Episode 90
Elonia’s eyes widened, but Ricardo, having already braced himself for her reaction, continued,
“Whoever it is, they’re clinging to Felix like a leech. Princess Olivia and Prince Simon just arrived in Ravanta, so they’re more likely to know who it is. And since we can’t trust the prince, we should ask Princess Olivia.”
Asking Olivia to uncover the spy’s identity.
It was the quickest solution.
But Elonia couldn’t involve Olivia in this dangerous situation, no matter how urgent it was.
She finally understood why Artius had been so adamant about keeping her out of this.
Elonia quickly changed the subject.
“So, Noah is insane, and House Rossi considers her their daughter. I think it’s brainwashing. What do you think?”
“…I agree. But it’s not magic.”
Ricardo, though slightly annoyed that his suggestion had been dismissed, dutifully answered.
Elonia gestured for him to continue.
“It’s probably Holy Power-based.”
“…I thought the same.”
“And it’s unlikely that Lucius Allen acted alone.”
“Right. Even with his strong Holy Power, he’s still too young to brainwash so many people.”
Elonia thought about the Calamity God altar.
It had emanated the same unsettling aura as the good luck charm, albeit weaker.
And it had been functioning even in Caroline’s possession, despite her inability to use Holy Power.
It must have been created using the same principles as a magic tool.
It must have been imbued with Holy Power, allowing even non-priests to use it.
“They must have used a holy tool. Didn’t you say Lucius gave a prayer altar to Supervisor Natalie? And she started acting strange after that. That’s our culprit.”
Ricardo leaned against the wall, his arms crossed.
Elonia, sinking into the sofa, murmured, her voice filled with worry,
“That holy tool was probably created by Felix’s hidden accomplice.”
“…Probably.”
“Haah…”
Elonia crossed her arms, her head throbbing.
Someone who could create holy tools on a large scale and possessed even stronger Holy Power than Lucius, who was already comparable to Elonia.
She couldn’t think of anyone who fit the description.
They had both left Heilan a long time ago, and they lacked information. Brainstorming in Ravanta was a waste of time.
“Is Supervisor Natalie still in that state?”
“Yes, she’s still insane.”
Ricardo replied, having been eavesdropping on the palace gossip.
If the holy tools were similar to magic tools, Natalie should have returned to normal once the altar was confiscated.
But she was still insane, which meant the other party’s power was overwhelming.
The two former Heilan Sword Mages, listening to Artius and Aaron’s fruitless discussion, sighed.
“Why are they struggling with something so simple?”
“Ravanta isn’t a religious nation, so Holy Power is rarely used. It’s natural that they don’t understand its applications.”
“They should just ask for Her Highness’s help.”
Elonia, before her powers were discovered, had been thoroughly indoctrinated in theology, and her mother had been an apostle, so she knew more about Holy Power than most Ravanta citizens.
Ricardo asked anxiously,
“Your Highness, do you think you can break the brainwashing? Holy Power-based brainwashing can be broken with mana, right?”
Elonia remained silent.
She wasn’t sure if she could break a brainwashing spell cast by someone stronger than Lucius.
“Honestly, I’m not confident.”
Breaking Holy Power-based brainwashing with mana was a simple power struggle.
‘The question is, how much can Natalie endure?’
They lacked information.
Was the best solution to ask Olivia about Felix’s new advisor and eliminate them?
But it was an internal Heilan matter. It was unlikely that Olivia, a princess, would know the details.
And even if she asked Simon, he wouldn’t tell her. They weren’t close.
Elonia was torn. Should she investigate on her own, or should she tell Artius, who was still struggling to find a solution, about this Heilan-related matter and ask for his help?
By the time she reached a decision, it was already evening.
“Have you decided, Your Highness?”
Elonia nodded.
She gave Ricardo an order.
Ricardo’s face paled.
“Your Highness, I might actually die.”
“You won’t. Just do as I say.”
Elonia was firm.
Ricardo, realizing it was pointless to argue, reluctantly left.
Ricardo, after delivering Elonia’s message to Artius, returned to the Imperial Princess’s Palace, his face pale, Artius’s hand gripping his neck tightly.
“Elonia, what is the meaning of this?!”
“G-Your Majesty, please let go of me first.”
Both men were pale, but for different reasons. Artius was pale with shock, while Ricardo was pale from lack of blood flow.
Elonia, after rescuing her loyal knight with magic, spoke calmly,
“It’s exactly as Rica said. I’ll try to break Supervisor Natalie’s brainwashing. If I succeed, I can break Count Rossi’s brainwashing as well, and we’ll be able to catch Heilan red-handed.”
She had briefly considered sneaking into the academy, but she had quickly dismissed the idea.
There were too many people in the palace who were obsessed with her safety. Secret outings were impossible.
It was better to declare war and strike first.
And Artius, the recipient of her declaration of war, felt like he had just been punched in the face while sleeping.
“Um… I’ll excuse myself now. You two talk.”
Ricardo, afraid of being choked again, quickly fled the scene.
“…Elonia.”
Artius, his voice filled with disbelief, addressed her.
Elonia, knowing what he was going to say, preemptively countered him,
“Didn’t you say you would do anything to make me happy?”
Artius placed a hand on his forehead.
He had said that, and he still meant it, but this was different.
Why was his daughter willingly walking into danger?
He would handle this. Why did she have to get involved?
And what kind of parent would let their child get involved in a Heilan-related matter?
“I have a lot to say about the eavesdropping, but… thank you for the information. But Elonia, you’ve already done enough. There’s no need for you to get involved any further. Caroline can handle the brainwashing—”
“Caroline can’t break it.”
“…What?”
Artius looked up, his eyes wide with surprise.
Caroline was the most skilled mage in Ravanta.
If she couldn’t break it, then who could?
“It was cast by someone stronger than Lucius. And Lucius is as powerful as me. Caroline might be skilled, but she’s not as powerful as me or Lucius.”
“…So you’re saying you’re going to do it?”
“Yes.”
Elonia nodded without hesitation.
To Artius, who didn’t know about her past life as Chelon Heilan, it seemed like a childish and reckless decision.
He knew she would get angry if he said that, so he calmly asked for her reasoning.
“How can you be so confident?”
“Caroline is skilled, but she’s not as powerful as Chelon. And she said so herself, when we first met. She said I was comparable to Chelon.”
Artius hadn’t forgotten that Elonia had been using Chelon-like magic since she was a baby.
And he knew Caroline wasn’t one to exaggerate.
But this was different.
Elonia, sensing his hesitation, pleaded with him, her voice filled with sincerity,
“I understand your concern, Dad. But I’m the only one who can do this.”
“Elonia.”
“This is something I have to do, eventually. I’m going to be the Empress.”
Artius, sighing, rubbed his face in frustration. His resolve wavered.
But he still didn’t want to put Elonia in danger.
He wanted her to be safe and happy.
So he turned away, his voice cold and firm.
“I forbid it.”
Sarah, as always, was worried.
His Majesty, the arrogant and aloof Emperor, had made a careless remark to her sweet and precious goddaughter, and now, after their brief reconciliation, Elonia was even more upset.
So Sarah, putting her skills to use, prepared a tray of Elonia’s favorite pudding.
‘I hope this cheers her up.’
Her kind and gentle goddaughter must be suffering in silence.
The thought made Sarah’s heart ache, and she quickened her pace.
She arrived at Elonia’s room and knocked gently.
“Your Highness, it’s Sarah. May I come in?”
There was no response.
Was she already asleep?
There was light coming from under the door, but Elonia often fell asleep while studying, leaving the lights on.
Sarah carefully opened the door, planning to adjust her blanket and pillow and turn off the lights, when she saw…
“Artius, you idiot! You never listen! You ungrateful bastard! I lent you money, and now you’re pretending to have dementia!”
It wasn’t Elonia, dejected and heartbroken, nor was it Elonia, sleeping soundly with the lights on.
It was Elonia, furiously pummeling a pillow as if it were Artius.
Sarah almost dropped the tray in shock.
Elonia, noticing her presence, froze mid-punch.
“…”
“…”
An awkward silence filled the room.
Elonia slowly lowered her fist and asked,
“…Did you hear everything?”
“I’ll keep it a secret…”
So she had.
Elonia dropped the pillow.
She had been trying to act properly in front of Sarah.
It was all Artius’s fault, that ungrateful bastard.