With dry words, he picked up a bottle of wine, half-dressed.
Padak padak— Toulouse asked, sitting next to Johann like that.
[But, it seems like you pushed the queen too far!]
“Otherwise, I would have never been able to turn her doubts alive.”
Because she was such a quick-witted woman.
If Deborah’s work caused suspicion, it would be a dangerous situation, so there should be a strong shock to shake the suspicion.
So first, Johann went forward, and then Deborah would support him.
“If you shake it from all sides…… It’s hard for her to keep her balance.”
It was a meticulous calculation.
It was a sneaky plan.
Toulouse smiled, widening the beaks in all three heads, as if it was delighted.
[Haha, as expected, you are a human who will succeed me! I like it so much!]
“….…”
[You’re so good at acting? Really like a crazy person!]
He… was not acting.
It was his sincerity. It was really true that his longing for her grew stronger.
However, he held it down all this while, and this time, he just showed it all.
Johann silently picked up the bottle of wine and took a sip. His hands were covered in bandages soaked in blood.
It was a sign that she was defending herself.
The defense of shivering bitterness that stood against Johann on that day remained a deep wound on his hand.
Johann suddenly whispered.
“…The day of opening ‘Marsephone’s Gate’ must be advanced.”
[Eh?! Suddenly?]
When that ‘door’ located in the Illuminati Mountains would be opened, this world would begin to be covered with monsters. It was the end of this old world and the birth of a new one.
“Yes. I want to enjoy this game more, but… I’m nervous.”
Johann remembered the woman who said ‘No’ in front of his eyes.
He wanted to advance it by even one day, or even ten minutes.
The moment when he completely held Berylia in this hand.
[But, to do that, you need to receive my magic faster… Then your heart might explode because your body can’t hold on! Is that okay?]
“I don’t care. Don’t you want to see the world at our feet soon, Toulouse?”
In an instant, the crow’s greedy eyes gleamed.
[I’m okay! Then when?]
“A week later.”
“!”
Melfis, who was listening quietly, was startled. Although his expression did not change at all, he could not hide his surprise.
The same went for Toulouse.
[Huh?! A week later?]
According to the original plan, it would only be completed after one more season.
However, having the world collapse in a week.… With everyone crawling on the floor screaming in pain.
When it thought of the people who would struggle from being oppressed by sin and violence… It was indescribably thrilling.
Almost like a man who climaxed in bed.
Toulouse couldn’t hide his joy as he burst out laughing, shaking like he was having a fit.
[Johann Marquis, you are a real madman! Ok, fine!]
“…….”
[Then prepare for the ceremony well. I’ll go to Marsephone and tell them this, and get ready for work!]
As if in agreement, Johann looked at Toulouse and briefly held up his bottle of wine.
It was a bland answer.
The place where Toulouse disappeared; Johann stared at the spot quietly and passed the wine down his throat.
And then… He remembered something slowly and chewed it.
The moment Toulouse evaded from answering the cause of his own death in his previous life.
And the time the barbatus dragon turned and refused him.
Doubts that sprouted from that time became sufficient enough to suspect the ‘corrupted demon’ who he had been living and working together with for over 10 years.
“…Not necessarily because of Berylia, Toulouse.”
Johann’s jaw muscles, chewing his molars, were severely distorted.
* * *
[Tomorrow, we should go look for memories together, beautiful.
I’m looking forward to it strangely.]
I saw the note I received from Rixus, my face went hot. As usual, it was a note enough to elicit this retort, ‘Don’t call me like a rascal.’
Seeing the pure sentiment of anticipation, I might have felt that he was a little cute.
However… I didn’t feel that way right now.
The story I heard from Deborah kept ringing in my ears.
‘Has anyone witnessed a secret meeting between me and Johann?’
‘Of course I don’t believe it 100%, but…’
I already knew that Deborah was a good actor.
However, it was enough to shake my ‘I do not believe it’ heart because there were no ‘witnesses’ to my ‘relationship’ with Johann.
Besides, I couldn’t even discuss these concerns with anyone.
“Ha.”
Thinking of Rixus warmed my heart and aroused feelings of affection.
No matter how cautiously Rixus approached me, his feelings were clearly felt.
But Johann…
The man felt as if he was hiding in mist, no matter how clearly he approached me. So he always confused me.
It was when I was suffering.
Even though it was late, there was a person who requested an audience.
“Who is it?”
Laura, who had stayed by my side until late, answered.
“Madam Verdi is here, Your Majesty.”
……Madam Verdi?
I knew the name.
After the memory loss, I got as much information as possible about the nobles with whom I had contact from Duke Orléans and my maids.
One of them was Madam Verdi, so it kept me from asking stupid questions like who she was.
“Tell her to come in.”
After a while.
Madam Verdi came in.
She spoke to me politely.
“Your Majesty, I have seen the official letter. I am the last person you met… on the night you lost your memory.”