Chapter 64

Such a tragic death didn’t befit her at all, and witnessing such a sight weighed heavily on Rezette. From the very beginning, he had never intended to expose Elise to any peril. There were countless ways to possess her without necessarily bringing a child into the equation.

With a tender kiss to her lifeless hand, Rezette rose from his chair. He moved towards the window, intending to shut it, but something on the table captured his attention. There lay a fountain pen, a bottle of ink, and a few sheets of paper.

In that moment, an image of the woman who had sat there and penned him a letter naturally came to mind. The vibrancy of his memory ebbed, and the stern corners of her lips slightly softened.

Yes, this should suffice. In times of anxiety and weariness, one instinctively seeks solace. Dreams are but dreams. As long as she can find comfort in my presence…

Rezette reached for the drawer to stow away the pen and ink. Inside, he discovered more sheets of paper turned upside down. He casually retrieved one, as if it were fate pulling at him.

He turned the paper over and was met with a densely intricate geometric pattern on its surface.

All the thoughts he had harbored up until that moment scattered like dust in an instant.

He slowly concealed the shock on his face. Though it was a form he had never encountered before, he recognized it immediately.

It was a magic circle.

***

In the southeastern region of Grandel lay the magnificent Riosa Castle, a cherished summer retreat of the Regal royal family for generations. From its grand gates emerged a royal carriage adorned with the emblem of the Regal family—an intricate iris pattern engraved on its regal exterior.

After a brief respite in Riosa, the king and princes of Regal distanced themselves from the northern capital. As they stood in silence, gazing upon the slowly descending castle gate, a distinguished elder with silvery hair turned his attention away from the scene. He carried himself with undeniable dignity.

Within the castle, he made his way towards the depths of the main tower. Passing through storage chambers and provisions stores, he descended even further, unveiling a subterranean space that matched the opulence of the floors above. In a room with adjoining bedrooms, living quarters, and a small reception area, a figure stood with their back turned.

Soft brown hair peered through the bandages that concealed even the back of their head. A tall, slender young man, bearing an emaciated countenance, stood in quiet contemplation, gazing up at a small window near the ceiling.

Duke Bellator, the elder, addressed him in hushed tones. “Your Majesty.”

“Have the king and the princes departed safely, Fabian?” 

Duke Bellator nodded. “Yes.”

The young man sighed. “I should have bid them farewell properly…” 

“The king expressly asked you not to worry about it. He insisted that your recovery should be your sole focus. Please put your concerns to rest,” Duke Bellator reassured.

“Still, it’s thanks to him that I have this opportunity to recuperate. Because of that, I feel a profound obligation to repay this favor, especially when the Regal royal family is still facing challenges from external threats.”

The despondent young man closed his eyes, their delicate shape resembling that of his twin sister.

The emperor lifted his right hand, and with a graceful, fluid motion that seemed to mimic the serenity of flowing water, he clenched the air. Behind Duke Bellator, the door closed silently on its own, while the barrier that enveloped the entire space reactivated. It was a magical ward that sealed off access from the outside world.

The chairs where the Regal royal family had been seated just moments before moved autonomously. The sofa’s blanket levitated gracefully, folding itself neatly in mid-air as though engaged in a dance. The curtains, which had gently swayed, now fully obscured the small window. Even to Duke Bellator, who had served the Argan emperor for decades, this display never failed to inspire awe.

Yet, it appeared that the emperor’s heart remained untouched by the spectacle. The young man, who had been studying his palm intently, let out a soft, rueful chuckle.

“Even this level of power exhausts me now.”

“Your Majesty…” Duke Bellator trailed off.

“As I suspected, I am nothing extraordinary without my sister.”

“Please refrain from saying such things…”

The emperor turned to look at the duke over his shoulder, revealing profound sorrow in his half-shadowed profile.

“You understand it too, Fabian. You can sense it, can’t you?” He smiled wearily. “You can perceive my current state.”

Duke Bellator and Duke Conrad were the two noble families steadfastly supporting Argan. They were descendants of the heroic Gallian, disciples of Inashio and Hugo, and students who had studied under the Great Dragon Sameshita alongside the hero Gallian.

Over seven centuries had passed, and no more magicians had been born into their families. Only the direct descendants possessed an innate sensitivity to magic.

Thanks to this sensitivity, even Duke Bellator could see what the emperor had mentioned. The emperor’s once abundant magical power had dwindled to less than half of its former strength.

The absence of the twin princesses underscored this glaring truth. The lingering remnants of the emperor’s past suffering, etched into his very being, should have faded long ago.

The emperor served as not only the stalwart pillar of the surviving Argan army but also a pivotal military force. His mastery of magic was the linchpin that had enabled Argan, a kingdom steeped in tranquility for over seven centuries, to withstand the relentless assault of the Ugel forces for a grueling two years.

“Duke Conrad has reported that Princess Elise’s whereabouts have been traced to the Tene River. They are actively working to relay this information to Your Majesty. His return should be imminent,” Duke Bellator relayed.

A contingent of the Argan Army, under the command of Duke Conrad, presently concealed themselves near the Tene River, which marked the boundary between the northern and southern realms of Grandel. Meanwhile, Duke Bellator and the emperor had taken refuge within the sanctuary of Regal’s Riosa Castle.

The emperor listened in silence to the duke’s words and nodded in acknowledgment.

“My sister is in Van Yela, within the realm of Duke Kyrstan of Rotiara,” Andrei revealed.

“Is that so, Your Majesty? Surely, you have not already made contact with Princess Elise?” Duke Bellator inquired.

“She has managed to avoid capture by the Ugel royalty, which is fortunate. It was worth the risks we took to find my sister.”

Duke Bellator’s countenance oscillated between relief and concern. Whether it was misfortune or providence, Rotiara was a territory shrouded in mystery—a forbidden enclave akin to the capital of Van Yela among the few blessed lands in the north.

The emperor maintained a long silence before speaking softly.

“That man… He appears to treat Elise with affection. It doesn’t seem like he mistreats her.”

“Indeed, Your Majesty. A dragon or something had the audacity to claim Grandel’s blessing as a wife, so it’s only fitting to do so. I wonder if there are instances of war demons who are obsessed with relentless slaughter.”

Andrei let out a dry laugh.

“Dare I permit such a thing… to have someone like a reincarnation of Sameshita.”

“What?” Duke Bellator asked in confusion, but instead of responding, Andrei turned his gaze directly toward him.

“My sister spent her entire life with our parents and in my care alone. If the Duke had shown even a hint of neglect or mistreatment toward Elise… if he had been impolite or oppressive in any way, Elise would not have leaned on him to such an extent.”

“What are you suggesting, Your Majesty? She is the princess of Argan. She would not give her heart to the enemy. She would not have genuinely accepted such an outlandish marriage.”

Andrei remained silent.

Duke Bellator shook his head. “It’s only natural that these are unfounded rumors. I can’t fathom how such preposterous rumors have spread.”

“…I was the one who encouraged Elise to do whatever was necessary to survive. It must have been her only means.”

Andrei sighed.

“Even so, what you say holds true… the princess’s place is not in Rotiara. Moreover, after I pass on, Elise will become the ruler of Argan and the sole wielder of Grandel’s magic.”

“Your Majesty!”

“So, no matter what it takes, she should be brought here.”

Andrei’s thoughts drifted back to the man he had encountered only once, three years ago. Among the countless envoys, he had stood out, towering over others with sharp, godlike features that seemed meticulously crafted.

The world had dubbed him the “Barbarian of Van Yela” and had spoken of his brutality and madness. Yet, upon their first meeting, Andrei had recognized that he was not a man to be confined by such derogatory labels.

Indeed, it was doubtful whether he could genuinely be called a barbarian.

He was a half-blood, with more than half of Sameshita’s lineage coursing through his veins. In an age when magicians had become exceptionally rare, he was the closest one could get to a dragon. It was impossible not to be awed.

But Andrei had also discerned something else.

Beneath that composed and indifferent exterior lay a smoldering fire and an unwavering thirst for something deeply imprinted upon him.

This was the essence of Sameshita, as emphasized and cautioned in Gallian myths.

Andrei vividly recalled the subtle admiration that had flickered in the man’s eyes the moment he had laid them on Elise. As soon as he had deciphered that look, Andrei had immediately sent Elise back to the palace.

Though he might have appeared like an apathetic statue, he was a perilous man who could transform into a dictator and engulf Grandel at any moment. Andrei clenched his fist tightly, devoid of strength.

No, Elise.

Elizabeth must not be handed over to such a man. Her talents, her potential, should not be exposed.

Rezette Kyrstan. Elizabeth should not be left for him to conquer like this. He was never meant to be revered or held in such esteem. Just as the Great Dragon Sameshita had been Grandel’s untouchable sovereign until shortly before being sealed away.

“Inform Duke Conrad to monitor Rotiara’s movements near the Tene River, but under no circumstances should he cross into the Duke’s territory. And exercise utmost caution, as Ugel is also keeping a watchful eye on Rotiara.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Duke Bellator nodded respectfully as he received the emperor’s directives.