Chapter 269: Field Training (1)
The grand altar for the purification ritual in Morfran Forest was said to be located in the very forest where Duke Isaac Morph went berserk ten years ago.
'So unnecessarily grandiose.'
To perform the purification ritual, one had to wear ceremonial robes. These special robes covered the entire body and were made by the Holy Federation. They were enchanted to provide excellent protection against dark mana.
Twelve ritualists, six shield mages, two archmages, and three psychic mages followed Hong Bi-Yeon. They all had serious expressions.
The path to the grand altar was paved with white marble. The Holy Federation's narrow-minded belief that anything painted white would appear pure appeared quite laughable to her.
'Blue looks much cleaner.'
Hong Bi-Yeon, who had a particular fondness for blue, didn’t care much for the white robes with red stripes. Red and white were her least favorite colors.
'Anyway...'
Hong Bi-Yeon glanced sideways.
Like her, Sayeran Orkan was dressed in ceremonial robes. She was walking with a pale complexion.
'What are you thinking?'
Her expression was always as lifeless as a doll's. However, having seen Sayeran frequently, Hong Bi-Yeon could somewhat discern the subtle changes in her expression.
Sayeran Orkan was in a particularly bad mood now.
Though Hong Bi-Yeon had no reason to care about Sayeran’s mood, the fact that she was blatantly showing her displeasure suggested that she found the situation quite distasteful.
'What does it matter?'
Knowing there was no point in paying attention to Sayeran, Hong Bi-Yeon turned back and spoke to Terriban.
"High Priest, I have a question."
Forcing herself to be polite made her feel nauseous.
"Yes, please. Go ahead, Princess."
"I understand that I need to activate the royal family's Flame Spirit Array. But I don't understand why. The Flame Spirit Array is specialized in blocking instead of sealing."
Terriban squinted his eyes slightly as he replied to Hong Bi-Yeon.
"I see... That’s right. You are still lacking one condition necessary to perform the ritual."
"... What do you mean?"
When Terriban stopped walking, the mages who were following behind froze in place like statues.
Hong Bi-Yeon tensed her body and slowly scanned them.
"Princess, to participate in the purification ritual of Morfran Forest, there is one requirement. This was decreed by Her Majesty the Queen, and there are no exceptions for the royal family."
As he said this, Terriban nodded, and two mages in white robes appeared from behind, carrying a large, thin wooden box.
Sayeran’s face visibly hardened at the sight. Hong Bi-Yeon could anticipate what would happen next but she didn't bother to speak out.
Clack!
Terriban opened the lid of the box and took out a scroll, and unrolled it with a flourish.
"This is a 'Binding Spell.' No matter what you see, hear, or feel inside, you must never disclose it to the outside world."
"... I see."
This was as expected.
She already knew that all nobles participating in the purification ritual in Morfran Forest were forcibly bound by a restriction.
"Give it to me; I'll do it myself."
That restriction scroll was crafted with royal magic. If there was any trickery involved, it would be quickly apparent.
Hong Bi-Yeon carefully analyzed the binding scroll.
'The legacy of Adolevit.'
It was undoubtedly the magic of Queen Hong Se-ryu.
Regardless of whether it came from Terriban, the former chief mage, royal magic could not be tampered with.
And, most decisively...
‘Who said they could impose this on me?’
She had prepared for this moment by practicing modifying the formulas of royal magic circles.
Although it was a scroll created by Hong Se-eyu, a class 8 mage, Hong Bi-Yeon, with her monstrous intellect, could alter a part of the magical formula even if it was four levels above her.
For sensitive magic like a binding spell, even a slight distortion would fundamentally twist its nature.
Embedding such magic into her body could have unknown side effects. Still, believing that direct bloodline magic wouldn't pose a fatal threat, Hong Bi-Yeon decided to take a bold step.
As she infused mana into it, the scroll ignited in flames. Soon, a red magic circle formed in the air.
It swiftly enveloped Hong Bi-Yeon’s body and was absorbed in just a second.
Since a mere class 4 novice mage couldn't manipulate anything in this situation, Terriban nodded in satisfaction.
However...
The chief mage didn't know.
Hong Bi-Yeon briefly skimmed through the scroll and grasped the essence of the magic, reversed it, and in that split second, she transformed the magic and nullified it.
But perhaps the recoil was too much; Hong Bi-Yeon was unable to withstand the shock. She staggered and stepped back.
“Are you okay, Princess?”
“Yes...”
When Terriban approached with the intention to support her, Hong Bi-Yeon quickly raised her hand and waved it. No matter how difficult it was, she had no intention of collapsing in front of that old man, nor did she want to be supported by him.
Although the whole world seemed to be spinning, and a sense of helplessness overwhelmed her body, she endured it with sheer willpower.
It was truly a superhuman mental strength.
“... Let's go.”
Terriban narrowed his eyes and looked at her.
Behind her, a red spirit-like thing was flickering, and it was clearly visible in his eyes.
‘Disgusting woman...’
Unaware of how he was looking at her, Hong Bi-Yeon continued to concentrate on the magic, cold sweat pouring down her face.
She had questions.
‘Why are they using such a great spell? For what purpose?’
What is the ritual for?
Is it really to purify dark magic? If so, why is there a need to erect such an ultimate barrier?
“Hup!”
After shaking away countless doubts, Hong Bi-Yeon struck her staff on the ground with a thud!
At that moment, the dome-shaped magic circle surrounded the altar, and the ground began to split open.
‘Ugh?!’
For a moment, she nearly lost her balance, but she managed to steady herself.
Rumble...!!
And then.
The massive altar split in half, revealing what was inside.
“Ah...”
Hong Bi-Yeon unconsciously let out a sigh. After looking at her, Terriban curled his lips into a smile and spoke.
“Princess, how does it feel?”
A cold chill permeated the air.
As she endured the biting cold which aimed to freeze her to the bone, Hong Bi-Yeon stared down at the being sealed beneath the altar.
“This can't be...”
Isaac Morph.
Ten years ago, he went berserk after being tainted with dark magic but was known to have been subdued by Hong Si-hwa Adolevit. His body... was sealed beneath the altar.
As if he was still alive, his body exuded a chilling coldness.
However, it wasn’t what surprised Hong Bi-Yeon. If a dark mage left behind such a powerful aura even after death, it would undoubtedly be 'dark magic power.'
But this bone-chilling cold... it was unmistakably blue mana.
In other words, it meant that he had returned to being human after death.
"Why...?"
"Why, you ask? I knew you would have such a question."
Terriban took a step closer to Hong Bi-Yeon as he spoke.
"It’s for Princess Hong Si-hwa."
"What...?"
"To protect the Princess, we made this choice: to seal Isaac Morph, who keeps trying to awaken every year, and put him back to slumber."
"Such madness...!"
"Madness? Perhaps so."
The old man let out a shrill laugh.
"But what can we do? No matter what insane actions we've taken, there is nothing you can do, Princess. Except to finish the sealing process instead of the busy Princess Hong Si-hwa."
Hong Bi-Yeon quickly turned her head and met the eyes of Sayeran Orkan.
Eyes cold as ice.
Yes. She must have known from the beginning about the secret buried here.
This is...
Suddenly, everything felt repulsive.
A wave of nausea surged from within, but she managed to suppress it with effort.
But, but...
She couldn't endure it.
‘Is this Adolevit...?’
Despite being her rival, her sister, who shared her bloodline, had committed such a horrific act... And the Queen of Adolevit had kept this fact a secret.
Unable to believe or tolerate this, Hong Bi-Yeon could not hold back the tears welling up in her eyes.
"Oh dear, it seems the Princess is quite shocked. Sayeran, guide the Princess downstairs..."
"No, no. I'm fine."
Hong Bi-Yeon bit her lips tightly and glared at Terriban with bloodshot eyes.
"I will... see the ritual through to the end."
"... Is that so?"
Terriban looked at Hong Bi-Yeon with cold eyes and nodded to the mages.
"If that is truly the Princess's wish, I will not stop you."
She closed her eyes tightly and cooled her head.
Stay focused. It's not over yet.
Hong Bi-Yeon felt the 'Compass of Memories' hidden in her bosom and steeled her resolve. Simply discovering that Isaac Morph's body was slumbering here was not enough.
‘I will go back in time... And uncover all the truths.’