Gremory was especially unusual. She was stuck in the banquet hall for several days and didn't come out. With all the essential preparations already completed, Gremory slept in the banquet hall until she fell asleep.
At the same time, she firmly blocked Chession's entry. She said she had heard that this kind of thing was secretly prepared without the knowledge of the person who was originally on his birthday.
'I'm openly preparing, and it's a secret.'
After all, he doesn't know Mori's psychology. It's just inexhaustibly cute. It's nice to see that she is secretly enjoying this situation.
'If I had known that everyone would like it this much, I would have held a small party in the meantime.'
A smile like a breeze leaked out of Chession's lips. He didn't have much interest in birthday banquets before, but when he prepared like this, he felt a little excited.
In the midst of a good mood, a letter appeared in front of Chession's eyes. It was an urgent message from Iberia.
A smile appeared on Chession's face.
[ Some of my foresight has returned. I would like to give you an urgent report.
In three hours, the demon god will descend directly to the human world. The demon god will spread a cloud of black poison to obscure the imperial sun. Her purpose is to take on the Gremory at the cost of human lives.
Unless you have the magical power, ordinary people will all die if they are caught in the rain under a poisonous cloud. However, the Grand Duke of Ethel has a holy relic shield, so it's okay. Therefore, it would be better to evacuate the people in the vicinity of the Grand Duke to the Grand Duke as much as possible.
Brother, you go south with Gremory and find the Demon God. I don't know the exact location, but since the damage starts from the south, the demon god will likely be active in the south.
I will convey the urgent news to the lords. This time, it would be better to say that it was because of black magic.
It will be the final battle for the fate of the empire and the end of the demon god. ]
Throwing away his work, he ran to the banquet hall and immediately looked for Gremory.
"Mori!"
Hearing Chession's voice rushing towards him, Gremory wandered out of the banquet hall.
"Uh-huh, it's because you can't come in. Show some patience like a Grand Duke. You'll see it soon, but why dare you do this today..."
"That's not it! Look at this!"
Gremory's expression turned cold when she saw Iberia's urgent report.
"Chession, this is rather a good thing."
"Why?"
"Finally, I can hit her in the face."
Gremory was rather sad. It was because she was confident that she would win if they faced each other directly with strength.
"Even if you hit the bag, you can't kill the demon god if you can't destroy the last piece of vengeful soul."
"We can hold out until the Severians find the Vengeful Soul Fragment and destroy it."
"It will take at least three days. Is it possible?"
"We have to make it possible somehow. You can tie up the demon god and beat her or imprison her."
Gremory intended to finish everything in three days. She has to keep Chession's birthday banquet in three days. She should also give the record desk wristwatch she has worked so hard to prepare.
"Can that Severian idiot destroy the Vengeful Soul Fragment?"
"He's going to do it. He's a guy with a good head, so if he doesn't want to see his empire go bankrupt, he'll do his job as a Crown Prince somehow."
Gremory seemed relieved, finally thinking about ending everything. Her dark eyes, as she spoke slowly, held a subtle venom.
Chession slowly read the complex emotions in those eyes.
A past life that was unfair and painful. The past years have been lived as a sacrifice to be eaten by the demon god. Finally, she had a precious daily life and various experiences. And the desire to protect it. All of this was clearly visible through Gremory's black eyes.
"Mori, let's go. To the south."
"Yes. Let's get ready."
The two of them turned their backs to the well-decorated banquet hall and walked forward. To end the final battle and protect the future.
***
Chession entrusted all the aftermath to Isolene. When Isolene heard the news of the expedition, she gave Chession a hat in a state of distraught.
"Take it."
"Why is this?"
"The demon god attacks with a poison cloud. Your Highness has strong magical power, so you won't die all at once, but you can get hit by the rain and go bald."
"..."
Chession put on his hat. Severian's request to be careful of hair loss was annoying for no reason.
"Anyway, Grand Duchy Ethel will be well guarded by me and Alice."
"Yes, please."
The moment Chession was about to turn around, Isolen grabbed his arm.
"Hey, Your Highness...!"
"Why?"
"By all means... You should come back safely. There are only people who can't live here without Your Highness."
"Yes. I'll definitely come back."
"With Mori. Please come back safely. Don't cut it anywhere."
"Yes, we will come back together in good health."
Isolene met Chession's faint smile before letting him go.
"I'll definitely come back. With Mori, it's okay."
"...I'm praying."
Turning around, Chession left the mansion. He faced Iris in the lobby on the first floor.
- Older brother.
"Yes. I'll come back alive and well."
- That's obvious. Where exactly are you going to go in the southern part of the empire?
"I don't know. We should go to the south and search for it. There are no other clues other than the south."
- I'll just help you search all the wide places. I can do a search.
"No, what if you go wrong for nothing? I can't give you permission.
- But... brother!
"If you do something wrong again, I won't live."
Chession pleaded with Iris and left the mansion.
Gremory had already finished her preparation and was riding on the black horse.
Next to her were Seara and Alice. Seara held Gremory's hand tightly and rang the bell.
"Sister, I'll keep this place well! I'm going to pray at church for my sister's safe return."
"Are you going to pray for a witch in such a sacred place?"
"Oh... It's kind of strange. Then I'll go and pray even if it's a cursed abandoned house! And this is it."
Seara handed Gremory a small pouch.
"If you're hungry on the way, eat this with my brother. It's an apple jam cookie I made."
"Yes, thank you."
Gremory stroked the top of Seara's head.
Then Chession approached Gremory. He jumped on the brown horse beside Gremory.
"Mori, let's go now."
"Yes."
Finally, the two left the Grand Duke's residence for the final battle. The servants, the nuns, and the ghosts all saw them off in dismay.
***
Two days later.
The southern part of the empire was covered with dark clouds. The sun was obscured, and the sky was dark even in broad daylight.
The people of the south, who had not yet been evacuated, were terrified. They hid in churches and academies, trembling, waiting for this situation to end safely.
Those who were lucky enough to leave early flocked to the northern part of the empire or to the Grand Duchy of Ethel. The southern temple, which had been heavily shielded with holy relics, was also on the verge of being overrun by refugees.
Along with the unusual poison cloud, people's fear also spread with rumors.
"This must be the work of a witch. Black magic is just an excuse to stop the chaos in the world!"
"Stop talking nonsense! Did Princess Iberia lie to cover up the witch?"
"I lost contact with Grand Duke Ethel after he went to the south. Isn't the Grand Duke wrong..."
The rumors spread to a small village in the mountain valley where Lace was located.
Marina, the woman who brought Lace to town, broke into Lace's house and grabbed her a snack.
"Veronis, I brought you steamed potatoes."
Lace was called by the human name she received from Catherine. She was nervous, but she decided to just adapt.
"Yes."
"From now on, all ingredients will be cooked before eating. Especially meat."
"...Yes."
The first day she came to town. Marina brought the ingredients to Lace. However, Lace, who had no intention of cooking, just munched on the raw meat, and Marina was frightened. She cried and asked if her husband had thrown raw meat at her without giving her proper food.
And after taking care of the food.
"Aren't you bored when you're at home like this? Let's go weed in Mr. Nelson's radish field. Of course, if you have a hard time, you don't have to go. I'm afraid it's just a bad thing."
She always made her work secretly like this. Lace, which had nowhere to go except here, was pretended not to know.
"Let's go. Radish field."
"Hoho, yes! Let's go together!"
Marina took Lace out of the house. She hummed what was so exciting.
"Veronis, the southern part of the continent is now completely devastated."
"Why?"
"The remnants of the barbarians have used black magic to trick you again. Don't worry, though. This place is far from the south, so there will be no damage here."
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