A Blend of Romance and Fantasy - Chapter 84

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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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84.
Yesterday, after conferring with Leonard about what lay ahead, I surrendered to deep slumber.
Before departing for Blackwood, I resolved to complete the tasks that remained undone.
“You’re truly going?”
“How many times must you ask? Besides, I’ve already obtained the Emperor’s permission.”
I was now making my way to the Styx River, where the Imperial Palace confined its prisoners, with Ignis perched upon my shoulder.
To meet Josephine’s Son.
Though Ignis disapproved, he willingly accompanied me when I asked, insisting he would guard my back.
“Why go at all? I warn you plainly—you won’t like what you see.”
“I’m aware. I heard they tortured him to discover my whereabouts.”
Yet I had witnessed countless corpses and severed limbs. Fear held no dominion over me.
I let Ignis’s complaints flow through one ear and out the other as I followed the knights to our destination.
“Here, Your Highness.”
“Be cautious.”
Behind the iron bars crisscrossing the cell, a man drenched in blood came into view.
In that instant, Emperor Yukal’s smiling face as he granted me permission flashed through my mind.
-By the way, it was Leonard who ordered the torture. Of course, someone else carried it out, but what’s the difference?
Emperor Yukal. If he’d expected me to fear Leonard upon hearing those words, he was sorely mistaken.
‘Does he still not understand me?’
It was I who had thrown a tantrum before Leonard, insisting on visiting this man.
I clicked my tongue softly, then approached the iron bars. Of course, I had already erected a barrier using a magical artifact.
At the sound of my footsteps, he lifted his head.
“He’s conscious, it seems.”
“…The Sixth Prince’s Wife?”
“Indeed. Youngsik attempted to kill me, did he not? I’ve come to correct certain facts you believe and ask you several questions.”
I dismissed the knights clinging to my back, then spoke quietly enough for only him to hear.
“First, I did not kill Josephine. The Empress did, and she framed me for it.”
“Nonsense! I have all the evidence!”
Youngsik shrieked with vicious conviction.
“Do I appear so foolish that I would kill the Sixth Prince’s Wife based solely on the Empress’s word? I investigated the location where my mother was murdered myself and verified her corpse! Every trace bore the holy power of Sincester, of the White Owls!”
Ah, so that’s how he identified me.
“Let me ask something fundamental. When I came to Blake, I brought no White Owls with me. How, then, did you discern that the power was theirs?”
“I know the sacred incantations used only by the White Owls. I discovered the residual traces of the spell used with a holy artifact that detects them!!”
“Which incantation? Which holy artifact? And who taught you of these?”
“That is…”
He faltered at my relentless questioning.
“The sacred incantations of the White Owls are known only to them and the Sincester Royal Family. If whoever informed Youngsik were of Sincester’s royal blood, it would carry credibility—but aside from myself and my Brother, there are no other royals.”
Collateral branches exist, but they cannot command the White Owls.
Moreover, a holy artifact that could detect sacred power used long ago? That’s hardly like some luminescent solution.
If such a fraudulent artifact existed, word of it would have spread far and wide.
“Someone has certainly lied to you.”
“That, that can’t be! I learned about it through a commission with Hades!”
“Hades is a broker of shadows’ intelligence… I’m rather curious how you came to trust them. Youngsik knows nothing of holy power, does he?”
“!?”
“Moreover, it must have been difficult to find them—the Empress told you where to look, didn’t she?”
Watching him flinch in surprise, I exhaled softly.
I explained the circumstances of selecting the maidservant, why I hadn’t selected Josephine, that there was no reason to kill her—and conversely, that the Empress had every reason to do so.
When I finished speaking, Youngsik looked as though his soul had departed his body.
“Kindness without reason does not exist. Why would the Empress have helped Youngsik?”
“….”
“You nearly committed regicide against the imperial family. I cannot spare your life. But I will prevent the destruction of your house.”
There was nothing more to say.
Just as I was about to leave without hesitation, he suddenly cried out.
“Do you truly mean the Empress killed my mother?”
“Yes. Is there anything else you wish to say?”
He closed his eyes as if deep in thought for a moment, then spoke.
“Your Highness, the Prince’s Consort—please heal me.”
“….”
What was he saying? And suddenly speaking so formally.
Bewildered and frozen, he gritted his teeth and continued.
“I’ve heard rumors are spreading. You must want to find the schemer—wouldn’t you need Hades for that?”
“That’s absurd. How could I possibly trust you?”
“I will pay the price for my sins. If there is a 【Blood Oath】 in holy power, then in magic there is the 【Twilight Promise】, is there not? Cast that upon me.”
The Twilight Promise was a form of death magic that granted a set duration of life—one would live only for that span of time.
In other words, even if he fled, he would eventually die. Moreover, if he ventured beyond a certain distance from the one who cast the spell, death was absolute.
As I hesitated, his eyes gleamed coldly.
“I would rather die. But I must go to Hades and learn whether the Empress truly killed my mother.”
* * *
After returning from the Styx River, I immediately informed Leonard of the conversation I’d had with Josephine’s Son.
Leonard, like me, frowned in disapproval.
“Nonsense. I have a general understanding of the Hades information broker through the original work. I will find them through Alex.”
“I agree.”
Yet I remained troubled by the spreading rumors, and his words felt like an opportunity sent by divine providence.
‘As the Empress said, this matter must be resolved quickly.’
Just as I was about to summon Alex and attend to other duties—
“Your Highness, Your Highness. Cedric Myers requests an audience.”
Thetis’s flustered voice came from beyond the door.
Perhaps it was fortunate. It would be better to meet him with Leonard at my side than alone.
“Leonard, would you stay with me? I think it would be better in the current situation if the three of us spoke together.”
It had been such a long time since I’d seen Cedric.
I had worried whether he might be suffering difficulties due to the rumors circulating through society, but he showed no sign of such distress.
“Cedric. Good morning.”
“Your Highness. And Sixth Prince. Good morning.”
“Duke Myers. What brings you here?”
Leonard’s question was direct and to the point.
“I came to inform you that I am enlisting in the Holy Knights Order of the Empire.”
“What?”
At this unexpected news, my eyes widened in shock. Leonard’s brow furrowed ever so slightly as well.
“Surely this isn’t because of the rumors linking us together? If that’s the case, please wait just a little longer. I’ll clear up the misunderstanding soon!”
“That’s correct.”
Leonard spoke up immediately.
“Moreover, you’re referring to the Blake Holy Knights Order, aren’t you? Do you understand what that means?”
The people of the Blake Empire lack sacred power.
Because of this, the Blake Holy Knights Order consisted only of half-bloods or foreigners who had changed their nationality, and it was treated poorly.
Furthermore, the word “enlist” also meant starting from the very bottom ranks.
“A duke of one kingdom joining the Holy Knights Order of another nation? Wouldn’t it be better to simply return to Sincester?”
“I cannot return to Sincester. I must escort Her Highness back to Sincester.”
Cedric turned his gaze directly toward me.
“Your Highness. It is not merely because of the rumors. Demian is a dark mage, so there must be information obtainable only from the Blake Holy Knights Order. I wish to gather that information and present it to you. After all, you will be going to Blackwood soon.”
“….”
“Therefore, I ask that you permit me to leave your side for a time.”
I still hesitated. After all, wasn’t the root cause of this my doing?
“Cedric, wouldn’t it be better to simply depart for Sincester as Leonard suggests? To be honest, I feel sorry that the Duke is suffering humiliation because of me.”
“You need not think that way. And I will remain here as long as you are here. You know well the reason why.”
Cedric fixed his gaze upon Leonard as he spoke.
“Because I must prepare the path for Your Highness to return home.”
“….”
Leonard’s brow lifted slightly.
Soon, a quiet silence settled over the three of us in the room.
“You speak the truth.”

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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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