Juu Sai no Saikyou Madoushi

Ferris shall be decent.

"Oo-san, Oo-san caught you? Are you kidding me?

"If it was a mess, I'd be glad it was peaceful..."

Princess Rosetta clouds her expression.

Shrinking Janet.

"It's a coup d 'état! It's important! We need to get in touch with your father and get him to do something!

"Sir Gustav can't move."

"No way... they even put you in jail for your father... Didn't you get executed......!?

"No, not that far. In advance Sir Gustav was separated from the Wang capital in the name of the peace of the conflict. Because it's the biggest resistance force for expansionists."

Alicia frowns at Princess Rosetta's words.

"I see...... you went about it quite systematically. Is the purpose of the war with the Kingdom of Prox?"

"Yes. It was my second brother who caused this. It doesn't seem like he wants territory, but as it is, the housekeeper will be inherited by his eldest brother, and he wants great credit. If you are the ancestor of Zhongxing, who founded the Bastena Empire on the Scala continent, you can deport your father and execute your eldest brother for banishment, and your second brother will take the throne."

Ferris is puzzled.

"Hey, why are you doing that? Even though I'm family, I can't believe I got into a fight...... Family is your friend, isn't it? It's something we all help each other with, isn't it? I don't have a blood connected family, so I don't know..."

"Maybe...... right. I guess the family thing is supposed to be friendly. That's what I hear from the ladies."

"Then why?"

"Greed destroys man. Greed for power, for money, for conquest…… and there are plenty of things in the royal palace that stir greed. No, maybe desire is human nature..."

"Ningen, after all, is terrible......"

"Ferris............?

Alicia felt uncomfortable with the feeling that Pompous and Ferris had leaked.

Usually, Ferris doesn't say that. And what does "after all" mean? Then it's as if you've long recognized that humans are terrible. But Ferris is supposed to be an innocent kid who doesn't even know to question people.

And... is it my fault? Only the moment I said, "Humans are terrible after all," did Ferris' eyes seem to shine in a different golden color.

I want it to be my fault, no. It must be an illusion, Alicia tells herself.

"Your father and eldest brother are under house arrest. The Royal Army has been mastered by expansionists, and as it is, the war against its neighbours will begin. I no longer know who is on the side of the royal palace and who is the enemy."

Princess Rosetta squeezes Ferris' hand with both hands.

"Ferris and the others are the only ones who can believe me, and I'm here."