A Blend of Romance and Fantasy - Chapter 69

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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69.
“1st Prince… why are you here?”
“Is it somehow improper for an older brother to visit his younger brother’s wife after he’s married?”
“That would require the premise that you actually regard your younger brother as a brother.”
My sharp words struck home—Demian, who had been standing at the threshold, exhaled a short sigh.
“If you won’t even let me inside the room, that will be far more troublesome for you. Aren’t you curious about the gift I gave you? I heard Leonard has hidden it away and refuses to show it to you.”
“…!”
So the rumors had spread.
Well, it was inevitable—he’d seen me throw it into my office in front of the messenger.
It had been utterly rude, so I watched his reaction carefully. A faint smile played across his lips.
“Will you let me in now?”
“…I don’t particularly wish to converse, but as a Princess, I’d rather not commit further discourtesy. Please, come in.”
“Not as the Sixth Prince’s Wife?”
“Let me correct that. As Leonard’s consort.”
His perception was unnervingly sharp. I bit my lip and led him to the Reception Room.
Tea was placed before us both, and we maintained a brief silence.
“The gift I gave you is armor forged from Ragnarok’s scales, Io.”
“What?!”
“I had hoped you would ask where those scales came from, but I didn’t expect Leonard to intercept it.”
Ragnarok.
The contents of the books I’d seen in the Library came flooding back.
Everything about that dragon was not legend. It was historical fact, recorded in the annals of history.
Remarkably, it was Ragnarok itself that had cost Emperor Yukal his power.
About ten years ago, Ragnarok suddenly appeared in Blake.
At that time, Yukal, still wielding considerable authority, had attempted to slay the dragon to restore the Emperor’s prestige.
But the dragon was far too powerful.
Though the Imperial Army and the Nobility Knight Order worked together to rupture one of its hearts, they ultimately failed to kill it.
Thus Yukal lost both the Knights’ Order and his power, and his mind shattered as well.
That was the Ragnarok Incident.
So it was recorded in the history book I’d read at the Library.
‘And in the setting compendium for 【Habuldal】 that Leonard gave me, it was written like this.’
「 In LD 155, it met its first death, and was destined to meet its complete death at the hands of the protagonist James. 」
‘Wait, hold on.’
First death meant the rupturing of one heart.
But the Ragnarok Incident was recorded as occurring in year 152, three years ago—not year 155 from the setting compendium.
‘What’s going on here?’
Plagued by doubt at this collision between the original work and recorded history, I gazed at Demian.
Those eyes, deeper than the abyss, fixed upon me with heavy intensity.
‘No, setting aside the discrepancy between the original and history for now—what matters more is why Demian is bringing up Ragnarok.’
I tensed, but maintained an expression of composure.
“You must have gone through considerable trouble preparing. Finding dragon scales alone is difficult enough, but Ragnarok? Isn’t that the monster that ravaged Blake?”
“That is how the historical records document it.”
The phrase “as the historical records document it” suggested that Demian, too, knew hidden truths beyond what was written.
How unsettling.
But I wasn’t foolish enough to reveal my emotions to a political rival.
“I’m not sure what you’re implying, but if you’re going to say strange things, would you mind leaving? As you well know, my husband despises the 1st Prince—or rather, you!”
“…Thanatos.”
“….”
“You’ve heard of it.”
The moment that word—one I had desperately hoped never to hear from him—escaped his lips, I couldn’t help but sigh.
“I’m sorry, but I already know about Thanatos. If you’re trying to drive a wedge between us, you can leave, wipe your feet, and go to sleep.”
“Don’t you wonder why Leonard hasn’t revealed the full truth to you?”
“….”
With each word he spoke, my hands—resting on my lap—clenched tighter.
“Yes, I’m curious. But I certainly don’t want to hear it from you, of all people—my political rival.”
“….”
“I don’t think you’re the type to sow discord, so what is your real purpose here?”
Demian’s eyes widened briefly, but he soon reached for the teacup before him.
“I told you. It’s because of the gift I gave you.”
“And? Should I return it to you?”
“That wouldn’t be wise. It’s armor crafted from Ragnarok scales—possessing formidable magical power. For one who wields holy power, it would be an extremely potent poison.”
“…!”
There seemed to be mockery hidden in his deliberately vague words.
Though he certainly wasn’t smiling.
From the moment I met Demian until now, I had never once seen him smile.
He should have been capable of sneering or scoffing, yet he remained as emotionless as a corpse.
“…I don’t understand what you’re saying. Since I possess no holy power, wearing it poses no problem. But surely there’s no occasion for me to don armor, is there?”
“Were you unaware? A hunting festival will soon commence in Redford, Prince Chris’s territory. All members of the imperial family participate in the hunting festival.”
“…!”
“And naturally, the valiant women of Blake don don inner armor to capture the greatest prey. That’s why I gifted you the inner armor.”
I nearly contorted my face in displeasure but barely managed to restrain myself.
“How very kind of you. It seems all the women at this hunting festival will present their catches to you and court your favor.”
“….”
“But what can I do? I cannot participate in the hunting festival. I must help Benjamin Prince and the Princesses prepare for their exile.”
“Is that so?”
Demian rose from his seat with deliberate slowness. His teacup was already empty.
“It would be better to avoid it if you can.”
“…Pardon?”
“Though things may not unfold as you wish.”
I stood up as well, my displeasure mounting, when—
“And dragons have a habit of searching for their own traces. Just as Ignis finds you whenever and wherever. So as long as you possess that armor, it would be wise to be cautious of Ragnarok. Even if Leonard burst the second heart, he couldn’t burst the third one.”
What? What did you just say?
Leonard… burst the second heart?
* * *
Information overload.
If I had been reading this web novel, I wouldn’t have made it past chapter thirty before dropping it.
Ordinarily, exhausted office workers find it difficult to read worlds with complex settings.
“That’s why I’d been reading almost exclusively regret stories with fantasy elements stripped away.”
But no—now I had to survive in this barren fantasy world.
I picked up my quill with grim determination.
【Information Obtained from Conversation with Demian】
-Ragnarok’s scale armor is imbued with magical power; it’s not good for those with holy power to wear it.
-Ragnarok is still alive and will pursue the traces.
-Ragnarok’s first and second hearts have burst, leaving only the third remaining (really? The historical records say only the first burst).
-Leonard burst Ragnarok’s second heart (really??)
-A hunting festival will soon be held in Redford, the territory of Prince Chris.
“…This is no joke of an event.”
What exactly was this dragon Ragnarok that it had to entangle my peaceful life?
I wasn’t the type to enjoy suspenseful twists.
“Fine, I’ll ask Leonard everything.”
Directly, from beginning to end.
* * *
I reviewed the setting compendium for 【Rofan】 once more from start to finish, then wrapped up my affairs in Silverstone.
I sent word to Brother and Aurora in Sincester that they should handle everything themselves, and to please just take care of their own health—which put my mind at ease considerably.
Afterward, I sent my attendant to search for Leonard, but I missed him at hourly intervals.
Perhaps he was frantically busy. In the end, Leonard didn’t even show up for dinner with me.
“As expected, Rofan is all fantasy, pure fantasy.”
“What are you talking about?”
When I grumbled that I was lonely, Ignis, who had transformed into human form for me, glanced over.
He was already on his tenth bowl of beef stew.
“No, in novels the male lead is always dancing with the female lead, going downtown, eating meals together. But I’m not like that.”
“Nonsense! If you’re the female lead, then I’m the Emperor in that story!”
“What’s wrong with me? Outstanding appearance, outstanding abilities, outstanding personality.”
“….”
Ignis dropped his spoon with a clatter.
“No, surely not all human women are like that….”
“What did you say?”
“Nothing.”
“Anyway, where exactly did Leonard go? He could at least tell me where he’s going.”
“Hmm.”
This time, Ignis, who had pulled the steak plate toward himself, tilted his head in puzzlement.
“Could it be a fissure?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com

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