Chapter 121
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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 121
I gnawed at my fingernails, my thoughts spiraling endlessly.
'If Kiaros discovers I'm an experimental subject, he'll kill me....'
And if I were in his position, I would do the same.
How could I know what experiments my mother would undergo next in the Gaejo Faction? What if I became a monster or a human weapon?
Perhaps the Tower Master kept emphasizing this very concern.
[Don't tell anyone about what makes you special.]
When the Tower Master informed Kiaros about my mother and the Gaejo Faction, he made no mention of me.
He was doing his best to protect me in his own way.
'But there's one thing that doesn't add up. If the Gaejo Faction knew I was a successful experiment, wouldn't they have already approached me? They wouldn't just leave me alone like this?'
I couldn't fathom the reason. I could only assume that the Gaejo Faction was completely unaware of my existence. Perhaps they still didn't know what results would emerge from experiments conducted on pregnant demons.
'But wait. Wouldn't it be better if I just died?'
Better than living as an unwilling experimental subject, uncertain of what my life would become.
Kiaros said he now trusted me completely, but if I lost control of my body and became a puppet of the Gaejo Faction, that would be troublesome.
'Of course, there are other paths.'
If I revealed that I was Aran's daughter and a successful experiment, I could become a high-ranking official of the Gaejo Faction.
I might even be able to save my father and live with him.
'But I don't want to cooperate with the Gaejo Faction. Because....'
It seemed like a rational choice as an individual, yet something within me strongly rejected it.
'That's not right.'
I didn't want to align myself with such a contemptible, base organization.
I despised conducting experiments on living creatures. I also despised the Temple, which sought to wage war and establish authority through others' sacrifice.
'Damn it....'
I exhaled deeply.
In the end, I was my father's daughter. Whether from early education or not, I had inherited his ethical nature.
'Rather than be exploited by the Gaejo Faction, death would be preferable, but for now....'
I wiped away my tears swiftly.
'Let me capture the High Priest one last time.'
Even in this situation, I wanted to accomplish what needed to be done. Whether I lived or died, the Gaejo Faction had to be eliminated.
A plan began to crystallize in my mind.
An opportunity to arrest the High Priest.
This was my final gift to Kiaros.
'Still....'
Though death didn't frighten me, I wasn't without desires for life.
'Before I die, I wish I could see my father and the Tower Master just one more time....'
Memories of those who had cherished me flickered through my mind.
My father's smile as he always held young me close. The Tower Master's letter, worrying about me until the end. And....
Kibon's broad back as he carried me without hesitation.
The tender, hopeful glances we exchanged in this room just moments ago.
The feelings we expressed so carefully, using the night air as an excuse, drifted softly to the surface.
[That's nice.]
[That's nice.]
Tears I had been holding back streamed down my face.
* * *
The next morning.
Crown Prince Kiaros had risen at dawn and was working when the Attendant brought him a letter from Namia Loapi.
Your Highness, I hope you had a restful night.
Today, when I am with the High Priest, would it be possible for you to visit my room?
The letter was polite but dry and brief.
As Crown Prince Kiaros wrote a short reply of acknowledgment, he asked out of habit.
"Anything else unusual?"
"Ah...."
The Attendant answered, rolling his eyes.
"She went out briefly last night. She said she couldn't sleep and went for a walk."
"Namia Loapi did?"
"Yes. Since you hadn't ordered surveillance, I left her be. She went down a secluded path toward the Temple and returned shortly after."
Crown Prince Kiaros furrowed his brow.
He had instructed her to call for Kibon whenever she went anywhere, and he wondered if she hadn't called him because it was night.
Moreover, toward the Temple—even within the Imperial Palace, it was dangerous.
He decided he absolutely had to warn her this time. To call for Kibon specifically....
[Or not.]
Crown Prince Kiaros pressed his forehead and fell into thought.
[If I tell her everything today, will Kibon disappear? Then should I tell her to call for me instead? But given Namia Loapi's nature, she absolutely won't call for me.]
His options no longer included 'having her call for another guard'.
[If he stays close, affection will grow.]
It was experience speaking.
Just as he was earnestly deliberating.
Another Attendant entered.
"Crown Prince, Your Highness. The High Priest has entered the Minister of Scrolls's room."
Now he had to play along with the crude trap Namia Loapi had set.
It would be fine if it went well, but Crown Prince Kiaros didn't think anything major would happen.
Unless the High Priest had lost his mind, he wouldn't attack Crown Prince Kiaros no matter what setup was laid for him.
"Very well."
Crown Prince Kiaros quickly pulled out a mirror and nodded.
"Let me prepare."
Namia Loapi had certainly said that Crown Prince Kiaros's exterior was better than Kibon's.
That was all he could rely on now. He had to keep appealing to this guaranteed advantage.
[Really? Was that exterior really that good.... Better than me now?]
[No matter how handsome that Intern is, he cannot compare to Your Highness the Crown Prince, an Imperial Official....]
When Kibon learned that he was Crown Prince Kiaros, there had to be at least one good thing about it.
* * *
I ended up staying awake through the entire night.
Yet it was strange how my mind remained sharp. I overcame the shock through sheer willpower.
And at dawn, I summoned the High Priest.
"Ugh, I'm so sleepy but my mind won't stop racing—I couldn't sleep at all... My condition is absolutely terrible."
I sighed heavily while gazing at my reflection in the mirror.
Normally I would have been with Kibon, but today I couldn't bring myself to face him. So I deliberately didn't call for him.
In fact, I had intended to tell Kibon to hide in case the High Priest attacked...
But the thought of seeing him made me feel like I'd burst into tears, so I devised a different plan instead.
After scrutinizing my reflection in the mirror for a long while, I muttered with displeasure.
"My skin is rough and I have dark circles under my eyes. Don't I?"
"Yes, you do."
"Why do you have to answer so honestly? Honestly, you really lack social skills... "
I mimicked Oson and shot him a disapproving glance. Then I crossed my arms and spoke.
"Well, could you share some of your holy power with me anyway? I think my condition will improve once I receive it."
The High Priest looked at me with an expression that seemed to say, 'If you're tired, just sleep—why are you bothering me?' But he didn't voice it.
I yawned and lazily kicked my feet.
'The High Priest must be in a similar situation to me.'
The suspicion I'd harbored all along had now crystallized into certainty.
'Feeling nauseous, coughing up blood, then being perfectly fine... that's definitely an aftereffect of the experiment.'
In the original work, he never ages either. It must be an experiment to sustain life indefinitely.
And when he coughs up blood, something grows stronger.
According to Luca Class, he coughed up blood at the banquet.
Which means he now possesses some transcendent ability.
'Crown Prince Kiaros doesn't know the High Priest is an experimental subject. So even though he thinks I'm devising a somewhat flawed plan, he's playing along with me.'
But if the High Priest uses his transcendent power as an experimental subject to kill Kiaros, and if I can immediately arrest him for it...
Then it would be enormously helpful in dismantling the Gaejo Faction.
That's why I didn't leave immediately, even knowing that if Kiaros discovered me, it would mean instant death.
"Then I shall offer my prayers."
The High Priest immediately manifested his holy power. At the same time, my condition improved dramatically.
Despite having stayed up all night, my body and mind felt remarkably refreshed.
'Oh, this is wonderful.'
I'd originally been scheming to set a trap, but receiving the holy power felt like I'd been given an incredible gift. Seeing my pleased expression, the High Priest let out a faint sigh.
"This is lovely. Wow, if you stayed with me like this, I wouldn't even need to sleep."
"That... the promise you made last time... I trust you'll keep it."
Of course. That must be his real purpose. How much his body must have been aching to finally say those words.
I smiled and stretched.
"I know that already. In that case, High Priest, would you like to have some tea before you go?"
"Pardon?"
"I heard that Crown Prince Kiaros will be arriving soon."
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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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