Chapter 80: The Monster (3)

Chapter 80: The Monster (3)

TL/Editor: Rungir

Schedule: 5/Week Wed-Sun

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In the bustling heart of the city of Hubris, the secret offshoot of the information guild, the Moon's Eye, operated under the radar.

"Recall our chat about a possible hero?" asked Allen, the guild's deputy chief. He glanced at Aileen, who was busy sorting through a pile of documents.

"Sure, what's up?" She quickly glanced up from the paperwork, meeting Allen's gaze.

"He turned out to be a fake."

"Really? Again?" Disappointment filled her eyes.

This was the fourth time.

They'd been tricked, over and over.

It seemed more plausible now that no hero existed, but Aileen kept faith.

A few months back, they'd learned about a prophecy of the hero sent to the Church of Light. Ever since, the church had acted strangely.

'I bet the church is hunting for the hero, too.'

She wished to collaborate and locate the hero, but the church was secretive, keeping all their intel under wraps.

'We must find him soon.'

Indeed, she had a good reason for this urgency.

Back in the day, when the first hero emerged, the world plunged into warfare.

The Empire and the demonic forces clashed.

A brutal war that only ended with one side's complete eradication.

A second coming of the hero would surely reignite this war.

Nothing comes from the heavens without a purpose.

'The Empire, as it stands now, can't handle another war.'

Though power had grown over time, it was scattered, not focused.

The struggles for power within the Imperial City were growing fiercer.

This conflict would likely persist until war was upon them.

So, Aileen decided to throw her full support behind the hero, not the Empire.

She believed this to be a more promising approach.

'But I've started to see things a bit differently.'

Zion Agnes.

He was the one Aileen had chosen to follow. The one who had changed her mind.

With a natural charisma that effortlessly led others.

His sharp mind, so brilliant it made her shiver.

And, recently, his awe-inspiring power.

Ignoring his brutal tendencies, Zion Agnes was, in Aileen's eyes, the epitome of perfection.

It was hard to believe that he had been labeled a disgrace to the royal family for two decades.

If Zion had been given the same opportunities as the other royals rather than being isolated, Aileen was sure he'd be closest to the throne right now.

'Maybe... just maybe.'

Though it was a long shot.

But still, maybe.

Zion might be the one to unite the Empire's power before war broke out.

Aileen was currently pondering this possibility.

Suddenly,

"Chief!"

An intel agent burst into the room, interrupting her thoughts.

"Emergency news from the Imperial City!"

"Tell me," she said.

As the agent spoke, Aileen's face hardened with seriousness.

---

Raei Translations

---

"What do you mean?"

Zion asked, puzzled by Gui's cryptic words.

That indeed made sense.

No matter how many ingredients he managed to find, Gui was the only one who could use them to alter Zion's condition.

And she was known for her nomadic tendencies.

"Are you planning to leave?"

"Well, I initially intended to depart immediately, but..."

Gui trailed off, casting a sidelong glance at Zion, a small smile playing on her lips.

"I've chosen to stay. Your physical condition has piqued my interest, and I do have two referral letters. Shouldn't I at least examine you one more time?"

To those who knew her, Gui's statement would be surprising.

Even armed with a hundred referral letters, Gui would typically refuse to conduct a medical examination if she didn't feel inclined to do so. So, her display of concern was a rare sight.

"I'll prepare a medicine from the ingredients I have and send it to you via Ahmad. Take it weekly. Although temporary, it will prevent your condition from deteriorating. It also aids in accepting the conduit."

"Understood."

As he nodded towards Gui, Zion suddenly seemed to remember something.

"But what about Demon Blood?"

"That won't suffice. It's the elixir of a malevolent entity like a demon. Even though it's blood, its essence is completely different."

Gui instantly shook her head and replied, prompting a flicker of regret in Zion's eyes.

Had it been possible, he could have used Priscilla, who possessed the highest grade of Demon Blood.

Quickly dismissing his regret, Zion stood up. His treatment was complete, and there was no further reason to linger.

"Three weeks."

Gui, pipe once again in mouth, broke the silence.

"That's how long I'll stay in the capital. Will I see you again within that time?"

Her eyes held a playful spark, her question seeming to ask whether he could secure the conduit within that timeframe.

"You'll see me sooner than you expect," answered Zion, smirking.

After bidding Gui farewell, Zion descended the mountain, lost in thought.

The residents of Huang City at least believed he had entirely overcome his former frailty from his days as the crown prince.

If his physical condition were to be revealed now, there could be those who might seek to exploit it.

Of course, he wouldn't be overly affected, but it would be irksome. This was also why he had chosen to conceal his identity today.

'Gui should be fine.'

He hadn't revealed his identity from the start, and it seemed Gui had no desire to discover it either.

Based on past experiences, she probably understood that identifying him would only invite trouble.

'Someone did recognize me, though....'

But he wasn't overly concerned about that either.

So far, they hadn't even attempted to meet his gaze, whether they remembered what happened during the succession ceremony or not.

However, as he exited the cabin once more, the now-awake giant and the fairy man watched him with a strange longing in their eyes.

But this seemed more like admiration and reverence than a recognition of his identity.

'...Might we meet again?'

They even posed this question.

'Perhaps, this could widen my sphere of influence.'

These thoughts coursed through Zion's mind as he neared the foot of the mountain.

"Your Highness Zion!"

A voice rang out from the base of the mountain, and a figure hurried towards him.

It was one of the Shadows of Eternity, who had previously acted as his driver during the auction incident.

"What's happened?"

Zion's questioning gaze met the approaching Shadow.

He had given no instructions to the Shadow, or anyone else, to seek him here.

But his question dissipated with the Shadow's next words.

"The Emperor appears to be on the brink of death!"

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