Sigrid Chapter 97

[ … words ]

Sigrid made a mental note that it’s difficult to make rational judgments when you have a fever.

“What are you doing here?”

Sigrid whirled around at the familiar voice. The silhouette of the hooded man and his gait were familiar.

“Adolf……”

As Sigrid softly called his name, Adolf clicked his tongue.

“You should add ‘Sir’.”

“Sir Adolf.”

Sigrid obediently bowed her head and replied without resistance. Adolf narrowed his eyes, looking at her as he asked.

“I asked what you’re doing here.”

“I thought I saw a suspicious person and was following them.”

“A suspicious person?”

“Yes. I saw someone dressed in clothes I hadn’t seen around here before—”

“That’s not for you to worry about.”

“But—”

The next moment, Sigrid felt as if she’d been kicked by something and flew into the wall.

“Ugh—”

She tried to inhale, but her body didn’t fall to the floor. The pressure pushing her against the wall persisted. As Adolf raised his hand, Sigrid dropped to the floor with a thud.

“Don’t concern yourself with it.”

“Yes.”

Sigrid answered, panting. Adolf disappeared from the spot, and Sigrid sat up with a groan.

‘A magical attack?’

Because her body was protected by Aura, the impact wasn’t too severe, but it had certainly startled her. Moreover, when her body had been suspended in the air…….

‘I felt magical power. If that’s the case, I should be able to interfere with it using Aura.’

Sigrid tilted her head, lost in thought for a moment before getting up and dusting herself off. She felt she might get the hang of it after facing it three or four more times.

‘Come to think of it, I haven’t seen Arkana at all lately.’

Sigrid suddenly felt worried that something might have happened. She didn’t mind her own infiltration, but she was concerned about Arkana’s.

‘But judging from that reaction, there’s definitely something around here.’

Feeling more certain, Sigrid withdrew from the spot without hesitation.

“Where have you been?”

Morris asked as she returned to the Imperial Guard room. Sigrid brushed it off with a “Just out for a bit.” Morris frowned, then lightly dusted off her back as he said.

“So, who pushed you?”

“Huh? No, I was just leaning against something and it must have rubbed off on me.”

Morris was about to say that when people lean against walls, only the upper part of their back touches it, so dust wouldn’t be all over her back like this, but he held his tongue.

If Sigrid had decided not to tell him, she wouldn’t. But that didn’t mean he was going to just stand by and watch.

He planned to secretly follow her next time.

‘Siri doesn’t hesitate to rush into dangerous places.’

It was worrying.

Some might laugh at him for worrying about a woman stronger than himself, but worry was worry. What was she doing, wandering around alone?

‘Maybe I’ll follow her next time.’

That seemed better than letting something happen without knowing.

“Be careful out there.”

Sigrid nodded obediently at Morris’s quiet words. Alkerto opened the door to the Imperial Guard room and entered, saying.

“Siri’s not going on guard duty today?”

“Huh? Oh, right.”

Since she had only recently recovered, she was prohibited from guard duty for a while due to the possibility of spreading illness. Alkerto chuckled and said.

“The Prince will be disappointed.”

“Tell him I’ll visit soon.”

“Alright.”

Alkerto nodded and beckoned Morris to come out. Morris took Sigrid’s hand once before letting go.

“You’ve just recovered, so take it easy today.”

Sigrid nodded again at his words. As Morris and Alkerto left the Imperial Guard room, Sigrid let out a soft sigh.

‘Should I practice swordsmanship? No, would I get scolded for overexerting myself?’

Sigrid fidgeted, unsure of what to do during her rest time.

‘Maybe I should borrow some books from Lowengrin?’

As she pondered, Alita Ruben, the Captain of the Imperial Guard, opened the door and asked.

“Are all the squad leaders here?”

At those words, several squad leaders stood up. Including Sigrid, there were about five of them. It wasn’t everyone, but it was about two-thirds of the total. Alita said.

“His Majesty is calling for you. This way.”

At those words, the squad leaders lined up in an orderly fashion and followed Alita. They headed not to the usual audience chamber, but to a more private space.

The spacious room in the inner part of the imperial palace was filled with a comfortable atmosphere. Expensive skylights let in sparkling sunlight.

There, they could see a table prepared with refreshments.

“Ah— Welcome, all of you.”

At the benevolent voice, the knights knelt in unison.

“We are honored to be in Your Majesty’s presence.”

Alita led the greeting, and the rest bowed their heads and spoke.

“We are honored to be in Your Majesty’s presence.”

“Now, now, don’t be so formal. Rise. Let me see the faces of my Achtschwietz. I want to see up close those who will become my excellent swords.”

At those words, the squad leaders raised their heads. Emperor Yuri, wearing his usual benevolent smile, said.

“Everyone, take a seat. To commend your hard work, I’ve prepared a modest feast.”

“Not at all. It is our joy to serve Your Majesty.”

Alita answered in a low voice. Emperor Yuri smiled at those words and ordered, “Sit down.” Although not all the squad leaders were present, most of the seats were filled. Everyone sat down, and finally, Emperor Yuri took the seat at the head of the table.

The Emperor clapped his hands twice, and servants brought in champagne.

“I know that Achtschwietz has been unstable lately. You must be going through a lot. But the House of Nobles will soon yield as well. Come, to the prosperity of the Empire—!”

“To the prosperity of the Empire—!”

Everyone raised their champagne glasses, toasted, and emptied them. Then the servants brought tea. The Emperor addressed each squad leader by name in a friendly manner, engaging them in conversation, and everyone’s faces flushed with honor. The order finally came around to Sigrid.

“How have you been lately, Lady Ankertna?”

“I’ve been well, thanks to Your Majesty.”

“That’s good to hear. I have high expectations for you.”

“Your words are too kind, I’m deeply honored.”

“Ah— And stop guarding Awen now. Soon, I’ll have a big task for all of you.”

“A big task, you say?”

As Sigrid looked up at him, the Emperor smiled meaningfully.

“Yes. There’s something I want to entrust specifically to you all.”

“Whatever it may be, Your Majesty’s business is our business.”

Sigrid bowed her head as she answered. Alita quickly added.

“We will work with joy on any task.”

“Achtschwietz. As it’s the revival of the Empire’s glory, I too have high hopes.”

The Emperor nodded.

Sigrid looked down at her teacup, lost in thought.

‘Is it safe to drink this?’

She had no choice but to empty the champagne, but she didn’t really want to drink the tea. Sigrid performed the trick of pretending to sip without actually reducing the amount of tea.

The Emperor also joined the meal. Even though it was just refreshments, it was a great honor, and the excitement didn’t subside even after the Emperor left midway through. Amidst all this, only Sigrid remained cool-headed.

‘A big task? What kind of task does he want to assign? Is it about the slums after all……. If so, that means the preparations are complete.’

Sigrid bit her lip, feeling anxious.

She hoped they weren’t too late. Sigrid stood up. Slipping out of the room, she let out a sigh.

‘I need to meet Arkana and Beramund…….’

As she wondered how to arrange a meeting, Sigrid realized that evening that she didn’t need to worry.

Beramund had sent Karon, the doctor, to her once more.

Sigrid contacted Beramund through him, and Beramund contacted Arkana through Seria, who worked at the Lunatil mansion.

Thus, at 2 AM, the quietest hour, the three of them met at Sigrid’s house.

In the room with all curtains drawn, only a small candle flickered.

‘I wonder how they’ll come?’

The next moment, Arkana appeared, holding onto Beramund. Sigrid flinched involuntarily. Beramund sighed and said.

“This is so convenient, it would be trouble if I got used to it.”

“You won’t be using it often enough to get used to it. Hello, Siri.”

As Arkana greeted her warmly, Sigrid smiled and took his hand.

“Have you been well? How’s the infiltration? Are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

Arkana nodded. Beramund looked back and forth between them and asked.

“Are you feeling better now?”

“Yes, I’m in perfect health.”

Sigrid nodded. Arkana gently brushed her cheek and jawline with the back of his hand and asked.

“Were you sick?”

“A little.”

At those words, Arkana looked at Beramund, who shrugged. Arkana turned his gaze back to Sigrid.

“You must have overdone it again. You should take better care of yourself.”

“Okay……”

Sigrid nodded slightly. Then she asked with an anxious expression.

“But is it alright for us to gather like this? Won’t the magicians spy on us or something?”

“Hm? No, it’s fine here. I’ve put protection spells on this house since I first returned. That’s why I deliberately chose this place for today.”

“Is that so?”

“That’s right.”

Arkana smiled. Beramund subtly stepped between them and said.

“So, Siri, what’s going on?”

“Ah, well. I met with Her Majesty the Empress.”

“With the Empress?”

Beramund asked in surprise, and Sigrid nodded. Beramund slightly squinted one eye, muttering ‘Where’s the connection…….’ before making an ‘Ah’ sound.

“About the Third Prince’s issue?”

“Yes, something like that……”

Unable to discuss the Empress’s personal matters, Sigrid gave a vague answer.

“She asked if I could guarantee the Third Prince’s safety, and I said I would protect him with my life. According to Her Majesty, His Majesty has been busy lately, calling in magicians to create something.”

At those words, both men’s eyes narrowed. Beramund crossed his arms and stood at an angle, while Arkana brought his hands together in front of him, touching his fingertips. Both gestures said ‘Go on,’ so Sigrid continued.

“Her Majesty was certain that once it’s completed, even Prince Awen’s safety couldn’t be guaranteed. That’s why she told me. And she also revealed the location of a secret room in the palace where magicians have been coming and going.”

“—!”

Arkana and Beramund flinched. Sigrid looked at both of them in turn and said.

“Does this ring any bells for you?”

Arkana looked at Beramund.

“Seems you haven’t told Siri.”

“That’s right.”

“That’s what you call inadequate protection.”

“I’ll reflect on that.”

Arkana tilted his head at Beramund’s compliant response, then smiled.

Indeed, the person Sigrid chose was different.

Sigrid asked emphatically, “What do you mean?” and Arkana began to explain.

“The magic the magicians are preparing for His Majesty isn’t immortality magic. It’s magic to extend lifespan. To extend lifespan, you need the lives of countless people.”

“Yes, we thought it would be the people from the slums, right?”

Arkana nodded at Sigrid’s words.

“Initially, they’ll activate the magic by killing people in the slums. But you also need a place to receive the extracted power, right? There’s a linked magic circle. The key question was where that magic circle might be. But hearing what you said, Siri, it seems that circle is in that location.”

“Then do we just need to destroy it?”

Sigrid asked quickly, but Beramund shook his head.

“No, we can’t destroy it. We need to expose it to the public to depose His Majesty.”

Depose.

It was a heavy word, tantamount to treason. Sigrid was surprised at herself for listening to this word so casually.

She thought anew that people really can change.

Arkana tilted his head at those words, then continued.

“In that case, it would be good to verify it. And this is something I found out recently, but the magicians are planning to brainwash His Majesty through that magic circle. To make him their puppet who only listens to them.”

“Ah.”

Sigrid made a small sound at those words. When Arkana asked “What?”, Sigrid replied with a strange expression.

“According to Her Majesty, His Majesty seems to have a similar plan. It seems he intends to kill most of the magicians once it’s over, and keep one or two alive by poisoning them.”

Arkana smiled at those words, and Beramund raised one corner of his mouth.

“Both sides are thinking alike.”

“Villains are quite cliché, aren’t they?”

Then Arkana lightly gripped Sigrid’s shoulder and said.

“And one more thing. To activate the magic circle, considerable magical power is needed. They’re planning to supplement that with Aura Cores.”

“—!”

Sigrid’s shoulders trembled. Beramund reached out and took her hand. Feeling the familiar warmth, the tension left Sigrid’s shoulders. Noticing this, Arkana swallowed a bitter smile and lowered his hand.

Beramund was puzzled by Arkana’s words.

“But subduing or defeating a Master isn’t an easy task. How do they plan to do it?”

Remembering what had happened earlier that day, Sigrid said.

“Maybe by poisoning them? His Majesty held a tea party today. Everyone ate and drank.”

“You too—?!”

Beramund asked in alarm, and Sigrid shook her head, then nodded.

“Well, I did drink the champagne that was served first, but I didn’t drink the tea that came after.”

“If they use poison, they won’t kill. Didn’t you say the Aura Core can’t be extracted after death?”

Beramund nodded at Arkana’s words. If the Core existed after death, the families that produced Masters would probably cherish those Cores.

But when a Master dies, the Core returns to nature like smoke.

‘To extract it while they’re alive.’

It made him feel sick. Beramund glanced at the back of his right hand. Certainly, having his hand suddenly chopped off wouldn’t be pleasant. And Sigrid’s Core…….

Beramund spoke in a low voice.