<Episode 103>
“Along with the Forest Relic…?”
I quietly muttered that line to myself and fell into deep thought.
Everything seemed to be progressing smoothly, at least for now.
The kingdom of Dryas had not yet fallen, and the beginning of the calamity appeared to be years away, meaning there was no immediate need to worry about an invasion.
Yes, as long as I headed to the royal palace, there would be no reason to be consumed by the precarious anxiety that plagued me now. But… why did Mekaila’s words keep resurfacing in my mind?
She had clearly stated that under Arkane’s hand, all the relics of the Spirit Kings—except the Fire Relic protected by the Roshan Empire—had been destroyed. However, the Water Relic was still safe, and the Forest Relic was also enshrined alongside it.
So, what could possibly happen in the future for both relics to end up destroyed?
I swallowed hard, shrouded in a deep sense of dread.
***
Despite spending the night restless and anxious, our journey to Gracia, the capital of Dryas, proceeded without any threats emerging before us.
Contrary to my previous assumptions, colored by the knowledge of the kingdom’s impending fall, the current Dryas Kingdom was unexpectedly prosperous.
The streets exuded a peaceful atmosphere.
The weather was humid, and lush greenery filled every corner.
Nearly everyone I encountered wore light, bright-colored fabrics draped across their bodies, decorated with elaborate embroidery.
Unlike the Duchy of Hacardella, which—based on scattered memories from Rose—shared Western European styles of clothing and architecture with the Roshan Empire, Dryas appeared to have a culture resembling ancient Greece.
However, all of this paled in comparison to the grandeur of Gracia’s royal palace.
***
“…Ah.”
As my troubled heart grew heavy, the sight of the vast ocean swept over me, washing away every shadow of doubt.
Deep blue waves crashed endlessly, leaving behind trails of white foam before receding into the sea.
The coastline, with its unrestrained waves, was backed by a mysterious forest teeming with lush greenery, concealing its secrets.
Towering above this scene, the Gracia Palace emanated a reverent, majestic atmosphere.
Perhaps it was because its architecture resembled the temples I was familiar with, but the palace felt less like the residence of a king and more like a sanctuary where priests and shamans revered the enigmatic Spirit Kings.
Although the sky was overcast with white clouds, the sound of waves in the distance and the cool breeze brushing my face worked wonders to dispel the lingering gloom.
As I combed through my slightly tousled blue hair, my fingers paused to take in the unfamiliar hue.
Though a faint vision of lavender hair flickered in my mind like an illusion, the vivid blue strands in my view made it impossible to forget that I was currently inhabiting another’s body.
“Isn’t that Lord Rezeck? Please, come in.”
Rezeck’s mother was said to have been a princess of the royal family of Dryad.
As such, the royal guards of Gracia instantly recognized him as a member of both royal lineages.
Thanks to this, we were allowed entry into the palace without delay.
[Caw!]
“!”
As we walked through the unusually quiet palace courtyard, a familiar cry suddenly echoed from the wide expanse of the sky.
“You…!”
I looked up in shock, watching as a dark shape quickly descended toward me.
It was that crow—the familiar left behind by the Spirit King of Death.
The bird, with its glossy black feathers fluttering in the breeze, landed gracefully on my shoulder, fixing its sharp, gleaming black eyes on me.
“…Where have you been all this time? And how did you find me here? Were you secretly watching me?”
[Caw.]
Should I feel relieved or unnerved by its return?
Regardless of its reasons, the familiar of Death had undoubtedly proven useful in the past.
“Was this your master’s doing? No, what’s the point of asking a mute creature?”
I posed the question, but the crow merely gazed at me silently with its innocent, piercing eyes.
Unable to maintain my frustration, I let out a laugh and gave up.
“That bird…”
Rezeck, breaking his silence, turned to me.
“Could it be the one we saw back then?”
“Ah… Well, I ran into this bird while I was fleeing, and for some reason, it’s been following me ever since.”
Rezeck, with a hint of surprise, carefully examined the crow once again and remarked in a low voice.
“It seems intelligent. Considering the favor it has shown, it might not be a bad idea to keep it close.”
“Yes… Though I have a feeling that even if I tried to drive it away, it would just keep following me.”
I let out an awkward laugh and walked a few steps ahead.
The truth was, this crow that clung to me and wouldn’t look away was not just a mere bird—it was the watcher placed on me by the Spirit King of Death. And with the reality that the real Rose was already dead hidden in my heart, I couldn’t shake the bitter guilt gnawing at me as I spoke of this familiar with Rezeck.
Choosing to deflect further, I wandered through the palace’s garden, which was brimming with lush greenery.
“Sister!”
At that moment, a voice—clear yet unbearably desperate—rang through the air.
“…”
Startled, I turned my head to see a girl running toward me from afar.
Marie.
“Sister! Waaah…”
Her slender arms wrapped around me with such force it felt as though I might suffocate.
Sobbing uncontrollably, she repeatedly murmured “Sister” in a trembling voice.
Caught in an indescribable whirlwind of emotion, I found myself at a loss for what to do or say.
“I missed you so much. I was so scared… scared that something might have happened to you because of me. You have no idea how worried I was…”
I couldn’t make sense of anything.
The one you’re weeping for so sorrowfully, welcoming with such joy, is already gone. Knowing this truth, what could I possibly say?
“It’s such a relief. The heavens spared my sister…”
She lifted her tear-streaked face, her gentle silver eyes reflecting the image of Rose Hacardella—the one she longed for. But the soul within was someone entirely different.
And where that original soul had vanished to, even I could not say.
“…Yes.”
In a trembling voice, I finally spoke.
“I’m grateful too, that I got to see you again.”
Embracing her delicate frame, I closed my eyes.
“Truly, thank the heavens.”
“Sister…”
At my words, Marie snuggled deeper into Rose’s arms, murmuring softly as if seeking comfort.
Stroking her wavy, light brown hair as it flowed down in soft curls, I allowed the moment to linger in silence, letting her emotions pour out.
“Marie, Rose must still be weary from her travels. It might be best to continue your reunion later.”
Rezeck said gently, stepping closer after some time had passed.
“Oh, right, I’m sorry. Sister, you must be so exhausted from the journey… And it’s all my fault. You must have suffered terribly, captured by those awful Nisha!”
I had no way of knowing what kind of person my maternal grandmother, Atara Hacardella, had been.
Watching the girl’s innocent face flare with indignation as she rambled, I suddenly thought back to the original work.
The novel’s romantic yet intricate tone, shaped by Chastia, the original heroine, had often been disrupted by the chilling presence of Mariette whenever she appeared.
‘Second Prince or not, in this old man’s eyes, he’s just another member of that accursed Imperial family! And to make matters worse, he’s a dark spirit summoner! How utterly disgraceful! Why would the Spirit Kings attach such a wretched being to my sweet, brilliant, and kind granddaughter?’1If you’re confused, it’s just Siorn cursing Ashmed.
It seemed unlikely that Mariette had inherited such rational coldness from my grandfather.
No, not at all.
This led me to believe that her personality must have come from her mother.
“That’s enough, Marie. The king is waiting for us.”
“Oh, that’s right. His Majesty is waiting in the audience chamber. Sister, let’s go.”
With a composed smile, Rezeck calmed Marie, who had been burning with indignation moments earlier, as she stopped her chatter and grabbed my hand to pull me along.
Watching them, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of curiosity rise within me.
As far as I could tell, the only surviving members of the Hacardella bloodline were likely the three of us: Rose Hacardella, Marie Hacardella, and Rezeck Dryad Hacardella.
Of course, Rose was already among the dead.
But then… who were the parents of my maternal grandmother, Atara Hacardella?
