Chapter 17
* * *
Nina headed toward the strategy room in the main hall.
Because of Lilien’s shrill shouting earlier, her ears were still ringing.
Lilien might have claimed that Cassian had fallen for her—but he certainly seemed quite proactive in winning Lilien’s favor.
“There is always a distinction between what is noble and must be protected—and what merely exists.”
To him, the noble one to be protected would be Lilien.
And the one who merely existed would be Nina.
After all, it would be Lilien who could raise him to the position of consort. Naturally, she would be the “noble existence.”
Her father’s decision to pass the throne to Lilien would not change. Nina had never coveted the imperial seat.
The fact that the oracle was false had done only one thing for her—it allowed her to turn away, free of guilt, from the belief that sacrificing her body for Arsed was the sole purpose and entirety of her existence.
At least, for now.
As Commander of Arsed’s Knights, she would finish the war for continental unification.
If she could personally create the minimum justification needed to end this wretched role as a living weapon, perhaps what came afterward would be easier.
If she uncovered the secret of the oracle in the meantime, she could formally sever her shackles.
And if Lilien and Cassian married before that—if he became consort—he might lend her his strength.
What remained now was to build a justification thick enough to cast everything aside and leave.
Proving that the oracle is false would be the most certain way. And I’m the only one who can prove it.
She had no idea where to begin, but there had to be a way.
Rrrrr—
Lost in thought as she walked, Nina turned her head at the sound of wheels rolling.
Vargaz?!
The massive body sprawled across two large carts belonged to Vargaz.
Its enormous eyes, turned a complete ashen gray, stared blankly with its mouth agape.
Three blade-like claws too long to fit on the cart dragged along the ground, carving deep grooves into the floor.
Though Vargaz was clearly dead, Nina felt as though those sharp claws might lunge toward her chest at any moment.
She swallowed dryly.
A long shadow fell behind her.
“As expected, the Princess’s blade is no ordinary sword. I thought the spell had taken properly this time… It languished for a while, but it died at dawn.”
It was Desmorak.
He, too, stared at the departing corpse with displeasure etched across his face.
When he had allowed Nina to confront Vargaz, he had clearly told her not to kill it.
Yet she had thrust her icy blade straight into the monster’s chest.
An experiment that had been nearly perfected was ruined because of her.
Nina looked straight at Desmorak, who was clearly blaming her.
The desperate, almost reverent man from last night was gone—replaced by something dark and resentful.
So you also know the oracle about me is false.
He was the one who had persuaded the Emperor to use her as a weapon of war from childhood—who had most eagerly exploited her immortal body against countless monsters.
Sensing her gaze was colder than usual, Desmorak frowned.
“Why do you look at me that way?”
“How long have you been in the imperial palace?”
“If you mean that creature, five days—”
“No. I mean you.”
Realizing she wasn’t asking about Vargaz, Desmorak fell silent and met her eyes.
He slowly shifted his light brown gaze, as if searching her impassive face for something.
“It’s been exactly twenty years this year. I arrived about two months after you princesses were born.”
After Lilien and I were born.
Nina suddenly recalled how he had called for her mother so desperately the previous night.
“Lady…”
The title he used implied they had known each other long ago.
“I see.”
She turned away from him.
Beyond the oracle, there was much to investigate about Desmorak as well.
“Why do you ask all of a sudden?”
“Just curious.”
He frowned slightly at her answer.
She had never asked him such things before.
“You depart in ten days, I hear.”
“Yes.”
“What a shame. If Vargaz hadn’t died, perhaps we could have used it in this campaign.”
A faint scoff slipped from Nina’s lips.
Desmorak’s eyes flared, as if offended that she dared mock him.
“Look forward to the next one.”
As she stepped away, he added,
“Another captured monster will arrive soon. When it does, you must test whether the spell has taken properly. It is all for Arsed.”
His tone carried the arrogance of someone certain she would have no choice but to comply.
Nina stopped and slowly turned her head, the corner of her lips curling upward.
Desmorak froze at the sight of a smile he had never seen before.
“Well. I can’t promise I won’t kill the next one too.”
Her expression returned to its usual chill as she turned away.
* * *
Preparing thoroughly for departure, Nina spent each day in relentless busyness.
She ensured the knights’ supplies were fully stocked, conducted personal training at dawn and battle drills with the order, compiled intelligence flowing in from Nortanica, and held strategy meetings with her staff late into the night.
Since Nortanica bordered Arsed, fierce battles would erupt long before they reached the royal palace in its capital.
This campaign must succeed. No matter what.
Her resolve to conquer Nortanica was stronger than ever.
There was her promise to the Emperor—and the sooner continental unification was achieved, the sooner she could find time to uncover the secret of the oracle.
Though she had been granted permission to take Cassian as her personal healer, she knew it would not continue indefinitely until unification was complete.
Lilien would do whatever it took to separate them.
Late one night, as Nina left the strategy room and headed toward the detached palace—
A large shadow slipped out of the darkness.
She paused briefly but did not startle.
The looming figure had become familiar in these dim corridors.
Seeing her pass without reaction despite his obvious attempt to surprise her, Cassian approached with an exaggerated look of disappointment.
“You don’t even flinch. I waited quite a while for you to come out.”
Nina glanced at him as if incredulous.
“With you departing with me, Lilien’s temper can’t be in good shape. I assumed you’d be too busy soothing her before departure to have this much free time.”
“I have never soothed a single young lady. If their feelings were hurt, it was only because they valued me too greatly. A few words about how their overwhelming affection burdens me—and they resolve their feelings on their own. They don’t wish to lose my heart.”
“Hah. What a remarkable talent.”
At her dry response, Cassian quietly curled his lips into a grin beside her.
The fact that she wasn’t looking at him with cold suspicion over what he had said earlier to Lilien gave him a strange sense of relief.
“I possess another talent as well. Would you like to see?”
Nina finally stopped walking and looked up at him.
Successful in capturing her attention, Cassian smiled and pulled something from inside his coat.
A small letter held between his index and middle fingers.
Its edges glowed with a soft light—a magical teleportation letter.
So expensive that even nobles rarely used one unless declaring war or reporting a grave emergency.
He waved it lightly.
“Aren’t you curious,” he asked softly, “who sent this?”
