Side Story 2: The Story of Jean Emilia
Chapter 6
Deep within the cave, the divine beast of Crimea was bound to a massive stake. It was a pitiful sight, a far cry from the powerful being that had once ruled the Holy Nation.
“Master, how is the Emperor?”
Jean was always seated cross-legged before the divine beast. Every time Karina visited, he would inquire about the Emperor’s health first.
“How is he? He’s ailing. Even the Imperial ministers have noticed that his condition is serious.”
“…”
The news of the Emperor’s approaching death wasn’t entirely welcome.
Jean knew that if the Emperor died, he would surely order the execution of both him and Emilia before taking his final breath.
Karina hadn’t told him, but the Emperor’s health was actually worse than Jean imagined. He would faint and regain consciousness repeatedly, as if on the verge of death. The only thing keeping him alive was his unwavering belief that Jean Lopetrefer would succeed in creating the elixir of immortality.
On the surface, he appeared as a wise ruler, placing his trust in his subject until the very end.
But beneath the surface, he seemed to be merely biding his time, calculating the right moment to eliminate those who posed a threat to him.
“Jean, give it up… just run away.”
Karina repeated the same words she had uttered two years prior.
“…What about Emilia if I run away?”
Jean echoed her words from two years ago. The only difference was that Karina could only see the back of his head, unable to discern his expression.
“Master, Emilia loves Lohn. Even in her unhappy marriage, she finds solace in being here, not in that old hut.”
“…”
“Emilia… she married him for my sake. To give me my freedom…”
“…Jean, that’s not true. Emilia didn’t marry him solely for you.”
Jean didn’t argue with her words. Instead of repeating his previous response, he brought up a new topic.
“To be honest, Master, I’m not only staying because of Emilia.”
“…What do you mean?”
He paused for a moment, silently gazing at the divine beast bound to the stake. It looked so helpless and powerless, its divinity seemingly absent. Jean let out a bitter chuckle.
“I may not be able to create the elixir of immortality, but one thing is certain. The current Emperor will not attain immortality. Master, he is going to die.”
After Karina’s departure, Jean rose from his seat and surveyed the numerous hybrid creatures confined in the surrounding cages. Only one of these, the “ribbon,” a hybrid of a dragon and a horse, had been publicly announced.
He approached the divine beast once more and pulled out two of the five stakes pinning it down. The divine beast groaned and stirred slightly, a flicker of consciousness returning.
“From now on, your divinity will be greatly diminished.”
Jean declared coldly to the divine beast, whose eyes were barely open.
Year 24 of the Imperial Calendar.
After receiving the Emperor’s order, Jean secretly transported the divine beast from the Imperial dungeon to his own workshop, unbeknownst to Emilia. He then began a thorough examination of the creature’s body.
Initially, he had no plan. How could he possibly create an elixir of immortality? How could he and Emilia survive? How could they escape the Emperor’s clutches?
His mind was a chaotic jumble of thoughts. He vaguely hoped that a solution would present itself once he understood the divine beast completely.
However, no matter how much he examined the divine beast’s fur, scales, and blood, nothing of significance emerged.
“Damn Delons, he was planning to screw us over from the beginning.”
Jean cursed, tossing his empty research journal into the trash can. A bitter taste filled his mouth.
“As expected, there’s no way an elixir of immortality actually exists…”
-
It exists.
A strange voice suddenly echoed in his mind. Jean whirled around in surprise.
“You…”
It was the divine beast.
With two of the stakes removed, its bindings had loosened, and its consciousness had awakened.
The divine beast opened its eyes slightly and gazed at the dark-haired beauty standing before it. So this is the one who defiled the Goddess. A truly vile creature.
“Answer me. Does the elixir of immortality truly exist?”
Jean demanded an answer, his brazen attitude befitting one who had desecrated the Goddess.
-
What do you intend to do with the elixir of immortality? Will you consume it yourself?
“No.”
-
Then?
Jean frowned.
“I won’t use it for anything. I’m simply asking if it actually exists.”
-
…….
The divine beast could see through human lies. It sensed that Jean wasn’t lying. However, it detected a powerful emotion swirling deep within him.
-
…It exists. Or rather, I know the recipe.
“….”
At that moment, the emotion swirling within Jean surged violently.
‘Hesitation.’
The divine beast couldn’t discern the cause, but Jean was hesitating.
A long silence filled the basement. The divine beast, having awakened after a long slumber, patiently awaited Jean’s decision.
Finally, Jean spoke, his face resolute, as if he had made up his mind.
“I apologize, but can I kill you?”
The divine beast almost thought he was joking. But the hesitation had completely vanished from his heart.
You burned down my country, you defiled my Goddess, and now you want to kill me?
What a shameless man.
-
…I must hear your reason first.
“If I learn the recipe, I will definitely create the elixir of immortality.”
Jean answered without hesitation. The divine beast was puzzled.
-
What is the problem with that?
Jean placed his hand on his hip and chuckled bitterly.
“The problem is that such an elixir exists.”
Jean had no intention of handing the elixir of immortality over to the Emperor. He had hoped that his research would prove that the elixir didn’t exist. But the divine beast itself had just confirmed its existence.
“…Human curiosity is a terrifying thing.”
But beyond the Emperor, beyond Emilia, the biggest problem was Jean himself.
Now that he knew the elixir of immortality existed, and the divine beast before him possessed its recipe, Jean knew he would inevitably create it.
Why? There was no reason.
If he had to choose one, it would be his insatiable “curiosity,” which had ruled his life since birth.
He wasn’t a righteous mage. He had conducted forbidden experiments. All because he couldn’t control his desire for magic.
Therefore, as long as the divine beast lived, Jean would create the elixir.
The elixir itself could cause chaos simply by existing. Even Jean, who had always pursued knowledge recklessly, could understand that much.
-
Hmm. But you cannot kill me.
“…Why not? I can just slit your throat right here.”
Jean’s gaze, as he looked up at the divine beast, was chilling.
The divine beast couldn’t read Jean’s mind, but it felt it should tell him the truth, to prevent him from wasting his efforts.
-
I cannot die. I am an immortal being.
The divine beast of Crimea had never been born, and it could never die.
“The divine beast of Atlantis has a lifespan.”
-
I possess a higher level of divinity than those impurities that you humans “cultivate.”
“A higher level of divinity…”
Jean couldn’t help but sigh.
‘So I have to keep it locked up in the basement forever… There’s no space.’
He had thought about removing all the stakes, but he was afraid that the divine beast, regaining its full power, would seek revenge on Lohn. He couldn’t do that to Emilia and Karina.
The divine beast, ignoring Jean, who was lost in thought, slowly surveyed its surroundings.
Judging from the echoing sounds, it seemed to be a cave. The creatures confined in the cages looked like hybrid creatures. It was definitely not a normal place.
And the man who seemed to be the master of this space. It recognized his face. He was the one who had so easily destroyed Crimea. He seemed to be searching for the elixir of immortality, or perhaps he wasn’t. Either way, he was trying to kill it.
-
Hey.
The divine beast called out to him in a low voice.
-
By the way, the elixir requires my tears.
Jean’s eyes widened at the bombshell. The divine beast chuckled inwardly, seeing his eyes widen.
-
They say that if you steal the tears of a being closest to God, you will gain eternal life. And that being is me.
“What’s that supposed to mean? Why are you telling me this?”
Jean bit his lip. He had been trying so hard to suppress his curiosity.
-
I may not have been born, and I may never die, but I am still a living creature.
“….”
-
…And I cannot spend eternity bound to this cave. I propose a compromise.
Year 27 of the Imperial Calendar.
Another loud argument erupted within the Lopetrefer mansion. Emilia and Gran were at it again. The servants continued their duties, unfazed by the familiar commotion.
Amidst the bustling servants, Emilia shouted at Gran, her face contorted with disgust,
“Why are you acting like this?!”
“I’m telling you, it’s urgent! All for the sake of our family! Go get that bastard out of the basement right now!”
Gran, returning to the mansion after a week-long absence, was frantically demanding Jean’s whereabouts.
The stench of alcohol permeated from every pore of his being. Emilia recoiled, covering her nose and mouth. Gran, growing impatient, pounded his chest and paced back and forth.
“Jean! Jean! His Majesty the Emperor is on his deathbed!”
“What does that have to do with Jean?!”
After a period of silence, he was at it again. Gran’s eyes were bloodshot.
“That bastard promised to make the elixir of immortality for His Majesty!”
“…What?”
“So quickly! Bring it out! The elixir of immortality!”
His desperate pleas, unfortunately, fell on deaf ears.
“What are you talking about…? Elixir of immortality…? “
She mumbled, her eyes blank with confusion. Gran gritted his teeth.
“Why the hell did I marry a worthless commoner like you?”