MFWSP 64

Chapter 64 –

“Good heavens.”

Someone among the gathered crowd gasped in awe.

“To predict a flood and evacuate people—this is something even the temple priests couldn’t do!”

“The Sea Wolf really is something, isn’t she? I thought the rumors were exaggerated… but it seems she truly possesses divine power.”

“Look at that beautiful face, those wise eyes. Of course, she must be so lovely—she was sent by the gods.”

Grace instantly became the center of everyone’s attention.

“Hahaha! How amusing!”

Amidst the admiring voices, the emperor’s laughter rang out.

“Yes, it’s a good thing for the empire to have a prophet to protect it. I am pleased. Isn’t that right, Lienne?”

“Well… yes, Your Majesty…”

The empress reluctantly nodded. The emperor gestured toward Grace to lift her head.

“Look at me, Lady Grace.”

“I am honored, Your Majesty.”

“You’ve come all the way to the palace—tell me, do you have any prophecy to offer for the empire?”

“….”

The emperor likely expected a modest refusal, or perhaps a blessing appropriate for the banquet.

That way, he could offer light congratulations and move on, proud that another gifted person had emerged during his reign.

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

After a moment’s hesitation, Grace responded.

“Then speak, young lady. What future have you seen for the empire?”

But what came out of her mouth was something no one could have anticipated.

“I have seen the end of the empire.”

She declared it with unwavering determination.

A heavy silence followed.

Everyone—including the emperor and empress—stiffened, and the warm air of the banquet seemed to freeze.

“…What did you say?”

“I have seen a perilous future for the empire.”

Despite the now-tense atmosphere, Grace calmly continued.

“Back at the founding, the ancient evil god Karasma cursed the empire with a thousand-year doom. That time has now come.”

Her blue eyes were firm, and her voice carried a commanding resonance.

Even those who had intended to stop her froze in place, as if mesmerized.

“…Do you even understand what you’re saying?”

The emperor finally spoke, slowly.

“The evil god was sealed when the empire was founded. The curse never came to pass. That’s just an old rumor.”

“No, it will come true. The flood in the Serbe territory, the emergence of the Sea Wolf—all are effects of the curse.”

At Grace’s words, the Duke of Serbe quickly interjected.

“Your Majesty, in fact… a black magic stone, a symbol of the evil god, was discovered in the Sea Wolf’s mouth.”

He opened his hand to show the emperor something.

At once, heavy and murky magic filled the entire banquet hall.

“…Is this truly real?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. The thousand-year curse was merely delayed by the seal. But in the imperial year 1203—this year—the time has come.”

Grace bowed once more.

“…You will be held accountable for your words, Lady Grace. Even the priests didn’t foresee this!”

“That’s because I can see what the priests cannot.”

“…!”

The emperor no longer denied the reality before him. Everyone in the hall now wore grim expressions.

“…However, there is no need to worry.”

Grace slowly spoke again.

“No need to worry?”

The empress snapped back.

“Do you even understand the meaning of the evil god’s curse? If your words are true, the entire empire could fall into ruin!”

“No, that will not happen. Because I won’t let it.”

Grace declared loudly once more.

“I know how to stop the curse, Your Majesty.”

“What?”

“So please—believe in me. When the time comes…”

She lifted her bowed head and finished.

“As a prophet sent by the gods, I will save the empire from the evil god’s curse!”

The banquet hall fell into a silence as if someone had doused it in water.

Not a single person could look away from her.

Ha.

I let out a cold laugh internally.

One thing had to be admitted—

She had left an unforgettable impression on everyone.

And judging by the victorious smile playing at her lips, Grace knew that, too.

Well, for now, it was her time to smile.

But if she failed to keep her promise… that smile would vanish without a trace.

The atmosphere of the banquet quickly lightened again.

After a moment of silence, the emperor laughed heartily and praised Grace’s boldness.

He even promised generous rewards if she truly saved the empire.

Likely, amid the troubling talk of curses, he judged it necessary to calm the anxiety of the nobles and knights for now.

The empress also regained her gentle smile, and the banquet resumed in a lively mood.

Only one thing had changed—the way people looked at her.

Everyone was looking at Grace now.

Sitting at the center table of the banquet hall, she cheerfully conversed with many surrounding her.

“Wow, Lady Grace, you’re so beautiful!”

“Oh my, that’s too kind. You’re far more beautiful, my lady.”

“Lady Grace, how exactly did you foresee the flood? To think you organized such a large-scale evacuation…”

“Hmm… I suppose I saw it in a dream? After I recovered from a serious injury, I began having prophetic dreams. That time, I had a powerful feeling that I needed to evacuate the people.”

“W-What about the Sea Wolf?”

“I saw it in a dream too! A terrifying beast appeared on the coast and killed people…”

“Lady Grace! Can you perhaps predict my future too? I’m Louis Dican!”

“Hmmm…”

Grace playfully placed her hand on Louis’s head.

“You’ll soon fall in love with someone.”

“I think that someone is you, Lady Grace!”

Laughter erupted all around, and Grace stood at the center of it all, smiling like an angel.

I, sitting a bit further away, instinctively turned my head away.

It wasn’t unexpected, but seeing Grace again felt strange.

Her face, her eyes, her smile, her voice, her demeanor, and even the way she spoke of the evil god’s curse—

All of it reminded me of myself from my second life.

The me that was miserable, in pain, poor, and full of defeat.

“Are you feeling unwell?”

“…Prince Karsiel?”

It was then that Karsiel, who had approached without notice, looked down at me with that ever-unfamiliar, statue-like face.

“Of course not.”

I forced a smile and shook my head.

“You’re lying now. You said you supported me.”

“…Pardon?”

“Didn’t you?”

Karsiel stared straight at me.

Facing his deep, cool violet eyes reminded me of the day I first met him after my regression.

His piercing gaze made me tense up then too.

“…It just brought back some memories.”

Without time to organize my thoughts, an honest answer slipped from my lips.

“Unlucky memories.”

As I spoke, I accepted the truth as it was.

When you face the source of past misfortune, it’s only natural for the misfortune to resurface.

“If you wish, we can—”

Just as Karsiel began to speak, Grace, who had been blessing a young baron a few meters away, suddenly turned toward us.

“Prince Karsiel! Lady Iris!”

She stood up and approached us with a delighted expression.

“I’ve missed you so much!”

She clasped both mine and Karsiel’s hands, beaming.

“It’s good to see you again, Lady Grace.”

I replied with forced politeness.

“Lady Iris—no, Duchess. There are so many things I’ve wanted to ask you.”

Her blue eyes sparkled as she spoke.

“How did you reclaim your family? How did you come to be called the Goddess of War? How did you tame a Pegasus? And…”

She turned her gaze to Karsiel.

“How did Your Highness win the war against Tar?”

Those pale blue eyes that had seemed so innocent from afar, now up close, carried an unmistakable intensity.

In that moment, I realized it clearly.

She was asking why Karsiel and I were not following the original storyline.