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Volume 7 Chapter 3 Part 16

Translation by burnt.marshmallows
Editing by Team Foxsunes

「Well, I guess. I’m still a bit annoyed that you kept it a secret from me. But if you say that you weren’t hiding the demon, but placing him under your surveillance, then there really isn’t a reason to blame you.」

What the Princess was saying was the conclusion that the Royal Court had reached the other day. A few days after the mass entertainment magazine had been published, the Royal Court had already published a proclamation for the people. 

The Royal Head Magician, Agedilus Von Lancent, had by no means been hiding a demon. He had been placing the demon under his surveillance to prevent him from causing trouble for the people. He had made the demon in question swear to not hurt anyone and had gotten a verbal agreement from the demon. There was no risk of danger. That was what was proclaimed. 

That was the same thing that that man told me the night Noct came to the Lancent household mansion. Thanks to that proclamation, we were somewhat protected. However, we were well aware that not everyone believed that proclamation. And it seemed that the Princess knew that too. Those amber-colored eyes of hers narrowed swiftly. Her gaze was really cold. I knew that her gaze was directed not at us, but at the people who were creating the commotion. But I couldn’t help but shudder at how cold it was. 

「But, and I am sure that the both of you know this, no matter how much those in upper management and I understand that the proclamation is true, the people and the temple probably do not.」

「Even the temple?」

Seeing what the magazine wrote, I could understand why the general public would be suspicious of us. But for the organization that is the temple to do the same. 

I could certainly understand that the temple, which worships the goddess, would want to remove the demons, and anyone who was related to the demons. However, based on the proclamation, it had been made clear that we were not hiding the demon, but placing the demon under our surveillance. That should not be a fact that would inconvenience the temple in any way. 

It seemed that the Princess understood my confusion even without me having to say it out loud. In order to clear up my confusion, the Princess opened those delicate lips of hers which were stained pink. But before she could do that, Heinrichc cleared his throat as if he couldn’t take it anymore. As the princess directed those amber-colored eyes of hers to stare at Heinrich, he whispered  「I apologize」, before continuing.

「Princess Clementine. Should you not be saying 「a faction of the temple」, to be more accurate?」

「For an organization, a faction and the whole thing isn’t that different. The opinions of a part of an organization is linked to that of the entire organization. You should know that very well. 」

「I do understand your point, but based what you are saying, wouldn’t His Highness Klanven be dragged into this situation as well?」

「I have no obligation to stand by that useless uncle. Why on earth is that uncle of mine acting as something like the High Priest of that big temple? I really want to take like an hour to interrogate him. 」

The princess sputtered while clicking her tongue. That was quite a mean way to put it.  When the Princess talked about her uncle, there was no doubt that she was referring to the king’s brother, His Highness Klanven. Thinking about it, I wonder how he was. His Highness Klaven was someone who couldn’t seem to be subdued no matter what one did. What did she mean by him being useless?

Ignoring me as I tilted my neck in confusion, the princess looked at that man purposefully. That man knitted his eyebrows without saying a word. But the fact that he was reluctant was written all over his face. But as the Princess called his name 「Agedilus」, as if to tell him to prepare for the worst, that man nodded indifferent;y, replying with 「……I guess we can’t help it. 」

What were they talking about? As I tilted my head even more, the Princess directed her gaze to me once again. 

「Filmina, I didn’t say anything to you because I thought that it would be bad for you, being an expectant mother and all. But I can’t help it anymore, so I’ll just say it alright? 」

「A-alright.」

I naturally sat up straight as I heard her serious-sounding voice. I looked back into those amber-colored eyes of hers. Her face was as beautiful as a white lily in full bloom. The princess tensed up her expression and began to speak. 

「RIght now, the temple is falling apart. Or, to be accurate, a faction of the temple is one-sidedly creating trouble.」

「And by that you mean……?」

Her words sounded somewhat annoyed. I prompted the Princess to continue with her sentence. For a second, her eyes swayed with hesitation, but a dignified gaze almost immediately returned to her eyes as she continued. 

「Filmina, you do know that in the temple, there is a particular group of people who view the Pure Black Magic-User, Agedilus Von Lancent, as a threat right?」

「……Yes. I am aware of that.」

After a moment of delay, I somehow managed to keep from choking up on my words and nodded in response. And I stealthily glanced at the man who was beside me. He looked as unfriendly as he usually did, and was taking a sip of the black tea that had been prepared for us, looking completely calm. Feeling relieved at how he seemed, I suddenly remembered something that His HIghness Klanven had once told me. 

It was during the grand festival the other time. HIs Highness Klanven had said. Among the upper ranks in the temple, there was talk about Agedilus Von Lancent possibly becoming the second Demon Lord. There were even some extreme theories being suggested about sealing him up before that was allowed to happen. 

At the time, I had retorted sharply that I wouldn’t let that happen, that I would surely protect that man. That vow still rang true in my heart. But when it came down to the topic being brought up like this, my heart couldn’t help but ache. 

As I bit my lip tightly, the Princess looked at me with concern. But this probably wasn’t what the princess wanted to say. The important part was about to come. If so, I had to listen to this, no matter how painful it’ll be.

I looked back at the Princess, as I continued to tell myself that. The Princess nodded once and continued to speak, with her beautiful eyebrows knitted. 

「Those people took the rumors that were spread amongst the public and……started speculating that Agedilus’s child would become the second Demon Lord. Even though they know very well that Black Magic isn’t genetic. It really is a foolish thing.」

I don’t hate stupid people, but I hate foolish people. The Princess spluttered out, as she brought her tea cup close to her mouth. She then proceeded to gulp down the tea, in a violent manner unbefitting of a princess, before letting out a sigh. 

「That was another reason why  I hadn’t been able to take time to have tea with you lately. I had been having talks with that faction. My attendants, like Heinrich, as well as my uncle and Old Man Heathrow had all been working with me, but well, we are still at a loss as to what we should do. Those blind, fanatical believers really aren’t good people to mess with. 」

「I’m always anxious that Princess Clementine is going to just grab the Priest by the collar.」

Heinrich butted in with a smile on his face. Without even turning towards him, the Princess replied sharply with「Please don’t add anything unnecessary.」. It seemed that the Princess really hated it, but right now, I was thankful for Heinrich butting in with his jokes like this. I had never thought that I would feel thankful for something like that. It seemed that I was more dejected than I had expected myself to be. 

Having realized that, I felt even more helpless than before, and couldn’t help but reach my hand out to hold the hand of the man beside me. That man didn’t look in my direction, but he just  held my hand without saying a word. That really was reassuring.

As the Princess watched over our exchange, she squinted those amber eyes of hers and let out another sigh. 

「At first I had ignored it, thinking that it was just some ridiculous thing. However, because of what happened this timeーbecause the fact that you guys were hiding a demon was revealed to the public, we can no longer say that their claims are baseless. If we don’t handle this well, they might even come out with hard measures.」

「What do you mean by hard measures?」

A bad feeling crept up from under my skin. I unconsciously strengthened my grip on that man’s hand. 

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