Join our separate discord server now: The Imperial Of BL
171
That night, Luciel was able to return to his room without much difficulty. Although he was anxious due to the disappearance of his guide and the presence of guards stationed in the area, his concerns did not materialize.
The guards along his path were all in a deep sleep. It was a new discovery. When he first walked this path, he must have been so entranced by the cat that he didn’t properly observe his surroundings.
It was quite surreal and mystical. Luciel once again felt the reality that the being who led him was none other than ‘God’.
“Oh, you seem to have had a restless night.”
“And whose fault is that?”
“True, I actually hoped for that. Fortunately, it seems to have had the desired effect.”
The next day, as soon as morning broke, Luciel visited Evelyn’s palace. After skillfully evading the guards’ eyes and safely entering, Evelyn greeted him as if she had been waiting. When she noticed the dark circles under Luciel’s eyes, she even let out a short exclamation.
“You seem to have been waiting for me too. I suspect it was you, Evelyn, who created gaps between the guards.”
“You caught me.”
This time, I was really going to hit you on the head if you didn’t come to your senses. Evelyn muttered with a fresh smile. It was an irreverent remark that was hard to believe was directed at the Imperial Crown Prince.
However, Luciel only sighed and didn’t take issue with Evelyn’s attitude. This wasn’t anything new. He had long since grown accustomed to it.
Evelyn crossed the palace with steps that seemed particularly cheerful. Luciel followed behind her. The bouncing sound echoed in his ears.
And when they reached a reception room in a corner of the palace.
“You’re here.”
“You’ve arrived.”
As the door swung open, two unfamiliar voices greeted them. Luciel blinked stupidly as he carefully examined the figures inside.
The faces were both unfamiliar and familiar. Although it was the first time he had met them face to face, they were people whose names he had heard at least once. One was the head of the mercenary guild, and the other was… Owen, who was infamous among the nobles as an eccentric. He was a high-ranking nobleman who had abandoned his title to become a priest.
As soon as their eyes met, the other party bowed his head. Luciel received the greeting smoothly. Silence fell in an instant.
“So.”
“…?”
“May I ask why you changed your mind?”
The person who broke the awkward silence was Lexia. It was a question asked with a picture-perfect smile, but Luciel noticed a subtle wariness in his eyes.
It would be strange if they weren’t wary. Luciel readily admitted. From their perspective, he had been one of those standing on the opposite side until just recently.
He answered calmly.
“I simply decided to stop turning a blind eye.”
There was no noticeable reaction to Luciel’s answer. Only Owen seemed to have some idea, showing a strange look in his eyes.
Luciel was well aware of the contradiction in his attitude. After stubbornly turning a blind eye all this time, to reverse his stance because of one person he was drawn to. It was a thought that someone else who had been harmed might have condemned as selfish.
Of course, no one at this meeting pointed out such contradictions. It was enough to confirm that their interests aligned.
“We’re going to overthrow the Imperial family. The fact that you’ve come here means you’ve anticipated this…”
Lexia, having made this judgment, spoke up in a clear voice. Eyes that seemed utterly rational, devoid of all emotion, stared blankly at Luciel.
“Remember. This is treason.”
The following words awakened his sense of reality. It was like a warning not to lend strength with a half-hearted mindset.
Luciel hesitated at those words. But even that was close to a fleeting moment. He slowly nodded, moving his creaking body.
It was something he had already prepared for.
***
The sign of descent. The impact of those words was immense. Rohan had to consciously unclench his fist that he had unknowingly tightened.
The descent of a god. It was a phrase whose weight could not be easily predicted just by uttering it.
“…Is there a way to prevent it?”
Arpel, who had been standing stiffly, asked in a small voice. If this was truly the process of an ‘evil god’ descending, there was no way the priests alone could stop it. As the demon god said, ‘divine intervention’ was necessary.
However, since it wasn’t acting immediately, a ‘method’ would be needed. That’s what Arpel thought, and Rohan was no different. The demon god replied in a nonchalant voice.
<There’s a way to delay the descent, but no way to prevent it.>
“What… are you saying we should just watch the descent happen?”
It was infinitely light, but because of that, it also felt cruelly resolute. Rohan gritted his teeth.
<What do you think about ‘wraiths’?>
An unexpected question came back. As if not expecting an answer, the demon god continued, providing its own answer to the question.
<Many people think wraiths are traces left behind by the evil god… but that’s not actually the case. Wraiths are the ‘catalyst’ for the evil god’s descent. When the power of wraiths above a certain threshold is concentrated within a certain area, signs of descent begin to appear.>
The voice echoing in his head paused briefly. As if choosing what to say next.
<But that alone is not enough for a god to descend. Because there is no ‘vessel’ for the descent.>
“…Vessel?”
Rohan’s expression turned cold. The sound of his pounding heart echoed in his ears. Anxiety filled his throat, choking off his breath.
<Something that can resonate with the power of wraiths, and at the same time possesses ‘life’. But if this were all, even those crazy religious fanatics could easily satisfy the conditions.>
The demon god sneered briefly. As if to say that wasn’t all that was needed.
<The ‘vessel’ must be strong enough to contain the power of a god. Yes, for instance… a being that possesses divine authority.>
“…Ha.”
The being it was pointing to was crystal clear. Rohan couldn’t bring himself to turn his gaze sideways and instead lowered his eyes.
The demon god was saying that the ‘vessel’ needed for the evil god’s descent was none other than Arpel. In an instant, everything before his eyes became distant.
A being that can resonate with the power of wraiths, is alive, and is strong enough to accept divine authority. Only then did it feel like the misaligned pieces floating around were finding their proper places.
Rohan hastily grabbed Arpel’s hand. As if it were his only lifeline, containing lukewarm warmth. Arpel’s eyes trembled at the desperate and tragic attitude. All sorts of despair poured out from Rohan.
“Is there… really no way to prevent it…”
Really. Really no way?
His voice trembled pathetically. In his mind, Arpel’s words about feeling something holding onto him kept echoing endlessly. Ah. Rohan lamented silently. It felt as if his chest was burning up.
Arpel had already been chosen as the ‘vessel’. Because of his own mistake, foolishly following only the traces of the executive without thinking it might be a lure. Setting foot in a place where the power of wraiths was gathering, of all places.
There was only a way to delay it, not prevent it. Despite having already heard those words from the demon god, Rohan had to utter the same question again, as if clinging to hope.
<Shall I be honest with you.>
It was then. The demon god’s voice once again pierced his mind. There was a faint sense of guilt in that voice. It was unlike him.
<There is just one way.>
“…! Please tell me. I can do anything. So please…”
One way.
Those words were nothing short of the only hope for Rohan. He embraced Arpel and pleaded as if whispering. Like a person desperately praying for his voice to reach the gods.
But the god betrayed his wish.
<Breaking the ‘vessel’.>
For a moment, it felt as if the world had stopped. Rohan couldn’t react immediately and remained silent for a while. Incomplete words flowed from his trembling lips. It was a fragmented voice resembling the sound of air escaping.
<Once the descent has begun, that’s the only way. It’s also the easiest method. Not only can it erase all the remaining power of wraiths from this land at once, but it also leaves room for my intervention.>
“…Stop.”
<I could even permanently banish the evil god who first broke the contract with the ‘world’ from this world. If that happens, the Empire could completely escape the threat of wraiths. It would literally become the peaceful world everyone desires.>
“…Stop it!”
Finally, Rohan shouted in outburst. He was breathing heavily in confusion. Even though a familiar hand was patting his back as if to calm him down. Hatred and murderous intent were chaotically mixed in his exhaled breath.
Everything felt like a nightmare. It seemed as if the whole world wanted Arpel to die. As if they were whispering that this world could be perfect if only he were gone. Rohan tightened his grip on Arpel, not even realizing that tears were streaming from his own eyes.
<So, keep wishing like you are now.>
“…”
<Wish for Arpel to return safely, to remain by your side, for your contract with him not to be broken. Pray to me, to this ‘world’. Beg for his life.>
The demon god whispered slowly. Uttering a clumsy consolation and the only solution.
<Then, the providence residing in you will hear your voice.>
For what this world desires is not ‘conclusion’.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
