Number 45 momentarily hesitated to proceed with his sentence.
[No way. It can’t be true.]
Russell denied what Number 45 was about to say.
“But I don’t know what happened to the divine beasts now. Originally, we were supposed to escape together…”
“Wait a moment.”
Lucion stopped Number 45’s words.
“Are you suggesting that Nevast is targeting the divine beasts? What implications does this hold?”
“Yes?”
Number 45 appeared perplexed, struggling to grasp the question.
“Nevast is supposed to be a holy nation. They worship the divine beasts, don’t they?”“Who… who says that? Who says that Nevast worships the divine beasts?”
Thud.
Lucion grabbed his head at that statement.
-Of the five divine beasts that once existed in Nevast, three have already disappeared from this land.
Troy’s words echoed in his mind.
“The divine beasts in Nevast are nothing more than pretty decorations. Three of them have already disappeared…!”
‘This… damn bastards.’
Lucion gritted his teeth.
-Not just that child, but anyone who possesses the power of light cannot hear my voice.
The lamenting voice of Troy echoed painfully once more.
If even Veros, Troy’s master, could not hear Troy’s voice, then who could hear the divine beasts’s call? They wouldn’t have heard the final cries of the divine beasts either.
[I don’t know anymore who is blessed by the darkness and who is blessed by the light. This… this doesn’t make sense. Why would they target the divine beasts?]
Bethel’s lips moved, but she seemed to lose her words and looked up at the sky with narrowed eyes.
She felt so lost.
Her orange eyes sparkled in the sunlight.
—Did the uncles who looked like Uncle Troy die? Ratta… Ratta really likes Uncle Troy.
Ratta whimpered.
Ratta hadn’t heard anything because she had been unconscious due to Troy.
How shocking would this sound be to her now?
[That’s not true, Ratta.]
Russell awkwardly changed the subject, hesitating to curse because of Ratta’s voice.
“I have heard that there is a saint chosen by the divine beast in the Empire.”
Number 45 cautiously spoke up, assessing the situation.
“There is.”
Right within reach.
“I need to meet that person to inform them of this fact. I… I’m unsure how to find them or what steps to take.”
Just by saying that, it was clear how naive and inexperienced Number 45 was.
Shh.
Lucion put a finger to his lips.
“This story should not be shared with anyone else.”
“Will you, Mr. Hamel, tell the saint about this?”
“I’ll try. But I must reiterate, don’t say what you just said to anyone else besides me.”
“Why? It’s crucial for everyone to be aware of Nevast’s secrets!”
“The divine beasts hold immense value, unlike the situation in Nevast.”
“That’s hard to believe…”
“Above all, if this fact is revealed now, the culprit will escape. Will you give me some time for now?”
Number 45 nodded at Lucion’s suggestion.
“Yes. I will follow your lead.”
“That’s not allowed.”
“Why… is that not allowed?”
“Decisions about your own life should be yours.”
“Then… is it acceptable if I follow your suggestion?”
“Yes, that much is acceptable.”
As Lucion turned his head, he caught sight of Hume, who looked inexplicably proud, for reasons unknown.
“I will follow Mr. Hamel,” declared Hume, surprising Lucion.
* * *
“My beloved son, Owen.”
Despite his words, Ketlan’s tone was icy.
Trembling, Owen was filled with fear.
He had never imagined that his father could be such a terrifying person.
Just a moment ago, he was chatting with his aide as usual, dreaming of the crown that had just been placed on his head.
But then he died right in front of him.
He bled black blood as if he had been poisoned, leaving eight claw marks on his own neck, as if cursing him.
And then his father’s knights stormed in, as if anticipating this event.
“Owen. Where is your explanation?”
“I, I, told you everything!”
Owen twisted his bound body and shouted.
“What did you say?”
Ketlan asked calmly.
The affectionate gaze that had always been on him was cracked like parched earth.
“It was a mistake. Someone framed me!”
Owen shouted, then frowned.
“It must have been Cetyl! Surely Cetyl tried to push me aside…”
“Owen Tesla.”
Ketlan called out to Owen quietly.
The malice hidden in his tone made Owen tremble even more.
“I don’t spend more than a day interrogating an enemy. Do you know why?”
Owen shook his head.
“If given time, schemes arise, lies are spoken, and one tends to deceive oneself. However, I have granted you more time because of the feelings I, as your father, have for you while watching you grow since your birth.” Ȓа𐌽Ｏ₿Ɛs̩
Ketlan looked at Owen with genuine sorrow.
“A letter arrived today from Cronia.”
Despite what others might claim, he was once a cherished son.
No.
He had been a cherished son.
But at the mention of the letter from Cronia, deep greed and joy flickered in Owen’s eyes.
That wasn’t a person.
It was a monster disguised as Owen.
“They have identified the poison of the venom mage in the food and tea you bought for Lucion Cronia.”
Ketlan gazed at Owen.
It was too easy to see the expression of desperately suppressing a laugh.
“Evidence has come to my hands that you bought dessert and tea from a shop called ‘Afternoon at Verbier,’ evidence that you hired mercenaries to employ the poison mage, and proof that funds were spent.”
As Ketlan continued to mention these things, Owen’s expression crumpled rapidly.
He was certain he had silenced their mouths.
He had surely hidden the evidence.
Hadn’t he even killed them?
“Owen.”
Ketlan called out to him once more.
“There exist countless crimes in this world that remain concealed. But have you forgotten that you are a prominent figure to hide such crimes?”
Quietly, Ketlan stood up and approached Owen.
“Silence them.”
Clack.
“Silence the mouths, eyes, and ears of those around you.”
Clack.
“Did you really think you could deceive my ears and eyes as well, Owen?”
With a voice like a thunderclap, Ketlan’s tone made Owen realize something was terribly wrong.
“Where have you traded away the pride and dignity of the Tesla lineage coursing through your veins?”
“F-Father.”
“You! Did you really think that selling Tesla, this empire, to Neubra and those bastards would make you an emperor?”
“F-Father…!”
Owen stammered.
He had found everything out.
Ketlan knew it all.
“You, who have sullied the pride of Tesla, will not only be unable to bear the name Tesla ever again, but you will also pay the price for your sins.”
“I-I didn’t, n-no, it was my foolishness! I was blind…”
“Now all you can do is tell me everything you’ve done, you foolish sinner.”
Ketlan forcibly severed the bond that could never be broken between father and son.
It felt like his heart was being ripped out.
But he was the emperor.
Even towards his own child, justice had to be dispensed impartially.
That was the profound sorrow that a sovereign couldn’t evade.
* * *
“I wonder if my present has reached its destination safely.”
Lucion asked Russell while holding the black orb.
[It should have arrived just fine. After all, you were busy gathering evidence of that scoundrel Owen’s scheme.]
“His Majesty… might be different, right?”
[Lucion, I hate to say this, but speak with Heint once more. Of course, he’s at fault, but there are other imperial knights as well. You chose Heint for a reason, didn’t you?]
Lucion let out a short sigh.
At least they were on the same page, which made him want to cut that red thread.
Honestly, he wasn’t feeling at ease either.
‘Yeah. Is that how it works, fulfilling his role as an imperial knight?’
Lucion rolled his eyes.
“It irks me now that I think about it. I should have hit him again.”
[Next time you meet, make sure to hit him. With you possessed by Bethel and go for it.]
“Yes. I will hit him properly.”
Only then did Lucion smile mischievously, petting Ratta, and glanced at the black orb resting by his pillow.
“I’ll have a good dream.”
[Alright.]
Russell was afraid of what memories he might uncover again, but he didn’t let it show.
Lucion held the black orb in his hand.
The black orb melted towards his body, gently pulling him into sleep.
* * *
‘You came quickly, didn’t you?’
A black figure greeted Lucion.
Now taking a definite form, the figure seemed oddly familiar.
‘Because I knew where the black orb was.’
Lucion replied.
‘Then I guess it’s time for another story. You’ve been waiting, haven’t you?’
Snap.
The black figure snapped his fingers, and a sofa appeared.
‘Sit comfortably, Lucion.’
‘You seem to be getting stronger?’
Lucion spoke with caution.
‘It might seem that way. But don’t be wary. I am definitely on your side.’
Even with the black figure’s sly, amused voice, Lucion’s guard didn’t drop easily.
Lucion sat on the sofa created by the black figure.
‘Who exactly are you?’
‘So that’s what you’re curious about. Unfortunately, I cannot reveal who I am.’
‘Why?’
‘I told you before. If you stay here too long, you’ll be eaten by me. That’s why.’
‘But you said you’re on my side?’
‘That’s right. I’m on your side.’
‘That doesn’t make any sense.’
‘Lucion, I understand your impatience. But one way or another, the truth about who I am will soon be revealed, whether I want it or not. Can’t you see it in my form?’
The black figure spread its arms wide.
It was evident, even without him saying it, that figure was gradually regaining a certain form.
The black figure examined itself thoughtfully.
‘Fortunately, I haven’t encountered Veronia since then. As for the current state… well, it’s still about the same.’
‘What did you mean by being a part of a twisted world?’
‘Unfortunately, I don’t have all the details myself.’
‘You don’t have all the details? Who told you that?’
‘What I do know is that the world is currently covered by something, and that something was created by Veronia.’
‘Veronia… that guy? How does he possess such power? Is he even human?’
‘You’ll get a clearer picture of who Veronia is after hearing today’s story. Want to listen?’
‘Go ahead.’
At Lucion’s permission, the black figure chuckled lightly.
‘Do you remember the last story?’
‘I do. You said that the balance was broken because of those who were blessed with light, and corruption covered the world.’
‘That’s right. You have a good memory.’
The black figure subtly complimented him.
But seeing no change in Lucion’s expression, the black figure cleared its throat and continued.
‘Corruption gnawed at the servants of darkness, and the servants of darkness became monsters.’
‘…?’
Lucion flinched for a moment.
The thought of Ravien becomes a monster when corrupted.
‘The light killed the monsters and even the servants of darkness.’
The black figure continued speaking, intently observing Lucion’s reaction.
‘The servants of darkness, in desperation to survive, sought out the darkness they once worshiped and pleaded for help.’
Lucion’s mouth fell slightly open.
The one cloaked in a mantle.
He didn’t know who it was, but he had dreamt of becoming that figure before.
Someone had begged him, pitifully.
To be saved.
To be helped.
‘Was that person Veronia?’
‘That’s right. It was Veronia. You saw him through your dreams, didn’t you?’
‘Why would I dream of that guy?’
‘Because you’re a vessel. The broken vessel is healing now, isn’t it? Isn’t it natural for things to pop up during the recovery process? Anyway, is there anything else you don’t understand?’
Lucion bit his lip and nodded.
The feeling from the word ‘vessel’ was even more unpleasant than when he had first heard it.
To dream of Veronia in such a manner.
‘Does Ravien truly transform into a monster? Or…’
‘That’s right. Originally weak to corruption, if consumed by it, they literally turn into monsters.’
Monster.
It was the first word Hume had used when introducing himself.
Indeed, a monster.
The monster known to the world was really a Ravien eroded by Corruption.
‘So, be careful. Never let Hume get close to corruption.’
The black figure expressed concern for Hume.
‘About Hume.’
Lucion seized the opportunity to voice his doubts.
Asha had introduced herself as the last Ravien.
At the time, he hadn’t thought much of it.
She had expressed joy upon encountering Hume, another Ravien, implying a sense of kinship.
However, being the last Ravien held profound implications.
It signified the absence of any predecessors or successors, hinting that Hume did not originate from Ravien’s lineage.
As if to prove it, Hume said he had been created by a warlock.
He said he had been locked in a small room and had spent a very long time there.
Lucion hadn’t understood it back then, but now it all made sense.
There was no black magic capable of giving life.
‘Who… on earth created Hume?’
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