I Was Told to Drink Poison, So I Drank It - 47 - What is right?
A desperate voice of a woman echoed through the place.
The others were either nodding with serious faces or looking down deeply.
“…Prince Lawrence.”
Quietly, I called his name.
I wanted to tell him—this is not the time to be doing this.
When I called him, he glanced at me.
Then, he narrowed his eyes—and let out a sigh.
“I hate all of you.”
He said it clearly.
“But,” Prince Lawrence continued,
“Because she says so, I’ll lend my hand this time.”
As he said that, he raised his hand toward the sky—and in that moment,
A burst of black light, similar to magical energy, flashed out.
With force enough to cover the sky, black smoke swallowed the place completely.
“……!”
The black light filled the area like smoke—and the next moment, it vanished completely.
It all happened so fast, there was no time for them to scream.
When the smoke disappeared, we realized something.
It was—
“The monsters… are gone?”
Yes. The monsters, which had been there in such large numbers, were now all gone without a single one left.
They were shaken, not understanding what had happened.
I didn’t understand either. I didn’t—but…
(Just now… somewhere, that…)
Somewhere, I had seen that before.
(But where…?)
Where had I seen it?
That black light, like the black smoke.
Such overwhelming darkness, enough to feel dread and evil.
It was like the darkness itself ruled that place.
But what I felt at that moment was not fear—it was a kind of impatience, almost nostalgia.
However, I couldn’t remember where I saw it.
It felt like I was just about to remember—so close.
As I and the others stood stunned for different reasons, suddenly, Prince Lawrence spoke to them.
“You’re looking for someone to direct your hatred at, aren’t you?”
As if shocked, they looked at Prince Lawrence.
And then, as if seeing something unbelievable, they gasped.
I too, opened my eyes wide in surprise.
Prince Lawrence’s eyes were red—deep red, like those of a demon.
“A demon…”
Someone muttered.
But Prince Lawrence ignored that and spoke to them.
“Don’t point your anger in the wrong direction. Don’t attack others blindly—first, judge who the real enemy is. If you want to change your life, your world, then find the true one to blame.”
“Hi…” a woman let out a strained cry.
Prince Lawrence’s eyes slowly shifted color—from sunset red back to his usual pale blue.
That was the proof—that he was definitely not a human.
Leaving the frozen humans behind, he looked up.
And there, at the end of his gaze—was the royal castle, with its doors tightly shut.
“Who caused this situation? Even in crisis, the king who does not help you, the people—what is he for? …I ask again. Who is the one you should truly blame?”
Prince Lawrence asked quietly, calmly.
They listened, holding their breath.
Suddenly, he took my hand.
“She is a ghost of the past. Stop expecting and relying on someone who has died. You must stand up by your own hands. …You are the people of Victoire, aren’t you?”
“─”
The moment Prince Lawrence said that, a quiet fighting spirit appeared in their eyes.
Victoire is a country of victory.
A strong people who once defeated the demons and gained their freedom with their own hands.
Reminded by Prince Lawrence, they remembered that.
The true way the people of Victoire should be.
Prince Lawrence spoke to me.
“Let’s go, Chalize.”
“W-wait!”
At that moment, a woman called out to me in a desperate voice.
She had three children with her—the same woman who earlier said loudly that we should be killed.
She stepped forward, her face tense, and spoke to me.
“Lady… Chalize.”
“──”
Called by name, I tried to answer—but closed my mouth.
Then I shook my head and replied.
“…I am not Chalize. Queen Chalize is already dead.”
The woman clenched her fists tightly.
Then she looked at me with strong eyes, as if trying to say something important.
“…Even so, to me, you seemed like Queen Chalize. You stood proud, beautiful, noble—just like her. So… please let me say this.”
The woman bowed her head deeply.
Gripping the hem of her skirt tightly.
“I’m sorry for what I said earlier. And… thank you for saving us. …I’m sorry.”
I was a little surprised by her apology and thanks.
Surprised, I opened my eyes wide without thinking.
With her words as a start, the others began to bow their heads too.
Surely, the one they wanted to apologize to was not the Chalize who suddenly appeared, but the true Queen Chalize.
They were now filled with guilt and regret.
Probably because, after hearing Prince Lawrence’s words, they remembered what it truly means to be people of Victoire.
“──”
At that moment, I finally realized the mistake I had made.
(What I should have given them was not forgiveness…)
What they needed—was guidance.
Not the mercy of a mother who forgives all, but the strength to lead the people.
I finally understood that now.
As I stood there, unable to reply to the woman’s words, Prince Lawrence called my name again.
“Chalize.”
He said softly—and in the next moment,
A strong wind blew.
I closed my eyes against the sudden whirlwind—and when I opened them again,
We were no longer in the castle town.