Chapter 87

At last, the ridiculous false accusation aimed at Yuwon was cleared, and Yuwon returned to his rightful place.

“Of course. His Highness the Fifth Prince, a devil? The real devils were those beasts. Calling His Highness a devil when he was struggling to save even one more life on the battlefield. Tsk tsk.”

“Lehl crossed the line this time.”

“Right, we spoiled them too much, and now they’re completely swollen with arrogance. If His Highness Yurion were to become the next Emperor at this rate, Lehl would go through a very rough time.”

People were busy talking about Yuwon’s situation.

The prevailing opinion was that Lehl had swung around the name of the god recklessly, causing people to be shaken by an absurd rumor.

“You must have gone through a lot while I was away. Marquis Carson.”

“Suffering? Not at all. It was simply good that this old body could be of help to Your Highness for once.”

“Thank you for saying so.”

With Yuwon’s return, the Fifth Prince’s faction—which had been shaken greatly by this incident—slowly returned to normal.

In fact, this crisis was closer to a blessing in disguise for the Fifth Prince’s faction.

“While Your Highness was absent, some defectors appeared among the faction, so our numbers have shrunk a little.”

“That can happen. I understand their choice. It’s rather good. Thanks to the crisis, I came to know who did not abandon me even then.”

“Yes, it is only at moments of crisis that true gems are distinguished from stones. Since Your Highness has overcome the crisis well, the Fifth Prince’s faction will grow once more. Remember those who chose to stay by Your Highness’s side during the crisis—when a greater crisis arrives someday, they will be of great use.”

Yuwon drew a gentle smile. Marquis Carson pierced straight through Yuwon’s thoughts.

“I look forward to your support from here on as well, Marquis.”

“And I also look forward to serving you from here on, Your Highness.”

Leaving behind his brief reunion with Marquis Carson, Yuwon returned to the Prince’s Palace and checked on Terrien and Bernid.

“Terrien. You haven’t been lazy with your training, have you?”

“No, of course not, Your Highness!”

“Good. Rest today, and tomorrow I will personally inspect your progress. You should prepare your mind properly.”

“Yes!”

The Dragon-Scaled Serpent, which Yuwon had left in Terrien’s care for a while, squeaked from Terrien’s shoulder to greet Yuwon. It quickly climbed up Yuwon and slipped into the inside pocket of his clothes as if returning to its rightful place.

“Right, I missed you too. Have you been well?”

Piii—

Terrien and the Dragon-Scaled Serpent. Next was the Third Prince, Bernid.

“Nothing happened while I was gone, right?”

“What would happen? It was the same as always. A bit noisy though.”

“Good, that’s a relief.”

“Oh, but you had a visitor.”

“A visitor?”

When Yuwon returned to the Imperial Palace, a visitor was waiting for him at the Fifth Prince’s Palace. It was none other than Cardinal Azazel—who had led Lehl’s envoys and personally interrogated Yuwon.

“It’s been a while, Your Highness.”

“What brings the Cardinal all the way here? Were our conversations insufficient?”

“We have finished our business in the Capital and intend to return to the Holy Kingdom as soon as possible. Since we committed such a great discourtesy toward Your Highness, we thought we should at least greet you once before leaving, so we came unannounced.”

“We each only did what we had to do. Do not hold it too heavily.”

The words Yuwon spoke in a businesslike tone—‘We each did what we had to do.’—stabbed into Azazel’s heart like an ice awl.

‘The Fifth Prince has completely turned away from Lehl… What am I to do….’

Azazel also had eyes and ears.

He had already long heard that Yuwon was being mentioned alongside the Crown Prince as the strongest candidate for the next Emperor.

‘I must somehow turn the Fifth Prince’s heart back. Even if not goodwill, at least I must no longer remain in his disfavor.’

Azazel, too, did not like having this conversation with the Fifth Prince who had killed his long-time friend Karniel. But now was a time to shoulder his responsibilities before discussing personal feelings.

Azazel forced open his heavy, reluctant lips.

“…There is no meaning in making excuses. I will be brief and offer my apology. I committed far too great a mistake. I am sorry. I will take this incident as a lesson and ensure it never happens again.”

“Is this a personal apology?”

“No, I beg forgiveness on a personal level. But do not worry about the condition you mentioned earlier. Even if I must strip off my robes, I will formally correct this matter on an official stage.”

“Then I will trust the Cardinal with that part. Ah, and I accept your apology.”

That answer was not enough. Cardinal Azazel pleaded for mercy again.

“Your Highness.”

“Yes.”

“Could you give Lehl just one more chance?”

“There is nothing for me to give or take. Personally, it is difficult for me to view Lehl favorably, but that does not mean I can suppress a religion that brings comfort to the people.”

“Then….”

“Do not worry. As long as they truly repent this mistake and do not cross the line again, I will not harm Lehl.”

Yuwon did not say anything like making a promise, but if a Prince of Aphahiel said such a thing, there was no doubt it was true.

Only then did Cardinal Azazel finally let out a sigh of relief at Yuwon’s firm reply.

“Whew… It is truly fortunate that Your Highness said so. Thank you.”

“It seems you have received the answer you wanted. It is late. You should return.”

Yuwon’s polite dismissal.

The Cardinal had done what he needed to do and heard what he needed to hear from the Fifth Prince’s lips.

There was no reason to stay in an uncomfortable place any longer.

“Yes, indeed. Thank you for receiving me despite my sudden visit, Your Highness. I shall take my leave.”

“Then please go in. I will not go far.”

“Yes.”

Cardinal Azazel left as he was. Only Yuwon remained alone in the room.

“Hm….”

Yuwon’s gaze turned toward the tea he had been sipping during his conversation with the Cardinal.

The transparent tea remaining in the cup rippled. The tea reflected Yuwon’s eyes like river water.

Yuwon quietly drew up his will.

Ku-gu-gu―

Then the things Yuwon had personally suppressed and hidden resurfaced around his eyes.

Beyond his gaze, a black abyss spread, and a crescent moon appeared on the surface of the tea.

No—what appeared was not a crescent moon, but the slit, elongated eye of a serpent.

Inside the serpent’s pupil, a depiction of hell emerged.

‘The Evil God… “Evil God,” huh… In this world, it must be another name for the Heavenly Slaughter Star.’

Killing the monster that clung to his inner self had not resolved everything. Yuwon had only learned how to personally control and conceal what had run amok due to the monster’s influence.

Although the monster within his mind was dead, the threat that existed in Yuwon remained unchanged.

‘It was never something that would disappear just because I killed it… The problem arose only because the thing went wild and provoked it. From the beginning, this was mine.’

Yuwon withdrew his will from the terrifyingly savage gaze reflected in the tea.

Whoosh―

The hellscape drawn within Yuwon’s eyes disappeared as if it had been a lie. Yuwon focused on the tea again.

‘….’

The tea was clear and transparent, reflecting Yuwon’s gaze like a perfectly still mirror-like lake.

It was the same gaze he had shown during the religious tribunal.

The next day.

With no further reason to remain in the Capital, Lehl’s envoys completed their preparations to return to the Holy Kingdom and began their journey home.

Crown Prince Yulia watched their departing figures from afar through the window.

‘…I was a fool for trusting that bastard Mariel. Once again, only Yurion benefited.’

The Fourth Prince Mariel, who had joined hands with the Crown Prince.

Mariel had stepped forward, saying he had a plan, so the Crown Prince had watched how things played out—but just when it seemed something might happen, everything collapsed into nothing.

‘…Fine. I’ll step in myself.’

The Crown Prince’s eyes shone sharply, as if he had reached a decision.

Taking his eyes off the receding envoys of Lehl, the Crown Prince summoned his attendant.

“You there.”

At the Crown Prince’s quiet call, his close aide waiting outside immediately appeared. It was Sir Reginald, the Crown Prince’s right hand and knight.

“Yes, Your Highness. You called for me.”

“Yes. It was you I called.”

Though he had served at the Crown Prince’s side for long, such words from the Crown Prince were unusual.

“…You mean me?”

“Yes, there is something I need you to do.”

Sensing that something was gravely amiss from the Crown Prince’s uncharacteristic demeanor, Reginald dropped to one knee and offered a respectful bow before him.

“It is an honor, Your Highness. Whatever you command, I will serve with loyalty.”

“My loyal subordinate, Reginald.”

“Yes!”

One could tell from Reginald’s valiant voice alone—he was a knight prepared to cut down any enemy for the Crown Prince, even at the cost of his life. However, the command that followed differed entirely from anything he had expected.

“Die. You will die for me, Reginald.”

“…!”

Reginald’s eyes shook violently, as if struck by an earthquake, as he looked up at his lord in disbelief. Yet the Crown Prince’s gaze, cast down at Reginald, remained calm—showing not a trace of guilt or hesitation over what he had said.

“Do not fear, Reginald. The fact that I choose you for this means I value you that highly.”

“Your Highness…! If you order me to be your sword, I will go to the battlefield this instant and swing my blade for Your Highness until the moment I die. But… please, I beg you to withdraw this command.”

“No. Only someone of your stature dying can make it work. Only then can we pin every fault on that wretch Yurion. If Reginald were killed in an attack by assassins, who could possibly name me as the culprit? You must do it, Reginald. You alone can.”

Determination filled the Crown Prince Yulia’s blue eyes.

As Reginald had served at his closest side, he understood instantly.

‘Ah…! That gaze…! His Highness has already decided to sacrifice me. There is no escape.’

From the eyes of the lord he had served, Reginald could see his own death had already been sealed.

There was no avoiding it.

“Do not worry. I will never forget your loyalty. I will personally look after your family and your future descendants for as long as my power reaches.”

The Crown Prince’s cruel command, spoken in a low voice, thundered in Reginald’s ears.

“My knight Reginald. Do not fear. As you wished, you will make me Emperor.”

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