Chapter 78…………………………………………….
It was about the people who had taken the medicine made by the Mage Tower.
The original purpose of the Mage Tower’s alchemy was to alter or destroy the properties of objects.
Even the medicines they made were not for healing, but rather to temporarily enhance strength or for lethal purposes.
However, the current head of the Mage Tower, Lloyd, had begun producing and selling medicines for healing purposes.
They were effective for minor ailments like stomachaches or body aches, and since they were cheaper than holy water, many citizens of the empire used them frequently.
What Sertina handed over was a report about people who had taken the Mage Tower’s medicines multiple times and experienced side effects.
“As you said, I investigated Shane’s words. They all suffered the same illness and were discarded. It seems that taking the same medicine five times causes side effects.”
I thought she had fallen into despair and shut herself in her room since there had been no contact for days, but she had been conducting a thorough investigation all along.
I skimmed through the contents. It seemed that if the medicine was taken repeatedly at certain intervals, the terrible side effects I had seen in the original story would occur.
“I’ve taken four bottles of the Mage Tower’s medicine under the pretext of testing. The next one would be the fifth and final.”
Right before receiving the completed medicine!
I was curious about Sertina’s decision, but I didn’t ask until she spoke herself.
Breaking her silence, Sertina spoke.
“I’ve canceled the deal with the Mage Tower.”
“…Are you okay?”
I had hoped she would quit the deal, but I also knew the hope had been shattered.
“On the contrary, I feel relieved. I’ve had a few instances where I obsessed over my legs and felt like an idiot.”
She spoke casually, but I knew she was hurting inside. Still, I couldn’t say anything like “God might help you” as a false hope.
She held my hand, which had been downcast.
“I’m fine. My will isn’t broken by this.”
Sertina smiled brightly.
“And it’s not the time for you to worry. You should be the one worrying.”
“Huh?”
“Schwarz has come to the Holy Empire.”
She whispered the addition.
“For your information, I invited him.”
No… What has Her Royal Highness done now?
“To summon an outsider, the acting priest must—”
“I know. I have to report it. That’s why I’m doing it now.”
“You should have done it earlier!”
“That’s what I just found out.”
She laughed as if she didn’t know anything. But I was sure she knew exactly what she was doing.
“The scheduled time has come, and I need a priest to assist.”
It was a combination of Schwarz and Sertina. No one else could follow me.
Resigned, I gripped the wheelchair handles tightly and lowered my voice.
“Where should we go, Your Highness?”
“I told them to prepare tea in the garden.”
The destination was set. Heading toward the garden, I thought:
‘The Emperor must know by now.’
The moment Schwarz’s carriage reached the gates of the Holy Empire, a report would have been sent immediately.
From his reaction a few days ago, it was certain that Cassius did not take kindly to Schwarz.
‘We shouldn’t let the two of them meet.’
Judging by the situation, Schwarz seemed to have come to talk with Sertina. It would be best to get the business done quickly and send him back.
We arrived at the garden briskly, pushing the wheelchair.
Schwarz, with his long black hair flowing, stood out even from a distance.
‘Come to think of it, this place…’
It was the same garden where I first had a conversation with Schwarz. At that time, I had trembled in fear, but now I wasn’t afraid to go meet him.
Because I now knew exactly who the enemy was.
‘Schwarz used to be the biggest threat.’
In the original story, he had killed me. So he was the obsessive man I absolutely should not approach, yet now we had reached a point where I could get close to him—it felt strange.
‘I thought I had only suffered hardships.’
I had blamed God for the trials, lamented my situation, and felt pathetic about my weakness, but it seemed it had all been preparation.
Before I knew it, we arrived in front of Schwarz.
“I greet the master of Winter Castle.”
“Sonia.”
He looked for me first, bypassing Sertina. His action immediately reminded me of past memories.
Since he had once slapped Sertina for taking his time, it was best I stepped aside here.
“Then you two enjoy your time. I will leave… Ack?”
Just as I tried to escape, Sertina grabbed the sleeve of my priest robe tightly.
“You’re staying too. I want to speak to you as well.”
Why was I being told to sit across from the only Grand Duke in the empire?
I anticipated this would be serious, so I wanted to refuse. Sitting lazily, Schwarz spoke first.
“The seat is empty. Sit.”
He meant the seat next to him.
Forget being polite. Schwarz was still a difficult opponent.
Just looking at the people gathered, I could sense a bombshell was about to drop. Feeling the prelude of a storm, I wanted to escape.
“How can I sit comfortably in front of Her Highness and the Grand Duke?”
Sertina encouraged me.
“Don’t worry about it. Just sit, quickly.”
A breeze blew at the moment. I noticed how his flowing black hair resembled hers.
Unable to resist the pressure of these terrifying siblings, I sat down.
Sertina drank the prepared tea, while Schwarz didn’t touch his. Before she could take a sip, he urged her:
“Tell me why you called me.”
“Don’t you give a cup of tea to a sibling you haven’t met in a long time?”
“I’m in a hurry right now.”
He said that while subtly tilting his head toward me.
Sertina, puckering her lips and glancing between Schwarz and me, spoke:
“Understood. Brother, I will become the Emperor. Please lend me your strength.”
“Why would I? I refuse.”
His voice was so cold that I cringed for her, but Sertina remained composed.
“His Majesty’s behavior has been strange recently. Even seeking a god he ignored, I suspect he may be ill. Unable to do anything, he must be relying on the god. Unlike him, though.”
Ugh… I wanted to cover my ears.
The final awakening and Omega fever alone were already headache-inducing. No more information, please.
Schwarz traced the rim of his teacup with his finger.
“I don’t care.”
“When Father passes, Brother Shane will become Emperor.”
“……”
“Is it fine for Brother Shane to ascend the throne? Sonia and I, and even Brother here, almost died at his hands.”
Sertina’s voice rose. I felt like I was standing in the eye of a storm.
“I know well. And let me warn you, don’t touch that guy’s neck. He’s mine.”
He said this in a deadly tone.
“And the throne?”
“My stance hasn’t changed.”
Sertina’s tense expression softened, and she smiled.
“This answer is enough. Thank you for accommodating me.”
Caught between these two fierce siblings, I felt awkward.
Is this what politics is like?
I didn’t know what had been resolved, but it seemed their negotiation was over.
Sertina opened her pocket and used a wind-attributed gemstone. Floating gently in her wheelchair, she said:
“By the way, if Brother continues to hold his stance, I’ll support you in obtaining what you desire.”
Schwarz, next to me, slightly grabbed my hair.
“I don’t need help.”
Sertina didn’t respond further and swiftly flew back to her room.
“Wait a minute!”
Why am I being left behind?
I turned my head slightly toward Schwarz, who was staring at me.
“Now that the intruder is gone, shall we have a relaxed conversation?”
“Weren’t you here to talk to the Princess?”
“Princess? Not at all.”
He chuckled nonchalantly.
“I came to see you, Sonia. I used the Princess as an excuse because even if I sent letters saying I wanted to meet, they wouldn’t let me in.”
“Letters?”
“Yes, I sent quite a few. I wanted to do a consultation prayer I hadn’t finished.”
I recalled the nobles who had sent consultation requests to me, but I hadn’t received a single letter from Schwarz.
“You didn’t send me any letters.”
“Exactly. Some bastard must have intercepted them.”
I had a good idea who he meant. Cassius and Schwarz considered each other worthless.
‘Definitely, they shouldn’t meet.’
Alphas with strong possessiveness and competitiveness despise each other; keeping them apart was the best strategy.
From what I gathered, Schwarz had come for a consultation prayer he hadn’t completed last time.
In that case, it would be better to move to a prayer room rather than this open garden.
“If it’s for a consultation prayer, let’s move. There should be an empty prayer room.”
“Before that, I want to see your room.”
“…Huh?”
“I ordered all the gifts I brought to be moved to your room. Considering the sender’s effort, won’t you open them?”
“Gifts?”
“Yes. Flowers, jewels, dresses, and cookies you liked.”
I understood why he was doing this. He wanted to win my favor.
‘Is this because of the curse of abilities?’
When we spent time in the cave, I had reduced his ability curse. He had been pleased that he grew stronger.
Anyway, it didn’t feel right for this to happen here.
“Let’s move first.”
“Fine.”
As he obediently rose, his gaze turned deadly, and black abilities stirred around him.
‘Why bring out your abilities all of a sudden?’
Startled, I stepped back and looked where Schwarz’s gaze was fixed.
Cassius, exuding alpha pheromones like a torrential downpour, was approaching.
