Chapter 012
Marceline, the Count, lent the book to Aira, who closed it and pressed her hand to her forehead.
The power of the holy artifact was far stronger than she had anticipated. Given its true nature—a power capable of bringing down an entire nation—the human body approaching it had only one method: to kill Marceline, who absorbed the artifact, to gain the strength of the Dragon Slayer.
And if Marceline absorbed the unrefined, pure power…
– Theoretically, one would die within a few minutes.
Aira vividly recalled that part written in clear script.
If Aira had had the chance to read this book before her regression, she would never have aligned herself with their plan. The moment a human absorbs the power of the artifact, their body quickly deteriorates.
– However, if, by some chance, a weakened power of the artifact could be contained, the death moment could be prolonged.
There were cases from hundreds of years ago where Marceline’s descendants briefly touched the artifact and withdrew without immediately dying. It might have been because they only absorbed a very small amount of the power—just enough that it didn’t influence them entirely.
– He managed to survive, but his body gradually began to deteriorate. Ultimately, one cannot live with the raw, unrefined power of the artifact.
There is always a price for such destructive, intense power.
Aira’s red eyes, imbued with the artifact’s energy, flickered.
She felt no immediate damage to her body from the current power absorption. Unlike the energy that once sliced through her entire body, this time the scale and intensity were weaker.
However, records showed that even a sliver of the artifact’s power could put strain on the body.
– It’s akin to carrying a bomb—it’s highly likely to go into uncontrollable overload.
The records stated as much.
It made sense. Transferring lava into human flesh is no different.
Still, Aira knew how to extract the artifact’s power from her body.
Upon entering the palace after her regression, she instinctively felt the powerful artifact’s presence—its energy calling to her unmistakably.
Despite the twisted timelines, the artifact’s power resonated with her past self’s fragment and the present artifact power.
If someone else were to absorb that power to take her place, the energy within her would be lost, sucked away.
Like iron filings pulled toward a single magnet.
‘Thus, for my survival, this revenge is justified.’
In her room, the light flickered briefly as Aira closed the book. Her red eyes shone brightly and coldly.
“Ah-choo!”
Luna sneezed.
She then irritably approached the open window and slammed it shut with a loud bang.
Her sharp voice laced with irritation came as she directed her frustration toward the maid, Amy, who followed her inside.
“What are you doing with the window still open?”
“But, miss, you said to ventilate earlier…”
“Are you defying me?”
Luna, now visibly angry, stomped toward Amy, making her shrink back with trembling shoulders.
Luna was stunningly beautiful and charming when calm, but her anger was so fierce that even the bravest would be scared.
“I’m sorry, miss,” Amy hurriedly apologized.
However, Luna’s anger seemed far from abating. She crossed her arms and raised her eyebrows, glaring coldly at her.
“Do you think I’m going to spoil you like a child? You’re making yourself look just like them.”
“N-No, of course not, miss!”
Amy’s face turned pale with fear, vehemently denying Luna’s accusation, but her anger only deepened.
The anger that had flared during the earlier meal was reignited by Amy’s backtalk.
“I am Luna Marceline. The daughter of the Count Marceline! You, a lowly servant, dare to disrespect my sister, Aira, who will become an empress? You all speak nonsense!”
“A-Ah, miss…”
Amy curled her shoulders and lowered her head deeply. Luna, appearing completely baffled by the situation, rolled her eyes with intense anger, muttering to herself.
Until yesterday, Aira had seemed entirely harmless, but today, she seemed like a completely different person, constantly provoking Luna’s nerves. During dinner earlier, Aira had spoken empty pleasantries about etiquette she hadn’t even bothered to follow, positioning herself as nothing more than a useless burden between Luna and the attentive Count Marceline. And now, Count Marceline himself was taking Aira’s side—her side.
“Even so, she’s just an inexperienced brat,” Luna scoffed.
Whether Aira intended it or not, Luna could not tolerate any challenge to her authority.
“Amy,”
“Yes, miss,” she responded, her eyes glistening with unshed tears as she looked up at Luna.
Luna raised her eyebrows and awkwardly forced a smile, lifting her hand to pat Amy’s shoulder gently.
“I’m sorry, I think I got too worked up just now.”
“…Ah, no, miss,” Amy stammered, trying to shake her head quickly.
Luna’s touch softened again, and Amy, still in shock, gazed at her mistress with a bewildered expression.
Amy didn’t notice the malicious scheming hidden within Luna’s bright pink eyes.
“Amy, do you happen to…”
She began to speak, but then abruptly stopped and shook her head.
Her clenched fist trembled with anger, but acting directly on her maid could lead to suspicion. It might be better to handle this through a more subtle approach.
“Is there anything you need to do?”
“Yes. I’d like you to visit the Schiller Pharmacy in the village. It should still be open this late. Please order a couple of items I’ll write down.”
“Now?”
Amy glanced out the window, slightly startled. The hour was nearing midnight.
“…Why, don’t you want to?”
Luna’s questioning gaze made Amy freeze momentarily.
Leaving the estate at this time, especially alone, was risky. But maybe Luna didn’t realize.
No, Luna had grown up in a common family until she was ten—she should know better.
“Do you mind, Amy?”
“No! Of course not, I’ll go right away.”
Before Amy could think any further, she quickly agreed at Luna’s insistence.
With a cold, slightly smug smile, Luna dipped her pen into the ink and wrote something down on a piece of paper.
She folded the paper and handed it to Amy.
Amy, who looked nervous about leaving the estate in the middle of the night, wasn’t of much concern to Luna.
“Make sure to return before sunrise, understood, Amy?”
“…Yes… miss,” she responded hesitantly.
Once the maid was sent on her errand, Luna stretched lazily by the dimly lit window, her thoughts settled.
‘I didn’t do anything wrong. It was your mistake, Aira, provoking me when I was perfectly content to stay quiet.’
Meanwhile, Aira lay on her bed, eyes closed, drifting toward sleep. Suddenly, her eyes snapped open, and she sat up from the bed, moving toward the window.
Though she wore a robe covering her, the shape of her dress clearly identified her as a maid. Late-night escapes from the estate were rare unless the owner had urgent business to attend to.
‘What could be so urgent?’
Aira smirked faintly, watching the maid’s hurried steps. The power of the artifact allowed her to perceive the world in more complex ways—every small detail. Even a maid hastily leaving the estate in the dead of night was something she could detect.
Returning to her bed, Aira settled back down, her soft pillow cushioning her cheek. Peaceful and relaxed, she drifted back into sleep.
EDITED BY: SID (ALINA)
