Chapter 312 (Self Edited) – Discussing the Current Situation
Soma didn’t know what happened but there was one thing that was clear. Apparently, the empress had no intention to be hostile, at least for now.
Together with Aina, he walked after the empress, who was in a good mood, and then, he let out a breath.
“Hmm? What is it, Demon King? Was it something you weren’t pleased with? If so, you can tell me quickly. I’ll do something if possible. After all, I’m the empress!” (Victoria)
“It’s not that I’m not pleased with anything, but… I do have some concerns. I suppose the place we are walking now is the royal castle, right?” (Soma)
“Of course. We haven’t gone out yet during the audience.” (Victoria)
“I see. The place earlier is the audience room. So, I have only one concern. Is this a secret pa.s.sage that we are walking through now?” (Aina)
Aina said as if it was a normal question, and Soma was actually having the same concern.
The place they were walking at the moment was a part of a pa.s.sageway. However, it was clearly not an ordinary pa.s.sageway when it was narrow enough for one person to pa.s.s through.
In the first place, they entered here from the room that was the audience room. Without using the two large doors of that room, they went behind the chair where the empress stood, and they came here by using the stare that emerged from the floor of the audience room.
“Well, it’s the shortest way to get out of here. To begin with, if we use a normal pa.s.sageway, I won’t be able to go out.” (Victoria)
“Am I feeling that you have too much of freedom as an empress?” (Soma)
“Are you saying that? Well, I don’t want to admit it, but I think I agree with you this time…” (Victoria)
In other words, they were sneaking away from the aforementioned castle. Moreover, she took them, who were supposed to be hostile, using a secret pa.s.sageway that shouldn’t be informed to them.
They still didn’t know why they were brought here.
“Hmm… well, it’s not harmful, so we’re going to go along with you for now.” (Soma)
“In the end, it’s up to you, and I have no objections, but… I’m worried about Hildegard and others.” (Aina)
Rather than worrying, was she thinking that they would create a mess?
The other day, it was thought that a Devil appeared in the Holy City, and this time a kidnapping occurred. Furthermore, the destination that they were taken to was the empire.
Hildegard or Eleonora wouldn’t have hard time to determine where they were, and even if they didn’t notice for a while, they would find it strange at the latest at night. If they looked for their whereabouts, they must be able to find out immediately.
However, the question was how they would come out here. Given that only Soma and Aina were taken away, it was hard to say whether Eleonora or Satya would come.
The Holy City side hadn’t announced that it was clearly hiding or supporting the Demon King. Even if the empire were asking for a fight, it would be hard to confirm whether the Holy City would move.
Above all, the Holy City wasn’t prepared at all. To be more accurate, they couldn’t move even if they wanted to.
Was it Demento that was more likely to move than the Holy City? That was because the princess, who had been staying in the Holy City as an envoy, was taken to the empire. That was probably more than enough reason for Demento to wage war.
However, the foundation of Demento hadn’t been completely established yet, and the hatred toward the Demon disappeared. There was a high possibility that other countries would take advantage and hit Demento, so it was hard to say that they would move.
“Hmm… If I can conclude, I would say that there will be confusion, but it seems unlikely that anything will happen immediately.” (Soma)
“I feel that the only person who will go out all this way is Hildegard-san.” (Aina)
“She… may come… yeah.” (Soma)
There was already precedent. She was going to hit the Holy City, and now she was probably going to hit the empire.
“…Well, that time is that time. To begin with, we don’t know what will happen in the future.” (Soma)
“…You’re right.” (Aina)
While talking about such things in a low voice, they quietly listened to the surroundings. The narrow, curved road made it seriously difficult to tell where they were heading. There was a slight slope on the ground, and it seemed that they were heading downward while spinning around.
They didn’t know the exact location of the audience room, so it might be necessary to do so in order to go outside, but there was also a possibility that it didn’t have to be that way. There was also a possibility of being told a lie of going outside, but instead, they were brought to another place.
No, when they thought about whether the empress had such freedom, that possibility was much higher.
“Ouh, it looks like we finally can go out, you know? Dear me, it’s easy if it goes straight. That’s why the secret pa.s.sage is useless. Well, the worst thing is this is the shortest path… Ugh, maybe I should use the empress’ privilege to create a pa.s.sageway that can be easily accessed outside.” (Victoria)
There was a dead end wall ahead of the empress who muttered.
Then, she touched the wall without thinking too much, and the wall slowly moved to the side. Eventually, there was an opening that one person could go through, and the empress went further in without break.
Strangely enough, they were wondering what was further ahead. It was said that the wall moved when the empress touched it, and it seemed that it was a kind of magic tool.
The question was it simply they couldn’t see it, or was it transition?
“Hmm… is it possible to escape as it is?” (Soma)
“Well, I was thinking about it too. That is if you think we can’t escape.” (Aina)
“Hmm… Did you understand that?” (Soma)
Certainly, Soma didn’t think that they could escape. That was why it was easy for Aina to understand it that quickly.
“Since you say it that way, wouldn’t you judge that the personality of the empress is kind of straightforward? Then, there is no way to escape here.” (Aina)
“Hmm… Is it that easy to understand me?” (Soma)
“Well? I don’t know about other people. But how long have I been with you? So, there’s no way I can’t understand that much.” (Aina)
“I see. Certainly, if you say that, I can understand what you’re thinking.” (Soma)
Then, as Soma convinced it was natural, Aina, who had reddened cheeks, glared at him.
“I-it’s fine, just move on. I’m sure it won’t be long!” (Aina)
“Hmm… well, you’re right.” (Soma)
While saying so, Soma shrugged and headed to the place where the wall was. He stepped into a place that looked like a thin film with no visible end. Nothing happened, and he went by.
At that moment, he reflexively squinted at the dazzling light that illuminated his face. After that…
“Ooh…?” (Soma)
Immediately after that, many people appeared in the field of view.
There were many people in the Holy City as well, but here, the types of people were completely different. Or should it be said that they were lively? Every face had a natural smile, and he could see that they were enjoying it even now.
There were so many voices that he couldn’t understand what they were talking about, and they were mixed. However, Soma knew that they were having a good conversation.
“Hehe, what is it?” (Victoria)
When he turned toward the voice, there was the empress who had a proud looking face.
Soma smiled at that appearance because it seemed that her thoughts were correct.
“Yes, this is my empire!” (Victoria)
While listening to her proud voice, he thought that the empress was truly a person who had a lot of freedom.