Machart, Subjugation (5)
by Shini
“Ugh, uwaaaaaaah…!!”
The hand mirror Machart had been holding clattered to the ground as he screamed and collapsed backward.
The pitiful figure reflected in the mirror – a face that could no longer even be called average-looking, let alone handsome – had frightened him into fleeing.
It seemed seeing his true face for the first time in nearly four years had come as quite a shock.
“Wh-what… how… why is this…?”
Machart mumbled as he touched his face with trembling hands, as if unable to comprehend what had happened to him.
Since most people present seemed equally confused about the current situation, I took the opportunity to politely explain to everyone how the “Mirror of Truth” magic worked.
“I’ve heard the Mirror of Truth reveals the true nature of things and exposes one’s original form.”
“Lady Lilith?”
“That’s why the Saintess can use this power to identify demons hiding among humans. After all, the dark magic used by demons is ultimately just a means to conceal the truth.”
“Lady Lilith? Who exactly are you talking to…?”
“But if Prince Machart’s appearance changed like this after being exposed to the mirror’s light… could this perhaps be his true form?”
“……!”
My words made Machart’s face visibly pale with panic. Meanwhile, the others listening began nodding one by one, gradually coming to understand the situation.
“Th-that’s right… If the Mirror of Truth made him look like that, it must be transformation magic…”
“Transformation magic is dark magic, isn’t it? Isn’t that restricted to only state-approved mages?”
“The reason dark magic is banned is because it’s the kind demons use, you idiot.”
“Then… could Prince Machart really be…?”
Though everyone murmured among themselves, no one dared finish the sentence, likely fearing it might constitute lèse-majesté.
While it was obvious to anyone that Machart had been using dark magic to conceal his true appearance, he was still technically a member of the imperial family – for now.
Amid this confusion, one brave young lady stepped forward from the crowd, apparently wanting to capitalize on the Machart situation.
“N-no way! Prince Machart couldn’t possibly be such an ugly monster!”
Beige hair, twin tails.
One of the girls who had entered with Machart earlier – probably an extra, given how unmemorable she was.
While nobles, palace guards and maids alike buzzed with discussion, the brave “Twin Tails” stepped forward and loudly proclaimed Machart’s innocence.
“E-everyone’s being deceived! Prince Machart couldn’t possibly have such an ugly face!”
“…Is that so?”
“But the Mirror of Truth…”
“S-someone must have cursed Prince Machart! There’s no way someone with such a hideous face could be the prince…”
“…No, the person there is indeed my brother Machart, Miss Erisher.”
Princess Seraphine, who knew Machart’s original face, appeared and called out Twin Tails by name, quickly grasping the situation and concluding that Machart had already borrowed demonic power – leaving Twin Tails in an awkward position after coming to his defense.
“Miss Erisher? You just said my brother Machart was cursed to look like that, correct?”
“Y-yes…? N-no… I-I didn’t exactly…”
“Then were you so confident in making such irresponsible claims about an imperial family member in front of me?”
“……”
“It’s alright, Miss Erisher. Since you truly believed my brother was cursed, I’ll let you verify whether he’s truly cursed or not.”
“……What?”
Twin Tails looked startled by Seraphine’s unexpected words. Watching her, I couldn’t help but pity the unfortunate situation she was about to face.
The reason Seraphine was called the “absolute heroine” in
Even when her actions restricted the player during the story, it was because one person’s suffering could save many lives.
Her refusal to back down in the unfavorable imperial succession battle stemmed from her belief that becoming empress would bring happiness to many.
And the fact that she emerged victorious from such an unfavorable position proved her exceptional skill in handling crowds – a skill that Twin Tails was about to fall victim to, making me silently offer condolences.
“Come to think of it, there’s an old fairy tale about this. The story of a prince cursed by a witch to become a frog.”
“……What?”
“And the prince could only break the curse by receiving a true love’s kiss. It’s a famous story – surely you know it, Miss Erisher?”
“……”
“So I’ll give you the same opportunity. If you truly believe Prince Machart is cursed, your sincere kiss should break it. Go ahead.”
Seraphine dragged the reluctant Twin Tails toward the fallen Machart, her expression clearly showing she thought something was terribly wrong.
A sheltered noble girl who hadn’t even entered the academy, let alone trained in combat, stood no chance against Seraphine from the martial arts department. She looked like a lamb being led to slaughter as she forced each step forward.
“Now, Miss Erisher.”
“Y-your Highness?”
“Hurry. Your kiss can break my brother’s curse.”
“Th-this is… a m-mistake…”
“…I said do it.”
“……”
With Seraphine gripping the back of her neck, Twin Tails was forced to bring her face close to Machart’s, while Machart sat still on the ground with an oddly expectant expression.
Even if she did kiss him, it wouldn’t break any curse – but the very premise seemed horrifying enough for her.
-Thud!
“Guh, bleeeeeeh…!!”
“……”
“…Ugh, bleh…! Uweeeh…!!”
…How pitiful.
Apparently, the cursed Machart’s face wasn’t attractive enough for Twin Tails.
The poor girl finally slapped Seraphine’s hand away at the last moment, turning her face to vomit repeatedly before their lips could meet.
Machart’s suit was ruined by her vomit, but I didn’t feel sorry for him – he wouldn’t be wearing it again soon anyway, as it would become his burial shroud.
“Oh dear, feeling unwell, Miss Erisher?”
“Guh, urp… ugh…”
“Shall we try again? Don’t worry about ruining my brother’s suit. If the curse breaks, Prince Machart will surely forgive you.”
“N-no… th-that’s…”
“And if by any chance you’ve changed your mind about my brother being cursed, I’ll give you one more opportunity.”
“I-I was wrong, Your Highness…”
“Someone might think I’m threatening you, Miss Erisher. Didn’t you want to kiss my brother to break his curse?”
“N-no! That’s definitely not a curse! Prince Machart has always had that rotten tomato face! I don’t want to kiss some garbage-faced freak! P-please, Princess Seraphine…!”
The noisy crowd fell silent at Twin Tails’ near-pleading confession. Probably everyone felt some degree of sympathy for her.
“I see. I thought you could break my brother’s curse, Miss Erisher. What a shame.”
…Seraphine’s completely unfazed demeanor was almost frightening.
Had Twin Tails actually gone through with the kiss, she undoubtedly would have smoothly pivoted to something like: ‘It seems Miss Erisher couldn’t truly love my brother. Are there any other volunteers willing to attempt breaking the curse?’
After roughly manipulating public opinion like this, Seraphine gently released Twin Tails’ neck, and the girl who had boldly invested in Machart stock fled into the palace after effectively announcing its delisting with her own words.
Of those remaining to witness the situation, about 60% were noble ladies.
“Are there any other volunteers willing to attempt breaking my brother’s curse?”
-Rustle rustle.
Before Seraphine even finished speaking, that 60% vanished.
“Ah, and men are welcome too. Normally this wouldn’t be allowed, but exceptions must be made when breaking such a vile curse.”
-Rustle rustle.
Another 30% of the remaining crowd disappeared, leaving only key figures besides the palace guards.
Me, Ethan, Celista, Seraphine and Machart.
Gyeotmwa Josyegigot and Agnes had completely vanished – hadn’t seen them since earlier. Though things worked out fine without them.
Regardless, the immediate priority wasn’t their whereabouts but Machart’s lawful punishment. The Mirror of Truth had already conclusively proven his use of demonic power, with nobles and palace guards as witnesses.
Just before executing Machart for conspiring with demons, Seraphine looked at him with the gaze of someone observing a condemned man and spoke.
“Conspiring with demons, using forbidden dark magic, memory manipulation against royalty, among other charges… Do you have any last words, Brother Machart?”
“Th-that woman… fake Saintess…”
“……”
“She said… she’s a fake…”
Machart pointed a trembling finger at Celista and mumbled.
Betrayed by the expectations he’d fully believed in, his shaking hand slowly turned to point at me standing beside the pink-haired Saintess.
“…………Eh?”
Then his pupils dilated as if realizing something, showing an expression of never having imagined this possibility before finally curling one corner of his lips in a sneer.
“C-could it be…?”
Just as Machart was about to utter dangerous words the palace guards shouldn’t hear, fortunately Ethan’s intervention at the last moment helped him maintain his silence.
“Could it be… you’re the Saint…?”
-Schwing!
…A head without a body can’t finish its words.
0 Comments