Unedited.

TN: I changed Alfredo to Alfred.

It’s also full of stairs inside the castle.

We continued to move deeper and deeper within the maze-like corridor, and just when I was about to complain if we still haven’t arrived yet, the guide finally stopped walking.

The guide exchanges words with the guard who is standing in front of a heavy door that has complex carvings in it, the guard accepts it and calls out in a loud voice facing inside the door.

A gentle voice from a man answered and the guard pushed the door open.

Light was incorporated inside the room and was bright. The first  frosted gla.s.s I’ve seen since coming to this world is spread all over the wall.

A white, gold, and beige carpet, beautiful writing desk with deeply tinted grain, within the room which plenty of fine materials were used, the Holy Emperor was present wearing a white and gold robe.

Eh, can a place that’s like a private room be easily entered?

The Holy Emperor is, in other words, the King of the Sacred City of Habartalt, right?

Since I was under the impression that it would be someone sprawled on the throne, looking all smug, I was quite bewildered.

Soft-hued golden brown hair with gentle light blue eyes, the outer corners of his eyes is slightly wrinkled, making his face look pleasant.

However, within those eyes reflect a strong will, giving off a feeling that he’s not a simple person.

Even though he was wearing a gentle smile, he acknowledged Aleph’s presence and his smile deepens.

[It’s has been a long time, Prince Alfred. How many years has it been, since it’s after I heard your departure, will it be 10 years now?]

The Holy Emperor said a startling fact for me in a polite speech.

[Ehh… Prince? Aleph is?]

By Prince, does he mean this country’s? No, wait. Remembering a certain thing, I appraise Aleph.

Alfred Roe Yodelia

Human

24 years old

Lv 82

HP 4521/4521

MP 503/503

Magic Attribute: Wind

Skills: Swordsmans.h.i.+p, s.h.i.+eld Skill, Spearmans.h.i.+p, Magic, Night Vision, Near-death, Detect Presence, spy, Skinning, Dominance(Previously ‘Efficacy’), Etiquette

t.i.tle:  Master Swordsman, Raging Gale, Dragon Slayer, Rank, Daybreak Wind's Leader

That’s right, the name I felt I had seen before, was on Aleph’s name. So he was a prince of the Kingdom we were staying in.

Towards the Holy Emperor who is looking at Aleph with nostalgia, the swordsman took a retainer’s stance. I also hurriedly copied Aleph and got on my knee.

[It has been a while, Royal Uncle Feifre(フェイフル叔父上)… No, Holy Emperor. I’m already unqualified to call you familiarly, I am merely an ordinary adventurer.]

(TN: Special thanks to Sparantan from NUF for this name, although I tweaked it a bit.)

[…Is that so? Then, I wonder why does a mere adventurer like you, who even bent his own belief, wanted to meet with me?]

The Holy Emperor asks Aleph while ridiculing him for implicitly using his position as a prince.

Does Aleph calling the Holy Emperor as Royal Uncle, mean his mother is this Kingdom’s Royal Princess? I don’t really get it.

[This young man here, Rei, a curse has befallen him. We have come here thinking that you might be able to resolve it if it’s you, Holy Emperor.]

[What is that young man to you?]

[He’s my… my most treasured and beloved person more than anyone else.]

[My, my.]

The Holy Emperor greatly nodded, and he also smiled warmly towards me.

[A curse, it’s that bangle, isn’t it? You said you’re Rei, please let me see it.]

[Yes.]

The Holy Emperor took my arm and observed and scrutinized the Demon’s bangle.

[What a sinister curse…. Alfred, this is not something I can deal with. While the curse’s power has gone, the number one problem is that with the Demon residing in this bangle, I’m no match for it.]

Dy uttered with relief inside my head.

[Does that mean we have to negotiate with the demon in the end?]

The demon answers Aleph’s monologue even though he(Aleph) can’t hear him(Dy).

I see, if so then he would indeed think about not wanting to be dismissed.

I still haven’t activated that curse yet, have i?

Even though that’s fine and all. While I was conversing with Dy inside my head, the Holy Emperor looked at Aleph anxiously.

[It’s better not to stimulate it too much, if you forcefully try to resolve it then the curse will also attach itself to those who tried to break it. The body melts away, a simple recovery magic will not work, and it will be difficult to heal even a high level holy magic.]

Dy, you set up such a nasty trap.

I told Dy I have nothing else to talk to him with and fell silent. It looks like he doesn’t plan to appear outside.

The Holy Emperor smiles worriedly.

[I’m sorry I am of no help.]

[Don’t be, Holy Emperor.]

The Holy Emperor who was called Feifre was interrupted by Aleph’s words.

[Alfred, are you not going to call me Royal Uncle anymore?]

[That’s… Before this, I called out to you like I used to in the past, my deepest apologies. I will also apologize for using the ring.]

[I do not want you to apologize. Because you are my only nephew that Liera left alone. That will not change even if you abandon your ident.i.ty.]

The Holy Emperor smiled bitterly. Aleph was also wearing an apologetic expression, and smiled quietly for a while.

[I am a coward who didn’t want to fight so I abandoned my responsibilities. But if you still still think of me as your nephew despite all that, please allow me to call you ‘uncle’.]

[Yes, of course.]

The Holy Emperor wraps Aleph in his warm gaze.