Chapter 50
In front of her, who wore a bewildered expression and vented her irritation, he carefully held her slender ankle and pressed his lips onto the top of her foot.
“I, Lucian Penrister, swear an oath under the judgment of the Silver Moon. I will do anything you command.”
“…Y-You… how do you know about that oath?”
Her eyes widened in surprise.
The Silver Moon, also called the Light of Judgment, was an ancient sacred oath that could distinguish truth from falsehood in the one being judged.
“How could someone like you possibly know about that old, long-forgotten ancient oath?”
Zoe questioned him sharply, as if no mere human could know such a divine pact.
“My father had a keen interest in ancient texts. According to his interpretation, once this oath is taken, the Light of Judgment will descend the moment a lie is spoken.”
“Your father… you mean Duke Penrister?”
“Yes. But if you still don’t trust me, I can even swear it in blood.”
Lucian seemed ready to draw the sharp sword from its scabbard at any moment.
Zoe, showing a disgusted expression, quickly spoke to him.
“Ugh, fine! That’s enough. Stop getting up already. You’re getting dirt all over yourself. Your only good points are that half-decent face and that body… tsk.”
For the first time, he realized there was a resemblance between her and the original Zoe. Of course, he still didn’t believe they were the same person.
“Well, I don’t yet know how to completely remove that within you. But I do know how to control that power and delay your death. How about that?”
“‘For now,’ meaning I could soon find out?”
Just having a clue was enough. It was far better than fleeing blindly, hiding from the eyes of the royal family as he had been.
Lucian nodded.
“Yes, that’s fine.”
“Hmm, then first… Lucian Penrister, your father, Duke Penrister, is the brother of the current emperor, so you’re also a legitimate royal. That means you naturally have succession rights to the throne.”
“Yes, that’s true… but I’m not in the direct line, and I have no desire for the emperor’s seat.”
“Whether you want it or not doesn’t matter. What matters is that Michael, who is soon to become emperor, is going to die.”
“You mean Crown Prince Michael?”
Seeing the look on his face, which seemed to require an explanation, she crossed her legs in annoyance, as if explaining everything in detail was bothersome.
“Hah… earlier you said the royal family holds the greatest power, right? Well, that power has reached its limit now.”
“Limit… You don’t mean… the Chimera within the Crown Prince’s body is going berserk, do you?”
“Bingo. Michael, the host of the Grand Chimera, has a perfect compatibility with its power, you see.”
Lucian stared at her, trying to understand her contradictory words.
“Tsk, you’re slow. ‘Compatibility with the Chimera’s power’ means the influence of the Chimera sealed inside grows stronger.”
At last, Lucian vaguely understood her words. A Chimera, essentially a conglomeration of corrupted souls, constantly craves corrupted souls to maintain its power.
“I see… I understand.”
“You’re quick to understand, thankfully. I hate repeating myself the most.”
She raised one eyebrow in genuine annoyance.
“Anyway, it was about time the seal that incompetent fools set began to weaken. But Michael is the most capable of any emperor in history at wielding the Chimera’s power freely. That means his desires are incredibly firm.”
“…Are you saying this to me because you want me to ascend to the throne?”
His violet eyes darkened as he waited for her response. He had no interest whatsoever in a mere emperor’s position. As the heir of a ducal house, he had duties to the North, and above all, he believed Crown Prince Michael was more than qualified to be emperor.
“Well, yes. Because there are things you need to do once you ascend the throne.”
“What things?”
“You’ll find out in time. The important point is that with the unstable fragment within you, if nothing changes, you’ll die before Michael does.”
“Then… what exactly should I do?”
He could neither remove the fragment nor avoid death, and the string of worst-case scenarios weighed heavily in his voice.
“To survive, you must control the beast within you. And you must grow strong—strong enough to rival Michael. To do that…”
Zoe, for the first time with a serious expression, shouted at him:
“Lucian Penrister, find the fragments of the Chimera.”
The fragment of the Chimera within Lucian’s body. The Chimera’s enormous power had been split precisely in two. The greater part went to Crown Prince Michael, and one fragment went to Lucian. Other fragments were scattered across the continent.
“So… you mean I should find and absorb the fragments containing the Chimera’s power?”
“Yes. There are five fragments on the continent, including the one in you. Absorb them and make them your own. Then, with that power, kill Michael… no, the Chimera.”
In essence, this meant he was being asked to commit treason.
Lucian stared at her in disbelief.
“If that works… I’ll personally figure out a way to extract the Chimera’s power from your body.”
He could not comprehend her intent. He couldn’t even control the small fragment gnawing at him, and now she wanted him to absorb five fragments. On top of that, to kill the crown prince and commit treason—absurd.
“And if I fail to control it?”
“Hmm… well, Valter, or rather all the countries in Verheim, would vanish without a trace.”
“…The result of the Chimera running wild.”
“Yes. Right now, the Chimera is constantly coveting Michael’s body. If it takes over Michael and absorbs the other fragments… there will be no hope for this land.”
It was no longer just about removing the curse. The survival of Verheim rested entirely on him.
“But… how do you know all this?”
“You were told not to ask about me.”
Her eyes narrowed coldly again.
“Right… then, what are the remaining conditions?”
“Ah, the last condition… do not involve Zoe Blanche in this matter.”
He nodded without hesitation. He had no intention of involving her. If Lucian failed, those around him would not be safe either.
“Understand? Lucian Penrister, focus on your desires. Throw them to the monster within you and use that power.”
“…Yes, I will remember.”
After teaching Lucian how to control the power, she climbed onto Ruby’s back and lay down.
“I’ll be going. When Zoe Blanche awakens, explain it yourself.”
“Yes, I will. Ah, wait!”
Just as he was about to call the original Zoe, she peeked her head up and looked at him.
“If we meet again… please tell me what I should call you then.”
“Just gather the fragments properly.”
After a long pause, Zoe answered succinctly and then closed her eyes.
“Zoe, come visit our house anytime, okay?”
“Okay, Sophia. I’ll be coming down to the village again soon anyway!”
“Yes… absolutely. Thank you so much, Ruan.”
“No problem. See you again.”
Sophia, on the verge of tears, saw Ruan and me off at the entrance to the village. If anyone saw it, they’d think it was a farewell forever, Sophia…
“Zoe… I’ll come visit often, right? Hmm?”
“Ah, I said I would. Lunatis, you sent the animals back properly, right?”
Lunatis, who had been clinging to the hem of my clothes, nodded.
Anyway, Sophia and Lunatis… they’re the same.
