The Snow Leopard Baby of the Black Leopard Family - Chapter 68

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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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Episode 68
‘……Wilhelm!’
Alpheus ground his teeth. His eyes blazed as he stared unflinchingly at the Emperor standing before his granddaughter.
The Emperor’s intentions were transparent—painfully so.
In Luminarie, there was a festival for the god of light, Lucette.
By having Tiel demonstrate her Light Ability before all these people, he meant to impress upon them that she was worthy to stand beside the Crown Prince.
‘Wilhelm, you really will go that far……!’
Driven only by Wilhelm’s ambition, regardless of Tiel’s wishes or Asterian’s counsel!
Alpheus’s expression twisted with rage. Cassius, by contrast, appeared utterly composed and unmoved.
Yet Alpheus knew the truth: it was when Cassius wore that expression that he became most dangerous.
His son looked ready to tear the Emperor to pieces if left unchecked.
Seeing the murderous gleam flash across his son’s eyes, Alpheus quietly turned his palm backward, signaling Cassius to stand down.
‘Don’t.’
Cassius glanced at Alpheus, then slowly nodded in understanding. He would not intervene.
Every eye and ear in the crowd fixed upon Tiel Asterian—their small, delicate girl.
Ludian still seemed unaware of what was unfolding, his brows raised in confusion, while Ferdi had grasped the situation and now watched Iandros through narrowed eyes.
And then.
“……Me?”
Tiel stood with her back to Asterian, gazing up at the Emperor with a direct, unwavering stare.
She knew it was profoundly discourteous to regard the Emperor so openly and for so long, yet she could not tear her gaze away.
Alpheus and Cassius had promised her before coming to Luminarie that she would not be called upon to act.
If such a thing occurred, Asterian would shield her.
But this…….
‘What on earth is happening?’
Fortunately, Tiel was quick-minded enough to grasp the situation.
The silence emanating from Asterian’s direction suggested they too could not easily intervene.
Tiel rolled her great eyes and looked toward Iandros.
Iandros, who had been staring rigidly at the Emperor, blinked in greeting the moment their eyes met.
That small gesture of recognition gave her a fraction of courage.
“Go on.”
The Emperor urged the girl forward. Tiel’s large, golden eyes fixed upon Wilhelm Durand Crassion.
The child nodded slowly and turned around with careful steps.
Hundreds upon hundreds of the Empire’s people fixed their gaze upon Tiel alone.
Meeting so many eyes at once, her heart seemed to plummet into her stomach.
Even a seasoned general swallows hard before a crowd; how much more so a seven-year-old child?
Moreover, Tiel had never seen so many people gathered in one place. She blinked in confusion for a moment, then slowly pressed her small hands together.
‘Will I be able to do this?’
She had never used her Ability before such a vast crowd, and dread clutched at her heart.
Yet Tiel shook off the doubt with a gentle motion of her head.
She had practiced countless times. So yes—she could do this.
On one side before her stood the Black Leopards of Nestian, who had scorned and mistreated her.
On the other stood the family of Asterian, who had believed in her until the very end and sworn to protect her.
Tiel’s eyes slowly closed.
Whoosh—
A faint light kindled in the child’s small palm.
It was so dim that one would scarcely notice it from any distance.
“…….”
“…….”
The world fell utterly silent.
‘Is something……actually happening?’
Whispers could be heard rippling through the crowd.
‘Shh! Keep your voice down!’
Someone else elbowed the speaker into silence.
In the curve of her open palm, the warmest light in all the world gathered slowly, pooling like water held in her hands.
Tiel opened her eyes gradually.
As her eyelids parted, the Golden Eyes of the Black Leopard were revealed, shimmering even brighter now in the glow of the light.
And then.
“……!”
The small, faint light that had pooled in Tiel’s hand began to swell and unfold.
Every person witnessed it—the light blooming like a flower opening in the palm of the small girl.
“That is……!”
A startled cry erupted from somewhere in the crowd. Yet Tiel did not withdraw her Ability.
Like the birth of life itself, fragments of light burst forth and spiraled slowly around the girl.
Long, luminous trails wove in brilliant patterns through the darkness of the night.
“Begin!”
The moment the Emperor’s command fell, Abilities erupted from the hands of every clan Head of Household.
From Nestian came glittering, razor-sharp Ice Crystals.
From Wolfgang surged an enormous Wind, as if to sweep away all things.
From Iker came Lightning crackling like fire, which at first glance appeared almost like light itself.
From Arne sprouted verdant Plant Growth, heavy with promise of fruit.
And from Asterian burst forth Fire so fierce and intense it seemed capable of consuming all existence.
Five Abilities bloomed simultaneously. Five different powers flowered like blossoms across the night sky.
And then.
“Look at that! Look!”
Someone cried out, pointing at the small girl. All eyes turned toward her.
The fragments of light that had been circling around the child were gradually taking shape, transforming into the form of fish.
“……!”
Six small fish, newly born from Tiel’s hands, swam in circles around their creator, as if recognizing their master.
Then, immediately after.
Whoosh—!!
The fish glided through the night sky as though swimming through water, taking position before each clan wielding their Abilities.
They spiraled around the Ice Crystals, the Wind, the Lightning, the Plant Growth, and the Fire.
As if they knew precisely what they were meant to do.
Tiel had nothing more to do.
She need only maintain her Ability. The rest would unfold of its own accord.
The single fish that remained above Tiel’s head absorbed the light around it, swelling as it grew.
And then.
“!”
It soared upward and took its place at the very center of the night sky.
As though pushing back the darkness itself.
In that moment, each clan Head of Household released their Abilities simultaneously from their hands.
Tiel’s fish shattered across the night sky, raining down upon the crowd’s heads like starlight.
It was flawless.
Absolutely, utterly flawless opening ceremony.
Tiel’s Ability proclaimed the truth to all gathered here.
That the Master of Light had returned.
That darkness would find no foothold in this land…….
“……Let the Festival of Luminarie begin!”
Before the echo had faded, the Emperor shouted. Roaring cheers erupted from everywhere.
The light shimmering in Tiel’s hand faded away. The girl stood wide-eyed, watching the cheering crowd.
“Tiel.”
“Oh! You startled me…….”
Iandros placed a hand on Tiel’s shoulder. She jumped in alarm and curled away, then relaxed once she recognized his face.
“Iandros! Did I do well?”
“Yes, wonderfully. Go to your brothers now.”
Iandros practically pushed Tiel away. As he propelled her forward, she cocked her head in confusion.
‘But what did I do wrong?’
Iandros was not usually so cold!
Normally he would pat her head in praise and offer warm encouragement.
But now he seemed eager to usher her away from this place. Even as he pushed her along, Tiel’s eyes rolled in puzzlement.
Then.
“Wait.”
The Emperor’s voice sounded from behind her. Tiel spun around in alarm.
“Your Majesty……?”
“Tiel, you worked very hard.”
Wilhelm stepped forward with a warm smile. Though Tiel felt a twinge of unease, she did not retreat, and nodded.
“Yes, thank you, Your Majesty.”
“I heard you had manifested the Light Ability, but I had no idea it would be so magnificent.”
In that instant, Alpheus appeared suddenly at Tiel’s side and placed a hand upon her shoulder.
“Grandfather……!”
Tiel lifted her head to look at Alpheus. His face was rigid and severe.
Seeing her grandfather’s angry expression for the first time, Tiel sensed that something had gone terribly wrong and gripped his hand tightly.
“Tiel, go wait with Cassius.”
“But Your Majesty was…….”
“You may go.”
The Emperor’s permission was given.
Tiel nodded and ran immediately toward her father and brothers who were waiting for her.
Wilhelm watched her go in silence, then slowly opened his mouth.
“Alpheus.”
“Your Majesty.”
Alpheus cut the Emperor off mid-sentence.
Under normal circumstances, such a thing would never have been tolerated—not even for Asterian, no matter how powerful.
Yet neither the Emperor nor Alpheus, nor anyone else present, seemed to care.
Alpheus spoke directly to the Emperor.
“I said my granddaughter would not.”
His voice was so clear and sharp
that even Tiel, running toward Asterian, heard every word.

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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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