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Chapter : 04
The ceiling above the altar where the magic stone was placed was wide open so that light could pour in freely.
The light emitted from the magic stone shot up through that space, soaring beyond the altar and reaching to the very edge of the sky.
Thanks to that, not only those near the Imperial Palace but everyone who happened to be outside at that moment could see the light.
There was no one who did not know what it meant.
All across the Empire, people stopped what they were doing and stared at the light.
After some time had passed, splendid carriages lined up in front of the Imperial Palace.
It looked like the scene of a grand party day, but the people stepping down from the carriages were not dressed like party guests.
As if they had rushed out in haste, people who hadn’t even had time to properly put on their hats clambered down from their carriages, holding them in their hands, and hurried into the conference hall.
Inside, the heads of all the most influential noble families were gathered.
From elderly men well past their prime to young men who had only just shed the air of boyhood, the hall was filled with people of all ages, and an air of unease hung heavily over them.
The doors of the conference hall opened, and a large, imposing man entered.
He swept his gaze over those present and spoke.
“So, the time has finally come.”
Everyone in the hall rose to their feet.
“We greet His Majesty the Emperor.”
The Emperor smiled quietly and gestured for them to sit.
“Let us dispense with formalities. This matter is urgent.”
Once everyone had taken their seats, the Emperor leaned back against his chair and spoke in a low voice.
“As you all already know, it seems the prophecy has come to pass once more.”
As soon as he finished speaking, quiet murmurs rippled through the room.
The Emperor glanced sideways at the man seated beside him.
A green-eyed man with neatly combed blond hair smiled and opened his mouth.
“At this point, I will once again remind you of the prophecy’s contents and organize what we must do next.”
“Your Highness, the Crown Prince.”
After sweeping his gaze across the room, Noel spoke.
“You are all aware that when the magic stone shines, the seal on the Demon King is loosened.”
Several people nodded.
From Noel’s lips flowed the contents of the prophecy.
It foretold that the Demon King would be revived when the prophesied individual came to the Empire and the magic stone resonated with them—after the moon waned and waxed three times from that moment.
“Then does this mean that all our problems will finally be resolved this time? Our territory can no longer cultivate crops at all because of the monsters.”
When Count Rakin voiced his concerns with a flushed face, Noel replied with a gentle smile, as if he fully understood.
“It is true that the situation has worsened because the seal was only partially released after the previous prophesied person left.”
As silence fell over the room, Noel spoke in a firm voice.
“However, the prophesied person has appeared sooner than we expected. If everything proceeds according to plan, the Empire’s prosperity is only a matter of time.”
“But what exactly is this prophesied person supposed to do? According to the prophecy, aren’t they the one who revives the Demon King?”
When someone raised a hand and asked from afar, Noel closed his mouth briefly and turned his gaze toward the Emperor.
Seeing the Emperor nod with a grave expression, Noel spoke in a low voice.
“This is something we have not disclosed until now, for fear of causing confusion.”
“What do you mean?”
“The Demon King can only be completely sealed through that person’s sacrifice.”
Shock instantly spread across everyone’s faces.
The nobles, who had simply assumed that the prophesied person would appear and defeat the Demon King, exchanged bewildered glances.
“Then wouldn’t it be disastrous if they left again this time?”
“Exactly. Wouldn’t it be better to imprison them until the day the Demon King is revived?”
As the murmuring grew louder, Noel shook his head and spoke decisively.
“No. The sealing requires their voluntary sacrifice. That is why this matter has been kept secret until now.”
Marquis Tyrion, seated close to the Emperor, frowned and spoke.
“I see. Because some foolish person might try to lay a hand on them.”
“But will that person really choose to sacrifice themselves the way we want?”
At that, Marquis Tyrion replied.
“We’ll have to make them do so. This time, we can’t let what happened before happen again.”
While sitting upright, Marquis Tyrion’s gaze shifted somewhere for a moment before returning.
Following his line of sight, everyone else looked in the same direction.
There, slouched against the back of his chair with his chin propped on the armrest, sat a man.
He had skin so pale it looked almost translucent.
Unkempt black hair fell haphazardly over his forehead.
Long eyelashes cast shadows over his violet eyes.
The other eye was covered by a black eyepatch.
Despite his finely sculpted features, his indifferent gaze and his attitude—utterly disconnected from the grave mood of the room—made him seem like someone unrelated to the matter at hand.
The man being stared at slightly furrowed his brows and spoke.
“Are you talking about me?”
At his words, Marquis Tyrion replied coldly, without changing his expression.
“Did it sound that way to you, Duke Lifrix? I wasn’t pointing at anyone in particular.”
Clear irritation flickered across the duke’s face.
His low voice echoed through the hall.
“The magic stone lit up just like you old men wanted. Now, when the Demon King or whatever shows up, I’ll kill it. That’s enough, isn’t it? What more do you need?”
At his words, the atmosphere in the room turned icy.
Everyone glanced toward the Emperor, but the Emperor himself seemed unconcerned by the duke’s behavior.
Duke Lifrix’s arrogant conduct was already famous among the Empire’s nobility.
The Lifrix family had earned their ducal title by protecting the Empire and sealing the Demon King, so no one dared to openly criticize him.
At that moment, Baron Melven, failing to read the room, opened his mouth.
“Then perhaps Your Grace could go and see that person?”
Duke Lifrix flicked the finger resting against his chin.
“Why would I?”
Excited that the duke had responded to him at all, Baron Melven flushed and hurriedly replied.
“Well! Because you are, of course, the head of the Lifrix ducal house, which represents the Empire! If you had gone last time, the prophesied person wouldn’t have left like that—”
The atmosphere froze instantly.
Realizing he had carelessly spoken aloud a rumor everyone whispered about, Baron Melven gasped and clamped his mouth shut.
His eyes darted toward Marquis Tyrion.
Duke Lifrix turned a mocking smile toward the marquis.
“That sounds like something a bootlicker would say.”
“I think it would be best if you refrained from making unfounded remarks.”
“I’ll return that line to you exactly as it is.”
A vein bulged on Marquis Tyrion’s forehead. The tension grew even sharper.
As two men who could be called the pillars of the nation faced off, the other nobles could barely even breathe.
“Noel.”
When the Emperor, who had been watching the scene with interest, spoke, Noel slightly bowed his head and said,
“Why are you all quarreling? We didn’t gather here to fight.”
Noel spoke gently, lifting the corners of his lips.
Despite the refreshing smile, his shining green eyes were sunken.
“Shouldn’t we all work together this time to seal the Demon King for good and ensure the Empire’s growth?”
“That’s right.”
As the atmosphere softened, several nobles quietly let out sighs of relief.
Duke Lifrix pushed his chair back and stood up.
“Then make sure you bow and scrape properly so that illustrious person doesn’t run away again.”
“Oh dear…”
The nobles clicked their tongues softly as they watched Duke Lifrix storm out.
Still, no one had the nerve to step forward and stop him.
Noel clapped his hands lightly to lift the mood.
“Duke Lifrix has a role that only he can fulfill, so let us focus on what we must do.”
The subdued atmosphere regained its energy.
“Where is Count Weddon at the moment?”
“He went out to inspect the seal, but a monster appeared, so he’ll be delayed a bit.”
“The prophesied individual is staying at Count Weddon’s capital residence, correct?”
“Yes.”
“Make sure there is no neglect in their accommodations. Are all preparations complete?”
“Yes. We’ve sent ample funds and manpower to the Weddon household.”
Noel nodded, then looked around the table and spoke.
“You all already know this, but even if their behavior seems awkward at times, please pretend not to notice. Regardless of their character or manners, we need that person.”
The nobles seated around the table all nodded. Noel continued.
“A party that I will be hosting is scheduled to be held at the Imperial Palace soon. Please ensure everything proceeds according to plan. We’ll conclude here for today.”
The Emperor stood first, and the nobles all filed out.
When Noel, left alone in the empty conference hall, tilted his head slightly, the young heir of Count Heidel—who had been waiting outside—approached his side.
Noel lifted his head and asked him,
“Are Lady Calat and Lady Erileon in the guest chambers?”
“…No. Neither of them has arrived.”
Noel, who had been about to rise expecting a positive answer, froze.
“Why? Didn’t you contact them?”
“I personally visited with letters, but…”
“But?”
“They said they already knew what you wanted to say and went out.”
“Both of them?”
“Yes.”
Noel pressed a hand to his throbbing head and muttered softly,
“They really are in perfect sync at times like this. Tell them again to visit as soon as possible.”
“Yes.”
Straightening his jacket neatly, Noel rose from his seat.
Chirp, chirp…
The sound of birds reached my ears.
When I moved my fingers slightly, a soft texture brushed against my fingertips.
It seemed I had properly possessed this body.
Wait. Properly possessed…?
“What? My memories weren’t erased at all?!”
Should I sue these people or what?
They can’t do a single thing right—at this rate, am I not going to be able to go back home?
Is that possession hotel even licensed? Is this how they work?
I hurriedly opened the guidebook clutched in my hand.
“I can’t do without this…!”
As I opened the first page, hurriedly scrawled handwriting came into view.
“Were you surprised that your memories weren’t erased?”
Startled, I shot upright into a sitting position.
