Chapter 116
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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Chapter 116
"...Mother."
Beyond the barrier of the Demon Realm, my hand grasped at empty air, finding nothing.
Just like Mother, whom I could never meet again.
My trembling hand flailed helplessly for a time before I collapsed, overwhelmed by the surging emotions I could no longer contain.
Only then did all the pieces fall into place.
The reason I could summon two spirits.
The reason Curtis Rohan had forbidden me from entering the Forest when I was young.
The reason he had fought so desperately to prevent war.
"Mother, Mother...."
How could I have forgotten?
How could I have lived without remembering that there was someone who loved me more than life itself...?
Lahedis, watching me sob, simply held me close without a word.
For a very long time, even after my tears had completely ceased.
Just as Mother had once held me while I cried, so long ago....
* * *
Inside the Carriage heading home.
Lahedis, seated beside me, said nothing.
He merely held my hand, as if to say he would remain at my side no matter what happened, for as long as I needed.
Having composed myself, I broke the silence first.
"Lahedis."
As I turned to call him, Lahedis, who had been watching me silently, gazed directly at me.
As if waiting for my words.
"Did you already know?"
Even if he had suspected I was the daughter of a high-ranking demon, the revelation that I was the Demon King's daughter should have been shocking enough for him.
Lahedis had simply held me as I crumbled before the truth I had finally learned.
Like someone who had always known it would come to this.
Lahedis did not answer my question, but looking into his calm eyes, I was certain.
"Since when?"
Only then did Lahedis open his mouth, his voice steady.
"During the Hunting Festival, I went to repair the weakened barrier. That's when I sensed mana similar to yours emanating from it."
Hearing that explanation, I recalled what he had said that evening.
[What does it matter? Whether you're human or demon, you're still you.]
'So Lahedis already knew everything when he said that.'
His feelings for me were not something that would be shaken by mere circumstances of my birth.
I found myself amused at how I had worried that Lahedis might fear me, even for a moment, upon learning the truth.
Yet at the same time, doubt arose.
"But then, why...."
Before I could even ask why he hadn't told me, Lahedis answered as if he had read my mind.
"Your father hadn't revealed it either, so I was hesitant about whether I should be the one to tell you."
"Curtis Rohan...."
"Perhaps he was afraid of you getting hurt."
My father, who wanted to give me only beautiful and good things.
But while I grew up blissfully ignorant and happy, what must have been churning in his heart as he buried all of it alone?
Thinking of Curtis Rohan, the emotions I'd barely suppressed surged back up, and my throat tightened.
Lahedis asked me then.
"Do you want revenge?"
I stared at him blankly.
In Lahedis's eyes lay a darkness I'd glimpsed once before.
"...Are you saying you'd kill the Emperor if I asked?"
"If that's what you want."
Lahedis's gaze held not a flicker of hesitation as he answered.
Revenge.
My heart thundered at that word.
'He's saying I could take revenge on the person who incited war with the Demon Realm and drove my mother to her death....'
My fists clenched as I turned the word over in my mind.
But the answer that finally left my lips was....
"I can't do that, Lahedis."
Lahedis's eyes flickered with confusion, as though he hadn't anticipated my answer.
I continued.
"My Aunt and the Duke both know the Emperor is a tyrant. But the reason they don't move against him is because they understand that innocent people will shed blood in the process."
When civil war erupts, those who cared nothing for grand causes—those who merely dreamed of peaceful days—bleed and die.
All because of the 'greater good' of those in power.
"And you haven't retaliated against the Emperor all this time because you share that conviction."
"...."
"Of course, there are those who fight and risk their lives for a just cause."
"...."
"I don't think their way is wrong. There are things worth protecting, even at the cost of sacrifice."
"...."
"But...I don't think that sacrifice should be for my personal revenge."
Even as I spoke those words, my heart felt as though it would shatter.
Part of me wanted to repay every sorrow and pain my family had endured.
But....
'Doing so won't bring my mother back to life.'
If we don't correct this now, war will only repeat itself.
'Another Vivian, another Melody will be born.'
So first...through legitimate means.
"I want to expose the Emperor's crimes before everyone and change how people perceive the Demon Realm."
"...."
"Will you help me?"
I chose to bury my pain and move forward into the future.
And Lahedis.
"Gladly."
Took my hand.
As he always had.
* * *
The arrow that cut through the wind struck dead center on the target.
The next arrow released followed suit, grazing the fletching of the previous shaft before embedding itself in the exact center.
A servant who confirmed the hits raised a flag and shouted.
"A direct hit!"
The knights of the 1st Knight Order watching the display burst into applause.
"Truly a master archer, Your Highness!"
"Your earlier concern that your skills might have grown rusty over the winter months seems utterly unfounded!"
Though flattery tinged the knights' words, their assessment of Allen's prowess held genuine conviction.
Allen's skill—honed through swordsmanship and archery alone, without magic—was genuinely exceptional.
Allen dismissed the tiresome, now-tedious praise with one ear and lowered his bow.
"Enough of your jesting. Now it's your turn, gentlemen. My expectations for the 1st Knight Order are quite high."
The knights each picked up a bow and took their positions before the target.
As winter arrived and snow fell, making hunting difficult, the restless Allen had proposed training to the 1st Knight Order.
Though called training, it was essentially a tedious game where only Allen found amusement while the knights served as mere spectators.
The knights, now armed with bows and in position, waited for Allen to return to his seat.
Allen turned and headed back to his place to observe the knights' performance.
A servant approached him urgently.
"Your Highness, a moment of your ear...."
Seeing the servant glance about cautiously, this was clearly no ordinary matter.
Perhaps it was the news he had been eagerly awaiting.
Allen inclined his ear toward the servant.
"Galenos wishes to see you urgently, Your Highness."
Galenos was the name of the subordinate Allen had assigned to shadow Vivian.
At that name, Allen's eyes gleamed.
"I'll be back shortly. Continue demonstrating your skills."
Allen had the knights shoot their arrows, then slipped away from the Training Ground.
As he entered the area behind the building guided by the servant, the waiting subordinate approached and bowed respectfully.
"Your Highness."
"Coming without warning suggests you've caught something significant?"
"Just as you foresaw, the big fish has bitten."
Allen's eyes gleamed with intrigue as he regarded him. His interest was unmistakable.
However, the subordinate refrained from elaborating further, noting the servant standing behind Allen.
Noticing this, Allen dismissed the servant with a wave of his hand.
Though now only Allen and the subordinate remained, the latter approached with measured caution.
"Lend me your ear for a moment."
What news could possibly be so important that it warranted such theatrical buildup?
Allen leaned in with anticipation, only to receive information that exceeded even his expectations.
"The Demon King's heart that Your Majesty seeks—Vivian Rowswide possesses it."
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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