Favored by the Family That Will Become the Strongest! - Chapter 70

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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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The Great Flood Expedition was something one of the Five Great Houses simply had to undertake. Beyond the Purification Zone, the common people’s grievances pierced the heavens. They burned with fury at the nobility who possessed powerful Abilities yet cowered in safety, silent and still.
And it was Theodore who had sacrificed himself for those commoners. Which meant no nobleman should be able to stand proudly before Diena. They ought to feel shame, to beg forgiveness.
At least that was what Elelia believed to be right.
“I’ve experienced such trials myself, so I understand how desperate the need for help can be. There’s no need for compensation.”
Silence settled over the reception room for a long stretch. After the heavy quiet, Elelia opened her mouth with a solemn expression.
“Tell me if there’s anything you want, even something small.”
“Your Grace?”
“Because I wish to give. Even if you ask nothing of me, I simply… wish to do this.”
Elelia had originally intended to pay Diena a fair price. But now, hearing her speak, she found herself wanting to pour out anything—everything—at the mere asking.
Separate from the debt of gratitude she felt toward Diena, Balthasar—who had laid bare his transactional proposal—seemed so small, so hollow by comparison. To be cared for with such genuine sincerity. Diena deserved whatever Elelia might give.
“Well then… there is something in Your Grace’s Treasure Vault that I would like to have. Would it be all right if I took it?”
Diena answered after careful consideration. In truth, if she could shield Elelia from Balthasar, her purpose would be accomplished.
‘But if I help without asking for anything, she’ll only grow suspicious of me.’
What Diena truly coveted was the thing Balthasar had forcibly taken from Elelia in her past life.
In that former life, Elelia had ultimately given in to Balthasar’s demands. She had bent her own principles to save her son, Ruderick.
And from that transaction forward, Balthasar began to plunder the Castleton Duchy’s belongings at will. Many of those items were extraordinary.
The Castleton Duchy, being one of the Five Great Houses with a long history, possessed countless Artifacts. Her uncle had taken them all.
Elelia nodded at once.
“Yes, I see. Is that all it will take?”
Her tone carried a note of reluctance, and Diena added carefully.
“Well, if I think of something later, I’ll let you know.”
Elelia’s brows still twitched with displeasure. She wanted to give so much more, yet Diena’s wishes were too modest.
“Very well. For now, I shall set aside something special for you myself.”
“I truly had no ulterior purpose in coming, Your Grace.”
Elelia shook her head firmly.
“I cannot yet foresee how this will unfold. But if it turns out well, Diena—you will be the savior of my son’s life. And I always repay my debts.”
At that moment, the light in her eyes as she looked at Diena deepened.
“I would give my own son if I could…”
Barcan’s eyes sharpened in that instant. Elelia met his gaze, and their eyes locked. She turned back to Diena with a leisurely smile and continued.
“But I suspect that’s not what you would wish for. So I shall give you many other things instead.”
“I’ve done nothing yet, after all.”
Elelia took Diena’s hand carefully.
“Yet you have made the effort for my sake. That much is unchanged.”
She smiled faintly and went on.
“For me, that alone is enough.”
Diena gazed in silence at Elelia’s hand holding her own.
She felt both pity and envy for Ruderick, suffering under Cain’s Ability. He had parents who cherished him genuinely, even though he was a Non-Ability User.
* * *
The group moved at once to examine Ruderick’s condition. The room was so dark that not a single ray of light entered. Elelia drew back the curtains that had surrounded the bed. Then she let out a shallow sigh.
“You’ll understand how grave it is just by looking.”
She was right. At first glance, Ruderick’s state appeared dire.
He seemed asleep, unaware of his surroundings, yet his hollow eyes had lost all focus, staring blankly into empty air. After days in this condition, his face had grown gaunt. It was as though someone had drained the very life from him.
Helio clicked his tongue at the sight.
“This can’t be explained merely by lack of sleep. You’re saying this Nightmare Phenomenon is caused by darkness? But are you certain it’s actually the darkness causing this?”
He looked at Diena as he spoke.
“What do you think, student of Malacar? At least I’ve made all the preparations for Sleep Magic as you requested.”
Helio gestured to one side. There lay several sets of bedding, prepared and ready.
“A genius whom Malacar himself has recognized—surely you’ve already plotted something clever?”
“…A genius?”
“Yes, Malacar spoke of nothing else. He boasted endlessly about acquiring a genius student. So you must be able to discern why the Castleton heir’s condition is as it is.”
Diena let out a small, dry cough.
She was not a genius, but she knew well that admitting it now would be unwise. Mages had a weakness for geniuses, after all.
To secure Helio’s cooperation, it would serve her better simply to play along. And fortunately, she already knew the answer he would wish to hear.
“From what I observe, this phenomenon is not caused by darkness.”
At her words, Helio’s eyes sparkled.
“Then what is it?”
“Someone’s Ability.”
“An Ability?”
“Yes. That’s why I asked Your Grace to call for you. We needed the power of Sleep Magic.”
Helio opened his mouth with a grave expression.
“What is your evidence that it’s an Ability? Though I came at the Castleton Duke’s request, I do not use magic for just anyone. I need a reason I can accept.”
He spoke in earnest. He had no intention of casting a spell unless Diena provided reasoning that satisfied him.
“Very well, then I’ll explain.”
Diena moved slowly and positioned herself before Ruderick.
In her past life, people began suffering a phenomenon similar to Ruderick’s—an affliction that grew more common with each passing day. Diena and Malacar had given it a name.
‘The Nightmare Phenomenon.’
Certain Ability Users had begun suffering terrible nightmares. Everyone believed it was a side effect of accumulated darkness. As their bodies suffered and the nightmares took hold, high-tier Ability Users were left with no choice but to reach out to the Rothwell Castle.
Yet no one knew the true cause, and the reason they could not was simple.
‘It had been Cain who used his Ability on all of them.’

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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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