The Tale of the Teapot Hero’s Revenge - Chapter 103 Interlude: Omen of Destruction and Signs of Counterattack

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Chapter 103 Interlude: Omen of Destruction and Signs of Counterattack

 

Taltus, the first prince of Corcut. His guiding principle in his actions was whether they were 'right' or not.

The reason he had requested to his father to join the front lines was to encourage the soldiers suffering from Brutogyu's invasion, establishing himself as 'right' in the eyes of others.

The reason he had come into contact with Paladis and obtained the Gift's power was to become the hero who ended the war, to justify his foolish father's rule as 'right,' and to make his own 'rightness' known to the world. And even now, he acted based on his own sense of 'rightness.'

"Hey, Nopto. Have you ever seen a scene where a hero who shaped history is condemned as evil in later generations?"

"...No."

"In that case, what about the defeated, who were overcome and destroyed by that hero? Are they judged as evil?"

"Starting with Brutogyu, the list could go on until nightfall."

"That's right. Heroes sung in poems, their deeds turned into operas, much like the defeated condemned as evil. I think they probably don't differ much," he said, satisfied with Nopto's answer.

The prince shifted his gaze outside the window, looked up at the high-risen sun, and squinted.

"What do you think is the difference between the two? What separates them?"

"Whether they became winners or not, perhaps. History is created by the victors, a rather cliché and commonplace answer."

"That may be true, but it doesn't explain exceptions. What about tragic heroes, those who are still beloved by the people even after becoming losers? How do you explain them?"

"...I cannot say. Nopto has no further answers on this matter."

Satisfied with the response, the prince chuckled softly and poured wine into his glass.

"Even as losers, they're still treated as heroes because they were 'right.' So unquestionably right that not even the truth could be distorted by the victors. That's why, even after losing, they can still be considered heroes."

"...I apologize for my oversight, Your Excellency."

"Yes, 'rightness' is everything. If you are right, you have the support of the people. You can continue to exist as a hero across time."

Tilting the glass, savoring the acidity, he smiled fearlessly.

In the chaos of that battlefield, was there even one soldier who could accurately understand the truth? And if there was, who would believe the ambiguous testimony of a wounded soldier without any evidence? Even the citizens of the kingdom and the homeland might not know what really happened.

If they don't know, I could create the truth later on. Unsettling rumors, like those nobody knew who started, could be easily suppressed. Taltus had absolute confidence backed by his own beliefs.

"Slaying the tyrant, admonishing oppressive rulers, and establishing good governance. I am on the winning side that makes and manipulates history, and at the same time, I possess the qualification of 'rightness' as a hero. Hey, Nopto. A man like me is truly worthy of being called a hero, don't you think?"

"Yes, indeed. ...However, there are elements of concern that could shake Your Excellency's 'rightness.'"

"...Balmirad. More precisely, Princess Pernelle, isn't it?"

"If she says something, even if it's a falsehood, the people will believe her. She, too, is on the 'right' side."

"And as long as I pursue 'rightness,' I can't take action against her either, right?"

That was Taltus's only concern. However, Balmirad should also be unable to take action against them.

"Don't worry. Rugolf has completely brought the homeland under the control of 【Domination】. Blum and Levia will return soon. It's solid, the overall situation is unshakable."

 

He didn't know yet. By the hands of a girl who was a hero, the gears were gradually starting to go awry. And there was another country, besides Balmirad, that was trying to bare its fangs.

 

△▽△

 

"Heeey, I'm tired..."

It's been about half a month since I became the queen of Stige. Today, too, the government affairs were piled up. Sitting at the desk all day, looking through documents, and signing them. Even with the help of a capable maid, it's still tiring! So, it should be fine to dive into bed in the dress as it is!

"It's improper, Your Majesty. The dress will get wrinkled."

"Well, I can't help it, I'm tired!"

Pernelle, who had become my exclusive maid, pouted and gave me a scolding. It should be fine, after all, I acted like a reliable mother in front of everyone. Let me be lazy in private.

"Really... I've never seen a queen like you..."

"Is that so? Maybe everyone is like this behind the scenes."

"That's impossible! I've never done such a thing!"

I wonder if that's true. Isn't she tired of always being stiff?

"Well... whatever."

"It's not good. Please wake up, at least take off the dress."

Haha, Pernelle was like my mother.

...My mother, huh. I often got told that I was like a mother, but I didn't really know what a real mother was like. I had a vague image of my mother, but I didn’t know the real thing as a tangible experience.

"Yeah, that's true. I don't want to bother Bell too much."

"Strah-san? If you're not feeling well..."

Did it show on my face? I must have made Pernelle worry.

"Don't worry! I'm just a little tired. I'm perfectly fine!"

I jumped out of bed, stretched my limbs to show my energy.

"Well, if you say so..."

Was it a bit unnatural? It seemed like I was still being doubted. In front of the mirror, I had Pernelle unfasten the clasp on my back. Reflected in the mirror, Pernelle still looked a bit concerned...

"I also understand the harshness of the queen's duties. Please don't overdo it..."

"I really am okay. It's not like that. I was just thinking about my mother a little."

While taking off the heavy dress and putting on a lighter one, I honestly revealed my feelings. Pernelle was stubborn, so if I tried to evade the question, she’d keep asking, and I didn’t want to worry her any further.

"Your mother...?"

"Yeah. She died when I was really little, and I don't even remember her face. When Bell scolded me, I thought, 'Is this what a mother is like?'"

Well, it's awkward to say something like this. She might get angry if I treated her like a mother when she was just one year older. Now, changing into different clothes. This time, I laid down on the bed and relaxed...

"Strah-san..."

"Whoa!"

Pernelle suddenly hugged me. Why? She was not the kind of person who did things like that, is she?

"Wait, why are you doing this all of a sudden..."

"W-Well, my mother used to hug me like this when I was little, so..."

Come to think of it, I had heard about Pernelle's mother. She was very kind, wise, and beautiful, but she passed away a few years ago.

"I-I'm sorry, if it's bothersome, I'll stop right away..."

"No, it's not bothersome. When I'm hugged by Bell, it somehow makes me feel really calm..."

It's strange. Not only my mind but also the fatigue in my body seemed to be blown away. It was different from being hugged by my mother, but it was incredibly reassuring...

"Hey, today. Could you sleep like this while holding me?"

"Is that a royal command, Your Majesty?"

"No, it's just a request from plain old Strah. If you don't want to, you can refuse."

Maybe Kyrie felt calm when she slept while holding Beato. I kind of want to try it.

"I don't mind at all. I'll gladly accept, Your Majesty."

"It's not a royal command, okay? Ahaha!"

"Hehe."

Knock, knock.

While we were laughing together, there was a knock on the door. Who could it be? Even though the official business hours were over.

"Hello, who is it?"

"Your Majesty, it's me."

"...Oh, it's Aniki."

What's with 'Your Majesty'? It's too formal. Well, it was probably the right way to address me. But it still felt weird. I wished he wouldn't do that outside of public situations.

"Please be as usual. Otherwise, I won't enter the room."

"...I guess I have no choice. Come in, I don't mind."

"Yes, please."

The double doors opened, and Knight Commander Gilius  made his entrance. He bowed slightly.

"What did you come for? It's private time now."

"Don't say that. It's an urgent matter. First, take a look at this."

Aniki took out a letter from his pocket. After untying the string around it, he handed it to me. Reading the contents with Pernelle, our faces exchanged a glance unexpectedly serious.

"...Is this?"

"As you can see, it's an invitation to a meeting from Balmirad. The purpose is not written, but you can probably guess, right? To jointly defeat Taltus."

 

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