Ch.21The Two Overgrown Children (1)

“Kuhak! Heuuk.”

I regained consciousness with a pain-filled groan. The Emperor stared at me with puzzled eyes, while Irefi was outside the greenhouse, berating the knights.

“Founding Noble? No, this time it’s Marquess Alteon.”

“Y-yes, did your conversation go well?”

“The Founding Noble said he would help, but didn’t tell me how. How should I take this?”

“Don’t worry, I received thorough instructions on his behalf. More importantly, Your Majesty, I have an urgent request.”

“Speak.”

I discussed future plans in detail with the Emperor.

What Netionpis had imparted was just one thing: how to track Charle. I had hoped he might give me something more, but it was a vain hope.

In the end, our actions after tracking Charle needed to be determined now. Dealing with variables like the confrontation with Zikharun would be entirely up to those of us left behind.

“Then Marquess Justitia…”

“Must remain in the palace without exception. Though their objectives aren’t entirely clear yet, if something happens to the palace, everything ends.”

This was a reasonable matter since Irefi’s fundamental mission was to protect the Emperor. As a bonus, it was also the optimal condition to guarantee the absolute safety of her younger sister Miren.

“And please detain Duke Troph Feita immediately. Those people know the secret passages of Duke Feita’s manor like the back of their hand.”

“I’ve already received reports about this, but there’s a problem.”

“What problem could there be when Your Majesty and your partner suffered such an incident at the duke’s manor?”

Seeing me express my difficulty understanding, the Emperor narrowed his eyes and lamented.

“The problem is that he’s a descendant of the four ducal families who supported the first Emperor. Feita, Meoric, Chester, and Estern. These four families are forbidden from intermarrying, but they’ve maintained close relationships for hundreds of years.”

‘Was the marriage ban implemented to prevent them from becoming too powerful?’

The descendants of the four ducal families might have cooperated even more closely because they understood the intentions behind this restriction.

Suddenly, a question occurred to me.

‘Did Netionpis have no successor or descendants? He lived long enough to become immortal, so he might have had a partner or children.’

If they existed, the Emperor would have already told me. I pushed aside these idle thoughts and returned my attention to the Emperor’s explanation.

“If we detain Duke Feita, the other ducal families will feel threatened. They’ll think they could suffer the same fate if there’s just cause.”

“Well, naturally, if they do something deserving of investigation and punishment… Sigh.”

I couldn’t help but sigh even as I spoke properly. How nice would it be if the world operated solely on principles?

They say power isn’t shared even with one’s children. It’s unpredictable how the ducal families might react when they sense a threat to their long-standing power.

Even if they themselves provided the cause!

“At least the Chester ducal family might stay put. They’re a family of spineless individuals.”

“I see…”

That makes sense for the Chester family. In the original story, the eldest son of the Chester family was the primary accomplice who helped Zikharun end Irefi’s life. He was a man who lived his entire life with the mission of beheading Irefi.

The Emperor, unaware of these circumstances, maintained that detaining Duke Feita would be difficult. I advocated for a somewhat radical approach.

“Still, detaining Duke Feita is an essential procedure. Your Majesty, please send Irefi to Duke Feita’s manor immediately.”

“M-Marquess Justitia, you say?”

The Emperor was so shocked that he nearly spat.

“Marquess Justitia is like our last bastion. I don’t want to lose her value as the imperial family’s hidden strength, but…”

I passionately argued against the hesitant Emperor.

“Why do you think Irefi’s martial prowess will be exposed? If Irefi goes, Duke Feita will likely comply without resistance. He’ll recognize that the imperial family is serious enough to send the captain of the guard personally.”

“Hmm!”

“Above all, justice is on our side. Even if Duke Feita resists with force, public opinion will clearly favor Your Majesty. Therefore, Duke Feita will comply willingly, if only to clear his name and criticize the imperial family.”

The Emperor rested his chin on his hand, pondering deeply. He was likely evaluating the validity of my words.

After a brief moment of thought, the Emperor’s eyes blazed with intensity.

“Marquess Alteon is right! With Marquess Justitia and the Founding Noble supporting me, I was needlessly afraid!”

It’s best to strike while the iron is hot. Having made his decision, the Emperor left the greenhouse without hesitation and issued his imperial command.

“Marquess Justitia, receive my command!”

At the Emperor’s resounding call, Irefi quickly knelt on one knee.

“Escort Duke Troph Feita to the imperial palace. Now, immediately!”

A short, concise order. Irefi accepted it with complete composure.

“I will obey Your Majesty’s command.”

It was a clean exchange without any need for coordination.

Irefi stood up immediately, approached me, and said:

“Nepy, wait for me at the palace. I’ll be back soon.”

Her posture was confident and dignified. Preparing for any contingency, I asked Irefi:

“Irefi, what will you do if Duke Feita resists?”

“Should I exterminate his entire family?”

“What?”

I blankly echoed her words. Had I not seen Irefi’s playful smile immediately afterward, I might have grabbed her by both shoulders.

“I’m joking. Don’t worry, Nepy.”

‘The person who destroyed the Eld Empire should stop making such grim jokes!’

I screamed internally. It was no laughing matter—I was sweating profusely.

Irefi turned her back on my dumbfounded expression and walked away.

Just then, a knight approached her as she strode forward.

“Captain, shall we prepare an escort carriage right away…”

“No need. To save time, we’ll return in Duke Feita’s carriage.”

‘Planning to humiliate him by escorting him in his own family carriage? I didn’t know Irefi had this side to her…’

Irefi’s figure soon disappeared like an afterimage. She would likely reach Duke Feita’s manor in less than half a day.

The Emperor and I returned to the greenhouse to privately coordinate our future responses.

◇

Swoosh.

A translucent blue surface, forming like a wave in a circular pattern, rippled gently.

This surface was a one-time portal.

Four hundred years ago, during what was called the Age of Great Chaos, there existed a holy maiden. The Lost Item imbued with her power was this one-time portal. It could be described as a divine object that connected two spaces for a single use.

Three figures emerged from the rippling surface: a large, menacing man, Zikharun, and Charle, whom Zikharun carried like a princess.

“Hey friend. You told us to bring her, but you ended up coming yourself. Honestly, it’s a bit absurd. I guess Illea… is dead.”

A man wearing an eye patch over his right eye spoke sarcastically. Zikharun’s ruby-red eyes turned toward him.

The man with the eye patch quickly raised his hands in protest.

“Whoa, whoa, don’t turn your eyes this way. As always, I can’t handle it.”

Zikharun turned his back on the man’s banter and looked at the sleeping Charle.

If one only saw her sleeping peacefully with gentle breathing, she was nothing short of a beautiful young woman. Her face was delicately shaped like a well-crafted doll, with golden hair flowing softly.

The man looked at Zikharun and smiled lewdly.

“She’s sleeping without a scratch.”

“Is that a problem?”

“No, I’m just surprised there’s no sign of intimidation. Isn’t it customary to break the spirit of a feisty noble lady from the start? Especially one so beautiful.”

“Say what you want to say.”

Surprisingly, Zikharun remained impassive and emotionless.

“Did you avoid hurting her because she’s your friend’s type?”

“Yes.”

“Huh?”

Caught off guard by the unexpected agreement, the man was momentarily speechless. But he quickly burst into laughter, holding his stomach.

“Pfft, bwahaha! You got me there, friend. I didn’t think such jokes were possible from you. You’re always full of surprises!”

“Above all, there was no reason.”

“Reason? Ah, I suppose that’s true. It’s not like we need to interrogate her.”

“If you have time for vulgar jokes, you’d better prepare well.”

“Is there any doubt? The items will arrive soon, so let’s hold a grand ceremony!”

The man’s exclamation echoed loudly through the Great Cavern. The Great Cavern was filled with strong magical residue, making it an optimal location for conducting rituals.

Finding the Great Cavern was pure coincidence. It was a place discovered by their subordinates just before executing their plan.

Therefore, no one could know the true identity of the Great Cavern.

About four hundred years ago, during the chaotic era called the Age of Great Chaos, there was a mysterious place where an unknown entity fought and was sealed.

It was a promised land where the worst life form, tainted by evil born of hatred, awaited the passage of eternal time.

The imperial secret archives recorded it as:

‘The Great Cavern of the Founding Nobles.’

“Let’s see if we can turn everything upside down. The damn Eld Empire!”

◇

Irefi returned in the afternoon when the sun was high in the sky. The sight of a carriage carrying the head of one of the four ducal families entering the palace was remarkably shabby.

Two carriages without proper escort personnel, only drivers. One was for Troph Feita, and the other was the carriage Irefi rode in.

The thought of Irefi storming into one of the four ducal families alone and commandeering carriages made me shiver involuntarily.

Irefi handed over Troph Feita to the imperial guards and approached me.

“Nepy. Was everything alright?”

“No matter how turbulent the world is, this is the imperial palace. Nothing could happen here.”

“Actually, I was worried you might have done something, but that’s just my habitual suspicion. I should fix that, but it’s not easy.”

“It’s okay. I understand.”

Irefi had been watching me as a surveillance target for months. Even though I had earned her trust with the Charle incident, it wouldn’t be easy to change her attitude in an instant.

Moreover, Netionpis’s past actions would forever be a terrible burden.

Considering that, I think even this level of attitude from Irefi is miraculous. Her continued effort to trust me is truly admirable.

“By the way, what’s that?”

“Where? Oh, those people digging in the ground?”

Irefi pointed to a location where ordinary people would barely see figures as dots. It was a garden quite close to the main gate of the palace.

They were burying something in a hole deep enough for a person to fit in.

“It might be useful later, just in case.”

“Useful… you say.”

Irefi looked up at me with curiosity. But I couldn’t help avoiding her gaze.

“Sorry. This is something I’d rather not talk about.”

“Don’t I need to know everything about the palace for the Emperor’s safety?”

“Ugh, that’s true, but…”

Irefi’s argument was valid. Still, I had reasons for not wanting to tell her.

From an ordinary person’s perspective, it was an extremely unsettling secret. I feared that Irefi might find my very existence distasteful.

If those bright blue eyes were to look at me with contempt, I might suffer an irreparable wound.

“Irefi. Just once… just this once, please let it go, okay? I swear it won’t harm anyone, ever! And I’ve already discussed it with His Majesty…”

“Hmm.”

I begged desperately. Irefi crossed her arms and glared at me for a long time before finally speaking.

“Since you say you’ve discussed it with His Majesty, I’ll trust you. But know there won’t be any mercy next time.”

“O-of course! Thank you so much, Irefi.”

I bowed deeply to express my gratitude. Still, Irefi’s displeasure was evident.

She spoke sharply:

“But Nepy.”

“Yes?”

“Have I ever hidden anything from you? Even though you were under surveillance, I was always honest when I spoke to you.”

Irefi’s tone was sharp with thorns.

I could understand even with my eyes closed. Irefi was genuinely upset.

“O-of course.”

“I show and tell you everything, but from the beginning until now, you’ve kept so many secrets. Is what you’re asking me to overlook something that would be disastrous if I knew?”

“That’s… not it.”

Similar incidents had occurred several times over the past few months. Back then, we were completely in a surveillance relationship, so self-defense was natural.

Even when I hid things, Irefi often overlooked it with the thought, ‘It’s because he’s the Founding Noble Netionpis.’

Especially since I was a transmigrator, there were frequent contradictions between this world’s common sense and that of my previous life. Plus, I had many private audiences with the Emperor after evading Irefi.

Even then, Irefi was always honest. So her expression of resentment is extremely human. Small emotions that had accumulated were now bursting forth as indignation.

“I have the right to know, and knowing won’t cause any problems, yet you block information for purely personal reasons.”

“Irefi, that’s not it, actually…!”

“As I just said, I’ll let it go since it’s something you’ve agreed upon with His Majesty. I’m not trying to pressure you to tell me.”

“…”

Irefi didn’t give me a chance to add anything and spoke vehemently.

“But now I understand. It’s actually you who doesn’t trust me. I don’t know how much I’ve done to deserve your distrust.”

“That’s not true! Just listen to me for a moment…”

Once again, Irefi cut me off abruptly.

“I’ll be going now. I need to check on Duke Feita. Don’t worry, as I leave, I’ll reflect on what I’ve done wrong to you.”

“It’s a misunderstanding! Wait, Irefi!”

I reached out to grab her, but it was futile. Irefi easily avoided my hand with graceful movements and quickly left. The pressure emanating from Irefi’s back was so chilling that I didn’t dare follow her.

I blankly murmured her name.

“Irefi…”

And belatedly realized:

“I… I was supposed to go there too…”