Chapter 111
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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 111
The Assembly Hall fell silent as if doused with cold water.
Those who failed to grasp Kieran's words immediately were bewildered, yet they sensed the gravity of the situation and held their breath.
The Holy King rose abruptly from his seat.
"Enough!"
The one who had shown only benevolence until now unleashed his voice in fury.
Ignoring all those who looked incredulous, the Holy King fixed his gaze upon Kieran.
"I have seen enough to confirm it."
His eyes widened as he paused briefly to collect himself, attempting to quell his agitation.
Yet the trembling at the corners of his wrinkled eyes could not be suppressed.
The Holy King spoke slowly.
"...Indeed, it is the most precious and singular thing in this world. The Divine must surely be pleased with House Basilian's devotion."
"It is my honor."
Kieran answered without hesitation.
The Holy King's expression suggested he wished to strangle Kieran's neck for his brazen smile.
But he exercised restraint, and it was the last patience that Holy King Sianor possessed.
"Let us conclude today's ceremony."
The Holy King rose from his seat and departed first through the passage behind him.
The Holy Priests and knights hastily followed the Holy King.
The Pure Child Prayer Ceremony ended its first day with the atmosphere in complete disarray.
***
What could the promise of the Black Forest be?
Chesa was desperately, desperately curious.
Even more so because the Holy King trembled and thrashed about at that remark.
I secretly hoped Kieran would explain it clearly, but he only kept things vague.
"Do you trust Dad?"
He merely grinned mischievously, just as he had when he blocked Lemil's sacred power and humiliated Cardinal Milliod.
"I'll make sure our Chesa wears the crown without fail."
What Kieran had said to the Holy King was certainly something extraordinary.
When Belzeon received word of the situation, he let out a hollow laugh before expressing his thoughts in just one phrase.
"Have you lost your mind?"
But Kieran remained confident.
"We agreed to surface. Of course, I had originally planned to use a more peaceful method."
He insisted it was unfair, claiming they kept testing his patience over there and he couldn't endure it anymore.
An irritated Belzeon no longer bothered to respond.
"Starting with the Pure Child Prayer Ceremony, I'll make sure people clearly remember the name Basilian."
Regardless, Kieran, who had been enjoying himself, suddenly stopped speaking and looked at Belzeon.
"Belzeon, you...."
He whispered softly.
"I wish you could live a little more freely than I do."
Belzeon kept his lips sealed and gazed at Kieran in silence for a moment.
Then he slowly turned his head away, avoiding his gaze.
"...I'll summon the Twins. We need to discuss what comes next, don't we?"
The men of House Basilian gathered urgently and began their meeting.
Chesa wanted to join them out of curiosity, but unfortunately was sent to the bedroom.
It was because babies needed to sleep early.
"It'll probably take a while, so don't wait and just sleep, little sister."
"Grow up quickly, baby. We won't be back until tomorrow morning."
The Twins carefully laid Chesa on the bed and tucked the blanket around her meticulously before leaving.
But the moment the Twins departed.
Chesa sprang up from the bed.
Now that she had time alone, her task was clear.
It was time to investigate the Holy Empire.
'There's not just one or two suspicious things.'
There were so many that I didn't know where to start.
Since time was still on my side, I decided to proceed quietly and carefully, without being too greedy or getting caught.
So to begin the investigation in earnest, I tried to bring along my loyal companion.
"Hata, you coming?"
"...."
The companion was fast asleep, as if unconscious.
Chesa gently stroked the poor Hata.
Lately, I've been busy with the Pure Child Prayer Ceremony, so the Twins have been primarily looking after Hata.
It seemed she had been subjected to torment disguised as play by them today as well.
Hata, sprawled across the sofa, showed no signs of waking.
With no other choice, I set out alone to explore the Holy Empire.
Being the Holy Empire, I had to exercise exceptional caution, and then caution once more.
I summoned my power with far greater care than usual.
I traveled enveloped in flowers.
The place I arrived at was the Grand Temple.
Unlike the bustling daytime filled with the Pure Child Prayer Ceremony, the Grand Temple at night was serene.
Only the faint moonlight dimly illuminated the empty temple.
"Whoosh!"
I fluttered my arms to scatter the flower fragrance.
Every time I used my power, such flashy effects sparkled that it was troublesome when I had to sneak around like this.
After erasing my traces, I placed my hands on my hips and furrowed my brow.
I had moved about following my intuition at first, but....
Still, I was already overwhelmed trying to figure out where and how to investigate this vast Grand Temple.
It would have been somewhat easier if Hata had helped me.
Thinking of a tired puppy, I shook my head side to side.
Then I walked forward alone, step by step.
It was when I was walking toward the chair where the Holy King had sat today.
I stopped abruptly in my tracks.
"...!"
I heard singing.
It was the crown calling to me.
But unlike last time, when the song seemed to fill the entire Holy Empire, this song was extremely faint and thin, as if it might break off at any moment.
As if it were forcing sound through a narrow gap.
My body moved of its own accord before I could think.
I summoned my power and moved to where the crown was calling me.
Originally, a fairy's power was not omnipotent.
I could not move to places I had never visited or where there was no medium like a fairy's mark.
Yet somehow, I was able to instantly transport myself to where the crown was.
Inside the Sacred Relic Vault.
In the center of a cleanly emptied space lay the Fairy Queen's crown.
Around the crown placed on a display stand, pure white chains imbued with holy power were intricately intertwined.
I gazed at the crown beyond the chains.
A small gasp escaped between my lips.
"Ah...."
The Fairy Queen's crown was beautiful.
The floral crown woven from the most beautiful flowers in the world was full and large, too big for a small child like me to wear on my head.
But it would fit Lichesia perfectly.
The pleasant floral fragrance drifting from the crown tickled Chesa's senses.
I kept imagining myself wearing that crown, the image playing over and over in my mind.
The crown sang to me in an increasingly beautiful voice, as if seducing me.
Like a sailor enchanted by a siren in a storm, I found myself drawn toward the crown without realizing it.
Buoyed by flowers and butterflies, I carefully squeezed between the chains and positioned myself directly in front of the crown resting on its pedestal.
'I shouldn't touch it.'
I was in the middle of the Pure Child Prayer Ceremony.
With no way of knowing what might happen, touching the Fairy Queen's crown was decidedly unwise.
A sharp premonition struck me—the moment I touched the crown, something momentous would change.
Yet even as I thought I shouldn't, my hand refused to stop moving.
It felt as though something invisible was pulling me forward.
The instant my hesitant fingertips brushed against the crown's petals.
A tingling, stinging sensation pierced my heart.
It was a sharp pain, as if pricked by a thorny rose.
Startled, I hastily withdrew my hand as light erupted outward.
A brilliant radiance spread, and the floral fragrance billowed forth in all directions.
The scent was so thick and potent that even I felt dizzy.
Flower petals bloomed and enveloped my entire body.
And where the flowers faded away....
"...Oh?"
An adult version of myself stood there.
So startled, I froze in place for a moment.
Then I verified one by one: the suddenly elevated eye level, the elongated limbs, the long golden hair cascading down.
I had transformed back into the fairy Lichesia.
Even my clothes had changed into a long, flowing gossamer dress.
The dress adorned with delicate flowers shimmered with a soft glow even without light, releasing a sweet and lavish floral fragrance.
Suddenly becoming an adult was disorienting enough, but my clothes changing too?
"What—what is this? Why is this happening?"
I stood there wide-eyed at this sudden transformation.
Clank!
The chains around me began moving rapidly.
I gasped sharply.
I immediately tried to use my fairy powers, but my opponent was faster.
I was instantly wrapped tightly in pristine white chains.
The firmly sealed doors of the Sacred Relic Vault opened.
The master of the chains had come to punish the thief who dared attempt to steal the Fairy Queen's crown.
In those chillingly blue eyes, I was reflected—bound tightly in chains.
His sharp gaze twisted in disbelief.
Hailon called out my name as if unable to comprehend.
"...Lichesia?"
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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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