chapter_0234

233 – Memories Buried in the Past

233 – Memories Buried in the Past

The madness glimmering in his eyes held a certain conviction.

Daniel, determined to uncover the truth contained within those eyes, turned to the squad leader.

“Lead the soldiers out of the cathedral.”

The squad leader looked flustered but nodded, unable to ignore the command.

After taking the troops outside, the squad leader closed the door.

Thud—

Only after confirming that the door of the cathedral was closed did Arno begin to speak.

“It’s good that you’re quick on the uptake. Alright, where should I start?”

Taking a breath, Arno leaned his head against the podium.

“Let’s see. I think I started seriously investigating this truth around the time you left for Penbarch. As you know, I had nothing left at that time.”

A self-deprecating smile emerged.

“If I continued like this, I would just be living like a fool until I died. Not wanting that, I pondered how I could strike a blow against Selvia. After all, I needed something to hit Selvia with if I wanted to expand my power, right?”

Wiping the blood from his cheek with the back of his hand, Arno continued.

“Then something came to mind.”

A laugh escaped Arno’s lips.

“About Selvia. She was said to have been gravely ill when she was young. Rumors spread that it was an incurable disease. But then, out of nowhere, a miracle doctor appeared and cured Selvia’s illness, as if they had excised the disease from her.”

Arno frowned as if in disbelief.

“The problem is that ever since then, Selvia has changed in some inexplicable way. Not only did she stop eating her favorite foods, but her personality seemed to have shifted as well. At the time, I thought it was just a side effect of the treatment and brushed it off.”

Reflecting on the past, Arno thought.

“But when I found myself in a corner, I thought I could use that. Who knows if something immoral happened during her treatment? So, I started digging for the doctor who treated Selvia’s illness. It wasn’t that hard to find since he was still living in the Imperial City.”

Arno chuckled, as if he found something amusing.

“When I caught him and demanded to know what happened that day, he trembled in fear. So, thinking there was something to uncover, I locked him up down here and tortured him. At first, he seemed to hold out, but eventually, he spilled everything. To cut to the chase…”

Taking a deep breath, Arno stood up.

He seemed a bit unsteady, perhaps from the exertion of killing the attendant, but soon regained his balance.

Facing Daniel, Arno said, “That woman Selvia is a monster pretending to be my sister. A monster created by my father!”

The words Arno had spoken when they met in the corridor of the Imperial Palace came to mind.

At that time, Arno had also referred to Selvia as a monster created by their father.

‘It seemed strange that he spoke with such conviction, as if it were more than mere jealousy. Could it be…?’

Feeling a sense of unease, Daniel furrowed his brow as Arno smiled thinly.

“You look skeptical. Then go see for yourself. The doctor said all the evidence is contained in the ring that my father always carried with him.”

As Daniel stood frozen, Arno spoke with confidence.

“Let’s make the deal afterward. Confirming the truth comes first, doesn’t it?”

Daniel opened his mouth to say something but then closed it again.

He realized he shouldn’t make hasty judgments at this moment.

After a moment of contemplation, Daniel glared at Arno.

“Please wait here. I need to specifically confirm what truth His Majesty is speaking of.”

Arno raised his arms as if to show he was unarmed.

“Of course! Why would I run away? I can’t escape anyway.”

After giving Arno one last glare, Daniel turned and walked out.

Opening the door of the cathedral, Daniel issued a low, subdued command to the approaching squad leader.

“There’s something urgent I need to report to His Majesty, so everyone should wait here. If Arno escapes from the cathedral before I return…”

Daniel’s cold gaze met the squad leader’s.

“I will never forgive you.”

The squad leader, gripped by fear, quickly saluted.

“I will ensure a thorough encirclement!”

At that moment, Daniel had become a more terrifying presence to the squad leader than any royal.

–

Upon entering the Imperial Palace to report, Daniel explained everything to Selvia.

After hearing the entire story, Selvia concluded that it would be wise to verify the claims.

Thus, Selvia and Daniel headed to the Imperial Vault, where the late Emperor’s relics were stored.

The Imperial Vault was located deep within the palace, as it housed the late Emperor’s belongings, and it was guarded by elite troops sworn only to Selvia.

Upon hearing that the Emperor had arrived, the head of the Imperial Vault quickly granted access, and the heavy iron double doors creaked open.

As Selvia stepped inside, the ceiling lights illuminated the interior.

In the center, massive pillars wrapped in red cloth supported the ceiling, and a display case made of reinforced glass was visible.

Walking over, Selvia confirmed that the late Emperor’s relics were neatly arranged inside.

“Imperial Vault Officer.”

As Selvia called out, the officer, who had been standing at a distance, approached.

“Yes, Your Majesty. How may I serve you?”

“I need to see my father’s relics, so please open the reinforced glass.”

“As you command.”

The officer bowed his head, took out a key from his pocket, and inserted it into the glass case, turning it.

The lock clicked open, and the glass lid slowly lifted.

Selvia reached in and pulled out a ring.

The ring was adorned with a gem that shone a deep red, reminiscent of a ruby.

As Selvia fixed her gaze on the ring, the officer, sensing the atmosphere, bowed his head and exited the Imperial Vault.

Left alone with Daniel, Selvia parted her lips.

“Did you say the truth is contained within this ring, brother?”

“……Yes.”

“Then the gem embedded in this ring appears to be a Remisian gem. I understand it has significant value as it can store specific memories.”

Selvia’s eyes widened slightly.

“To be honest, I don’t understand why you called me a monster, brother. I suspect you’re just talking nonsense as usual…”

Selvia’s breath trembled slightly.

“If what you said isn’t a lie, I can’t even fathom what memories might be contained within. A monster? Do you want to claim that I’m not human?”

“That possibility isn’t entirely out of the question.”

Startled, Selvia looked up at Daniel, who was resting his chin on his hand, deep in thought.

“If what Arno said isn’t just bluster, isn’t there a chance that an animal has become a person and is ruling the Empire?”

For a moment, Selvia was at a loss for words at the absurdity of it all, but soon she laughed.

She realized that Daniel was trying to lighten her tense mood with a joke.

“An animal, huh? Then can I guess what kind of animal I might have been?”

“Hmmm. I think you’re closer to the feline family, but personally, I’d prefer you to be a dog.”

“Hmm? Why? Isn’t a cat fine too?”

“I’m more of a dog person than a cat person.”

“Oh, if that’s the case, I also prefer dogs over cats…”

Selvia trailed off, suddenly closing her mouth.

There was something different about Daniel when he mentioned dogs.

‘Could it be…?’

Was he inadvertently revealing his sexual preferences?

Thinking that way, Selvia felt as if Daniel’s words were somehow comparing her to Lucy.

Feeling a bit flustered, Selvia blushed slightly and said, “……If it’s not an unreasonable request, I can mimic a dog too.”

That left Daniel in a state of shock.

What on earth was this bizarre conversation? Just then, Selvia glanced at Daniel and, feeling shy, turned her gaze away.

“It’s nothing.”

Clearing her throat, Selvia slipped the ring onto her index finger.

“Then let’s see if we can uncover the truth you spoke of, brother.”

With that, Selvia took a deep breath and looked down at the ring.

Now, by infusing the ring with magic, she could glimpse the late Emperor’s memories.

However, Selvia found herself unable to do so.

Though she pretended to be unaffected, she was terrified of what truth might be contained within.

Her left hand, which wasn’t wearing the ring, trembled slightly.

Watching Selvia, Daniel gently took hold of her left hand.

Startled by the sudden contact, Selvia flinched and turned to Daniel.

Daniel met her gaze and nodded once, as if to say that this was nothing to fear.

Thanks to that, Selvia felt reassured and nodded in return, turning her gaze forward.

As her breathing became shallow, Selvia slowly closed her eyes.

Then, she quietly channeled her magic into the gem embedded in the ring.

It was time to uncover why Arno had called Selvia a monster pretending to be his sister.

It was time to confirm that truth.