Favored by the Family That Will Become the Strongest! - Chapter 64

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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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“Pardon?”
The Medical Official blinked, confusion written across his face. Ardin ignored him, clenching and unclenching his fist. Freedom. Clarity. The sensation was exquisite.
Even as a Low-Tier Ability User of the Royal Family, he’d used the Temple’s Side-Effect Suppressant before. But never had the Darkness been purged so cleanly, so thoroughly.
‘The Magic Tower’s Side-Effect Suppressant is remarkably superior…’
Just before losing consciousness, Ardin had heard Diena’s voice at his ear.
“You’ve paid the price of your own life. You must repay it. And if possible, repay it several times over.”
And the other words she’d spoken.
A truly fascinating woman. What else could she be hiding? He’d thought himself versed in the kingdom’s affairs, yet Diena remained wholly inscrutable. The mystery only deepened his curiosity.
‘I want to see her again. If we meet, what sort of person will she prove to be?’
A keen interest stirred within him. An ordinary man might have dismissed Diena for being a Non-Ability User, but Ardin understood that such a distinction was far from decisive—least of all with someone as singular as she was.
To draw her to his side would be invaluable. She could become a formidable asset, perhaps even a force of genuine consequence to him.
A debt of life, then, warranted repayment. With that thought, Ardin slowly rose.
4.
Among the empire’s nobility these days, the matter commanding the most fervent attention was the Magic Tower’s Side-Effect Suppressant.
Many nobles harbored grievance over how the Temple had long peddled its suppressant. So when an alternative appeared, their interest was inevitable.
The spark that ignited this fervor was the testimony of the First Prince, Ardin.
“It felt far better than the Temple’s version. The pain was nearly gone. I’d buy from the Magic Tower immediately if they began selling it.”
Wherever nobles gathered, this subject dominated their discourse.
“Has anyone here used the improved Magic Tower Side-Effect Suppressant?”
“I’m eager to try it myself, but I hear the supply is dreadfully limited. So few have actually tested it yet.”
“I do wish the Magic Tower would release larger quantities soon.”
Once that topic faded, they pivoted to the new Top-Tier Ability User.
“Ah, have you heard the news about Princess Bianca?”
“Yes, yes. She’s Awakened as a Top-Tier Ability User.”
“Perhaps that’s why the Northern Region nobles have been conspicuously absent from the banquets lately.”
“After how they’ve tormented her, they’re terrified of retaliation, surely.”
“Oh, and did you hear? Prince Castleton didn’t attend the Winter Banquet this year.”
“I heard his health was poor…”
“Isn’t it because he’s a Non-Ability User?”
“Hush—one mustn’t speak of such things so freely anymore.”
Bianca’s Awakening spawned a peculiar rumor among the nobility. Malacar. Barcan. Bianca herself.
Those once classified as Non-Ability Users had become Ability Users. The whisper spread: perhaps one could still Awaken past fourteen years of age after all.
And that news eventually reached House Rothwell.
* * *
The Grand Conference Hall of the Imperial Palace. The realm’s most illustrious nobles had assembled.
Cain attended as the designated heir of House Rothwell. Of late, his mood had been decidedly foul. The household’s atmosphere had grown unsettled.
Romie shrieked constantly about the humiliation she’d suffered at the Winter Banquet. And his mother, Edelin, had kept herself busy writing letter after letter to House Cardian, insisting they immediately summon that reckless Diena back to discipline her.
Though at this point, Diena hardly seemed the type to heed such pleas.
Yet Balthasar’s fury exceeded them all.
When rumors began circulating that the Magic Tower’s Side-Effect Suppressant might supplant the Temple’s, his recent carefully laid plans had begun to unravel.
‘It was nearly settled.’
Cain slowly turned his gaze. The Duke of Castleton sat in the conference hall, his face grim.
She had been ready to shake hands with Balthasar immediately in exchange for the Temple’s Side-Effect Suppressant, but the moment word reached her that the Magic Tower’s suppressant had been improved, her resolve crumbled.
[I believe I shall take somewhat more time to deliberate.]
When Balthasar received that letter, his expression had grown truly vicious. It left Cain scrambling to manage the fallout.
“Your Highness seems to be in better spirits than expected.”
At that moment, the Second Prince, Selian Lumines, who stood beside him, spoke in a low murmur.
“Is that so? How remarkable.”
Unable to contain his curiosity, Cain approached Ardin and offered his greetings.
“Your Highness Ardin, it has been quite some time. You’re looking well.”
“Do I? Hardly worth remarking upon. My face has always been excellent.”
One of the nobles present let out a hearty laugh and chimed in.
“Quite so, Your Highness Ardin’s beauty is ever striking.”
Cain couldn’t suppress a wry smile. Ardin grinned rakishly and shrugged.
“Ah, merely jesting. I understood well enough what you meant, Lord Cain. Since I used the Magic Tower’s Side-Effect Suppressant not long ago, my body’s condition has improved markedly, it seems.”
At his words, the eyes of the assembled nobles gleamed. The flattering noble from before subtly edged into the conversation.
“I’m quite interested in the Side-Effect Suppressant myself. Might you share your thoughts on it?”
Ardin fell briefly silent, his eyes drifting shut in contemplation.
“Truly astonishing. I cannot fathom when the Magic Tower’s research reached such heights—it was inspiring.”
It was Selian who responded.
“Is it really that superior?”
“Should the refinement succeed, Ability Users might deploy their powers without suffering pain or side effects during the healing process.”
“Without pain, you say?”
The nobles present grew visibly agitated. The more one wielded an Ability, the more Darkness accumulated within; even the Temple’s Side-Effect Suppressant left behind a residual malaise. And the Magic Tower’s suppressant, while effective, had been accompanied by considerable pain during the healing phase itself.
To diminish that suffering—it was an advantage beyond words.
Perceptive as ever, Ardin sensed their reaction and added carefully:
“Not entirely absent, but compared to now, it might as well be. Selian, I do hope you’ll try it yourself one day. Though I suppose the Temple’s suppressant is hardly in short supply for you.”
There was an unmistakable barb beneath Ardin’s words, yet Selian merely smiled.
“How intriguing. One can never have too many suppressants. I shall endeavor to cultivate my acquaintance with Miss Diena as well.”

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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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