And suddenly, Ariel decisively said it.
Luke’s betrayal.
Oh, that keyword.
"Although I haven’t said it to Sylphy and the others."
I bet.
But, that's a little shocking.
".....I thought that Ariel-sama trusted Luke.”
I was wondering about that, about Ariel’s trust in Luke’s loyalty.
Sylphy, just like Luke, will not betray Ariel.
The two attendants as well.
"I do."
"......"
“There is no reason for Luke to betray me. If he wanted to betray me, he would have done so a long time ago. Luke would have been able to take my life during my sleep whenever he wanted."
"..... Then, why?"
“Even someone as loyal as Luke would betray me if he were forced into a situation where he had no choice but to do so. Like for example...... since he cares deeply about his family, maybe his family was taken hostage…..."
Ariel said so quietly.
Family taken hostage.
I see.
If you’re convinced, even without knowing about the existence of Hitogami, the words and actions of Luke can be explained.
Darius taking Luke’s family hostage, and forcing him to betray Ariel.
On top of that, with Notus soldiers attacking Ariel, the promise was broken.
If you look at it that way, it all makes sense.
But Luke has remained eerily silent.
Does it appears to Ariel... that he's troubled about whether to return to Ariel's side or stay on Darius's side?
"That’s why I want to hear your opinion. What do you think? I’m asking Rudeus-sama since he has recently offered his help to me. "
Also, it’s possible that Ariel also suspected me.
Because of Luke, suspicion against me has grown.
By those words, she assumed that I’m teamed up with Luke.
“Is discussing a matter like this alright? In a place like this? I could turn out to be a traitor and take your life here and now, Ariel-sama. "
“It will be a shame if that were the case.... After all, it would mean that I lack the eyes to discern a person’s true nature. I’ll accept my death obediently."
Maybe I should test that courage?
No, that won’t be good, it's not as if I got betrayed.
It’s easy to enumerate the reasons that I will not betray her.
“.....I don’t think Luke is betraying you. It’s just that he is being manipulated."
"By who?"
Her question is not easy to answer.
I wonder how would she respond if she hears Hitogami’s name.
It's easier to just reveal the truth, but .....
Wait, looking at this conversation, perhaps Ariel is actually an apostle of Hitogami?
Although Orsted said that was impossible.......
Calm down.
The advantages and disadvantages of informing Ariel.
Let’s consider them all…. first of all.
"Though I’m asking you that, it’s probably difficult for Rudeus-sama to answer. If there was an easy answer, you’d have given it a long time ago."
Ariel’s following words stopped my train of thoughts.
"So, could you introduce me?"
Ariel was laughing.
In the dark, I see a friendly smile.
"To the person that Rudeus-sama occasionally contacts...... Orsted-sama."
"What?"
That.
What do you mean.
This is getting complicated.
Did Orsted's name just come out?
Wasn’t it about Luke?
Was this her real intention?
”It’s not too much of a surprise, is it? After all, Rudeus-sama is the subordinate of Orsted-sama."
"......"
"Also, I would like to ascertain 『which side』 Orsted belongs to."
Is Orsted on Ariel’s side? Or is he on Grabell’s side? Is that what you mean?
Damn, I don’t want to have such a roundabout conversation.
What happened to the Ariel-sama who’s always easy to talk to?
"...... Even if you ascertain it, what do you intent to do about it?"
"If he is on 『this side』, then no matter how terrifying he is, I plan to endure it."
"Endure it, you say?"
"It is necessary for the royal family to get along with people even if they are unpleasant if it will be beneficial. Therefore, it will probably be okay."
I see, so thats how it is.
Though I wonder if it will be that simple with Orsted’s curse.
"What if he belongs to『that side』?"
"Then I will bring him to my side."
Ariel said that brimming with confidence.
You are really amazing.
"He’s nearby, isn’t he...... ? Orsted-sama or someone who can contact him.”
However, I have some reservations about this.
I’m not sure if this is something that I can decide at my discretion.
Even if Ariel intends to endure it, Orsted’s curse is too strong.
He gets recognized as an enemy just by being looked at.
If she says she'll endure it, but then when she actually meets him, the result is that Ariel sees me as an enemy, it would be too painful to watch.
That said, if I refuse, refusing might seem like I'm declaring that I have something to feel guilty about.
At the very least, he isn’t going to interfere with Ariel’s path to the crown.
It's Hitogami that would like to disrupt Ariel’s path, and we would like to interfere with Hitogami.
It will be difficult to explain.
Uh-huh.