At that moment, Heinley's voice stiffened slightly. For him, there were only memories of wrangling with Xenon, so it was natural that he found this unpleasant.
―......So, what is the message you wish to convey?
"Nothing significant. He's someone who worries excessively, so I thought I should let him know that I'm safe and unharmed. Can you deliver it?"
In the past, I would have thought he had given up on my disappearance and set off on a journey with Nesy. But I don't think that's the case now.
Perhaps Xenon is still searching for traces of me in that monastery.
Or he might be trying to figure out the destination of the warp gate activated from the carpet. He's a man who worries about all sorts of things.
So if there was a way to contact him, I should at least send word.
―......You seem to care for him quite a bit.
"I received various forms of help from him outside."
―Didn't you say he was merely hired?
"Of course he was. But he provided help beyond my expectations in many ways."
―He was simply doing the work he was paid for.
The curt response carried barely concealed jealousy. Though Heinley had occasionally revealed his feelings for me, actually sensing his emotions like this felt quite strange.
"Well......"
My lips parted, but I ultimately couldn't finish my sentence.
If Heinley, not Maxel, had become crown prince from the start.
And if I had become engaged to him, would something have changed? Would Heinley have played around with Lillia like Maxel did?
Even if the thread of fate Lillia was following was guiding her to become crown princess, would Heinley have been able to resist?
'Pointless hypotheticals.'
I smiled bitterly and shook my head. What good would ruminating over past events do? I'm already busy dealing with the reality before me.
Shaking off unnecessary thoughts, I spoke.
"If it's difficult to deliver the message......"
―When contact comes, I will relay your words.
Seeing that he didn't refuse despite his obvious displeasure, it seems Heinley does like me.
Then he'll likely accept my proposal as well?
I wet my lips with my tongue and cautiously opened my mouth.
"And Lord Heinley, there is something I would like to request help with."
First, I needed to find the key. Not knowing what it looked like or where it was, wandering aimlessly on my own would be useless.
Besides, I didn't exactly have the authority to freely search through the imperial palace.
But with a collaborator, it would be much easier.
If that collaborator was someone residing in the imperial palace, all the better.
―Say whatever it is.
"Before that, I intend to offer appropriate compensation as well."
―I don't desire such things from you.
"If you hear me out, you won't be able to refuse."
Because Heinley hadn't given up on the throne, and if so, my help would be extremely useful.
Could there be a more certain transaction than this?
I looked down at the communication stone and smiled faintly. I'm leaving anyway, so why wouldn't I do this?
* * *
After using the thanksgiving banquet as an excuse to keep me there, the Emperor openly revealed his ambition to detain me.
As evidence, he had my quarters moved from a relatively simple guest room to a cozy detached palace.
Though it was smaller compared to other palaces, giving me an entire palace for myself was quite an extravagant choice.
Naturally, palace servants were assigned in rows to attend to me.
Despite emphasis that it was merely temporary, those assigned walked about with their shoulders squared as if they bore tremendous backing behind them.
I could understand why they acted so proudly.
Though some conditions were attached, in the end I had moved my quarters according to the Emperor's invitation.
Life in the detached palace was very comfortable.
All living expenses were covered by the imperial family's "generosity" in treating an honored guest, so I could fully enjoy a wealthy and abundant life for once.
The news that a resurrected one had appeared in the imperial palace and claimed a palace spread instantly.
It seemed everyone thought I was trying to establish myself in the imperial palace.
Among gifts sent to express gratitude to the resurrected one who had saved the Empire, letters requesting meetings and invitations were quietly slipped in.
I refused all visitors for now, using the excuse that I had expended considerable energy subduing the Dullahans.
However, I didn't refuse mail, so I was fully exposed to a bombardment of gift warfare.
I accepted all their gifts. Since I didn't refuse, the competition among senders intensified. The most intense among them was by far Roam.
Even so, I never expected them to send this kind of gift. This was a surprise attack.
I stood with my arms crossed and tilted my head far back.
'It couldn't have been easy to make something like this in just a few days.'
This was the backyard attached to the detached palace where I was staying. And before my eyes now was a prison holding Bark, incredibly magnificent.
It was a prison hastily made and sent from Roam.
"Such a luxurious prison. It's practically a giant birdcage."
Golden vines, leaves, and flower decorations covered the dense golden bars, and I was told a barrier magic to weaken monsters had been cast upon it.
The knights who transported this prison repeatedly emphasized Roam's sincerity before leaving.
They said the father and mother were losing sleep from worry about me living with a living Dullahan nearby, and so on.
"Isn't it ridiculous? When they stood me on the execution platform, that was one thing, but now they send this to win my favor."
I clicked my tongue softly and muttered with my arms crossed, and Bark inside the cage turned toward me.
[Boss, I like it.]
"You like it?"
[It's very spacious and comfortable. Even if I ride a horse, my head won't hit anything! The floor is flat from whatever they laid on it, so my back won't get sore. And aesthetically, it's excellent!]
That's a prison. What do you mean you've already adapted?
Bark jumped around excitedly with a delighted expression. His appearance of admiration looked like nothing but pure gratitude to anyone watching.
[As expected, everyone knows to bow their heads to you, Boss. Thanks to you, I've obtained such a satisfactory prison—this is your grace, Boss! I believed from the start that everyone would recognize your majesty!]
You shouldn't be happy about getting a nice prison, you should want to get out of it.
There was too much to point out, so I sighed.
I rubbed my throbbing forehead at Bark's utterly carefree words and spoke calmly.
"Well, since you've gained a nice place to sleep, we just need to remember the key."
[Ah, that's......]
During my time sequestered in the palace, I had many conversations with Bark.
He said he had guarded the key and fallen asleep within the Black Tower, and upon waking, immediately realized the key was gone and went on a rampage.
Yet he couldn't remember at all the form of the key he had guarded.
"Still don't know?"
[Well, you...... entrusted many keys to me, Boss, so it's a bit confusing.]
Bark floundered and repeatedly bowed his waist.
No, past Boss...... Why exactly did you entrust multiple keys to a single knight?
[But Boss! You will be able to recognize the key! You can distinguish between authorities!]
I paused at Bark's confident words.
I'd felt this throughout our conversations—unlike other knights, Bark's memories were quite well preserved. The fact that he clearly distinguished between death and birth was evidence of this.
Also, he clearly remembered that his past captain was an agent of death.
"Other knights couldn't remember, but you have quite a lot of memories."
[I was chosen as the knight to guard the key! I slept for a shorter time than the others. Did you meet the other knights? Where are they?]
I unconsciously touched my bracelet. The gem on the bracelet was still shimmering.
I could summon them right now, but if I activated the magical tool, the magic department would detect the magical energy.
"I can't make them meet you right away. But you'll be able to see them once I leave this place."
[I wonder if they served you well, Boss.]
"They performed more than excellently."
[That's a relief. But...... what about Minte?]
"Minte?"
[Yes! Did he not say anything about me? That he misses me, or thought of me, or misses me......]
Ah, he must be one of the twelve knights.
"I haven't met him yet. The knights I've taken in total six, including you. And I have no memories at all, so talking about old times is useless. I don't even know who Minte is."
[Ah...... I see......]
Bark couldn't hide his obvious disappointment. I tilted my head and asked gently.
"Was Minte your lover?"
[Huh? L-l-l-lover?]
"Ah, not a lover but unrequited love."
At my matter-of-fact correction, Bark crossed his arms in an X shape before his chest and jumped back.
[Gasp! H-how did you know?!]
"Your reaction tells me."
[As expected of you, Boss! Such amazing insight!]
No, anyone could tell at a glance.
I'd bet anything that the knight named Minte figured out Bark's unrequited love ages ago.
I could bet this golden birdcage on the fact that he pretended not to know even though he knew.
"Any idea where Minte might be?"
[If it's Minte...... I can guess where he might be. He's probably close by.]
"Then we can go find Minte after leaving the imperial palace."
The Night Goddess probably wants me to go to Belladia City, but I want to meet the remaining Dullahans first.
[Ah, I'll take the lead!]
Excited, Bark answered boldly and pounded his chest with his fist.
I let out a hollow laugh watching him, then he suddenly stopped his actions.
[Someone is approaching, Boss.]
The lighthearted attitude from moments ago vanished, and with a voice full of wariness, Bark glared toward the backyard entrance. I also shifted my gaze following him.
I could see someone lightly holding their fluttering dress and approaching with light steps.
When they reached a distance where faces could be distinguished with the naked eye, Bark muttered darkly.
[The cunning god's puppet......!
"Bark, behave yourself."
At my command, Bark moved slightly away from the bars.
I confirmed him from my peripheral vision and cast an indifferent gaze straight ahead. The person who had hesitated upon discovering Bark finally stood before me.
"Little sister."
A gentle voice, a bright smile.
It was Lillia.