The woman, who had just woken up, initially spat out a string of curses, but when she assessed the faces surrounding her, she quickly quieted down.
Seeing the two princes and a noblewoman from the ducal family, she must have realized that if she made any wrong moves, her life could be at risk.
"Kanarine. You were always good at reading the room, even if you were half-hearted in your work, right? What do you think you should do to survive?"
"...What are you asking?"
"About the King. You know, right?"
The woman appeared confused, as though she had no idea what was being referred to.
Could it be that she knows nothing? Despite being in a prominent position, she hadn’t heard the rumors?
"Khaha! Oh, you've really gotten better at pretending."
"No, really. I don't know anything."
"I can see right through you, you idiot."
However, her well-executed performance was meaningless in front of Karya’s abilities.
Even if she had some telepathic powers, Karya would have easily unraveled the thoughts imprinted in the woman’s mind, simply accepting the truth without hesitation.
"Do you remember how I interrogated you before? Now we're talking, aren’t we? This should make things easier."
As Karya let out a sly smile, the woman visibly flinched, her shoulders trembling.
"Would you rather go somewhere private and be alone with me, or cooperate here? Either way, I don’t mind."
"K-Karya-sama, you know the restrictions placed on us..."
"You don't have to say anything. Just think it in your head when asked."
With an order that felt more like a scolding, the woman hastily nodded. What had Karya been like in the past that even this woman had suddenly turned so docile?
"Alright, everyone. If you have any questions, ask away. She says she'll cooperate with whatever you ask."
"I'll go first."
The first person to raise their hand was Rene.
"How much does the intelligence department know about what the 1st Queen has been doing?"
"They've been involved in everything, from the initial cover-up to the disinformation campaign."
"And her objectives?"
"It seems like they don't know that part. They're just soldiers doing what they're told."
After Rene stepped back, it was Arthur's turn.
"Does the kingdom’s intelligence department know about the existence of the Watchers?"
"Just like me, they don’t know. To get that information, they’d probably need to pressure the current Duke of Kurten."
Arthur clicked his tongue and fell silent, and naturally, the attention shifted to Joey. Joey, who had been blankly staring ahead, only realized the gaze upon him after a moment and quickly shook his head.
"And what about the employer?"
"Those filthy idiots who are following the delusional Queen have been blabbering about their plans."
"There’s not much useful information, but I'll say what I can. Negotiations related to the Fairy Forest, talks with the group of dark sorcerers, pursuit missions involving several key figures, investigation into Erginus, preparations for the National Holiday event... Ah, so that’s when things were supposed to start."
Things are moving a whole year faster than I thought. Originally, the incident was supposed to happen during the 3rd-year National Holiday.
"The National Holiday... There’s less than a month left, isn't there?"
At Rene's words, Karya nodded.
"They’ve apparently finished preparing."
"What were they planning to do at that time?"
"To deal with the troublemakers in the chaos stirred by that crazy woman. Beyond that, even she doesn’t know. They were just told to move as things develop."
"So only the 1st Queen knows the details?"
"Yes, it’s clear that this is a situation so dire that even if several major nobles die, there’s no choice."
"This is insane. We need to know what they’re planning so we can prepare on our side."
"It’s related to a piece of the Evil God."
The atmosphere became heavy as the words hung in the air.
"...Evil God?"
"It sounds like they’re talking about the Evil God Agrha. Right?"
"Exactly. The top of all idiots. He only shows up when he thinks he’s about to win, but he gets beaten and whines like a pathetic fool."
In the game, the 1st Queen awakens a piece of the Evil God, which is kept hidden beneath the Soul Academy. She plans to use its power to bring about the eternal prosperity of the kingdom.
"I'm not doubting what the employer says, but how is that even possible? I mean, if the Evil God is resurrected, isn’t that a disaster?"
"Heh. You think that’s what makes him an idiot?"
Even though Agrha was sealed away for hundreds of years and broken into pieces, it’s still possible that those pieces, even if the original power was immense, would be weakened by now. Especially the part of him sealed in the Soul Academy’s basement, which Erginus has been making efforts to drain of its energy.
Even if the seal breaks, he won’t be much of a threat.
The source of this c𝓸ntent is frёeweɓηovel.coɱ.
Compared to the Evil God seen in the Fairy Forest, he’d be like a newborn.
If that’s the case, taking his power is completely possible. In fact, it’s already happened.
"Let’s assume that’s true, but how does that relate to the kingdom’s prosperity? If things go wrong, they might be branded heretics, and the kingdom could collapse."
"That’s why they’ll have to throw away the useless shell. Truly an idiot. To be used by humans and then discarded while calling himself a god."
Through his powers, the 1st Queen intends to defeat Agrha herself, claiming it as an unfortunate accident and a necessary evil to save the kingdom, making it impossible for the church to intervene.
"Karya."
"Prince Rene. Just a moment. There’s still something we need to check. The most important thing: Why she did such a crazy thing."
"Isn’t that obvious? Why would a delusional Queen do all this? It’s for this pathetic kingdom, of course."
The monarchy system determines the fate of a nation through the abilities of the king alone.
If a great person sits on the throne, it’s the best possible outcome. Even if an average person takes power, as long as nothing too catastrophic happens, it’s fine.
But when a tyrant takes control, the monarchy can easily fall.
Even if a great king holds power now, or if someone trained a capable king, what about later?
A hundred years from now?
After an unimaginable period of time?
The Queen, thinking in this way, decided to create a singular genius.
A king who would lead the royal palace to eternal prosperity.
"Is it possible to achieve that with Agrha’s power?"
"Of course, it’s possible. If it wasn’t, why would Agrha be a god?"
If the Evil God is the antithesis of Aramadi, symbolizing light, then Agrha is the essence of its opposite.
While Aramadi signifies the beginning of the world, Agrha represents its end.
The beginning and the end. Creation and destruction. Birth and death.
By borrowing Agrha’s power to delay the end, it’s not impossible to reach immortality.
"...It was a good thing we got out of the palace."
"If either of us had been there, we would have gotten caught up in it."
Does everyone believe this so easily?
Sure, others might trust me since they know I’m a divine apostle, but Rene, you shouldn't be so naive.
Why do you trust my words so easily? You’ve never been this type of person.
I was even about to say that you might show up as the final boss, but it’s too late now.
I wanted to show you how pathetic and miserable you’d end up.
"Lucy, then shouldn’t we just protect the seal under the Academy?"
"You idiot. Think a little. Do you know how many fools are following that delusional Queen there?"
Arthur, who had been guarding the seal of the Evil God, had already joined the 1st Queen’s side. There are more of her people in the Academy than before, so it’s safe to assume that the pieces have already been taken.
"...Brother, it seems Lucy Allen is right."
"How do you know that?"
"There’s a way to confirm it. Please just trust me on this."
As expected.
"One question. Why didn’t you stop it, knowing it would be taken?"
‘What was I supposed to do? Who knows where the 1st Queen might run off to.’
It’s impossible to predict the actions of a madwoman.
Rather than giving her a variable, it’s better to fight within the known circumstances.
‘If I get stabbed in the back at the last moment, it’s going to be a big problem.’
When facing opponents who are chaotic from both sides, even I, as a veteran, have no choice. It’s better to take care of things in advance and prepare for the final fight.
‘Don’t worry, Grandpa. You know I’m a genius when it comes to dungeons, right?’
<Heh. You sure are reliable.>
‘Right?’
As I chuckled while stretching my shoulders, Arthur and Joey were checking each other's current strength.
Do you think we’re going to fight against Agrha’s pieces?
That’s probably true, but there’s no need to be so tense, right?
It’s not more dangerous than the opponents we faced in the Fairy Forest.
At least, I hope so.
"Everyone, why are you so calm when you’re about to fight Agrha, the master of the Evil Gods?"
Rene blinked his eyes in surprise, and Arthur let out a small laugh.
"It’s not our first time facing an Evil God."
Then, Joey followed up with a smile.
"It’s true we’re nervous, but we have Lucy with us. As long as we’re with her, we’ll win, just like we always have."
At their responses, Rene, who had briefly stiffened, sighed lightly and wiped his face.
"I can’t say anything weak now, can I?"
"You’re the oldest, but are you the most scared? It’s fine if you want to run. What will you do if you wet yourself in fear?"
"I don’t plan on running away twice."
Hmm, really? Let’s see if you can hold out until the end. If you start crying halfway, you’re finished.
Just as I was staring at Rene with that thought in mind, I heard heavy footsteps from the hallway.
Wondering what guests had arrived, I turned my head just as the door to the reception room opened.
"Brother! I’m sorry! I failed!"
The second prince, Cecil Soladin, wearing nothing but underwear, came barging in.
"Ahhhhh?!"
"Little brother!? What is this?!"
"Did everything get taken?"
"Yes! Complete failure! Duke Kurten is really good at gambling! We couldn’t even start the conversation!"
As he laughed boisterously, Cecil immediately spotted me and greeted me happily.
"Oh! Lucy Allen! It’s been a while! How have you been?"
"Tiny."
"...What?"
"Like a peanut?"
I failed to return the greeting.