Part Two, Section Three: “The World of Asmodeus”
Chapter Seventy-two (Mia’s POV)
When we heard Philia’s voice through Lina’s necklace, we all breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that she was safe. However, the shocking revelation came later from her, stating that she couldn’t return to the Surface. It seemed that devil Asmodeus, who had possessed that foolish prince, was hindering her return. And so, Prince Oswald urged Klaus to let him go and help Philia.
“Please! Mister Klaus! Take me to Miss Philia!”
“As I’ve said repeatedly, that’s out of the question. Even if it’s your request, there are some things I simply cannot allow, for I would be scolded.”
Klaus could be so stubborn too.
But try to understand His Highness’ feelings. I think His Highness Oswald loves Sister Philia. Probably.
That was why he was so desperate.
“Hunting devils fall under the jurisdiction of us, exorcists! Those of royalty or saints shouldn’t get involved, even if they wish to help!”
Even so, Klaus remained unyielding. Perhaps it was because he took pride in the belief that exorcists were the specialists in devil extermination. But didn’t Prince Oswald do great earlier, stabbing enemies with his spear? I wish Klaus could be a little more flexible.
“I understand your reasoning. But the life of the person most precious to me is at stake here! Sorry, but I can’t listen to such arguments now!”
“…That’s practically a confession, isn’t it?”
“If Philia were listening, that might be the case.”
Prince Oswald grabbed Klaus by the collar and loudly declared that Philia was the most precious person to him. He was so refreshingly straightforward. Perhaps, he and awkward Sister Philia would make a good match. Mother Hilda might think so too.
“Please release me, Your Highness. You do not comprehend the dreadfulness of devils.”
“No… I won’t let you go until you agree to take me there!”
“Oh well, I have no choice then. I dislike doing this to a prince of another nation but… Satanakia, come forth.”
“Nuooooo!”
“Wha-!? What is this!?”
When Klaus snapped his fingers, a large hooded man emerged from his shadow and put Prince Oswald in a hold. With extra arms on his back, he was clearly not human.
“Satanakia, Mister Klaus’ familiar.”
“He’s no match for me, but he’s still pretty strong.”
“Four against one is hardly fair, Sister Emily.”
Oh, a familiar like Elsa’s Mammon? He looked quite different from Mammon, though. Well, I suppose that was why Klaus usually kept him hidden in the shadows to avoid drawing attention.
“Do you understand now, Your Highness? Ordinary humans are powerless before high-ranking devils like this.”
“So what! Let… go!”
For some reason, we refrained from intervening. It seemed like Prince Oswald’s gaze was signaling that no interference was needed.
As Klaus pointed out, devils were incredibly powerful, and Asmodeus was a particularly monstrous entity among them. But Prince Oswald was not backing down one bit. He had an unshakable conviction to save Philia.
“I’ve heard enough. Oswald, stop this childish insistence on having your way. That is unbecoming of a prince.”
““…!?””
“Brother!”
At that moment, Reinhardt, the first prince of Parnacota, appeared after climbing over the rubble. When he greeted us earlier, he seemed very intellectual and gentlemanly, so I had a good impression of him despite never talking to him…
“Brother, have you come to stop me!? To say a prince shouldn’t be going to save Miss Philia!?”
It seemed that Prince Oswald believed that Prince Reinhardt had come to prevent him from going to rescue Philia. Indeed, from a rational standpoint, it might be considered wrong for a prince to venture into a dangerous place to save a saint.
But I understood Prince Oswald’s feelings painfully well. After all, I share his desire to go save Philia.
“Do you care that much for Ms. Philia? Enough to risk your life?”
Prince Reinhardt quietly asked Prince Oswald if he was willing to stake his life to protect Philia.
We watched in silence, waiting for his answer.
“Of course! No matter what, I will go save Miss Philia! I promised her! That we’d have dinner together! Even if it kills me, I keep my promises!”
““…””
Almost there…! I had thought he was about to confess his love. Well, that was something he could do in front of Philia herself. But it seemed Prince Oswald was determined.
In that case, I’ll provide support fire—
“Don’t cause unnecessary trouble.”
“Mm… Mother.”
Perhaps sensing my eagerness, Mother Hilda grabbed my shoulder and urged me to restrain myself. But at this rate, Prince Oswald won’t be able to go and rescue Philia.
“Mr. Klaus, I apologize for my discourteous younger brother, but could you let him do as he pleases?”
“Brother…”
Prince Reinhardt politely bowed his head, asking Klaus to let Prince Oswald do as he wished, even as the first prince and next king. For a prince to bow his head in front of everyone for his brother’s sake, that’s quite something.
“R-raise your head, please. This is truly troubling. Look at Satanakia! How could I send your brother to a place with so many creatures like this!?”
But Klaus rejected even that.
Devils were frightening, and perhaps Prince Oswald being helpless against one wasn’t very convincing, but with that spear, he should manage somehow. Even I couldn’t defeat one with my bare hands without using magic.
“What about that! Uooooh!”
“Nuoo!? Nuooooon!? Nuoo!”
Before we knew it, Prince Oswald had lifted his arm on his own and punched Satanakia in the face with a gauntleted hand. Then, while he was stunned, Oswald grabbed Satanakia’s arm and threw him aside. Those gauntlets were also made of red ore, so it seemed to be a weapon developed by Philia.
Amazing. Prince Oswald must be incredibly well-trained. He mentioned that he likes agriculture. I wonder if I should recommend farming to Prince Fernando next time. It was good for one’s health.
“Mr. Klaus, I’m also begging you! His Highness Oswald is strong! Please let him go in my place to rescue Sister!”
“Y-You too, Ms. Mia!? I’m surprised His Highness Oswald could throw Satanakia, but…”
Unable to endure it, I desperately pleaded for Klaus to let Prince Oswald go.
Klaus seemed to be wavering a bit? One more push might do it.
“Klaus, I-I’m also asking. If the Pope gets angry, I’ll take responsibility.”
“Even you, Senior Alice…”
Moved by Prince Oswald’s spirit, Alice, the saint from the same Dalbhat kingdom as Klaus, also pleaded for him to take Oswald. She even said that she would take responsibility.
“I have no choice then. You win. Your Highness Oswald, please lend me your strength. I can’t guarantee you’ll return alive, though.”
“Leave it to me! I won’t slow you down!”
Ah, Klaus finally caved in.
He’s so stubborn, I’m surprised.
But, I, Grace, and her sisters couldn’t go to the Interstice due to the Grand Anti-Evil Magic Circle, but there must be others besides Prince Oswald who want to go and help Philia. Maybe Mother Hilda? Philia was her real daughter, so she must be worried most.
“Satanakia’s teleportation magic can take only five people at once, excluding me. In other words, in addition to Prince Oswald, four more people can go.”
After various discussions, this was the result.
Since some devils might still be lurking here, Alice, who was also an exorcist, opted to stay behind. And in the end, the four who absolutely refused to budge on going to Sister’s aid were:
Philip, Lina, Leonardo, and Himari… Sister Philia’s bodyguards.
They were determined to fulfill their duty and rescue Philia no matter what.
“Didn’t you want to go too, Mother?”
“I’m actually someone who should have retired. I don’t have the stamina of the younger ones. Besides, the people of this country, the one Philia is trying to protect, are so earnestly trying to help her. Isn’t it tactless for me to interfere?”
Saying that, Mother stepped back.
It seemed while I was unconscious, Sister learned that Mother Hilda was her real mother.
When Sis gets back, I want to talk to her a lot. That’s what being a good sister is, right?
“Your Highness Oswald, please take care of my daughter.”
“Miss Hildegarde… Please leave it to me. I will bring Miss Philia back. So we can laugh together again!”
Even in a time like this, Prince Oswald showed a carefree smile to Mother Hilda.
Ah, this smile must have melted the ice in Sister Philia’s heart.
I was now certain. I would meet Sister again.
Everything would be alright. Prince Oswald would save her.
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