Chapter 132

Translator: NovelMultiverse | Editor: NovelMultiverse

“Yes. You’re right. Last night, his Majesty the King came down here in secret and told us the situation. The crown prince Lord Yaakummo is apparently being manipulated like a puppet by Lord Naaotto. The King told us that he, himself, however, faked drinking Lord Naaotto’s blood,” said Edward, describing the state of affairs in the Kingdom of Yakkumoon.

While it was true that Lord Naaotto was a king, for the King of Yakkumoon to inform Edward, the Empire’s crown prince, of the internal affairs of his own country was almost unthinkable. It must mean the King was truly desperate. 

“There are many people working in the royal palace who have been forced to drink Lord Naaotto’s blood,” said Margarita, entering the conversation. She had, up until then, stood silently behind me.

I came to a realization. People working within the palace were in the palm of Lord Naaotto’s hand, too.

“And you, Margarita-san…?” Yuki asked, to vet Margarita. 

“No. I have faked drinking his blood. The same goes for Margerita,” she said.

“I see,” said Yuki.

It became clear that Lord Naaotto was controlling many people within the palace. Within the group of people commanded to drink his blood, a fraction of them did fake drinking it. Could the situation get any more paranoid?

“The King is trying to arrange for Lord Naaotto to lose his claim to the throne. Lord Naaotto is trying to control the people, too. There are suspicious happenings besides that going on, as well,” said Margarita.

“…You think this will end just by delegitimizing his claim to the throne?” Edward asked, raising his eyebrows.[Read this novel and other amazing translated novels from the original source at the “Novel Multiverse dot com” website @ novelmultiverse.com]

If someone drank even a single drop of Lord Naaotto’s blood, it would make that person an absolute puppet for him to control. Of course, there would be nothing to worry about as long as that person didn’t receive a direct order from Lord Naaotto. However, if that person did receive an order from him, they would move and think uncontrollably in order to carry out his demands.

If Lord Naaotto was delegitimized, and even imprisoned somewhere, he could find an opportunity to somehow get a guard to drink at least a drop of his blood, and escape in no time.

“The King is a merciful man. This is, after all, a man who took Lord Naaotto under his care, once. He cannot find it in himself to take Lord Naaotto’s life,” Margarita said with a sad smile.

“And that’s why we are pretending to be locked up against our will. We don’t know just yet how many people within the royal palace have drank Lord Naaotto’s blood, so we have resolved to be cautious, for now,” said Edward.

“Now I understand,” I said. I guessed it was taking the King some time to identify his allies and enemies.

“Is there anyone who has drunk Lord Naaotto’s blood, but returned to their normal selves?” I asked, out of a sudden curiosity. I wondered if the effects of Lord Naaotto’s blood lasted forever, or whether there was a time limit to how long it worked.

“So far, anyone who has drunk Lord Naaottos blood must still obey his commands to this day,” said Margarita, hanging her head. She was probably thinking of some of her dear colleagues who were included in that group of people.

It was then that an idea flitted through my mind. When I thought about it, I realized that Lord Naaotto’s blood had no effect on me when I drank it. Lyra, on the other hand, had been affected by Lord Naaotto’s blood.

What was the meaning of this difference?

It meant there was something Lyra had, but I didn’t – or perhaps, something that I had, but Lyra didn’t. Could it be because we were from different countries…? No, that didn’t make sense. After all, Lord Naaotto was a lost soul from a different world. Surely, nationality didn’t matter in this case.

Perhaps it was my past life? But, no, that was probably not it. I was a person of this world, now, through, and through. Even if I did have memories from my past life, it was stupid to think that memories could change whether Lord Naaotto’s blood affected me… Hm? Memories?

“Makoto-sama. Do you remember the season 2 scenario of that Otome video game? The one you were involved in the development of?” I asked.

“Yes. I remember the development phases,” he said.

It was possible that this scenario of the Otome game held the answer.[Read this novel and other amazing translated novels from the original source at the “Novel Multiverse dot com” website @ novelmultiverse.com]