Chapter 3

"Water, I am the Head of the Inner Palace."

"Fist, I am the Captain of the Guards. From now on, I will ask you a few questions regarding the disturbance you caused."

In the Head of the Inner Palace's office, the two men spoke in front of Koire, who had been brought by the guards.

"Tell me, are you a Demon Exorcist?"

The Head of the Inner Palace, who introduced himself as Water, sat in his chair with sharp eyes and asked.

"…Demon Exorcist?"

Koire repeated the word, tilting her head.

It was an unfamiliar term.

"Well… no, I guess? I've never called myself that…"

Her response might have seemed somewhat dismissive, but Water did not change his expression.

"…Do you lack awareness?"

He muttered only that.

"I have received reports that a mysterious phenomenon occurred in front of the palace ladies and eunuchs, and that you called the Empress Moonlight a demon. Does this mean you can recognize demons?"

"Yes."

Koire answered honestly.

She knew about demons.

Her father had taught her about them, and she had encountered them many times while living in the mountains.

They felt like wild animals to her.

"However, the demon was not exactly Empress Moonlight herself, but rather a fox demon possessing her. It called itself Daji."

"Daji…"

Water placed his hand on his chin, pondering.

"Head of the Inner Palace, Daji is…"

Fist, who had been listening, asked.

"…A legendary demon recorded in ancient texts. Whether it is the same as the one mentioned is unknown, but Daji is a beauty who deceives the rulers of the time with her charm and corrupts the nation. It is an allegory left by the ancients, warning that indulgence in women can lead to the downfall of a nation…"

Water remained silent for a while, then said:

"Did it possess and control Empress Moonlight?"

"No."

Koire interjected, wanting to provide accurate information.

"Empress Moonlight was conversing with Daji as if they were collaborators. I believe they were in collusion."

"…I see."

Water accepted Koire's words.

"Although it is currently unclear how this came about, it seems that Empress Moonlight may have used Daji's power to become the Emperor's favorite."

The beauty and charm that could captivate even the Emperor.

If it was really Daji, it could be due to the fox's magical powers.

And if so, Empress Moonlight must have known about it and cooperated with Daji for her own benefit.

"…What is your name?"

Water then asked Koire.

Koire thought it was odd to ask her name at this point.

"Koire."

"Where are you from? Why did you become a palace lady?"

"I was found in a remote village in Lutu Province by a recruitment officer and was hired on a whim."

Water asked straightforwardly, and Koire answered briskly.

"I've also heard that you fought the guards and took their weapons."

Fist followed up with another question.

"Do you have any martial skills?"

"Since I was young, I played sword fighting with my father."

"Sword fighting?"

Fist chuckled at Koire's response.

However,

"……"

Water stared at Koire, deep in thought.

(…Hmm… His sharp eyes make me feel uncomfortable, even though I'm not scared…)

Koire's gaze wandered.

"…What is your given name?"

Eventually, Water spoke.

"No… What are your father's name and surname?"

Father's name?

Koire wondered why he asked but answered.

"Shizigun."

"…"

The moment he heard the name, Water's sharp eyes widened slightly.

Was he shaken?

Why?

Did he know her father?

But her father had only ever told her that he was a traveling merchant who traveled around.

He often taught Koire various knowledge he had acquired from the places he visited.

"…What about your mother? Are your parents still in your hometown?"

"They both passed away. I have been living alone."

"…I see."

Water closed his eyes for a moment.

"Leave."

Then, his sharp eyes returned, and he told Koire.

"The decision will be made soon. Wait for it."

"Ah, yes."

The interrogation ended unexpectedly quickly.

Koire left the room, informed the guards waiting outside, and bowed.

She then returned to the harem.

"…What will happen to me?"

She felt a hint of unease about her future.

◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆

"What will be done with the palace lady? Head of the Inner Palace."

After Koire left, in the Head of the Inner Palace's office, Fist asked, looking out the window at the court's ornate and well-maintained landscape, which seemed almost otherworldly.

"……"

"…Head of the Inner Palace?"

Fist tilted his head when Water did not respond to his question.

"…Ah."

Water, who had been deep in thought, finally returned to his usual expression and looked up.

He then began to discuss Koire's future.

"Although she seems unaware, she has the potential to be a Demon Exorcist. She might be a valuable asset, even if it was by chance."

"She could be lying. Moreover, her background is unknown."

"…Yes, that's true. Of course, we cannot trust everything she says."

We will observe her for now.

Water said.

"Let's have her work with Bakurai and see how she performs."

"Bakurai… that troublemaker?"

"If she accompanies him on his night patrols, we might get a better idea of her capabilities."

◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆

—The next morning.

In the harem, the decision regarding Koire and the status of Empress Moonlight was announced.

It was stated that Empress Moonlight had fallen ill and would return to her hometown, Leigou Province, for recovery.

The truth was that she had used a demon's power to charm the Emperor and likely planned to take over the country, but it was deemed too serious to handle openly.

Thus, it was handled internally and quietly.

In other words, Empress Moonlight was effectively exiled and would never return.

As for Koire—

"…Phew."

Koire was currently walking down the harem's corridor, carrying cleaning tools.

This morning, she was informed of her fate.

Normally, striking one of the Emperor's consorts, especially his favorite, would warrant execution.

However, as mentioned, the truth of the matter, including the witnesses' accounts, was forbidden from being disclosed.

In the harem, it was rumored that a new palace lady had somehow offended Empress Moonlight.

As a result, Koire was demoted from a palace lady to a servant but was spared.

The civil servant who delivered the news said it was due to the Head of the Inner Palace's merciful judgment.

(…He seemed like a cold and ruthless person, but did he really show mercy?)

As Koire was thinking this, she saw palace ladies approaching from the end of the corridor.

She moved to the side and bowed.

"Oh? This girl…"

The palace ladies, upon seeing Koire, recognized her and began to giggle.

"The 'Chore Princess' who offended Empress Moonlight and was demoted on her first day."

"What a fool, to become a palace lady and then fall to a servant. No one will pay attention to you now."

"Maybe the cats and rats in the garbage dump will be your only companions."

They mocked her as they passed by.

"……"

Koire raised her head and continued down the corridor.

They were right.

A servant was the lowest rank among the women in the harem.

She was a lowly worker, ignored by the Emperor and the men serving in the court.

It was understandable that she would be looked down upon.

However, Koire was not depressed.

"Phew, what a relief!"

Once she was alone, Koire called out with a bright face.

After just one day, Koire had already decided that being a palace lady was not for her.

Dealing with people's moods, being considerate, boosting men's egos, and entertaining them—none of it suited her.

She had also heard that once you entered the harem, it was not easy to leave.

This change in position was a great relief.

As a servant, she could do what she liked without worrying about others.

Koire was actually very happy.