Loyalty (1)
After the meeting at the underground jail.
We temporarily took Alveiro out of the jail, and followed Finar’s plan to bring him outside.
The destination was the Demon Realm….
Now that the teleportation door to the Demon Realm’s Royal Capital had been installed, it was possible for us to go back and forth from the Rogard Empire to the Demon Realm at any time.But only secretly.
As I recalled, it would have caused a great deal of trouble in my previous life to transport a person whose guilt had not been confirmed, or even if guilt had been confirmed, to another country without permission.
Since it would cause a violation of the empire’s sovereignty, the Demon King’s subordinates have all worked together to make small arrangements, allowing them to secure free movement for one day.
So, officially, Alveiro never came to Demon Realm, and in fact, everyone, except us, would think that Alveiro was still in prison.
Even if there were visits to him, they would all be shut out by the authority of the Demon King.
The person in question, Alveiro, was quite skeptical, but he did not put up any resistance and quietly followed us.
We did not explain anything to him, but after going through the teleportation door, he muttered to himself, “If this is…” and “That door…” He probably realized that this was the Demon Realm.And there was only one reason why we brought him here.
“No, no way… how is this possible…?!”
Alveiro guessed that he was going to meet with someone… but never in his mind would he have expected to meet with the former emperor…
“It’s been a long time, Alveiro, and I’m glad to see you in good health.”
“Your Majesty Shendra…!”
Alveiro’s eyes teared up after seeing the former emperor’s face.
“Ugh… you, you were alive…!”
Alveiro sobbed as tears poured out from his eyes like a dam had been broken.
The former emperor watched Alveiro’s manly sobs with warmth in his eyes, without stopping Alveiro as he cried.
I could certainly feel a bond between them that we would never know.
A few minutes later, after taking a deep breath, Alveiro finally spoke, “We were only told that you had been executed, and that we could not even get a glimpse of your corpse… was it for this reason…?”
“No, the execution was certainly done. [Shendra] is already dead. Here before you is just [Shen]. Should the former emperor responsible for the war be deemed to be alive, he would be publicly executed. And… well, since I am now here dealing with you, I want to make it clear that I do not want to lead a country again. I’m sorry, but will you please keep that in mind and don’t say a word, okay?”
“…Ha! I am awed by your presence. I will only keep in my heart that his Majesty is alive. But really…how did you survive after what happened…?”
“Hmph, there were some complicated matters involved. But it is important for you to consider that you can put your faith in the current Emperor. Even though we are from different species, if there is interest and reason in it, an agreement can be made.”
“If I recall correctly, Your Majesty’s…no, Master Shen’s occupation now is that of a researcher?”
“Yes, I am. From morning until night, I study what I like, explore the literature, and search for knowledge. It is a way of life that I could not have imagined when I was emperor. It’s fun. I am sorry… leaving all of you behind, though.”
“No, that’s nothing to worry about, considering all you’ve been through, Master Shen. If there are those who complain, they are the ones who should be punished.”
Alveiro smiled happily after calming down at the former emperor, who seemed truly satisfied with his current situation.
…Perhaps they both understand well the hardships of being an emperor.
Apparently, they were quite close.
And then, Shen changed his tone of voice to something a little more serious.
“So…you were brought all the way here. It seems you’ve gotten yourself into a bit of trouble.”
Alveiro said, “I am sorry, Your Majesty, that I have not been able to fully govern the country entrusted to us…”
“You are trying something new, it is only natural that a problem or two will arise. As far as that goes, you are doing well. …I left the country in your hands at the most troublesome time. So, if there is anything I can do to help, I will help.”
“…But…”
Alveiro glanced at me and the Demon King, who were standing by his side.
“You can trust these men. Their priority is themselves and their country, but that doesn’t mean they are stupid enough to prey on other countries for their own immediate greed. Of course, if they show naïveté, I won’t be satisfied with that.”
“…That’s a very rational thought. You haven’t changed, have you?”
“Well, people don’t change that much, you know. You have sometimes advised me that people cannot be convinced of everything simply by being rational. Although, as a researcher, I need to be a little flexible now, that did not change my way of thinking of judging in accordance with reason. That state of mind will not change in me regardless of me being [Shendra] or [Shen].”
At this statement, Alveiro let out a resigned chuckle and nodded.
“…I am awed. If you say so, Master Shen. –His Majesty the Demon Emperor, and the Demon King… Please forgive me for my past rudeness. I will tell you everything I know.”
“Thank you. I can only assume that you have some important reasons behind all the things you did, right?”
Alveiro replied, “Yes. Well, let me start by telling you why I went to the third warehouse. –There is someone I can’t tell you about… I have been summoned to the third warehouse by that certain person, a person who I cannot speak of.”
The Demon King seemed to get the message from the riddle-like words.
“I see, then, the one who is now active in the Rogard Empire is…”
“Mm, if it’s someone you [cannot speak of], then the opponent is that one, isn’t it?”
Shen said and followed.
“–A remaining member of the royal family.”
