Akatsuki Translations

“Oh, it’s no surprise you’re startled, Cecilia. I thought Farsa-sama had gone mad when I first heard about it too.” -Aurelia

“Aura-sama, you say some rather harsh things. I simply thought it was the best course of action considering the potential gains and losses. Besides, using the guise of the Hero’s training to expose corrupt nobility was a pretty wild idea too.” -Farsa

“I did what I did because I thought it was efficient. As a result, the number of corrupt nobles in the provinces decreased, the people rejoice at the absence of tyrants, the power of the royal family increased, and Julia-sama, the Hero, gained experience on her journey. It’s like killing not two, but three or even four birds with one stone. There’s no reason for criticism, only gratitude.” -Aurelia

Zenobia and Cecilia both managed a wry smile at the pair’s ruthless tactics. Of course, Farsa’s hinted negotiations with the demon race were just a facade. The real goal was to send Roux back to her parents. The secondary objective was to root out the true culprit behind the farce and eliminate any lingering worries, while bringing benefits to the Kingdom of Valois was merely a bonus.

It’s highly likely that Aurelia suspects Farsa has other plans in mind, but she probably has no intention of bringing it up haphazardly. This has been the case since Farsa began working under Aurelia.

“I’m a military officer, so this is all a bit beyond me, but I understand for now. However, this isn’t something we can simply relay to our subordinates.” -Cecilia

“Cecilia, I understand your position might make it difficult, but I’m counting on you.” -Farsa

“I need not be told by Lord Speciēs. I’ll simply follow the path with Zenobia, Hmph.” -Cecilia

As she sipped her tea with a snort, Cecilia flicked her gaze momentarily towards Zenobia. Farsa, following her glance, saw the female knight beside him happily munching on a sandwich. Zenobia ate her sandwiches elegantly, without opening her mouth wide or making any vulgar gestures, like a true daughter of a marquis. Yet, one after another, the sandwiches were being drawn into her mouth.

“I’m utterly perplexed about where all that food goes in that body of yours. I’ve been struggling to maintain my figure…”  -Aurelia

It’s not just Aurelia who seems to want to say that Zenobia was unfair; the maids and guards standing behind her nodded as if in agreement.

Given their duty of attending to the princess, they all possessed impressively slender figures, likely a result of their strenuous daily efforts.

“I, too, eat quite a bit and don’t gain weight,” Farsa thought to himself, but chose to stay silent, merely moistening his throat with tea.

“W-well, I move my body a lot daily. As part of the Knights, it’s okay to eat this much.” -Zenobia

“No, no one eats as much as you, Zenobia. Speaking of meals, most of us can’t even have lunch because of the intense training today. We’re all getting unnecessarily thin. Don’t you think it’s a bit excessive?” -Cecilia

With a slightly embarrassed expression, Zenobia elegantly wiped her mouth and responded. Cecilia, however, quickly retorted.

Imagining her knights, likely still collapsed in the training field, wasn’t difficult. For a knight, their body was their capital, and meals were a necessary element in maintaining it. Overworking them to the point of losing their appetite wasn’t the best approach.

Upon hearing Cecilia’s doubts, Zenobia glanced at Aurelia, then moved her gaze to Farsa next to her, and finally back to Cecilia. Aurelia was probably worried about the lax security that allowed her to sneak out of the palace the other day. The guards, who were members of the White Lily Knights, were either on duty or participating in the training. Roux and other demons had just appeared near the royal capital, and it couldn’t be ruled out that the same thing might happen again. While it’s possible to have a thorough security system within the palace, there are places in the city where surveillance is inevitably lacking.

Considering that if Aurelia had left the palace even a little later, there might have been an unfortunate incident, is only natural.

And there’s likely only one reason she looked toward Farsa.

“Hmm, did you and Farsa-sama have a pleasant encounter, Zenobia? So pleasant that you immersed yourself in training. It’s reasonable to assume that you’ve had experiences that make sitting next to Farsa-sama uneventful,” Aurelia insinuated with sharp eyes, pointing her fan at Zenobia.

Farsa, having judged that the time had come, wrapped his arm around Zenobia’s left shoulder without concern for the eyes of those around him and drew her closer to himself.

“Lord Speciēs! What are you doing!” -Cecilia

“Wha…a, ar yo …dew dowing…Farsha-dyono!?” -Zenobia

“What? The same thing I did last night. Aura-sama knows, but Zenobia and I are engaged. It’s a prerequisite for meeting the Marquis of Ctesiphon. If we act like this, it’ll be unnatural. I need you to build up some resistance, it’s a bit of a harsh treatment.” -Farsa

The content of his words was neither false nor the truth. Zenobia had misunderstood that she had to marry him because she lost the duel with him, a misunderstanding that happened more than four years ago Even if they had been in a romantic relationship since then, showing too much agitation over merely getting closer physically would appear slightly unnatural and might arouse suspicion from Marquis Ctesiphon.

If it weren’t for Roux, Farsa could have quickly cleared up the misunderstanding. However, addressing it before negotiations could easily be misconstrued as toying with the daughter of the Marquis.

Instead, leveraging his position as the fiance and approaching the marquis as a stepson would undoubtedly serve his purpose better. This approach, while not mentioning any progression in his relationship with Zenobia, would make the deception seem more plausible and was characteristic of Farsa’s way of handling things.

“Well, if Farsa-sama says so, I won’t press the matter any further. But being all touchy-feely in front of me is unpleasant. Please stop it.” -Aurelia

“Exactly as Princess Aurelia said! Lord Speciēs, please distance yourself from Zenobia!” -Cecilia

“Alright, alright, I get it. And…those in the back. I think you understand, but this is to be kept a secret,” Farsa added, smiling at the maids and guards standing behind Aurelia, who nodded vigorously in agreement.

As Farsa separated from Zenobia, she smiled at the maids and escorts behind Aurelia, or rather, the members of the White Lily Knights. They eagerly nodded in acknowledgment.

Above all else, those serving royalty prioritized keeping secrets. However, Farsa deliberately chose not to impose silence. Romantic affairs among the nobility could be considered the highlight of social gatherings, but if a fake engagement were exposed, it would cause a significant scandal.

That said, as the maids and escorts were all trustworthy individuals personally selected by Aurelia, there was likely little cause for concern. Farsa’s real goal wasn’t to impose silence, but to show the surrounding nobles, who couldn’t hear their conversation due to an anti-eavesdropping spell, the current scene.

Those who saw Farsa pulling Zenobia close would perceive their relationship as intimate. Afterward, if the two of them, who presumably imposed silence on the maids and escorts, went to see the Marquis of Ctesiphon, it would naturally spread that Farsa and Zenobia intended to marry.

The topic would be particularly sensational, given that they were both leading figures of the Aurelia faction. By creating a huge topic to hide their true intentions, they could even determine if there was a spy nearby based on whether the truth leaked out.

Cecilia, the vice-captain of the White Lily Knights, the maids, and escorts assigned to Aurelia, were all under scrutiny. Farsa intended to determine at this stage whether they were indeed trustworthy or, unbeknownst to themselves, engaging in potentially traitorous behavior.

Farsa had been away from the royal capital for about a year, and while the likelihood of any covert operations happening during his absence was practically zero due to Aurelia’s presence, it wasn’t impossible. Given the known activity of the demons, being extra cautious wouldn’t hurt.

“Fa-Farsa-dono, please be a little more mindful of the situation. It looks like you and I are…in a r-r-romantic relationship. A misunderstanding could arise if I, the daughter of a Marquis, am seen being em-embraced by a man in public. It’s quite troublesome thing, really.” -Zenobia

“Sigh, Zenobia would be excellent if not for this. It’s indeed a nuisance.” -Farsa

“This can’t be shown to the other members. Lord Speciēs does some unnecessary…no, I misspoke.” -Cecilia

Aurelia and Cecilia are beyond exasperated with Zenobia, who, without any sign of embarrassment, blushes and makes a sloppy face. It’s a small consolation that the maids quickly change their positions to prevent Zenobia’s expression from being seen by those around them.

“Haha, I can’t say anything. Well, I’ve finished what I needed to do, so I’ll take my leave first. Aura-sama, thank you for inviting me to tea. Zenobia, Cecilia, good luck with your afternoon training.” -Farsa

“Ara, Farsa-sama, you easily abandon me once your business is done.” -Aurelia

“Don’t jest. Now then, Your Highness Princess Aurelia, Zenobia-sama, Cecilia-sama, and all the esteemed ladies, please enjoy the rest of your time.” -Farsa

Originally, Farsa hadn’t been in the garden with the intention of enjoying tea elegantly. He, like Zenobia, had someone she wished to approach and influence, so he had been discussing that matter.

Just as that conversation was winding down, Zenobia and Cecilia happened to arrive. It was as if they were following up on their previous actions.

In response to Aurelia, who pouted slightly in dissatisfaction, Farsa bid her farewell with courteous language, stood up, and gracefully offered his respects.

This was a silent signal that the counterespionage magic had already been lifted. It conveyed the meaning that from here on, they should engage in harmless conversation.

“Good day, Lord Speciēs.” -Aurelia

“Good day, Farsa-dono.” -Zenobia

“Good day, Lord Speciēs.” -Cecilia

The three quickly understand the intent and utter parting words like proper ladies. Aurelia deliberately calling him by his surname instead of his name likely shows that she understands Farsa’s intention.

Having exchanged parting greetings, Farsa walked away from the scene and hurried through the corridors within the palace.

He wore a smile that conveyed composure, but in places where no one could see, his expression was noticeably tense.

Turning corners, climbing stairs, and traversing hallways, she exchanged greetings with nobles he passed by.

After repeating such actions many times, at the farthest corner of the research building assigned to the court magicians, Farsa’s own laboratory awaited.

Unlocking the door, he burst into the room, then closed and locked it from the inside. Farsa slumped to the ground, collapsing in that very spot.

“Gah! Cough, cough!” -Farsa

A dark red fluid spills from Farsa’s mouth, staining the marble floor and marring the white-based interior.

A coughing up of blood.

An abnormal amount.

Farsa continues to cough and vomit blood while squatting.

“Cough. Phew, this is tough. This is definitely hard.” -Farsa

Farsa mutters weakly as he pulls a small glass container from his pocket, uncorks it, and gulps down the brass-colored liquid inside.

He calmly considers his physical condition, realizing that his internal organs may be severely damaged. Needless to say, the current situation is a result of overexerting herself in the recent battle with Louveteau.

The acupuncture treatment from Astarte isn’t instantly effective; it merely aids self-healing. Ideally, he would have liked to ask Palmina or Julia to perform healing magic again, but he can’t think of an excuse for his condition having deteriorated so much.

Especially Julia, who almost killed Farsa, seeing him in a weakened state would likely make her feel overly responsible. This inevitably limits her options.

“For now, I’ll get by with medicine, and I’ll have to ask Palmina for help soon.” -Farsa

Muttering to himself, Farsa slowly stands up and shakily walks towards the bed set up for napping. He manages to clean up the blood on the floor with a transfer spell before collapsing onto the bed, facing up.

Staring blankly at the ceiling, he ponders the future developments. As a human, as a demon, protecting both lives, returning Roux safely to her parents, and uncovering the mastermind working behind the scenes.

As he reconsidered his path to achieving these goals, Farsa’s eyelids fell, and he drifted off into a world of dreams.