Chapter 91
Shally raised her claws and scratched words into the dirt.
“I don’t approve of that woman.”
“Please, let me use it just this once. I’ll send you even more of your favorite seasonal fruits,” Chession replied, completely ignoring the refusal.
Shally was dumbfounded. Did that clueless human even know how nervous the forest dwellers got every time he borrowed the Sacred Lake?
“The Sacred Lake could be corrupted if used too often. Especially by humans.”
She should’ve never allowed him to use it in the first place. At least back then, he was a little cautious. Now he waltzed in like it was his own front yard.
“And what is that woman carrying on her? There’s something ominous about her…”
Shally scratched again:
“You’ve been coming too often. The lake could be tainted. I don’t approve.”
“Just once more, please. It’s really urgent.”
“No. That woman has an ominous energy. She’s dangerous to the lake.”
“Ominous? Does it feel like a witch or demon’s energy?”
“Feels like a witch. Go ask your witch girlfriend to fix it. She’d be faster.”
“She’s a prophet with divine power. If Mori tries anything, it could get even worse.”
“You really don’t give up. Still no.”
Chession let out a low groan. Shally flopped onto her belly and completely blocked the path.
“Shally, I really need the Sacred Lake. Please, let me explain why.”
“What happened?”
“Do you know the first emperor, Hamberton de Prilliant?”
“I don’t care much for human kings, but I know that one. He suddenly sent soldiers to conquer our forest.”
“So he really was a jerk. Let me explain what happened—”
Chession laid Ibelia gently on the grass and explained everything the first emperor had done 200 years ago. He also told her that Ibelia was the only one who knew about the final soul fragment of the Demon God.
Shally groaned after hearing the full story.
“So that jerk tried to invade the forest just to heal his daughter? If he had asked nicely, we might’ve let him use the lake once. But no—he had to be rotten and start with war.”
“That’s why I have to wake Ibelia up. Please, Shally.”
Chession knelt down on one knee and bowed his head.
Shally was weak to that kind of thing. She twisted her body in frustration. This wasn’t a personal problem—it involved the empire’s future. She couldn’t say no easily. If things went wrong, even the Forest of Verdure would be in danger.
“Fine, come in.”
“Thank you, Shally!”
Chession lifted Ibelia and followed her.
As they headed toward the Sacred Lake, the forest residents gathered. Other wolves started talking to Shally in monster language.
“Lady Shally, is this really okay? That woman smells awful.”
“Even I can smell it—and I have a weak nose.”
“Can’t be helped. All of you, go back.”
Shally barked, and the wolves backed off. Chession, reading the mood, said politely:
“If the lake gets corrupted, I’ll take full responsibility.”
Shally snorted. What could you possibly do? You don’t have purification or nature power. Still, at least he offered.
They reached the Sacred Lake. Chession gently lowered Ibelia into the water.
Soon, dark energy began leaking from her body. Shally let out a heavy sigh.
“Ugh. It’ll take forever to purify the lake again.”
Once all the black energy had seeped out, Chession lifted Ibelia out of the lake. Though the darkness was gone, she still didn’t wake up.
“Shally, are you sure all the bad energy is gone?”
“Yeah. The lake cleansed her perfectly. What, are you mad she didn’t wake up instantly?”
“Yes. Do you have any idea why?”
“Nope. But the lake did its job. Now hurry and get out. The forest dwellers are on edge.”
“Got it. Thank you, Shally.”
Chession carried Ibelia on his back. With her weakened body and what the witch had done to her, she probably couldn’t wake up right away.
“I’ve done everything I can. All that’s left is to wait for her to wake up.”
Chession put Ibelia in a carriage and sent her back to the palace. He returned to the Edel Duchy late at night.
As soon as he arrived, Severian ran out and grabbed onto him.
“Bro, save me! That crazy witch won’t stop clinging to me!”
Behind him, Alice walked over with a wicked grin.
“Oh hoho, you really are adorable! Your reactions are too fun—I just have to tease you.”
“Hey! You said you used to be a countess in your past life! How dare a countess tease me, the Crown Prince?!”
“But I’m a witch now, remember? Hoho. So, want to make a contract? Witches can make deals with more than just summoners, you know!”
“No way! Absolutely not! Chession, get her away from me, please!”
Watching from afar, Seira sighed and tugged on Alice’s skirt.
“Alice, I told you to stop messing with people.”
“But he’s just too cute! Witches can’t resist teasing cute things.”
“What’s cute about him? He’s not cute at all.”
That weirdly stung Severian.
“Hey, brat. What did you just say?”
“Why are you so mad? You want to be cute or something?”
“You never said a word at the palace, but now that you summoned a witch, you’ve got an attitude.”
“Of course. I have someone I can trust now. And I’m not rude to everyone. If you had been nicer to me, I wouldn’t act this way.”
“What? Hey, don’t you remember when I gave you candy?”
“Probably didn’t eat it. I might’ve thought you poisoned it.”
Now Severian was bickering with a twelve-year-old. Chession sighed and left the scene.
After changing into pajamas, he lay down on the bed. Something felt a little empty. Then he heard a familiar knock.
Thump, thump.
Before he could answer, the door flew open. Gremory walked in naturally and lay beside him.
“Chession, did you go to the Forest of Verdure?”
“Yeah. You saw everything? When did you wake up?”
“Just a little while ago.”
“Were you waiting for me?”
“Yeah.”
Chession hugged her like a favorite stuffed animal. Finally, some real rest.
“Ahh… this feels so nice. I can finally relax.”
“Sleep now. I’ll go patrol later. I slept a lot during the day—I’m not sleepy.”
“I want you to stay until I wake up…”
“You never know. The witches might come up with something weird again.”
“Then be careful… don’t stress too much… I’ll worry…”
His voice faded as he quickly fell asleep. Gremory looked up at his face.
“You must’ve had it rough too. Just like me—no sleep, lots of stress.”
She thought back to the tense moment in the Great Temple. Honestly, it had been terrifying. If they had found out she was a witch, not just her, but the whole Edel Duchy could have been in danger. The entire human world might have fallen into chaos.
“Now I understand why I cried so suddenly when I saw you again…”
As she reflected, she realized something. The person she thought of most in that scary moment… was Chession. She was scared she might never see him again. That fear, that relief when she saw his face—that’s why her tears had poured out.
Relief… and the fear of not being able to come home.
“I didn’t think I could feel emotions this clearly and deeply.”
It felt like all the emotional walls inside her had nearly crumbled. She wanted to live—truly live—and her feelings for Chession had grown stronger. She finally felt like she wasn’t just a trained tool anymore, but someone living her own life.
Gremory stayed beside Chession until deep into the night. When he was sound asleep, she gently slipped out of his arms.
“To make sure you can sleep peacefully… I need to make sure nothing happens tonight.”
She rode her dark steed out past the barrier of sacred relics, then spread her wings and soared into the night sky.
