Chapter 52: Origins

The Wixorn village was located in the north east of the empire. This clan did not partake in any official affairs unlike the Theocheirós Clan which was responsible for administering the religions, the Luxier Clan which was the main source of energy and also the protectors of the civilians, the Uthalonica Clan which was the leading producers of imperial soldiers while also managing the training camps, and the Hemmethe Clan which was the source of the most latest technologies and weapons.

The Wixorn Clan, however, played an extremely important role outside of the official imperial affairs. Having the ability to communicate with spirits, the mysterious essence that roamed the world, they acted as the empire’s spear and shield against the unseen forces around them. Without an organization like the Wixorn Shrine Keepers, the empire would most likely end up being full of curses and unsolvable crises, like the other neighboring empires.

Aside from that, there wasn’t much known information about this clan. But Dhein was sure that the man in front of them, working with demons, wasn’t Spirit Clan’s leader, much less Fiorelle’s father.

’What is she saying?’ he thought while glancing at the child of spirits.

Moments later, the man who she called Sullivan Wixorn spoke.

“The spirit of truth must have revealed it to you.”

Fiorelle immediately shook her head and then replied.

“It didn’t. What it showed me seven years ago was a scene showing how you and mother had died. In that vision, I saw the Callex Region as a baby, being cradled gently by you and mother. I immediately felt that you were my real parents.”

“Then, I saw the two of you being consumed by shadows that appeared as monsters. That was why I accepted the fact that my real parents were killed in a monster attack.”

Dhein couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Fiorelle was adopted and this man was her real father?

“So, how did you find the truth?” Sullivan asked.

The girl looked at Dhein with a faint — sort of forced — smile, and then said:

“Dhein guided me.”

He blinked, hearing her statement.

’What?’

She turned back to Sullivan and then continued.

“He brought me to Selense where I met Queen Margaret Garvill. At that time, she was possessed by a god and I was trying to help her banish it. Dhein ended up doing the job instead.”

“When the queen first woke, I was the only one in the chamber with her. That was when she spoke to me. On the fence between consciousness and dream, she told me something she wouldn’t have if she was fully aware.”

“In a trance, she apologized for killing mother and letting you fall to the dark side. She revealed to me that you were working with demons and begged me to help you find your way back to humanity.”

“Which is why, when I heard that there was a demon base here in Callex, I followed Dhein to be able to meet you.”

Sullivan fell silent for a few moments, the only noise around them was the swirling surface of the ominous portal.

Then, the blonde old man spoke.

“Allegra— no… Fiorelle. Tell me, what did your mother look like in the vision you saw?”

Surprised by this question, the girl pondered for a while before answering.

“I… I don’t remember.”

Sullivan asked another question.

“Did you notice anything different when you saw her?”

Fiorelle tried to see where her father wanted this to lead up to, but failed.

“No…”

And then suddenly, Sullivan smiled, asking:

“Did she look human to you?”

The deafening silence dominated the air as they were all left in a stupor by that question.

’Why would he ask something like that?’ Dhein thought.

When no one was speaking, Sullivan continued.

“Fiorelle, your mother was a demon.”

Slowly, her eyes opened wider and wider, the blood from her face drained away.

“When she gave birth to you, she was extremely weakened. That’s how they managed to chase us down all the way here in Callex when we tried to run away. They killed her.”

Though he was shocked himself, Dhein worriedly looked at Fiorelle. She looked like her whole reality was crumbling.

“I tried to beg them. But they didn’t show mercy because she had demon blood flowing in her veins.”

“Not to brag, but I was the heir to the Spirit Clan back then, since I was the strongest Wixorn in my time. So, even when I was alone fighting my entire clan and the armies of Selense, I managed to win. Though, I couldn’t protect your mother.”

“So, I swore in her grave. I will one day wipe Olcour off the fucking map. I knew it wouldn’t be the best for you to grow up with a father like me, so I entrusted you to my sister. I knew she would love you like her own, no matter who you are.”

Sullivan looked around, running a hand through his graying blonde hair. Then, he turned to Dhein.

“I wanted to destroy this empire, but well, you got me. I don’t know how, but you found our base and stopped my plans.”

Dhein stepped forward, his serious face darkening. He then spoke with a firm voice.

“Those titans that we saw. You were planning to revive them and unleash them into the continent. You were also the one who created the cursed food.”

Sullivan stared at him for a moment before responding.

“You’re right.”

Clenching his jaws, Dhein declared:

“There should be a way to nullify the effects of the cursed food. If you have the cure, give it to me now, or I won’t give you a chance to even desire redemption.”

Hearing that, Sullivan sighed.

“There is no cure.”

Dhein fell silent at his words. A few seconds later, Fiorelle reaffirmed.

“He’s telling the truth.”

He returned his gaze to the old man, a hope in his heart just shattered.

’So we can no longer save the people who have eaten it, huh.’

Fortunately, the next thing Sullivan said ignited his hope back.

“There is no cure, because it is not a disease.”

He then turned to his side where a table was set, he grabbed a small bottle of black potion and then handed it to Dhein.

“That is the main ingredient for the cursed food. Don’t worry, unless I mix it with a particular compound, following a specific procedure, that substance is harmless.”

“To nullify the curse inside a human who has eaten the food, you must do the exact opposite procedure for which the curse was created. Then, once you drink the byproduct of that procedure, the curse will be lifted.”

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