The Returnee Wants Peace

Just as the morning sun rises when the time comes, there are certain things set in this world.

For example, this fork.

The tip of the silver fork gently pierced a piece of beef braised in wine.

Because silver cutlery is harder than cooked beef.

‘Who decides these things?’

Perhaps because of her recent experience with a 7th grade domain, she’d been having more random thoughts lately.

Maybe, just as high-level magicians construct their own domains, this world too might be a domain created by someone.

‘…Well, I don’t know for sure, but at least it must be a domain where one can eat food while wearing a mask.’

Watching the strange sight of the Iron Mask eating, Rosha unconsciously made a clattering sound with her cutlery.

The head butler nearby glared at her for the movement that violated etiquette.

That’s right. It was now lunchtime with the Emperor.

Only three people were seated at the table: her, the Emperor, and the Iron Mask.

“So, what were you doing when yesterday’s explosion occurred?”

The head butler, who had been glaring, immediately lowered his head as the Emperor changed the subject.

Rosha swallowed the food she had been chewing in her mouth and recited the alibi they had prepared in advance.

“In the evening, I visited an auction house in the capital, Your Majesty. To dispose of some extra magic stones.”

Of course, it was a lie.

However, since she had been steadily releasing magic stones into the market, selling magic stones wasn’t a lie.

“An auction house… You mean the secret underground auction house. I’m well aware that nobles often visit there for entertainment. Did you have any companions?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I attended the auction schedule with Duke Echerzen.”

“Hmm… And then?”

“Afterwards, I briefly visited the lodgings of the second prince of Atica to deliver a magic book, and then returned to the mansion and went to sleep. When I woke up, I was very surprised to hear the news of an explosion at the imperial palace in the early morning, Your Majesty.”

Thanks to Nardil’s willing cooperation, it became a fairly good alibi. Since a foreign royal was involved, even the Emperor couldn’t touch it without clear evidence.

“Hmm.”

The Emperor gazed steadily at Rosha.

His face was beautiful, having just passed thirty at face value, but with the shrewdness of his fifties, his eyes seemed to pierce through her.

Of course, Rosha, who had gradually adapted to the Emperor, calmly handled this much.

Unable to find anything unusual, the Emperor soon turned his head and elegantly scooped up some mashed potatoes with his fork as he spoke.

“If that’s what you say, then it must be so. Although the calamities of the rifts and trials have occurred, I think obtaining you has been a great fortune for the Empire. You’ve handled half of the trials that have appeared so far, after all.”

“You flatter me, Your Majesty.”

“By the way, about Duke Echerzen. From what I saw at the hunting competition, you were wearing matching rings. You’re not in any special relationship, are you?”

“That’s… not the case, Your Majesty.”

Of course, Froy and she were in a special relationship.

Although they had only known each other for a few months, they had crossed the line between life and death together several times, so naturally they had grown close.

However, it wasn’t the ‘kind’ of relationship the Emperor was implying.

‘…Right, it’s not like that.’

Rosha unconsciously fiddled with her ring. It was true, but she didn’t know why her heart felt so unsettled while saying it.

But the Emperor responded like this:

“Then that’s a relief.”

…A relief?

She raised her head and looked at the Emperor.

He smiled thinly and nodded to the Iron Mask, who had been silently eating until now.

Then the Iron Mask put down his cutlery and suddenly removed his mask, revealing his bare face.

“…!”

The one who single-handedly defeated the fifth trial and was appointed as a knight by the Emperor.

Because he wore an iron mask, no one had ever seen his face, and it was said that his identity couldn’t be confirmed.

‘But he’s taking off his mask here?’

Everything was unexpected.

Among all of that, the revealed face of the Iron Mask was the most surprising.

“…Your Majesty, this person is…”

“Are you surprised? I noticed you kept glancing at him, so I thought you might be curious.”

That was just because it was fascinating to see someone eating food while wearing an iron mask without even a mouth hole?

Seeing that even divination magic didn’t work on it, she thought it must be an enchanted mask. She had wondered what kind of face he had that needed to be hidden, but this was certainly understandable.

He was a handsome young man with pure silver hair and deep blue eyes.

The problem was that he looked exactly like the Emperor.

‘If the Emperor were in his late teens or early twenties, would he look like this? Like a miniature.’

Moreover, he had an almost air-like presence, like a shadow at one’s feet.

Even well-trained assassins usually have some degree of presence, but he didn’t seem human at all.

“His name is Nox. Interestingly, he looks very similar to me, so we cover him with an iron mask. Just to be clear, he has nothing to do with my private life.”

“Y-Your Majesty!”

“Did I say something wrong, Head Butler? Wasn’t everyone surprised when they first saw him?”

The Emperor added that he had undergone a paternity test, but nothing particular came out.

The complexion of the head butler, hearing such irreverent talk right in front of him, turned from pale white to bluish.

Regardless of that.

“Lady Roshanak, how old are you?”

“I’ll be eighteen after this winter passes.”

“Hmm, that’s about right.”

The Emperor nodded with a satisfied look.

What exactly was ‘right’, she felt somewhat displeased.

But she completely forgot about that with the Emperor’s next statement.

“Lady Roshanak, the stirring of the sixth trial was observed recently. Although we can’t pinpoint the location yet, it’s expected to occur in twenty days, so there’s still some time left.”

“What? Observed?”

“Ah, I see you didn’t know. While you were away, an object was created that can predict trials in advance. My daughter Illien and my magicians put in special effort.”

“…”

Princess Illien Marcia.

She had forgotten about her because she had been so busy.

She didn’t know exactly how the princess had helped, but… she thought she should make time to visit her soon.

“According to Illien, the sixth trial will be somewhat new. Do you intend to participate in this trial as well?”

“If I can be of help, I will go.”

“I see. I would love to go along and witness your skills firsthand, but my beloved knights wouldn’t allow it. Instead, I’ll send Sir Nox.”

“…Pardon?”

“Since you’re both knights anyway, use this opportunity to get along well.”

It’s already difficult enough to break the Trial, and now you’re dumping this on me?

Rosha looked at Nox with a sour expression. He was staring blankly at her like a doll without self-awareness.

* * *

Perhaps because her energy was drained during what should have been a comfortable mealtime.

Although the food was excellent, Rosha barely ate, having lost her appetite in front of the Emperor and his mini-me.

Moreover, as lunch was coming to an end, the Emperor casually asked this question:

-By the way, I heard you entered and safely escaped from the huge rift that was in the Lycaon Marquisate. Did you happen to meet anyone else there?

Rosha barely managed to answer that she hadn’t met anyone.

She already knew that the Emperor had called Sir Joel and Duke Feriel to ask about that incident.

In other words, this was a cross-examination.

-I see. I just thought I’d ask you as well, just in case.

Fortunately, there was no chance of being caught because she had already coordinated stories with her companions.

Rosha left the dining area as naturally as possible, feeling like the food was sitting heavily in her stomach.

Upon returning to her mansion in the capital, the first place she headed was Cedric’s room.

“Brother!”

“Rosha, you’re back safely. Did anything happen?”

Cedric, who had been sitting at the desk, jumped to his feet. But there was one more person besides him.

“You’re back?”

A six-person sofa placed in front of the desk.

Froy, who had been sitting there wearing rimless glasses, put aside the documents covering his face and spoke.