--He had not changed since we first met him at the royal palace.

When we heard this story, the first thing we suspected was the existence of a rare skill.

According to what we had heard, there is a skill called "longevity" that doubles one's life span.

If King Vael had this skill, it was quite possible.

There are other skills and sub-skills that keep one's appearance young, and we ourselves have stopped aging with the power of Ignifel-sama, so I slowly quieted Xana as I brought up these things.

Perhaps Xana was a bit upset because of the shock of seeing her mother's avenger, who was supposed to be her mother's avenger, become king and then appear in front of her in his old appearance.

I carefully explained to her that it was not impossible in reality, and she seemed to regain her composure.

I'm fine now, thank you.

No problem. But I'll just stay like this for a little while longer.

Now he was sipping a hot drink while Magmael rubbed his back.

The problem, however, is that the king was Liphia's avenger. How long has that man been king?

I asked the innkeeper about that a few minutes ago, but it seems that it was only in the last few years.

So he was a prince when he attacked Liphia?

But it's strange. I had met the man when I was a child, but I had no idea he was a prince, and why would a prince go all the way to Berkoua to assassinate someone?

"But the innkeeper clearly said he was the "Prince" of Vaal, didn't he?　But the innkeeper clearly said that he was Vael "the prince.

Indeed.

If it was necessary to do so, then--" "--Zana Rastor, who knows nothing.

If he had to do it, it would be to tell Xana, who knew nothing about it, that Rastor had done it.

「「「「--!?」」」」

The girls' eyes widened in surprise.

But there are a lot of things that go into this theory. Even if the assassination was successful, it would only work if Xana remembered meeting him, and it wouldn't have to be the prince to provoke Bergua in the first place.

I agree. The only thing you need to do is to have someone else assassinate him and leave something in evidence, even if it is an item that originated from Rastor. There is no reason for King Vael to go there in person. If he didn't know that Zana was the prince, there was no need for it to be him.

That's right.

There was no need for him to risk his life to come out.

We were all puzzling over this, and Ophir scratched his head and said, "Well, let's try to think of it in a simpler way.

We were all puzzling over this, and Ofir scratched his head and said, "Why don't you think about it more simply?　Whether Xana remembers it or not, if the prince killed him, there would be a war, wouldn't there?　That's why a conspicuous person went out of his way to kill him. The reason for keeping Xana alive is to make the saint a weapon - in other words, to create a homunculus. See, isn't that logical?"

"Such an appropriate ......."

Magmel sighs in dismay, but Arca says, "No," with a mysterious look on his face.

You might be right. In fact, Ophir was right about Berkoua, and Rastor also went on a military expansion spree. The only miscalculation is that we appeared before the two countries had a chance to clash in earnest. If that is the case, nothing will go without a hitch.

I agree. The truth is still within the realm of guesswork, but I think there is a good chance that King Vael will take some kind of action.

I agree. I don't think I'll be able to get a good night's sleep today.

"Well, it can't be helped, can it? Let's take turns taking a rest while we keep a proper lookout.

"Yeah, I guess so."

Nodding our heads, we decided to get some rest before tomorrow's audience.

The next morning.

The next morning.

Aside from the fact that for some reason I was the pillow for the girls in the second shift, we finished breakfast.

After breakfast, we were taken to Rastor Castle again by the attendant who had taken the trouble to pick us up.

Although we had been on the lookout, we had not been attacked in our sleep.

I'm not sure what their intentions were, but we were greeted with the same soft smile as yesterday as we made our way to the throne room.

Good morning, everyone. Did you sleep well last night?

Yes, thanks to you. Thank you for your hospitality."

When Xana bowed her head, King Vael said, blandly, "No, my dear friend, I am not here for you.

No, it is only natural, since you are the princess of a dear and friendly country.

......."

So, I have one question for Your Majesty.

What is it?

She took a small breath and said calmly with an effort, "With all due respect, it has been quite some time since I met His Majesty. Despite this, His Majesty still looks as he did then. I was a little surprised by that yesterday, and I thought perhaps you might have been offended.

Was that so? No, I apologize for that as well. It is true that my body has long since conquered the old age. It is only natural. Because I am no longer a person.

「「「「「--?

We were puzzled, not understanding the true meaning of his words, but King Vaer, without breaking his smile, sat up from his throne, slowly approached us and said.

The homunculus of Berkoua. That was quite a good study. By having the cells of the base person incorporated into a special body, it is possible to duplicate the base person--a truly wonderful technology.

「「「「「--!?」」」」」

You don't mean to tell me that you've already got it?

You know about homunculus,......?

Yes, I know about them. And that your homunculi are the only successful examples.

Kuk ......."

At that moment, we all simultaneously took a distance from King Vael and assumed a warlike posture.

Then, King Va'el laughed and said, "Well, since we're here, let's take a look at it.

Then, since we're here, let's take a look at it. --Let's see what I can do now that I have become something other than a man.

--Dougan!

"Aaagh!

What?

A moment later, Alka and Ophir were blown to the wall at the same time.

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