Chapter 59
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
Chapter 59
"So you do have the ability to sense magical energy. How perceptive of you."
Joseph drew back the blackout curtain covering the window. As light flooded in, the contents of the room became visible.
Inside were several large crystals on display. Gray smoke swirled within them—they were clearly the cores of magical beasts.
"Young Master, would you be willing to demonstrate your purification ability for us?"
"Of course."
Lucian nodded without hesitation, readily agreeing.
"Allow me to show you the power of this gifted individual."
He seemed eager to showcase his abilities.
'There's no stopping him, is there.'
While I shook my head in resignation, Lucian approached the display case containing the magical beast cores.
"It's simple. When I touch it like this—"
A brilliant flash erupted.
"It gets purified."
"Remarkable!"
The priests gasped in awe at the white light emanating from Lucian's hand.
"Is it impossible to purify without direct contact?"
"Hmm, I'm not entirely sure about that."
Lucian tilted his head curiously and raised his hand at a distance of about a span from the core.
But this time, nothing happened. Even staring intently at the core produced no effect.
"It seems this aspect will require training."
"Training?"
"Yes. We cannot have you directly touching living magical beasts for purification. It would be better to train you to purify from a distance without making direct contact."
"I agree with that approach."
After all, I couldn't ask Lucian to touch magical beasts directly.
"Additionally, the purification ability should be practiced so it can be activated at will, according to the Young Master's intention."
At Joseph's words, the priests standing beside the Archbishop diligently took notes.
"Now let us test how much magical energy you can purify at once."
Lucian proceeded to purify the magical beast cores one after another under Joseph's direction.
"Hah! This is what a true gifted individual can do!"
After purifying about seven cores while boasting of his abilities, Lucian noticeably fell silent.
"Aunt, I'm tired. My shoulders and eyelids feel so heavy."
"All right. That's enough for now."
"Will you hold me?"
I lifted the whimpering Lucian into my arms.
Nestled against me, he soon drifted into peaceful sleep.
It appeared that purifying magical energy required far more stamina than anticipated.
"Shall we conclude for today and take our leave?"
"Yes."
I boarded the carriage, cradling the sleeping Lucian in my arms.
I wanted nothing more than to return to Bellomen Mansion so Lucian could rest comfortably, but an appointment with the Emperor awaited afterward.
"I'll need to wake him when we arrive."
I gently stroked Lucian's chest as he slept, using my lap as his pillow.
Despite being small as a bell, he still listened to me. The way he conducted himself with such propriety before the Archbishop was quite impressive.
'The old Lucian could never have imagined doing something like this.'
The past version of him would have surely raced through the Corridor and shattered decorations in his wake.
'I suppose I'm doing rather well after all.'
I felt relieved that all my efforts hadn't been entirely in vain.
Lost in such thoughts, the carriage arrived at our destination—the Imperial Capital.
"Lucian, wake up. We need to see His Majesty the Emperor."
"Mmm...."
I roused Lucian, who could barely open his eyes, and descended from the carriage with him.
"Regardless of anyone else, you must be especially careful with your behavior before His Majesty. Do you understand?"
"You've told me several times...."
After tidying Lucian's appearance as he rubbed his eyes, I followed the attendant's guidance into the building.
The Emperor awaited us in the Audience Chamber.
"I, Lucella of Rilprey, pay my respects to the Sun of the Empire."
"I, Lucian of House of Bellomen, pay my respects to the Sun of the Empire."
The Emperor smiled as he watched Lucian bow his head in imitation of me.
"You've gone to considerable trouble coming all this way. Now, please, sit without further ceremony."
I led Lucian to the seats the Emperor had indicated.
Claude was already seated there.
"Marquis, what are you doing here?"
"I thought it would be pleasant to see you while I was in the Imperial Capital, so I made a request of His Majesty."
"Claude has been quite eager to see you."
The Emperor descended from his throne and took his seat at the head of the table, speaking without hesitation. From the way he called Claude by his name so freely, the two appeared to be quite close.
"You were together the entire time you spent in the Duke's Territory, yet he still wishes to be with you here in the Imperial Capital."
The Emperor's expression as he said this seemed rather sinister.
Why was he making such a face while looking at Claude and me?
"Youth. Such is youth."
"Your Majesty."
"Very well. Let me cease my jesting here."
The Emperor patted Claude's shoulder and straightened in his seat.
"I summoned Miss Rilprey and the young prince of House of Bellomen today because I have a favor to ask."
A wave of tension washed over me, and I swallowed dryly. I had a feeling I knew what the Emperor's request would be.
"I would like to ask for your assistance and the young prince's in a matter concerning monster subjugation."
As expected.
It was exactly what I had anticipated. Given the Emperor's troubles with the monster problem, it was only natural that he would covet our abilities.
"Would you be willing to join us in this monster subjugation? I promise you, I will not place you in any dangerous situation."
"That is not a decision I can make alone, Your Majesty. Since Lucian is still young, I must consult with his father, the Duke of Bellomen...."
"The Duke has already given his consent."
"...Pardon?"
My thoughts came to an abrupt halt at the Emperor's words.
Claude, seated across from me, visibly stiffened as well—clearly hearing this for the first time.
"So you're saying the Duke of Bellomen has... approved Lucian's participation in monster subjugation?"
"Indeed. As a nobleman of considerable standing within the realm, he said it was only natural to step forward for the Empire's sake. It seems you and he have not discussed this matter."
I felt the Emperor's gaze searching my face. Gratitude would have been the appropriate response, but I had no capacity for such pleasantries now.
'Send Lucian to monster subjugation? That tiny child?'
I stared at Lucian, whose expression remained blissfully unaware, his eyes blinking innocently.
To thrust that small child—my own flesh and blood—into such danger. My body trembled with fury.
"I believe it would be best to postpone the coronation ceremony for another occasion."
"Thank you for your understanding."
In that moment, the Emperor ceased to exist in my perception.
I rose from my seat at once, taking Lucian with me.
* * *
"Edwin."
"Father!"
At the Duke's call, Edwin rushed forward and threw himself into his arms.
The Duke stroked the child's hair tenderly.
Just as Gillian had reported, Edwin had grown considerably in the time since I'd last seen him.
And with each passing day, he bore an ever-stronger resemblance to his deceased mother.
The delicate features befitting a young boy, the eyes burning like crimson flames, the dimples that deepened when he smiled—
Everything about the child was Iris herself.
That was precisely why I felt such remorse. All the things I could not give Iris, I wished to bestow upon this child who bore her image so perfectly.
'Dehardt, I could never stand beside you as an equal. I am nothing but a commoner.'
The things she never possessed—status, for instance.
Now that Edwin was born as Iris's son, surely questions about his lineage would inevitably arise.
'I only wish Edwin would not be wounded by it.'
I hoped he would not leave my side bearing only scars, as Iris had done.
How could I protect my precious child?
As I wrestled with this question, a brilliant idea suddenly illuminated my mind.
'If I elevate him to a position so high that no one dares question his legitimacy, that would solve everything.'
And the highest position within House Bellomen was that of the family head—the Duke.
"Father?"
When I fell silent for a long moment, Edwin tugged gently at my collar.
"Edwin."
"Yes?"
"Would you like to become the family head?"
"What is a family head?"
"The master of this household."
"Master?"
Edwin tilted his head in confusion.
"A family head can have anything he desires. No one would dare treat a family head with disrespect."
"Then I can have a family too?"
"Of course."
You could meet the partner of your choosing and build the family you desire.
"Hmm...."
With his index finger pressed to his lips and eyes rolling in thought, Edwin soon came to a decision and opened his mouth.
"Then I want to do it!"
"You've made a wise choice."
The Duke gazed at Edwin with a satisfied smile.
"I, your father, will make you a family head no matter what it takes."
To achieve that, it was only right to eliminate the competition first.
What I could not give to Iris, I would place entirely in this small child's hands. With such thoughts, I smiled.
"Duke, talk to me for a moment!"
A voice shattered the peaceful moment.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org