NOVEL NEXT Chapter 125 part 2
“Without a doubt, if anyone were to mistakenly ingest this poison, they would surely die.”
According to information from KAEDE, the android who serves Kaimei-sama closely, the poison used by the attacker in the other world was an unknown toxin, not recognized in this world—at least, not within the Empire.
From what little could be understood, it appeared to be animal-derived, likely similar to snake venom based on its genetic makeup, but since it was a completely unfamiliar toxin, even the nanosystems would struggle to neutralize it.
The thought that if, by some chance, KAEDE couldn’t protect Kaimei-sama from this poison, the Empire’s medical technology would be completely helpless to save him filled me with dread.
“According to KAEDE’s report, though, this poison doesn’t seem to work on Kaimei-sama. Aren’t you worrying a bit too much?”
“This time, the poison happened not to work, but you can’t just brush off what might happen next time!”
Just as I was pouring over the report from KAEDE, another agent, Jin, seemed unfazed and brushed it off nonchalantly.
Being as extreme as Eri is also unhelpful, but the indifference Jin showed about a high-ranking noble, let alone someone of Kaimei-sama’s status, felt deeply inappropriate as a citizen of the Empire.
“Jin, if anyone sees you showing this kind of attitude toward Kaimei-sama, they could kill you for disrespect.”
“Hah, don’t worry. I’m not stupid enough to slip up like that. As a servant, I’m more likely to be killed just for entering the sight of someone from Ten’i.”
Among the agents sent as the advance team to Resource Planet Zerad, Jin was someone with a unique background, different from me or Eri.
The term “servant” or “outsider,” which Jin used, refers to those like the Weimel people who inhabit Zerad, the descendants of those defeated in past wars.
The difference here, though, is that in contrast to Zerad, these servants have recognized human rights and can move about freely except in restricted areas.
In fact, about thirty percent of the military comprises these servants, with some even achieving the rank of senior officer.
Jin, who was among those assigned to Zerad, was one of them.
“You should be careful; if you were talking to Eri instead of me right now, you will be killed without question.”
“Whoa, now that’s terrifying.”
Jin pulled a face, sticking his tongue out slightly, and I imagined him picturing the serene-looking beauty, Eri.
“Is everyone from the imperial court like that?”
“…As much as I hate to admit it, probably.”
Like many others, I feel a deep respect for His Majesty the Emperor and Kaimei-sama, and I take pride in serving them.
If necessary, I’m prepared to lay down my life to protect them, but the way people like Eri—those close to the Five Flowers Clan—are so unwaveringly devoted feels rather unsettling.
“If I make even the slightest error, Eri would come to kill me without hesitation. It’s not exactly elitism… but they’re definitely people I want to keep my distance from.”
“Eri’s family has served the Fuji clan on their own planet for generations, so her sense of duty might be stronger than mine.”
I was born on a planet under the Empire’s rule and raised as an ordinary imperial citizen. But Eri came from a planet governed by the Fuji clan, part of the Five Flowers Clan.
Her family has served as maidens to the priestess for generations, which gives her a unique status.
Moreover, if she served as a guard to the priestess, she may have undergone special modifications… In all likelihood, even if all the agents here on Zerad—including Jin and myself—were to join forces, we might not stand a chance against her.
“Well, with that Ten’i-sama, I think we’re safe. He doesn’t seem like a bad person.”
“That may be true, but…”
Among the agents on this mission, Eri was undoubtedly the one with the most passion.
This was likely because she was searching for Allen-sama—Fujinomiya Kaimei, the founder of the Fuji clan, whom her family has served for generations. To her, this mission couldn’t be more significant.
Because of that, Eri was on edge until Kaimei-sama was found… even if she didn’t go as far as being harsh, her relentless work ethic had others intimidated.
This attitude was mirrored in a few other agents with similar backgrounds, and their priority on Kaimei-sama’s search over political work with the Zerad government led to some friction with other agents.
For now, since Kaimei-sama was found and resting peacefully in the designated hotel, Eri and the other agents have calmed down. However, this situation has brought about new problems.
“We need to carefully select who interacts with Ten’i-sama, or we might end up with corpses on our hands.”
Sighing, Jin remarked on the issue arising from selecting personnel to attend to Kaimei-sama.
Kaimei-sama himself might be unaware of the current state of things, but he holds values similar to the common folk and has an easygoing disposition.
This quality is somewhat undesirable for someone in his position, yet I personally find it endearing.
But even if Kaimei-sama is amiable, his surrounding followers might not permit such openness.
The extremists, led by Eri, hold the priestess and her family in higher regard than the emperor, though they would never express it outright. I suspect they think that, in truth, the priestess should rule the country.
In fact, it’s not uncommon for imperial citizens to revere the priestess over the emperor. Those living on planets under Fuji clan jurisdiction are especially devoted, and there’s even a major faction within the military holding these beliefs.
This sentiment is shared by members of the Five Flowers Clan.
Even now, four years after the engagement between Minato-sama, the heir apparent of the Seiouji family, and the priestess, a direct meeting has yet to occur, due to the efforts of these followers of the priestess.
These followers are known as “Star Seers,” deriving their name from the priestesses’ powers to “see,” which varies slightly by generation but is a consistent trait.
They’re sometimes called simply “star gazers,” and there are reportedly about ten million of them even on Yamato, the capital where His Majesty the Emperor resides.
The object of their strongest devotion is Fujinomiya Kaimei, the founder of the Fuji clan and their true deity. In their eyes, Allen-sama is practically a god, and I think Eri shows admirable restraint.
On the other hand, Eri seems determined to avoid having her Star Seer background known, often answering in ways that emphasize her status as a regular citizen.
“…Star Seers, huh? I even know some people who got charmed by the priestess.”
Minato-sama, the fiancé, has never seen the priestess, communicating only via voice. Eri, who has seen her face, described her as “angelic,” but her judgment is questionable as a Star Seer herself.
Even so, the legacy of the Fuji family started with Kaimei-sama, and his legend has endured through the ages, gaining followers every year.
The Fuji clan might be the greatest source of concern, yet, fortunately, the successive priestesses have shown no signs of ambition.
…But I digress.
Star Seers like Eri may act similar to others in Kaimei-sama’s presence, but in private, they are far more extreme.
“…”
“If they’re only exiled, they’re lucky. It’s not unheard of for offenders to be killed on the spot.”
Yesterday, a chef who made a dish outside the requested menu was expelled from the hotel. Kaimei-sama enjoyed the meal, but if he hadn’t, that chef might not be alive right now.
“And that woman, too—The moment she regained consciousness, her face went pale, and she said she would cut her stomach. I was honestly shocked.”
Jin was referring to the incident where Eri fainted before Kaimei-sama and was transported to the hotel while unconscious.
Although the chef’s incident ended in exile, Eri deemed her offense worthy of death.
It would be one thing if she were lenient with herself, but the fact that she holds herself and fellow Star Seers to such extreme standards makes her even more difficult to handle.