Chapter 196: Al’s Answer


    After the opening ceremony ended, Leo came to my room and said that he wanted to talk.


    Seeing the serious look on his face, I decided to send Orihime to Finnes ce and hear him out.


    .


    .


    But Leo didnt say anything.


    No, he couldnt. He probably couldnt organize his thoughts yet.


    What did Leticia tell you?


    .Nii-san. I..


    The moment he heard Leticias name, Leos face distorted. His expression looked like he could cry at any moment.


    When I saw that, I had a rough idea of what kind of conversation he had with her.


    Someone is really aiming for her life huh.


    You also noticed, Nii-san


    I suspect that it might be the case. But she couldnt talk to me. It was you who she decided to talk to.


    Im not happy about it at allshe already decided to give up on her own life.!


    As if he had to squeeze those words out, Leo started talking to me about Leticia.


    Leticia is targeted by the Kingdoms Anti-Empire faction. The Anti-Empire faction also has the support of the next king. Including its citizens, the Kingdom has an Anti-Empire mindset.


    Leticia decided to give up on her life because the Kingdom will be split by a civil war if she doesnt. She asked for us to be her entertainer because she wanted to enjoy the time she has left.


    Leo bitterly told me so.


    So that is her decision huh.


    For Leticia who devotes herself to the Kingdom, the Kingdom is all that she has.


    She thinks that the Kingdom is the highest priority in whatever she does.


    To such Leticia, it is necessary for her to do anything she can to prevent the Kingdom from warring with the Empire. However, she couldnt do it directly.


    Then, she chooses to die as the holder of the holy staff and the symbol of the Kingdom. That is probably what she is thinking.


    Everything is for the Kingdom.


    Thats like her.


    Is there.nothing we can do at all? I want to save her!


    It is splendid of you to say that but.this problem is unrted to us.


    Eh..?


    She is a citizen of the Kingdom. It is normal for her to put the Kingdom as her first priority. Just as we are princes of the Empire. We have the obligation to think of the Empire first. I agree that we have to protect her life while she is in the Empire but after that, we have no obligation nor enough leeway to get involved any longer.


    No way! Then are you telling me to let her die!?


    Thats right. If she wants to die then let her. That is what she wants. Its wrong for us to get involved. it will surely trouble us if she dies within the Empire but there is no problem if she dies inside the Kingdom.


    Hearing my cold words, Leo took a step back.


    I closed my eyes because I dont want to see the despair on his face.


    Nii-sanshe is our friend you know!?


    She is. But she is not a family. If she is a family then I will do everything I can to help her but in the end, she is only our friend. As long as she lives by the Kingdoms g, we are not someone that can help her.


    How could you say that! She desperately devoted herself to save the Kingdom and supported it all this time you know! What did she do to deserve this!


    Right. I understand what you are trying to say. However, the ones that should do something about that are those that belong to the Kingdom. After all, this is the Kingdoms affair.


    Her parents were from the empire! Moreover, helping her would also benefit the Empires interest!


    If you get involved with a half baked resolve, the Kingdom will be split in two as she says. She chose to use her death to avoid that..are you going to ignore her determination? Even if you dont want her to die, that is only your selfish desire.


    When I opened my eyes, Leo had an expression with mixed emotions.


    Anger, sadness, resignation. It seems that he is experiencing a lot of emotions and couldnt organize them all.


    I once saw a simr expression before.


    Back thendo you still remember the dying cat you picked up?


    I do.


    At that time, Mother told you that it was your responsibility to look after it until the end. She told you that she will save it [after] you assume all responsibility for its life. This time is the same. If you cant take the responsibility to the end then dont act at all.


    She is not a cat.


    Right. Thats why the responsibility you will have to bear will not be light. She is the Saint of the Kingdom. To save her is to take responsibility for all the problems that will follow. And we are not in a position to take that responsibility. So just make her time here as happy as possible. That is what she wants.


    After he took that cat in, he took care of it until it died.


    But this time, even with the two of us working together, it is still too overwhelming.


    Leo hangs his head and looks down. He probably is well aware of this helplessness.


    ording to Sebass investigation, a crime organization is infiltrating the Imperial Capital. I will ask Silver to help us out. You just stay with her.


    .is there nothing,..we can do?


    I wonder. I can only give you my own answer. My answer is what I just told you.


    Hearing that, Leo shows an awkward smile.


    After that, he said that he understands and tries to leave the room.


    At that time, the door was knocked.


    Come in.


    Excuse my rudeness. I am a servant of Wendy-sama. Please call me Pa.


    Saying so an elf woman in sses entered the room.


    The woman with an atmosphere of a capable woman politely bowed to us with a smile.


    Did you need something?


    Wendy-sama said that she wanted to see the festival and the person on the scene couldnt make the judgment so I was directed to you, Your Highness Arnold.


    I see. I understand. I will make an arrangement.


    Thank you very much. You must be Your Highness Leonard? The rumors about Your Highness have reached even the Elf Vige. It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness. May I be allowed to shake your hand?


    Pa asks Leo to shake hands.


    Leo who is absolutely in no mood to do that manages to paste a smile on his face.


    If you go meet Leticia with that kind of face, she will be sad you know?


    I knowI will do it properly.


    After Pa left, Leo told me so in a whisper.


    While wondering if he will be okay, I see Leo off.


    Then a voice came from behind me.


    Wasnt that a little too tough, sir?


    Should I have said that I would help her together with him?


    Sebas who appeared silently behind me shook his head.


    That is not the case, sir. I simply thought that you went too far in cornering him.


    If he gives up with just that then thats that. It would be better if he gives up if he isnt willing to go that far.


    It was as if you dont want him to give up though? Leonard-sama will surely be able to arrive at a different answer. Is that what you are thinking?


    Sebas smiles and says so.


    While I frowned at him, I changed the topic.


    Have you found the base of that leader guy?


    Yes. we still havent got found out either.


    I see. I will do it myself. Keep Mia on standby.


    You are quite proactive this time, sir.


    There is definitely a traitor inside the castle. I have looked around but I dont know who it is yet. Well, the clue lies with Grimoire. Failure is not an option. I will take them down with all my power.


    Understood.


    Saying so, Sebas prepares Silvers clothes for me.