Chapter 63
Michael trusted his own eyes more than reputation.
In that regard, the world had misjudged Reina.
And it seemed she had used that as a shield to figure out her own way to live.
As usual, the life of an imperial family member without strong maternal relatives was not smooth.
Men swore loyalty to brothers with high succession rights to preserve themselves, and for women, marrying into a good family was the best.
In that sense, Reina had obtained the best possible future among those available to her.
It was none other than the position of the Duke of Crencia’s wife.
Like a docile cat knowing the timing and climbing onto the lap first, her actions were unhesitant.
The Emperor had no interest in the romance between Reina and the Duke of Crencia.
He only showed interest in the marriage itself being realized, rather than such trivial matters.
But Michael was curious about their meeting.
‘What on earth did she do to win the Duke’s heart? What about Reina caught his favor.’
Kaiden Crencia was not an easygoing man.
He wouldn’t decide his side just based on romantic feelings.
There must be something between the two. He planned to find out gradually while in the north.
A moment later, Michael adjusted his glasses and asked.
“Come to think of it, my birthday congratulations are late. Did you have a good birthday? I heard the Duke held a banquet.”
“Yes. Thanks to that, for the first time in my life, I received congratulations from many people.”
“Is there a particular reason for holding the banquet the day before the birthday?”
Even to the interrogating-like words, Reina calmly replied.
“Of course, because on the actual day, I wanted to spend it cozily with the Duke.”
Even to the words that sounded romantic, Michael still did not withdraw his suspicion.
Reina also did not exaggerate on purpose.
After all, one action would be more decisive than a hundred words.
After some small talk, Michael brought up the main point.
“Actually, the reason I came in person is to check Miss Reina’s power on behalf of His Majesty.”
“Do you have proof? Evidence that His Majesty entrusted this task to you, Michael.”
The divine power was shared only with the Emperor.
Even full siblings did not reveal their powers to each other.
It was to protect themselves and check the opponent.
Michael let out a small laugh at the sharper question than expected.
It was because she showed behavior as if she knew everything with a face that knew nothing.
“Of course.”
Following that, he took out a divine object.
An object shaped like a vessel used in rituals.
The surface of the vessel was densely engraved with incomprehensible ancient words.
It was the first time seeing it with the naked eye. In the past, when her power manifested, she had lost her sight and remembered it only by touch.
The Emperor showed a color of emotion filled with ecstasy upon seeing Ritsi.
The ominous energy felt at that moment was still chillingly eerie.
As Reina stared blankly, Michael added an explanation.
“It’s a divine object that verifies divine power. You summon the divine beast and use the power against this vessel.”
“I see.”
Reina nodded and whistled.
She had already coordinated with Ritsi in preparation for such an event.
A moment later, Ritsi fluttered in through the open window.
Pii-
Ritsi, who flew in making a clear bird sound, plunged into the vessel.
“Hoo.”
Michael let out a low exclamation while looking at the red wagtail.
There was nothing as interesting as seeing another sibling’s divine beast.
“It’s my alter ego.”
“It’s a very small bird.”
Of course, that interest did not last long.
Compared to the divine beasts he had seen so far, the wagtail was shabby and insignificant.
Not even the wonder and intimidation of a divine beast was felt.
If Reina hadn’t called it her alter ego, he wouldn’t have known it was a divine beast.
Reina, seeing Michael’s interest quickly fade, inwardly cheered.
Now, she just needed to show a bit of a performance.
“Would you like to try using the power?”
At Michael’s words, Reina closed her eyes tightly and then opened them.
A faint yellow light wavered around Michael.
The yellow light’s emotion was clearly curiosity.
Its faintness meant it was still weak.
It was also the color shown to objects of indifference, neither goodwill nor hostility.
Then suddenly, a strange energy was felt from Michael’s pinky finger.
“There’s some restriction placed on the ring on your right pinky finger.”
“!”
Michael was startled and hid his hand.
With an expression as if asking how she knew, Reina calmly said.
“Ritsi’s power informs me of a person’s emotional state through colors. Also, it can detect supernatural forces, distinguishing impure powers from pure ones and quickly alerting to crises.”
“……So you’re saying you felt the power engraved on this ring?”
“Yes. Precisely, I see it. The flow of powerful mana flowing around the ring.”
Michael calmly examined the divine object.
If Reina was lying, the divine beast should feel pain and suffer.
But the wagtail inside the divine object was peacefully preening its feathers.
It was a appearance proving her words were true.
Michael was lost in thought for a moment. Actually, since he hadn’t expected much from her power, he was even more bewildered.
He touched his lips and asked seriously.
“Just one more question. Can you, Miss Reina, remove this ring?”
It’s under a restriction that he can’t remove himself.
Grasping the intention, Reina shook her head.
“No. I don’t have such power. I can only see it.”
“I see.”
Michael couldn’t hide his disappointment. He fiddled with the ring and became lost in thought.
There seemed to be something, but she couldn’t know exactly.
Reina was also seeing the energy dwelling in that ring for the first time.
‘Could it be a restriction placed by the Emperor?’
Come to think of it, before the regression, a few months before the Emperor stopped visiting the underground, there was no talk about Michael.
As Reina tried to ponder over that time, Michael put away the divine object and said.
“This should be sufficient verification. I will report well to His Majesty.”
Following that, as he stood up from his seat, Reina also stood up.
Then Michael stopped her with his hand.
“No need to see me out. Aren’t you uncomfortable being with me anyway?”
Michael, with a perfectly polite smile, went out and instructed the waiting butler to guide him to his room.
It was an attitude drawing a line, just like when he first came.
As soon as he left the room, Reina deeply sighed in relief.
It was a success. Michael hadn’t noticed her lie.
Pipi.
Ritsi flew to her shoulder and rubbed its beak.
At that small warmth, Reina gave a faint smile.
“Good job, Ritsi.”
Pii.
“Now we’re free.”
Reina forcibly suppressed the surging emotion.
She no longer had to have her power exploited by the Emperor.
Now, this power could be used solely for herself.
Reina stared beyond the window and recalled the events of this morning.
“A guard patrolling the eastern village was found turned to stone. Besides that, several men from Gomel have gone missing, so I think I need to go check.”
Kaiden, who was preparing to greet the delegation together, was troubled upon receiving the urgent report.
The victims were mostly young and beautiful men.
From the circumstances, there was a high possibility it was the isolated species monster, Medusa.
Medusa was a monster that lived by eating human essence, turning those who met its eyes to stone and stealing their essence.
It was skilled in stealth, and the approach method was very tricky.
Because one could turn to stone if careless.
“Don’t worry about here and go.”
“How can I not worry. Who knows what that Michael guy might do to you.”
“If it’s Medusa, the longer you delay, the more victims there will be. I’m fine, so go carefully.”
“……I’ll come back as quickly as possible. If anything troublesome happens, contact me anytime. I’ll drop everything and rush to you.”
☆▪︎▪︎▪︎☆▪︎▪︎▪︎☆▪︎▪︎▪︎☆
By Anna 💓
