Chapter 22
When a familiar yet unfamiliar name was suddenly mentioned, Eirin instinctively flinched.
Fortunately, Moxia didn’t seem to notice her trembling.
“Why bring up the Crown Prince of Mersenne all of a sudden?”
“An evil soul, Your Highness. The person closest to you who’s the most likely match is him. You’ve met him before, remember?”
Eirin recalled the incident during the royal birthday celebration.
Back then, there had been some gossip—because she’d spoken a bit sternly to Agno, rumors had spread that she had fallen for the Crown Prince of the Mersenne Empire and was abandoning Agno for him.
Although those rumors quickly died down…
“I mustn’t fall for Moxia’s words.”
It was an illogical claim from the start.
“The priests interpreted the evil soul mentioned in the prophecy as likely being a demon.”
In Moxia’s calm gaze, a chilling glimmer struck like a lightning bolt to Eirin’s heart.
The demon that had ceaselessly followed her shadow since her return to the past.
Her throat tightened, as if she couldn’t breathe.
“The Mersenne imperial family is said to be blessed by the Fire Spirit King. That sounds quite similar to a ‘noble body,’ doesn’t it?”
“And there’s a rumor that the deceased empress of Mersenne had demon blood. Wouldn’t that make the crown prince the most probable candidate?”
“So you’re saying, Miss Moxia, that the Crown Prince of the Mersenne Empire is a demon?”
Eirin asked firmly, strengthening her voice.
The prophecy had stated that when an evil soul enters a noble body, the world would be thrown into chaos.
Recalling that prophecy, the pieces seemed to fit—almost.
“But when I think about it, isn’t all of this just speculation? Why are you so certain this prophecy involves me?”
Eirin now looked at Moxia with wariness, her eyes filled with hostility.
“And your words insult the Mersenne side. Such statements could be considered high treason.”
“I only—”
Moxia’s eyes remained vacant and indifferent.
Yet in that cold gaze, a violent flame flickered.
It was like ice engulfed in fire.
“I saw what might be the future. I saw myself aged… and I saw a demon.”
Eirin couldn’t understand what Moxia was trying to say.
The more she tried to follow her words, the more her thoughts tangled into confusion.
Moxia’s expression darkened.
“I saw the dead princess.”
Eirin’s eyes widened.
‘The dead me? Is she referring to before I returned?’
“What I showed you earlier, as you guessed, was black magic,” Moxia said, smiling faintly.
“Black magic originally belongs to the demons, so there are known side effects when humans use it.”
Eirin swallowed hard, trying to stay composed.
Moxia gave a bitter chuckle.
“Yes, I am of demon descent, but the blood is so diluted that I’m mostly human now. Still, the more I use black magic, the faster my body ages.”
In other words, she could look much older than her actual age.
Eirin’s mouth slightly opened in shock.
“How old are you…?”
“Sixteen.”
Eirin had always thought Moxia looked mature for her age,
but to find out that it was due to black magic…
“It’s what you deserve.”
“Why are you telling me all of this?”
Eirin had been wondering the whole time—why reveal herself like this? Why speak so openly?
There had to be a reason.
“I just wanted to warn you. I’m a citizen of the Forti Empire too, after all.”
It wasn’t convincing at all.
Eirin suppressed a sigh and asked,
“Is there a way to confirm someone’s a demon?”
“Feed them holy water. If they’re of demonic blood, they’ll be harmed or their eye color will temporarily change.”
“Change in eye color?”
Eirin was skeptical, but Moxia nodded.
“Yes. To red. If they’re hit physically or mentally, their eyes will flash red. It’s quick, so you’ll have to watch carefully.”
But Moxia hadn’t done this solely for Eirin’s sake.
She had spoken because someone had asked her to.
Months ago, Moxia had met the master of a large trading company that had supported her family for over ten years.
At his suggestion, she had experienced a vision-like illusion.
And in that vision, she had seen a horrifying scene unfold.
Her younger brother had died, and she used black magic to bring him back.
Though he lived again, he couldn’t move on his own.
His once-dead skin began to rot away.
He cried out, begging to be killed.
Then, Moxia saw herself—now an old woman—staring into the face of a horrifying being cloaked in black light.
She instantly recognized it—not a half-demon like her, but a true, pure demon.
The vision shifted.
Now, the lifeless body of Princess Eirin appeared before her.
That was all she remembered from the vision.
But what stood out most was the insignia of the Mersenne Empire that appeared with the demon.
That’s why Moxia believed the demon was the crown prince of Mersenne.
But she couldn’t say this directly—Eirin would only trust her less.
Still, what mattered now was that this terrifying demon might be targeting Eirin.
“Please be careful. That demon might try to kill you. I don’t want chaos to come to this country.”
Moxia said it firmly, as if branding the words into the air.
A crimson flash flickered in her pupils.
‘Seems like the one to watch out for is you.’
Eirin’s breath caught the moment she saw Moxia’s eyes glow red.
“Thank you for the advice. I’ll take my leave now.”
Eirin suppressed her trembling lips and replied.
“The conversation was… enlightening, Miss Moxia.”
She left the room quickly, not daring to stay a moment longer.
Something about Moxia’s gaze felt like it would devour her whole.
That night, Eirin went to bed early.
Parti had no idea she’d been cursed with black magic.
“Black magic… to use it so freely… how terrifying.”
At that moment, fear had kept her from stopping Moxia.
What if Moxia tried to curse her too?
Should she track her down now and imprison her?
But to prosecute someone for using black magic, she needed evidence.
And unfortunately, she had none.
There were no proper defenses developed against black magic yet.
And if a black mage manipulated the court…
Eirin shook her head to dispel the terrible thought.
‘Feed them holy water.’
Moxia’s soft voice echoed in her mind again.
One face came to her mind clearly. Her brows furrowed.
“When an evil soul enters a noble body, the world will be overturned.”
She recalled the prophecy once more.
A “noble body”—a body blessed by the gods.
Moxia had mentioned the Mersenne royal family because there was an ancient tale about the Fire Spirit King blessing their founding ancestor.
From that point on, the Mersenne royals were believed to be sacred vessels.
‘I saw the dead princess.’
Moxia’s words rang in her ears.
The only person who came to mind… was Illiard.
‘No, that’s a stretch. I have no proof of anything yet.’
She didn’t even know if Moxia had told the truth.
Despite being exhausted, Eirin couldn’t fall asleep. Too many thoughts filled her mind.
“Your Highness, the entire Iled family has disappeared.”
The next morning, Eirin ordered the captain of the guard to search the Iled estate.
But the answer was shocking.
“They’ve vanished? You mean they fled?”
“The estate was empty. Everything was sold off before they left.”
The house Moxia lived in had been completely deserted.
It was now clear—she had fully prepared to leave, and had met Eirin on purpose.
“I see. Thank you for the report.”
Her unease didn’t go away.
And if Moxia decided to use her black magic elsewhere, who knew what disaster might follow?
She considered ordering a pursuit.
But decided against it—Moxia was not someone ordinary knights could handle.
If she’d chosen to vanish, a black mage like her would be near impossible to track.
‘I should at least alert the Magic Tower.’
“Your Highness, Sir Mendelte has arrived.”
Mendelte? Oh, right, it’s time.
Right after the captain left, Arthus Mendelte arrived at the reception hall.
Eirin quickly ordered refreshments to be served.
“I trust Your Highness has been well.”
Arthus greeted her politely.
“I’m grateful you came so willingly, Sir Mendelte.”
He had the commanding presence of the Forti Empire’s greatest swordsman.
Though not exceptionally tall, he still stood a little above Eirin.
“How’s Bersie doing?”
“Oh, she’s fine. All she does is eat, sleep, and complain. It’d be weirder if she weren’t fine.”
What was unexpectedly charming was that although they bickered constantly, Arthus took good care of his sister.
Eirin still remembered how proudly Bersie had shown off the jeweled bracelet he gave her after returning from a foreign country.
“Well then, let me get to the point. I’ll likely be going to the Mersenne Empire soon. Will you accompany me as a guard?”
