HRNGDS 107

~Chapter 107~

< Trait – Heaven’s Secret activates. >

You can share the vision of God.

Delphina was dreaming.

In the dream, she had become another woman. Inside a carriage, a small mirror was set up.

Her body didn’t follow her own will but turned to look at that mirror. The reflection in the glass was someone familiar.

‘What is this?’

She didn’t feel good. She tried to frown, but the body didn’t move as she wanted.

It felt like her soul was trapped inside another person’s body.

‘This must be a dream, right? Me, possessed into the Empress?!’

Delphina was certain this was a dream. After all, reincarnation and now possession — that would be too absurd.

‘Please, Frad God, tell me this isn’t real. Possession now?’

It was something she truly didn’t want. The Empress in the mirror looked much younger than she remembered, but she still disliked it.

Most of all, Delphina liked Elcayan far more than the Emperor.

Then, as if to calm her unease, a system window appeared.

< Trait – Heaven’s Secret is in progress. >
You cannot move the body freely.

‘Heaven’s Secret…?’

She recalled that this was a reward from a quest.

So this wasn’t possession. She was seeing a moment from the past.

The system window disappeared again.

‘God Frad, are you unable to answer me now?’

The system blinked quickly a few times. Delphina realized that was his reply.

‘He’s using too much power right now.’

He couldn’t even answer her questions.

Delphina’s face twisted. Perhaps because she was linked to this person, she could feel the Empress’s emotions clearly — and it was unpleasant.

The Empress’s heart was racing fast.

‘She’s anxious… but also… expecting something?’

That faint expectation made Delphina feel even more uncomfortable.

< With God Frad’s blessing, you are using Out-of-Body Vision! >

Delphina felt her soul separate from the Empress’s body.

She floated above, able to watch the scene from outside. That felt much better.

‘Thank you, Lord Frad.’

Just then—

“We have arrived,” a servant said. The Empress pulled her robe over her head.

She stepped down from the carriage. Delphina followed her out.

Normally, royals never went out without guards.

But now, only one servant was with the Empress.

That alone was very suspicious.

The place they arrived at was a shabby hut.

The Empress whispered softly:

“It is time to decide the true ruler of the Empire.”

The words were heavy with meaning.

As soon as she spoke, the hut door opened.

Delphina flinched and stepped back in shock.

The person inside was very familiar.

‘My uncle…?’

Why was her uncle here?

“You came all this way, that means you’ve made up your mind,” he said.

The Empress nodded without hesitation and walked into the hut.

Delphina followed right after her.

“It took a long time to find this,” her uncle said. “The Temple of Frad and the Imperial Palace tried desperately to destroy it.”

“So where is it?”

“Here.”

He pointed to a large, pitch-black stone. Just looking at it made Delphina feel sick.

At that moment, a system window appeared before her eyes:

< Those who deceive God will never achieve what they desire. >

“Do you know about black magic?”

“No. The Imperial family strictly forbids it.”

“It is simple to use,” her uncle explained.

“Touch the stone and wish strongly. Then you can control a person.”

“…”

“The stronger the negative feelings, the better.”

“Negative feelings…”

“But you must be near your target until they are completely brainwashed.”

“And if they are fully brainwashed?”

“Then it no longer matters where they are. The control remains.”

“…”

“But once you use black magic, there is no going back. You become cursed by God.”

“If I can make my son Emperor, I’ll do anything.”

Her uncle handed the stone to Yuria.

“You can only use this on limited targets. Be cautious.”

But Yuria did not hesitate. She placed her hand on the stone immediately.

Black magic was not something you could entrust to others.

So Yuria acted herself.

The first thing she did was investigate Duke Rikeion and his wife’s movements.

Delphina already knew what happened next.

Her view shifted—

Now, in front of her were her parents.

They looked out the window with worried faces.

She could hear their voices.

“If I knew this would happen, I should’ve stayed behind.”

“It’s fine. If we hurry, we’ll make it. And Father is still at the house…”

“I just want to see our Delphina soon.”

“We’re not too foolish as parents, are we?”

“Of course not. Life is short. Delphina will grow up quickly. We must give her all our love and truth before that. Even that time is too short.”

“…”

“I want to raise our child honestly, like us. Children grow up watching their parents.”

“Yes. You’re right.”

Yuria had controlled the coachman of the carriage carrying the former Empress, the Grand Duke, and Delphina’s father.

‘So this is what you wanted me to see…’

Delphina clenched her eyes tightly.

She knew she had to watch everything, but it was painful.

The tragedy had already happened. She could not change it.

Her parents never reached her.

After that, Yuria also used black magic on Alfonso.

The more magic was used, the smaller the cursed stone became.

Her uncle tormented Delphina to strengthen the black magic’s grip.

“If you weren’t sick, our brother would still be alive.”

“This is all your fault.”

Duke Rikeion, her uncle, blamed all his crimes on his young niece.

Delphina’s childhood had truly been miserable.

Then the vision shifted again.

A snowy mountain appeared.

And below it stood a boy with flushed red cheeks.

He had a blunt face, but Delphina recognized him immediately.

‘That’s the boy who ate my food every day at the Duke’s residence…’

He looked ordinary, plain even.

‘Why didn’t I recognize him when I first met Elcayan? Looking now, I can tell right away.’

Yes. That boy’s face was Elcayan’s.

Now, Elcayan never felt cold in the northern winds. But as a child, his face turned red from the freezing air, and his plump cheeks were especially noticeable.

Delphina finally understood why northerners often said young Elcayan hadn’t been handsome at all.

Back then, he wasn’t a handsome boy — more of a chubby one.

Her heavy mood lightened a little.

‘So cute.’

Even his chubby, healthy look made her heart warm.

He looked like a child who ate very well — the perfect image for her.

She walked toward him with a smile.

“Elcayan.”

Then, a huge noblewoman appeared and embraced the boy tightly.

Delphina stared blankly at the sight.

The woman’s body trembled faintly as she hugged Elcayan.

This was the first time Delphina saw that lady’s weakness.

And she realized when this was.

‘Ah… this was when the Grand Duke passed away.’

Delphina wasn’t the only one who had lost someone precious.