I wonder how much time passed in a daze.
　There is no way to know how much time has passed, so we are completely dependent on our senses.
　If Henriette's senses are correct, it's only been half a day since she was locked up, but--

Hey, sis. Sorry we had to wait for you.
I'm not going to wait for you, but ...... Yeah, I'm hungry, I just wish you'd do something about it.
Ah, well, I was hoping to eat that when I got out of jail. You don't want to eat in a place like this, do you?
"Well, yes, but ......

　While nodding her head in agreement, Henriette raised her eyebrows, because Curtis's way of saying it was as if they were going to get out of here.

　It's not just a matter of time before you get out of here.
　To communicate with another country is a felony in the empire.
　Other than the death penalty, the only time Henriette will leave is when it's carried out.

　Other than that, she will not leave.

You look so strange, sister. You don't really think you're going to be executed, do you?　Or rather, forget?　Didn't I tell you to cooperate with me?
The first time I saw him, he said, "Oh, come to think of it, ......, but isn't Henriette's death sentence a certainty?　You're not going to say it was a mistake or a misunderstanding after all this, are you?
That's true. That's impossible, even for me. But just because they ask for the death penalty doesn't mean they'll do it. You know that as well as I do, right?　After all, I've been with those guys for two weeks now.
...... You don't think you're going to let Henriette join the Kuro Wolf Order?　I can't.

　And by impossible, I don't mean impossible to belong.
　I mean that Henriette will survive there.

　It is true that Henriette can still use her powers as an apostle, but most of them are auxiliary powers.
　When it comes to direct means of attack, there is none, and the missions of the Kuro Wolf Knights are often ...... or almost always strenuous.
　It's not just that they're a good fit, but they're also a great way to get your life back.

　I'm not proud of it, but if Henriette went to such a place, she would die out in less than half a day.

No, that's not a problem. It's true that your sister will be a member of the Kuro Wolf Order, but you'll be released soon enough.
...... that's impossible, or rather impossible. It's impossible to be freed from the Kuro Wolf Order. If such a thing were possible, there's a guy there who would have been freed by now.

　Then Henriette turned her gaze behind Curtis.
　I'm not sure if it's an escort or if it's a familiar face waiting there in jet black armor - Lisette.

　As I said before, Lysette has survived for three years in the Kuro Wolf Order.
　And as I said before, the missions of the Kuro Wolf Order are also related to national importance.
　An ordinary order of knights would have received a medal or two, and even a condemned man would have been pardoned and released.

　But since even she is not, it is impossible for Henriette to be freed.

No, that's a different story. After all, she's been violating the taboo just by being alive. Even if he were to be released, he'd be caught immediately. And this country is not stupid enough to do such a foolish thing.
...... You mean, what's possible is possible?
That's what you have to do to be as good as that guy. But, well, it's none of your business. I'm giving you a pardon.
"...... yes?　No, how is it?

　Only the emperor has the power to grant a pardon to a condemned person.
　There is no exception.
　Even the royal family, now acting in their place, cannot wield that authority.

　Curtis couldn't possibly...

"Man, she's really forgetful. What did I tell you about this?　I'm going to be an emperor.
"...... was it serious?　I thought it was all bullshit. I mean, it's impossible for you to do it, isn't it?
You can. It's true that the emperor's blood is weak in my veins. It's only half-full. But if you're short on ......, just add more. And that's what you'll get with your sister.
Oh ......, you said something about cooperation. I see, that's what you mean: ......
If I can have your sister, I'll have the right to become an emperor. If I can get you, I'll have the right to become an emperor.

　What Curtis says is true, and it is true.
　Because Henriette has the blood of the emperor in her veins.

　Of course, I'm not talking about this generation, but the previous generation.
　The princess of that time married off and became the rightful wife of the house of Liubrand, so Henriette has royal blood in her veins.

　Taking Henriette as his wife would certainly give Curtis the right to become emperor.
　If he could marry Henriette, that is.

Did you forget?　That's why you can't marry Henriette.



　Curtis can't marry Henriette because it would give him the right to become emperor.

　For lack of a better word, Curtis is the child of a common mother.
　To prevent him from becoming emperor by any chance, there are prohibitions on many fronts.

　Marriage is one of them, and Curtis is not allowed to marry.
　Or, if it's a commoner, I don't know, but even so, he'll be tamed for life, including his children.

　The reason for this is to prevent the blood of the emperor from being inadvertently dispersed and causing a family turmoil, and in fact, that's why Henriette has some restrictions.
　It's a good idea to have a certain amount of restrictions when you are born into a marquis family.

It's a good thing that you're not going to be able to get your hands on any of them.
"Heck, you're a harsh guy. ...... Yeah, that's true. But ...... that's what you can afford to say because you can afford it, right?　For example, ...... Yes, for example, but if we're going to lose a member of the royal family, we can't say that, can we?

　Then Curtis lifted the edge of his lips ...... and for the first time, Henriette realized that she could smell blood from Curtis.
　She could smell blood on Curtis, albeit only slightly.

　And Curtis had been somewhere for half a day or so just a few minutes ago doing something.
　Did it really--

"You're not going to give the royal family ......!
"No, no, no, wait. I'm just saying for example, okay?　Well, it's true that I've mysteriously lost a couple of people,

　Obviously, Curtis did something, but it would be pointless to question him here.

　Or rather, ...... even if Curtis is right and the entire royal family is gone, Curtis should not be recognized.
　The blood of the emperor is not only in Henriette's veins, but also in the dukes'.
　The dukes were originally a precaution against such emergencies.

　You will find that Curtis is indeed the one with the deepest emperor's blood, but someone from the duke's family will be next, not Curtis.

...... I don't suppose you're going to suggest that the dukes, too?
That's exactly what I thought. You're right, this country will fall apart if you destroy the dukes. I'm not that stupid. Or rather, there's no point in going that far. I'll just get my sister and that's that.
You're still saying that, aren't you?　So ......
That's why you did this, right?　I wouldn't have let you become a felon if I had it any other way. But now that you're a felon, I can have you. Of course, that is if the royal family is gone.
"You can't marry Henriette when the royal family is gone, and you don't need to pardon her in the first place. ...... No, you don't mean that, do you?

　A thought occurred to me and I looked at Curtis, who nodded his head as if he was well aware.

　It was a question to begin with.
　It's a good idea to have Henriette join the Kuro Wolf Order.

　If you're going to give her a pardon, there shouldn't be any need for it.
　I have no problem with being on death row.

　But if--

Yes, as a matter of fact, the authority to release the members of the Kuro Wolf Order is given to those who can give orders to the Kuro Wolf Order. I'm not nominally on death row when I'm working as a Kuro Wolf Knight. You don't need the authority of an emperor. Well, so technically, it's not a pardon.
"And the person who is freed from the Kuro Wolf Order becomes a citizen, right?
Yeah, that's the way it's supposed to work. Well, it's just that the emperor's approval is supposed to be required, but I can't blame him for not being there ....... It's not supposed to be a case of not being there. We're ready to go as is.
"At ......, Henriette is freed from the Kuro Wolf Order and becomes a commoner?

　As soon as she is confirmed as a felon, Henriette's knighthood will definitely be taken away.
　So, if you are no longer on death row, you are just a citizen ...... which means you can marry Curtis.
　A citizen with the blood of the emperor in his veins, that is.

　The fact that Curtis can take the position of emperor by marrying Henriette ensures that the child will have thick emperor blood.
　In other words, Henriette's title is not an issue.

　Still, if there is a royal family, they will not recognize it ...... Now, if there really is no royal family, it is hard to say whether the dukes will not recognize it if there really is no royal family anymore.
　If one of the dukes becomes emperor, it could be seen as a plucking from the dukes to the royal family.

　Basically, while the empire will have the empire's interests at heart, it is also natural that each house will try to put its own interests first.
　And it would not be surprising if Curtis could not assert that his ascension to the imperial throne would be at a distinct disadvantage, such as is allowed by .......

...... I see, that is certainly theoretically possible. There's no other way to do it. I'm impressed by your persistence.
"Yeah, right?　So--
But that's not possible. Because Henriette would never cooperate with you.

　Looking into Curtis's eyes, Henriette declares unequivocally that it can't just be
　That's just not possible.

　Instantly, Curtis's face crumples up.

...... Why?　You're going to die, okay?
How can you say that when you're the one doing it. Well, I don't really care if you're dead or not.
"Then why ......!　Sis, why me and ......!
Why do you ask that now?　What did you think Henriette would allow after doing so much in the ...... elven forest?

　The fact that he was in control of the Kuro Wolf Knights means that Curtis was naturally off the hook on the matter as well.


　Fortunately, we didn't suffer much damage, but that's because Allen and his team were there.
　I don't know what would have happened if they hadn't been there.

　You will find that there is no way I would have forgiven Curtis or taken his hand, no matter what his reasons were.

...... sister. Your sister's kindness is certainly a virtue. But you don't have to point it at those guys--
Curtis, I'm not going to let you insult them.
"eh ...... sister ......!

　The empire is not a nation of equals.
　There is a meritocracy, and it can look down on captured countries and people.

　Henriette is not going to say anything of itself.
　I'm not going to say anything, per se, because I know very well that everyone has their own values.

　But this is this and that.
　I wasn't going to allow Henriette's dear friends to be disgraced.

...... If you won't shake your head, then I'll destroy that elven forest, this time on the pretense of harboring a demon. I have the power to do that now. Is that what you want ......!
Then Henriette will bite her tongue off before she dies. Then you won't have time to do that either. You're going to do the same thing if you've got a ...... Henriette shaking her head.
......!　Why is it ......?

　Curtis looks astonished, but it's nothing to say.

　There was something cloudy behind Curtis's eyes.
　It was a strong hatred and ...... directed not at an individual, but surely at the country itself.

　It's easy to guess the extent of it, having wasted so much time and seen so many things through the eyes of our heroes.

That's why I'm not going to help you, though. You can take your revenge on your own.
"I'm sure your sister is the one who was abused by ...... because ...... is ......!
"Don't use other people as an excuse for your revenge. I'll say it again.　If you want revenge, you're on your own.
............ So, you're telling me that you're not going to be mine no matter what? You're telling me that you're not going to be mine no matter what?
"To begin with, Henriette is not a thing.

　It's not a very different thing, an apostle, but how could you say such a thing, Henriette looked at Curtis, who gave her a look akin to hatred.
　I don't want anyone to tell me that I'm going to be killed, but that was it.

　I don't want to die.
　But I don't want to live.

　I've already thought of that.
　Henriette's goal has already been achieved.
　And I thought this ending was kind of fitting.

　No matter how angry and outraged she was, in the end, Henriette could only provide Allen with the same ending as the other heroes.
　The reincarnation was also due to divine power, not to Henriette's achievement.

　Although reincarnated in the same world, Allen couldn't do anything about it, so he reached out to others to fill the void.
　The fact that Curtis seemed to owe him something was also the result of some kind of alternative action, and maybe not kindness.

　And then, afterwards, he was killed.
　Oh, it was entirely deserved and only fitting that

You can't get it at ....... If you can't have it, you can't have it. I'll just kill it and have it all to myself ......!

You know, I hear that line sometimes, but when I think about it, I don't know what it means. Why would I kill him and then he would be yours?

......!"?

　At the voice, I reflexively turned my gaze.

　There is no way to see him from a positional standpoint.
　His powers as an apostle are not well used, so he cannot see through them either.

　But even if I didn't, I didn't have to think about who was in the line of sight.

...... You always seem to show up at the right moment, just when you're supposed to.
No, I don't need you to tell me that.　And it's totally coincidental.
...... you are ......!　Why are you here ......!
"Well, ......, I wonder why?

　With those words, a single footstep sounded, and a new figure appeared at the edge of the bars.

　The person who was not supposed to appear here with his usual bland face - Allen had shrugged his shoulders.