magic was used, was it not?"
"We considered that possibility. But it is impossible."
Crown Prince Dias rose from his chair.
He faced Grand Duke Karon in the center of the conference room.
"We investigated the magic soldiers. Among those who knew about Summoning Magic, none had performed a summoning ritual at the border. We have confirmed the whereabouts of every one of them."
"What if the culprit was someone gathered solely to perform Summoning Magic?"
"Someone gathered solely to perform Summoning Magic?"
"I heard something like that in my grand duchy."
Grand Duke Karon addressed Crown Prince Dias in a polite tone.
"Wandering mages occasionally come to my grand duchy. One of them said this: 'I heard that someone is looking for people to participate in a magic experiment. Apparently, it requires courage like that of a hero.'"
"Are you saying that one of my brothers or sisters formed a magic experiment unit, Grand Duke-dono?"
"Or perhaps someone who knew Summoning Magic did so."
"...This is an unexpected story, and I am somewhat confused."
Crown Prince Dias bowed slightly toward Grand Duke Karon.
"So someone acted without my knowledge? As expected of you, Grand Duke-sama. I appreciate you pointing this out."
"Your quick understanding is a great help, Your Highness."
Grand Duke Karon stared intently at Crown Prince Dias.
When he saw that Dias's expression had not changed, he gave a faint smile.
"I apologize for bringing such strange rumors to your ears. It is not as though Your Highness could possibly be involved in something as trivial as summoning a new species of demon beast."
"You call it trivial?"
"What they are doing is merely repeating a success from the past."
"...You say interesting things."
"Do I?"
"Is it not possible that the person who summoned the new species of demon beast was trying to develop a new form of magic?"
"That is where our opinions differ, Your Highness. I believe they merely failed while attempting to summon a hero. Even if they summoned a new species of demon beast and tried to make it serve them, it would still be a repetition of the past. They were attempting to summon a powerful being and make its strength their own."
Grand Duke Karon scratched his white hair with one finger as he looked around the conference room.
Then, looking bored, he shrugged, and said,
"──Honestly. What has the Empire learned from the heroes?"
"What do you mean, Grand Duke-dono?"
"The heroes summoned in the past devoted all their strength to uncovering this world's 'mysteries.' How should they hone their Skills? Where should they train? Were there any unknown dungeons? Even if a Skill seemed useless, could it be put to some use...? They racked their brains and fought with their eyes shining as they explored the events of this world."
"I know the legends of the heroes."
"And yet the Empire born from their efforts no longer challenges unknown mysteries. Even on the southern front, it merely repeats methods that were effective in the past. Good heavens, the passage of time is frightening."
"That is what it means for a nation to mature, Grand Duke-dono."
"...I wonder what a hero from another world would think if they saw the Empire as it is now."
"I understand your dissatisfaction, Grand Duke-dono."
Crown Prince Dias looked away from Grand Duke Karon and murmured,
"I would like to discuss this with you at length someday. In any case, may I leave the investigation of the new species of demon beast to you?"
"Of course, Your Highness. If possible, I would like Princess Liana to accompany me on the investigation."
Grand Duke Karon declared.
"Princess Liana, the wielder of the Sacred Sword, has talent. If someone in the imperial family possesses talent with the sword, I would like to train that person to become the next Sword Saint."
"You said the same thing ten years ago, Grand Duke-dono."
"If the line of Sword Saints ends in my generation, I would be unable to face my predecessor."
"What of the Sword Saint before last's son, Duke Balga Rigas──no, Count Rigas?"
"He was no good. He was interested only in himself. If thoughts of fame and gold coins flashed through his mind every time he swung a sword, he could never master the martial arts. I gave up on him after one year."
"...As expected of the Grand Duke. You certainly possess foresight."
"However, Princess Liana has talent. Honestly, I cannot understand why she was entrusted to someone like Zagran."
"...You should be more careful with your words."
Crown Prince Dias narrowed his eyes as he said this.
He touched the short sword at his waist──the symbol that he was the Emperor's representative──and stared at Grand Duke Karon.
"Though you have been treated like His Majesty's younger brother since childhood, Grand Duke-dono, you are still a subject. Do not forget that."
"I know, Your Highness. I am His Majesty's loyal subject."
"Then, in the name of His Majesty the Emperor, I order you."
Dias stared at the Grand Duke and declared,
"Grand Duke Karon Riistan, you will set out with Princess Liana to investigate the border region. If a new species of demon beast appears, defeat it and bring back its materials."
"...What?"
"Naturally, if you find anyone using suspicious Summoning Magic, you may punish them at your discretion. That will also make it clear that they are not my subordinates."
"Are you truly certain about this, Crown Prince Dias?"
Grand Duke Karon gave him a probing look.
He was convinced that the person who had summoned the new species of demon beast was one of Crown Prince Dias's subordinates.
Dias's casual permission for the investigation seemed to have caught him off guard.
"I am sorry, but I cannot understand Your Highness's intentions."
"I am always thinking about the future of the Empire."
"If we discover the person who summoned the demon beast, we will bring them back alive. We will make them confess who is behind it. Is that acceptable?"
"I leave it to you."
"Understood. Then I shall fulfill my mission."
"Responsibility for countermeasures against demon beasts in the border region has been entrusted to me, Dias Dolgaria. Consider this investigation an order from His Majesty the Emperor."
Upon hearing those words, Grand Duke Karon dropped to one knee.
Crown Prince Dias took hold of the short sword that marked him as the Emperor's representative.
He drew the sword from its scabbard bearing the Imperial crest, then slid it back with a sharp click.
"In the name of His Majesty the Emperor, I issue an order to Grand Duke Karon."
"In the name of the great Emperor, I accept your order."
Still kneeling, Grand Duke Karon bowed his head.
Then he rose and turned on his heel.
Without even looking at the chancellor or the grand general, he left the conference room.
"Send a messenger."
Crown Prince Dias said this to the chancellor.
The chancellor opened the conference-room door and gave an order to the attendant waiting outside.
Several minutes later, a messenger directly under Dias arrived.
"Send a messenger. To Princess Liana."
Crown Prince Dias said,
"Hurry and summon her here. Tell her it is an urgent matter. Get to Liana before the Grand Duke does."
"Understood."
"Tell Liana this: 'It concerns her twin elder sister, Sofia.' She will prioritize this as well."
Dias said this in a completely composed tone.
In fact, it was the chancellor and the grand general who were flustered.
They did not know whether Grand Duke Karon's words were true.
If they were true, they could not understand what the Crown Prince was thinking.
If the Grand Duke captured the caster, everything would become clear. Why, then, was the Crown Prince so calm?
──Crown Prince Dias...
──What the Grand Duke-sama said just now...?
The grand general and the chancellor muttered in turn.
But Crown Prince Dias wore a gentle smile and said,
"It seems Grand Duke-dono will resolve the matter troubling us. We should be grateful."
──He said this as though nothing had happened.
"If the new species of demon beast really was summoned, we cannot simply leave it alone. Karon Riistan-dono, the former Sword Saint, will undoubtedly capture the culprit."
──But, Your Highness...
──What will you do after capturing the culprit, Your Highness?
"After we learn everything about the incident, we will decide what to do with them. For now, we should leave it to the Grand Duke. We will deal with the rest when the time comes."
Then Crown Prince Dias ended the discussion.
The grand general and the chancellor returned to their seats and began discussing the southern front.
──The small country in the south was proving unexpectedly difficult.
──A prolonged war would place a heavy burden on the national treasury.
──They needed a trump card like the former Sword Saint.
──Once the problem in the border region was resolved, they should request support from the grand duchy as well.
As he listened to this discussion, Dias──
(You seek 'mysteries,' Grand Duke-dono. Are you still chasing something so childish?)
──murmured this toward the former Sword Saint, who had been there until a short while ago.
(We cannot do what the heroes did. Their world was far more advanced than ours. Even if we reach out in pursuit of the technology of the Hero World... we will only grasp empty air.)
(If... if there were someone capable of wielding the technology of the Hero World...)
(They would probably act without hesitation to seize the world. Fortunately, no such person exists. That is why the Empire can keep its trump-card power──)
During the never-ending meeting, Crown Prince Dias continued thinking about such things.