CHAPTER 48…………
“My oath allows for neither reversal nor exception.”
Izeph felt no regret or lingering attachment toward the oath he had once sworn to the princess.
Turning an oath to serve God into one to serve her had been his destiny. Just as breathing came naturally to those born into this world, so too did his feelings toward Roziana feel utterly natural and completely self-evident.
He would protect the princess and follow her will.
That was his way of repaying the one who had saved his life.
Upon hearing his answer, Roziana gave a faint smile.
“Yes, I thought you’d say that. That’s why I told you everything. But what we just discussed—keep it secret from everyone else.”
She winked and pressed her index finger to her lips. She was clearly right in front of him, and yet, for some reason, Izeph felt as though Roziana had grown more distant, more unreachable.
“Of course, Your Highness.”
Perhaps that was why—he took one of her hands and drew it toward himself.
With a soft sound, Izeph bent to one knee and gently kissed the back of her hand.
Thinking it was simply a customary gesture, Roziana glanced between her hand and Izeph, then continued speaking.
“Anyway, this is good for me. Even though I’m free of the cage, As’s power is still connected to me. As long as I maintain a certain distance, his mana flows into me automatically.”
“Are you saying you can absorb mana without physical contact?”
Izeph had thought the only contact possible in the cage was holding hands at most, but hearing that she no longer needed to touch someone made him think this was a fortunate development.
“The amount is very small, but yes. If we touched, I’d probably receive more. But there’s one problem.”
“A problem…?”
“If I’m too far from As, part of the mana inside me becomes useless.”
“You mean Your Highness cannot fully utilize your power?”
“Exactly.”
That was troublesome—wherever she wished to use her power, Asterios would have to accompany her. It meant using him like a tool, and also meant he would need to remain by her side at all times in case she needed her strength.
“I can still manage basic summoning. Nova, show yourself.”
The moment Roziana quietly called the name of her summon, a beautiful golden griffin appeared in the corridor, shimmering with golden light.
“Pyaaak!”
Perhaps delighted to see its master, Nova pressed its massive body against Roziana, who scratched its feathers and beak with both hands.
Like a cat, the giant griffin purred and rubbed its head against her even more.
“But when I’m apart from As, I can’t wield higher-level mana. I suppose it’s because I took it from him. In any case, when going into battle, Asterios must be with me.”
No one knew exactly how or why this happened. But one thing was clear: the mana she had taken from Asterios could only be used when he was nearby.
“That’s why As needs to recover his mana quickly. And I intend to take as much of it as possible.”
“So that’s part of what you meant when you said Duke Tenebres was essential.”
“Yes. Since As is my knight commander, it won’t seem strange for us to be together all the time in public—thankfully.”
“But gossipmongers will be eager to create scandals about the two of you.”
Izeph worried such rumors might tarnish Roziana’s dignity.
“That’s nothing to worry about. Even if there are rumors… well, some of them will be true.”
Roziana admitted it as if it were nothing, replying calmly. Somehow, her reaction only weighed more heavily on Izeph’s mind.
“Anyway, Izeph, tell the kitchen to prepare medicinal tea and food that will help As recover quickly. And you deliver them to him.”
“…Understood, Your Highness.”
Concealing his emotions, Izeph bowed his head.
Just then, the chamberlain approached from the end of the corridor.
“Your Highness, His Majesty requests your presence.”
“I understand. I’ll go at once. Izeph, I leave this to you.”
Leaving him behind, Roziana followed the chamberlain. Izeph could not tear his eyes from her retreating figure for a long while.
The elegant and beautiful Dreath conference hall. Outside the window, sunset had begun to fall.
“Father, you called for me?”
“You’ve arrived.”
As Roziana entered, the captains of the Dreath knight orders, seated on either side of the Emperor, rose to their feet.
“We greet Your Highness.”
Then the captains of the Storm Tempest Order, Raiden; the Ice Freeze Order, Eisner; and the Gold Guardian Order, Surdon, all spoke together.
“We’re relieved you returned safely.”
“Though we were near, we failed to protect you—our deepest apologies, Your Highness.”
“It is truly inexcusable.”
Blair, silent but bowing his head as well, wore an expression of guilt and grief.
Because she had stayed at Asterios’s side, Roziana had only now been able to properly face the knight captains. They apologized to her the moment they saw her. Roziana waved her hand.
“You all risked your lives to protect the palace. Even I couldn’t stop Mephisto’s power. This is not your fault. But we do need countermeasures to ensure this never happens again. We cannot allow the Dreath Imperial Knights to remain powerless before Mephisto.”
At her words, Leodian, watching from the head of the table, spoke.
“You’re right, Rozi. That’s why, as soon as you left for the Demon Realm, we began joint research and training with the Mage Tower. Raiden of the Tempest Order led the research, and Surdon, captain of the Imperial Knights, led the training.”
“Methods for countering black magic?”
Startled by this unexpected news, Roziana’s eyes widened. Raiden nodded, adding to the Emperor’s explanation.
“Yes, Your Highness. We Sword Masters have discovered ways to counter black magic using a secret technique taught to us by the Tower Master. I swear on the honor of our order, we will not be helpless again.”
The captains’ faces carried a grim determination to avenge the past. Surdon continued.
“We are already in training using this method.”
“But the dragons’ power the knights wield isn’t of the dark attribute, is it?”
She understood their intent but was puzzled as to how it could be done.
Black magic was of the dark element, so it could only be countered with power of the same element. That was why, until now, only Roziana and Asterios—able to use dark magic through mana—had been able to fight Mephisto.
“As expected, you know. Yes, without the dark attribute, we had suffered humiliating defeats before Mephisto. But it turns out the Tower Master knows advanced magic that can neutralize dark power.”
Leodian’s answer cleared her doubts.
“If the knights can also counter black magic, then they’ll be able to face Mephisto!”
It was indeed welcome news.
“That’s right, Your Highness. His Majesty and we captains have already learned the secret from the Tower Master and are training in it.”
If Surdon’s training proved effective, there could be a real chance of victory against Mephisto and the Demon Realm.
“I never knew such a method existed. But… if the Tower Master had that ability, why did he lose the cage to Mephisto?”
Roziana voiced her curiosity. Leodian, with a look of regret, relayed what he had heard from Edwin.
“Edwin’s magic to nullify an opponent’s power requires a medium. Unfortunately, when that medium was destroyed, Mephisto attacked the Tower. It had been his personal trump card, but losing the cage entirely made him change his mind.”
“So he realized that by keeping it secret, others couldn’t be prepared for danger. Unlucky for him last time. Is he all right now?”
“He’s almost fully recovered and has been staying at the palace for a month to pass on the secret. Since our knight captains are Sword Masters, they can use the source of a Master’s power as the medium, making it more stable to use.”
“I’m glad you found a solution. Since the knights carry that medium within themselves, they can use and protect it far better than the Tower Master could.”
“Exactly. Come to the training grounds this evening, Rozi. Edwin said he wanted to teach you the secret as well.”
“Yes, I will. That’s why you called me here, then?”
Roziana smiled, her eyes narrowing. As a grown woman, she was not only beautiful but carried herself with a stronger, more mature air, and Leodian gazed at her with pride—though with a bittersweet feeling that his daughter had grown so quickly.
“That is one reason. But also—there’s someone who has been waiting for you here in the palace for days.”
“For me?”
“Yes, someone who claims they were the one who rescued you from the Demon Realm.”
Not As… someone else says they saved me?
Seeing her wide-eyed confusion, Emperor Leodian smiled knowingly, as if he had expected this reaction. Without hesitation, he instructed his aide:
“Cedric, bring in the Great Sage.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
At the Emperor’s command, the heavy doors of the conference hall swung open, and Daniel, clad in a white tunic, stepped inside.
