The Hero Party Couldn’t Kill Me

Chapter 3: Trap (3)

‘Wait a minute, things get weird… ….’

Returning to Solaum, the capital of the empire, Rachel put on a puzzled expression.

Suddenly, she was summoned to the imperial palace. She said that the saintess and Calia were already there, so it seems that something happened in the empire while she was gone.

“Meet Her Highness, the Princess.”

When I went to the throne room of the imperial palace, there were already the saintess, Calia, the wizards of the Mage Tower, the chief priests, and Calia’s aides.

And in front of them, the princess sitting on a gorgeous chair had a properly pissed-off expression.

“… So, it means that you went to kill Edmund without saying a word to me.”

“We had short thoughts. Sorry.”

“You even tried to invade Speth without my permission. You seem to see Speth as a village, but it is definitely an independent city-state. You dare to move troops without my permission?”

In her bloody mood, Rachel was stuck in her corner, unable to say anything. She always felt it, but the princess had an aura that overwhelmed people.

Looking at it even now, not only Calia, but even the saintess can’t move.

“I want to punish him right away, but as you said, it is urgent to catch Edmund, so I will postpone the punishment. But from now on, I too will be involved in catching Edmund. Actually, why am I even explaining this when it’s something I should be doing?”

‘That’s because you were going to be betrothed to Edmund.’

Calia got these words up to her throat, but she was overwhelmed by the princess’s aura and couldn’t say anything.

The princess turned her gaze to Rachel. Rachel was taken aback and bowed once more.

“So, you went to Speth this time, right? Have you seen Edmund?”

“I… I’m sorry to inform you, but Edmund couldn’t find it.”

“Then have you been to Speth?”

“S, Speth’s detection system is so good I couldn’t get in.”

Rachel answered while trying to ignore the gaze of the princess, who seemed to be able to penetrate her inner thoughts.

“Have you ever been detected by a magician from Speth?”

“Ah… no! Fortunately, I got out before then.”

A question that particularly caught her princess off guard made Rachel almost scream at her, but she denied it at the risk of her life.

If she gets caught like this, her magic skills will be gone.

“At least the worst was averted. There is still room for positive negotiations with Speth.”

Fortunately, the princess didn’t hesitate any more. Rather, when the word negotiation came out, Rachel sang for joy inside.

“Negotiation? What do you mean by that? They are pagans, and they may have collaborated with the demons!”

“Haven’t I always emphasized it? The empire’s finances have run out due to the war against the demons for the past three years. If possible, try to resolve it peacefully.”

“… That’s what I wanted to suggest anyway. Tomorrow, how about sending Marquis Grenouille and the wizards of the Mage Tower to escort him to Speth to inquire about Edmund’s whereabouts? Hopefully, with their permission, you will be free to explore Speth and the surrounding realms as well.”

Rachel doesn’t miss this and immediately presents her opinion.

“Wait a minute, why did you point at me?”

Rachel was momentarily dazed when Marquis Grenouille, who had called her own name, expressed her doubts.

“That… That’s because he’s one of the most well-spoken people I know. I was impressed by the way you traded with the Blue Mage Tower before.”

“… Was it that impressive?”

“… Rather good I think it would be better if the Marquis went.”

Unexpectedly, Calia agreed.

“Well, that’s great. Marquis Grenouille, go to Speth tomorrow and ask where Edmund is. You can bring two wizards from the Mage Tower to escort you.”

“However, I still have concerns. Will Edmund be easily arrested?”

Unexpectedly, the saintess who had been silent the whole time opened her mouth.

“In that case, put Calia in via teleportation. Just like you already planned.”

Both the saintess and Calia were satisfied with the princess’ answer.

On the way out of the imperial palace after the meeting, Calia caught Rachel.

“It wasn’t a bad plan. If Her Highness’ side had been dispatched to Speth, the war would have come to nothing.”

“… My plan failed, so I just came up with an alternative quickly.”

Rachel said with an effortful smile.

How will Calia react if she finds out that this was all Edmund’s plan?

“Marquis, when this happened, I just pretended to go to Speth and came back. After that, report to Her Highness the Princess that she has no choice but to fight because she is trying to protect Edmund. Like that… ….”

“That is not possible.”

The saintess who was walking beside her said firmly.

“Anyway, we have another chance to kill Edmund with minimal power. You can’t just throw this away.”

“… Chet. All right.”

She was still Calia with a disgruntled expression on her face, but she reluctantly accepted her saintly opinion.

The saintess turned her head and said to Rachel.

“I will try to trust you again. So I hope you find Edmund.”

“Yes, I won’t disappoint you this time.”

Rachel said while managing her expression as much as possible.

***

“… It’s fun. I never thought Her Highness would intervene.”

Hearing all of this through wiretapping, I smiled.

Well, even from the princess’ point of view, a warrior’s party plotting things without her permission would be disgusting.

Rachel wasn’t bad either. Anyway, she succeeded in inviting Marquis Grenouille to this place.

There was just one flaw. That the princess doesn’t just move according to my thoughts. Even in the same situation as before, she would have been dizzy if the princess had sent her entourage to her space.

‘Is it time to reply to the princess?’

So I was lost in thought while fiddling with the crystal ball.

Certainly, if you look at her actions, she is closer to supporting me. So you will definitely try to help me.

The problem is that the princess is also a person with a clearer sense of self than she thinks, so she won’t completely follow my words.

Since Calia is especially reluctant to go to war, she will somehow stop her from attacking this place with her troops.

‘Of course, you don’t have to go to war to get revenge on Calia… ….’

I was worried for a long time.

“We are talking with Marquis Grenouille about the wizard who will be dispatched to Speth tomorrow. Rachel and… I think Godfrey will come.”

When I was lost in my thoughts for a moment, Rafaela spoke her unexpected words.

“Godfrey? Isn’t that Godfrey who betrayed you?”

“… He said he belonged to the Rogue Magic Tower, so I think he was right.”

I glanced at Rafaela’s expression. Her eyes were shining with strange anticipation.

“Edmund.”

“… Why?”

“Anyway, this negotiation is all lies, right? It’s a trap to catch them.”

“Yes.”

“Then… Can you give me a chance to avenge you too?”

Rafaela’s eyes were full of madness.

It was only then that I realized. That she, like me, is on the vengeful side.

“What are you planning to do?”

“… I have a lot of things piled up on that bastard. He’s the guy who’s been trying to put me down since my academy days. Even when I was captured by Sordon, I had no choice but to cooperate with the demons because of that bastard.”

I was surprised to see the swear words coming out of that innocent face. Is it because there are so many things piled up?

“So… I want him to lose everything too. Will you give me permission?”

For some reason, I felt like I was in danger if I didn’t allow it.

“Do whatever you want.”

“Thank you!!”

Raphaella smiles broadly. Why did she feel a little scared?

***

“I’m here to see Iris Rogier.”

On the other hand, as time passed until the next operation, Saint Lucy visited Roswell.

“The princess is not at the mansion right now.”

“Then may I know where it is?”

“Usually, the princess stays outside her mansion at her house. It is probably there.”

The gatekeeper of the Rossier family mansion said.

“Thank you. Oh, let me ask you one more question. What happened to Iris?”

“That… I don’t know the details either. But she seems to be very disappointed.”

“I see, I understand.”

The saintess set out to find the house of Iris that her gatekeeper had told her about.

The house he was talking about was a rather shabby-looking cabin not far from the mansion.

It’s hard to believe that the daughter of the Duke of Rossie lives in a place like this.

Smart.

The saintess knocked on the door, but there was no answer from inside. However, since the door was not locked, the saintess opened it and entered.

In the middle of the cabin, Iris was spread out.

She was staring into space with a blank expression, like a person who had lost her country. She didn’t even seem to notice that the saintess had entered.

“Iris Rossier. She contacted me planning to kill Edmund, why didn’t you reply?”

When the saintess asked, Iris stood up from her seat without her strength and looked at the saintess.

“Ah, you are a proud saintess. My life has been ruined because of the saintess.”

Iris smiled innocently as she said this. The saintess did not immediately understand what she was saying.

“What the hell happened? Please tell me. Maybe we can offer you a solution.”

At the saintess’ words, Iris snorted at her. She came right in front of her saintess and emphasized it once more.

“Because of the saintess, I was deprived of my position as the next head of the Rossier family.”