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Chapter 307 part 1

Lynette and her group’s behavior towards Thanatos, which was bordering on bullying, should probably be stopped soon.

I had my own thoughts about Thanatos’s intervention in the battle with Galilius. Watching over Lynette and the others, I had let things slide, thinking it more troublesome if they bottled up their feelings. However, the time to intervene had come.

In front of Thanatos, who seemed despondently ungodlike, I stood up from my chair, ready to stop Lynette and the others, who loomed like insurmountable mountains.

However, just before I did, Lynette exhaled softly, and Thanatos’s shoulders dropped further, anticipating more scolding. Taken out of context, this scene could lead anyone to mistake the blamed maid for the great goddess of death.

「Goddess Thanatos.」

「Yes.」

I was ready to intervene, depending on Lynette’s words, but her next actions and words completely upended my expectations.

「Up until now, I’ve been constantly nagging at you, but I will refrain from doing so any longer. As of today, with your demonstrated proficiency as a maid for Master Gwandan, Lynette and the others will change their attitude towards you. Lynette, Gundeus, and Kyrlinne, we sincerely apologize for our past disrespect towards you. We are truly sorry.」

Lynette, along with Gundeus and Kyrlinne, bowed deeply towards Thanatos.

The shift in their attitude was astonishing, and Thanatos seemed momentarily unable to grasp it. She took a deep breath, composing herself, and returned the bow in a maid-like manner. Her training under Lynette and the others, along with her own studies, had clearly paid off.

「I accept your apologies. Maid Chief Lynette, Deputy Chief Gundeus, Deputy Chief Kyrlinne. I also apologize for my earlier blunder, where I overly indulged myself and stole Master Gwandan’s spotlight. Here, I am not a goddess but merely a maid who came to serve Master Gwandan. I request your continued guidance and discipline.」

It was remarkable that three people and a pillar, or as Thanatos put it, just a maid, had seemingly resolved their issues on their own.

Observing Gundeus and Kyrlinne, it appeared they had previously discussed with Lynette the appropriate timing for a change in their demeanor. Being left out of this was something I had to accept.

The four of them raised their heads and exchanged smiles, and I realized I no longer needed to worry about their relationship.

「So, may I consider myself officially one of Master Gwandan’s maids of honor now?」

Lynette smiled gently and nodded affirmatively at an expectant Thanatos.

「Of course. While I cannot say for how long, given your circumstances, let’s endeavor to serve Master Gwandan as long as possible. Gundeus, Kyrlinne, you agree, right?」

「Yes. Kyrlinne and I have decided on this after discussion. I have no objections now.」

「I agree with Gan. I’ve said all I wanted to Thanatos, and I recognize her genuine desire and skill to serve Master Gwandan.」

「Then, once again, I ask for your cooperation, Goddess Thanatos. However, in the presence of others, it’s not appropriate to address you by your divine name. It’s not uncommon to have a name inspired by the gods, but caution is warranted. Do you have any suggestions?」

Hmm, I thought, recalling how Aldeath, Amias, and Mairahl also used different names on earth. Finally intervening in their conversation, I acknowledged my role as an unreliable master.

「Thanatos, since you planned to work under me, do you have any name ideas?」

「Indeed, I do. I sought help from my brother and the nymphs to find a suitable name for use on earth. After much discussion, we decided on a name unrelated to the gods and inhabitants of the underworld, including the Holy Father, Enma, and Mugen.」

Thanatos, reminiscing about her days in the underworld, nodded. The nymphs, known for their caring nature, must have eagerly helped her, partly out of curiosity.

「So, what name shall you go by? It’s important to decide soon, as I’m currently keeping your name a secret from Amria and Yachiyo.」

「Please call me Beliratu from now on.」

「Beliratu, Beliratu,」 I repeated. 「Now I can properly introduce you to Amria and the others. However, it’s quite unfortunate, or perhaps bad timing, to join me just as we face an intense battle with the Demon King’s Army.」

「I will always strive to be of service to Master Gwandan, regardless of the time or place, so it is not a significant concern.」

Thanatos, now Beliratu, smiled softly. She, much like Lenia, has a strong attachment to me, showing less interest in others. This, too, is an issue.

Lynette, far more adept at interacting with others than Beliratu, seemed relieved once the conversation about Beliratu’s name concluded. She then expressed concern for those not present.

「I wonder if Amria and the others are alright. It’s a serious matter, not just the dialogue with Asteria, but also General Hausen’s presence in the Imperial City. Lynette is quite worried. Yachiyo and the others were not permitted at the meeting.」

「Don’t worry about Asteria and Hausen causing harm. Asteria needs Amria for her own purposes, and Hausen’s goal is discussion. There’s no benefit for anyone in conflict there.」

「But don’t humans often fight even without benefit?」

「That’s hard to argue against, but Lynette, among the three present there, only Amria seems truly human. Asteria’s mentality and Hausen’s very existence are hardly human.」

Lynette laughed softly at my response. It’s ironic that the absence of humans seems more reassuring.

At the same time, in the basement of Baroldi Castle, within a hidden room erased from all plans, were Amria, Asteria, and Hausen. Outside the room’s sole iron entrance stood Yachiyo and Fuuka, tense, while Kyles remained calm, arms crossed.

Although they weren’t enemies, Yachiyo and Fuuka unavoidably felt nervous around Kyles, whose strength was overwhelmingly superior.

Kyles, on his part, seemed slightly troubled by the duo’s small-animal-like wariness, despite not showing it outwardly. He was the type to show no mercy to adversaries but couldn’t act harshly towards non-adversaries.

Inside the room, an intriguing dynamic unfolded: Amria looked perplexedly at Hausen, Hausen observed Amria, and Asteria watched over both. The secret chamber, known only to top heirs to the throne and select close aides of the emperor, was minimally furnished. Besides the lighting fixtures trapping magic light in crystals on the ceiling and walls, there was only a thick, plain red carpet on the marble floor, a large round table carved from agate, and four ivory chairs. Notably, only Hausen stood while the twin princesses, Amria and Asteria, were seated.

Asteria, her long hair braided and styled into a bun, asked Hausen, already knowing the answer, “General Hausen, have you confirmed that Amria is indeed my true blood sister?” Both sisters sported identical hairstyles, with their only difference being Asteria’s blue dress and Amria’s green one.

The living encyclopedia of the empire, ever in his red armor and helmet with long, thick horns, turned to Asteria, responding in a matter-of-fact manner.

「Indeed, Princess Asteria. This lady here is unquestionably of your bloodline. We acknowledge her as a member of the Romal Empire’s royal family and recognize her right to the throne. Given the empire’s current state, the conditions for conveying this secret matter are met.」

Amria, sporting the same hairstyle as her sister, asked Hausen with evident curiosity, 「General Hausen, do you possess a method to verify my blood relation to the imperial family?」

Hausen, standing erect, nodded slightly in affirmation.

「I confirm. I have been responsible for verifying the continuation of the first emperor’s lineage in all royals, from the first emperor to his successors, as well as assessing the legitimacy of their claim to the throne. I am equipped with the necessary technology and tools for this task.」

Puzzled by Hausen’s choice of words, Amria tilted her head, wondering, 「Equipped?」

「Indeed, I have heard rumors suggesting that you, General Hausen, are the true ruler of the empire. It seems they are true. May I ask, have you been alive since the empire’s inception? Pardon my forwardness, but I am curious about what lies beneath your armor.」

Asteria, having expected a more straightforward approach from Amria, decided to watch the unfolding conversation with interest. For her, securing Hausen’s recognition of Amria’s royal rights nearly completed her agenda.

「Yes, I affirm. I have been active here even before encountering the first emperor. To put it in terms you can understand, Amria, the contents of this armor consist of a combination of metal tubes, skeletons, and gears. You should perceive me and my Kingsguard as advanced products of golem and puppetry technology.」

Amria, with an inquisitive look, questioned further, 「So, you’re saying you were created by someone?」

Indeed, if a being is artificially created and endowed with intelligence, then Amria has a relevant point of reference in Lynette, Gundeus, and Kyrlinne. However, she isn’t privy to the finer details of their origins.

「Correct. I am a so-called Deva legacy, operational till now. The first emperor, Romal, found us in a dormant state, forged a contract, and obtained usage rights. He unified this region through force, using our power to establish the Romal Empire. After Romal’s death, I have continuously appointed his descendants as new contract holders, in line with the agreement made during his lifetime. My current visit aims to adjudicate your eligibility for the throne—that is, to determine whether you hold the right to contract with us. This judgment of contract rights is beyond the interference of any current contract holder. Hence, my visit to Baroldi is known to Linosart.」

「The legacy of Deva… I’ve often read about it, but never imagined witnessing it firsthand. I understand there are still active Deva legacies in Todorokuni.」

「Indeed, Amria, but you have active Deva legacies around you, resembling humans so closely that you might not have noticed.」

At this revelation, both Asteria and Amria reacted with surprise, the former with a raised eyebrow and the latter with widened eyes.

「In my surroundings? Yachiyo and Fuuka… surely not. And Gwandan too. Then…」

「The Dragonian known as Gwandan is an enigma to us, a mystery beyond our analysis. However, the three servants who accompany him and also serve as your guardians are the ones in question. While Torne, claiming that name, is a product of modern usage of Deva technology and not a complete legacy, Gundeus and Kyrlinne are different cases. Developed later than me and for different purposes, their equipment and bodies remain in prime condition, a testament to excellent preservation.」

「Both you, General, and Gundeus and Kyrlinne, seem no different from conversing with humans. The technology of the ancients was indeed advanced. Now, with the imperial throne contested between my sister and the Grand Duke, why does the General side with the Grand Duke?」

Based on her current knowledge, Amria surmised it could be because the Grand Duke controls the imperial capital or possesses exclusive imperial tools.

「In disputes between imperial throne claimants, we, the contracted, must be equally divided among them. This is the reason for my alignment with the Grand Duke.」

「We, the contracted… Deva’s legacy? So, there are legacies on my sister’s side as well?」

Amria’s gaze prompted Asteria to nod, maintaining her smile.

「Yes. After our father’s health worsened, I learned directly from him and the General. Though the founding emperor directly contracted with the General, his primary role is as a guardian, correct?」

「Exactly. My primary duty is to guard both the contract itself and the contracted parties.」

「So, General Hausen, the guardian, sides with the Grand Duke. In contrast, the descendants of the original contract holders, like us from the Romal royal family, have joined me. This includes the likes of Zanad and Aslam, who are as formidable as the Twelve Winged Generals.」

In this context, Zanad and Aslam, along with other guardians not present, serve Asteria as per the contract. Gwandan’s conjectures, based on intel from the battle with Galilius, almost perfectly aligned with Hausen and Asteria’s narration.

Amria, processing the newfound information, continued her inquiries with Hausen, seizing the opportunity to uncover secrets long hidden in the Romal Empire’s history.

「Then why do neither the guardians nor the contractors actively engage in the battle against the Demon King’s Army? I thought that you were not moving Mr. Zanad or Mr. Aslam, but are you actually unable to? Is it in the contract that neither the guardian nor the contractor can act in a fight against an external enemy?」