Chapter 208

I didn’t ask the professor for an immediate answer.
The reason is as explained to Ainoa.
Now is the time to hold your breath and wait and see.
“It’s not like we can just sit on the castle and fix it.
The professor’s memory, of course, is key. An authority on parasite research, her past holds the key to ending the catastrophe.
‘Personally, I think the sooner the better, but….’
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t concerned about the professor’s mental state, but it’s not just about emotions.
If the continental situation is analogized to a disease, a natural disaster labeled as a catastrophe is the initial symptom. The post-catastrophic pollution is the middle stage. And now, in the late stages, new symptoms have emerged.
Crack.
Even if we can restore the professor’s memory, the labs and Dustborn can’t do it all on their own. The key is only a key. Countless countries are bound to get involved.
Before you can do anything about it, you need to take steps.
Capitalizing on lessons learned from the last summit.
“It turns out that pre-processing isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.
After beating the crap out of Legion, it’s no longer a laughing stock, and we can’t afford to be as casual as we were then.
First of all, you need to make your surroundings aware of the seriousness of the situation.
It’s important to recognize that this is not the time to get distracted by Sheeran trends.
Anomalies also began to be observed in Bastitera.
“We have a report from ……. The anomalies from earlier have returned, and they seem to be exactly the same: sudden outbreaks of parasites, beast proliferation, and spikes in pollution.”
Called aside by Adrian, Kim was handed the report. She skimmed through it, noting the number of beasts and parasites and the size of the rift itself.
“It’s not a big deal yet. I’m glad we caught it before it was too late.”
“It’s only natural. The first discoverer was a professional hunter hired by the lord. How could someone who makes it his business to hunt monsters not notice such a change?”
“Are you a hunter working for a lord?”
The hunters in Maximilian’s line of work had a raw edge to them. More like a criminal than a worker. But the city was a different story.
“Lords often have hunters in their ranks. It satisfies their bizarre collecting appetites, and it helps in the defense of their cities, so I suppose it’s best to think of it as a rather unusual breed.”
“That was actually helpful.”
“Yes.”
Adrian said, his face serious.
“The outbreak is very close to the city. Even though it’s a small, medium-sized city, we can’t take the thousands and tens of thousands of people who live in it lightly. We need to act quickly.”
You have hollow eyes that make you wonder if you sleep two hours a night. His hair is unkempt and his face is haggard. But his royal blue eyes shine brightly.
“They say a seat makes a man.
It’s safe to say that Adrian is a different person in the game. The prince, drunk on the madness of war and the narrow-mindedness of his beliefs, has become a monarch of sorts.
The voice was calm.
“A formal request from the royal family of Bastitera. Will you help us resolve this situation?”
“Whether you like it or not, you owe me a meal.”
Our relations with the Bastiterra are currently very good. They’ve given us shelter and supplies without complaint. It’s not hard to serve them once.
“It’s also a great opportunity for me.
It’s the perfect time to experiment with your newfound talents. Unpleasantness aside, there’s no reason to waste the cards you’ve been dealt. Depending on your results, you may be able to drastically shorten your path to the ending.
Oh, and one more thing.
“Circle because location is location.
The location of the rift is a small fief named Cartata. It is by no means a major city of Bastiterra. In the extreme, being wiped off the map doesn’t jeopardize the country.
But it was also a place that Kim couldn’t ignore.
“I thought, ‘I’ve heard that name before.’
It’s inevitable.
Cartata is the hometown of Asterique.
* * *
The Empress’s office.
Not a word is spoken, just the dull sound of pages being turned. As the silence lengthened, the atmosphere subsided. The servants, standing like gargoyles, glanced at each other and shared their uncomfortable feelings.
When the master is serious, the subordinates suffer. Recently, the imperial palace of Xuran was in a state of turmoil. The emperor, who had boasted of his godlike authority, had disappeared overnight.
Nobles who had been pent up in the imperial court began to rampage underwater. They often divided the imperial family. They demanded to know who was worthy of the vacant throne.
There were two in particular that stood out in the chapter.
“I can’t wait to hear your impressions.”
1The Empress Laura set down her teacup, and the servants flinched unnecessarily. None of Maximilian’s current servants had much experience. The prince himself had been away from the palace for years.
Laura, on the other hand, has been a stalwart of the court, meaning that public opinion favors the First Empress. It’s not like being a woman is a flaw.
In the midst of the debate over the throne, the First Empress visited the palace. She was handed some papers, and Maximilian hadn’t said a word since then, so the squire felt like he was sitting on a thorny seat.
However, it’s actually not that sloppy.
“What do you think, Maximilian?”
“…Sister. Is this really true?”
“I wonder if there is anyone in the empire who knows the truth.”
Maximilian tore his gaze away from the paper and glanced at Laura. She was as calm as ever as she sipped her tea. How could he be so nonchalant after bringing such a bomb?
“I wonder if I could attach it to a string.
I don’t think she’d be a good fit in a personal capacity. I don’t think it’s going to be creaky in a similar vein to the clannishness, but rather the second princess who admires her older sister would fit in well with Hyun.
Distractions aside, I bit my listening ear first.
“Everybody out. I need to speak with my sister for a moment.”
Rumors of a chapter between the siblings might start, but that’s probably a good thing. It’s a small matter compared to what Laura brought. It’s something that should never be revealed to the outside world.
The squires retreated, and after a long pause, he returned his eyes to the papers and opened his mouth.
“A large-scale human testing ground. How on earth did you find it?”
“There is no other place but the Imperial Palace. You’re not the only one who’s been harboring a sense of discomfort; any human in the imperial family must have been dimly aware of it.”
Maximilian swallowed hard. Laura added nervously.
“I’m not going to ask how much you were involved in the last disaster.”
“…….”
“Just to nail it down in advance, I have no desire for the throne.”
His tone was flat, like he was just stating the facts.
“I am not weak, and I am capable, but that is not enough to make me a Dark Lord, for the Xuran is too great for a mere mortal to support. I fear for you.”
“So what do you want from your sister?”
“Well.”
Laura looked out the window.
The sun is just right, not too much, and the indoor temperature is comfortable year-round. Life in the imperial palace must have been the height of luxury and opulence in these times of disaster.
A blessed circumstance, perhaps, but nonetheless.
“I am so afraid of this imperial palace that I shudder.”
“You’re afraid? Why?”
“Because we don’t know what: my father, a man who turned from one moment to the next, a secretive courier, something that was periodically transported to the imperial palace in secret….”
Her eyes narrowed.
“I want to know them in hindsight.”
“That’s what this report is.”
The report was filled with information about the emperor’s private facility. A laboratory where inhumane human experiments were conducted. Research records of Paracite were also found.
“……OK. Do what your sister wants.”
Maximilian said, locking eyes with his sister.
“But don’t divulge it to anyone but me.”
“I’m going to do it even if you don’t tell me.”
In some ways, it’s worse than the emperor’s death. The imperial family could be torn apart. In some cases, the empire could be internationally criticized.
“I’m going to take my time looking at this again and discard it.”
“Do what you’re comfortable with.”
Laura stood up from the couch and looked at Maximilian with surprise. Her feelings for her brother were quite complicated. There was a mixture of apology, gratitude, and a little bit of envy.
Running away from the imperial palace.
Returning without shame.
Participating in a terrorist plot to kill the Emperor.
These are all options that Laura would never have chosen, because she is not the type of person who will take on problems she can’t handle. She has an objective view of my abilities and the subject matter.
That’s why it doesn’t change easily. It doesn’t need to change.
On the other hand, what about Maximilian, who wanted to carry Shiran.
Whether you like it or not, change is inevitable.
When Laura left, Maximilian was left alone in his office.
He flipped back to the document and carefully read the section that had caught his eye.
‘Intersections with the Otherworld, Rifts. And the induction of its occurrence…….’
I couldn’t fully comprehend it, given my lack of knowledge, but I could see the danger it contained. The darkness left behind by the Emperor was deeper and worse than I had imagined.
‘I had hoped for a humane empire, and yet I had to close my eyes to this.
Maximilian sighed as he burrowed into the backrest.
“No, I don’t know again.”
Kim Yi Hyun might know this.
* * *
Kim immediately headed to Cartata at Adrian’s request. Taking with her every Dustborn agent. He accompanied her to Echidna, where she had settled as a noncombatant.
“Is this a situation where we need to move all at once?”
“Yeah, well, you always say watch out for spies.”
Edwin and Chelsea asked, and Kim shrugged.
“Spies don’t matter, we’re indebted to the royal castle, we’re doing the royal favor, there’s nothing unnatural about it, and if it’s serious, it’s serious.”
He studied Asterike’s complexion. She hadn’t shown much reaction since he’d told her the story. But the slight hardening of her expression gave away her feelings.
“If it’s as small as we’re told, there’s nothing to worry about. The citizens are evacuating in good time. Me and Asterique should be able to handle the Bastitera side of things.”
“Hmph. So you’re going to take this opportunity to show the prince some sincerity?”
“I think it will be a good experience for me as well.”
Echidna and Leone chimed in. Ex-mafiosi and conscientious trainees who specialized in intrigue and politics. It was a true reflection of their personalities.
Both were in line with Kim’s intentions.
“It’s an adjective.
To save face, it was necessary to give the agents a taste of the rift beforehand. This is also closely related to the death of the emperor.
Well, I didn’t say it out loud.
“Asterike. How are you feeling?”
“Body? I’m perfectly fine. Why?”
“Why not. You were injured in the palace.”
“When was the last time? Of course I’m better.”
“It can’t be that old….”
After all, a Pekatum is a Pekatum.
“Hehe, but it’s nice that you care.”
Asterike realized it wasn’t just about injuries. Kim is surprisingly attentive. It must have bothered him that he had to fulfill his promise to go home with her in this way.
Asterike looked out the car window. A familiar road, though somewhat altered. The city loomed in the distance. The home she had fled from so many years ago.
The cursed Castus, who burned his family home, has grown up and returned home.