Chapter 322

Chapter 322

Ash seemed to be disoriented from the aftermath of coming back to life.

He had fallen asleep in Dustias arms inside the carriage.

Gently stroking her sons smooth forehead, Dustia asked, "How did you know to come and save us?"

Standing outside the carriage and looking in at his wife and son was the EmperorTraha, who replied, "The Prophet informed me."

Five hundred years ago, when Everblack was just a small kingdom, a mage had suddenly appeared and contributed to its revival.

This mage had transformed a mere thorn bush into a magical lighthouse that foresaw the future, and thanks to that, Everblack grew into a powerful nation.

Ever since, it had declared itself an empire. And even now, five hundred years later, the immortal who advised the Emperor on future matters was still alive.

In the Imperial Family, this elderly figure was called the Prophet.

"He warned me that you would be attacked and advised me to go save you immediately. So, I promptly took knights with me and came."

"Turns out, that scammers prophecies are occasionally accurate."

"Watch your language. He is a benefactor of Everblack."

Traha casually spoke, noticing the displeasure on Dustias face.

"Your regression magic always seems to be used to save others lives. All your life youve protected me, and now our son."

"..."

"Did you use up all the remaining power in this recent use of regression magic?"

"...Yes."

"Then you wont hold out much longer."

"Is that what you say to a dying wife?"

Dustia looked away from her husband, her eyes dropping.

"The heavenly punishment bestowed upon our clan... The curse of regression is inherited. Bloodline inheritance. After I die, it will transfer to this child."

Her trembling hand gently stroked Ashs head.

"I can only share the characteristic that it reverses time, not how it will manifest... I cant predict how this child will inherit this curse, which is unfortunate."

"Ash will overcome it."

Traha smirked and bowed slightly toward Dustia.

"Because he is our son."

The Emperor and the Second Empress shared a brief kiss.

After their lips parted and he stroked her cheek, Traha slowly stepped outside.

"Return to the palace to recuperate. Make good use of your remaining time."

As Traha turned and walked away, Dustia weakly muttered, "For my last wish, may you fall into hell, Your Majesty."

With a bitter smile, the Emperor softly replied, "If I could be reunited with you there, it wouldnt be so bad."

Mounting his white horse, Emperor Traha shouted, "Forward!" and galloped toward the Kings Castle.

Dustia, who had been holding back her emotions, let out a long sigh.

"...Lets go, Lucas."

Lucas, who had been eavesdropping while standing guard nearby, hurriedly ran over, startled. Dustia managed a weak smile.

"Lets spend the remaining vacation at home."NewW novels updates at novelhall.com

Thus, Dustia, the Second Empress, who had taken her first vacation in decades, returned to the Star Palace.

And she never stepped out again.

***

After the ambush, the Second Empress Dustias condition deteriorated rapidly.

"...Hasnt this happened before?"

Every moment of every day, she felt a strong sense of dj vu.

"Another dj vu... it feels like Ive lived through this, hundreds, thousands of times..."

"Its probably just your imagination, Mother. Look, this tea just came in from the south"

"No. I have... Ive tasted this tea before."

Dustia glared at the teacup that Ash extended toward her and violently shook her head, tearing at her hair.

"If you say that while smiling, handing me the tea in this situation...! Its all something Ive experienced before!"

"Mother, calm down...!"

Clang-!

Dustias flailing arm pushed Ash away, and the teacup in Ashs hand fell to the floor, shattering into pieces. Hot tea splashed all around.

Gasping, Dustia quickly snapped to her senses and murmured as she hugged Ash tightly.

"Ah, Ash, Ash, my poor and pitiful child..."

"Mother...?"

"I cant pass this torment onto you... Ill live, for as long as possible. Just bear with it for a little longer..."

Such events repeated daily.

Dustia felt uneasy about everything and would have uncontrollable fits. The once warm and comforting imperial residence quickly deteriorated.

"As an example, Ill have their heads severed one by one right in front of you."

Fernandez ran his slender finger horizontally across his own neck.

"And then Ill have your head cut off and send it to the secondary palace of the Second Empress. Id like it to be known as the fate of a filthy traitor."

"..."

"Did you think you had a choice, Lucas?"

With a natural condescension, the red eyes behind the glasses emitted a creepy light.

"Sit. Kneel."

With gritted teeth, Lucas finally had no choice but to slowly kneel on the floor. A clear smirk formed on the edge of Fernandezs lips.

"I need useful dogs, Lucas... so Im giving you a last chance to prove your loyalty to me."

Lucass eyes bulged at the following words.

"My agents will soon attack the secondary palace of the Second Empress. Cooperate then. Open the gates and let my agents in."

"Wha, what...!"

"And assist in the assassination of the Second Empress of Dustia and Prince Ash. If you do it with your own hands, youll score more points with me."

Lucas shook his head roughly.

"I cant do it, I cant do such a thing!"

"Then everyone dies here."

At Fernandezs signal, his subordinates simultaneously drew their swords.

The sight of a sword pointed at Masons neck on the floor was visible. The cold touch of metal touched Lucass neck as well.

"Even if you dont cooperate, the Second Empress of Dustia and Ash will die. But if you cooperate, you and your family can live."

"..."

"Lucas. I value you and the potential of the McGregor family, thats why Im going through this troublesome process to prove your worth."

Fernandez softly whispered, his voice becoming gentle.

"Im going to be Emperor. And I want to employ you heavily in the future."

"Uh, guh...!"

"Think carefully. What will you gain by sticking with an empress plagued by madness and a prince who is nothing but kind and talentless?"

Fernandez leveled his eyes with Lucass, staring into his blue eyes.

"This is my last offer. Prove your loyalty to me."

"..."

"Ill give you everything. Your life, your future."

With that, Lucas closed his eyes tightly.

***

It was a clear winter night.

Just like that day seven years ago when Lucas first came to this secondary palace.

Now fourteen, Lucas stood at the back gate of the palace, blankly staring up at the sky.

The choice was never there to begin with. If he refused, everyone would die; if he accepted, both Lucas and the McGregor family could live.

In that case, what choice did he have but to accept?

As Lucas was justifying his decision to himself, the sound of a cuckoo bird reached his ears. It was the signal.

Screech

Carefully opening the back door, people clad in black masks and robes streamed in.

Without a word, they moved swiftly through the backyard and infiltrated the Star Palace.

Trembling as he watched this scene unfold, the leader of the assassination squad quietly handed something to Lucas.

"If you cant do it sober... place this in your body."

It looked like a syringe filled with dark blue blood. Lucas asked with curiosity.

"...What is this?"

"A beastification serum. Its still being tested in the dark division. Its somewhat of a failure since it cant produce antibodies, but... the berserk effect is quite useful."

"..."

"Its from the Center. It allows you to wield the power of a beast for a short period and... it removes cumbersome emotions like guilt and conscience."

"..."

"I used it on my first mission too. It will help."

Leaving a stunned Lucas behind, the leader of the assassination squad strode into the Star Palace.

Gritting his teeth, Lucas clenched the serum tightly in his hand.

After Dustia had gone mad, the Star Palace had gradually reduced its servants and had no reliable security force of its own.

Though defensive and security magic had been set up around the periphery of the Star Palace, the moment the door was opened from the inside, they were all nullified.

Now, the lives of Dustia and Ash were as fragile as a flame in the wind.