The city was sinking into the darkness of night, and Allen was gazing blankly into the city, not because he was pondering over something, but because he was trying to sort out what he had just heard.
　He wasn't pondering over anything, but rather trying to sort out what he had just heard.
　That's how much of a shock it had on Allen.

　What Henriette said was that the emperor, the ruler of the empire, was already dead.
　Moreover, the cause of death was an assassination, and the culprit has yet to be found.

　And because of that, the emperor's next name has not yet been decided.
　The fact that the culprit is still unknown is the reason why the candidates have been fighting each other, assuming that the culprit is a certainty.
　It's not too much of a problem upstairs.

　I'm sure that was a surprise to me, but I'm more convinced of that.
　It's not just a matter of attacking the kingdom.

　But actually, that's the end of the story of Henriette.
　It is not a good time to talk about it, but it has become a trivial conversation.

　When the meal is over, you can go back to your room as time is running out ...... and there is only one other piece of information that you can obtain.
　Well, that's exactly what came as a shock to Allen.

"...... about a year ago, huh?

　It was at a time when the emperor was supposedly assassinated.
　It has not been officially published at ...... or, as no one knows for sure, can only be guessed at, but that's about it.
　But roughly speaking, that was more than enough information.

　About a year ago.
　Assassination.

　Now, ...... does it sound like I've heard a similar story somewhere, or is it just my imagination?

We're sure it's the work of the devil ......, right?

　Words of confirmation to someone.

　But Allen is the only one in the room.
　There was no way he was going to respond to her, as he should have--and he didn't.

Well, I've been told that's a strong possibility.

　It's an answer that shouldn't be there, but Allen doesn't even seem surprised.
　Of course.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about it by visiting ...... and knowing that Henriette is watching you.

　You're going to be able to find out if you're going to be able to get a good deal more information on the subject.

It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one.
I think it's mostly the work of the devil. As far as I know, the only people who can do that are either them or ......, well, you're the only one who can do that.
Then I guess we can assume it's the devil's work, can't we?
Well, that's why I said demon information is the price to pay.
Oh, I see, I see. But I have a feeling that if I give out this information, they'll resent me for giving it to them.

　Mostly from the disadvantaged candidate for emperor.
　The longer the confusion lasts, the happier they will be.
　That's how exhausted the empire will be, but those who care about it will have already found their next emperor without a fight.

Basically, it's what you've imagined. That's why I stopped them at that time.
Well, let me put it this way: I had no obligation to help the Empire, so I wasn't going to provide it from the start.
That's good to hear.
But it's because you want us to do something, right?　Come to think of it, we didn't end up talking about it.
You're not going to get your guys to cooperate directly with you, as I said. It's a good thing that I'm talking about it to inform you of the current state of the empire, and that's enough for now.

　Does that mean, for now, that it will have some meaning later on?
　Well, I don't think Henriette is going to talk about anything that could be used against you, so you don't have to worry too much about it.

　Besides, Leeds was able to get the information he needed.
　I don't mind a little cooperation, including being taken care of in this way, but--

Hmmm, well, I wouldn't mind helping you out with the Empire, but I'd be happy to do so if you'd like to help me out with ...... just two questions.
Does that mean I have to ask you right now?
I guess so. Because--if I try to listen to the devil, you won't talk to me in front of Leeds and the others, will you?

　They are out of bounds no matter how you look at it.
　This is evident from the fact that not even Allen's omniscience can know the details.

　Although the power of omniscience is a power to extract and read necessary knowledge from the world, there are a few exceptions.
　One of them is the one in front of me, Henriette.
　Strictly speaking, it concerns the Messenger of God, who cannot read the details with omniscience.

　I once asked him why, and he said it was because the apostles are higher beings close to God.
　However, this is not because they are higher beings and therefore cannot be read, but because they are higher beings and therefore have too much information.

　In short, Allen's human brain does not have the capacity or processing power to read and understand it.
　That's why it is subconsciously limited and prevented from reading it.

　And that shows that they, the so-called demons, are the same kind of beings.
　They are out of the ordinary of humanity - that is, out of bounds.

The first thing that comes to mind is the fact that there are many people in the world who do not want to be in the same situation as you and I. "Well, in my opinion, the most offensive is Omé, ...... but as far as the devil is concerned, in a sense, he is correct in his perception.
"In a sense ......?
I'll admit that they're a lot like us, but they're the opposite of us. They are, quite simply, rebels against the world.
"Hmm ......, that's something of a stretch, but in short, you don't like something and you're going against the world like a spoiled child?

　Henriette chuckles as Allen crunches it down into an understandable chunk.
　It's just that it was not a mockery, but rather something akin to pity for someone who is not ...... here.

I'm sure they'd be furious if someone said that to them: ...... By the way, that's why I wanted you to get the hell out of here," he said.
What do you mean?　You mean you didn't want me to get involved with the devil?　I'm already involved. ......
"That's why. I didn't want you to get involved anymore. ...... After all, you have the right to act as a demon and you have the right to do so.



　I didn't ask what that meant.
　I was convinced that it was probably true.

　Whether it was right or not, there was certainly a reason for Allen to rebel against the world.

　The most--

"It's not like I'm overthinking it, or that I'm too trusting?
"...... is a good thing,
Well, I can understand why you would feel that way, but ...... for me, I'd like to have a little more faith.　I'm the hero that you chose to be. Ex, but.

　I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do anything about it," he said, shrugging his shoulders.
　It's like, what in the world are they talking about?

　I'm sure you're not going to be able to get away with it.

"Ah, by the way, as I already said, I have one more question: ......
"Oh, yes, what is it?　I'll answer that question for you if I can: ......
"Oh, it's all right. It's not that hard. --I just want to ask you how long you've been 'watching' me.
"...... I don't know what you're talking about?

　Alas, there was no use in playing dumb.
　Because--

Otherwise, I wouldn't have hired Cyrus and his friends.

　It may be true that it was convenient for Henriette, but that alone doesn't make sense.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're doing.

　No matter how much they wanted people, they usually get them from their own country.
　You can't and won't try to pull people out of a place that is treated as an enemy.

　Unless you can gather that information somehow in advance.

"I don't blame you for that, though. I just thought I'd say thanks for saving Silas and the others, you know.

　We didn't have much in common, but we lived in the same house.
　If you are living in good health thanks to Henriette, then it really is no problem.

I'll accept ...... thanks. But then I would like to say something to you as well.
"Hmm?　What?　I'll listen to most of it, except for grudges: ......
I'm sorry.

　It was a sincere apology that contained no jokes.
　Knowing this, Allen replied seriously.

"I don't mind. I know what I'm talking about.

　It was not for Henriette to have been doing that kind of peeping Tom.
　It was for Henriette to have seen everything and done nothing.

　And there really is nothing to be done about it.

　Henriette is an apostle, and an apostle is, shall we say, a watcher.
　She can deliver the word of God and help indirectly, but she can't do anything about it directly.

　It's a characteristic and trait that you can't control, even if you want to.
　Because they are out of bounds, they are forced to operate within the laws and common sense that are different from others.

　I know she cares about that, and that's why Allen doesn't care about it.
　Besides--

There are plenty of other things to talk about, don't you think?　You said you had two things you wanted to hear, but you didn't say anything about what you wanted to talk about.
"...... I think it's called quibbling?
"Well, what's the point?

　Yes, it has been a long time since I talked to her like this ...... since my last life.
　It's a good thing that you have a lot to talk about and you don't have time to worry about trivial matters.

　You'll be able to find out more about the best way to get the most out of your time.