Antagonist Protection Service-Chapter 212 - From Attendant To National Threat

212: From Attendant To National Threat

212: From Attendant To National Threat

Demons?

Again…?

Leaning back in my seat, it finally dawned on me why the original Protagonist even had hidden divine powers in the first place.

‘Right, of course she was supposed to be someone like the Hero…

Of course…

Of course.’

I had only heard the story of the Demon King back in the Dragon Tribe’s den, and even throughout all of the Contracts until now, I had never once met a Demon face-to-face.

Though, I guess that was only normal.

If I thought about it, Demons were generally supposed to be evil, so unless the Antagonist was a Demon in trouble enough to spawn a Red Contract, it wouldn’t make much sense for me to ever get close to one if I’m always near the Protagonist.

In any case, to answer Lucretia’s question.

“I know of them, but I can’t say I’m exactly familiar…”

Incidentally, even though I now possessed the same skill as a veritable Demon King, it didn’t necessarily mean I knew any more about them, and it certainly didn’t mean I was any closer to them than previously.

“That is to be expected.

Knowledge on Demons is heavily restricted, even nobles of high peerage and Saints of the church are not permitted to discuss information on the matter.

There is not the time to explain everything here, but I shall work to ensure you are informed in due time.”

Even if I thought it might be better to educate the public about that in order to prepare them, it was a topic that had the potential to lead to something dangerous or cause unrest if it leaked, so wanting to control it in that sense was fair enough…

But, judging by the circumstances, I couldn’t help but feel it was already too late for that.

Not intending to needlessly drag things out, I bluntly asked.

“Is that why everyone’s seemed so on edge the past few days?”

Simply, there must have been an information leak somewhere.

‘Was it the Tichá family?

Considering the Protagonist has a grudge against Lucretia, he probably thinks she was the one who ordered me, her attendant, to kill his sister.

I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s doing this to cause instability among the public to try and uproot her position…’

Honestly, I didn’t know a whole lot about political drama or tactics, but that sounded feasible enough to me…

even if he was just a kid.

‘Ehh…

Maybe not, then…?’

Regardless, I couldn’t imagine there would be any other nobles risking their own political standing and status just to leak the existence of Demons…

“Not exactly.”

However, Lucretia shook her head.

There was still a key piece of information that I was missing.

“There was an attack at the Sunlit Temple on Sunday.

The public is yet unaware, but it was a Demon.”

“Ahh…”

Suddenly, things made a lot more sense.

Honestly, I already knew from the last time I was here, but Drakon-Rasa was far too perfect.

From the idyllic weather, to the joyful citizens, to even the practically nonexistent crime statistics outside of a few outlier cases.

In this capital city alone, it was notable how clean the streets were, and something I had especially noticed over the past few days, how few beggars and homeless there were within the many overlooked alleyways.

It wasn’t because the emperor had a particularly iron fist, and nor was it because the security was just generally tight.

Rather, the world was simply designed to be like that from the beginning.

That’s why things felt so amiss seeing all the city guards everywhere, at every time of day.

Seeing the citizens go about their day with such tension in the air.

It wasn’t solely due to the chaos of my appearance, but after hearing what really happened, I’m sure what I did definitely didn’t help.

“So that’s why…”

“Yes.

Speculation as to the identity of the attacker was already beginning to spiral, and now, you are also being suspected of belonging to the same group.”

“I mean, that makes sense.

Who does the public think it is?”

Asking that out of pure curiosity, I wasn’t sure what I expected, but Lucretia’s answer was simple.

“What else?

You are a terrorist.”

“…Right.

But, you know that’s not my intention, right?

I mean, I didn’t even really ‘attack’ anyone.”

“I had to give an immediate response speech regarding the primary attack after the aggressor was dealt with and captured, and then you popped up out of nowhere and swiftly truncated the boost in morale I had worked so very hard to establish.

That could be considered an attack against the innocent public, and by that definition, you are unequivocally a terrorist against our empire.”

“…”

Rendered speechless by her words which came out in rapidfire fashion, I wasn’t really sure how to respond.

I was still processing her accusation when she continued.

“In any case, before that, you are still my saviour, so by my title as Imperial Princess of Drakon-Rasa, I shall pardon you.”

“…Wow.

Thanks.”

“Yes.

However, your previous criminal record still stands, including one count of theft, one count of trespassing on imperial ground, two counts of murder, and one count of high treason.”

“…”

Suddenly, I felt like a severe power dynamic was forming, even worse than when I was serving as her attendant before.

I didn’t like it at all.

“…You’re the Imperial Princess now.

There’s nothing you can do about that…?”

Beginning to feel slightly nervous, I tentatively asked, to which I only noticed a slight curling up on one end of her lips.

“Oh.

I’m not so sure about that.

Did you not request me to leave it last time?”

“Uh…

That’s right, but only because I didn’t think I’d be coming back.

Come on, you know things would be far easier if I wasn’t treated like a criminal here.”

For some reason, I only grew more nervous despite feeling like my arguments were completely sound.

She was only making banter…

right?

Teasing me to get back at how I had teased her earlier…

‘Of course.

There’s no way she’d actually keep me listed as a wanted criminal now that I’m back…’

There was no way…

There was no way, and yet.

“――Enki.

You have fifteen seconds to leave before I ring the alert and call for my guards.”

Out of nowhere, she said she would start a countdown, causing me to flinch.

“Huh?

What?

Why?”

‘She’s not serious, is she?’

“Following the attack three days ago, I convinced His Majesty to permit my temporary stay in this residence because I missed the feeling of living at home.

Unfortunately, I will have experienced a break-in and almost have been attacked, meaning I will permanently move my quarters back to the Imperial Palace from hereafter.”

“What are you saying…

Listen, Lucretia, I’ll–”

“You now have ten seconds.”

“Lucretia.”

“Nine.”

“Give me a second.”

“Eight.”

“…”

“Seven.”

Being given no choice in the matter, I stood up and briskly walked over to the balcony, turning around to see her still sitting calmly in her seat, watching me with the same, almost imperceptible smile.

“―One.”

Immediately after she finished her countdown I sensed a slight fluctuation in magic, and following that, I heard something like an alarm sound somewhere else in the building.

She really did call the guards on me…

‘Vicious…’

“Enki.

We should have no more lies from now on, yes?

Take this opportunity to reflect and think twice about making a fool of who was once your master.”

“Lies?

What lies?”

“You don’t remember?

How you so vehemently denied any accusation of possessing magic. ƒгeewёbnovel.com

Interesting how that has changed all of a sudden.”

‘That wasn’t a lie…’

Sighing, I was about to speak up and defend myself when I sensed the presence of multiple people rushing through the residence to the room.

“Tsk…”

Realising there was no more time, my brows furrowed as I cast one last glance at Lucretia, seeing her entertained expression clearly making fun of me and my situation.

‘Can’t believe I forgot how she can be…

What nonsense…’

Lightly shaking my head, I ultimately turned and vaulted over the balcony balustrade, summoning the Villain’s Vizard as I let gravity pull me to the ground far below.

“Your Highness…!

Are you safe…?!”

Picking up the faint exclamations of soldiers echo behind me, I vanished into the shadow of night.