“At times like this, it seems my son takes after me with his strong loyalty to our empire.”
The grand duke swiftly drew the curtains over the painting as if he knew that the longer they looked at it, the more they would be entranced.
“Ash risked his life to obtain this precious painting.”
A chilling silence filled the room.
“Shouldn’t my son, who works so hard for the empire, become the crown prince?”
“…”
“Not that vile devil! But my son, Benio’s son!”
The grand duke’s crazed voice echoed through the room.
“So, what you’re saying is that the current crown prince…”
No one finished their sentence. However, they all seemed to understand why the grand duke was so confident.
“That’s right. He is the incarnation of Lucifer and Peidion.”
A greater fear flashed across their faces for a moment. Even though Redian Hyu Rixon rarely appeared in public, they remembered the overwhelming presence he exuded whenever he stood in high places.
“What’s more important is that the devil’s seal has been broken.”
Sighing deeply, the grand duke shook his head in despair.
“Our empire was founded by the goddess Meteora, who sealed the devil. And now, not only has the seal been broken, but the devil has been reborn as the crown prince!”
His eyes revealed in the soft light, turned fierce.
“Do you understand? It means that damned goddess has abandoned our Meteora and disappeared.”
A sneer appeared on his twitching lips.
“It’s time to establish a new god. Isn’t there enough justification for a rebellion, no, a revolution?”
“…”
The grand duke’s gestures grew more intense as if overwhelmed by his own thoughts. “Why do you look like that?”
But the room remained calm.
“Are you afraid?”
Everyone was lost in their own thoughts and worries.
“This happened because the incompetent and indifferent goddess merely sealed the devil.” Bang, the grand duke slammed the table to provoke them. “The devil should be placed on the pyre and burned without a trace!”
“…”
“I have the painting of Lucifer in my hands. I have undeniable proof of the devil’s incarnation.”
The grand duke’s face changed with excitement.
“Oh, so do not fear. Soon, you will be heroes and noble contributors to this land.”
His rough voice turned soft again.
“For I, Benio, will become the god of this land.”
As if he were already a benevolent, compassionate god.
“But Your Excellency, even if we overthrow Redian Hyu Rixon and the Rixon imperial family….” Someone spoke up. “The empire’s trust in Princes Felicite is immensely solid.”
The Minerva Foundation, led by her, conducted business with the nobility while providing social services to the commoners. Moreover, Felicite, who had quietly followed the late royal princess’s wishes, had gained everyone’s admiration for her dedication.
“It was Felicite who elevated Redian Hyu Rixon to the crown prince. As long as they don’t fall, the rebellion cannot end in complete success.”
The grand duke waved his hand. “Ah, don’t worry about that part.” Then, smiling, he looked toward the door. “Come in, dear.”
“…”
Entering the room was none other than Luna Benio.
“Why would the grand princess…”
The room, which had briefly buzzed, fell silent again.
“I’m sorry for the late greeting.”
Among those who addressed Luna as the grand princess, none truly regarded her as such.
“Until recently, I was away from the capital, focused on volunteering according to my father’s wishes.”
“…”
Though no one said it aloud, it was clear they wondered what someone who had been cast out could do.
“I know a lot about the Felicite duchy, or rather, my older sister. We’ve been like real sisters since childhood.” Luna began speaking as if she had anticipated their reaction. “And since my sister was always alone, she relied on me a lot.”
Furthermore, Luna’s appearance today seemed somehow different.
“I was also my sister’s only friend.”
Her upright posture, subtly colored dress, and neat accessories exuded elegance and grace.
“I know how she managed to control the Norma, whom even the duke couldn’t handle.”
“…”
The girl in the frilly dress with a bright smile was nowhere to be seen.
“Just a few years ago, she was a girl considered an unlucky being for being born by killing her mother. Look at what she has accomplished in such a short time. How was that possible?”
“…”
“My sister is a witch. She used to study forbidden knowledge in secret.” Luna spoke without changing her expression. “Therefore, Redian, revived by my sister, should be burned at the stake. And my sister…”
But thinking of Siani, she wiped her tears with a handkerchief as if her throat was choked.
“She must be locked in the Magic Tower for the rest of her life. Before the magic she possessed made the world more chaotic.”
Slowly, she raised her head again.
“It’s unfortunate, but what can we do?”
Tears flowed from her eyes, and her mouth smiled…
“It would be best if I took care of her myself.”
It was a very eerie expression.
* * *
It was a night like any other.
“…Ha!” I woke up abruptly, covering my mouth.
That dream again.
Turning my head, I saw Redian sleeping quietly beside me.
“…”
To avoid waking Redian, I held my breath as much as possible.
No matter how vivid the dream was, it was just the past, so why was my heart racing, and why did I feel anxious?
-Why are you troubled, Almighty Goddess?
Ananke’s voice echoed in my ear.
“It’s just…”
I looked at Redian again. He was so sensitive that he would wake up if I moved even slightly beside him…
“Wait a moment, Ananke. I have something to tell you.” Whispering softly, I carefully got out of bed. “Phew.” Only after I reached the sitting room could I breathe out.
-You must be worried about the rebellion at the founding festival, even though you are the goddess.
Ananke, who already knew my plan, laughed.
-Even if the grand duke has an army of a million, what use would it be with those who follow goddess, including me?
“That’s not the problem.”
After all, I’m the incarnation of the goddess, so there was no way I would be overpowered by the grand duke. Whether they brought a million soldiers or a legion of wizards, it wouldn’t even tickle me.
–Ah, you’re still worried about Redian.
“Lately, I’ve been dreaming of the first time I saw Redian in the underground castle.”
-…
Redian, bloodied and lying on the ground, pointed at as a monster, had appeared in my dreams repeatedly. Redian said he didn’t mind being treated as a monster or a fallen devil. And I knew he meant it. But…
“I keep feeling like I am the one who trapped Rere in this curse.”
The guilt that I was the cause of all this weighed on my shoulders. It seemed like all the pain he endured when I wasn’t looking started from the mark I put on him…
-It’s unlike you to feel guilt, considering you used to throw your competitors into the fire during the battle of the gods.
Ananke replied as if recalling old memories.
-It’s clear you care a lot about Redian.
One of the things I recently learned was that Theia rose to the position of the goddess by winning the primordial battle. In other words, she had trampled over her siblings and parents, the gods, to seize the throne.
I wasn’t in a position to lecture Vallentin. Even more so, Theia was the youngest.
“Hmm, anyway, it’s not something that can be resolved just by suppressing the rebellion and killing the grand duke.”
-Then why don’t you remove the mark yourself, Almighty Goddess?
“What?”
-And place it back on Grand Duke Benio instead.
“How?”
-Just do it in your own way.
My way? As I pondered quietly, Ananke spoke again.
-Invade the grand duchy, Almighty Goddess.
Well, it wasn’t a surprising answer. I had once disguised myself as a maid to spy on and rummage through the basement.
“There are rumors that the security at the grand duchy is very tight these days. Besides, Luna is there too.”
But I shook my head. Considering the circumstances, it was a very dangerous task.
Should I use someone? No, at this point, just before the founding festival, where could I find someone trustworthy?
-What are you worrying about, Almighty Goddess? Surely among Redian’s subordinates, there must be someone who can disguise their appearance or turn invisible.
Huh? Redian’s subordinates…
“You mean using devils?”
It seemed strange for an archangel to say that, but since she was following me, it was certainly possible.
“Being invisible… That might not be a bad idea. But then I’d have to go through Redian somehow…”
-Take him with you. Who knows what trouble you might cause if you go alone.
Ananke spoke in a tone that was subtly teased.
-You two can become invisible and freely roam the enemy’s base.
As if finding the thought intriguing.
-I always said I support the love between you and Lucifer.
“Shut up,” I said firmly, feeling my ears flush.
“If no one can recognize Master and me…”
I felt someone hug me from behind.
“Things are going to get interesting. All of it.”
Redian’s lips touching my neck felt more than just a tickle.
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