Visiting the outpost guarded by intermediate homunculus was something I had been planning for a long time, as was inspecting the magic mines where lower-level homunculus worked.
'It's the summer rainy season now. The rain will cause the demons to run rampant, so reinforcements will be desperately needed.'
The Gray Wall Outpost was a place cut off from the world.
A natural cliff defense line that prevents demons and dragons from crossing the empire. It is the prison wall. It trapped the residents inside.
Therefore, those who guarded the gray wall had to be self-sufficient and survive independently.
As for interactions with the world, once a year, the Empire sends a mid-level homunculus.
The only time the barrier gates opened was to allow the exiled vicious criminals to send in supplies, including food and weapons.
In reality, it should be seen as nothing more than a guard giving food to a prisoner rather than an exchange.
'They didn't even send out regular dispatch investigations like magic stone mine. No one knows how many places there are as they have been left completely unattended.'
I opened my mouth, steeling my resolve. Now it was my turn to say the words that were on my lips.
“Father.”
“Tell me, Eve.”
“The Gray Wall Outpost was built quite a long time ago. It has been maintained since the time when the dragon was rampant, so we have been together for a full 300 years.”
“Yes. It looks very backward now. I am also concerned about that. We are sending you here to assess the condition in advance and, if necessary, to carry out major repairs.”
“Father, I am afraid to tell you, but I have a different opinion.”
“Hmm?”
For the first time in a while, Desmond II was trying to do something to help improve the treatment of homunculus, but I expressed my opposition.
“Isn’t this a barrier base that has stood on its own for three hundred years? It should be usable.”
“So, you think so?”
“Yes. And anyway, I will only use it briefly in this battle against Ambroxa, so why bother? Is it necessary to invest a large amount of national treasury? Even if we monopolize the magic stone. It is time for the imperial family to bear the entire cost of the punitive war without the conscription of nobles. Even a single coin is not enough."
“Oh, well, that’s true.”
“We just need to expand the supply routes and warehouses for military supplies. I’ll tell you what I’m doing. I will accompany you and handle it efficiently and at a low cost. Just leave it to me.”
I shook my head like any other arrogant royal.
I lifted my head and placed my hand on my chest confidently. The reason I did this was obvious.
'How long will it take for the royal family to make a move?'
Above all, if I wanted to get a result worthy of my contemplation, it was a hundred times better to do it myself.
“Hmm, good. Give it a try.”
“I am so sorry, Father.”
Because of his great contribution to the last magic stone mine, permission was granted easily.
“We’ll be leaving tomorrow morning. Take care of yourself and, as a sister and brother, take good care of your younger sister, Rosie.”
“Yes, Father."
“Then everyone, step back and prepare.”
Four royals came out of the audience room with their knights. I glanced at Rosenite.
'I thought you'd cling to me and say you couldn't go because of the tears.'
Rosenite stared blankly for a moment, then turned around as if she felt my gaze.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Because you're pretty.”
Now the empty words came out reflexively. Rosenite flinched but soon came to her senses.
“Huh, you thought I would be scared when I was sent on a mission? Even if I were like this, I’m a member of the royal family, too. Can’t I just think of it as a trip?”
“I like your attitude.”
After responding halfheartedly, I passed Rosenite, intending to return to my quarters.
“Eve.”
Then Brigitte called me over.
It was clear that the matter was going to be a fight. I looked back at Brigitte with a look on my face that said, “Go ahead and do it.”
“Building supply lines and warehouses? Trying to make some kind of contribution. You take it upon yourself to do all sorts of things. But even so, it’s not something that can even be considered a direct military achievement.”
“You speak as if my older sister has already achieved military success.”
“Ah, I see the future in my eyes. It’s a shame that you can’t see it with your own eyes. Still, after you return from this mission, you’ll be able to grasp the reality.”
“Is that so?”
“Well then. It’s a good opportunity to pit your Knights of Punishment against my Knights of the Blood Wall. Aren’t you curious to see whose knights will listen to their master’s words better?”
I thought to myself.
'Ah, sister. Please don't talk nonsense in front of Michael.'
Because of my older sister who doesn't know the subject, I don't see Michael as a member of the royal family.
It was embarrassing. I glanced at Michael. Thankfully, he was expressionless.
I, who had regained peace of mind, met Brigitte's gaze again.
'I guess I'll have to give in moderately.'
The more I try to cheer up my step-sister today, the more it will hurt when I hit her on the back of the head later.
“Currently, each homunculus is stuck in their own fighting style. Isn’t that right? I’m worried that you, my sister, are not seeing reality properly and are setting your goals too high.”
“But wouldn’t you listen if it was an order given directly by the royal family? There is a charm to being able to check loyalty more intuitively.”
“Anyway, because of the loyalty oath ceremony, they have to follow the royal family’s orders. That's all. I don't know what's so enjoyable about reaffirming dry loyalty to my sister."
“Are you pretending not to know, or do you really not know? If it's the latter, then I'm disappointed. I've been giving gifts to the Knights recently. You must have heard that I am working hard to instill loyalty in them.”
I did not respond. Then Brigitte came closer and whispered.
“Material rewards are a good way to buy hearts. From what I’ve seen, homunculus is no different from humans.”
“I am deeply moved to hear my sister say such wonderful words.”
“I guess I have the potential to be a Saint.”
The atmosphere of give and take ended here. Brigitte immediately changed her expression to a cold one and spoke in a strong, threatening tone.
“Listen carefully, Eve. I will include all the knights.”
“Wouldn’t it be fun then? When you and I give conflicting orders, the homunculus will decide whose order will take precedence. I’ve been looking forward to it since the beginning.”
After finishing speaking, Brigitte turned her back with a sharp noise.
The sound of laughter and heels faded away across the hallway. Bridgitte's back looked triumphant as if she had already won.
“Phew..."
As soon as Brigitte disappeared from sight, I straightened my drooping shoulders and lowered my gaze. My hunched appearance was nowhere to be found.
I turned around in the opposite direction to Brigitte. Then, Rosenite and Derek, who had been watching from behind, flinched and reflexively made way for me.
I gently extended my left hand to the side.
“Sir Agnito, I need to get some air.”
“I will serve you.”
I and Michael left the main palace and chose a walking path. Michael, who had now become familiar with the palace, led me.
“Here?”
We arrived at a garden filled with trees taller than an adult.
Tiny flower stalks were sprouting up between the glossy, dark green leaves that were as glossy as velvet.
It was a camellia garden where it was still too early in the season to appreciate the flowers.
There was not a single shadow of a person in sight, and the tall trees surrounding it gave a cozy feeling of space.
Michael smiled and confessed his intentions.
“I came to a remote place on purpose.”
"Good job."
It was when I smiled at Michael and Michael wrapped both arms around my shoulders. I looked puzzled by the warm embrace.
“Michael?”
“I thought you might be upset.”
"Yes?"
“You were humiliated by a lowly person.”
"Ah."
The hug's meaning was comfort. Michael's eyes seemed pitiful as I matched the rhythm to make Brigitte feel proud.
Although Michael's embrace felt good, I felt guilty about pretending to be weak and receiving comfort.
“I’m fine. I’m fine, so don’t worry.”
“I’m not okay. It’s my fault that you’re experiencing unpleasant things.”
“Hey, why is that Michael’s fault?”
“That’s something I haven’t..."
Michael tried to say something but then closed his mouth. I felt something significant and raised my head.
“Michael?”
He had something to say, but he hesitated to bring it up. My gaze, which was staring at him intently, seemed to be bothersome, so he turned his head away and closed his mouth.
There was a sign that something was wrong. Even when he was joking around and cleverly hiding his emotions, it had never been like this.
'No way?'
Maybe it's because he's a man I love, but I started to notice things I never noticed before.
'Has Michael realized something about his own identity?'
My guess went that far.
Immediately a strange light flashed in my amber eyes. A willing possibility came to me.
It made my heart flutter.
Perhaps, in the future, we will be able to have a frank discussion with him about issues that are very important to achieving the cause.
“Michael.”
He turned his gaze again at the soft call.
I tried to calm my throbbing left chest.
It's not something you can just get excited about. I chose my words carefully and told a little bit about the story.
“You see. For now, we should give up on making the Knights join forces.”
“Why?”
“I thought about it, and I think the reason the homunculus can’t form a group is because of the ceremony where they pledge allegiance to the Emperor.”
“Because of the loyalty oath ceremony? I don’t quite understand.”
I was happy to continue explaining.
“When individuals become a group, their power increases. Even without that, each individual has tremendous power, but as a group, they share a sense of unity. What if? From the perspective of the exploitative royal family, the first thing that comes to mind is treason.”
"No way."
“Yes. The imperial family considered the homunculus grouping itself dangerous and placed a ban on it.”
"Ha."
“I think that brainwashing was just a loyalty oath ceremony. In reality, it was more about preventing collectivization than loyalty. That was the purpose, but they cleverly changed the name to deceive us.”
“...Really, the cunning of the imperial family is incredible.”
Michael had a rather shocked look on his face.
I felt a deep sense of guilt as a member of the royal family. However, I firmly raised my gaze, which was about to turn to the floor, and fixed it on Michael's face.
Now it was time to conclude.
Michael looked straight at me as the voice contained the answer. Our gazes crossed in the silence.
What he really wanted to convey was not in words but in his eyes.
After a while, I opened my mouth and broke the silence.
“My story is over, Michael, now, would you like to tell me what you think?"
“...There are two ways.”
Michael pulled my hand towards his lips, and a loving kiss fell on each of my five fingers.
“Either you become the Emperor and liberate your people..."
The hands that had been kissed were intertwined and lowered. Then, a handsome face slowly came closer to my nose.
It was a kissable distance. But Michael's lips brushed my lips and moved toward my ear.
"Or not."
I waited for Michael's next words with a tense, parched throat.
Finally, a fiercely attractive low-mid-range sound rang in my ears.
“Either I become King.”
'It's the summer rainy season now. The rain will cause the demons to run rampant, so reinforcements will be desperately needed.'
The Gray Wall Outpost was a place cut off from the world.
A natural cliff defense line that prevents demons and dragons from crossing the empire. It is the prison wall. It trapped the residents inside.
Therefore, those who guarded the gray wall had to be self-sufficient and survive independently.
As for interactions with the world, once a year, the Empire sends a mid-level homunculus.
The only time the barrier gates opened was to allow the exiled vicious criminals to send in supplies, including food and weapons.
In reality, it should be seen as nothing more than a guard giving food to a prisoner rather than an exchange.
'They didn't even send out regular dispatch investigations like magic stone mine. No one knows how many places there are as they have been left completely unattended.'
I opened my mouth, steeling my resolve. Now it was my turn to say the words that were on my lips.
“Father.”
“Tell me, Eve.”
“The Gray Wall Outpost was built quite a long time ago. It has been maintained since the time when the dragon was rampant, so we have been together for a full 300 years.”
“Yes. It looks very backward now. I am also concerned about that. We are sending you here to assess the condition in advance and, if necessary, to carry out major repairs.”
“Father, I am afraid to tell you, but I have a different opinion.”
“Hmm?”
For the first time in a while, Desmond II was trying to do something to help improve the treatment of homunculus, but I expressed my opposition.
“Isn’t this a barrier base that has stood on its own for three hundred years? It should be usable.”
“So, you think so?”
“Yes. And anyway, I will only use it briefly in this battle against Ambroxa, so why bother? Is it necessary to invest a large amount of national treasury? Even if we monopolize the magic stone. It is time for the imperial family to bear the entire cost of the punitive war without the conscription of nobles. Even a single coin is not enough."
“Oh, well, that’s true.”
“We just need to expand the supply routes and warehouses for military supplies. I’ll tell you what I’m doing. I will accompany you and handle it efficiently and at a low cost. Just leave it to me.”
I shook my head like any other arrogant royal.
I lifted my head and placed my hand on my chest confidently. The reason I did this was obvious.
'How long will it take for the royal family to make a move?'
Above all, if I wanted to get a result worthy of my contemplation, it was a hundred times better to do it myself.
“Hmm, good. Give it a try.”
“I am so sorry, Father.”
Because of his great contribution to the last magic stone mine, permission was granted easily.
“We’ll be leaving tomorrow morning. Take care of yourself and, as a sister and brother, take good care of your younger sister, Rosie.”
“Yes, Father."
“Then everyone, step back and prepare.”
Four royals came out of the audience room with their knights. I glanced at Rosenite.
'I thought you'd cling to me and say you couldn't go because of the tears.'
Rosenite stared blankly for a moment, then turned around as if she felt my gaze.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Because you're pretty.”
Now the empty words came out reflexively. Rosenite flinched but soon came to her senses.
“Huh, you thought I would be scared when I was sent on a mission? Even if I were like this, I’m a member of the royal family, too. Can’t I just think of it as a trip?”
“I like your attitude.”
After responding halfheartedly, I passed Rosenite, intending to return to my quarters.
“Eve.”
Then Brigitte called me over.
It was clear that the matter was going to be a fight. I looked back at Brigitte with a look on my face that said, “Go ahead and do it.”
“Building supply lines and warehouses? Trying to make some kind of contribution. You take it upon yourself to do all sorts of things. But even so, it’s not something that can even be considered a direct military achievement.”
“You speak as if my older sister has already achieved military success.”
“Ah, I see the future in my eyes. It’s a shame that you can’t see it with your own eyes. Still, after you return from this mission, you’ll be able to grasp the reality.”
“Is that so?”
“Well then. It’s a good opportunity to pit your Knights of Punishment against my Knights of the Blood Wall. Aren’t you curious to see whose knights will listen to their master’s words better?”
I thought to myself.
'Ah, sister. Please don't talk nonsense in front of Michael.'
Because of my older sister who doesn't know the subject, I don't see Michael as a member of the royal family.
It was embarrassing. I glanced at Michael. Thankfully, he was expressionless.
I, who had regained peace of mind, met Brigitte's gaze again.
'I guess I'll have to give in moderately.'
The more I try to cheer up my step-sister today, the more it will hurt when I hit her on the back of the head later.
“Currently, each homunculus is stuck in their own fighting style. Isn’t that right? I’m worried that you, my sister, are not seeing reality properly and are setting your goals too high.”
“But wouldn’t you listen if it was an order given directly by the royal family? There is a charm to being able to check loyalty more intuitively.”
“Anyway, because of the loyalty oath ceremony, they have to follow the royal family’s orders. That's all. I don't know what's so enjoyable about reaffirming dry loyalty to my sister."
“Are you pretending not to know, or do you really not know? If it's the latter, then I'm disappointed. I've been giving gifts to the Knights recently. You must have heard that I am working hard to instill loyalty in them.”
I did not respond. Then Brigitte came closer and whispered.
“Material rewards are a good way to buy hearts. From what I’ve seen, homunculus is no different from humans.”
“I am deeply moved to hear my sister say such wonderful words.”
“I guess I have the potential to be a Saint.”
The atmosphere of give and take ended here. Brigitte immediately changed her expression to a cold one and spoke in a strong, threatening tone.
“Listen carefully, Eve. I will include all the knights.”
“Wouldn’t it be fun then? When you and I give conflicting orders, the homunculus will decide whose order will take precedence. I’ve been looking forward to it since the beginning.”
After finishing speaking, Brigitte turned her back with a sharp noise.
The sound of laughter and heels faded away across the hallway. Bridgitte's back looked triumphant as if she had already won.
“Phew..."
As soon as Brigitte disappeared from sight, I straightened my drooping shoulders and lowered my gaze. My hunched appearance was nowhere to be found.
I turned around in the opposite direction to Brigitte. Then, Rosenite and Derek, who had been watching from behind, flinched and reflexively made way for me.
I gently extended my left hand to the side.
“Sir Agnito, I need to get some air.”
“I will serve you.”
I and Michael left the main palace and chose a walking path. Michael, who had now become familiar with the palace, led me.
“Here?”
We arrived at a garden filled with trees taller than an adult.
Tiny flower stalks were sprouting up between the glossy, dark green leaves that were as glossy as velvet.
It was a camellia garden where it was still too early in the season to appreciate the flowers.
There was not a single shadow of a person in sight, and the tall trees surrounding it gave a cozy feeling of space.
Michael smiled and confessed his intentions.
“I came to a remote place on purpose.”
"Good job."
It was when I smiled at Michael and Michael wrapped both arms around my shoulders. I looked puzzled by the warm embrace.
“Michael?”
“I thought you might be upset.”
"Yes?"
“You were humiliated by a lowly person.”
"Ah."
The hug's meaning was comfort. Michael's eyes seemed pitiful as I matched the rhythm to make Brigitte feel proud.
Although Michael's embrace felt good, I felt guilty about pretending to be weak and receiving comfort.
“I’m fine. I’m fine, so don’t worry.”
“I’m not okay. It’s my fault that you’re experiencing unpleasant things.”
“Hey, why is that Michael’s fault?”
“That’s something I haven’t..."
Michael tried to say something but then closed his mouth. I felt something significant and raised my head.
“Michael?”
He had something to say, but he hesitated to bring it up. My gaze, which was staring at him intently, seemed to be bothersome, so he turned his head away and closed his mouth.
There was a sign that something was wrong. Even when he was joking around and cleverly hiding his emotions, it had never been like this.
'No way?'
Maybe it's because he's a man I love, but I started to notice things I never noticed before.
'Has Michael realized something about his own identity?'
My guess went that far.
Immediately a strange light flashed in my amber eyes. A willing possibility came to me.
It made my heart flutter.
Perhaps, in the future, we will be able to have a frank discussion with him about issues that are very important to achieving the cause.
“Michael.”
He turned his gaze again at the soft call.
I tried to calm my throbbing left chest.
It's not something you can just get excited about. I chose my words carefully and told a little bit about the story.
“You see. For now, we should give up on making the Knights join forces.”
“Why?”
“I thought about it, and I think the reason the homunculus can’t form a group is because of the ceremony where they pledge allegiance to the Emperor.”
“Because of the loyalty oath ceremony? I don’t quite understand.”
I was happy to continue explaining.
“When individuals become a group, their power increases. Even without that, each individual has tremendous power, but as a group, they share a sense of unity. What if? From the perspective of the exploitative royal family, the first thing that comes to mind is treason.”
"No way."
“Yes. The imperial family considered the homunculus grouping itself dangerous and placed a ban on it.”
"Ha."
“I think that brainwashing was just a loyalty oath ceremony. In reality, it was more about preventing collectivization than loyalty. That was the purpose, but they cleverly changed the name to deceive us.”
“...Really, the cunning of the imperial family is incredible.”
Michael had a rather shocked look on his face.
I felt a deep sense of guilt as a member of the royal family. However, I firmly raised my gaze, which was about to turn to the floor, and fixed it on Michael's face.
Now it was time to conclude.
“So if Homunculus is to function as a Templar, they must break the Emperor's brainwashing.”
What he really wanted to convey was not in words but in his eyes.
After a while, I opened my mouth and broke the silence.
“My story is over, Michael, now, would you like to tell me what you think?"
“...There are two ways.”
Michael pulled my hand towards his lips, and a loving kiss fell on each of my five fingers.
“Either you become the Emperor and liberate your people..."
The hands that had been kissed were intertwined and lowered. Then, a handsome face slowly came closer to my nose.
It was a kissable distance. But Michael's lips brushed my lips and moved toward my ear.
"Or not."
I waited for Michael's next words with a tense, parched throat.
Finally, a fiercely attractive low-mid-range sound rang in my ears.
“Either I become King.”
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