That really scare the crap out of me! I thought she was asleep, but for her to instantly wake up all of the sudden, and not to mention quickly noticing me, that sincerely scare the crap out of me, enough to give me a heart attack for real

NO! MORE IMPORTANTLY

"Slee..." [Ash]

I should just use a sleeping spell and put her back to sleep. If it didn't work... let not just think of it, she might be my target and what I am about to do can be considered as a dirty work, but hitting an old gray hair lady about the same age as Gizzere is a big no (well, if she is a true asshole, maybe a little, but no)

"Listen to me first!" [Kiserre Queen]

"!" [Ash]

Now this is new. This give me a flashback during my second meeting with Diana. The queen royal aura is sincerely better than Diana, so much that I flinched for a second and abide to her order. Well, Diana is a princess and she's young so I guess it's a bit of unfair to compare the two of them

"Good, and don't worry... I won't call anyone" [Kiserre Queen]

"?" [Ash]

Is this a trap? But, I can't feel any sort of bad intention coming from her. Maybe because she's use to trick someone, so much so that someone like me who is still wet behind the ear could not notice it

"You're probably here because Khamishah ask you, isn't it?" [Kiserre Queen]

"Yes" [Ash]

"Sigh... that girl" [Kiserre Queen]

A positive sigh, as she still able to smile despite her condition. Guess the two of them really are close, and if that really is the case

"Then can I ask what's happening behind the scenes, here in Kiserre?" [Ash]

I'll be straight. She might trick me, or she might not even trust me to tell all the truth, but I don't think any of that could happen. Maybe I'm too naive here, but should worse come to worse, I could just use memory dive spell, not caring about the sever side effects of it

"First thing first, how about you introduce yourself young man. We do have enough time l, until the morning sunshine where they will put another curse onto me" [Kiserre Queen]

"So, what Saint Louis speculate was true then..." [Ash]

"I think he did notice it during that time, but given the circumstances, I don't think he could do that much" [Kiserre Queen]

True, someone like him should be able to notice it in an instant, and even if he removes it and put a spell to prevent any other curse, they will simply use other methods to silence her.

Oh, almost forgot

"I'm Ash, a traveler, but people nowadays refer me as The Behemoth Slayer" [Ash]

"Giving your identity straight away, what a strange move, but I appreciate it" [Kiserre Queen]

"Well, I get this feeling that I could trust you, but indeed, it is a naive move on my part, Your Highness, Queen Rinz" [Ash]

Well, since we are now operating with trust, I don't think I should hide it. A risky move from my side, but she should know that I can silence her anytime (eventhough I don't think I will do it, and let us pray it will not happen)

"So, regarding your question. I couldn't tell what exactly are they planning, but, I do know those who are involved" [Queen Rinz]

"That's more than enough. We can figure it out later" [Ash]

"There are three main parties that are involved in this project of them, my son with few nobles, the church lead by the head priest here, and the two fallen prince of the Demon Kingdom" [Queen Rinz]

"What a strange combination" [Ash]

"Indeed it is, but given their goals, or at least one of their goals, I don't think it is that strange" [Queen Rinz]

That's the Queen for you.

"And that is?" [Ash]

"To create an army, for war purpose" [Queen Rinz]

"With Estel?" [Ash]

~Nod~

This, this is more serious than I thought. And wait, did Diana and her father predicted this? Maybe, maybe not, but more importantly

"So, they will use the slaves here and force them to fight?" [Ash]

"No, someone from the church, can turn them into a monster, and could control them" [Queen Rinz]

"That's like... Agnes!" [Ash]

"You know her?" [Queen Rinz]

"I do" [Ash]

I tell her about my encounter with Agnes back at Malsia, as well as the fact that she's someone with the fallen god blessing, and can transform a person into a monster 

"I see" [Queen Rinz]

She might look calm, but I can tell that she is surprise to hear it

"If that's the case, then, why did the church coorperate with her?" [Queen Rinz]

"Sorry, but even I don't have any idea" [Ash]

Honesty is the best policy here, so let just say that

"..." [Queen Rinz]

"Your highness?" [Ash]

"Ash, can you help me?" [Queen Rinz]

"Put a stop on their plan?" [Ash]

"That, and infiltrate, no, attack the castle" [Queen Rinz]

"I'm sorry, but can you please repeat it, your highness" [Ash]

"You didn't heard that wrongly, since the slaves and all the people getting kidnapped are placed inside the castle, at the royal prison" [Queen Rinz]

"I see... but it's still suicidal" [Ash]

"Don't worry, I can deactivate the fortress defense magic for all of you" [Queen Rinz]

"You can? To tell you the truth, it is well made that it actually cause some inconvenience to me, so the only way you can deactivate all of it is by... No way..." [Ash]

"So, can we discuss this further?" [Queen Rinz]

"Hmm!" [Ash]

And so the two of us put on our thinking cap and start to brainstorm together on what to do. It's still suicidal, but given that Saint Louis, The Saga and me myself are all here, a quick surprise attack should do the trick. The Queen can also provide support through the fortress defense magic.

As I updated the layout of the castle (as to include the royal prison location), something crossed my mind

"Aren't you over trusting me?" [Ash]

"Well, she do ask you to meet me, isn't it" [Queen Rinz]

"But I could just bluff back then" [Ash]

"You still have a lot to learn if you still haven't notice the mana signature that she woven into your clothes" [Queen Rinz]

"!" [Ash]

What the, now that she mentioned it, there's some trace of mana in a form of thread, and it is Khamishah's mana! When, and how did she do it? 

"She is The Saga after all" [Queen Rinz]

~Gulp~

I might be blessed by Goddess Achalasia, but if the two of us were to fight, I'll lean more on her winning the fight, and considering how I didn't even notice it uptill now, the chances of me winning goes even down, but on another note

(Guess that mean I have a strong ally backing me up) [Ash]

That's a relief

P/s Merry Christmas to all of you that's celebrating