After the chaotic days passed and he was left alone, Samuel finally found the luxury to reflect on himself.
The god he had believed in all his life, and the very roots of that doctrine had been shaken—not nearly enough, for he had even harbored impure emotions that as a clergyman he should never have entertained.
He had already submitted his report regarding the historical documents discovered beneath Fevrin Monastery to the High Priest. They would likely be collected entirely and undergo comprehensive research.
Once those documents were studied, there would likely be various discussions regarding the existing doctrine as well....
Well, whether the forgotten goddess would be resurrected at this point... Samuel could not say with certainty.
'But if it is discussed, perhaps her achievements this time might remain in history.'
Samuel hoped that the deeds performed by the 'Captain' in the memories he had recovered would receive proper praise.
Was this feeling truly nothing more than what Annelie had called 'remnants of a bygone past'?
「I think it wasn't me, but her that I worshipped—no, desperately desired.」
He had no objection to Annelie's words that he would have worshipped the proxy of the past. But this desire he felt now.
This kind of fervor could not be a remnant of the past.
It was too intense to be called a remnant of the past, and it was swelling larger and larger within him.
"Hah...."
He tightened his clenched fist and squeezed his eyes shut, trying to suppress the heat rising within him.
'I wish I had never realized it at all.'
Realization was like wind, spreading the flames rising from within in all directions. It seemed it would not fade until there was nothing left to burn.
'To think such worldly and wretched emotions exist.'
Perhaps from the very moment he first saw her, the moment he met the eyes of that woman who had found him so bothersome, a tiny spark had ignited.
While following her around under the excuse of being a resurrected one, he might have nurtured a spark he never knew existed.
Without knowing it was a demonic flame that would burn his insides pitch black, just like that.
* * *
"Why is Annelie here?"
From the morning, older sister Freesian, who had burst into Father's office, discovered me and stiffened her expression palely.
I glanced at her briefly, then turned my eyes indifferently to the documents.
"Father!"
"Freesian, you came in without knocking."
"What is Annelie looking at right now?"
"It's not something you need to concern yourself with."
It wasn't difficult to grasp the situation.
She must have noticed that she had been pushed aside, while Father had not yet made an official announcement about it.
No matter what, announcing that the position of Young Duke, which had been held for a long time, was changing would not be easy to declare hastily. Especially in a situation where I had been secretly extracted from the Imperial Palace.
Most likely, Father intended to reveal my existence to the outside world only after Heinrich had thoroughly persuaded the Emperor.
"As Father said, it's nothing significant."
But that was for external announcements.
'Wouldn't it be fine to move that announcement forward within the household?'
Especially to the person involved.
"It's about the trousseau and dowry to be sent to the Imperial Palace. Since I have deep experience with life in the palace, I thought I could help a little."
At my words, Freesian's complexion brightened slightly. Trousseau and dowry to send to the Imperial Palace—she must have understood them as mine.
Oh dear, how pitiful.
"As the eldest daughter of Roam, it should at least be respectable enough not to bring shame."
"......What?"
Freesian's complexion changed in an instant. Father clicked his tongue shortly and scolded me in a low voice.
"Annelie, your tongue has become loose."
"Ah, I thought the discussion with the person involved was finished. Was it not?"
I asked back with feigned innocence and smiled with my eyes at Freesian.
"I'm sorry. If you had found out after the imperial decree came down, you would have been more moved. I was too hasty."
Freesian, who had been glaring at me with trembling eyes, turned to Father.
"What on earth does this mean? Marriage all of a sudden? And with the Imperial Family?"
"Haa...."
At Father's voice filled with exhaustion, I gently set down the documents I was holding on the desk.
"It doesn't seem like the appropriate atmosphere to discuss this matter. Father, it seems you have matters to settle first, so I'll excuse myself."
I boldly bid farewell to Father and headed for the door, passing by Freesian.
Just before exiting, my eyes briefly caught the family portrait hanging on one side of the office, but that was all.
'Not even funny.'
That family portrait, which would soon be torn to shreds, was a painting worth less than plain wallpaper.
* * *
To cause trouble first thing in the morning upon arriving at the Roam mansion—how refreshing this was!
I listened to the loud voices coming from Father's office and struggled to swallow my laughter.
It was merely regrettable that I couldn't fling the door wide open and widely broadcast their quarrel to everyone.
Since my mood had improved, I should go see the Durahans.
"Younger sister!"
My good mood plunged instantly into the ground.
As if asking when it had ever been good, I, who had turned cold and rigid, frowned as I looked at the person running toward me.
In the Imperial Palace, at least I could drive her out, but living in the same mansion here, it was just regrettable that I couldn't do that.
"Younger sister, let's talk."
I had definitely heard rumors that the disinheritance procedures were being re-examined, so why was she still holding up this完好ly?
"Sister."
Lilia pulled up her trembling lips and forced a smile. I had thought she would shudder and tell me to disappear the moment she saw me.
It seemed she had changed her strategy.
'Well, after being so humiliated at the Imperial Palace banquet, it must have been hard to keep using the same tactics.'
"Please make time for me. I want to clear up the misunderstanding."
Lilia poured out a fragile voice and clung to me.
I could see passing servants glancing this way, but Lilia paid no attention at all.
It wasn't so much that she intended to show this appearance deliberately, but rather it seemed more accurate to say she was cornered enough not to care about their gazes.
"Please, sister...."
I narrowed my eyes at Lilia, then slowly nodded.
"Fine."
Then, shall we see just how hard she has been turning her wheels?
* * *
The servants had prepared refreshments, but Lilia didn't touch them.
Instead, she was fidgeting with her dress hem with an anxious expression. Lilia, who had opened and closed her lips several times, finally opened her mouth when I had emptied about half my cup.
"I found out about the rumors about me."
"Ah, only now?"
"If you hadn't told me, I never would have imagined. That such...... terrible rumors were circulating."
Terrible rumors. Was the talk of merely playing with a few men so terrible?
'My direct subordinate knight testified that I changed men every night.'
And probably the one who instigated that was Lilia before my eyes.
To hide the cynicism rising within me, I brought the teacup to my lips. I could feel the moderately warm tea moistening my lips.
"I know you hate me. But since you warned me for my sake this time, I thought perhaps you might...... pity me a little."
It seemed Lilia had taken my warning as being for her benefit.
For me, who had intended to get under her skin, this was a very regrettable outcome.
'True, at this point, such self-centered thinking is also a talent of sorts.'
As I sipped my tea while offering calm commentary internally, Lilia resolutely clasped her hands together.
"I'll be honest. I have nowhere left to retreat. Please help me not lose my family. You can do that, can't you? Hmm?"
"Why should I?"
"I know you're aiming for the eldest sister's position. I'll help you. Whatever you tell me to do, I can do it!"
'That's a dangerous statement.'
Saying she'll do whatever I tell her. Seeing her make promises she can't even keep like that, she hasn't fully come to her senses yet.
Lilia, unaware of what I was thinking, continued in a serious voice.
"I mean it, please believe me."
Seeing Lilia pleading with a face that looked ready to burst into tears at any moment, I sighed and set down my teacup.
"The only use I acknowledged from you, your only value, was your prophetic ability."
Strictly speaking, it wasn't prophecy but a journey walking exactly the future the gods had determined.
"But you can't do that anymore, can you?"
It was the very moment I was about to withdraw my gaze from her, mumbling indifferently.
"I-it's true!"
Lilia opened her mouth urgently.
"My prophetic ability has returned."
Those words were enough to capture my attention.
And they were also good for making my loosely relaxed nerves stand sharply on edge.
"I haven't told Father or Mother yet. But it's really true. It's a slightly different form than before, but...... it's certain."
Lilia bowed her head. I could see Lilia's clasped hands trembling visibly.
I didn't know if she was trembling because she was lying right now, or because she was trembling from revealing a huge secret.
But distinguishing the truth of those words wasn't difficult.
"Prove it."
At my cold words, Lilia instantly lifted her bowed head.
"It's simple, isn't it? If your ability has returned, then prove it."
If those words were true, simply expelling her from the family or blocking her entry to the Imperial Palace wouldn't be enough.
"If I prove it, will you help me?"
"......If I become convinced that you need to be in this family."
If the trouble of including you in this family that I intend to destroy was necessary.
Then I could perfectly protect her disinheritance.
"Alright."
Lilia's eyes lit up. In those pupils, faint madness could even be glimpsed.
"Her Majesty the Empress will collapse five days from now."
"......Depending on interpretation, that sounds like a very dangerous statement."
"I don't plan to take even one step outside this mansion after today. To prove that I didn't fabricate the prophecy."
I narrowed my eyes and openly displayed my disbelief. However, Lilia continued speaking without wavering.
"And the one identified as the culprit is a monster."
"A monster?"
"Yes. You would know well, since you're a resurrected one serving the divine will."
Anxiety crept up from deep within. Just as the word 'surely not' crossed my mind, Lilia spoke firmly.
"Durahan. Durahan will be identified."
The vague anxiety began to take shape as concrete fear. To keep from revealing my agitation outwardly, I instead forced a sneer.
"Why Durahan of all things? Because I captured Durahan in the Imperial Palace?"
"The Temple will make an official announcement soon."
Lilia's voice was more filled with certainty than ever before.
"That Durahan is a creature born to curse this world after being abandoned by the gods."
That was truly a terrible conviction.