I Once Thought I Had No Place, Being Married Off to An Enemy Nation as A Token of Apology but That Was Only for One Night - Chapter 10

Sinking into the sofa of the room I had been guided to, I let out a deep sigh.

Earlier, I had become a bit too heated in response to Kai’s remarks. My true intention had been different. I wanted to convey that blaming Frieda was pointless and that we should discuss a solution calmly. However, seeing Frieda being unilaterally attacked made it impossible for me to remain a bystander, and I lost my composure.

What should I do? Similar situations occurred frequently in Ashtar. However, because there are more Saints there than in this country, solutions actually exist. I wonder what the correct course of action is here?

I turned my gaze toward Frieda, who was waiting in the corner of the room. Though she seemed depressed just a moment ago, she was now staring intensely at documents brought in by her subordinates.

I wondered if she was truly alright regarding her sister, or if she was simply pretending to be. I observed her to try and discern her true feelings, but she was so focused on the paperwork that she did not even notice my gaze.

“Frieda, if you wish to attend to your duties, you may leave your post,” I said. “No. Currently, I am the maid to Her Imperial Highness Noel. Furthermore, despite being family, I allowed an unauthorized person to intrude. I cannot leave you alone in such a place.” “I understand. In that case, use this low table. That is an order.”

When I commanded her, she muttered a quiet apology and sat across from me. She glanced at me briefly and whispered, “Thank you for earlier.”

“It is nothing worth thanking me for. I simply…”

I was about to say that I simply could not stand to watch, but I realized Frieda had already lowered her eyes to the documents and was no longer listening to me.

I felt a small prickle of annoyance. No, I must stay calm. I just went too far earlier because I got heated. I am fine; I can keep my cool. I took a deep breath while chanting those thoughts to myself. As I looked at the papers spread across the table, the heading “War Situation Report” caught my eye.

“Frieda, is that the war situation report for this territory?” “Yes. By looking at this, I can get a general grasp of how much holy power the Saints have remaining.” “Are you perhaps considering whether a Saint can be dispatched to Elsa?”

If that were not the case, there would be no reason to examine such things at this timing. Even if she maintains a firm attitude as a Lord, as an older sister, she clearly wants to do something. Frieda stopped her hand and gave a somewhat lonely smile.

“The number of casualties has decreased thanks to the work of the Saints. However, holy power is always in short supply. Moreover, the number of monsters has continued to increase over the last few years. It is at a point where a stampede could occur at any moment.” “A stampede?”

A monster outbreak. It is a phenomenon where monsters migrate in mass toward areas with dense miasma. When they swarm a town, it is common for immense damage to occur.

“In the first place, there are knights and soldiers who pass away because they cannot receive treatment from a Saint. When we are in a situation where we must leave even those who contracted erosion disease in battle to die, do you think I can give my sister special treatment?” “That would be difficult, I suppose.”

To save her sister would mean sacrificing someone else who is fighting for the Empire. If word of such a thing spread, she would lose the trust of her people.

“Therefore, the answer was decided from the very beginning.”

Deep sadness permeated Frieda’s eyes as she spoke. Frieda and my brother are truly different. However, if things continue like this, the result will be the same as it was with my brother. I do not want to see such an outcome.

“What if I perform the purification?”

Frieda’s eyes widened, and her gaze wandered. However, she eventually shook her head with a face full of bitterness.

“It is the same thing. If you are to exert your power, I would ask that you do so for the soldiers who fought for the Empire.” “But I do not belong to the military, do I?”

I thought we could simply call it a whim of mine. However, Frieda shook her head.

“You are already the Empress of Rayvel. I will say this now, but even the purification of the Imperial Capital became a bit of an issue. His Majesty mediated for you, but still.” “What? Was it a problem?” “There are countless lands in far worse situations that are desperate for a Saint’s purification.”

I had not realized. Emperor Albert had expressed his gratitude, even while grumbling about various things.

“I am sorry. I caused trouble, didn’t I?” “No, the incident in the Imperial Capital was my fault for not explaining things properly. I am the one who should apologize.”

It was a sincere apology. Her previous words about taking responsibility for my actions were clearly genuine. However, this creates a problem.

“To return to the subject, saving your sister is out of the question then?” “I am a Lord before I am a sister.”

Frieda is indeed noble. However, more than that, she is clumsy. She is crying right now. If she is going to say such things while weeping, she might as well throw away her position as a Lord.

But it is because she became my maid that I have been helped so much. Therefore, I want to save her without forcing her to compromise her will, even if I have to risk being identified as the Saint of White Snow and end up having to hide my achievements.

“Frieda, guide me to the largest miasma pool in this land.” “Pardon? What do you intend to do in such a place?” “It is obvious, is it not? I am going to purify it.”

The reason Frieda cannot save her sister is a matter of priority. If that is the case, what if I take care of the problems that have a higher priority than her sister’s treatment? Then her sister’s turn should eventually come. That is not unfair or dishonest. It is a straightforward way to save her sister with pride.

“Are you serious?” “I do not say such things as a joke.” “No matter how you look at it, that is reckless. Did you not just use your holy power the other day? Furthermore, the miasma pool in the territorial capital is incomparable to the sky of the Imperial Capital.” “It is fine. I was not using my full strength back then.” “There you go again with those joke-like stories. It is a joke, right? You aren’t actually serious, are you?”

She directed a suspicious look at me.

“I understand that it is hard to believe. Moreover, since it would require organizing an escort, I cannot lightly tell you to just let me prove it. Even so…”

I pleaded with her to believe me. Frieda let out a small breath.

“That will not be a problem. The largest miasma pool in this territory is located in the basement of the castle.” “The castle basement?”

Why would a miasma pool be in such a place? Did it occur after the castle was built? Or was the castle built in such a location from the start? Come to think of it, Frieda did refer to the territorial capital as a frontline base.

I also remembered His Majesty’s words about the Hexagram Lords protecting the key to the seal. The reason the territorial capital in the middle of the land is a frontline base, and why the surrounding areas are more prosperous, started to make sense. I am now approaching the truth.

I headed to the castle basement with Frieda. The stairs leading down were dark even when illuminated by magical tools, and the miasma grew denser with every step.

“Why is such a dangerous place left like this? You should just purify it.” “We do. Even with monthly purifications, it remains in this state.” “Monthly? You must be joking.” “No, it is a fact. It has been nearly a month since the last purification.”

This world is being eroded by miasma, but no one knows where it originates. There are rumors that it flows in from the world where demons live, but no one has proven it. Regardless, unless a Saint purifies it, the miasma in various regions only grows thicker. Still, I have never heard of a miasma pool that becomes this dense in just one month.

While feeling bewildered, we reached the bottom of the stairs, where a magic circle was installed.

“Please, step this way. This is a short-range teleportation circle.” “Short-range?” “It is meant to prevent intruders and can only be used by the Emperor and the Hexagram Lords. Now, your hand, please.”

Frieda stood on the magic circle and offered her hand to me. I grabbed it and stood on the circle with a bit of trepidation.

In the next instant, I was standing in a massive room that did not feel like it was underground. There was a hexagram magic circle on the floor, and the room was filled with dark, stagnant miasma.

“What is this place?” “This is the Hexagram Hall of the Seal.” “The Hexagram Hall of the Seal? Is this what the Hexagram Lords are protecting?” “Yes. The magic circle that seals the Demon King. Its center is in the Imperial Capital, and there is a Hexagram Hall at each of the six points. The families that protect these halls are the Hexagram Lords.”

Until now, I thought the Hexagram Lords were protecting the people from monsters. But that was wrong. The Hexagram Lords, along with their people, are protecting the seal of the Demon King.

“Then, is this miasma from the Demon King?” “That is what is said. And if this is not purified regularly, monsters will swarm and break the seal.” “That is why you said the territorial capital was a frontline base.” “Yes. It is said that the territorial capital is the place with the most frequent monster attacks in the Empire.”

Things that were invisible before began to come into focus. If this seal is broken, the Demon King will be resurrected. If that is true, it is no wonder Frieda makes such cold decisions as a Lord.

“You have all been fighting in such a harsh environment without letting the outside world know. Why did you not ask other countries for assistance?”

If the Demon King’s seal is broken, it is not just the Rayvel Empire that will be in trouble. Even the Kingdom of Ashtar cannot remain a bystander, even with the sea between them.

“There is the danger of the seal’s existence becoming known. Nonetheless, Emperor Albert was attempting to start trade with the Kingdom of Ashtar. It was thwarted because of your brother.” “I am terribly sorry for my brother’s actions!”

The technical exchange for peace was destroyed by my brother. The more I learn about his failures, the more dangerous they seem. It is only natural that they are furious.

“I have not forgiven that Crown Prince, but I already know that you are not like him.” “Thank you. Those words are enough.”

Between the Crown Prince’s failures and the failures of the Saint who visited for the exchange, it is natural for me to be viewed with suspicion as both his sister and a Saint. From an international perspective, I bear responsibility as a member of the same royal family.

Even if I understand it intellectually, I am not satisfied emotionally. However, they likely feel the same way. Even if they understand rationally that my brother and I are different people, their emotions do not agree. It is especially so because my brother handed me over as an apology gift to escape his own responsibility.

Even so, Frieda tried to understand me. Therefore, I decided to speak.

“Frieda, are you close with your sister?” “What is this all of a sudden?” “Just answer me.”

When I urged her, Frieda showed a slight sign of thinking.

“I suppose so. She might actually hate me.” “Why do you think that?” “Elsa is a child my father had with a maid.” “An illegitimate child?”

I wondered if she was in the same position as me.

“No, he acknowledged her. In this land, the birth of a child is a special event. It is normal to welcome blood relations as precious family members, and Elsa was no exception.” “Then why?”

There should be no reason for her to be hated.

“Even so, everything was different for me, who was educated to become the head of the family, and her, who was not. The same goes for the erosion disease. If it were me, I would be the first to receive treatment. I have always felt frustrated by that difference in our status. However, my sister does not know my feelings.”

Frieda’s words pierced my heart when she said she might be hated. I wondered if my brother felt the same way, but I immediately dismissed the possibility, knowing him.

In the end, my brother and Frieda are different. That is why I do not want their stories to have the same conclusion.

“You can tell her even now, can’t you?” “Pardon?” “When you see her next, tell her she is a precious sister. I will create that opportunity for you.”

Standing in the center of the Hexagram Hall, I placed one hand on my chest and slowly spread the other. Offering a prayer to the Goddess, I exercised a miracle of purification. In the massive Hexagram Hall, pure white snow, untouched by any filth, began to fall.

“Is this Black Snow? No, this is clearly, could it be? You are, no, Your Ladyship is…”