Magic Gems Gourmet

Chapter 220

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ED: LonelyMatter

Chapter 220 – Something Called Fate Part 1

After a short break, Lloyd and Lili―accompanied by a woman named Sylvia―returned to the port of the Ishtalika royal capital on the sea dragon Leviathan for the first time in a long time.

The Leviathan arrived at short notice, but when they arrived at the port, they found that many people from the royal capital and people connected to the castle had already arrived.

Everyone had a look of hope on their faces, and it struck a chord with Lloyd and the others.

It was almost time for dinner, the busiest time of the day in the capital.

In contrast to the bright evening scenery, the mood of the knights was very dark.

Even though they had returned to Ishtalika after a long time, they felt no joy.

“Stay back! There are injured people here, let’s talk later!”

From the Leviathan, they went to a small boat and then to the port.

Just like when Ain left, it was difficult to accept Leviathan at the port of the royal capital.

Lili, who had disembarked from the small boat, hurriedly made way for them and quickly carried the injured people to the prepared carriage.

The two most important people were Chris and Dill, and they were moved while they were hidden so that the people of the royal capital would not be upset.

“Your Excellency the Marshal! Welcome back!”

“Oh, our heroes have returned! But Your Excellency the Marshal, your eye…?”

The citizens of the capital congratulated them in a teasing way, but at the moment, it felt a little annoying.

Still, Lloyd smiled and quickly got into the carriage with Sylvia.

“Have you heard the news?”

Lloyd spoke to the coachman from inside the carriage.

“…I’ve heard that the battle is over, but there’s a report about the Crown Prince. We’re on our way to the castle.”

“Please.”

It seemed that the coachman had understood the situation to some extent, and without asking any more questions, he quickly set the carriage in motion.

Then Sylvia looked at Chris and muttered.

“…This girl will wake up soon.”

That’s good news. But from Lloyd’s point of view, Dill was just as important, and he asked Sylvia with a voice and eyes that seemed to beg for help.

“What about Dill, my son…?”

“I can only say that it depends on this child’s own life force. I’m sorry, but if this child were a monster, I could help…”

“…No, I asked a strange question. I’m sorry.”

A heavy atmosphere hung over the carriage.

After all, Dill’s condition was serious, and nothing could be done—that was all that could be said.

“Lloyd-sama, a user of healing magic will be here soon! And the castle has plenty of facilities… so he’ll be fine!”

“I’m sorry. You’re right.”

Lloyd, encouraged by Lili, slapped his cheek hard.

He declared with eyes full of determination after slapping his cheek hard enough to leave a bruise.

“Let’s do what we have to do. First, we must report to His Majesty.”

＊＊＊

There was a peculiar atmosphere in the castle that had never been there before.

One moment, it was eerily quiet, and the next, angry shouts could be heard echoing from everywhere.

If the castle were to be compared to a person, it would best be described as emotionally unstable.

In the midst of all this, a carriage rushed toward the castle―the front of the carriage arrived at the castle entrance, and the injured person was hurriedly carried away.

“Hurry! Be very careful!”

“Ha!”

“Understood!”

After leaving the injured in the care of the knights and servants of the castle who had come to greet them, Lloyd tells them to be especially careful with Chris and Dill.

Lloyd and Sylvia then stepped out of the carriage and look at the castle stretching out before them.

…Then, the petite servant Martha approached Lloyd.

“Dear…”

“Yes.”

Martha sensed the uneasiness as well.

She looked at the back of Dill’s head as he was carried away, and her mouth tightened.

But she noticed that something was different about Lloyd―because now he was only one-eyed…

The next moment, Martha hugged Lloyd tightly and trembled for several seconds.

“The king is waiting for you. So hurry…”

“Martha, please stay with Dill. I can’t be with him.”

What was Martha’s idea of Dill’s condition?

She looked startled at Lloyd’s words and stepped away from him.

Then, without caring what the people around her thought, she began to run, hastily following Dill as he was carried away.

“Lloyd-sama. Um, at least for a little while… Could you stay with Guard Officer Dill…”

Lili was worried, but Lloyd started walking without answering.

As usual, when he entered the castle, Lloyd hurried to the place where Sylvird was.

“…Let’s go too. Shall we?”

Lili, who had been struck by an unspeakable cruelty, finally moved her feet when Sylvia pushed her back.

She nodded silently and followed Sylvia after Lloyd.

When they entered the castle for the first time in a long time, they were surprised by the completely different atmosphere.

＊＊＊

The softness of the carpet was so strong that it made the three of them understand the fatigue that had built up in their bodies.

Overwhelmed by many emotions, the three of them rushed through the castle.

Lloyd, who walked ahead, naturally headed for the audience chamber, and the other two followed without any objection.

This went on for several minutes, and they finally reached the audience chamber―the place where Sylvird was probably waiting.

“I’m back, Your Majesty.”

Lloyd says at the door.

There was a sign of someone inside, but no answer came.

Then Lloyd knocked a few times and put his hand on the door.

The heavy wood creaked as it slowly opened to the left and right, revealing the figure of the person inside.

Sylvird was sitting on the throne, radiating an overwhelming sense of presence.

And a short distance away, Laralua and Krone stood.

And on the other side, Katima waited silently.

“…I must ask. Why is the Crown Prince… Ain… my grandson, not here?”

Sylvird spoke with a sad tone that radiated a sense of authority.

When he looked up for the first time, he was surprised to see Lloyd, who had lost an eye.

“Lloyd, you lost an eye…”

Hearing Sylvird’s words, Laralua and Krone also changed to a sad expression.

They put their hands over their mouths and felt the tragedy.

On the other hand, Lloyd, who had gathered strength in his body from Sylvird’s words, walked forward with long strides and knelt on the ground.

“Your Majesty, I have a report to make.”

“…I don’t want to hear it. I don’t want to hear anything!”

Despite saying that he had to hear it, Sylvird’s attitude changed completely.

Sylvird’s expression darkened as he looked at Lloyd’s injuries, but he shrank away without making eye contact.

Laralua and Krone also wore sad expressions on their faces, and in their hearts, they probably didn’t want to hear Lloyd’s report either.

…Then, in response to this atmosphere of sadness in the audience chamber, Sylvia spoke with a voice that made everyone sit up.

“Those who are descended from my child must not act in such a manner. It would be an insult not only to your ancestors, but also to the Continent of Ishtar.”

Lloyd knelt in the middle of the carpet. Sylvia strode past him as if she owned the place, tapping her staff to attract attention.

The impact of the staff shook the air, and the sound spread throughout the audience chamber.

“Look up, one who carries the blood of the Ishtalika royal family.”

He had no choice but to do so. Sylvird felt a mysterious compulsion and looked up.

When he looked up, there was Sylvia―a woman dressed in black robes.

“Who… are you?”

Sylvird was not the only one wondering who she was.

Laralua and Krone were the same, and even without opening their mouths, it was clear to see how confused they were.

Unlike them, however, Katima was so surprised that she fell to her knees.

“Th-That can’t be… It’s a lie-nya…”

“Katima? Why are you so surprised…”

“Elder Lich… How can she be here-nya… !”

Katima’s surprise was felt by everyone.

For Katima, who had read all of Wilfried’s books, Sylvia’s appearance was too easy to understand.

In addition to her appearance as described in the books, there was also a mysterious sense of compulsion―and the proof was the luxurious staff she held in her hand.

“Elder Lich…? No, that can’t be…”

Sylvird realized.

The meaning of the words “those who have the blood of my child” from earlier.

“Ara, you understand.”

“W-well, I read a lot of books… nya.”

“Elf books?”

“Nya, nya…”

Katima nodded weakly. It was unusual for her, and she seemed to have trouble opening her mouth due to nervousness.

There was also a fear that made her want to run away, but when she noticed that Sylvird was strangely calm, Katima also gently calmed her breathing.

“I’ll tell you more about the book later. For now, the descendant of my son, the king of this generation, let me tell you about the current situation of Crown Prince Ain.”

“A-Ain has not lost his life…!”

“No, he is alive. He has taken strong roots in the capital of Heim, absorbing the evil that surrounds him and continuing to grow.”

“…I’m sorry, but I have no idea what’s going on. What is happening?”

Sylvird stood up at the unexpected good news.

Then, he took tentative steps forward and approached the spot where Lloyd and Sylvia were standing.

“He has fulfilled our long-cherished wish. He defeated the Red Fox and struck down their leader… but he was unable to resist the last mental lapse that occurred and was defeated by the power of the Demon King that dwells within him.”

“So… it’s the same as the Demon King Arche…?”

“No. It’s worse than Arche. Ain-kun was more or less pushed around by the power of the demon king that dwells within him. The strength of that power is proof that he was able to summon us.”

He didn’t know what to do.

Sylvird’s behavior seemed to cause him nothing but confusion.

However, Laralua spoke for the first time after hearing their conversation.

“Please forgive me for interrupting, Your Majesty, but…”

“It’s Sylvia.”

“I apologize, Sylvia-sama. I’m sorry, but Katima… Besides, Krone and I can’t keep up with what you’re all talking about. If you don’t mind me asking, could you explain the meaning of the words ‘demon king’ and ‘descendant of my son’ that you said, Sylvia-sama?”

The women of the Ishtalika royal family were strong.

As if to embody this saying, Laralua asked Sylvia with a determined attitude.

Krone nodded quietly next to Laralua, and her expression also became firmer.

Katima, on the other hand, still seemed confused, but when she stood up, she brushed the dust from her knees with her paws.

“…May I explain? Your Majesty.”

Sylvird nodded immediately at Sylvia’s words.

Now that it had come to this, there was no way to hide the secret he and Ain had shared.

＊＊＊

Sylvia told them the same story she told Lloyd and Lili earlier, but this time, she included information about the royal family.

As she explains in more detail, the people gathered in the audience chamber are astonished at the truth.

Sylvia told them everything: that Ain had become the Demon King, the truth about the Ishtalika royal family, and their relationship with the Demon King Arche and the others.

She also told them about the family relations of the first king, Mark.

After hearing the explanation, Laralua was silent for a while, and then she was about to glare at Sylvird for not telling her.

However, considering his feelings and the content of the story, Laralua restrained herself at the last moment.

“So Sylvia-sama is the mother of His Majesty Mark, is that right?”

“That is correct.”

Having understood the situation, Laralua sighed and straightened her posture before moving forward.

She stepped in front of Sylvird and stood right next to Sylvia, but then she immediately bowed deeply and gave a deep greeting.

“Please forgive me for my many rude actions.”

It was unusual for the reigning queen to bow.

However, given her position, Queen Laralua’s bowing to the former kings and their queens was nothing strange.

Especially when it was the mother of the first king, Mark, it was unthinkable for an Ishtalikan not to bow.

“Your Majesty, I think you should bow as well.”

Normally, this was not the time.

He was so worried about the situation with Ain that he had no time to spare, even if it was for Sylvird.

But Laralua, who valued politeness, appealed to her husband, Sylvird.

“Mmm… Y-you’re right…”

“Ah, it’s okay. It’s a problem if it’s too rude, but I’m not asking you to bow to me.”

As Laralua bowed, Katima and Krone also bowed near the throne.

Just before Sylvird knelt, Sylvia stopped him and helped Laralua to her feet.

“But is it really okay to believe me so easily?”

It was a natural question. She wondered why Laralua and the others had believed Sylvia so easily and asked without concern.

“It’s a report from the Crown Prince, whom I trust. Besides, the story of rapid growth and strengthening… and also, based on the facts in the former Demon King’s territory, there’s no way we can deny what you’re saying, Sylvia-dono.”

“Fufu, I see. Then that’s good… Oh, I think my husband will be coming later, so please take care of him.”

Even though he didn’t understand the situation when he heard the word husband, when he looked at Lloyd, who nodded, Sylvird decided to leave it to him.

“Well then, I’m sorry to interrupt, but I’d like to get back to the topic. After all, what is the situation? Ain is alive, right…? “

“He is alive. But right now, he’s just letting the Demon King’s power run wild.”

“…I don’t think that’s all there is to it. If you think about the past Demon King, Arche…”

Sylvird smiles wryly, but he looks more hopeful than he did at the beginning.

“I’m getting to the point, even if it’s a bit late. The reason I’m here is to get Arche’s magic stone.”

“Nya? T-The Demon King’s magic stone…?”

“Yes. I need the girl’s magic stone.”

Katima was startled, but Sylvia was different.

She folded her arms around her chest and looked very sad, but then she smiled and tried to look strong.

“S-so that’s it! You’re going to use the magic stone of the Demon King Arche to stop Ain from going berserk and save him, right?”

“Yes. We’ll use Arche’s magic stone to make an attack and grant Ain-kun’s wish.”

“We thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Please, please save our Ain…!”

Then Laralua and Katima also bowed their heads and expressed their gratitude for Sylvia’s words.

However, only one person―Krone―did not bow her head but stared at Sylvia.

She did not speak but continued to stare at Sylvia with a strong gaze.

“Speaking of which, Your Majesty, where is Olivia-sama…?”

When he realized that Olivia was not around, Lloyd asked Sylvird.

“U-umu… I don’t know, but she’s been sick and in bed since about noon. I heard from Martha that she suddenly fainted and hasn’t woken up since.”

“N-no way… Has she been under a lot of stress?”

“Maybe she took root.”

Sylvia said an ominous word.

The word “taking root” is a matter of life and death for dryads like Ain and Olivia.

“Taking root… Could it be that she and Logas-dono…?”

If that were the case, it would be a big problem. After all, Logas was already dead.

…But Sylvia immediately denies it.

“I remember something about a boy named Logas, but he’s already dead, so it can’t be him.”

“Then who on earth is it…!”

Who was the man his daughter came in contact with?

If it had something to do with the one who went to the battlefield, Sylvird couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

As he said this with eyes full of hatred, he thought he must find the culprit… but…

“Ain-kun was raised like a normal baby. He was breastfed as an infant, and he had a good relationship with his mother until he was this age. Maybe this is the reason why she has taken root without him knowing it. I’m sorry, but I don’t know more about the habit of taking root. But I think it is because of that past that she became ill.”

Everyone who heard these words felt that they were convincing.

Recently, Olivia had always shown her love for Ain, such as kissing his forehead when he left for the war.

If that were the case, it would not be surprising if a situation arose in which she unconsciously took root.

“Besides… if she collapsed in the afternoon, it would also fit the time when Ain went berserk.”

In reality, many aspects of the habits and biology of dryads were unclear, and there was no reason to deny that.

Sylvia’s expression hardened as she felt sorry for the situation.

“B-but if we can solve Ain’s problem, then Olivia’s too.”

“Yes. If we can solve Ain-kun’s problem, then this child will also get better.”

――Again.

Krone felt a sense of unease as she watched Sylvia answering the words like a mountain echo.

She suppressed the urge to open her mouth and question her and tried her best to think.

“Then I’m relieved… S-so when are you going to Ain’s place…?”

It’s understandable that he wants to hurry things along.

Laralua gave Sylvird a stern look, but Silvia smiled gently.

“I’m thinking of leaving as soon as my husband returns. Otherwise, Ain-kun will just get stronger and stronger.”

“Oh, then that’s perfect!”

“Hmm, Your Majesty? What do you mean by ‘perfect’?”

“Haha, actually, Professor Oz is coming to the castle tomorrow morning! He’s finally back in Ist, and he’s bringing some materials with him! I thought he might be able to help with the situation with Sylvia-dono and the others as well.”

“Oh, that’s good news.”

But Sylvia showed her disapproval. This was because Ain will continue to absorb and become stronger.

In other words, it was no exaggeration to say that time was of the essence.

“I don’t think we can wait overnight…”

For Lloyd and Lili, becoming a demon king was something they came to understand through their battle with Ed.

The fact that Ist, who had been researching this in the past, and Oz, a prominent researcher among them, are coming was also good news for them.

“By the way… who is this Oz?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. Professor Oz has some of the research materials of the past Ist… and it seems that some of it includes research on creating an artificial demon king. That’s why we’ve been trying to contact him for a while now, but we haven’t been able to get in touch with him…”

“Hmm… an artificial demon king, huh?”

Sylvia was interested in Lloyd’s explanation.

“I see. Then I guess I’ll stay here for the night.”

Then Sylvia suddenly changed her mind and said she would stay the night.

Sylvird, Lloyd, Laralua, and the others all express their gratitude for this answer and feel a strong sense of dependence.

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