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Chapter 116
The next day, a serious meeting was underway at the imperial palace from early morning.
“So… you’re saying the relic has vanished?”
“We’d need to see the lady in person to be certain…”
“But by now, the outcome is unlikely to change. Besides, when we first investigated, the princess had nothing in her possession.”
The Emperor’s voice was solemn and grave. If the innocent duchess had been forcibly investigated and even sent to the mage tower, that would indeed be a serious matter. The Grand Chancellor quickly defended himself with a troubled expression.
“That’s exactly the problem. Even if the relic was among those belongings… at that time, Elegia Semperion had nothing in her possession. How…?”
How on earth did this happen?
It was maddening for the Grand Chancellor.
Losing the Prinis pendant was upsetting enough, but if it truly disappeared…
Since it had been handed over to Elegia Semperion, he had assumed it would be returned during the investigation. Even if it hadn’t appeared, he thought they could gradually track it down by other means.
But now, it seemed the relic had completely vanished?!
“…Ah, Prinis…”
He swallowed a sigh internally. Such painful setbacks kept piling up, as if divine punishment for all his past efforts. Yet, he thought:
Still, my actions were not wrong.
Even though things had gone slightly off course, and the situation had become complicated.
It was done with the intention of protecting this world. The Grand Chancellor could say that with pride.
We have to deal with the variable that is Elegia Semperion… somehow.
The prophecies had already begun to diverge slightly. Likely due to other dimensions constantly interfering with their world. The Grand Chancellor believed this.
To correct it, all the sinister beings related to other worlds had to be expelled. Every being except the officially recognized “Saint.”
“The temple should compensate the Duchy for this incident.”
The Emperor continued in a firm, unyielding tone.
“Also, the Semperion Duchy will need to provide an explanation.”
“What aspect are you referring to?”
The sharp gaze that had been directed at the Grand Chancellor now turned to the Duke. Until a moment ago, the Emperor had sided with the Duke, telling the temple to pay compensation, but now he seemed somewhat angered at the Duke as well.
“How did your house come to possess such an immense weapon?”
Indeed. The crime of hiding such formidable power could easily be misconstrued as preparation for rebellion. The Duke spoke with a stern expression.
“…To be honest, I do not know exactly how this happened. My wife’s belongings were kept separate so no one could touch them. Even I didn’t meddle with them…”
The Duke continued slowly.
“I also don’t know how Elegia discovered it.”
“Hmm…”
The Emperor observed the Duke’s expression in silence, seemingly trying to gauge his sincerity.
“Perhaps…”
At that moment, a wizard who had remained silent spoke. A senior member of the mage faction, present not as a representative of the tower’s head but to report the situation to the mage tower. After a brief pause, as if weighing his words, he said with determination:
“Perhaps it was given for self-defense, to protect your daughter?”
“Wouldn’t that be far too powerful for that purpose?”
The Grand Chancellor interjected. The wizard countered.
“Your Grace was extraordinary in her generosity.”
“……”
The room fell silent. There was an unspoken agreement: If it were anyone else it would be unusual, but your Grace…
Before marrying the Duke, Catherine had been an exceptional magician. She had been the first to discover the “hidden relic” that even the temple couldn’t trace and had delivered it to the mage tower. Everyone said that if not for her, the Prinis Bracelet would never have been found.
Given her stature, it wasn’t unusual for her to give something to her daughter without realizing its significance.
However, the Grand Chancellor, unwilling to accept that explanation, spoke immediately.
“All the more reason this cannot be allowed! Giving an item that could have been a relic, merely as a means of self-defense for your daughter!”
After suppressing his initial agitation, he continued in a cold, sharp voice.
“Moreover, there’s an issue with this household. How did Elegia Semperion obtain it? Your Grace is no longer in this world.”
He openly pressed the Duke in front of the Emperor.
“The Semperion House has certainly been hiding something. Elegia Semperion suddenly becoming strong, the appearance of this weapon…”
“Enough.”
The Emperor spoke, seemingly attempting to calm the situation.
“By that logic, the Grand Chancellor is in the same position.”
“…Pardon?”
The Grand Chancellor’s face twisted in confusion at the unexpected attack. As if questioning whether the Emperor still intended to side with the Duke, the Chancellor looked at him. The Emperor added firmly:
“Do you really intend to pretend ignorance? The prophecies have….”
“I will stop here.”
The Grand Chancellor cut him off in a somewhat cynical tone. Bringing this up openly in front of everyone, it was obvious he was trying to subtly use the situation to side with the Duke.
The weapon is probably broken anyway, the Duke doesn’t seem a threat, so he’ll side with him just enough to keep an eye on things.
The Grand Chancellor scoffed inwardly. He already knew what the Emperor’s next words would be.
No doubt it would be: “Has the temple’s prophecy really gone astray lately?” or “Are we truly safe?”
“…Do not worry about that, Your Majesty. The palace under the Goddess’s protection will always be safe, and the Saint is also present. Nothing will threaten Your Majesty.”
The Grand Chancellor concluded firmly, reassuring.
At that moment.
Thunk.
A heavy, muffled sound echoed from afar. At the same time, a massive, dark shadow stretched across the window. The Grand Chancellor slowly turned his head.
Outside, there was something.
A dangerous being, known as a beast, had descended into the heart of the palace. Pieces of shattered garden structures lay at its feet. Its pitch-black eyes gazed directly at them. In that moment, as time seemed to slow, the doors suddenly burst open, and the guards shouted urgently:
“Your Majesty, you must evacuate immediately!”
It was a beast invasion. In the palace that even the Goddess was believed to protect—the safest place imaginable.
“…Hah.”
The Grand Chancellor froze, speechless.
Meanwhile, at the Mage Tower.
Elegia had woken early and was broadcasting about the events of the previous night. Of course, the broadcast had been on at the time, but she repeated the explanation for those who had missed it.
“Those of you who watched the live broadcast last night know, Elegia Semperion’s past was… truly unexpected.”
The past Elegia had been capable of wielding both swordsmanship and magic.
Wait, does that mean you’re strong now because her character was strong?
Ah, so that’s why she’s so powerful lol.
Th-That’s not it.
I’m strong because I’m ranked in the Seiros saga.
But before I could explain, viewers’ speculation continued.
Why did she hide her power all this time??
She appears weak in Lemegol.
If the villainess is strong too, wouldn’t she become a target for elimination? lol
Could be perceived as a rebellion threat
Well… the reason for hiding her power can be guessed to some extent.
The “real Elegia” mentioned the food being poisoned. If she had been threatened by poisoning from the very first day, it makes sense that she would be cautious of potential adversaries.
Indeed, if poison appeared from day one, she must have been ingesting it continuously beforehand. It wasn’t just a one-time incident.
I don’t know how pre-possession Elegia detected the poison, but if she had noticed it early, she would have been wary of her surroundings without knowing who, how, or why. Moreover, it was a poison others couldn’t even detect. How helpless must she have felt?
And she was secretly preparing something as well.
Considering the letters she sent to the crown prince and the “unfinished letters” she saw herself, it seems she was planning something for certain.
What could it have been?
While Elegia pondered, there was a sudden knock at the door.
Knock knock knock!
“What’s this?”
“Miss Semperion! It’s me! Prilien!”
Elegia approached the door, puzzled. She had heard Prilien was staying a bit longer at the tower, but why would she come looking so urgently?
She decided to listen first. Elegia opened the door, revealing Prilien’s panicked face.
“Miss Semperion! Something terrible has happened!”
“…What is it?”
Prilien’s face was pale, clearly indicating something serious. She spoke in a voice that seemed to struggle for breath.
“Um… that… it’s…”
“Saint, this… just… you should come with me…!”
Behind her, frantic clerics were rushing about. Elegia stared at Prilien, silently urging her to continue. Prilien swallowed and spoke with a grave expression.
“Beasts… have invaded the palace!”
“What?”
“They know the Duke, your father, is there…! I thought I should inform you!”
Elegia’s expression twisted at those words.
