That was a battle that would occur in the final chapter of the future Lilia knew. The stage upon which Lilia would rise to become the Empire's savior.
"We must not sever ties with him like this. Fortunately, I am his fiancée and also the adopted daughter of Roam. If you are truly worried, maintain a neutral stance outwardly and keep your options open."
The Duchess of Roam, who had been quietly listening to Lilia's persuasion, slowly parted her lips.
But before she could utter a reply, hurried footsteps were heard from outside the drawing room.
So urgent was the matter that a servant, opening the door without even knocking, gasped out his words.
"My lady! A calamity has befallen the imperial palace!"
A cold light flickered across the Duchess of Roam's face.
"I told you, Mother."
Lilia, having observed the other's expression, murmured softly.
"His Highness the First Prince will lose support."
Hearing Lilia's assertion, the Duchess of Roam cast her gaze toward the servant. The servant, his face pale, reported.
"Her Majesty the Empress has been attacked by a monster...!"
Lilia tilted her teacup, concealing a faint smile.
The warm fragrance of the tea gently settled her mind.
* * *
The Empress, who had gone out quietly, had been attacked by a monster.
The sudden assault caused the Empress to collapse, creating an uproar, and this news spread instantly from mouth to mouth. Before there was even time to enforce a gag order, everyone had learned of the Empress's misfortune.
Opinions were divided regarding the specific circumstances. Yet, regardless of their veracity, one thing spread for certain: a Dullahan had been witnessed during the attack.
Precisely because it was not long after the Temple's announcement concerning Dullahans, people immediately began whispering that this attack was connected to the rampant evil.
Naturally, the Resurrected One, chosen by the goddess, was also mentioned.
That is, me.
"His Majesty's wrath must be immense."
Father wore a pained expression.
"A sudden monster attack... of all things..."
The atmosphere was already poor due to the Crown Prince, who was said to have incurred divine wrath, and now with the Empress also suffering a monster attack, it seemed public sentiment was flowing in a rather unfavorable direction.
'If I had been at the imperial palace, it would have been easier to grasp the situation.'
I was equally troubled.
I had heard Lilia's words that the Empress would fall and a Dullahan would be blamed as the culprit, but I hadn't anticipated a monster attack happening so blatantly.
'The route the Empress traveled must have been thoroughly inspected beforehand. Why did a monster appear?'
No matter how quietly she moved, it was a royal outing. Moreover, Heinri had said he paid special attention to it; they couldn't have prepared carelessly.
Perhaps because I hadn't seen the situation firsthand, I simply couldn't understand it.
Furthermore, Xenon had been completely silent since his urgent last communication. In my frustration, I tried contacting him first, but the connection wouldn't even establish.
Of course, Heinri was the same.
"...How is Her Majesty the Empress?"
"She is unconscious."
Father answered bluntly, pressing his index finger firmly between his brows and muttering as if to himself.
"Having been attacked by a Dullahan, it's fortunate she even survived."
Attacked by a Dullahan. My Dullahan naturally came to mind.
'Nadav...'
Nadav had accompanied them, disguised as Xenon's servant. The judgment was that since Xenon was a guest of the imperial palace, if he claimed Nadav as his servant, no one would dare interfere recklessly.
It was also intended so that if anything happened, Xenon could assert authority over Nadav.
So Xenon would have looked after Nadav. Probably...
I bit my trembling lip tightly and lowered my gaze. I had many questions, but fearing I might appear suspicious, I had to choose my words carefully, over and over.
"Perhaps it would be better for me to step forward now."
Originally, Father had intended to use the excuse that he had rescued me, who had gone missing. Heinri planned to pretend to help Father outwardly, while behind the scenes sowing discord with the Emperor, claiming 'the Duke of Roam staged a kidnapping after abducting the Resurrected One.'
While Heinri bought time, I intended to handle Roam's affairs and then leave leisurely.
But with the situation like this, I might have to change my plans as well.
"I am the goddess's Resurrected One. If there's been a monster attack and I don't show myself, it will look strange. It will surely become a problem later when I become the master of Roam as well."
"Wait a little longer."
"But..."
"Or is there something troubling you?"
A faint suspicion flickered in Father's eyes.
I spoke to him without a hint of wavering.
"Because I am the Resurrected One chosen by the goddess. Naturally, the appearance of monsters troubles me. As you know, I've roamed various places dealing with monsters."
Perhaps finding nothing amiss in my answer, Father swallowed a sigh and turned his head away.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my pounding heart.
Why was Xenon not contacting me? Was Nadav alright?
I wanted to rush to the imperial palace immediately to check, but I couldn't act recklessly, which only made me feel stifled.
Perhaps I should send Zigore... No, perhaps it would be better to send Minte into the imperial palace to observe the situation and report back.
The moment I thought that, Father spoke with a sighing voice.
"This is unconfirmed information, but they say the monster transformed into a beast to approach."
My heart sank with a thud.
"...Are there monsters that transform into beasts?"
"That's why it's extraordinary. It seems that was also a reason the attack succeeded despite sufficient guards."
I immediately abandoned the thought of sending the Dullahans. Rather than having them move directly, it seemed better, though troublesome, to investigate through other 'real' animals.
'I can call crows.'
It will be fine. I repeated to myself.
"We should observe the atmosphere a bit more, so keep a low profile for now. Don't cause unnecessary trouble."
"I have never caused trouble."
At my answer, Father pressed his temples firmly and turned away.
"You may go."
Concealing my complicated feelings, I turned away calmly. As I stepped into the corridor and headed straight for my room, someone blocked my path.
It was the Phrygian sister, whose face had grown considerably haggard over the past few days.
"Ah, Sister."
I didn't have the mental energy to deal with the Phrygian sister now. Worrying about Xenon and Nadav, who were out of contact, was exhausting enough.
But it seemed the Phrygian sister had no intention of considering my circumstances.
"The timing is curious. A sudden monster attack, of all things."
Staring blankly at the Phrygian sister's twisted lips, I opened my mouth in a languid tone.
"Sister seems to find this situation amusing."
"Not at all."
The Phrygian sister immediately denied it, shrugging her shoulders.
"I was merely thinking. As a minor duke of Roam who can't seem to secure his position, perhaps he's trying to accumulate more public achievements to gain legitimacy."
"Me?"
"Because you aren't recognized by the vassals, so you're venting your frustration in the end?"
Her sarcastic voice held a hint of mockery.
Perhaps because she had confirmed that her own popularity within Roam was higher than mine? The Phrygian sister's attitude carried more composure than before.
"In your judgment, does this incident seem like a good opportunity for me?"
"It's an appropriate incident for the goddess's Resurrected One to assert authority."
The Phrygian sister's entire worldview centered on Roam and the power within it, so it was understandable she might think that way.
Especially since I had recently clashed with the knight order as well.
The Phrygian sister clearly believed, connecting even that, that I was genuinely trying to seize control of this house.
For me, such speculation was rather fortunate. If she believed I was serious, she would oppose me more desperately.
And the more desperate she became, the narrower her perspective would grow, leading her to make choices she normally wouldn't.
"My time spent in Roam was not in vain. No matter what you do, you won't be able to surpass that time."
I certainly agreed entirely with the Phrygian sister's words.
I would not be able to surpass the authority of the minor duke she had built.
While inwardly agreeing with her, I outwardly feigned indifference.
"Sister, you've been busy traveling outside lately, haven't you? Soon you'll have to enter the imperial palace; shouldn't you groom your appearance a bit more?"
At my mockery, the Phrygian sister smiled triumphantly.
"Ha, you seem to want to get rid of me, but it won't go your way. I will never enter the imperial palace."
"Since when is that something you can decide?"
"Why wouldn't it be?"
She was holding something in her hand. I pretended not to see it, turned away, and began to leave.
"Well, I understand your wish, but it's a matter I cannot accommodate. Continuing this conversation seems pointless, so I'll take my leave now."
I felt a gaze glaring at my back. And shortly after, the sound of knocking on Father's office door followed.
Listening intently to that sound, I let out a sigh of relief.
The Phrygian sister was moving in the direction I had anticipated. The problem was the imperial palace.
'Xenon...'
I unconsciously fiddled with the ring, but still, no answer returned.
* * *
I made contact with crows living in the imperial palace, but couldn't gain as much significant information as I had hoped. However, I could glimpse the atmosphere of the palace.
Firstly, the Emperor was reportedly furious, demanding the immediate search for the missing Resurrected One. Whether I had left the palace on my own two feet or had truly been kidnapped by someone.
The imperial citizens also wished to confirm the goddess's protection through the Resurrected One.
'Just the visitors to nearby Temples have increased significantly, so if I were to step forward and say a few words, they would cling to me joyfully.'
If it became known that the Resurrected One was not in the imperial palace amidst all this, only needless anxiety would spread, so it seemed the Emperor was trying to find my whereabouts as quickly as possible for various reasons.
No, perhaps...
'The Emperor might already know I am at Roam.'
Heinri must have given some hints by now. However, since Father was stubbornly maintaining a stance of ignorance, he was likely waiting until more concrete evidence emerged.
I wondered if Father's feigned ignorance would still work now. The imperial palace was on the verge of being misunderstood as having incurred divine wrath, with not only the Crown Prince but now the Empress as well.