HDOVAML Chapter 108

<Episode 108>

 

The relic that the Water Spirit King Naiad had bestowed upon a spirit mage blessed by her long ago floated above Dryad’s palm, radiating a divine light.

The once-beautiful crown gradually scattered like a shower of blue petals. What remained in the Forest Spirit King’s hand was a perfectly pure, glowing spherical orb.

[It is a fragment of Naiad’s essence. Now, come closer.]

Marie, her nervousness evident, walked toward Dryad.

[Close your eyes and relax your mind. The chances of success increase when you are in the most stable state.]

Dryad brought the fragment of Naiad’s essence close to Marie’s chest and murmured softly.

[Oh fragment of Naiad, I entrust you to the descendant of the spirit mage you cherished most. Bestow upon this child nothing but glory… and infinite life.]

At the moment her words concluded,

Fwoosh—

“…!”

The fragment of Naiad’s essence suddenly emitted a blinding light, so intense it was impossible to keep my eyes open.

Overwhelmed with surprise and fear, I raised my trembling hand to shield my eyes, letting out a shaky breath.

Through the gaps between my fingers, I glimpsed the scene—a dazzling blue radiance enveloping Marie’s fluttering auburn hair.

“Ah…”

A faint sound reached my ears—a sigh or perhaps a moan of pain.

“Marie!”

And then, as if by magic, all the light disappeared.

Amidst the now-revealed scene, I found Marie clutching her chest and collapsing to the ground.

Alarmed, I hurried to her side, kneeling next to her.

“What’s wrong? Could it be… side effects?”

“No… Sister, I’m fine.”

Marie lifted her lowered head and looked at me.

Her pale face was filled with awe for the incomprehensible and boundless power that had entered her body.

[We’ll need to monitor her over time, but for now, it appears the assimilation was successful. The essence has fully merged with her body.]

Dryad said, carefully observing Marie and speaking with a voice full of relief.

“…I see.”

I let out a deep sigh of relief, finally able to relax.

“Sister, I don’t feel any pain at all. It’s just… I’ve never realized the blood flowing through my body could feel so vigorous, so cold and powerful… it was just disconcerting.”

“If anything feels wrong, promise me you’ll tell me right away. Understand?”

“Yes, Sister.”

Marie smiled brightly and answered.

[As promised, the descendant of Hacardella has received the relic of water first…Now it is your turn.]

Dryad looked down at us, her voice calm yet carrying a hint of resolution.

“Yes, Lady Dryad.”

Alcype stepped forward toward Dryad with a resolute expression.

[If there were ever a human to accept my essence, it could only have been from your lineage.]

The Spirit King of Forest said, gazing down at the monarch of the kingdom she had blessed, her face adorned with a gentle smile.

[To you, who will now share my essence, may only eternal blessings be granted.]

 

***

 

The ruler of Dryas requested a meeting first.

Three days. It was sooner than expected.

Khalid stopped his lieutenant from accompanying him and entered the royal audience chamber alone.

“It’s been a few days, Prince of Ilkai.”

“I pay my respects to the Ruler of Dryas.”

What kind of answer would she give? 

Khalid’s calm gaze rested on the elegant woman’s face as he pondered.

“I have contemplated the terms of the deal you proposed for quite some time.”

Something was… different.

Khalid narrowed his eyes slightly, barely perceptibly, as he thought.

Just three days ago, she had been forcing an air of composure, but traces of anxiety and hatred were clearly visible in her demeanor.

“But no matter how I consider it, the conclusion remains the same.”

Her tone was strangely relaxed, as if she had gained the upper hand.

It might have been his imagination, but… there was almost a hint of mockery in her expression.

“I see. Please tell me your decision.”

What happened during these three days? 

Khalid suppressed his unease and waited for the King’s reply.

“I reject the deal. I will not give you the Princess of Hacardella, nor the relic of water. Not a single thing.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

I never wished for it to come to this, but in the end… 

Khalid clenched his jaw silently, suppressing his emotions, and spoke.

“So, you’re rejecting the pledge of non-aggression between our two nations that I proposed.”

“Indeed. Such a humiliating peace is of no use to Dryas.”

Alcype Dryas, the Ruler of Dryas, responded with utmost arrogance, rising from the throne.

“I believe I’ve given you my answer. You may leave now.”

“Must you provoke discord to find satisfaction?”

At that moment, the cold voice froze Alcype in her steps as she turned to leave.

“…What do you mean?”

The young ruler slowly turned her head, questioning.

“Do you truly believe that the Kingdom of Dryas can triumph over Nisha? Why do you persist on a path already foreseen to end in defeat and destruction? If you genuinely consider the peace of your people and your nation, the answer is clear… Ruler of Dryas, you are a fool.”

Khalid’s voice was as cold as ice.

“…Ha!”

Alcype Dryas let out a laugh, as if she couldn’t believe what she had just heard.

“You, young royal of Nisha.”

She stared down at Khalid with scorn-filled eyes, as though looking at something utterly ridiculous.

“Before you speak of conquering Dryas and plundering the forest relic, you should at least secure the water relic in your hands. But alas, how will you manage, when the water relic is something you can never obtain?”

“…What are you talking about?”

The statement was entirely unexpected. Khalid’s expression hardened like stone as he asked.

“The First Princess of Hacardella proposed a clever solution. The relic of the Spirit King is merely a vessel, is it not? What truly matters is the essence of the Spirit King contained within the relic. So, if the essence is fully assimilated into a human body, how could one possibly extract it, even if that human were to die? She suggested this method, did she not?”

“Impossible… Such an attempt… could never succeed…”

Khalid muttered in disbelief, his voice trembling.

Alcype gazed down at him, her eyes chillingly cold.

“The Spirit King of Forest heeded her plea, and in the end, she succeeded. Perfectly.”

She drove the final nail into his confusion.

“Both the water relic and the forest relic have been completely assimilated into my body and the Princess’ body.”

“How could such a thing…”

Stunned and speechless, Khalid stared at Alcype in disbelief.

She smiled, a chilling and unsettling expression.

“So, if you wish to seize the forest relic, kill me right here and now. But since the essence is fully integrated into my body, even if you take my life…”

She opened her arms wide, her voice ringing with a near-maniacal fervor.

“You will never obtain what you seek!”

Her laughter echoed, filling his ears and overwhelming his mind with chaos.

“No… This can’t be.”

The first unprecedented anomaly had thrown Khalid into shock, his face pale as he stared at Alcype.

In the end, he fled the audience chamber as if to escape.

“…Your Highness? Why the rush…?”

“Find the whereabouts of Rose Hacardella or Marie Hacardella, one of them!”

Consumed by an unbearable urgency, Khalid commanded the bewildered officer staring at him.

“One of them must have left the Gracian royal palace…”

For the first time, the usually hollow light in his eyes burned with a fierce determination.

 

***

 

“Phew…”

At the border of the Kingdom of Dryas, I stood overlooking the endless ridgeline, catching my breath for a moment.

Three days ago, after Marie had assimilated the water relic into her body, I had immediately left the Gracian royal palace and was now escaping Dryas.

“…I wonder if they’re doing well.”

The faces of those who had worried for me, trying to stop me until the very last moment before I departed alone, kept resurfacing in my mind.

‘…Rose, must you truly leave alone?’

Rezeck had stopped me, his voice trembling as he lowered his gaze and spoke softly.

‘Now that Marie holds the water relic, there’s no longer any need for you to draw their attention and put yourself in danger, is there?’

Please be less silent, dear readers. It really affects the translator when there is no response to the updates 🥲