The Teddy Bear Sends the Insomniac Villain to Dreamland - Chapter 53

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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 53
***
Within the Royal Palace, there stood a colossal Temple visible from the Central Palace where the Emperor resided.
Between the massive white pillars that supported the Temple, Ophelia’s white veil fluttered in the breeze.
“Welcome back, Saint.”
A Priest followed behind Ophelia as she returned from Duke Leblanc’s Mansion.
“A donation has arrived from the Lestragne Marquis House. Fifty million gold, they say.”
“What did they seem to want?”
“They said they wished to pray for the success of the Lestragne Marquis’s mining investment coming soon.”
“I see. I shall offer my prayers.”
Footsteps echoed across the marble floor. Behind a colossal plaster statue, the door opened to reveal a room that flaunted its lavish interior.
“Ah, and one more thing.”
Ophelia, who had stopped before the door, turned to face the Priest.
I needed to confirm that mysterious aura I had sensed earlier.
Had it originated from the Leblanc Estate, or was it the aura of Blake Leblanc himself?
The Priest, prepared to obey whatever command came, nodded his head.
“Tell the Emperor that it would be good to hold a banquet on the Second Prince’s birthday coming soon.”
“Yes. I understand.”
“Tell him that the banquet will be the auspicious venue for welcoming another leader of the Empire.”
“Yes. I shall do so.”
The Priest answered obediently and withdrew.
No one but the Emperor or Empress could have commanded the opening of an Imperial banquet, yet Ophelia could.
She was, in essence, a figure who reigned above the Emperor himself. The internal affairs of the Royal Palace revolved around her prophecies.
This was because none other than the Emperor placed absolute faith in every word Ophelia spoke.
She removed her veil and drew a long breath. Magical power swirled throughout her entire body.
Foul and corrupted magical power writhed through the passages within her body with each exhale.
“Haaa…”
Her ashen eyes darkened as she released a heavy breath.
Irritation surged as she recalled the Leblanc Estate.
Those hypocrites, cursed yet still standing upright and feigning righteousness.
As the memory of Blake’s gaze—one that seemed to look down upon her—surfaced, Ophelia let out a scoff of exasperation.
Her melodious voice, pleasant as jade rolling across stone, murmured softly.
“Such consistently insolent and presumptuous bloodlines.”
The Leblanc Family had always been the same.
They mocked prophecies, slew Demon Beasts, and obstructed her plans.
They dared to kill the Demon Beasts she had created and save humans, preventing the offering of sacrifices.
“If only they did not exist, everything would have been far more manageable.”
Sacrifices—that is, humans—were absolutely necessary to Ophelia.
The human heart was vital fuel for replenishing magical power.
Yet that insufferable Leblanc Family always plundered her sustenance.
Investigating the very origins where Demon Beasts spawn was already vexing enough, yet now they claimed to have witnessed one that devours hearts.
‘…It seems they’ve noticed something is amiss this time.’
It was unsettling that Blake Leblanc, who rarely ventured out, happened to be in the Capital’s downtown at the precise moment the Demon Beast appeared.
The fact that all the magical power within the Crown Prince’s ring embedded with Arcanum had vanished was equally suspicious.
“The disappearance of magical power from Edwin’s ring troubles me. There should be no entity capable of absorbing such power remaining in this world.”
If one existed, it would have to be a witch or a dragon.
But if that were the case, how could I remain ignorant of it?
The ring had been gifted to him for the purpose of controlling Edwin if circumstances demanded it.
Only I could extract the corrupted magical power contained within the Arcanum.
From a distance, I could release that power with a brief incantation, throwing his mind into chaos.
Yet who on earth could have done it?
Ophelia methodically retraced the situation in her mind.
‘I sensed no magical power emanating from the Leblanc Estate.’
That signified two possibilities.
First, the Leblanc Family was not responsible for taking the magical power from Edwin’s ring.
Second, no magical replenishment ability user had emerged from the Leblanc bloodline this generation either.
“So. There is no ability user in this generation either….”
Magical replenishment ability.
The fact that no one bearing that rare and extraordinary ability had yet emerged weighed heavily on her mind. Ophelia’s eyes rolled slowly as she dragged her fingers across her chin.
“…That person should have possessed that power, no matter what measures were necessary.”
I should have acquired that beautiful yet forever unattainable Leblanc power back then!
As memories surfaced, a hairline fracture momentarily crossed her perpetually serene face, though it lasted only an instant.
Ophelia moved slowly and opened another small door within the room.
Beyond it lay a space where an enormous magical circle was inscribed upon the floor.
She passed the candles surrounding the magical circle and positioned herself at its center.
Ophelia released a deep sigh and slowly shook her head.
“In the end, I have no choice but to keep them all alive. The bloodline of the Leblanc Family must continue.”
Considering the bitter enmity between myself and the Leblanc Family, I wished to slaughter them all, yet I could not know which generation would produce another magical replenishment ability user.
“So appear for me soon, my treasure.”
Memories swirled violently within Ophelia’s mind as her eyes pressed shut.
My head aches.
Magical power trembling with fury crept upward around her. The dark-hued energy roiled before—crack—all the candles shattered.
Left alone in darkness, she staggered and collapsed her body onto the magical circle.
Vengeance continued. All that remained was to await the opportune moment.
In this prolonged struggle, victory would be hers, no matter what.
Kiiiieeeeee—!
The magical circle flashed brilliantly, and from somewhere came the grotesque cry of a Demon Beast.
***
“Is my brother inside?”
Another peaceful day at the Crown Prince’s Palace.
This place, which remained largely tranquil for roughly three hundred of the three hundred sixty-five days in a year, was the number one palace where servants most desired to work.
The palace adorned with pristine marble, the floors polished to a lustrous shine by diligent servants, and the gleaming statues.
As early summer approached, a lukewarm breeze drifted through the slightly opened windows, bringing a pleasant sensation.
The Guard Knight standing before the corridor door leading to Edwin’s Study Room, breathing in the fragrance of flowers, anticipated another ordinary day.
Until he encountered the visitor before him, smiling brightly with an innocent expression.
“He’s not here?”
At the puzzled tilt of his head, the brown hair tied to one side scattered softly.
Gentle blue eyes gazed directly at the knight.
A man who bore a subtle resemblance to Edwin yet felt distinctly different—Ian Serres Cardenas.
He was the Empire’s second prince and the Crown Prince’s younger brother.
“Ah, no, that’s not it!”
“That’s a relief. I apologize for coming without notice, but I have something to tell my brother. I’d like to go in—could you relay the message for me?”
“Yes, of course!”
The Guard Knight moved swiftly, opening the door and stepping into the corridor.
As he rushed into the corridor leading to the Crown Prince’s Study Room, the Advisor frowned and asked.
“What’s all this commotion about?”
“Sir Advisor, we have a visitor.”
“A visitor? There should be no scheduled appointments. Handle it appropriately on your end and turn them away.”
The Advisor checked his wristwatch and turned to leave. But the knight’s words came slightly faster.
“I-I’m terribly sorry, but that’s impossible.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m not in a position to refuse. It’s His Highness, Prince Ian.”
“Oh dear…”
A look of dismay crossed the Advisor’s face.
The Crown Prince he served was typically gentle, noble enough to be called the very epitome of royalty.
He rarely grew angry, and as an excellent future leader of the Empire, he never neglected his duties as Crown Prince, but…
There was precisely one situation that disturbed Edwin’s composure.
‘When the matter concerns His Highness, Prince Ian Serres Cardenas.’
Though he scarcely showed it outwardly, the Advisor, who had served him for so long, could perceive it.
Edwin despised Ian.
No, such a word hardly captured it.
He held him in contempt, harbored hatred, and looked upon him with disdain.
“Is he still outside?”
“Yes. I told him I would relay the message, buying us time.”
“There’s no helping it. I’ll inform the Crown Prince.”
The Advisor knocked at the Study Room door, and a gentle voice came from within.
“Come in.”
The Advisor steeled himself and delivered the news as quickly as possible.
“Prince Ian has arrived, Your Highness.”
“….”
The fountain pen Edwin held in his hand stilled abruptly.
Eyes curved in elegant arcs crinkled with amusement.
“Who did you say came?”
“Prince Ian has come to see the Crown Prince, Your Highness. If you have no prior appointment and wish to refuse him, I shall inform him and return…”
“Tell him to come to my study.”
“…Your Highness?”
“I don’t care to repeat myself.”
As Edwin added “at once” to make clear he had been heard correctly, the Advisor spun around without delay.
He then guided Ian, who had been waiting before the door, into the study.
“I greet the Crown Prince, Your Highness.”
Edwin, who had been sitting in the center of the study where fresh air drifted through the open windows, rose slowly from his seat.
Then, gazing upon the blue eyes of his detestable half-brother who bore his own features, he broke into a radiant smile.
“Ah, so my half-brother has come to visit.”
It was the most beautiful smile in the world.

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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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