A bitter smile touched the Empress's lips as she lowered her gaze.
On the backs of her hands, demurely folded in her lap, sat wrinkles that could not be concealed.
"Even time, which seemed as if it would never flow, does indeed pass."
The Empress let out a murmur that was like a sigh. Heinri, who had been silently watching her, spoke in a calm voice.
"It is not too late."
"For what?"
"...For anything, Your Majesty."
Of course, the Empress would remain the Empress until her death. She had received the crown of the Empress, would be laid to rest beside the Emperor upon her death, and would remain the Empress for all eternity in the annals of history.
Yet, that did not mean her entire life was over. Although Heinri did not know precisely what the Empress desired, judging from their previous conversation...
"Once this great matter is concluded, you may travel peacefully for a change of pace."
"My son is ever so considerate."
The Empress let out a short, sharp laugh and rose to her feet. With a swiftness that made it hard to believe she had been sitting listlessly, gazing vacantly at the garden just moments before, she regained her innate dignity.
Adjusting the shawl draped over her shoulders a little more, she turned her back on the garden. Her brisk strides held no trace of lingering attachment.
If anything, she seemed eager to leave this place behind.
"Now I understand clearly why the goddess sent down the Resurrected One. If we leave those Monsters unchecked for even a little while, the entire Empire will immediately fall into chaos."
In response to the Empress's cold words, Heinri nodded calmly.
"Yes, that is correct. It is most concerning that His Majesty's health has deteriorated during such a critical time."
Hearing this, the Empress raised an eyebrow and muttered as if to herself.
"His Majesty's health has deteriorated?"
"If His Majesty cannot come even though you, Mother, have awakened in such a state, the situation must be quite severe."
At Heinri's reply, the Empress glanced at him. The line of her lips, which had been pressed tightly together, slanted upward.
"Is that so. So that is why he cannot come."
The Emperor and Empress were not in the habit of seeing each other often unless official duties required it. Therefore, it was not strange that the Emperor was not currently gracing the Empress's palace with his presence.
Heinri's skillful phrasing, deftly packaging this fact, was nothing if not smooth.
"Indeed. I suspect His Majesty has been feeling a great burden from the series of incidents that have occurred recently."
"To the point of hindering state affairs, no less."
The Empress readily conceded that the Emperor lacked sound judgment. The truth of the matter was not particularly important.
Heinri bowed his head exaggeratedly.
"I am concerned that you, Mother, who have suffered such a harrowing ordeal, are shouldering too great a responsibility immediately upon awakening."
"This place where I stand is not a dream, is it? Heinri, did you not say it yourself?"
The Empress's voice resonated a little lower.
"That you would not confuse the reality you face."
Until now, the Empress had devoted herself to managing the inner palace without major disturbances. That was also what the Emperor desired. That the Empress would not step forward and wield her full authority.
It was Heinri who was deliberately drawing out an Empress who likely wished to continue living quietly. Even without the Empress pointing it out, Heinri was acutely aware of this fact.
His apology, born of a feeling of remorse, was filled with sincerity.
"I apologize."
"Enough. The imperial crown is not so light that it can be won with mere kindness alone."
The Empress waved her hand dismissively.
"Having personally experienced the danger of Monsters, I cannot idly stroll about the palace any longer. This mother will henceforth attend state council meetings, guard His Majesty's sacred side, and observe the affairs of the nation. You shall make the preparations."
Heinri bowed his head. Confirming his utmost deference, the Empress expressionlessly moved on.
And a few days later, all the rose trees in the Empress's palace garden were uprooted.
* * *
The hawk that had been circling the sky finally descended to the ground.
The sight of its fluttering wings engulfed in black smoke and then transforming into a Dullahan was astonishingly elegant.
[The Sixth Knight, Soana, at your service.]
Staring at the Dullahan bowing towards me, I was seized by a peculiar feeling.
A kind but strict teacher, a learned priest, a knight who was like a mother growing old.
Listening to the Dullahans' descriptions, I had imagined my own version of Soana. But none of the Soanas I had imagined matched the figure before my eyes.
That she would be this enchanting... I truly had not imagined it.
[I was delayed teaching the young hawks how to avoid hunters' traps. They will be defenselessly exposed once I am gone.]
What could I say? Hearing Soana's explanation, it seemed the Dullahans' descriptions weren't entirely false.
The fact she was late because she was looking after young hawks, her clear and excellent pronunciation, and the impeccable manners she maintained even in her Dullahan form were all evidence.
However...
[Moreover, there is a hunter who has been bothering me lately, so I had to be wary of him. He is not one to retreat easily, even when threatened.]
An undeniable beauty emanated from Soana's voice.
Wait, wasn't she a priest? A strict teacher?
[But I never intended to keep the Captain waiting long.]
"Um, Soana."
[Yes, Captain.]
Was it the influence of her voice? The headless, armored Dullahan looked too pretty. Somehow, her armor also seemed slightly different from the other Dullahans'.
"Can you transform into a hawk?"
Soana willingly transformed into a hawk. As the black smoke cleared and I saw the hawk's face, I let out a low sigh.
The distinct eyes, the beak with its slightly downward-curved tip, the black, glossy feathers... It was flawlessly beautiful.
A beauty of a hawk. Ever since my resurrection, I've only been looking at animals, and now I've reached the point of discerning beauty and ugliness in their appearances.
"Your beauty is truly outstanding."
[You flatter me.]
Soana let out a low laugh and flapped her wings. The graceful movement of her wings further accentuated her elegance.
Nadav, who had been watching her by my side, discreetly explained.
[The Captain often admired Soana's beauty.]
Admired her beauty? That was somewhat unexpected. Considering the image of the Captain I'd heard so far, I would have thought he'd spout old-fashioned platitudes about how appearance isn't important and inner qualities matter most.
Perhaps seeing my puzzled expression, Nadav continued his explanation.
[He said that appearance is also an excellent ability, so there is no reason not to take pride in it. Soana did not particularly like her own appearance, but thanks to the Captain, she gained such confidence.]
That brief additional comment—that she didn't like her appearance—was enough to guess a few things.
Because I, too, know a little about the inevitable problems that arise when one is an exceptional beauty.
Moreover, if a woman walking the path of priesthood is a beauty? I may not know for sure, but the awkward situations Soana must have faced were likely not few.
Having somewhat understood, I nodded and was organizing my thoughts when Soana exchanged greetings with the other Dullahans.
The ones most pleased were Zigore and Mori.
[Tristan is a pumpkin-bee the size of a bean, but Soana became a beautiful hawk!]
[So, Soana!]
[My, you two little ones met the Captain first.]
It seemed the description that she looked after the two knights like a mother wasn't wrong. Zigore and Mori's voices held an unconcealed note of endearment. They seemed accustomed to acting spoiled.
[Now if we just find Dasha, we'll all be together!]
Zigore shouted excitedly, hopping around on the ground. However, for some reason, Mori's reaction to Zigore's words was not good.
Mori, who had been staring blankly at the Dullahans happily greeting Soana, slowly retreated and approached me.
As Mori looked around here and there, perhaps searching for the silk pouch, I looked down quietly and then extended my palm.
Mori, looking up at me with startled eyes, hesitated and then carefully climbed onto my palm.
"Nadav, Minte. Explain the situation to Soana and enjoy the reunion. We will depart from here tomorrow."
[Yes, understood.]
[Yes.]
Leaving the Dullahans in the care of Nadav and Minte, the most rational among them who could manage everyone, I turned with Mori in hand. I entered the tent and sat down on the temporary bed.
Placing Mori on my lap, I watched as the little snake, who had been rolling its eyes to gauge my mood, cautiously coiled up.
"Mori."
[Y-yes?]
"Why are you looking sullen again?"
Due to several incidents, Mori had become extremely secretive about its inner feelings. However, it was just unskilled at hiding its heart, so it kept giving itself away.
Since it was so transparently showing discomfort, I couldn't help but find it bothersome. And if I left it alone and some discord arose among the Dullahans, it would be a big problem.
That's why I brought it in like this. I thought it might speak more easily if we were alone.
At my question, Mori hesitated, then quietly hung its head.
[O-only Dasha is left now.]
"Yes."
[Th-the knights will regain their memories.]
"That seems likely."
Mori's large eyes grew moist. Staring down at it intently, I narrowed my eyes and asked.
"You don't want that?"
Was there some memory it wanted to hide from the other knights? I examined Mori with a suspicious mind, but Mori muttered in a gloomy voice.
[I wish they wouldn't remember.]
"What..."
I stopped as I was about to ask what it wished they wouldn't remember.
Mori remembers everything. Everything. Including the knights' final moments.
[A-at first, I hated it. But now it's okay. So... the other knights should just...]
And Mori was a knight with a very tender heart. A gentle knight who couldn't even pass by an evil Monster without fretting and wanting to save it.
If Mori cherished even a complete stranger that much, I didn't need to ask how much it would care for those close to it.
[I wish they would never know.]
What should I do with this young snake, anxiously fretting over something it can do nothing about?
I was never a good match for those with such inherently kind dispositions. In my eyes, they merely seem frustrating; I don't find them admirable or noble.
But I didn't particularly want to scold Mori for being foolish.
I had always thought of it as just a snake I could release anytime, but it seems that without realizing it, I've also come to accept this creature as my knight.
"My knights are all strong, so they won't collapse just because they regain their memories."
[But...]
"If you find them unreliable, then trust in me."
Mori stared straight up at me. Was Mori thinking of the past Captain at this very moment?
Briefly trying to recall a past life I couldn't even remember, I soon cleared my mind. She was a person of the past; now, I am Mori's Captain.
"As I said, I do not lie to you."
Mori looked at me with wavering eyes, then quietly hunched its body. I gently stroked Mori's scales.
Mori's breathing settled more steadily than before. As if that represented the influence I had on Mori, I felt a little pleased.