The Royal Deal

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“I have had so much on my schedule lately that I don’t have the chance.” It was a plausible explanation, but Celios decided to go straight for the attack so that she didn’t have time to think of any further possible excuses.

“I see.
A problem has occurred.
It seems that a God’s Guardian has lost its path.”

“Lost its path?” Belice wasn’t sure what Celios was referring too.

“Yes.
A God’s Guardian that was scheduled to come to the Grand Temple never arrived.”

“That certainly is odd, but I don’t see how I can help.” Belice’s face was rock solid, not giving away any reaction except for a slight displeasure at having her precious time being wasted.
God’s Guardians were being maintained by the Grand Temple, not by the palace.
There was no reason for Celios to be enquiring about the missing body here.
She had no idea what this was about until Celios spoke again.

“How strange that this happened just after you stopped going to the Tower of Silence.
To be precise, it was on the tenth day of the fifth month.” Celios said, closely examining the Empress’ face for any reaction.

Unfortunately, her composure was unwavering as she spoke again.
“That is very interesting, but I’m afraid I don’t know anything about this.
Why don’t you stop speaking in code and tell me what is really on your mind?

“Your Majesty, I don’t believe what I say is code at all.
If Your Majesty, by any chance, used magic to lead a God’s Guardian….”

“Celios.” Belice cut him off as a warning.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I would suggest that you abandon this line of thought immediately.” The Empress still did not show any sign of guilt.
She was simply providing a warning for Celios to not say anything that would be considered blasphemy.

“But the two events occurred simultaneously.
They could not have been a coincidence, so that’s why I was informing you.”

“Why could they not have been a coincidence?” The Empress certainly wasn’t going to show her hand easily.

“Did you know that the number of fallen leaves from the World Tree is the same as the number of God’s Guardians that come to the Grand Temple every day?” Celios asked.

Belice stared at him, unblinking.
“So?” she calmly answered.

“There has only been one day that it was different.
That day was the day you last went to the Tower of Silence.” Still not a single reaction from Belice.
Celios was starting to become frustrated.

“So, what you are trying to accuse me of is that I used magic to take away a God’s Guardian?”

“Yes.
The Tower of Silence is only accessible by you.
No one knows what you do in there.
And after you made a habit to visit the building daily, to suddenly stop going.
To anyone, that would look suspicious.”

“So, if you’re saying that I used magic, what is your evidence?” The Empress was challenging him now

“As I mentioned to you earlier, we have the World Tree.” Celios smiled.
This might just work.