Bloodline is a Cheat Code - 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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Chapter 69
Before I could stop myself, the words came out sharp and cutting.
Who would dare place such a curse upon the Imperial Prince, one that demanded his very life?
“…Your Highness, could it be that this man Lai is somehow connected to dark magic?”
“Hmm, quite a perceptive question right from the start. Well, I’ve never actually witnessed it myself. By the time I was old enough to understand such matters, most of the situation had already concluded. The curse on my body has been with me since birth.”
“Since birth?”
A piece of the puzzle suddenly clicked into place in my mind.
Every woman who married the Emperor and bore his child died prematurely for reasons unknown. And their bodies were desecrated in grotesque ways—rotting, blackening—as if they had fallen victim to some unspeakable curse.
As if they had been cursed indeed.
And if he had carried the curse from birth, it meant someone had committed such a heinous act the moment the Empress became pregnant with the Prince.
Lai’s face flickered through my thoughts.
But why? If his ambitions truly lay with the throne, his behavior toward Vincent was far too disrespectful.
If he intended to set Vincent up as a figurehead emperor and manipulate him to satisfy his own desires, he would have done everything in his power to obstruct Lucian’s path—yet I saw no sign of such interference.
At most, he merely looked down upon Serpina and me, carrying himself as though he occupied some higher plane and possessed knowledge we could never comprehend.
“Flotie.”
“Yes, Lucian?”
“How much do you know about dark magic?”
“Well, my parents fell victim to dark magic once, which caused them to mistakenly believe Serpina was adopted rather than their biological daughter. That’s about the extent of my knowledge.”
I had experienced it, but I didn’t understand the principles behind it.
The mention of my parents seemed unexpected, and Lucian fell silent for a moment before letting out a small, awkward cough.
It was ancient history as far as I was concerned, so it didn’t bother me. Serpina wouldn’t be affected by it either.
Wanting to dispel the awkwardness that had settled over us, I racked my brain for other knowledge to share.
“I also know that holy power is the strongest force that can oppose dark magic.”
Lucian nodded slowly, seizing the opportunity to change the subject. He glanced around this place brimming with holy power before continuing.
“Then why did the Empire reject such precious holy power?”
Perhaps because your father slaughtered everyone? Did he want to hear me voice such blasphemy against the Imperial Household right before his eyes?
I couldn’t possibly speak such words of disrespect toward the Imperial Household in front of the Prince.
As I stood there, caught between options and wearing an awkward expression, he burst into laughter.
So he had posed that thorny question merely to tease me after all. I thought I had come to understand Lucian somewhat, but it seemed I still had much to learn.
“Your Highness, please refrain from asking such difficult questions. Am I not soon to become your wife? Or do you intend to keep the engagement and then break it off?”
“Breaking off the engagement? You mustn’t say such disheartening things.”
“Then treat me with a bit more kindness.”
“But you were the one who first brought up the matter of Duke Rosena falling victim to dark magic, catching me off guard.”
That’s only because I answered the question you asked me. I shook my head, keeping my retort to myself.
He smoothly transitioned to asking what other knowledge of magic I possessed, shifting the topic. He must have realized that continuing further would put him at a disadvantage in terms of argument.
I had never managed to win against him in a battle of words, yet Lucian always sighed and wondered aloud, “When will I finally be able to best you?” whenever we spoke.
“Fundamentally, the magic handled by the Magic Tower is neither dark nor light—it’s closer to science. There are clear principles, and we create new magic by gradually modifying those principles. But the moment you go against that foundation, you cross the forbidden boundary between the material and elemental realms, causing grave problems.”
Though I couldn’t actually cast magic, I was confident in the theoretical aspects.
Throughout my painful childhood, reading was the only thing I could do while confined to bed.
Lucian nodded and continued speaking.
“Yes, black magic is forbidden precisely because it goes against those fundamental principles. In a sense, what the Young Duke did by reversing time also falls under the category of black magic.”
“I see.”
“I have no intention of holding the Young Duke’s actions against him now, so don’t worry. What I mean is that using black magic by breaking those principles isn’t inherently wrong.”
I had heard this argument before.
Many people misunderstand because of the connotation the word “black magic” carries, but black magic itself isn’t inherently evil.
Generally, those who use black magic—such as creating curses that kill people by reversing healing magic—commit crimes, and because this became a social controversy, the perception that black magic is evil became deeply rooted.
Of course, the regression magic that Serpina used is something that should never be done regardless of right or wrong, since it reverses time itself and distorts causality.
“Who made people perceive it as something so terrible?”
“Yes, that’s precisely the problem I’m raising now. What would be the most representative example of something that gave black magic such a negative reputation?”
Lucian Advein looked at me with an ambiguous tone, as if posing a question.
The most representative example?
If I were to list examples of black magic being used maliciously, the number would be countless. Just by searching through historical records, I could find hundreds of cases.
There are so many instances of people being slaughtered indiscriminately with black magic that I could spend the entire night listing them. The varieties are too numerous to count on both hands and feet.
When I couldn’t answer hastily, Lucian Advein smiled softly.
“It’s not a problem I can answer directly for you. I think it would be good if you sought out those well-versed in magic and asked them. Ah, and I won’t be able to be by your side tomorrow.”
“Are you attending to personal matters?”
“Haeston, whom I didn’t even know had returned, is finally arriving.”
“Oh…”
“My, his presence is pitifully forgettable.”
Having been busy for several days, I truly hadn’t remembered whether he was here or not.
Haeston makes his presence so prominent when he’s nearby, yet why do I forget about him the moment he’s absent?
Suddenly, Serpina’s words came to mind. That Haeston would die sometime next year for some reason.
I should ask her about that reason once she’s more stable.
“What did you instruct him to investigate?”
“Well, it’s not entirely unrelated to what you asked me today. I instructed him to search whether there’s any way within the Holy Kingdom to break this curse that’s been placed on us. Aden is too naive and honest—if I ask him to find a way through more underhanded means, he becomes flustered.”
In other words, it seems you’ve instructed Haeston to search for ways to break the curse through underhanded means.
Does Haeston know what curse is placed on Lucian Advein?
Well, he probably deduced it the same way I did—through various hints.
Working under Lucian Advein requires far more perceptiveness than that.
I’d like to ask Haeston directly, but it doesn’t seem like I have the opportunity right now.
“Lucian Advein, I’d also like to help in finding a way to break the curse, so please let me know if there’s anything I can assist with.”
“…Yes. But now that I think about it, when you call someone by their name, it’s quite a powerful weapon, isn’t it?”
“Yes, and please don’t forget that you’ve been mercilessly wielding that weapon against me all this time. Thanks to you, I’ve become quite tattered.”
* * *
Recently, Serpina had been teaching Minabell basic magic.
After promising that once they returned to the Empire, Minabell could enter the Magic Tower immediately to study, she had apparently requested private lessons, saying she wanted to preview the material beforehand.
I thought she would refuse, but seeing her earnestly teach despite her busy schedule was somewhat surprising. When I asked why she felt like teaching, Serpina simply answered, “Because I’m grateful.”
It was clear that Minabell had made a significant contribution on the day Kalik was saved.
“Serpina, how do you know when a circle is formed? Usually people say things like 2nd circle, 3rd circle, right? I want to become an 8th circle mage too.”
“…Usually, once you reach the 8th circle, you can ascend to the position of Magic Tower Master. A position that will be remembered in history for a long time. For now, just achieving 2nd circle is already a tremendous achievement, so focus on that first.”
Serpina Rosena sighed as she watched Minabell, who had barely managed to conjure a spark no larger than a matchstick, dreaming of becoming an 8th Circle mage.
She noticed immediately that I had something to say, lingering awkwardly beside her, and approached me without hesitation, leaving Minabell behind.

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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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