Ch.28(-2) – Let There Be Light

# Enhanced Streaming Translation (with Glossary)

※ This episode is a side story.

“Things have gotten complicated. You’re aware, aren’t you?”

“I’m truly ashamed…”

“What about Hiasen and Josephine?”

“Both are currently bedridden in the infirmary.”

It was good that they had relentlessly pursued and killed the demon Tenebreia before she crossed the border.

This mission was among the most difficult in imperial history, so celebrating wasn’t unreasonable.

But news that her daughter “Estasha” had been discovered sent Emperor Irogen’s heart sinking.

Of all people, Hiasen and Josephine had witnessed it.

While Hiasen was still young and could perhaps be reasoned with, his father knew better than anyone that a gag order would be useless on loose-lipped Josephine.

“We’ll follow protocol.”

“P-protocol, sir?”

“Crucify Tenebreia’s corpse and conduct a public burning at Acropolis Square.”

“Then her daughter will also…”

“What are you saying?”

Irogen’s eyes flashed coldly.

He placed his hand on the shoulder of the terrified Butler Vargo.

“The burning will last not three days, but a full week. A demon dared to touch the noble Princess of Kaizen, so she must receive a fitting punishment, wouldn’t you agree?”

“Yes… I’ll follow your orders.”

“And I’m deeply concerned about Princess Estasha’s health. Use all resources to ensure her swift recovery.”

“May I ask the Fourth Princess’s full name?”

“Name. Yes, her name.”

Emperor Irogen paused before answering.

“Estasha Lax’tias Kaizen.”

If Tenebreia meant shadow, then let there be light in her.

* * *

The legitimate heirs of the Kaizen Empire were all Emperor Irogen’s biological children.

Crown Prince Jade and Second Princess Josephine, children of the Empress, were the most prominent.

First Princess Angelina and Second Prince Fayran, backed by the powerful Zakario Ducal family, couldn’t be ignored either.

In contrast, Third Prince Hiasen and Third Princess Niobe were not only young, but their mother came from the less prestigious Aria County family, essentially excluding them from the succession.

So when other siblings treated Hiasen and Niobe comfortably, it couldn’t be separated from political circumstances.

But nobody knew that the current Emperor Irogen had another biological child.

“She had blonde hair like ours.”

Josephine’s voice was still trembling.

In Kaizen, blonde hair didn’t just signify nobility.

It belonged exclusively to the Emperor’s and former Emperors’ biological children—the legitimate heirs.

Originally, all imperial rights came from the “Imperial Seal,” so even if a child was the Emperor’s biological son, if born before the father became Emperor, they couldn’t inherit succession rights.

Yet the child on the cross that Josephine and Hiasen witnessed clearly had the same beautiful blonde hair and golden eyes as themselves.

Hiasen still hadn’t recovered from the shock.

Like seeing a living corpse.

Whatever one might imagine, it was a scene too difficult for a child’s mind to process.

“Will we end up like that too?”

“What do you mean ‘we’?”

Angelina asked.

“I always thought it was natural for Brother Jade to become Emperor. But will he protect us even after becoming Emperor?”

If they couldn’t become Emperor,

Would they end up like her?

This anxiety was overwhelming.

“What are you worried about? Jade is your biological brother. If anyone should worry, it’s Hiasen.”

Of course, Jade wasn’t the cruel type anyway.

If anything, he was closer to being a model student.

“Verstappen, are you outside?”

“Yes, Princess.”

“Has Father still not said anything?”

“He hasn’t mentioned anything to me.”

The Emperor was keeping quiet, and the atmosphere was unsettled.

The “Dark Stars,” who normally followed dormant volcano protocols, were now freely roaming the imperial palace, putting all nobles on edge.

Another major purge?

Or was an even bigger problem approaching?

Everyone was waiting for the Emperor’s statement.

After some time, Verstappen, the Emperor’s knight, brought a message.

“Tomorrow at noon. A burning ceremony will be held at Acropolis Square.”

“A burning ceremony?”

“Yes, the Dark Stars have captured a high-ranking demon. I don’t know the details, but we’ve been ordered to gather citizens at the square tomorrow to expose the demon’s evil deeds.”

“What are you saying? There are demons?”

“Hiasen!”

Hiasen stood up, clutching his head.

So the tragedy at Yvonne Palace was the work of demons?

Though the memory made him nauseous, Hiasen was more concerned about her safety.

“Is she okay? She’s not dead?”

“I’m not sure about that…”

When he saw her, she was already at death’s door.

Her shoulder would have been dislocated, and she was struggling even to breathe.

Especially the sight of flesh healing over the nails was too horrific to recall.

Nevertheless, Hiasen demanded to be taken to her.

“Take me to her. If you don’t know where she is, ask the butler.”

* * *

In fact, Hiasen had a hunch where the girl might be.

The fact that he and Josephine woke up in this infirmary suggested that the larger ward was already full.

As soon as Verstappen got permission from the butler, Hiasen rushed to the ward where she was.

The lobby was already crowded with countless doctors and clergy.

They seemed to be working in shifts to heal her.

It was the first time Hiasen had seen someone dying so miserably.

All he could do was sit quietly in the waiting room and pray that the empire’s most skilled people could save her.

For minutes,

For hours.

“Hiasen, so you’re here.”

Crown Prince Jade’s voice reached Hiasen’s ears.

“Brother?”

“I heard what happened. His Majesty the Emperor will be here soon.”

“Between the demon and the princess, I still don’t understand what’s happening.”

“You’ll learn in time. No need to rush.”

“Isn’t Brother Fayran coming too?”

“He’s in the south, but he’s probably on his way after hearing the news. It might take some time.”

As the Crown Prince said, the sound announcing the Emperor’s arrival could be heard from a distance.

Hiasen had mountains of questions.

Who was the girl?

Why was there a demon in the palace?

But even though the main gate of Zenith Palace, where the central infirmary was located, was wide open, the Emperor hesitated to step inside.

Instead, he seemed to be discussing various matters with his ministers outside.

Then Emperor Irogen abruptly left, which even Jade hadn’t expected.

“Butler Vargo!”

Hiasen desperately called out to Vargo.

His voice almost got lost, but thanks to Jade calling out as well, he was able to speak with the butler privately.

“Are you feeling better?”

“That girl… what’s her name?”

Hiasen asked directly.

“You want to know the patient’s name. It’s Estasha.”

“That’s it?”

“Estasha Latias de Kaizen, Fourth Princess of the Kaizen Empire. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m busy.”

Vargo turned away coldly.

As he left the palace, he thought to himself.

The Emperor’s illegitimate child was his weakness.

Vargo found Emperor Irogen’s decision somewhat puzzling, given his reputation as the flawless Emperor.

But every decision had its reasons.

That was Emperor Irogen’s stubbornness.

Irogen severed the connection between his illegitimate child and the demon, even while acknowledging his own flaw.

Why didn’t he kill her when he could have?

Vargo simply felt pity for the fate of someone who would now have to live as the Emperor’s illegitimate child.

He was someone who could understand that pain better than most.

* * *

“What…? What happened?”

“I… uh…”

“Stop trembling and speak clearly!!!”

“T-T-Tenebreia’s contact was l-lost! She was probably captured right before the border—ARGH!”

The stone statue standing nearby exploded instantly.

The demon couldn’t even breathe properly.

If he upset the man before him even slightly, his head would fly off more easily than a pig’s at a slaughterhouse.

‘How did it come to this…’

Tenebreia was the man’s most beloved youngest daughter.

The man was so enraged that he paradoxically appeared calm.

The demon sensed this was when the man was most dangerous.

“I’ll dispatch a special unit to find her…!”

“Enough. You did your best.”

“No! Please give me one more chance! Please!”

The Demon King’s finger twitched.

The one-horned demon rolled his eyes downward.

A thin red line formed around his neck.

The world tilted, and he collapsed without even a final scream.

“I’ll go myself.”