"...Are you saying the missing person case has already been solved?"
The Emperor looked at Roselyn, who had come to see him in less than two weeks, and asked with a surprised look.
"Yes."
He thought it would take at least several months.
It was natural.
The Emperor, too, could not simply leave it to them alone, so he mobilized Lavis.
This was because if the opponent was a criminal possessing the Abyss, it would also provide a justification for letting them go.
"...There is a connection between the arson case and the disappearance case."
"Yes."
"...There is also a solution for the epidemic currently spreading, you know."
"Yes."
Roselyn answered the Emperor's questions without fail. Roselyn opened her mouth again.
"Marquis Garen personally interrogated the culprits and, accordingly, discovered the missing people at the places he visited."
Roselyn calmly recited only the facts.
"All of those who went missing were used in experiments, and most of them died."
"Experiment...?"
"Yes."
Roselyn held out the documents she had brought to the Emperor.
"It was an experiment to create a living Abyss weapon."
"...Experiment to create Abyss weapons?”
"After all, the Abyss often awakens in extreme situations. Anyone would awaken if faced with the threat of being burned alive."
The Emperor frowned slightly.
"So you're saying they tried to create an extreme situation to make the Abyss bloom?"
“To put it bluntly, yes.”
The Emperor clicked his tongue.
He opened his mouth with a look of mixed bewilderment and annoyance.
"That's ridiculous. If you lock it up and burn it to death, even the Abyss dies. It's not like the Abyss is some kind of great, all-powerful being..."
"However, very rarely, those with a strong Abyss do survive."
The Emperor frowned as Roselyn interrupted and added an explanation.
"In a battle between Abysses, the outcome is sometimes determined by compatibility, but it also depends on the Abysses' abilities."
"Yes."
The Emperor nodded at Roselyn's reasonable words.
"It is natural for water to overcome fire, but just as someone possessing a Fire Abyss more powerful than a Water Abyss can overcome water..."
"You know it well. Then you must also know just how terrible the odds are."
"Yes."
"So, are you saying the culprit committed this act to awaken the Princess with such an extremely low probability?"
The Emperor understood the situation well.
"Yes."
"Are you saying that was the only reason you committed such a heinous act of killing thousands?"
"Because one strong soldier is more efficient than a hundred mediocre ones."
Roselyn nodded again and answered.
'In fact, in my world, there was one child like that who survived in Landarin.'
The only survivor.
And the sole survivor goes missing not long after.
Later, he appears as one of the Reapers loyal to Makluxa.
It was the story of the boy whom Garen had previously found in Landarin after listening to Roselyn and was protecting at the mansion.
If Roselyn had not stopped Landarin's rampage, the child would have become the sole survivor of the city reduced to ashes and the Reaper of Makluxa.
In Roselyn's world, the boy was born with a powerful wind abyss.
That wind protected the boy in the flames.
The reason they failed to find Makluxa until the very end, despite the massive extermination campaign, was thanks to the two boys the King kept by his side—boys who had been brainwashed to sacrifice their lives for him.
The boy in Landarin who possessed the Wind Abyss is one of them.
Therefore, the person who later killed such a King and took over Makluxa is a remarkable figure in many ways.
'Anyway, did you roughly cut off all of Makluxa's King's arms and legs with this?'
Originally, it eliminated the opportunity for the 'King' of Makluxa to obtain, and eliminated the means for Makluxa to earn money.
As a powerful ally of the Imperial Family, she promoted an alliance with Kaluta, eliminating the risk of war.
The longer preparations are delayed, the less likely it is to surface.
"Even if they do something like this, they might not gain anything. But why on earth did they do such a crazy thing?"
"What if there were an Abyss capable of making silly prophecies? Prophecies that are guaranteed to come true."
"Prophecy?"
The Emperor expressed his bewilderment at Roselyn's words.
"What if that prophecy is the kind that says a storm of revolution will be born from the flames of hell?"
She added quickly.
Since a revolution invariably implies a change of the throne, what they would have created would have been nothing but the flames of hell.
"As the saying goes, prophecies never fail. A storm will surely be born from a blaze. It is just that we cannot know what kind of blaze it will be."
"...So he started the flames himself?"
"Yes."
"By burning down the whole village?"
"Because the flames of hell cannot be a small spark."
At Roselyn's nonchalant words, the Emperor not only burst into laughter but also wore a look of disbelief.
Displeasure was visible beneath the fiercely crumpled face.
At the rare display of emotion by the Emperor, Roselyn opened her mouth to speak further.
The Emperor, who had been quietly listening to her long explanation, opened his mouth.
"So, you're saying the disappearance case was to kidnap children who had just awakened the Abyss to obtain test subjects at 'Makluxa,' and the arson case was to obtain superior weapons?"
"That is one reason, and another is... to collect colleagues."
"...Colleagues."
Roselyn nodded.
Why Makluxa was founded.
The reason why Makluxa plots the overthrow of the state, revolution, and rebellion.
"Do you know what the requirements are to become a leader of Makluxa, Your Majesty?"
Not much was known about Makluxa in this world yet.
They were so good at scattering in all directions and cutting off their tails that even the Emperor didn't have much information despite releasing Lavis.
'...If the reason the Princess was able to obtain this information is really the Abyss, then she is a talent we absolutely must not let slip away.'
Roselyn said while the Emperor was thinking.
"Originally, the Abyss manifests frequently in those with noble blood."
"..."
"There are various names for the leadership of Makluxa."
Roselyn wore a smile on her lips.
"The forgotten and abandoned one. A noble who can never be a noble. The disgrace of the family. One who exists but must not exist. One who must live their entire life hidden in the shadows..."
The Emperor paused.
At one time, Roselyn was also able to receive an offer for that reason.
"Those who had to grow up amidst all manner of pointing fingers and contempt because merely being born was a sin."
When Roselyn said that much, the Emperor straightened his body, which had been half-tilted.
Roselyn opened her mouth while meeting his gaze straight in the eye.
"The illegitimate child of a nobleman."
As soon as Roselyn finished speaking, the smile vanished from the Emperor's face.
***
"...Something got in the way."
"Yes. I'd say it would be a bit difficult to continue."
Aximus scratched his head as if annoyed and spoke to the person sitting opposite him.
Hmm.
The sight of him yawning with his mouth wide open exuded nothing but annoyance.
'That little lady is actually pretty good, better than I thought.'
Aximus rolled his eyes and thought.
Thanks to that, things got complicated in many ways, and the plans were falling apart one after another.
"Is it Princess Roselyn Bellion again?"
"Yes..."
'Aximus nodded obediently at the King's words.'
Sitting cross-legged on a chair and swaying his body, he rubbed his chin.
"It’s truly fascinating. That gloomy and timid Princess, who was nothing special, is going this far..."
He spoke in a lighthearted tone and giggled.
"Maintain your dignity, Aximus."
At the other person's words, he pouted as if bored and shrugged his shoulders.
"As you, our King, know, I was born and raised on the streets. I just can't seem to get used to this position of Count."
"There is weight to every position."
"Well, I got all excited and hopped on board since you said I could kill all those unlucky bastards, but this kind of thing isn't fun."
Count Aximus Baldur.
The man who had seized the position solely with blood-stained hands muttered dissatisfiedly and shrugged his shoulders.
"The plan is going well. It won't be long."
"But then again, aren't you getting interrupted by some pretty lady at every turn?"
Ah. I'm not being sarcastic, though.
The man, who looked like a playboy at first glance, casually added something and let out a light giggle.
He glared fiercely at his opponent, but it had no effect on Aximus.
Tsk. The other person clicked their tongue.
He was one of the extremely rare Chosen Ones born with two abysses capable of controlling earth and fire, but his arrogant personality was a problem.
"That is simple. We just have to make her our Queen."
"...? Suddenly? It’s obvious she's trying to interfere with us, so do you really think she come this way?"
"It is your job to appease her. A banquet is about to be held."
It was presented as persuasion, but it was clear that the intention was to obtain consent by any means necessary.
"That's nice. It's going to be fun. I've been wanting to have a chat with her, too."
Aximus, who was already eager to see Roselyn again, smiled as he stroked his arm, which had been torn off and then loosely reattached.
And a few days later, the Khan of Kaluta entered the Empire, leading an envoy.
The banquet to welcome Kaluta was held the following day.
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