MBLIAH 54

Black Lion.

The almost unseen, reluctant beastly form of him is now fully revealed right in front of me. For a moment, I was taken aback, but then the dark creature lightly pressed its body against my hand.

Feeling the soft fur and warm heat, I finally regained my senses.

“Ban, wh-what… are you doing?”

He didn’t say a word. Just as a gentle pet would, he nuzzled his head against my hand, asking for affection.

“…”

I sat down, mesmerized.

The glossy black fur shimmered as if it contained the entire Milky Way, reminiscent of a starry night sky. How could I curse this man with such beautiful fur, just because of superstitions about being cursed?

What’s so special about the difference between gold and black? What’s with these superstitions? Why is the black beast so frightening?

‘When I was a child, how scary must it have been? How lonely must he have felt?’

I couldn’t even imagine. Sorrow clenched my chest, causing my eyebrows to furrow gradually. I slowly stroked his face with my hand.

“You’re beautiful, truly.”

“…Grrr.”

Then, he pressed his face close to mine. His purring sounded so peaceful, like a cute cat rather than a lion, which made me chuckle briefly.

There’s a lion right in front of me. But I’m not afraid. How is that possible?

‘…Because he’s not a beast.’

Ban. Leviathan Caharz.

The moment I realized this, my face heated up. I jolted in surprise, withdrew my hand from his face, and stood up abruptly.

“Why did you suddenly change? Come back now. You said you’d make a vow as a knight. Why are you acting like this?”

Suddenly, I heard a sound that resembled a creature’s laughter—like a chuckle.

‘Is he… laughing?’

I was stunned, gazing at him slowly.

“Phew…”

In an instant, Ban transformed back into a human, smiling faintly as he brushed his black hair.

It’s been a while since I saw someone as handsome as him.

My anger and frustration melted away, replaced by admiration.

He merely pouted his lips, and he smiled warmly as he spoke.

“So? Are you satisfied?”

“Satisfied?”

“My answer.”

My answer?

“I obeyed you.”

“Obeyed me?”

“I bowed my head to you after transforming into a beast. That’s what obedience means. It means that no matter what you do to me, I won’t harm you.”

Was that what it really meant? I was stunned, frozen in place, but his words clearly conveyed his intention.

He was claiming ownership over me—his beastly form, that is, the human I had become, was his.

Most predatory beastly humans instinctively dislike losing someone marked by their pheromones—they have a strong possessiveness.

That’s just ‘instinct,’ nothing more or less, and over time, the pheromones fade, and the possessiveness disappears.

But he was now insisting that I never do that.

‘…What does that mean, Ban? Is it just instinct? Or… does it have another meaning?’

I hesitated, slowly closing my lips. I refused to speak words that might make the situation awkward, especially since I couldn’t be sure.

From now on, the Leachian family and Ban would walk a long and rugged path. I shouldn’t interfere or create awkwardness between them. I forced a smile and patted his shoulder.

“Anyway, the only one who can humanize me is you in this world. So… I guess I just have to wait!”

He smiled contentedly. Seeing that enchanting smile, I let out a silent sigh, bewitched.

‘So… is this really the start of the original story now?’

The succession war.

~·~·*· . ·*· . ·*· . ·*·~·~

‘Anyway, the only one who can humanize me is you in this world, Ban!’

It was the moment when his presence was once again proven.

But this time, I didn’t doubt or deny anything. I could tell now that everything was sincere. I knew that I wasn’t just some disposable pawn to be replaced once useless—a person who’s truly one of a kind in this world.

My heart swelled with pride and satisfaction.

“…”

Ban quietly raised his hand, touching his lips. I could still feel the softness of her palm.

And the faint scent of pheromones.

“…Damn.”

The moment I turned back from beast to human and faced those round eyes, I wanted to say I loved you.

I wanted to shout that I was willing to go crazy for you, that I wanted to take everything right now.

But all that came out of my mouth was a foolish remark—don’t let anyone else’s pheromones touch you.

But what could I do?

There was nothing between Leviathan and Irshellia. An pursued criminal and the generous princess who saved him, or a prince abandoned after his true identity was revealed and a noble princess.

Between them, only a fragile thread-like connection existed, ready to snap at any moment.

So, when he uttered those words, I, the timid beast named Ishiel whom I knew, would surely see him as a madman and turn tail.

That’s why I couldn’t say anything.

Not now, at least.

But if I ever reached a position where I could confidently send a marriage proposal to the princess, then things would be different.

Ban decided to wait for that moment.

He just hoped no one else could claim the princess until then. So he mentioned a trivial promise. Since Irshellia was foolishly sincere, he believed she would keep it.

“…”

Last night, when she went to the Leviathan Duke and announced her resolve, his words echoed in her mind.

‘Are you really going to start?’

‘Yeah.’

He answered as if he had been waiting.

‘In that case, our Leviathan will support you.’

‘…Isn’t Leviathan supposed to be neutral? There’s no reason to so easily protect a prince—especially one abandoned by the emperor.’

‘I heard that the Zeroth Knights tried to kill Ishiel while she was with you, even knowing who she was.’

Faren smiled sharply.

But that smile bore a cold, blue-edged blade.

‘Can Leviathan really bow to someone who tried to kill my sister?’

‘…Count, stop joking.’

‘It’s serious.’

He roughly added as he rubbed his chin.

‘If you’re asking for some grand reason, just say that Leviathan is not the kind of master worth serving—something like that.’

‘A master worth serving?’

‘Leviathan’s foremost principle is to protect the people of the empire. Ultimately, serving a master who protects the empire’s citizens—that’s Leviathan’s belief. But if that master isn’t Zeroth…’

His blue eyes fixed on her.

‘It’s you.’

The piercing gaze might not have looked like he was seeing ‘a master worth serving,’ but Ban didn’t challenge him. His support from Leviathan was far too welcome.

‘Of course…’

‘Of course?’

‘If he’s weak. I might reconsider and choose differently.’

The duke grinned.

‘Isn’t it common for a wolf pack to attack a single lion?’

Hearing that, Ban chuckled lightly.

‘So it’s the law of the strongest, then? Fine. Let it be.’

But his breezy laughter soon turned into a fiery blaze.

Ban strode forward confidently and slapped his hand loudly on Fahrenheit’s desk.

‘But know this, Duke. I have never missed out on what I want in my life.’

‘…’

‘And I’ve swiftly taken care of anything that got in my way.’

His red eyes flared as if to devour the icy blue.

‘And I’ll do the same this time.’

He spoke with unwavering confidence, as if the outcome was already decided.

Fahrenheit finally reached out his right hand, and the two made an oath that night.

Ban looked at his clenched fist, then tightened it.

~·~·*· . ·*· . ·*· . ·*·~·~

“Is Leviathan really coming?”

Honestly, I didn’t expect such an intense reaction earlier, so I didn’t think it would be decided so quickly.

Victoria nervously brushed her chin.

“Yes. From now on, things will get busier.”

But Cecilia, unlike her, looked surprisingly prepared.

She wore a innocent smile, despite preparing for the dangerous and chaotic ‘Imperial Succession War.’

“Well, I suppose she knows that she can’t defeat Zeroth alone rationally… but honestly, accepting our suggestion to become emperor wouldn’t have been easy either.”

“That’s greed,” Victoria said softly, putting down her teacup.

“Greed?”

“Elphi had greed. Surely she’s inherited that greed from him, just like Elphi.”

“But she’s lived so quietly until now, hasn’t she?”

“Exactly. That’s why she’s only now beginning to desire something strongly.”

“…Oh.”

Cecilia nodded gently.

“Ban is longing for that girl, who’s hiding in the shadows and can never truly have her.”

Victoria hesitated before speaking.

“…Duchess, perhaps this is actually a good thing for us.”

“Indeed. If Ishiel, who is friendly to Zeroth, becomes emperor, then Galoan will be free from the ‘Great Prophecy’.”

Victoria naturally recalled the ‘Great Prophecy’ that had been delivered at the shrine long ago. Although it was kept hidden to conceal Galoan’s shortcomings, the prophecy was always accurate.

They had always worried if they could ever conceal the future that was coming.

But if Ban becomes emperor, perhaps they could prevent the prophecy from coming true.

~·~·*· . ·**##^^##**· . ·*·~·~

Hey there, It’s Green Rose 😉

Since I human I might have make some mistakes while translating so please if you find them let me know here in the comments or in the Discord group so I can correct them and be careful in the future so they do not repeat.

Thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

~~~Next Chapter~~~

Next chapter will be released on November, 7.

See you then!!