“So, what happened to the children?” Arthur inquired.
Slader answered while pulling down his mask over his face again.
“I heard that two of them remembered their names and the villages they lived in and were returned to their parents. The rest entered into service in knight houses and merchants’ shops.”
“And Tethel?” Elizabeth asked, choking up. Tethel’s sorry story had moved her to tears.
“She had a predisposition for magical power, and there was talk about having her train to be a Holy Knight. But I heard she said that she didn’t want to fight and left the capital to learn under a traveling sorcerer.”
“Ah-ha,” Merlin folded her arms and interjected with a noise of approval. “There are a lot of sorcerers who hide their faces. And some even make themselves look uglier, thinking it more fitting to a sorcerer’s image. Her face wouldn’t be anything to worry about.”
“As though you’re one to talk.” Slader smiled wryly. However, the beautiful Merlin continued unperturbed.
“Both beauty and hideousness are only skin deep. Based on how you use it, it can be a weapon or a weakness. People are not born equal, and many things are influenced by luck. However, as long as you have a chance, starting over is also quite human.”
“That’s so true…” Elizabeth, who was still crying, sniffled and nodded. “I don’t know my parents’ faces or where I was born, either. I might have led a miserable life just like Tethel’s. But my father and my older sister welcomed me as a real part of the family, and everyone in the kingdom treats me kindly as a member of the royal family, too. I’ve been so blessed…I better spend the rest of my life repaying that debt…”
“You’re doing enough already,” Meliodas said.
“Thank you very much, Sir Meliodas…Hyaah!”
“Don’t grope the Princess while saying nice things.” Slader emitted his Overpower, and Meliodas’ head was pressed against the table.
“B-By the way, what happened to the Rainbow Crystal? I’ve never seen it,” Elizabeth asked, her smile slightly strained.
“Since it had been used by evil people for so many years, it needs to be purified for months, years, before its power can be fully restored. His Majesty seems to have parted with it for now. It’s probably in the custody of a druid.”
“I see…” Elizabeth looked out the window into the distance.
The other day they had visited Istar, the sacred land of the druids. She recalled the druid leaders they had met there.
Though Elizabeth had heard she was descended from them, even now, she didn’t feel that she could be certain of anything.
“I’m sure it will be returned to you someday. It is a keepsake of your mother’s,” Slader comforted her.
“No, I’m all right. I’m sure there’s someone else who needs the power of that crystal. I myself need to be a healing force, too,” Elizabeth said, smiling.