Chapter 91: Tenorio (3)

Chapter 91: Tenorio (3)

The blood flowing in my body was informing me that there was a devil on this continent. Its location was vaguely specified as well.

North. Devils Blood was pointing north.

In my head, the information I had gathered so far came together. There was some puzzlement though.

Unlike the occasional Devils Blood discovered events in the game, there was very little information.

Only ancient texts dealt with the matter. Only now could I understand why.

It was because Devils Blood only reacted when there was a devil on this continent.

Hmm. I seem to recall that Devils Blood was needed to summon a devil

The devil worshippers must have another way to obtain that blood.

Anyway, this is faster than I expected.

Wasnt the summoning around the main storyline originally? I couldnt be certain.

I dont know all the information in the game. The devils appearance time was the same.

The summoning may have happened early but the activity took place later.

Perhaps the terror aimed at Erendil was a smokescreen for the devil summoning in the north.

To divert the empires intelligence services attention.

The death of Erendil would also suit them, so they tried to catch two rabbits at once.

Schurtafen?

Erendils voice broke through my tangled thoughts. Her light green eyes showed concern.

Are you alright?

Ah, yes.

Just now your eyes seemed to turn red for a moment.

I tried to calm my pounding heart. I knew the phenomenon when Devils Blood activated.

The color and atmosphere of the eyes change. Luckily it didnt seem to be too noticeable this time.

It was only for a fleeting moment.

It wasnt because I craved something that the blood reacted, but just briefly responded to the devils appearance.

Is that so?

Hmm. Theyre normal now. Was it just the sunlights reflection?

Erendil, pondering for a bit, convinced herself. Phew. It felt like cold sweat was running down my back.

Because it was such a brief moment I was fortunate.

She must have glanced out the window, noticed the strange atmosphere, and turned to look at me.

And in that instant caught a glimpse of the redness.

Silence flowed for a moment. I should change the topic completely so she couldnt think about it.

As I looked out the window I abruptly opened my mouth.

Your Highness.

Speak.

May I step outside the carriage for a moment?

Erendil looked at me like I was crazy. Her eyes seemed to say, what nonsense are you spouting while in the sky?

Not off the carriage, but onto the dragons back.

Isnt that dangerous?

You know my Mystic Power, dont you.

Erendil sighed lightly as she silently looked at me.

You do these odd things from time to time.

The reason Erendil spoke like that was because of the Eccentric Actions. Though it didnt happen often, even after becoming Carl Schurtafen that thing was active occasionally.

Fortunately, the behaviors werent problematic socially.

Things like flipping over a painting hung in the hallway and staring at it, or sitting in the palace waiting for a cat to move.

-Sir, what have you been doing?

-Im waiting for the cat to move.

-Huh?

The latter happened after a shift change and was a bit awkward when caught by one of Erendils attendants.

She had apparently seen me standing there for 2 hours as she came and went.

I knew there was talk that the bodyguard from Haisen was a bit odd.

Well, it wasnt a serious issue. In fact, it worked to my advantage, lowering the empires suspicions about me.

I will just sit down.

No, go take a look and come back.

At some point, I got the sense that the scenery outside the window was repeating. It was strange.

The dragon hadnt changed direction in the sky. Yet the scenery I had seen reappeared.

And soon, the outside was filled with clouds.

Even expanding Winds, it was hard to grasp the sense of direction. This indicated one thing.

Its great magic.

It must be a barrier created when there were still great magics, during the founding emperors time.

Something about this dragon or carriage allowed passage through it.

It was less complicated than I expected. It really seemed to just be a ritual.

It looks rather high but you should be able to climb it in three hours.

It looked like it would take the better part of a day by eye, but this was likely also due to magic.

In any case, Erendil and I began climbing the mountain.

The path wasnt difficult. Stairs made of what seemed like marble went all the way to the top.

I followed behind Erendil.

At first, we moved quite quickly. Erendil walked energetically too. She basically took care of her physique and had been training with me lately.

With just the elixirs she took when young, her physique should be better than an average knights.

Quite capable.

More than walking, Erendils posture seemed rather devout. It wasnt because she wasnt talking.

The atmosphere felt full of determination. Was it because she was going to meet the founding emperor and ancestors?

Translate these into English:

The momentum I feel seems to be filled with determination. Is it because Im going to meet the previous emperors?

However, after about an hour, the pace began to slow down gradually.

It was not due to Erendils stamina but rather a geographical trait. This place was incredibly rich in mana.

It was a space where you could easily spot magic stones and magic wood just by turning your head.

Due to the high concentration of mana, fatigue sets in a bit faster.

And after two hours, Erendil looked visibly exhausted.

However, she didnt show any signs of distress outwardly.

Lets take a short break.

No.

For a moment, I thought about suggesting carrying her, but I didnt because of Erendils demeanor.

Erendil persisted bravely.

All I could do was use Winds to subtly assist Erendils body and maintain her body temperature.

And at some point, the end of the stairs came into view. The surrounding scenery also changed. It was the summit.

As Faorn said, there was a difference from what it seemed.

The white building was more like a temple than a tomb.

Despite the long years since the founding emperor, the surroundings were neatly maintained.

Erendil looked at Tenorio with a slightly overwhelmed expression and suddenly called me.

Schurtafen.

Yes, Your Highness.

Do you know about that?

Saying so, Erendil turned to look at me.

I have truly decided to become the emperor now.

It was an unexpected statement. Could it be the result of my efforts so far?

Youve changed your mind.

Yes. Seeing the actions of my brothers and what I can do made me think like this.

Erendil smiled brightly.

People who once feared and persecuted me didnt turn out to be that much. Also, more people care about me than I thought.

Some images came to mind.

The smile Erendil had when soldiers praised the princess in the war and her composure in front of the First Prince. That might be the true nature of Erendil.

Erendil hadnt received proper treatment as a princess within the palace, especially from the princes.

Perhaps her surroundings had made her passive. It must have been a new experience for her.

And with you by my side, I feel like I can achieve what I want.

After saying that, Erendil subtly turned her gaze.

Do you remember what you said before? The path for the empire. I now feel that those seemingly empty words were sincere.

Even though she might have known because of the mystic, it was still embarrassing to say it out loud.

Since she doesnt usually reveal her emotions, this solemnity while climbing the mountain must have been from conviction settling in her heart. I bowed deeply.

Thank you sincerely.

Lets go in now.

The interior of Tenorio was also temple-like. In the center was a statue of the founding emperor.

And from the entrance to the statue stretched a golden path, with statues of those who served with the founding emperor lined up along the sides.

The names of the emperors from the founding emperor were engraved into the golden path, starting at his feet.

Up to about the midpoint of the path. Erendil stood at the end.

My fathers name must be engraved below. I wish my name could be below his.

It will be.

As I said this, I was surveilling the temple with winds.

Like with Leocrans ruins, just in case there might be something to discover here.

I examined it closely and meticulously from the entrance. And I felt a faint air current.

It was behind the founding emperors statue. In other words, there was hidden space back there.

Author's Thoughts

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