The next morning, Silverd summoned Ein and Lloyd to the audience room’s back office for a meeting.
“In the near future, we shall host a massive parade and report our victory to the populace,” the king said.
“I’m sure that there’ll be celebrations on the eve of the parade as well, so I suggest we divide the jubilations over several days,” Lloyd said. “Ah, and the academy graduation is coming up soon as well! I recommend we adjust our days with that in mind.”
“Indeed! That sounds very good.”
“Sounds to me like this’ll be an exhausting party,” Ein said as he listened in. The mere thought tired him, and he gave a strained smile.
He knew how important these parties were. It was a way to mourn the lives of the knights that had been lost while also celebrating the nation’s victory. The gloomy atmosphere festering within the residents could also be dispelled.
“Now then, the next issue is with Ein,” Silverd said. “How shall we touch upon your Demon Lord transformation?”
“We should probably tell everyone, huh?” Ein replied.
“There’s no need for you to worry, Your Highness,” Lloyd assured him. “You defeated not only the Sea Dragon, but our nation’s enemy. You’re a hero, and I doubt anyone will be suspicious of you even if you announce that you’ve become a Demon Lord.”
“I agree,” the king nodded.
Ein placed his hands on the table. “Wait a second! I think you’re both being a bit too nonchalant about this whole thing...”
“I agree with Sir Ein’s assessment,” another man added. He was Ishtarica’s top official. A staff was nestled in both of his hands as his long beard swayed carefreely, just like his personality. “I believe we should first announce his status as the World Tree. He’ll be seen as an almost divine being before we touch upon the Demon Lord business.”
“Wh-What?!” Silverd gasped. “Since when did you...”
The chancellor ignored the king. “We’ll have him grow trees like the one he’d sprouted in Magna. It is important that we offer any fruit those trees yield to our citizens. And given that our enemy had used Demon Lord powers, it would be best if we claimed that Sin Ein has evolved into a World Tree as a result of absorbing and purifying said powers. We could say he gained Demon Lord powers in the process. I believe that will nicely wrap up this matter.”
He paused and flashed his usually friendly smile. “How does that sound?”
“You appeared out of nowhere and you speak like nothing is amiss!” the king cried. “When did you wake up?!”
Lloyd erupted into boisterous laughter. “Ha ha ha! Sir Warren, it’s nice to see you awake again! It’s truly been a while since I last saw that mysterious personality of yours!”
Only Lloyd was smiling. Ein was also stunned as a myriad of feelings washed over him. Warren glanced at the crown prince and sensed the boy’s thoughts as he smiled kindly.
“I woke up just last night,” Warren said. “But I’ve been gone for a while and I had to catch up. I was up all night before joining this meeting.”
“Why didn’t you call for me?!” Silverd demanded.
“I’d heard that Sir Ein returned. I simply tried to express my consideration and thought it would be better for you if I appeared the next day.”
“Good grief. Our chancellor is as carefree as usual, I see,” Lloyd said wearily.
The red fox approached Ein and went down on his knees. The crown prince still struggled to find the right words as Warren looked up at the boy with narrowed eyes and took the royal’s hand.
“Sir Ein, Belia told me everything,” he started, trying to apologize.
“Yeah,” Ein replied.
“I’ve been hiding a secret, and that is a sin. I may have been devoted to Ishtarica, but my red fox blood will never dilute. I’ve given you much agony and grief, and made you suspicious of me. That fact alone simply makes me unworthy.”
“N-No! I learned the truth right after! You didn’t betray me at all! In fact, it’s my fault for jumping to anger without knowing the whole story first!”
“You must never say that, Your Highness. Please, I ask that you scold me for my actions.”
Warren had kept his secret for so long, but he and Belia had shown their loyalty to Ishtarica for centuries. No one else could understand the torture and agony that came with killing one’s true self in order to maintain their loyalty.
“I know that this is a little too convenient for me to say, but I’d personally love it if you stayed on as our chancellor,” Ein said. “I’m really sorry. I know that it’s a selfish request.”
Warren chuckled happily as a tear rolled down his cheek. “Your words are far too kind.”
“Now then,” Silverd said. “Your presence is very convenient, as I’d like to borrow some of your wisdom.”
“Of course, Your Majesty,” the chancellor replied. “Should my elderly body still be of any use to Ishtarica, I ask that you order me however you see fit.”
He placed his hands on his staff to support himself, but his stature, which had supported the nation for centuries, was nothing but beautiful. And now, a happy ending, Ein thought. Wait, no...
The crown prince had one more thing he had to fulfill—a promise that he’d made to her earlier.
“I just need to muster up the courage,” he mumbled.