Chapter 222: It was a Curse?

As the girls chatted and enjoyed their little tea party nonchalantly, chaos unfolded throughout the royal capital.

In the slum area, for instance, a patrolling soldier headed there, intending to blow off some steam by beating up someone from the slums—an act they could easily “justify” by accusing the residents of petty crimes like theft.

However…

“What the hell is going on…?” the soldier muttered to himself, scanning the area. “I can’t see a single shadow of those slum rats! Where did they go? How is this even possible?!”

“I don’t know…” his companion, who had tagged along, replied.

His face was pale with fear, and his lips trembled at the thought of the unknown.

“Maybe… they got spirited away…?”

He attempted to rationalize the situation but realized that what he suggested was even more far-fetched than the reality they faced.

They had no idea what had happened or how to respond appropriately. So, they did what any soldier would do—report the situation to their superiors.

The two ran quickly, not slowing down, as if racing to escape. It was as if they were being chased by ghosts, leaving the desolate slum area behind.

…

Meanwhile, on the other side of the city, at the training grounds…

“Fuck…!” an enraged female officer growled, gritting her teeth hard enough to draw blood. “Find that bitch who impersonated me, now! I want her dead…!”

At her feet lay Corporal Linette, battered and unmoving.

As the officer who had interacted most with the “fake,” she bore the brunt of Major Thelma’s fury.

Though the soldiers had no time to pity her, they were also in danger themselves.

“Search high and low!” Major Thelma roared. “Bring that bitch before me now, or you will meet the same fate as this whore!”

None of the men wanted to be beaten to a pulp, of course…

At least, most of them.

A few soldiers actually “hoped” to be punished by her in their twisted fantasies…

…

In another area, the Central Tower.

Compared to the previous locations, this one was in even greater turmoil.

“Put out the fire! Hurry and call forth those with water element magic!”

“S-Sir, the bucket brigade is failing! Fetching water from the well is too slow! The flames are raging even stronger now!”

“You shithead! Don’t stop! If you have time to speak bullshit, then move faster!”

Thanks to Arianne’s reckless stunt of setting fire to the stairs of the underground prison, the entire central tower was now engulfed in flames.

Despite the building being primarily constructed of stone, there were still plenty of flammable materials within. Everything that could catch fire had already been set ablaze.

However, that was not their only problem.

Even before the fire broke out, they were alarmed to discover that the central relay crystal was missing. This artifact was crucial, as it was the only one capable of connecting to dozens of other relay crystals to receive reports from afar.

As a result, the chain of command from all corners of the capital was now in disarray.

Moreover, there was another issue complicating matters. Besides the missing prisoners, a further threat loomed, becoming an even bigger headache as the flames intensified.

“P-Prince Hajid!”

The soldiers shouted, glancing up at the observatory at the top of the building. Although everyone else had evacuated, one figure remained, clutching a pillar and trembling in fear. Not from the flames, but from something else—something primal.

“That’s a monster… I… I need to stay here… Stay far… safe…!” he muttered to himself in a daze.

He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn’t seem to notice the flames creeping closer.

“Fuck! Hey, someone! Drag that idiot down here!”

“Oh, I’m not going there to die! Nope!”

“Heck no! You do it, Cap!”

“You cheeky little bastards…!”

The situation was so dire that the soldiers didn’t hesitate to disobey orders if it meant preserving their own safety.

After all, they were human. They had only one life. Why would they risk it to save someone who put himself in such peril?

Ultimately, the captain had no choice but to take matters into his own hands.

“Prince Hajid! I’ve come to save you! Let’s go!”

Using wind-element spells, he soared toward the observatory and grabbed the prince. He didn’t wait for a response; he simply forced the issue.

But things couldn’t possibly get any worse.

“N-No! There’s a monster down there! I’ll stay here… STOP!”

It was as if he were trying to carry a frantic cat resisting rescue. The prince flailed so wildly that the captain lost his grip, and…

“AH!”

SPLAT!

“…”

Everyone stared at the prince, now motionless after plummeting from about four stories high. They then looked up at their captain, who was also gazing down in disbelief.

“…Fuck.”

They were in deep trouble.

…

At the same time, in the castle’s throne room, various reports echoed within the hall, deepening Emperor Cyril’s frown.

Each unbelievable report that came in almost made him want to execute the soldiers who delivered them, convinced they were lying.

However, as more reports confirmed the earlier ones, he realized that this was indeed the current reality. He gritted his teeth, struggling to accept what was happening.

“What the hell is going on in my empire?!” he growled, his fist striking the armrest of his throne. “Sophia and Kyle, the thorns in my side, are now gone. I should be having an easier time now!”

With Tiffany’s assistance, he should have eliminated those vying for his throne.

Though he lost a valuable pawn, Crow, in the process, he could still view the outcome as a net positive. But now…

“Damn it!” he cursed.

His eyes scanned the room, taking in the faces of some high ministers and nobles. A few of his wives and the other “threatless” princes and princesses stood around like scarecrows.

Then, his gaze fell on a certain mage—a man he considered quite competent.

“Rico! Explain to me what is going on!” he demanded.

The unfortunate mage, Rico, stepped forward as he was called.

However, he neither knelt nor responded. Instead, he stood there, staring at the emperor with strained, red eyes and a tear-streaked face. Since returning to the castle, he had been crying profusely, mourning the death of his “liege,” Sophia.

His acting was so convincing that even the maids passing by couldn’t help but tear up at the sight. He was worthy of an Oscar!

Of course, he knew what was going on.

It was all part of the plan—though it had gone a bit off the rails.

But right now, the Emperor was demanding an answer, waiting for a proper response—and he could be planning to kill him if his reply was unsatisfactory.

“Do you still not understand, Your Majesty?”

Rico spoke without stuttering, maintaining a straight face. This was a rare sight that made everyone gasp!

“People are losing their minds. Artifacts are being stolen. Brigands have infiltrated and are instigating chaos. Even your soldiers are defying orders… If you think about it, the reason is clear.”

He took a deep breath, scanning the faces of everyone staring at him, their expressions a mix of curiosity and fear.

He scrutinized each of them slowly, a slight smile creeping onto his lips. After another deep breath, he spoke as loudly as he could, his voice echoing far beyond the confines of the throne room.

“It all started when you betrayed Princess Sophia!” he growled. “This… is her curse. She cursed the Empire to fall into chaos in return for her life!”

His voice was filled with conviction, devoid of any doubt.

So much so that nearly everyone present, despite their initial skepticism, found themselves believing him almost instantly.

“B-Blasphemy!” one of the royal knights shouted, quickly regaining their composure. “How dare you speak to the brightest sun of our empire like that?! Off with his head!”

The knights advanced, surrounding Rico.

They wielded long halberds and spears, all aimed at him with ominous intent—no, with a genuine desire to kill. Yet, he remained calm, as if death held no fear for him.

“You’re all just averting your eyes from the truth,” he said, pulling something from his pocket.

A roll of paper… two scrolls, in fact.

Rico closed his eyes, and then…

Tears of blood began to stream down his face. Ominous.

He glared at Emperor Cyril, baring his fangs.

“You killed my lover, my future, my life, you damned pig!” he roared, his voice heavy with anguish. “For that, along with Princess Sophia’s wish, I will curse this Empire! Tonight, everyone in this place…”

The tension in the room was palpable as everyone held their breath, awaiting his words.

The silence shattered with the sound of the two scrolls tearing apart… and Rico’s final words echoed louder than the stillness.

“SHALL DIE!”

In an instant, his entire body was enveloped in a blinding flash of light.

He vanished without a trace, leaving only the haunting image of his bloodshot eyes and tears of blood etched in the minds of all present.

“…Cough!”

Or so they thought.

Suddenly, they began to feel as if their throats were coated with sand.

The mention of a curse.

The mysterious scrolls Rico had used.

His fearless demeanor brimming with blood-curdling vengeance.

And now, the “mysterious” coughing fit.

All at once, those assembled in the hall realized…

“W-We’ve been cursed!”

That they were about to “die.”

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