Meanwhile.
Keliweier Kingdom, Inner City.
“How is the experiment progressing?” The silver-haired man wearing a crown stood at the entrance of the underground laboratory, asking the robed magician inside.
“Your Majesty, it’s almost at the final stage. There might be some disturbances in the city during this time; I’ll need your assistance to handle them.”
“Sigh—your Archbishop, that Uli fellow? He’s been causing me a lot of trouble recently down in the Underground District.”
“Your Majesty, what do you mean?” The acolyte, who had been shaking a vial, stopped his actions.
“Picking fights everywhere, setting off such large-scale explosions underground, and in the end, he actually died. I want to know what that means.”
“Died?” The acolyte put down his materials, his expression turning serious.
“He definitely liked to stir up trouble, but… one thing must be acknowledged—his strength was enough to support his antics in this city. For him to suddenly be dead now, there must be someone significant behind it.”
“In any case, please stay alert. You wouldn’t want all the progress of the experiment to be wasted.”
“Hmph, I don’t need you to tell me that. The day when the Nationwide Dominion is achieved—I’ve been waiting a long time for that~”
“Miss Tina, are you truly ready?” In the hall, Everett said to Tina.
“I’m ready anytime. It’s just that if Your Highness stays alone, it might get a bit boring, don’t you think?”
Just moments ago, Everett had devised a plan: under the pretext of preparing for the Carnival, he would take Tina into the palace to conduct an investigation.
After gathering enough evidence, they would coordinate from inside and outside to completely destroy the laboratory.
The two of them were the main force. Because of her identity, the princess couldn’t appear in the palace yet, so she would cooperate from outside with Tyr, Phyllis, and others.
“Tina…” Lia showed a somewhat forlorn expression after confirming the itinerary.
“Your Highness, please don’t be like that. It would be very hard for me.” Tina hated to see anyone, especially a girl, upset because of her. (Phyllis: “?”)
“Ahahaha, how about this? I happen to have two Crystal Balls here. Once connected, no matter where we are, we can communicate instantly, or leave messages.” Everett quickly added.
“Consider it a gift from the Carnival to you both. If things get resolved quickly, Miss Tina might even return early.”
Seeing Everett’s encouraging look, Tina understood the implication. “Right, Your Highness, the Carnival only happens once every ten years. How could I let you spend it alone?”
“Alright then, leave this to me.”
If it was just a brief parting, Lia could still tell which was more important.
As long as she didn’t have to choose between the Restoration and Tina’s life, she could endure.
***
After leaving the small shop, Tina dressed as a maid and blended in with the other servants, successfully entering the palace hall.
“Where is His Majesty? Isn’t he here?” Everett asked the Royal Guard Captain.
“Replying to the Sage, His Majesty has been busy with affairs recently. Do you have business with him?”
“No, just inform him that I have found personnel for this Carnival. Also, tell him to get out more; being busy all the time isn’t good for his health.”
“Understood, Sir. I will pass on the message.”
The captain turned and left, and Everett led Tina to his own bell tower.
But no sooner had they sat down than Tina couldn’t help but start gossiping.
“By the way, are you close with the king? The way you talk…”
“Oh? You still can’t miss anything, huh?” Everett laughed in relief. “I wasn’t trying to hide it from you. He, Ruin, and I have been old acquaintances—if not best brothers.”
Hearing this, Tina realized Everett had personal feelings involved in overthrowing the king.
Not only was he a subject to his monarch, but as a best friend, he didn’t want to see Ruin walk into the abyss with his own eyes.
“Actually, I envy your current relationship with the princess,” Everett said, sounding a bit touched.
“Why?”
“Because—once, the prince and I were just as close as you two are now. Becoming a Sage wasn’t just about my magic skills; a big part of it was thanks to Ruin.”
“If he hadn’t strongly recommended me before the old king, I wouldn’t have achieved what I have today.”
“Hmmm… and now?” Tina was curious about this.
“Now? Honestly, we’re no longer on the same path. Maybe it started the day he grew extreme, or from when he told me he wanted to overthrow the old king—I don’t quite remember.
“Though outwardly we’re still lord and subject, he has harbored resentment toward me ever since. No amount of persuasion works.”
What caused this situation?
Was it jealousy of the princess? A thirst for power? Or… was he influenced by some cult?
Everett had no way of knowing.
He only knew that he wanted to help the two girls achieve a different ending from theirs, to turn Ruin back.
“Ah—sorry, I got carried away with the past. Let’s switch to something lighter. Speaking of which, Miss Tina, what are your plans for the Carnival?”
“Plans?”
The term Carnival seemed to hold a special meaning in the Keliweier Kingdom.
From what they said, during the three days of this celebration, countless large-scale performances are held throughout the city.
People temporarily set aside work and throw themselves wholeheartedly into the feast.
Rare treasures and delicacies unseen on ordinary days are displayed for everyone’s enjoyment, and even experienced firsthand.
Of course, this centuries-old festival also has an important symbolic meaning—
If a girl accepts a boy’s flowers during this time and offers her sincerest embrace and kiss, the Guardian Deity of Keliweier Kingdom will bless the couple, granting them a lifetime of happiness together.
Whether that’s actually true is another matter.
“Let me think… If we can solve this trouble ahead of time, I want to take Your Highness to stroll around the city. Hehe.”
“After all, the harvest after hard work is the sweetest.”
“Oh~ Miss Tina, what if Princess Lia gives you flowers then? Would you accept them?” Everett’s expression was that of an amused onlooker.
“Or would you rather miss this once-in-ten-years occasion and keep leading her on?”
“Um… Restoration isn’t finished yet, so I’d better focus on the important matters first.
“I don’t want Her Highness to waver because of me.”
“Is that so? So that’s your choice.” Everett showed a knowing smile. “Miss, when you have the chance to make a choice, don’t regret it later.”
“I understand.”
“Ding-ling-ling—” The Crystal Ball rang, ripples spreading across its surface.
Tina couldn’t help but marvel—this thing was way too advanced. It was no different from a telephone.
“It’s Princess Lia. You two talk, I’m leaving now.” Everett excused himself and returned to his room, leaving Tina alone in the hall.
“Hey—can you hear me?”
It was late at night, and on the other side of the Crystal Ball came a slightly worried voice.
“I’m here, Your Highness.”