New chapter of Demon King is out! (1/1 chapter)

The Arrogant Prince

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“Sher Marmaset?” (Yuri)

“Yes. It appears that she was involved in this rebellion.” (Myaro)

Myaro spoke while seated on the sofa in my office. The Marmaset Household was known for its exceptionally violent practices, even among witches, and few who bore that surname had ever been acquitted. Among them, the name Sher was one I recalled clearly.

“If I remember correctly, she was that eccentric woman who studied abroad in Shantinion and, after returning, opened a language school, was she not?” (Yuri)

“That is correct.” (Myaro)

“So, the remnants of the Marmaset Household were involved in this matter? That is unexpected. I thought those people bore a grudge against the Rube Household.” (Yuri)

When I was ten years old and took part in the entrance ceremony’s oath with Carol, the haughty headmistress of the Institute of Liberal Arts was a woman named Isabeau Marmaset. The position of headmistress of either academy was meant to serve as the final arbiter when disputes arose between apprentice witches and apprentice knights, which was only natural. However, it seemed she had a long-standing feud with Ravello Rube, the headmaster of the Knight Academy at the time.

When the witch uprising occurred, Ravello remained in the capital to protect the young knights. He was captured there and reportedly suffered severe humiliation while imprisoned. When I liberated the royal capital, he was released and immediately rushed to the academy to check on the students’ safety. There, he encountered Isabeau Marmaset, quarreled with her, and cut her down on the spot.

The Marmaset Household protested, claiming that the headmistress of the Institute of Liberal Arts, the pinnacle of scholarly wisdom among witches, had been slain out of personal hatred, like an insect crushed underfoot. Since the Marmaset Household’s trades were so steeped in criminality, most of them were executed during the subsequent trials. The case was eventually buried in obscurity. However, witches never forget such grudges. They would surely still bear that resentment to this day.

“It was not so much about the Marmaset name itself as it was that she simply disliked me. Marmaset had a long-standing rivalry with Gudanvier, and among witches, women of the same generation are seen as competitors. I was often compared to her in terms of ability. I imagine it was the same within her household.” (Myaro)

“In other words, she was constantly brought up as a point of comparison to you and scolded to study harder.” (Yuri)

“Precisely. Although, I was always the superior one. Especially in Togi. I defeated her so many times that she eventually quit altogether.” (Myaro)

It seemed Myaro also harbored some degree of personal enmity toward her.
Now that I thought about it, despite being of the same generation, I never once saw Sher’s name among the participants of the All-Academy Togi Tournaments.

“In a sense, our relationship was similar to that between Yuri-kun and Liao-san.” (Myaro)

“Well, I am not sure about that. I had only heard his name two or three times before we met. We were never compared.” (Yuri)

When I said that, Myaro briefly looked at me with envy before smiling wryly.

“Well, Yuri-kun was already renowned as a prodigy before admission. I doubt Liao-san was ever treated that way.” (Myaro)

“Is that so?” (Yuri)

“Of course. Everyone was saying, ‘The prodigy is finally enrolling. Let us see his ability’. Then, not only did you enter as valedictorian, you also received an exemption of one hundred and twenty credits. On top of that, on the very day you moved into the dormitory, you nearly killed Dolla-san from the Queen Sword family. Everyone wondered what kind of person you could possibly be. There is no way Liao-san was indifferent to you.” (Myaro)

So, I was the only one who had not realized it. Looking back, it was no surprise that I had stood out. But what were we even talking about?

“Right. Sher. Did she hold a grudge against you?” (Yuri)

“Yes. Perhaps not hatred exactly, but since I went on to the Knight Academy, it seems that people at the Institute of Liberal Arts spoke rather poorly of me. She had always been an ambitious witch, but I imagine the effort she poured into establishing her language school, to the point her fingers bled from gripping her pen, stemmed from her desire to surpass me.” (Myaro)

Perhaps it was a case of enduring hardship in silent determination to take revenge.
Of course, as long as she belonged to the Marmaset Household, she was effectively barred from public office. Even so, as the founder and headmistress of a language school renowned throughout the capital, she might eventually have had her institution recognized as a private university. If that happened, her name would go down in history as the founder of a prestigious private university.

That path was different from political or bureaucratic advancement, but for a scholar or educator, it was an impressive success in its own right.

“In any case, this will all end with the present incident.” (Yuri)

“Indeed. Her abilities as the administrator of a language school are regrettably lost, but she is clearly a traitor.” (Myaro)

To provide the rebels who attacked the royal castle with more than 730 rooms and nearly 1500 beds as hiding places was more than enough reason for a death sentence. She had already been detained, and the fact that she contributed to the nation’s education did not excuse her crime. Even after the trial, with so much evidence, there was no doubt the sentence would be capital punishment. Though all the reservation names had been falsified, tracing the flow of money made it clear that everything led back to Sher.

There was a knock at the door.

“Come in.” (Yuri)

As I replied, the door opened slowly.

“Excuse me. Um… His Imperial Highness, the Crown Prince of the Kururuan Dragon Empire, has arrived and urgently requests an audience.” (Queen Sword)

It was the Queen Sword assigned as my secretary, a man of a rather mild temperament.

“Adil-kun?” (Yuri)

He always made appointments in advance, so this was unusual. I glanced toward Myaro, who nodded in agreement.

“Very well. Please let him in.” (Yuri)

“Understood.” (Queen Sword)

The door closed softly, and he likely went to call for the prince.

“The timing is quite convenient, is it not?” (Myaro)

Indeed. It was remarkable that he would arrive while Myaro was present.

“I wonder what his business is. Perhaps he has finally decided to return triumphantly to his homeland.” (Yuri)

Myaro looked at me as if she could hardly believe what she was hearing.

“What are you saying? There can only be one reason. I brought those documents precisely for that matter.” (Myaro)

Now that I thought about it, I had entrusted most postwar administrative affairs to her.
There was no need for her to consult me on this. She could have handled it by her own discretion. Among the numerous high-ranking individuals implicated in the rebellion, there was nothing particularly special about Sher’s case that required my direct involvement. Her guilt was all but certain.

“Yuri-kun, have you truly forgotten?” (Myaro)

“Forgotten what?” (Yuri)

“Sher speaks the Arn language, so when Adil-san was captured, she served as his conversational companion for several days in Kurtos.” (Myaro)

Ah, yes, I did recall something like that. Adil had seemed rather concerned about her at the time.

“So what?” (Yuri)

“So what? They shared a special relationship. Executing her would be problematic.” (Myaro)

Adil in love with Sher, rushing to beg for her life? Impossible. Surely Myaro, of all people, would not be so naïve as to indulge in romantic fantasies.

“They were merely acquaintances. Even if they conversed for a few days, that hardly amounts to a relationship. Adil-kun has been doing well at the Officer Academy and has many friends he has spent over a year with. A plea for the life of a friend from the Rube Household would make far more sense.” (Yuri)

That explanation suited his character far better. The idea that he had fallen in love with a woman of the Marmaset Household and had come to negotiate directly with the regent of another nation to save her was absurd. There was no way such a thing could be true. It seemed entirely implausible.

“Yuri-kun, you truly are insensitive. Sometimes I go beyond exasperation and start to worry about you.” (Myaro)

“When it comes to Adil-kun, I know his character better than anyone. Since he is on his way here, we shall soon see that you are mistaken.” (Yuri)

“Hmph, you said it yourself.” (Myaro)

Impressions of a person differ vastly between those heard secondhand and those formed through direct acquaintance. Myaro merely knew of him through information.

There was a knock at the door.

“Enter.” (Yuri)

“I have brought him.” (Queen Sword)

Adil entered the office wearing his uniform from the Officer Academy.

“Thank you. Leave us three.” (Yuri)

“Understood.” (Queen Sword)

The Queen Sword left, and the room fell silent with only the three of us remaining.
Adil seemed slightly uneasy, likely not expecting Myaro to be present.

“What brings you here today? If this is a matter you cannot discuss in her presence, I can have her leave.” (Yuri)

“No…” (Adil)

He appeared to need a moment to summon the resolve to speak.

“Do not tell me this has something to do with the arrest of Sher Marmaset?” (Yuri)

Just as I expected him to feign ignorance and ask, “Who might that be?” his lips began to tremble.

“Your Excellency, is there any way to save Sher?” (Adil)

You must be joking.

At such an absurd request, I turned to Myaro, who was smiling with clear satisfaction.

Could this really be happening?

“Well, just to be sure, for what reason exactly do you wish to save her?” (Yuri)

Perhaps she was blackmailing him?

“Sher was the one who rebuked and encouraged me. She made me change. Without her, I would still be a helpless child, crying and wallowing in weakness.” (Adil)

“Do you feel indebted to her, or are you in love with her? Which is it?” (Yuri)

Depending on his answer, the matter would take a different shape. I glanced toward Myaro, who seemed to be suppressing laughter. She probably thought I was grasping at straws.

“I am in love with her.” (Adil)

Ah, truly?

Myaro’s cheeks flushed faintly as she looked at Adil, perhaps imagining how it might feel to be confessed to in such a way.

“Read the investigation report from Myaro’s department.” (Yuri)

I handed him the document containing the evidence of Sher’s crimes. It was written in complex Shantinian, but Adil should have no trouble understanding it now.
He accepted the report and read through it swiftly.

When he finished sooner than expected, he said…

“Thank you. This must be a confidential document, forbidden for ordinary viewing.” (Adil)

“No, the arrest has already been made. You must have come here upon hearing the news.” (Yuri)

Before her arrest, I would not have shown it to him, for there was the risk of escape or destruction of evidence. But now that she had been detained, it was of little consequence.

“Our country conducts proper trials. This report will soon be presented in court. Whether she confesses or denies her crimes remains uncertain.” (Yuri)

“If she is found guilty, what kind of sentence will be given?” (Adil)

“Of course, death. She spent several million Ruga to aid those who sought to overthrow the Queen’s Castle, where Her Majesty herself resides. That is a clear act of high treason.” (Yuri)

At trial, she would likely argue that she merely offered lodging, but it would not change the fact that she had used money to assist those intent on destroying the state. One who buys and provides weapons with that amount of money is executed, and one who offers shelter for the same cause cannot claim innocence. Both are accomplices in equal measure.

“Please, I beg you. Is there truly nothing that can be done?” (Adil)

Ah, he truly is in love with her. That expression said it all.

“There are countless rebels who will face execution for this uprising. Are you suggesting we pardon only Sher? In terms of possibility, yes, it can be done. Myaro could destroy the evidence and declare her case unprosecutable. Even if her guilt were confirmed, an act of royal clemency under Shulika’s name could be issued. There are plenty of methods.” (Yuri)

To be honest, there would be no difficulty in doing so. A few might grumble, but if her achievements were exaggerated enough, it could be justified without much objection.

“But tell me, why should we do that? She is a traitor, a criminal whose crime warrants death. To release her, there must be a valid reason. Of course, if you were to use your position to negotiate, it would be simple enough. Once you ascend to the throne of the Kururuan Dragon Empire, you could pledge to grant us something in return. For example, you could promise to cede one of the larger islands you own in the Mediterranean. If such a promise were made, we would gladly release Sher without charge.” (Yuri)

I looked directly into Adil’s eyes.

“You have the power to do that. But will you?” (Yuri)

Adil met my gaze in silence. In his eyes, I saw understanding. He comprehended the meaning of what I was saying, mixing public duty with personal emotion, borrowing power not yet his, and damaging his nation’s interests for private affection.

“No, I will not.” (Adil)

Good.

“I see. Then, there is no reason to release a criminal of such gravity.” (Yuri)

“I understand. I made a request that was entirely out of line. I sincerely apologize.” (Adil)

“It is fine. Come again anytime.” (Yuri)

“Then, excuse me.” (Adil)

Adil bowed politely and left the room.

“What do you think he will do now?” (Myaro)

“Do you not see? I am confident this time. What would you do in his place?” (Yuri)

“I would contact my father through the ambassador, secure several negotiable terms, and bargain with you. Since execution would proceed quickly, I would first appeal to have it postponed.” (Myaro)

That was the ordinary approach. The talk of ceding an island had been extreme, but in some cases, the matter could be settled with money.

“He will not do that. He will not accept any solution that harms his country’s interests for personal desire. That is not the kind of man he is.” (Yuri)

“Then, what will he do? Aside from being the Crown Prince, he is only a young man. He holds no real power.” (Myaro)

“He is not just any young man.” (Yuri)

If it had been the Adil who was once taken prisoner on the battlefield, he would have had no choice but to beg his parents for help. But the Adil standing now is different.

“He is an arrogant and exceptional young man.” (Yuri)

 

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