Come to think of it, Sister Frizian was the same way. She said that after I died, Lilia suddenly couldn't see the future anymore. That something was strange.
As it turned out, she had been hiding quite a lot.
If that child was the Agent of Birth, she must have had a predetermined flow of life. Would my resurrection have been included in that flow?
‘If that were the case, she wouldn't have taken everything from me like that.’
Unless, like with Sister Frizian, she was currying my favor in advance.
The sudden halt to that child's prophecy was likely because of me. To be precise, it was probably because the Agent of Death appeared.
They say Birth and Death opposed each other in the beginning, so even now Death must have interfered with Birth's work and disrupted it.
‘If the one who resurrected me was the Goddess of Night, what about the oracle?’
The current temple accepted history closer to Birth's perspective as orthodoxy. So the oracle they received would have come from Birth as well. If that's the case.
When they said evil would run rampant and send a resurrected one upon you—was that trying to say ‘rampant evil sends a resurrected one upon you’? So they should fight against that resurrected one?
Goosebumps rose on my forearm. Whether true or not, if they interpreted and asserted it that way, it wasn't impossible.
“Ha……”
What if the oracle hadn't been ambiguous? I almost became the rampant evil the moment I resurrected.
I found myself reflecting on my past self for cursing the gods' ambiguous phrasing. I really shouldn't do that again.
“No, but. Come to think of it, ‘God's resurrected one’ isn't exactly wrong either.”
The corner of my right lip quirked upward.
That's because I'm the Agent of Death, aren't I? Even if I don't remember it and it doesn't feel real.
Anyway, the one who brought me back was Death, and Death is also the Goddess of Night, so calling me God's resurrected one isn't incorrect.
‘Standing in for a god is also true……’
It's just that the god is Death, not Birth—who would know the truth? The only one who might clash with me would be Lilia.
‘Does that child grasp this entire situation?’
Now the problem was this. How much does Lilia know?
I recalled Lilia whom I had met earlier at Maxel's palace.
If she had known the truth, she would have tried to block my path, but for now, no such signs were visible.
Of course, her feelings toward me seemed bad, but I mean she didn't appear to be acting with prior knowledge.
‘If she knew anything, she would have stopped the resurrection from the start.’
If she hadn't left my corpse so carelessly, I wouldn't have been able to resurrect.
To summarize, that child is an agent living according to the thread of fate that Birth ordained.
I don't know if she herself is aware of that, but what's certain is that Death wants to stop it.
Also, stopping that was the only way my Dullahans could find rest.
“Not satisfied with humans, even gods won't leave me alone.”
Once clear opposing lines were drawn, even if I wanted to avoid conflict, they would surely sink their teeth into me.
‘Though seeing them use an agent, it seems gods can't easily intervene directly.’
If we're going to clash anyway, it's better to take the upper hand early and settle it.
For instance, right now, when I'm receiving praise from the absolute advantage of being God's resurrected one. When everyone everywhere is anxious to win my favor.
“Not a bad timing at all.”
First, if I dismantle what Lilia has built so far, that would be disrupting the thread of fate, wouldn't it?
And then find the key somewhere in the imperial palace, and the incomplete authority…….
‘Completing the authority…… I'll think about that later. Let's think about how to handle the immediate present moment first.’
That's when it happened.
Knock knock.
“My Lady, we're here to help you dress before the banquet.”
Hearing the voices of the maids from beyond the door, I realized more time had passed than I thought.
Checking the table clock on the shelf above the fireplace, I raised my body that had been slouching.
“Come in.”
The fact that I ended up on this stage again was nauseating, but not particularly frightening.
The causes of past failure don't exist in me now, and the power that let her win also doesn't exist anymore.
This body studied to reign as Empress for a lifetime. I just had to put what I learned into practice.
And so I would win.
* * *
The banquet was tedious.
However, it wasn't without gain. That was because I heard unexpected information from Heinrich, who occupied a seat at the far end of the table.
He, who had struggled to find an opportunity to speak with me, whispered to me just before leaving the banquet hall after the meal ended.
「The necklace is beautiful.」
Anyone who didn't know would have thought it was a clumsy attempt to win my favor. But I knew what necklace he was referring to.
「It would shine even more brilliantly if it glowed.」
But this necklace is a magical tool, and this is inside the imperial palace?
Heinrich gave me a faint smile as I suppressed my bewilderment. The meaning was clear.
“A magical tool that goes undetected even when used……”
Thinking about it, I should have found it strange that Heinrich received my contact so casually when I reached out to him.
It meant that even though his magical tool was functioning, the imperial palace's mages didn't notice.
After returning to my bedroom, I fiddled with the necklace for a while before cautiously activating the magical tool.
Outside the door was quiet. The silence was so complete it made my worry seem ridiculous—that the Royal Guard might burst in at any moment claiming they detected magical reaction.
—Aneli?
Heinrich's voice came from the glowing gemstone.
—I'm glad you understood my words. I originally planned to visit tonight, but given all that happened today, I thought you might be tired.
“How is this possible?”
—What do you mean?
“This magical tool. It doesn't seem to be registered with the Imperial Magic Department.”
—Ah, right.
Heinrich paused briefly. Then he answered in a calm voice.
—The one who made that magical tool was a mage who was once my confidant. He was quite capable. That device uses such a small amount of mana that the palace mages can't detect it.
If he mentioned a mage who was once his confidant, he was probably talking about Dekin.
Since he once worked under Heinrich and stayed at the imperial palace, it wasn't strange that he created a magical tool suited to this environment.
If I had to find fault, it would be—why did he make such an elaborate magical tool for a prince who had already lost his standing?
“It sounds like there was a clear purpose from the very intent of creation.”
—……It's as you suspect.
I narrowed my eyes as I gazed at the communication stone.
“So your initial approach to me was indeed a move for the future……”
—That was never with that intention! No, there was intention, but not the kind of political intention you're thinking of!
Just from the hastily continuing voice, I could tell how surprised Heinrich was right now.
But who's to say this is all an act? Naturally, a distrustful exclamation escaped my lips.
“Aha.”
—Of course you wouldn't believe me. Sigh, there's no other way to explain it.
“So you certainly haven't given up.”
—That's…… true. I almost gave up, but I didn't.
He answered in a resigned voice.
“You accept that easily.”
—Because you're no longer Maxel's fiancée.
“And also because you're no longer in a position so weak you have to hide?”
When I lightly pressed further, he didn't continue speaking. After what sounded like a shallow sigh, a quiet voice came through.
—If you show such a sharp side, I won't want to let you go.
“I'll exercise restraint.”
At my immediate answer, a small laugh came from the other side.
Hearing that, I felt my nerves, which had been on edge since coming to the imperial palace, relax somewhat.
It was thanks to having come to accept Heinrich comfortably through our several meetings outside.
Having someone in this imperial palace I could call my ally was a greater comfort than I expected.
After looking down at the communication stone for a moment, I whispered in a softened tone.
“If you intended to deceive everyone, that was truly excellent acting. Maxel won't even suspect.”
I don't know what the Emperor thinks…… but at least Maxel will be completely oblivious.
It wouldn't be bad to see Heinrich actually turn the tables and watch Maxel sink into the muck at this opportunity.
Even if he became Crown Prince, there's no law saying he can't become a deposed prince again.
I originally intended to not even think about the imperial palace or high society because I was sick of everything, but if I had to get entangled, I absolutely didn't want it to help Maxel.
I was rubbing my chin and seriously considering this matter when a coughing sound came from the silent communication stone.
—Ahem. If it's alright, from now on I'd prefer you give compliments when we're face to face.
I didn't particularly intend to compliment him. I was just stating objective facts.
“Well…… if something comes up worth complimenting, I'll keep that in mind.”
—Just the answer alone makes me happy.
Hearing his buoyant voice gave me a strange feeling. Suddenly, the face of someone who used to laugh and cry easily popped into my mind.
……Zenon also used to show all sorts of emotions in front of me.
He's probably worrying and stamping his feet right now, isn't he? He wouldn't even know I've moved to the imperial palace.
Being deep in the mountains, he'd hear the rumor about a resurrected one appearing at the imperial palace late too.
Of course Samuel would have detected my location, but whether he shared that information with Zenon was uncertain. The two fought like mortal enemies, after all.
‘If only I could send even a simple greeting to Zenon.’
While thinking that, Dekin, Zenon's own brother, suddenly came to mind. And whom he served.
“Actually, I met a mage named Dekin.”
When I suddenly changed the subject, Heinrich calmly composed his voice.
—Ah, yes.
“Is that mage the one who was Your Highness's confidant?”
—It's a bit late to be denying it now. You're right. Actually…… I heard from him that you met. He thought you were my subordinate because of the necklace I gave you.
It meant he could communicate with Dekin even without meeting directly. So that was why Dekin hadn't succumbed to Maxel's recruitment efforts.
“Do you contact him often?”
—To be precise, contact comes from him. He has a necklace just like the one you have.
“Does it come often? Will it come again soon?”
At my eager question, Heinrich asked back in a puzzled tone.
—Why do you ask? Do you have business with him?
“Actually…… I want to send news to my employee through him. My employee is his younger brother, so I thought there might be a way for them to contact each other, being blood relatives.”
—Your employee—you mean the one who called you by name?