I Am a Ruined Noble of a Ruined Kingdom

Chapter 20: Hair, and Eyes

"Iruealfi. Do you happen to know the storage location of Eldchain?"

"Only His Majesty knows everything related to Eldchain."

"That's a relief."

This meant that information wouldn't leak unless the Emperor confessed. Even though the question about the whereabouts of Eldchain could be considered unsettling, Iruealfi didn't ask anything.

'I guess that's Iruealfi for you...'

The place we arrived at with a somehow floating feeling was in front of the glass greenhouse of the Imperial Palace. Dozens of Nelphrugia Knights were performing guard duty in front of the glass greenhouse.

As soon as they sensed Iruealfi's presence, they moved quickly.

"Greetings to the Com...!"

"Stop."

Iruealfi cut off the salute in a dry tone. The kindness she had shown until just now was nowhere to be found, and a sign of rising annoyance was rife.

"Protect His Majesty well. Don't bother worrying about the Commander's mood for no reason."

"W, we will correct ourselves!"

Not even a raging blizzard would be colder than Iruealfi's tone. Her reprimand was quiet, but the content was by no means light.

The knights left Iruealfi with stiff postures.

'I guess. This incident is no different from a major accident for the Nelphrugia Knights. If it were reality, it would be a matter that would lead to the disbandment of the Knights.'

At least as long as Iruealfi was a shield, that was out of the question.

Originally, she had a duty to take responsibility for the situation as the general manager of the organization. But in reality, no one took proper responsibility.

This must have left a deep scar on her pride. It meant that the value of the human being Iruealfi Yustiha made her evade her responsibility.

"Are you... okay?"

"Not at all. I'm so angry that I want to stomp my feet vulgarly. I'd forgotten a little, but thanks to you, I'm realizing my incompetence again."

"Incompetence, huh."

If there's one thing I can be sure of while living with Iruealfi, it's that she's close to an iron man.

It wasn't just an assessment focused on martial power. Her day was shorter than anyone else in the world.

The responsibilities she had as the head of the Yustiha March family, her duties as the Commander of the Knights, and finally the additional task of monitoring me. The work she did was always piled up like a mountain.

Iruealfi, who effortlessly handles everything that is given to her in excess every day, deserves to be respected.

"Iruealfi, if you're incompetent, I'm a less-than-stone on the street."

"Nephi is... well..."

Iruealfi trailed off with a serious expression. I was embarrassed by the unexpected reaction and protested.

"Why... are you stopping in the middle of your words? Iruealfi? Hello? Hey?"

Iruealfi smiled faintly as she looked at me flustered and appealing to myself.

"Yeah, Nephi is Nephi. It'll be fine, I guess."

"Hey, what do you mean it'll be fine. My heart is very sick."

"Hehe."

In the meantime of having useless conversations, Iruealfi's mood seemed to have improved to some extent.

Finally, we opened the door of the glass greenhouse and had an audience with the Emperor.

"We greet His Majesty the Emperor."

"Welcome, Marquis Yustiha, and Marquis Alteon."

As the place required, we gave a brief greeting and took our seats.

The Emperor looked emaciated. That alone conveyed the Emperor's feelings for the Empress.

'I don't know if I should say it's fast or slow to come to his senses.'

It seems like a lot of time has passed since the banquet at the Fayta Duke's residence, but in fact, not even a day has passed yet.

The time from the encounter with Zicharun to our arrival at our mansion was only half a day.

The Emperor's aura has deteriorated so much in such a short time.

"I'll cut to the chase. Vice Commander Etio Rescal committed suicide."

"Yes?"

"Is that true, Your Majesty...!"

Those were the reactions of me and Iruealfi, respectively. I was also surprised by the fact, but the shock of Iruealfi, the Commander, seemed incomparable. She trembled and closed her mouth as if she was ashamed.

"Your Majesty, is there no possibility of an outsider's doing?"

I asked, replacing Iruealfi, who was in a panic.

"He was imprisoned for the attempted murder of a member of the Imperial Family. That strict security cannot be broken unless people are killed. Of course, those who were guarding him are all alive and well."

"With so many people watching, would it have been possible to attempt suicide?"

"He implanted a poison pouch in his teeth. Etio Rescal was a knight from a commoner background, so he had a confirmed identity. I don't know when he developed rebellious intentions! More than anything, even with my eyes..."

The Emperor belatedly realized that Iruealfi was also present at the scene and trailed off. His ability to distinguish emotions was a secret that was hidden even from Iruealfi.

Fortunately, Iruealfi didn't ask any particular questions and moved on.

The Emperor took a dozen deep breaths and then asked me a question.

"Now, let's talk about the incident at the Duke's residence. I'll ask Marquis Alteon first. It's a rude question, but... really, did you get beaten? Not only was it Netionpies, the Ruined Noble of a Ruined Country... Couldn't you stop them?"

"Your Majesty..."

It's a difficult question. Zicharun was definitely strong, but he wasn't fully grown yet.

In other words, he was a sufficiently suppressible opponent.

'If it was Netionpies, not Nephi, it would have been.'

Even before I was possessed, I was closer to a model student who was far from fighting. Moreover, it's largely because I can't properly utilize Netionpies's specs because of the body's leadership.

But since this was the result, I had no choice.

"I'm sorry."

"No... No, it's not. I said something unnecessary..."

The Emperor wiped his face and then asked Iruealfi.

"Did Marquis Yustiha find a way? Is there a way to track Charles, that child?"

"I have nothing to say. Please hold me accountable."

"Ah... Aah...!"

Looking at the Emperor, who looked like he would lose his mind if you touched him with a finger, I felt a strange sense of incongruity.

'At first, I thought he was looking for Charles only for the Empress... Now that I see it, it seems like the Emperor also has affection for Charles. What's the story?'

The relationship between the Emperor, the Empress, and Charles was full of questions.

"Marquis Alteon. Please lend us your wisdom. Aren't you the chief strategist who enthroned Emperor Astelnerka I, the third son of a mere count family? Please advise us with the heart of cherishing your descendants... as a great elder of the Imperial Family..."

His appearance, desperately seeking wisdom as if he were a child crying, was so pathetic. I couldn't believe that the man before me was the noblest man in the Empire.

"Your Majesty. I... Netionpies is..."

Was I fascinated by the Emperor's desperate appearance? I was about to deny Netionpies, the possessed body, without realizing it.

If my mouth, which was out of my control, hadn't spewed out nonsense, I would have confessed for sure.

[Such a hypocritical child.]

"Nephi?"

Iruealfi reacted first. She kept touching her earlobe as if she suspected she had misheard.

I had no choice but to gloss over it without even wetting my lips.

"I, I'm... a hypocritical guy. I asked His Majesty to trust me... but I only disappointed him."

"Th... Is that so."

The Emperor stared at me with a dazed expression. I belatedly recalled one fact.

'The Emperor can read emotions. He'll know lies like looking down at the palm of his hand!'

It was definitely not my will.

I felt a sense of déjà vu that I had experienced the same situation in the past.

I constantly rummaged through the past and finally remembered the identity of the incongruity.

"... Your Majesty."

"Speak comfortably."

The Emperor's consideration was clearly conscious. Perhaps it was an implicit will that he would not pursue it in front of Iruealfi.

I opened my mouth, watching Iruealfi, who was sitting next to me.

"If it's not rude, I would like to have a private conversation with you at this moment."

"Nephi? The flow of the story is sudden."

Iruealfi sent a silent pressure demanding an explanation. I couldn't bear to face it and fixed my gaze on the Emperor.

"I'll allow it."

"Your Majesty?!"

"Marquis Yustiha. Please wait outside the greenhouse for a moment. I ask you this way. Please."

"..."

Iruealfi glared at me for a moment, then quietly got up from her seat with a sullen face. She even crossed her arms, which was unlike her.

Even after getting up, she stared at me and said with a dissatisfied expression.

"Nephi. I'm telling you this in case you misunderstand, don't get the wrong idea."

"What...?"

"It's not because His Majesty ordered me to leave. It's because I judged that it's worth leaving, so I'm leaving."

Iruealfi's cheeks were a little flushed. She added, exhaling slightly.

"The reason why I'm unhappy is because I hate the secret talk between the two of you as the Head of the Escort. Do you understand?"

"Huh? Uh, yeah. Thank you... Iruealfi..."

I was momentarily stunned by the explanation, which was a type I had never guessed.

"Okay, then."

Iruealfi turned her head away with a sulky look and walked out of the greenhouse with a stride full of resentment.

'What is it? Why is she cute? ...No, don't think ridiculous things!'

It must be a natural feeling caused by Iruealfi's appearance. Just like dogs and cats are always cute.

My self-denial quickly ended due to the Emperor's pressure.

"So. What is the reason why the Marquis asked me for a private audience?"

The Emperor narrowed his eyes and questioned me. I hummed for a moment.

"Ah..."

How should I start? With the true story that cannot be understood by common sense...

If it's hard to believe no matter how carefully I say it, it's better to end it quickly.

"Your Majesty. If you really want the wisdom of the Ruined Noble of a Ruined Country... please talk to him once."

"Marquis, please don't beat around the bush."

"I'm not beating around the bush, but..."

I knew the day would come when I would confess to the Emperor, but it's too fast. I was thinking of raising his favorability a little more and then confessing, but...

"Hoo!"

I sighed, imagining the crazy things I was about to do.

"Old man. Don't touch someone else's body inside and just come out and talk about it openly."

"Marquis Alteon? Are you saying there's a third person inside here besides us!"

"No, that's not it... Hey, old man. Why don't you come out and get some fresh air? If you have something built up, you should let it out."

Then, a wicked tone was heard in my head.

[To be showing such an ugly figure because you can't control your emotions, I'm getting old too.]

"What are you talking about? You've always been ugly."

"Marquis Alteon...? Who are you talking to?"

The Emperor was unable to follow the situation and craved an answer, but a hundred words were worth less than one look.

Soon, the Emperor would get the answer he wanted.

"I'll lend it to you for a moment, so come out."

[I can kill this child right now and turn the world into ruins.]

"Oh really? Do it."

I snorted and glanced at the outside of the glass greenhouse. It was so beautiful to see Iruealfi's snow-white hair turning indigo as she watched the dawn.

Was it because I looked stupid as I blankly stared at Iruealfi? Netionpies soon burst out laughing.

[Keuk, Kkahahaha! Yes! Your intelligence isn't that low after all. I'll go along with your tune once because of my mistake too.]

"The old man only has a long, rotten tongue. To sum it up, he's scared of Iruealfi... Euek..."

I had to enter Netionpies's mental world without being able to finish my words.

What greeted me in the mental world was the same scenery of the podium as before. The first heads of the four great duke families and the first Emperor Astelnerka were present.

Among them, Netionpies had disappeared.

"I guess the Holy Memory has weakened since fighting Zicharun. Otherwise, there's no way Netionpies could interfere with the body."

I thought everything was stable because Netionpies didn't try to do anything, but...

I must request Iruealfi to repair the Holy Memory after this private meeting is over.

"Now, let's hear what the senile old man has to say."

I began to directly observe the conversation between Netionpies and the Emperor inside the mental world.

◇

"Who are you talking to, Marquis?"

Bewilderment dripped from the Emperor's tone. My... Netionpies's gaze lost focus and tilted for a long time without an answer.

Just for a moment, at some point Netionpies's lips curled up fiendishly.

[She resembles you. The hypocritical beast-like child's eyes.]

"What...!"

The Emperor widened his crimson eyes and analyzed the situation coolly.

"Marquis Alteon... No, you're not. Who are you that you use such insulting language?"

[If you inherited Astel's brilliance, then see. Who do you think I am?]

Netionpies's gaze, full of wickedness, faced the Emperor haughtily. The Emperor soon exclaimed.

"Could it be, Ruined Noble Duke... Is that you?"

[Your eyes haven't lost their usefulness.]

"Heoh...!"

Despite having the real Netionpies, who was full of arrogance, in front of him, the Emperor was surprisingly calm.

"If you are the Ruined Noble Duke, then what is Nephi Alteon, Marquis? I have never heard of two people living in one body."

[That child is just a puppet...]

"-That's not true."

[...!]

"Ruined Noble Duke?"

I was quite surprised in Netionpies's mental world.

'Wow. It works.'

Although it was a short time, he interfered with the body in a state where he had completely handed over the leadership. I don't know if it's because of the Holy Memory that was left weak, or because of my ability.

What's certain is that Netionpies was greatly embarrassed. The sight was so exhilarating that I stretched out.

"I don't know the details, but I understand that the two are separate personalities. I also know well that you are the real Ruined Noble Duke. I will no longer pry into this."

[You're handling this well. I can grant you what you want.]

"Is that really true!"

The Emperor's complexion changed rapidly.

[Think of it as an apology for a certain shameful child who couldn't even subdue a 'mediocre brat'.]

My cheeks burned at Netionpies's reproach.

"Let me use magic too, you damn bastard!"

More than that, even though he wasn't complete, to call Zicharun a mediocre brat. That's Netionpies's arrogance for you.

"Thank you... Thank you so much."

[The rest is up to you. Try your best. Child who inherited Astel's red hair.]

Netionpies left only those words and returned to the mental world. Netionpies, who looked exactly like me but had a slightly more innocent look, was already on the podium.

"What, he's more cooperative than I thought. He's giving the body back without any regrets?"

I purely expressed my surprise. Then Netionpies on the podium sneered self-deprecatingly.

[What can I do in front of the white girl?]

"That's true, but..."

I knew that too, so I openly switched bodies.

"I'm uneasy."

[Keuk, puppet child. You don't have time to worry.]

Netionpies strode towards me and grabbed my face with one hand. I instinctively guessed what would happen next.

"Wa, wait a minute!"

[Go.]

Netionpies's obsidian energy engulfed me.

It transformed into the form of black lightning and conveyed the pain that had concentrated all kinds of tortures without filtering.

Pajijijijik!

"Agh, you, you living dentures... you..."

I lost consciousness, just like the phenomenon I had experienced at the Fayta Duke's residence.

The difference was that I had the leisure to curse.

[...]

Now, Netionpies, who was left alone in the mental world, slowly climbed onto the podium.

The first Emperors and first heads of the four great duke families were still present in their youth. Faces that could never be forgotten.

Netionpies looked at the first Emperor Astelnerka holding the royal sword. His eyes trembled wistfully, and his gaze was sad as he met Astelnerka's indigo eyes.

After a while, the tone that came directly from Netionpies's mouth was a simple way of speaking that couldn't find arrogance.

[Astel. I saw your descendant. He has the same passionate red hair. Unlike that guy.]

There was no answer. It was only natural since this was a space made up of Netionpies's mind.

[I had no intention of helping at all. A descendant with the same red hair asked, so I got involved without realizing it. Now he's calling me a great elder of the Imperial Family. Keuk.]

Netionpies let out a self-deprecating sound. Even so, the story was consistent.

[I really hated it. I wanted to stab those hypocritical crimson eyes to death... but your flowing red hair was so similar that I was able to recall you to the point that I didn't care about the eyes.]

I guess I'm still your friend after that day.

Netionpies swallowed those words down.

This time, he turned his back to Astelnerka and looked at the heads of the four great duke families kneeling on one knee.

[Bartlante. Aselne. Lusheon. ............ Lorian.]

He approached the woman with black hair and eyes in black attire. Her eyes were like an abyss that seemed to suck you in if you kept looking at her, as beautiful as the midnight deep sea.

[Lorian. Your descendants are plotting something strange. Is it because you're still putting relatives forward as successors? As expected, you don't resemble her at all.]

Lorian Fayta's expression was still lifeless. Netionpies knelt down in front of her.

[I miss you, Lorian. I can't forget you even after four hundred years. What's the point of me living eternity alone? You, we... couldn't do that.]

Lorian...

I want to go back to your side too.

I guess it's impossible now.

A soul stained with sin, a body that lives eternity will chain me down.

Constantly reciting Lorian's name, Netionpies slowly lowered his consciousness.