どうやらすでに、密告のイベントが始まっているらしい。
廊下側では、固唾を呑んで様子をうかがっているベルゼビュート達がいる。不安げな眼差しを全員に向けられ、アイリーンはにこりと笑い、頷く。
「でもクロード様、本当のことです。キースさんは魔物を売ってて......私達、知らないままだったらクロード様が傷つくと思ってしらせにきたのに......」
応接間のソファに座ったリリアがうつむく。その横に座っているセドリックがすかさず批判の声を上げる。
「リリアの言うとおりです、異母兄上。俺達は無視して捜査をすすめることだってできた。それをリリアがあんまりだというから、こうして秘密裏に話にきたんですよ」
「それとも貴殿の命令で魔物を売っていたと? まさか人間が不戦条約違反をしたと、我々に難癖をつけるつもりだったのではないのか」
マークスの侮蔑に、クロードの赤い瞳がぎらりと光る。がたりと家具が、床が、地面が震えた。地震だ。
「いい加減に――」
「怒っても無駄だ。リリアは聖剣の乙女の生まれ変わりだからな」
マークスの自慢げな言葉に、揺れが止まった。リリアが恥ずかしそうにうつむく。
「ま、まだそうと決まったわけじゃ......内緒にしてって言ってるのに」
「何を言ってる。間違いない。君の中から出てきた剣、あれが聖剣でなくてなんだ。魔物達を一掃するあの輝き!」
「そうだ、リリア。自信を持つといい。だから父上も魔物密売についての事件を俺達に任せてくれたんだ」
どうやら既にリリアは聖剣の乙女としての力を目覚めさせたらしい。それでセドリックとマークスはますます心酔したといったところだろうか。失言に気づいていないらしかった。
「この国で聖剣の乙女の血を一番濃く継いでいる女性はアイリーンだ。だが聖剣の乙女にはほど遠い女だった。君を選んだ俺は正し――」
「面白い話をなさってますのね。魔物達を一掃?」
かつんと踵の音を鳴らして部屋に入る。ひんやりと足下に冷気が漂っていた。
「初めて聞きました。魔物を殺めることは不戦条約で禁止されているのに?」
「......アイリーン」
顔をあげたクロードの横に、腰を下ろす。にこにことアイリーンは微笑みかけた。
「相変わらず皆様、頭も口も軽くてらっしゃいますのね。内緒にしなければならないのは聖剣の乙女のことではなく、魔物の一掃のことでは? 故意か過失か存じ上げませんけど」
「せ、聖剣を見て魔物が逃げ出しただけだ! かすり傷一つ負ってない!」
「まあ、それはよかった。ね、クロード様」
ぽんとクロードの握り拳に手を置く。それでやっと、足下に渦巻く冷気が止まった。
「それで、なんのお話でしたかしら? キース様が魔物の密売をしているとかなんとか?」
「そ、そうだ」
「まあ、馬鹿らしい。お引き取りくださいな」
「ば、馬鹿馬鹿しいってひどい! 魔物が可哀想じゃないですか!」
「だって、魔物の売買は犯罪でも何でもなくってよ?」
小首をかしげたアイリーンに、リリアが目を丸くした。セドリックやマークスですらぽかんとしているのだから始末に負えない。
「禁じられているのは魔物を傷つけることです。魔物の売買は禁じられていません。クロード様が怒るからやめよう、とか倫理観レベルのお話です。そもそも、キース様が魔物の密売をしていたとして、人間側が何の罪で捕まえるのかしら?」
「......わ、私は聖剣の乙女だから、魔物と人間の争いは避けたいんです! でないと、クロード様を斃さないといけなくなっちゃうじゃないですか......」
「クロード様はまだ人間でしてよ。聖剣で斃せないでしょう。――とりあえず要約すると」
しょげてかまってもらえる暇をリリアに与えず、アイリーンは優雅に微笑んだ。
「あなたの出番はないので、すっこんでらっしゃいな。それより皇妃の勉強をちゃんとなさった方が宜しいのではなくて? あまりいい噂を聞きませんけれど」
「......ひどい......っ!」
立ち上がったリリアが、泣きながら駆け出す。それを慌ててセドリックとマークスが追っていった。ふうと肩から息を吐き出したアイリーンは、アーモンドを呼ぶ。
「クロード様の力が及ばない可能性があるわ。あの三人がちゃんと森の外に出るまで、空から目で見張って頂戴。近づきすぎては駄目よ、聖剣の乙女の力は本当だから」
「分カッタ!」
ベルゼビュートの頭の上にのっていたアーモンドがばたばたと飛び去っていく。クロードが口を開いた。
「危険なことは――分かった、自己判断に任せる」
「よろしくてよ。魔物より今はキース様を守る時ですから。お分かりでしょう?」
聖剣の乙女が現れた。魔王を狙う者は、まずクロードを魔物にするために、一番狙いやすいキースを狙う。彼は人間だから。
「......疑われるだけの何かがあるのか」
ぽつりと尋ねたクロードは、本当は気づいているのかもしれない。ちらと見ると、廊下にはキースがいた。
アイリーンが目配せすると、一度天井を仰いでから、つかつかとクロードの元まで歩み寄る。
そして、頭を垂れて跪いた。
「――クロード様。私めは、あなたに話さねばならないことがあります」
「......言ってみろ」
「でーすーがー、それはね。アイリーン様に言われた仕事を終えるまでお待ちを」
軽く視線を向けられて、きょとんとした。
――この件が片付いたら、クロード様に全て自分から告白なさい。自分で選択するのではなく、主に決断を仰ぐのよ。それがあなたの一番最初の間違いだわ。
そう彼に言ったのはアイリーンだ。だが別に今、告白してしまってもいいだろうに。
「私めの間違いをそのままにして、あなたの足を引っ張るわけにはいかないんですよ。あなたの左腕ですから」
そう言って、キースはクロードに顔を向けた。その眼差しにある忠誠に嘘はない。
きっとそれをクロードは感じ取ったのだろう。頬杖をついて、溜め息を吐く。
「......分かった。その時は覚悟しておくといい。場合によっては処分も考える」
「承知致しました、我が主」
「あと、お茶の場所は分かる。淹れ方が分からないだけだ」
「それは大変失礼致しました」
そのやり取りを横で聞いていたアイリーンはそっと立ち上がろうとし、何故かクロードに引っ張られてその膝の上に座り込んだ。
「な、なんですの? せっかく二人きりにして差し上げようと」
「男と二人きりにされて何が嬉しい。そういうところがおかしいな、君は。――それで? キースを借り、ベルゼビュートを丸め込み、君は僕に黙って、何を企んでいる?」
背後から喉を指の腹でゆっくりとなでられた。眉を吊り上げ、クロードの鳩尾めがけて肘をたたき込む。油断していたのか、クロードはもろにそれをくらって呻いた。
「わたくし、痴漢の撃退は得意でしてよ」
「ちかっ......!?」
久し振りに外で雷が落ちた。衝撃だったらしい。そのまま雨が降り出す音が聞こえだしたが、まさか悲しかったのだろうか。
爆笑しているキースとおろおろしているベルゼビュート達を横切り、つんとすまし顔で赤くなった頬を見られないように、さっさと応接間を出る。ああいうクロードに過剰反応すると、余計にペースに巻き込まれると学習した。
「魔王様もなかなか純情だよな。あそこはもう一押しなのに」
廊下で待っていたアイザックが何もかも分かったような顔でにやにや笑っていたので、ついでに鳩尾に一発食らわせてやった。
It seems like the informing event had already begun.
At the side of the corridor, Beelzebub and the others were holding their breath in worry while listening to the situation. Everyone turned towards Irene with an uneasy look on their faces while Irene gently smiled at them and nodded.
[But Claude-sama, we're telling you the truth. Keith-san is selling the monsters...... We thought your feelings will get hurt if you still don't know about it, so we came here to inform you, and yet......] (Lilia)
Lilia who was sitting on the sofa of the reception room casted her eyes downward. Cedric, who was sitting next to her, instantly raised his voice in criticism.
[It's as Lilia said, step-brother. We could've disregarded it and even proceed with the the investigation. But, since Lilia was protesting against that decision, we secretly came here to tell you that] (Cedric)
[Or else, is he selling the monsters under your command?Don't tell me perhaps you intended to put the blame on us if humans were the one to violate the peace treaty?] (Max)
Glaring, Claude's pair of red eyes glistened at Max's insult. With a bang, the furniture, floor, and the ground started to quake. It was an earthquake.
[That's enough----] (Claude)
[It would be futile even if you're angry. Because Lilia is the reincarnation of the Maiden of Holy Sword, after all] 
The tremor stopped at Max bragging words. Lilia looked down with seemingly an embarra.s.sed look on her face.
[I-it's still haven't decided yet......I told you that it's a secret, and yet] (Lilia)
[What are you saying? There's no doubt about it. The sword that emerged from your body is certainly nothing but the Holy Sword. You can eradicate all of the monsters with that radiance!] (Max)
[That's right, Lilia. Have confidence in yourself. That's why Father leave the matter regarding the illicit trade involving the monsters to us as well] (Cedric)
Apparently, it seems like Lilia had already awakened the power of the Maiden of Holy Sword. Because of that, Cedric and Max would increasingly adore her, wouldn't they? And, it seems like they didn't realize their verbal slip.
[In this country, the woman who deeply inherits the blood of the Maiden of Holy Sword is Irene. However, she was far off from a woman that can be the Maiden of Holy Sword. I was right to choose you----] (Cedric)
[What an interesting conversation all of you have going on in here. Eradication of all the monsters?] (Irene)
With the sound of her heels clicking, Irene came into the room. It felt chilly as the cold air was drifting under their feet.
[This is the first time I heard such a thing. Killing the monsters is prohibited by the peace treaty, am I right?] (Irene)
[......Irene] (Claude)
Irene sat next to Claude who was looking up at her. With a friendly grin, Irene smiled at him.
[Everyone has both empty minds and loose tongues as always. The thing that must be kept a secret is not about the matter about the Maiden of Holy Sword but the matter about the eradication of all the monsters, isn't it?Although I don't know whether it was on purpose or a blunder] (Irene)
[T-the monsters ran away at the sight of the Holy Sword!They haven't suffered even a single scratch! ] 
[Oh my, that's a relief. Right, Claude-sama?] (Irene)
Without batting an eyelid, Irene placed her hand on top of Claude's clenched fist. And with that action, the cold air finally stopped swirling under their feet.
[And so, I wonder what sort of conversation all of you have right now? Is it about Keith-sama doing some illicit trade involving the monsters or something else?] (Irene)
[T, that's right] 
[Wow, how absurd. Please leave] (Irene)
[It was awful for you to say that it was absurd!Don't you feel sorry for the monsters?!] (Lilia)
[But, monsters trafficking is neither a crime nor anything though?] (Irene)
Lilia stared at Irene whose head was slightly tilted to a side. Since Cedric and Max were flabbergasted, they couldn't deal with her.
[What is forbidden is hurting the monsters. It isn't forbidden to do monsters trafficking. So, if you say something like "since Claude-sama will get angry so let's stop it", then that's on another level since it's a story from an ethical point of view . To begin with, I wonder what kind of crime has Keith-sama committed with his monsters trafficking business to warrant an arrest from the human's side?] 
[......B-because I'm the Maiden of Holy Sword, I want to avoid the conflict between the monsters and the humans! Otherwise, isn't all that's left to do is to defeat Claude-sama?......] (Lilia)
[Claude-sama is still a human. So, he can't be defeated by the Holy Sword, right?----Thereupon, why don't you digest that information first?] (Irene)
Irene didn't have the leisure to care about dejected Lilia, so she smiled gracefully at her.
[Since you don't have your turn to s.h.i.+ne here, why don't you leave? And other than that, isn't it better if you diligently study to be Empress?The rumors I heard about you aren't that good, though] (Irene)
[......You're awful......!] (Lilia)
Standing up, Lilia started running while crying. Cedric and Max chased after her in panic. Irene breathed out a deep sigh and called out to Almond.
[There's a possibility that Claude-sama's power can't reach them. Please look out for those three from the sky until they properly go outside the forest. Don't get too close to them because the power of the Maiden of Holy Sword is real after all] (Irene)
[Understand!] (Almond)
Almond that was on top of Beelzebub's head, flew away with flapping sound. Then, Claude spoke.
[Whether the situation is dangerous or not----Understood, I'll leave it to your own judgment] (Claude)
[Good. This is the time to protect Keith-sama rather than the monsters, after all. You understand that, do you?] (Irene)
The Maiden of Holy Sword had appeared. Those who are aiming for the Demon King will first, in order to make Claude a monster, aim for the easiest target: Keith. Because he is a human, after all.
[......Did Keith do something that's enough to make me be suspicious of him?] (Claude)
Claude who asked that by muttering few simple words, in truth, might actually be aware of it. When she glanced at the corridor, there was Keith standing over there.
After exchanging looks with Irene, Keith looked up at the ceiling for a moment, then determinedly walked up to Claude.
And then, he knelt while bowing his head.
[----Claude-sama. I, there's something that I need to tell you] (Keith)
[......Say it] (Claude)
[How-e-ver, about that. Please wait until I finished the job that Irene-sama told you about] (Keith)
Claude lightly turned his line of sight to Irene and stared at her in puzzlement.
----After cleaning up this mess, confess everything to Claude-sama on your own. Don't make your own choice; ask from your Lord for a decision instead. That was your very first mistake. (Irene)
It was Irene who told him that. But, it would be fine if he actually confessed to it now.
[I can't just leave my mistakes as it is as I can't afford to drag you down. I'm your left-hand man after all] (Keith)
Having said that, Keith looked at Claude. The loyalty expressed on Keith's face was genuine.
Surely, Claude was able to perceive that. Claude sighed while resting his chin in his hand.
[......Understood. At that time, you have better prepare yourself. I'll think of punishment according to the situation] (Claude)
[I understand, My Lord] (Keith)
[Also, I know where the tea is. I just don't know how to brew it] (Claude)
[I sincerely apologize for my mistake] (Keith)
Irene who was listening to that conversational exchange from the side tried to stand up stealthily; but for some reason, Claude pulled Irene towards himself and made her sat on top of his lap.
[W-what is it? When I have generously offered the two of you to be left alone] (Irene)
[What's to be happy about leaving two guys alone? That part of you is weird. ----So, what are you planning by borrowing Keith, winning over Beelzebub, and saying nothing to me?] (Claude)
Claude slowly caressed Irene's throat with the pad of his fingers from behind. Frowning, Irene aimed at Claude's solar plexus and hit it using her elbow. Probably being caught off guard, Claude completely fell for it and groaned.
[Fighting back a pervert is my forte] (Irene)
[Perv......!?] (Claude)
It's been a while since a bolt of lightning struck down outside. It seems like he was shocked. And just like that, she heard the sound of rain falling; don't tell her that he was sad about being called a pervert?
Right across them, Keith was laughing hard while Beelzebub and the others were bewildered by the situation; while keeping a straight face, Irene quickly left the reception room to prevent anyone from seeing her blus.h.i.+ng face. She had learned that if she overreacted to that kind of Claude, she would be dragged into his unnecessary pace.
[Demon King-sama is also pretty innocent, isn't he? Even though that's another push] 
Isaac was waiting on the corridor while smirking as though he already knew everything. Because of his smirking face, he was also given a shot to his solar plexus at the same time Irene went out of the reception room.
Villainous Daughter Aims for the Last Boss
悪役令嬢なのでラスボスを飼ってみました
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/villainous-daughter-aims-for-the-last-boss/
Drama Fantasy Romance School Life Shoujo
Adapted to Anime Adapted to Manga Aristocracy Beautiful Female Lead Bloodlines Broken Engagement Business Management Businessmen Calm Protagonist Demon Lord Demons Female Protagonist Handsome Male Lead Hated Protagonist Kuudere Multiple Reincarnated Individuals Nobles Otome Game Politics Reincarnated in a Game World Royalty Saints Sword And Magic Villainess Noble Girls
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n2766dz/
永瀬さらさ