I Am a Ruined Noble of a Ruined Kingdom

Chapter 13: Protagonist (2)

Our time, etched into my flesh. My hatred, rooted in the depths of my soul. And the presence of an uninvited guest invading Netionpies's body.

All of this was, and wasn't, my thought. I was thrown into confusion, staring at Emperor Astelnerka and the five heroes on the platform.

As if someone were interfering with my thoughts, my ideologies were twisted, and unfamiliar memories surged. I felt the strange symptoms again and looked up at them.

In the landscape that seemed to have stopped in time, only one man moved with life.

The man's ruby-like eyes coldly turned towards me. He looked exactly like me, but he was a bit more innocent and youthful Netionpies.

Netionpies said.

[You are lucky, puppet child.]

In response, I believed what I instinctively felt.

"You...are you really Netionpies?"

To my question, he declared with a voice filled with arrogance.

[Of course. I am the Ruined Noble and a prodigy who rose to the heavens of the Eld Empire.]

The youthful appearance and the old man's way of speaking gave a sense of incongruity. He was truly an arrogant human, but that gave me more confidence.

'This bastard is the real deal.'

[The only fake here is you.]

"You can even read minds? That's a worse ability than the Emperor's."

[What is there that I cannot do in my mindscape? If there is anything, it would be not being able to devour you right now.]

"...What do you mean?"

Netionpies snorted. His behavior seemed self-deprecating, or perhaps cheerful.

[That bitch played an interesting trick on your body. To condense my evil energy to the limit. Even a saint who lived in the era of great chaos couldn't do that.]

It was an episode from the day I first encountered Iruealfi. Because I couldn't manage the evil energy, she suppressed it with her guardian ability, 'Holy Memory'.

"Because Iruealfi is a monster. If you don't want to die, you fossil noble, stay locked up in your room. Even if you push me out, you can't beat her anyway."

[Insolent child, are you not afraid of me?]

Ha, insolent. Insolent!

I internally exclaimed with frustration.

Even though I'm suffering in this shitty body after being possessed by a villain, why would I want to be polite? Besides, Netionpies is a villain with a history that doesn't deserve any respect. I don't know on what basis he demands politeness.

I maintained my defiant attitude and stood my ground.

"I've figured out the situation for the most part. In short, I have control of the body thanks to Iruealfi. Tell the survival competition to go shove politeness up their ass."

[Ho ho...]

Netionpies seemed dumbfounded by my bluntness. He had been a ruler and an object of fear throughout his life. Therefore, this situation must be an extremely new experience for Netionpies.

I wasn't afraid of him. No matter how strong he is, in the end, he's just a flattened pancake in front of the avenger version of Iruealfi. What about politeness and fear to me, who has to read her every move?

Don't make me laugh.

"If you lost to the new generation, just stay buried there. Your era ended a long time ago."

[Judging by the way you speak, it seems you have no curiosity. For example, about why you possessed my body.]

"Nope. Don't care."

[Hoh?]

Netionpies stared at me with his reddish eyes. He could have gotten angry like an old fart, but he was rather intrigued.

"From the puppet remarks to those words, it's obvious. Whatever it is, you were summoned for your convenience. Even if it pisses me off, I'll keep this body for ten thousand years."

[I underestimated your intelligence, child, because you've been acting dull so far. I'll revise my assessment.]

He's saying I'm stupid in an elegant way. Maybe he really is a noble.

"Enough talking, how long are we going to have a staring contest here? Hurry up and send me out."

[I will do so, child, since there's no point in dragging this out. However...]

Netionpies trailed off and then let out a sinister voice.

[Now that I see it, I find you quite likable?]

"Huh? Are you crazy?"

I asked back with a disgusted look. Then he stepped off the platform and walked towards me, treading on empty air. Soon Netionpies's figure was close enough to touch me.

"W-What?"

I already knew that Netionpies couldn't kick me out. But I was a little surprised by the unexpected behavior.

[My essence is immortality. The qualification of a conqueror who dominates the world even without the power of evil energy.]

"I know that to the bone. I guess even you had your upper and lower body separated nicely?"

[Unfortunately, that's not my taste. It's not a pretty sight, so I'll teach you a little about how to use the body.]

"...What are you up to?"

[Unfortunately, we are in a relationship of mutual dependence. If we end up being sealed again due to your weakness, we will both be thrown into an eternal hell. So...]

Netionpies's hand was getting closer and closer to my head. Even if I wanted to avoid it, my body stiffened when I faced his ruby-like eyes.

[Live well. Waiting is familiar to me. How long can a human live? A hundred years at most? When that white bitch dies, I'll devour you without mercy.]

"Ha, who would believe that? Looking at your character, it wouldn't be strange if you took any chance... KAAAAAAK!"

Before I could finish my words, a black flash burst from Netionpies's grasp.

I lost my reason due to the sudden, endless pain and turned into a screaming doll. I felt as if thousands of needles were growing under my skin, and I also felt like my body was about to burst as if being crushed by an elephant.

My consciousness couldn't withstand the pain and sank below the surface. It was better that way. Netionpies just watched me twitching indifferently.

[How disappointing that you couldn't trust me until the end... Tsk tsk.]

Netionpies clicked his tongue and then twisted his lips into a seductive smile.

[You are a clever child!]

◇

When I woke up from Netionpies's mindscape, I was sprawled on the floor of the banquet hall.

Several people helped me up with worried faces. As soon as I came to my senses, I immediately looked at where the Emperor was.

I saw a luxurious railing decorated with obsidian. It wasn't the golden chains and reddish decorations. Seeing the globe in the Emperor's hand, it seemed that not much time had passed.

I asked the person who helped me.

"Excuse me, but how long have I been passed out?"

"It was really just a moment. Are you feeling unwell?"

"Haha, I've been reading medical books late these days, so it seems like I've harmed my health."

"Oh my! To do that much for the sake of Marquis Yustiha's health. The hearts of the two of you are truly beautiful."

At those words, my faint reason came back to life as if cold water had been poured on it.

"That's not it!"

"What are you embarrassed about? My wife has something to talk about. Actually, my wife is a fan of Marquis Yustiha... Haha."

The man checked that I had completely regained my senses and released his support. Then he bowed and hurriedly left the scene. It was obvious to anyone that he had left for his wife.

I couldn't even seize the opportunity to correct him and fell into a state of exhaustion. It was around that time that Iruealfi ran over.

"Nephi!"

"Iruealfi, I'm okay."

"Huh? What is? Anyway, that's not important."

Ah, me passing out isn't important. Well, I'm immortal, so it's impossible for me to be in pain. Iruealfi must know that, right?

... I hope so.

"There isn't a single person guarding His Majesty."

"Oh, right. You were out for a while."

I had forgotten everything because of the time perception and pain in the mindscape. Iruealfi ignored my words and continued urgently.

"Not only the Nelphrugia Knights members but even the coachman who drove the carriage was gone. It's a clear anomaly."

"It's definitely unsettling. Shouldn't we go over there right now?"

I pointed to where the Emperor was with my eyes. Iruealfi nodded and quickly agreed.

"We should. Nephi, come with me too."

"Me too?"

"Yes. And I'm asking just in case."

"What is it?"

Iruealfi asked me with a stiff expression.

"Did you use your power?"

I immediately denied it.

"Not at all. Rather, I passed out for a while. You can find out by asking people."

"Nephi passed out? There are many things I want to ask, but first, let's go to His Majesty's side..."

It was then.

Rumble...

The entire banquet hall began to rumble greatly. The ground trembled as if even a huge castle had collapsed in an instant. The scale of the vibration was so great that people lost their balance and fell over.

Clang!

The sound of tableware and dishes falling on the floor. The chandeliers that were barely holding on made people tremble with fear.

"Hey, it's dangerous!"

"Everyone, evacuate quickly!"

Someone's cry became a signal flare. The crowd instantly panicked and rushed towards the entrance. When I turned to the side, Iruealfi was already next to the Emperor and Empress.

I was about to head to the Emperor's side as well. But the bewildered screams of the people who went outside caught my attention.

'Ha! Why is this?'

Drawn to the sound, I went outside and saw an unbelievable sight. A dome-shaped red barrier was spreading widely, centered on the banquet hall. It looked transparent at first glance, but I felt a texture as if capillaries were intricately tangled in the tiles.

Several strong men tried to strike it with weapons, but all in vain. Rather, the weapons bounced back with strong resilience, threatening other people.

"Nephi! I told you to follow me... No, what is this?"

"What in the world is going on!"

Iruealfi was belatedly escorting the Emperor and Empress. The Fayta Duke, who was getting old, was an added bonus.

'Why is this here...?'

I was baffled by the identity of the red dome.

If I remember correctly, the identity of the red dome was 'Blood of Spirits'. It didn't refer to actual blood, but the energy of the spirits emitted to the outside had a red color, so it was called Blood of Spirits.

An object imbued with the Blood of Spirits has strong resilience to impact and the hardness of a diamond. It is currently impossible to obtain such a large amount of Blood of Spirits. That was the reason for my bewilderment.

'The setting of this world is that all the spirits are extinct. Except for that...'

I turned my head, wondering if Iruealfi knew anything. But she was no different. Of course, she didn't even guess the identity of the red dome.

"It seems that we are all trapped by some method."

Iruealfi stared intently at the red dome. She seemed to be organizing her thoughts on the sudden unknown phenomenon.

Iruealfi, who had finished analyzing the situation in a short time, pressed the Emperor.

"Your Majesty. I will ask a question that is absolutely necessary to understand the situation."

"What is it? Marquis Yustiha."

"Why are you here, Your Majesty? And who urged you to visit?"

The Emperor answered lightly, as if there was nothing to think about.

"What are you talking about? I came because you said you had arranged the way."

Only after the Emperor finished speaking did he make a face as if something was bothering him. Iruealfi urged such an Emperor.

"Your Majesty, excuse me, but that is not in my memory. Please tell me the name of the person who made such slanderous remarks."

"It was Etio Rescal, the vice-commander of the Nelphrugia Knights."

"Etio... did you say?"

Etio Rescal, the vice-commander of the Nelphrugia Knights. He had devoted himself to the Knights for a long time and served the Imperial Family, receiving a title as a commoner.

Anyone would have no choice but to be deceived by the words of someone who was the vice-commander of the Imperial Guard. Moreover, since the Emperor looked at emotions and good and evil, he would have no choice but to trust those he believed in without end.

It was something that could have been a big shock, but Iruealfi was calm.

"Your Majesty, it seems that there is a traitor inside. I don't know what this barrier means, but it must be related to serving Your Majesty."

"But Marquis Yustiha is right next to me. If you have any intention of harming me, isn't it a clear failure?"

"That's certainly true, but..."

"Is that really the case?"

I questioned Iruealfi, who was agreeing.

"Nephi? Did something come to your mind?"

"Just a moment... It keeps bothering me."

I'm definitely missing something important. To imprison the Emperor in a place where the Knights Commander is? Even if they don't know Iruealfi's skills, it's too lax. Of course, that was the case if the target was the Emperor.

If there were collaborators in the Nelphrugia Knights, it would have been cleaner to tear the Emperor and Empress apart in the carriage. There was no reason to attempt the assassination of the Emperor in a place where Iruealfi was.

"The Emperor has nothing to do with it... Rather, the Emperor must have played the role of bait."

"Who are you targeting by using the enemy of the Empire as bait? It doesn't make sense."

"The Emperor is undoubtedly of the highest status. But think about it. Who benefits if the Emperor passes away?"

Iruealfi couldn't easily answer my question.

"The Empire is peaceful, and there are no conflicting forces. If there are any, it's the Fayta Duke's family, but even so, they wouldn't harm His Majesty in their own home."

"That's right..."

It's the assassination of the Emperor who rules a great empire. If it's the work of another country, it becomes the trigger for a massacre disguised as war. If it's a force, they'll be destroyed, and if it's an individual, they won't even be able to die and will suffer.

It's a super-low return, super-high risk job. That was why I didn't think the Emperor was the target.

'Everyone designs a plan so that a big reward comes with little risk.'

The target of the great plan that even mocked the Emperor and the escort knights. Who is the person who can bring about a result that is worth bearing the risk of being entangled with the Imperial Family?

While Iruealfi and I were putting our heads together and thinking, the Emperor was reassuring the Empress. He was mainly comforting her by mentioning Iruealfi's power.

Then I suddenly realized. The absence of a certain person whose presence was clear.

"Hey, Iruealfi. Is it possible that it's not the Emperor but... the Empress...?"

"The Empress is right here."

"Yes, she's definitely safe."

The Empress was here. But in the banquet, there was only one person who had closer contact with the Empress than anyone else.

I called out that person's name in dismay.

"But Charles Milote... Where is she now?"