Taming the Evil Saintess

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“Are you thinking of bringing down the current Emperor?”

As soon as we arrived at the Information Bureau, Owen directed that question at me.

Owen the Hound was universally acknowledged as the continent’s top informant. With the mark of the Abyss engraved on the nape of his neck, it was impossible not to perceive the strange atmosphere permeating the entire Imperial Palace.

Sure enough, Owen quickly grasped the situation better than anyone else.

Thanks to that, the conversation progressed at lightning speed.

“First, to bring down the current Emperor Adelheit, we need to neutralize the cards she has.”

Owen spread out a map of the palace and continued speaking.

“If what Evangelin and Archmage Eldarian said is true, Adelheit possesses three significant cards.”

He raised one finger.

“First, the Imperial Guards who protect the Emperor.”

“We can’t kill those guys.”

“Well, ideally, we shouldn’t. But it’s best not to try and persuade them to join us either. On the surface, at least, once the current Princess ascends the throne, they’ll probably sacrifice their lives to protect Adelheit.”

“How stubborn of them.”

“That’s undeniable.”

The palace guards are a private army that follows only the Emperor. Since Emperor Bolazio Septimius III has retired and Adelheit is the current Emperor, the guards abide by her orders.

However, looking at it from another angle, the guards only protect Adelheit because she is the Emperor. If we manage to dethrone her, they are no longer our enemies. Killing them would bring nightmares.

I nodded while looking at the position of the guards on the map that Owen had marked. He then raised a second finger.

“Second, the Possessors that Evangelin mentioned.”

“We can’t kill them either.”

“Right. They’re essential for our Hero’s plan.”

Owen said with a smirk. When I shot him a glare, he subtly averted his gaze.

In any case, the unit of Possessors led by Possessor Morgan, not the Imperial Guards, is the key. They follow not Emperor Adelheit but the traitor Adelheit. Given that they’ve likely studied the Mark, there’s a chance she’s using their living and dying as leverage to threaten them.

“However, unlike the guards, we don’t know where they are.”

“Any suspicious locations?”

“Most likely around the Summer Palace or the Temple. There’s less foot traffic and plenty of empty rooms.”

“Sounds reasonable.”

Nodding, Owen finally raised a third finger. He drew a red circle around the innermost part of the palace, the brain of the operation, and said,

“And the last is… Hell Duke.”

“…”

The moment those words left his mouth, Evangelin fell silent, her expression tense.

Hell Duke Derabilice. He’s cooperating with Adelheit.

Or rather, it’s likely he’s not cooperating voluntarily. If rumor has it that he’s imprisoned, he must be like a pet on a leash, being used like a puppet.

“If by any chance Hell Duke is in a complete cooperative relationship…”

“Then things would get really complicated.”

I sighed deeply at Owen’s words. There’s no guarantee that the luck we had at the Cathedral would repeat itself. If Hell Duke spreads his territory, those gathered at the Imperial Palace will meet their doom. The future pillars of the Empire would be uprooted.

“Well, let’s just hope Hell Duke isn’t cooperating willingly.”

Owen shrugged.

In any case, that’s the extent of Adelheit’s military strength.

“…But how many forces can we mobilize?”

At my question, Owen pondered for a moment before responding.

“We can’t use the agents of the Information Bureau. While it’s an independent organization, it has deep ties with the royal family. If they move as a group, the Emperor will catch wind of it.”

“What about the Knight Order?”

“You know, Elliot. Most of them are tied up in Eastern Port.”

“The Knight Order of the Saint is probably swamped sorting things out at the Cathedral.”

“Is the Black Eagle Mercenary Corps also in Eastern Port?”

“Pretty much.”

As I absorbed Owen’s words, I rubbed my forehead.

In essence, that meant we are all they have.

The Imperial Guards, the Possessors, and both Hell Duke and Adelheit.

The disparity in power is considerable.
It’ll probably be no different than when we fought Plague Lord Vermina.

But we’ve grown since then. It’s a gap we could realistically manage.

“Well, it seems we’ve roughly assessed the situation, so let’s make a plan.”

Owen circled the building we were staying in on the map, as well as the Emperor’s audience chamber where Adelheit would be.

“Striking outright would be a bad move. The risk of collateral damage is high. We don’t know what sort of traps Adelheit has prepared. This palace is her stage. We are merely invited guests.”

“Sounds about right.”

Adelheit set the stage; we must proceed with caution.

“First off, finding the location where Bolazio III is confined is key.”

“Do you know where that is?”

“No. But I have a rough idea. It should be a place similar to where the Possessors are. If I were to venture a personal opinion, it’s likely in the Summer Palace. Most former royals would have resided there.”

Owen’s words were likely reliable.

From here, our direction should be to rescue the last emperor while observing Adelheit’s responses.

“Then I have to relay this situation to the colleagues.”

“Exactly.”

Owen nodded.

As for Eldarian and Emily, we could think about that later.

The conclusion was reached.

But not everything in this world flows according to plan.

“Hey, look at that…”

“Yeah. The Imperial Guards.”

On the way back to the building where my companions were, Owen and I encountered the guards.

“…Are the guards targeting us already?”

I asked while grabbing Owen’s sleeve, and he shook his head, replying in a low voice.

“It shouldn’t be. There’s no way information has leaked. The Information Bureau building likely has magical wards on it.”

“What if Evangelin is the traitor?”

“That woman isn’t the type. You know that. She wouldn’t say a word even if you pulled her nails out.”

“True.”

I knew well how nasty Evangelin’s personality was.

So, her current submission is what struck me as odd.

“What are they then?”

“A simple patrol, maybe?”

“The guards don’t just patrol like that?”

“…Hmm.”

The approaching gazes of the Imperial Knights were directed at me.

Looking at Owen, he scratched his cheek awkwardly.

“…They’re just patrolling, right?”

“I’m only suggesting it’s a possibility.”

It felt like the fire was lit beneath me. I contemplated whether to draw my sword first.

There are several scenarios to consider.
The first would be if the guards attacked first. However, Adelheit is thorough. It would be absurd for her to send just a few guards to face someone who defeated a high-ranking demon like the Demon King.

So other reasons must exist.

As I continued to think, I recalled something I had forgotten.

“Ophelia.”

“Ophelia? You mean the Saint?”

“Yeah.”

Ophelia, that troublesome girl, must have gotten herself into some kind of trouble.

Having finally gotten her sea legs back, it’s only natural she would be restless. Given the atmosphere, there are three actions she might take:

To cause trouble, (check) To stir up trouble, (check) Or to create a ruckus. (check)

In any case, Ophelia must have gone outside, and the shining white armor of the guards must have caught her eye. Ophelia could very well be mistaken for a white crow. She has a habit of wanting to take anything that shines back to her nest.

Given her personality, it’s obvious that Ophelia tried to raid the palace treasury and likely got caught by the Knight Order. Without a guardian, it must be the case where the guards are now searching for the Hero.

“Damn.”

With everything I had experienced, a scenario unfolded in my mind.

I thought to myself that I’d need to give her a thorough talking-to when I return.

“…It seems, Elliot, your thoughts were wrong.”

“Huh?”

Upon hearing Owen, I looked again at the incoming knights.

What I saw in their eyes was nothing but admiration.

“Elliot, do you know what knights admire the most?”

“…What?!”

“Seeing a Hero right in front of them is too good an opportunity to not at least ask for a handshake. Let me handle the conversation.” He clapped me on the back with a wry smile and slipped away.

And then…

“Are you Sir Elliot?”

Like a fan meeting, the knights in front of me shone with starry eyes.

“…Uh…”

“I want to hear your insights on swordsmanship from someone who single-handedly defeated the dreadful Demon King Elgore!”

Now that I think about it, when I was in Eastern Port, I had often caught odd glances.

Were they all admiration-filled gazes?

In a world without idol-like figures, it seems the Hero must serve as the knights’ idol.

While I scratched the back of my head, a particularly young knight spoke up.

“Oh, I want to ask you about your relationships with women!”

“What?”

“Actually, I have someone I like and wanted to get your advice!”

“Why are you asking me that?!”

“Well, the Hero married the beautiful and kind Saint Ophelia Meredein, didn’t you?”

“What the hell?!”