Bloodline is a Cheat Code - Chapter 25
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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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Chapter 25
He brought up Aden’s name with such natural ease.
From this moment on, I needed to keep my guard up completely. There was no telling where information might leak from or what would be said.
“You must have enjoyed yourself.”
“The kingdom that is the Empress’s homeland has a very ancient crystal mine.”
“When you say crystal, do you mean magical stones?”
This was putting Hailey Genevre’s position in a precarious spot.
Of course, if Lucian Advein decided not to keep her in the same boat, there was nothing I could say about it.
The moment magical stones were mentioned, Jade Delpoi, who had been standing behind me, should have thought of his fiancée, yet he maintained an expressionless face and quietly remained at my side.
“Ah, magical stones.”
The instant I saw Lucian Advein nod as if he understood, I realized it.
A wrong answer.
“I’ve heard that the pure power crystals possess makes the application of magic far more convenient. It’s said to help those inexperienced in magic with their studies.”
“The young lady has quite an interest in magic?”
“Rather than magic itself, I’m interested in the power the Magic Tower possesses.”
When I answered so candidly without any attempt to hide my true thoughts, he laughed aloud.
It’s Serpina Rosena who’s interested in the Magic Tower.
Honestly, seeing her face light up more than expected when she returned and spoke of comparing her memories with what she’d learned there troubled me.
I wanted to tell her that I’m fine now, so go find what you want to do.
But Serpina Rosena would never leave my side until I was truly safe and until I achieved my purpose.
I needed to move even more urgently.
Live past nineteen, make Lucian Advein the Emperor, ensure Rosena doesn’t face annihilation, prevent the Empire’s collapse, avoid war with the Holy Kingdom, stop the plague from spreading…
Ah, I’m exhausted.
I’m just on my first life with no special abilities—why do I have so much to do?
“Crystals perform excellently as magical stones as well, but they use them differently there. Since Vincent Crown Prince has forbidden their use as magical stones, within the Empire they’re only used as chandelier decorations.”
Even though Vincent Crown Prince was mentioned so openly, Elian remained expressionless and composed beside me—it felt like having a conversation among statues with no expressions.
Though I must say, it was unexpected. I didn’t think he’d appear with Jade Delpoi in tow when discussing such a sensitive matter.
If his judgment is sound, I should trust it as well.
Besides, Lucian Advein has never once objected to me bringing Elian to important conversations, so I have nothing to say about it.
“So how do they use it in the Holy Kingdom?”
“Sacred relics.”
“Sacred relics?”
Sacred relics are magical artifacts imbued with special power, aren’t they? Objects infused with magic to manifest wondrous abilities.
Sacred relics themselves had long since faded as magical science advanced.
If you showed people from the past the various magical artifacts used today, they might fall backward in shock at how carelessly such precious sacred relics were handled.
But the Holy Kingdom couldn’t be so far behind in magical science. In fact, at some point they must have surpassed the Empire.
‘Magic and holy power are in conflict. But they are not incompatible.’
This was thanks to King Melicia’s bold policy based on this thinking. Both were great powers bestowed by heaven, and rejecting one would ultimately lead to mutual destruction.
There was also an underlying purpose to mock the Empire, which subtly disdained both.
“I understand what kind of sacred relics the young lady is thinking of, but what the Holy Kingdom refers to is something different. It’s a great invention that harmonizes conflicting forces.”
Conflicting forces.
He smiled softly, as if he’d noticed my eyes shift in an instant.
A third force blending magic and holy power, condensed within a crystal. It meant the Holy Kingdom had succeeded at what I’d deemed impossible.
“Crystals are inherently pure. Those from the Holy Kingdom grow even purer, nourished by the region’s holy power. Using that, one can deceive others’ eyes for an extraordinarily long time without harming the human body.”
“For instance, one could change eye color, alter hair color, and so forth.”
“A perceptive observation.”
Detailed explanations couldn’t be disclosed within The Empire.
Lucian Advein smiled faintly. He wore various ornaments on his clothing wherever he went.
So densely packed that I couldn’t distinguish which were crystals. Perhaps worn in unseen places… wait, don’t imagine that. Flotie Rosena.
“But one couldn’t obtain such precious holy relics from the Holy Kingdom while in The Empire, could they?”
“Then perhaps one would need to be family to acquire them.”
He’d driven the nail home. And the meaning was unmistakable. Right now, Lucian Advein needed Aden.
And he was staying in the Holy Kingdom. Since I couldn’t move directly, I’d need to employ someone.
Lucian Advein turned to look at Jade Delpoi.
“You’re at Sword Expert rank now, aren’t you? Do you think you could reach Master?”
“I’m striving toward it. My apologies.”
“I’m not reproaching you. From what I can see, you’ll reach that level soon enough. Once you’re on the cusp, you’ll need a new sword.”
“Ah, this blade is sufficient even now…”
“True, it’s become sufficiently necessary now. Fortunately, Sword Masters can use swords forged in the Holy Kingdom with certain restrictions, so that works out well.”
Jade Delpoi’s face went blank in an instant.
Lucian Advein spoke tenderly, as if he were the most magnanimous lord in existence.
“Don’t worry. I’ll cover all the expenses.”
“…I’m grateful for Your Highness’s generosity.”
A man of exceptional ability but lacking in perception… He would soon set off for the Holy Kingdom and spend considerable effort searching for the Second Prince.
Probably alone.
Elian seemed to have grasped the situation as well, but showed no sympathy whatsoever—merely dropping a sugar cube into my teacup.
Only the one who would suffer directly still hadn’t caught on.
Poor thing.
But what could I do? He was the master you chose, after all.
Lucian Advein looked at me with the same expression. Ah, now it’s my turn…
Come at me. I’m ready.
* * *
“Minabell, I’m not ready.”
“You can do this. Tiae.”
“No, I can’t.”
“Yes, you can. You’ve handled major social events well before. You even went to auctions without me. This time I’m with you, and we have Lady Hailey here too!”
“Please, just call me Hailey.”
The moment Minabell pulled, my body went limp like a paper doll despite my grip on the Mansion’s staircase railing. I fluttered down helplessly.
Damn it, starting tomorrow I’m really exercising. No matter what, I’m building up my stamina.
“Bell, were you just trying to throw Tiae down the stairs?”
And from the top of the stairs came a voice as cold as ice.
Serpina Rosena stood rigid, looking down at us with an expression carved from stone. Minabell, who had straightened me up as though I’d been burned, frantically waved both hands.
“No, no, no, no, no! Please spare me! Please spare me!”
“I never said I would kill you.”
“It’s not that, Serpina. I was refusing to go, and Minabell was trying to stop me—that’s all. I just don’t have the strength in my arms to resist her.”
Serpina finally seemed to grasp the situation and let out a sigh.
“Tiae, you can’t be stubborn about something we’ve already agreed upon.”
I had believed Serpina would take my side, at least.
With my last hope shattered, I lost all will to resist. There was nothing left but to go.
A few days after Flotie Rosena and Lucian Advein had gone to the Prince’s Palace, I heard yet another rumor added to the whispers about their relationship.
It seemed word had inevitably spread that Rosena had played a role in House Faneshula’s downfall.
Since these people rarely ventured outside, the moment any pretext arose, they descended upon it like vultures, eager to seize and amplify every morsel.
‘I tried my best to keep your names from being mentioned, but it seems someone saw you both on the Terrace.’
‘It was always going to be discovered by someone eventually. We were prepared for that possibility when we went.’
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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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