Rudeus-sama."
Afterwards, while we were waiting in the carriage, Claire spoke.
She no longer wore that cold, stubborn expression.
This must be her nervous face.
"Although this may not be an appropriate place to hold such a conversation, when I calmed down, I realized we would likely be too busy to speak after this, so let's talk now. Will that be all right?"
I nodded in silence.
Did she find out... Is she angry that I have three wives?
Even if it's all right with two people, three people might be...
It's not something that would be permitted in the Milis religion.
"It's about what I did."
"Okay."
It was different.
It seems to be something about herself.
Yeah.
She's not trying to denounce me, or blame me.
No, she might still be difficult.
Without changing her expression, she started speaking.
"What I was attempting to do... was not something permissible as a human being."
"Yeah..."
Even if it was to help Zenith, that was going to far.
After all this, I don't want to have a carefree chat about it in a place like this.
"So, please give me penance."
"Penance...?"
"Yes, penance. I took Zenith away from you, and tried to do something awful, such a crime requires a suitable punishment."
"I think your apology was enough?"
"Such a thing is not enough. The punishment must fit the crime."
I can understand that.
If everything could be settled with an apology, the police would be unnecessary.
In an incident like this, the perpetrator would normally receive severe corporal punishment.
But, I don't blame Claire.
Even though Claire might not be satisfied with that.
"... What kind of punishment would be fitting?"
"To be whipped, or to have both arms cut off... Even death would not be an unfitting punishment."
Err...
That seems like overkill.
"After listening to Zenith's story, how could I act so selfishly? Even considering doing something like that to my own daughter, I deserve to burn in hell. Such a stupid person only deserves the hammer of judgment."
Her fist was trembling.
Were we listening to the same story?
I never heard such a thing.
I heard something else.
Zenith forgave her.
I didn't understand it at the time.
But, she could sense Claire's anguish.
Now I properly understood.
Claire, at that trial, without a single ally, when you were trying to bear the brunt of the blame yourself, you were forgiven.
That's why Zenith slapped Carlyle and I, but didn't slap Claire.
Although I thought something like that was too far-fetched at the time...
It wasn't.
Well, Claire still needs a reasonable punishment.
Claire herself, rather than forgiveness, wants a punishment.
Until she receives one, she won't budge an inch.
Hmm.
I mean, I wonder what I should do with someone so stubborn.
Alright.
"I understand... well then..."
"...."
Claire looked tense.
I'm bad, let's go in a selfish direction.
"Please convert."
"You mean, to your religion? A faith of the demon race?"
That's not it.
I didn't mean a religious conversion.
I'd be too embarrassed if you converted to Roxyism.
In this case, what should I say?
Well, the phrasing isn't worth worrying about.