Chapter 118
“Such…”
“Not only that, but the Lavernin region gradually became barren land. Snow falls year-round, making farming impossible.”
The family that had once received nature’s love declined in this way.
Due to a mistake committed by none other than the family’s ancestor.
“Regrets came too late and were of no use, and Lavernin was desperate to hide the incident. Only among the direct descendants did they remember that error, waiting for the day a phantom summoner would appear again.”
The Crown Princess’s eyes turned toward me. A voice laced with subtle regret followed.
“I never imagined you’d awaken on your own without any help. And from the looks of it, you’ve already made a contract with an otherworldly being.”
As befitting a family of phantom summoners for generations, she seemed able to sense the aura of otherworldly entities.
It was when I nodded in affirmation.
Alferen spoke coldly.
“You intended to use Rodellia’s power under the pretext of her awakening.”
Having seen through the Crown Princess’s intentions, he stepped forward to shield me.
“I won’t deny it. It’s not as if I never had such thoughts. However, I didn’t summon you here with malicious intent.”
The Crown Princess admitted readily and continued.
“For ages, Lavernin has awaited a phantom summoner to adopt them into the family and restore our lineage. If the elders learned of the young lady’s abilities, they’d stop at nothing to make her one of Lavernin.”
“…It sounds as though Your Highness holds views different from those of the elders.”
“Indeed. What good would it do to regain power lost through our own arrogance? Lavernin has been known as one of the four great ducal houses for countless years without phantom abilities. Greed for more than that would only invite calamity.”
As she said, Lavernin had lost its symbolic status as a phantom summoning house, yet it still held its place among the four great ducal families.
The achievements accomplished in Lavernin continued to sustain the house.
Unlike the elders, the Crown Princess was not shackled by the past; she was forward-thinking.
The Crown Princess slowly scanned Alferen from head to toe.
“If I were to lay a hand on the young lady, I’d have to count Ainluk as an enemy as well, and I have no desire for such a burden. I seek no unnecessary conflicts.”
At the Crown Princess’s words, Alferen’s intensity eased somewhat.
“I haven’t informed the family yet. I intend to teach the young lady the phantom arts to the extent I am able.”
True to someone destined to become the mother of a nation, her political calculations were swift.
Unlike the family elders who yearned for the old power, her choice—as one who hoped for new currents to flow—was surely the best option.
It reached the point where the curse that had plunged such a rational woman into melancholy in an instant suddenly felt terrifying.
“If your plan involves burdening Rodellia under that pretext, I will refuse.”
Even at Alferen’s cold words, the Crown Princess showed no sign of offense.
Instead, as if she had anticipated it, she opened her mouth.
“My story isn’t finished yet. The terms of the deal begin now.”
The Crown Princess straightened her posture and continued.
“Six years ago, after the ice dragon’s rampage, about one-third of Lavernin’s land became contaminated, rendering it uninhabitable for people. On-site investigations were naturally impossible, so we were focused solely on preventing the contamination from spreading.”
The ice dragon’s rampage had been a devastating blow not only to the Ainluk family but to the Lavernin family as well.
It required an enormous amount of holy water to contain the contamination.
‘It was all the consort’s scheme. To weaken the Crown Princess’s family and bring the Ainluk family into her grasp.’
“Thanks to the magic tool the duke sent recently, we were able to conduct an on-site investigation once more. And we discovered this.”
What the Crown Princess handed over was a red stone.
The item, which looked dangerous at a glance, was contained in a glass case inscribed with complex sealing formulas.
Alferen recognized it immediately and said.
“It’s a bloodstone.”
“More than ten bloodstones were found at the site. That means sorcery using lives as collateral was performed on Lavernin land without Lavernin’s knowledge.”
The Crown Princess wore an expression of utter indignation.
It was only natural, as such an event had occurred right in her own front yard.
“As the duke is already aware, among the clans that employed such sorcery was the Serak.”
The Crown Princess mentioned Serak, the consort’s origin, instead of naming the consort directly.
“Are you suspecting the consort?”
“Of course, I know that Lady Rosaria abolished the Serak clan’s power upon becoming the consort. But what if she didn’t actually abolish it?”
To be precise, she had lost her power but regained it after meeting Pierre.
The Serak clan’s sorcery would never vanish as long as even a single successor remained.
“There is one thing I wish to request.”
The Crown Princess looked down at her own belly.
“Protect the child within. I am grateful that you sent the rosario despite knowing your identity might be exposed, but without locating the source of the sorcery, the rosario alone cannot dispel it.”
“You haven’t found the evidence yet?”
“It must surely be within the palace. But searching while evading the consort’s eyes is no easy task. And my health is not sound.”
The reason she had risked danger to meet with us was, as expected, for the sake of the child.
Just then, a good idea occurred to me, and I cleared my throat to draw attention.
“Ahem! If it’s that, I believe I can resolve it for you.”
It was a statement I could make because I already knew where the consort had hidden it.
At my bold declaration, the Crown Princess’s eyes sparkled.
“Truly?”
“Yes. However, Your Highness’s role will be the most crucial. You know that the consort won’t stop merely because the sorcery is removed, don’t you?”
At my meaningful murmur, the Crown Princess’s gaze grew resolute.
“Indeed. That woman wishes to make Cesare the emperor.”
As expected, the Crown Princess was aware of the consort’s hidden ambitions.
In that case, the discussion would proceed smoothly.
“We’ll set a trap. We’ll strike when the consort feels that things have gone according to her plan.”
* * *
My plan was simple.
First, under the pretense of holding regular prayer meetings for the Crown Princess’s mental and physical stability, we would naturally collect the evidence within the palace.
The curse dolls planted by the consort totaled five.
They operated on the principle of completing a five-directional formation with talismans inscribed in the consort’s blood.
‘If we remove them recklessly, the consort might catch on. I plan to find all five first and then temporarily halt the sorcery.’
Alferen had agreed to assist with halting the sorcery.
It was because maintaining purification power for an extended time was beyond my limits, as I couldn’t yet properly wield the phantom arts.
‘Don’t overexert yourself.’
While he never blocked what I set out to do, he was accustomed to helping in ways that prevented me from overdoing it.
The plan that began in this manner proceeded smoothly. Receiving instruction on the applications of phantom arts from the Crown Princess under the excuse of the prayer meetings killed two birds with one stone.
Of course, inconveniences did arise.
It was a gathering where all the high-ranking noble ladies had been invited.
Nanael was stubbornly attending these prayer meetings, dragging Jessica along.
The suspicious consort had likely hounded Nanael to spy on us.
The two, who appeared as though they had no intention of praying to the gods in their lifetime, always sat there with lifeless eyes before picking fights with me.
“The young lady has a more shameless side than I expected. This setting must be quite uncomfortable for you, yet you attend every time. Is there a reason?”
Of course, I wasn’t one to simply take it lying down.
“I’m not uncomfortable in the least. Your Highness seems to be the one who’s uncomfortable? Though it’s not surprising coming from someone who shamelessly keeps Jessica—who I sued—by your side.”
At my words, the incensed Jessica interjected into the conversation.
“Who’s the one being petty by suing over old matters long past?”
She seemed to have resolved to go all out now.
With a chilly smile, I said to Jessica.
“You should have cultivated a kinder heart in everyday life. If you’d at least known how to reflect, I would have let it slide amicably.”
“What did you say?”
“Well. Just seeing you meet with Prince Cesare again tells me you’re not all that clever.”
As I refused to yield even a single word, Jessica trembled with rage.
It was just as she was about to snap back at me.
Nanael said coldly.
“Jessica. You must behave politely toward the young lady.”
What? Why is she acting like that?
It was somewhat absurd that the very person who had been picking fights moments ago was now offering admonishment.
Even more astonishing was Jessica’s reaction.
“I-I’m sorry.”
As if her earlier bravado had vanished, Jessica shrank her shoulders.
