CHAPTER 16
Adrian wore an unusually serious expression.
When Asilia frowned, unable to easily accept his proposal, Adrian continued speaking.
“I know I’m going against His Majesty the Emperor’s will… but I need Her Majesty the Empress’s help.”
What could possibly be so important that Adrian would defy Cretes himself just to ask for her help?
Asilia showed no intention of moving unless she was told clearly. In response, Adrian scratched his head roughly.
“I’m not very good with words, so I might not explain this well… but there’s been a prophecy in Moria since long ago.”
“A prophecy?”
But wasn’t Cretes already considered a god? Was he saying a divine voice was delivered through a temple?
When she showed a confused expression, Adrian let out a short exclamation.
“So… it’s the voice of a god who doesn’t dwell among humans. A different god from His Majesty the Emperor.”
The prophecy had been passed down for hundreds of years. But even now, the person described in it had not been found.
“The one who will come across eternal time shall arrive from a distant foreign land.
Only this person shall quell the chaos of the land and take its life away.”
Asilia’s expression became even more complicated after hearing the prophecy.
“Do you think I’m the one from the prophecy just because I came from far away?”
“We’re just trying not to rule out any possibilities.”
“And if I’m not the person described in the prophecy, will you still help me leave Moria?”
Adrian nodded without hesitation.
From the moment he started this conversation, he had shown no sign of wavering.
The usual frivolity he displayed was completely absent… This must be a truly serious matter.
“I’ll at least hear you out. What exactly is this ‘chaos of the land’ mentioned in the prophecy?”
“My guess… is that it refers to the monsters.”
“Monsters?”
Surely a few knight orders could take care of some monsters.
That’s what she was thinking—until Adrian spoke again.
“In Moria, the monsters cannot be killed.”
“…They can’t be killed?”
“Exactly. No matter how much you attack them or try to kill them, they won’t die.”
In fact, monsters that had been attacked became even more violent and uncontrollable.
They would harm passersby and even descend upon nearby villages, causing significant casualties every year.
“Then shouldn’t His Majesty the Emperor deal with it?”
“His Majesty said he couldn’t either.”
“You mean… he can’t kill them?”
“No. The best he could do was push them into the edge of the continent and isolate them. That did reduce the damage somewhat.”
But the core problem remained unsolved.
The number of monsters was increasing over time, and since Moria was an island, there was limited space to contain them.
Sooner or later, there would be no place left to push them to—and before the dam burst, the monsters would have to be killed.
“Even if, by some chance, I am the one who can kill these monsters, wouldn’t you just send me off to deal with all of them, not knowing how many there even are?”
“That’s not it. The prophecy says that the chosen one can bless others around them.”
Those who received the blessing would also gain the power to kill the monsters—just like the prophesied figure.
That was the content of the prophecy.
“So what you want from me is to confirm whether I’m the person in the prophecy… and if I am, give the blessing. Is that right?”
“Yes.”
“And if I do that, you can definitely show me how to get out of Moria?”
“Yes. But… the road will be rough. It won’t be easy.”
That’s exactly what she wanted to hear.
If Adrian was right and she really could kill the monsters, things would get easier.
The people of Moria were effectively trapped because of the monsters in the sea.
If Asilia could kill them, escape would be simple. But even if she couldn’t, she had no intention of cowering in fear and giving up.
“I understand what you’re saying. But I have one question.”
“…?”
“If this is such an urgent issue, why are you only telling me about it now?”
Someone else might use excuses like their status or the Emperor’s favor.
But the Adrian Asilia knew wasn’t someone who cared about that.
He often acted rude and playful—but also had a sharp tongue that hit where it hurt.
She knew he was sharper and more perceptive than anyone.
So if someone like Adrian came running to her with this, there had to be a reason.
“…It’s a personal matter, but do I really have to say it?”
“My attempt to escape from Moria was extremely personal too.”
At that, Adrian hesitated. But then he let out a long sigh and spoke.
“…My family is in the monster containment zone.”
“Your family?”
“It wasn’t part of the zone before, but recently, as the number of monsters increased, the area was re-designated.”
Adrian was telling the truth—no part of his words was a lie.
But it was puzzling.
Asilia knew that the Monique family was one of the most prestigious noble houses in Moria.
She’d even heard that Count Monique once came to Revilla as a delegate.
So why was the family of such central nobility staying in the most remote—and most dangerous—place?
Perhaps sensing her confusion, Adrian explained first.
“To put it simply… our family once tried to start a rebellion.”
“…Oh.”
“Moria doesn’t use collective punishment, so we weren’t executed… but we couldn’t escape the butterfly effect of punishment.”
Those who plotted the rebellion were purged. The rest of the Monique family—unrelated to the rebellion—had all their property confiscated.
With nowhere to stay in the capital, they wandered in search of a place to live and ended up at the edge of the continent.
“Then how are you here?”
“I was already a royal knight back then. I didn’t know anything about the rebellion, and His Majesty acknowledged my innocence.”
Adrian wrinkled his nose.
In Revilla—or anywhere outside of Moria—this would have been unthinkable.
Letting the child of a rebellious noble family serve the royal court?
Only Cretes could allow something like that.
“Anyway… that’s the reason.”
To protect his family.
Asilia remained silent.
Whatever his intentions, if Adrian helped her escape, he would surely face Cretes’s wrath.
And eventually, he would die.
Which meant… this must be that important to him.
He was willing to risk his life to protect his family.
“…Alright.”
“…!”
“We strike while the iron’s hot. Let’s leave tomorrow.”
Adrian’s eyes widened. Then he beamed and shouted, “Yes!”
At that moment, Asilia felt like she was seeing Adrian’s true face for the first time.
The Next Day
Asilia stood with arms crossed, her expression hardened.
“I’d like you to explain what’s going on here, Sir Monique.”
“As you can see, this is the departure team.”
“Then explain why someone who absolutely shouldn’t be part of that team is here.”
Asilia turned her head to someone standing five steps away.
It was Cretes.
He stood there calmly, as if he already knew Asilia and Adrian would be traveling together.
“I must report whether or not the prophecy is true to His Majesty.”
“….”
“And His Majesty said he wanted to come along.”
Unbelievable.
Come along?
After saying he’d let her escape immediately after verifying the prophecy?
Asilia stared at him in disbelief. Adrian leaned in and whispered with a bow.
“Don’t worry—I kept our promise a secret.”
“…”
“And I won’t break it, so don’t worry about that either.”
Cretes furrowed his brow at the sight of the two talking. He strode over and gave Adrian a little shove, pushing him away from Asilia.
“Don’t get too close to my wife.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Adrian replied shortly and took ten steps back.
Unbelievable.
“You don’t like that I’m going?”
“Would you like it?”
“Of course not.”
But Cretes’s face showed that he didn’t care what she thought.
“I told you I didn’t like it, but you’re still coming with us?”
“It’s dangerous there.”
“….”
“Even if you hate me… I want to be the one who protects my wife.”
Asilia said nothing.
“To me… you’re the only family I have.”
