Chapter 189

(7)

13.

It was around the time when the party was in full swing at the Academy.

A scene almost reminiscent of a battlefield unfolded. A horrific place where corpses piled up on the street and blood flowed like a river.

It was none other than the Imperial Castle of the Rubens Empire.

Currently, fierce flames and thick black smoke were rising all over the castle. However, there were no flames spread to the buildings.

The only thing ablaze was the heap of corpses.

But that wasn’t enough; soldiers continued to bring corpses from somewhere and throw them into the raging inferno.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Soldiers were chopping up corpses and tossing them into the fire like firewood. They seemed so accustomed to this that there was no change of expression on their faces.

“What’s the situation at the East Gate?”

“Incineration is complete.”

“And the West Gate?”

“I heard it’s still ongoing.”

The two exchanged dry remarks.

The commander, who was asking the soldiers about the status of each zone, frowned.

“This is troublesome. We need to hurry.”

“The mages said the fog covering the castle will lift just after midnight.”

The castle was engulfed in flames and smoke.

Meanwhile, the capital city of the empire was calm.

There was only one reason for this—because the mages from the Magic Tower, who cooperated with Crown Prince Chartang, had shrouded the entire castle in thick fog.

“Moreover, His Majesty also ordered that everything be cleaned up before nightfall, no matter what.”

“So let’s get moving.”

“Yes, understood.”

The vigilant soldiers hustled.

To burn the remaining corpses.

Meanwhile, at a spot not far from the incineration site, someone was watching this unfold.

“……”

Count D’muehl Ron Dermore.

A mage representing the Magic Tower who cooperated with Chartang and has been tasked with managing the Source of Magic on behalf of Diplyn Cernio.

On his shoulder sat a small clay doll, which let out a laugh as soon as it saw the scene.

“What a delightful sight.”

With crescent-shaped eyes twinkling with delight.

The doll seemed to find this sight amusing and couldn’t stop laughing. Then, D’muehl, who had been silent, casually spoke up.

“Have you absorbed it all?”

“Of course. The souls of living beings, especially human souls, are the most suitable for generating the power of the Abyss.”

The being borrowing the body of the clay doll.

The Lord of the Abyss, Rakus, answered joyfully. As he said, he had managed to secure a massive number of souls over the course of three days.

“I’m glad I followed you.”

The souls that Rakus secured had all been transformed into the power of the Abyss, leaving not a single speck behind.

And this power was sent to the underground of Count Dermore’s mansion, where Rakus’s true body lay asleep.

Meanwhile, D’muehl recalled the reason for Rakus’s obsession with the power of the Abyss.

‘I heard that…’

If there’s not enough power of the Abyss nearby, the Lords of the Abyss cannot operate in the world outside the Abyss.

This was also one reason why Rakus borrowed the body of the clay doll instead of using his true body.

‘Even if a gap opens, the world and the Abyss are still not connected, so the Lords cannot come out.’

Even if they did come out, they could only act around the area where the gap opened. In that sense, Rakus’s actions were a sort of gamble.

‘If I hadn’t cooperated…’

There’s no way he could operate in this world outside the Abyss. He would have been forced to return to the Abyss due to lack of power.

However, D’muehl cooperated fully with Rakus, allowing him to devise a plan to cover the world with the power of the Abyss.

Much faster than the Gate of the Abyss could open, to connect this world and the Abyss.

‘I don’t care what happens to this world.’

What was important to D’muehl was his only daughter, Yurfe. So, he pledged loyalty to Rakus for bringing Yurfe back to life.

Just as he was wrapping up his thoughts.

Suddenly, Rakus, who had been sitting on his shoulder, turned back into clay. That meant someone appeared. D’muehl immediately looked around.

Clomp, clomp!

The sound of footsteps reached his ears.

Soon, three men and women came into view.

Among them, the one who caught D’muehl’s attention was a man with platinum long hair. Upon noticing him, D’muehl knelt and bowed his head.

“Mage D’muehl Ron Dermore reports to Your Majesty, the great Emperor of the Empire.”

Crown Prince Chartang Monique Al Rubens.

Just three days ago, he was a crown prince, but now he was the closest to being the emperor. Or rather, it would be more accurate to say there was no one other than him who could become emperor.

‘Since I killed them all.’

It was now the third day since the grand event began.

Over the past few days, Chartang had purged all the royal family members hiding in the castle, including his blood-related brothers, their children, and vassals.

“Ah, Count Dermore.”

At that moment, Chartang turned to look at him.

Despite showing clear signs of fatigue, he wore a smile, praising D’muehl’s hard work.

“The Magic Tower and the Counts were a great help. I won’t forget the contributions you’ve made.”

“It’s an honor, Your Majesty.”

D’muehl bowed his head again.

After Chartang left, Rakus, who had turned back into a mound of dirt, took on the form of the clay doll.

“What an interesting human.”

“Are you talking about His Majesty?”

“Yes, a human with strong desires. You can feel the burning obsession and endless cravings, enough to reduce his own body to ashes.”

That assessment was not incorrect.

Just looking at how he purged his brothers to become emperor displayed his overwhelming ambition.

However, what Rakus saw was the desire that D’muehl could not perceive. That’s why Rakus murmured with interest.

“He’s suitable to become the Second Apostle.”

His red eyes gleamed greedily.

Like finding a pearl in the mud.

14.

Meanwhile, at that time.

Shortly after the campfire event ended, the party naturally came to a close as the curfew for the dormitory was nearing.

On the way back to the dormitory.

“Now that the sports festival is over, midterms are coming up soon.”

“Ugh, this is bad. I threw myself into preparing for the sports festival and didn’t study at all.”

Ivella sighed at Ulan’s words.

Judging by her usual behavior, you’d think she wouldn’t have studied even if there wasn’t a sports festival. Noah, who gave an awkward smile, patted Ivella on the back as if to comfort her.

“But once midterms are over, we’ve got the school trip coming up, right? So let’s study hard.”

“What’s a school trip?”

Just then, someone abruptly chimed in.

A girl with sparkling eyes like stars.

It was Fertisha. Caught off guard by the unexpected interruption, Noah quickly regained composure and asked curiously.

“Huh? Didn’t you hear after the opening ceremony?”

“I can’t really remember that…”

She scratched her cheek awkwardly.

It seemed she hadn’t heard at all.

Well, in the earlier days, Fertisha was the type to only see what she wanted to see and hear what she wanted to hear, so that was possible.

“In simple terms, it’s a kind of experiential learning trip designed to broaden your learning horizons through various activities outside the Academy.”

Literally, a journey for learning.

After that, Noah finished explaining, and only then did she close her mouth. A little later, Fertisha, who had listened to all the explanations, shone with excitement.

“Wow! I’m really looking forward to it!”

“Is that really something to get that worked up about?”

“Of course! It’s the future I’ve been dreaming of!”

“……Future?”

Delia tilted her head.

As if she didn’t comprehend it.

“Yes! Ever since I was born until now, I’ve been stuck in the castle.”

She had indeed said something similar when they first met.

She mentioned how she had a weak constitution since birth and could not go outside, being educated only by a tutor.

“But now I’m healthier, and my brother, no, my uncle permitted me to come out like this.”

Back when she lived in the castle all the time.

Fertisha longed for the birds flying freely in the sky, disregarding fences or walls.

That’s why she dreamed.

Someday she would go out into the world and hope to travel freely like those birds in the sky.

“That’s why I said it’s a dream for the future.”

Fertisha smiled brightly.

A happy smile blooming like a flower.

Seeing this, Ulan suddenly remembered a similar comment from her past life.

During a time when she was weary from the ceaseless battles.

She had said something like this.

“How about after the war with the Abyss ends, we all go on a trip together?”

She had confidently stated it would surely be enjoyable.

Fertisha always proposed embarking on journeys, seeking confirmations from the heroes. Ulan had also made a promise with her using a pinky swear.

‘Although…’

They couldn’t keep that promise back then.

Yet, in this life, there’s a glimmer of hope.

Unlike in previous lives, the empire didn’t fall apart and Fertisha coming out is evidence of that.

‘Perhaps change is beginning.’

So maybe Fertisha’s dreamed future could come sooner than expected?

Ulan speculated in that way.

On the other hand, Noah thought differently.

“…That’s an impossible wish.”

A bitter voice slipped through her lips.

It was a voice as tiny as a mosquito, but Ulan heard it clearly.

A little later.

As everyone arrived at the dorm and headed to their respective rooms, a voice suddenly stopped Noah in her tracks. It was Ulan’s voice.

“Noah.”

“Yes?”

“Why did you say that earlier?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“When Fertisha was talking about the future she dreams of.”

“Oh, that?”

Noah nodded.

As if she understood what was being referred to.

“Because it’s impossible.”

“Why’s that?”

“Huh? Don’t you already know? Until the empire falls, Fertisha absolutely cannot leave the castle.”

“Of course it was like that in my past life…”

This time might be different.

After all, just entering the Academy was something that hadn’t happened in her past life. But Noah firmly shook her head.

“No, it’s the same.”

Her eyes were filled with strong conviction.

She responded with firmness in her voice.

“Fertisha’s dream will never come true.”

“Why not?”

“As long as the empire exists and especially while Chartang is alive, no matter what variable occurs, Fertisha’s fate cannot change.”

Chartang. That was a name she had heard somewhere.

Then she recalled something I had told Noah long ago. That she had confessed to living Fertisha’s life over twenty times.

‘At that time…’

She had said that the reason for living Fertisha’s life over twenty times was purely for convenience.

Except for one thing.

The empire’s crown prince, Chartang. Noah had mentioned that his existence was the only downside.

“What makes the crown prince so special?”

“To put it simply, he’s a crazy guy.”

Noah scrunched her face up.

Then she shivered as if just thinking about it made her feel bad.

“I’d like to say more, but that’s all I can say. It has to do with Fertisha’s birth secret.”

“I see.”

Ulan nodded silently.

She was curious, but hearing about a birth secret made her lose interest quickly. It was better to hear it directly from Fertisha later.

After all the conversations were over.

“If there’s nothing else to say, I’ll take my leave now.”

“Yeah. Get some rest.”

Noah parted with Ulan.

Afterward, she arrived at her dormitory and gazed up at the pitch-black night sky. It was in the direction of the Imperial Castle, where Fertisha resided.

‘If it follows the flow of the original story…’

Everything must have ended by now.

Chartang must have purged all his brothers and revealed his hidden nature. Then, shadows would loom over Fertisha’s future as well.

“Huh.”

Noah let out a heavy sigh.

It felt suffocating.

15.

Just after midnight.

The fog that enveloped the castle lifted.

The hot flames that had been raging disappeared without a trace, and no smoke remained.

The only things left were a chilling atmosphere and an eerily quiet stillness.

“……”

Crown Prince Chartang Monique Al Rubens.

The only heir of the Rubens Empire after purging all his brothers.

Currently, as the emperor lay bedridden, Chartang was technically the next emperor, but he had no plans to hold the coronation ceremony just yet.

There was only one reason. It was for reputation.

He didn’t commit these heinous acts to become emperor. He merely punished the treasonous rebels trying to bring in foreign powers and foolish brothers.

‘So…’

He decided to wait in silence until the emperor closed his eyes to take up the regency.

After all, he would soon depart from this world.

Just as he was contemplating the future and thinking about what to do next, Rimer, who was in the office, suddenly spoke up.

“We may now bring the princess.”

The castle was now under Chartang’s control.

As long as they clean up the charred remains and tidy up the streets, there was no reason to keep Fertisha outside of the castle.

“No, we’re not ready yet.”

“Huh? Ready for what?”

“At least it would look fitting to bring her after the coronation is fully completed.”

Once Chartang finished his reply.

Rimer nodded as if she understood.

Perhaps she was thinking of showing her more of the outside world. If she returned to the castle now, it would mean a long life of seclusion again.

But soon after, she realized her guess was wrong.

“And to become a future empress, she’ll need to accumulate various knowledge and preparation. So, I think I’ll leave her in the Academy for a while.”

“I see. The empress… Wait, what?”

“Huh? Why are you so surprised?”

Rimer looked puzzled by Chartang’s usual nonchalance.

Meanwhile, Rimer’s eyes widened in shock. She quickly questioned herself to confirm she had heard correctly.

“Did you just say…”

“I mean it literally.”

Leaning back deep into his chair.

Chartang smiled softly.

“I will welcome that girl as my empress.”

“……?!”

Rimer’s gaze shook violently.

On the other hand, Saxen, who was by Chartang’s side, showed no sign of disturbance, as if he had already been aware of this fact.

“But the princess is your half-sister…!”

“No, that’s wrong. She doesn’t have a drop of royal blood in her.”

Wait, what on earth does that mean?

Just as Rimer was left speechless by the sudden statement.

“Lord Lapidis.”

A soft voice brushed her ears.

Chartang’s serious face shone as he asked.

“Do you believe it’s possible for a child to be born between a spirit and a human?”

“That, that would be…”

Normally, it’s impossible.

Spirits lack a physical form.

“Exactly. It doesn’t make sense to have a child with a spirit that doesn’t have a body and is invisible.”

Meanwhile, Chartang nodded along, agreeing with Rimer’s words before leaning on his entwined fingers and asking again.

“So what if we artificially create a physical spirit?”

“C-could that really happen?”

“I used to think it was impossible too. But His Majesty never gave up, and after countless failures, they finally produced a successful specimen.”

By the time the shocking story came to an end.

Rimer’s eyes widened.

At that moment, she felt a jigsaw puzzle finally clicking into place, and her trembling lips began to move.

“Could the successful specimen be…?”

“It’s Fertisha.”

Heavy, sparkling reddish-brown eyes.

He stated emphatically.

“In other words, that child was destined to be the empress, not just a princess.”

However, this fate did not come to pass.

A considerable amount of time had passed until Fertisha matured to the point of bearing children, the emperor had collapsed due to illness.

“That is Fertisha’s secret, and the reason why I can be with that child.”

“……”

Even after all the stories were told, Rimer was still in a daze. Meanwhile, Chartang continued with a sense of relief.

“I love that girl.”

When he first saw Fertisha.

When he stood before the pure essence that didn’t question anything in the world, Chartang felt like an explorer who had discovered uncharted territory.

It was then that he resolved to become an emperor.

“Fertisha is destined to be the empress. So it’s only natural and fitting for us to be united in destiny.”

Chartang’s gaze turned toward the window.

The southwestern sky. The place where Arsen Academy lay. He slightly curled his lips and smiled with an expression that finally revealed his true nature.

“So on the day I become emperor—”

Fertisha will return to the castle.

Not as a princess, but as the emperor’s consort.

Chartang’s eyes blazed with the endless flames of desire and obsession, as seen by the Lord of the Abyss, Rakus.

Chapter 44. A Precipitated Fate