An axe spear 《Halberd》 was thrust into Celia's chest.

''Who are you!　I didn't know they used teleportation in the palace!

　A murderous, angry voice slammed into Celia's body.

'It's urgent!　Call His Majesty, please.

　Celia ignored none of the guards and asked for an audience with the emperor.
　The guards guarding the door of the emperor's chamber on either side of the door suddenly realized that the crooked man who had shifted suddenly was the deputy court jury member, and the guards on the left and right hurriedly raised their axe spears 《halberd》.

''Was it Celia-sama? I beg your pardon!　But why the transference-you know the law, don't you?

　The guard asked with a quizzical look on his face.
　That was also natural.
　With the Transfiguration Dharma Technique, he could even sneak into the Emperor's bedroom. It's not a law that can be broken so lightly. It is not a law that can be broken so lightly, because in the worst case, it could even lead to extreme punishment.
　It's natural that the guards wanted to hear what happened. But Celia silenced the guard's question.
　You can't waste time worrying about such things right now.

''Shut up!　You said it was urgent. I don't have a second to spare!　If you don't give me an answer, I'm going to break down the door!

Please wait, Miss Celia. I will be with you shortly!

　Overwhelmed by Celia's swordsmanship, one of the guards hurriedly interceded for the emperor.
　It would have taken ten seconds.
　The door in front of Celia was quietly opened.


'What do you mean!　Celia Walkland!　It would be too profane!

　Iron-blooded Vizier Dornest's angry voice echoes to Celia who is kneeling before the Emperor.
(Chi, I didn't know we had a vizier...)
　Celia clicked her tongue in her mind in a grand manner.
　This is not a very pleasant development for Celia, who is in a hurry.
　The vizier Dornest is the emperor's loyal vassal, but he is inflexible.
　Especially when it comes to compliance with the law, he is a man who is known to be like an iron man.
　But. But there is someone who deals with Celia's rudeness.
　The Emperor on the throne.

'Stop, Dornest. Don't do it, Dornest," he said. "That's why Celia has been begging for an audience with the devil. Something must have happened, no?

"But Your Majesty...

　When Dornest didn't think that was a good enough indication, he bite back at the Emperor.

''d*mn it!''

　The emperor's eyes narrowed and a sharp gaze pierced through Dornest.
　You can't disobey the words of the emperor, no matter how much of a vizier he is.
　And the current emperor is no mere decoration.
　He is the very king who cut down the central part of the western continent with force.

　The first emperor of the Oltmere Empire, Lionel Eisenheit, was born as the third prince of the Old Oltmere Kingdom, which originally existed in the mountainous region of the central western continent.
　At the time, Old Oltmere was on the brink of ruin due to the tyranny of the aristocracy and the civil war of the royal family.
　Feeling melancholy about his country's current situation, Lionel set his sights on restoring his country.
　He won the war of succession against his brothers and increased the power of the royal family by purging the faction's nobility.
　Along the way, Lionel himself has swung the sword many times on the battlefield.
　And when he invaded and conquered the neighboring Thene Kingdom 40 years ago, he changed the name of the country to the Oltmere Empire.
　Since then, they have exposed themselves to the struggle for supremacy in the central part of the western continent.
　At the age of fifty-eight, the emperor, who knew the bloody battlefield, still had sharpened muscles all over his body and still overwhelmed the average warlord.

''Excuse me. ''Your Majesty.''

　Dornest bows to the Emperor.

"Good. By the way, Celia. What do you want?

'Ha!　Sire. With all due respect, sir, I must ask for permission to use the troops.

　It was so sudden that the emperor and the vizier were in raptures.

'What are you going to say!　You! You're in the position of Deputy Chief Justice of the Court to interfere with military affairs!　What on earth did Lord Jesus say!

　It was natural for the Prime Minister to reveal his anger.
　Celia didn't have the authority to do so.
　But the opposite of Dornest's angry voice came from the emperor's mouth.

'Very well.'

"Heh. Your Majesty!　What do you mean?

'I said it was good. It's Dornest.

　Contrary to Dornest's dismay, the Emperor said in a supremely calm tone.

'But, Celia,' he said. Let me ask you why. Why do you, a court jester, want an army?　Dornest is concerned about this, but does Gaius know about this?

　Hearing her high brother's words, Celia struggled to suppress her boiling sorrow and frustration.

'Your grandfather. 'No. Guyess Walkland has been murdered.'

　Celia's words had a tremendous impact on the emperor and vizier.
　　After all, Gaethjez was the highest lawgiver in the Oltmere Empire and, along with Dornest, had been responsible for all of Oltmere's domestic, diplomatic and military affairs.

'Ba. Foolishness. It's Gaelis...

Impossible. It can't be!　Celia!

　A denial escapes from their mouths.

''No Your Majesty. Prime Minister. It is a fact Gaies Walkland was murdered by an otherworlder.'


What do you mean?

Foolishness, Lady Celia what do you think you're doing?

　Words of denial leaked out from the emperor and vizier.
　Celia desperately suppressed her irritation and explained the situation.
　Because the more appropriate explanations I give here, the longer it will take.

''It's true your Majesty. I have confirmed it with my own eyes.

　Silence ruled the Emperor's room.
　It was the emperor who broke the ten or so seconds of silence.

'Why?'

　A low, heavy voice.
　The emperor was struggling to control his fury.
　His hands tighten around the elbows on the throne.

'I do not know for certain. We have no evidence and no witnesses. But we do know who we think is responsible for this, based on the circumstances.

Who are you?

'Master Gayes was performing the summoning ceremony today. Given that the murder scene was during the summoning, and that all of the guards of the guards were murdered, I suspect that the murderer was an otherworlder who was summoned.

Well no way. I don't believe...

　Dornest, who had kept his mouth shut for a long time, couldn't help but say, "I know that he is pretending to be a soldier of the castle.

It is also known that he is pretending to be a soldier of the castle. I've entrusted Rolf, the leader of the Kingsguard, and Orlando, the third court jury master, with the formation of the army. With your permission, I wish to go in pursuit.

　The emperor's reaction to hearing Celia's story to that point was quick.

''I grant it!　Since it will take time to issue the order, take my sash as proof of my life!

　With that, the emperor removed the sword from his waist and threw it to Celia.

'O Celia,' said the Emperor, 'you are my confidant, my friend and teacher of forty years. Celia, my confidant, my friend and teacher of forty years, the pillar of my country. He has been a pillar of our nation.

Yes, sir.

'That Gaius has been murdered. This is treason against my Oltmere Empire!　You must find the people who did this and take them into custody!　If you can't, I don't care if I kill you!

　Celia hung her head deeply in respect and acknowledgement and then shifted and disappeared.

　The Emperor sighed deeply and spoke to the curtain behind the throne.

"Shardina," he said, "you have heard of me. You have heard of me, haven't you?

"Yes, Your Majesty. Your Majesty.

　A blonde woman in her early twenties emerged from the shadows of the curtains, tall but well-proportioned, with blue eyes that were more impressive than anything else.
　She was tall but well-proportioned, and above all, her blue eyes were impressive.
　She resembles the emperor in some way.

We have just received the information from the shadows. There is no doubt in my mind that Lord Jesus is dead. At the same time, a fire broke out in the infirmary and one of the soldiers was reported missing. Celia-dono seems to think that this missing soldier is an otherworlder.

Well it's Shardina. What do you think?

"I believe your speculation as to the murderer is correct. It couldn't have been an assassination by a neighboring country. It's just that...

　The Emperor turned his shooting gaze on Shardina.

'Ta-da?　What?

"I'm afraid to say, sir, that the chances of catching the killer are slim to none.

'My God!　You say Lady Shardina can't do that with Lord Celia!

　Dornest exclaims in surprise.

'Lord Dornest. It's not Lord Celia's fault. Perhaps it would be the same for anyone else.'

Why?

'How can we find the summoned otherworlder if we don't know what he looks like, what he looks like, what he looks like, what he looks like, what his gender is, what he looks like?

What did you say?

　The emperor was surprised.
　He hadn't considered the situation where Celia hadn't figured out what the killer looked like.

''What do you mean?''

'All of the soldiers who were there during the summons under Lord Guyess were killed. When they went to the infirmary, feigning injury, they did not see their faces with their helmets. The soldiers and doctors who brought him to the infirmary were murdered. As a result, no one could recognize their faces.

'My God then how is Celia going to find out who did this?

A gamble. Your Majesty. It's good as long as the otherworlder is dressed as a soldier. And even if they have changed clothes in the castle, if they rush through the gates, the soldiers will find them. Even if you can't, there's a chance you'll get some information.

I see. So it's possible then?

'Yes. But.....

　The Emperor could not hide his irritation.

'Good!　If you know so much, Shardina!　You must lead the shadows to the search!

Heh, Your Majesty?　Are you sure?　You have to let the Princess of Shardina go.

　The tension in Dornest's voice was palpable.
　Because he had never in the past let Shardina, the last bastion of the emperor's protection, off his person.

''d*mn it!　Chardina Eisenheit, First Princess of the Altomere Empire and Commander of the Succubus Knights of the Order of the Dreamers!　Work with Celia to find the killer!

Very well. Your Majesty. I will do my best to do what little I can.

　Shardina hung her head and walked away from the Emperor's room.
　This was the moment when the Oltmere Empire completely regarded Liangzhen as an enemy.

　At last, there was only the Emperor and the Vizier between the Emperor and the Vizier.

'O Dornest. You're in big trouble.

Yes, Your Majesty. Yes, Your Majesty. We must do something before this gets out to our neighbors.

Hmm. We've finally conquered the center of the country and are about to attack the east, and now this?

Yes. I'm sorry.

　The Emperor shook his head.

'I don't blame him. 'No choice, Dornest. Dornest, I'm going to appoint a Chief Magistrate to your court. Gather the ministers.

Yes, sir. You're still looking for Lady Celia?

　Dornest's voice was laced with concern.

'I'm young, but I can't help it.

I'm sorry, sir.

　Dornest withdrew, and the Emperor slumped deep into his throne alone.

''You fool, Guyess. At last, my supremacy is in sight...''

　Droplets of water fall on the crimson carpet.
　It was the emperor's fullest sympathy for his friend who had survived the long war.