Chapter 184
While Alice was thoroughly enjoying her gift with Tessiri, Kylus was at the Empress’s palace, which was under construction.
Kylus had been put in charge of overseeing the reconstruction of the palace, which had begun yesterday.
Although it had been merely three days since the palace had collapsed beyond recognition, new pillars were already being erected on the palace grounds.
The progress was remarkably swift.
This rapid pace of work was possible thanks to Kylus’s direction and Sienna’s magic.
‘This is a new decomposition acceleration magic circle that I’ve developed.’
More precisely, it was thanks to the magic circle that Sienna claimed to have newly created.
‘It’s a powerful offensive magic that lures enemies into this magic circle, and when activated, not only the enemies within the circle but also all their weapons completely rot away.’
‘In war, it can eliminate large numbers of enemies at once.’
Sienna had spoken with unmistakable pride.
And Kylus had praised her, saying she had created something remarkable.
Even from his perspective as Commander-in-Chief, this decomposition magic circle was threatening enough to break the morale of enemies in one strike.
Of course, Rien, who disliked cruelty, was horrified watching him and Sienna express satisfaction with the decomposition magic.
In any case, while talking with Sienna, Kylus had suddenly thought:
The decomposition magic could be useful for the Empress’s palace construction.
The rubble on the palace grounds—all of it needed to be cleared before construction could begin, and that would consume quite a lot of time.
But if they used Sienna’s decomposition magic circle, couldn’t they eliminate the rubble at once without using manpower?
Kylus immediately put this thought into action, and the result was successful.
Sienna’s decomposition magic circle had removed the rubble in one go.
Thanks to this, the time required was reduced by more than half, and Sienna’s standing was elevated.
Not just as a beautiful lady adopted into the Dearrut Ducal House, but as a magician with outstanding magical abilities.
It was a good start. To become Empress, family power was important, but making one’s abilities widely known was also necessary.
Especially if one was a magician.
This was because high-circle magicians were becoming increasingly rare in this land.
In such circumstances, if a high-circle magician like Sienna were mentioned as a potential Crown Princess, no one would dare compete.
Sienna had everything—family background and ability.
Eventually, she would become the mistress of the newly built Empress’s palace.
So he needed to pay extra attention.
Kylus shifted his gaze from the firmly-built pillars to the palace blueprint in his hand.
Then he instructed the architect beside him:
“We should make a laboratory in the palace basement.”
“Pardon? By laboratory… what kind do you mean…?”
“Create a magic laboratory. Make sure to cast very strong protective spells on the walls.”
A magic laboratory in the Empress’s palace?
The architect was quite taken aback, but Kylus remained calm.
After all, Sienna would be the mistress of this palace.
He was simply creating a space for her in advance.
As Kylus handed over the blueprint, the architect nodded with an awkward smile.
“Yes. I’ll ensure it’s built with special care.”
When the architect returned to the construction site, a low voice sounded behind him, as if it had been waiting.
“At this rate, the new Empress’s palace will be completed in a month.”
Kylus greeted the approaching figure with a slight nod.
“Count Latrang.”
Yes. The person who spoke to him was none other than Margrave Latrang.
Kylus answered the Count’s question:
“Yes. It seems it will be completed in about a month. But isn’t it time for the First Prince’s treatment now?”
Though revived by Alice’s holy power, the First Prince, who had suffered paralysis in his lower body, was receiving regular treatment from Helkin.
Count Latrang had always stayed by the First Prince’s side during his treatment.
The Count nodded.
“That’s true, but His Highness has started to move his legs a little, and knowing that Dr. Helkin will do well, I’m preparing to return to the South soon.”
Kylus spoke slowly to Count Latrang:
“…Won’t you stay longer? It hasn’t been long since His Highness awoke.”
“That’s precisely why it’s time for me to leave.”
Count Latrang said with a faint smile:
“Just as the Empress’s palace is being rebuilt, tomorrow is the Crown Prince’s investiture ceremony, which will raise this country anew.”
“…”
“His Majesty will likely abdicate in favor of the Crown Prince before long. He’s already in a position where his arms and legs have been figuratively cut off…”
The Count’s voice trailed off momentarily as he turned from Kylus to the construction site.
It was a palace where Lariella, who had committed unforgivable sins, had stayed, but it was also once a palace where his daughter had been the mistress.
Perhaps that’s why Count Latrang looked at the construction site with complex eyes tinged with nostalgia and continued:
“It’s appropriate for me to leave the capital until the Crown Prince ascends to the throne. Even though I’ve pledged loyalty to the South, if I continue to stay by the First Prince’s side, unnecessary rumors might arise.”
“We will take even greater care of the First Prince.”
Kylus didn’t say it was fine, and that the Count shouldn’t worry and should stay by the First Prince’s side.
That would be mere courtesy, not sincerity.
Without the Count, the succession to the throne could proceed perfectly without any dissenting voices.
The Count smiled faintly.
“I know you will. To be honest, I trust the Duchess more than you.”
Kylus let out a light chuckle.
“I can hardly deny that. So when are you leaving for the South?”
“I plan to attend only tomorrow’s investiture ceremony and banquet, then leave the day after tomorrow.”
Kylus hesitated at the schedule, which was sooner than expected, but soon nodded without comment.
“I see.”
“You should come visit the South with the Duchess sometime.”
“I’ve been thinking that once everything… stabilizes, I’d like to take my wife to see the Tulip Park.”
“Ah, the South’s famous attraction.”
Count Latrang laughed pleasantly, then spoke softly as he watched another pillar being erected on the palace grounds:
“I sincerely hope that no such tragedy will ever occur again in the newly built Empress’s palace.”
“It won’t. Both the future Emperor and the future Empress are intelligent individuals.”
Count Latrang knew about the relationship between Sienna and the Third Prince. He smiled faintly and bid farewell to Kylus:
“Then I’ll take my leave. I’ll see you at the investiture ceremony tomorrow.”
“Yes.”
After Count Latrang departed, Kylus took out his pocket watch to check the time.
It was just past 4 o’clock.
It was a bit early to leave the palace, but his duties were already completed.
Inspecting the construction site of the Empress’s palace was his last task for the day.
And today… there was a place he needed to visit before returning to the mansion.
Kylus checked the construction site once more, which was progressing well, then headed straight to where the carriage was waiting.
“Your Grace.”
To the coachman who greeted him, Kylus said:
“Take me to the temple.”
By the time the sky had already darkened.
The Dearrut ducal carriage stopped in front of the Temple of Helios.
Recently, the temple had not been accepting any visitors.
This was because traitors related to the black magic that had shaken the empire had been revealed within the temple as well.
Holy Knight Izeto was a prime example, but because of him, a major internal reform of the corrupt temple was underway.
Naturally, led by High Priest Prion.
Even the poor relief center had temporarily closed its doors, but this evening, the temple gates opened for a special guest.
As Kylus stepped out of the carriage, he saw High Priest Prion standing at the temple entrance.
Kylus approached the High Priest and greeted him:
“High Priest Prion.”
“Duke Dearrut.”
Between the two who exchanged brief, informal greetings, Kylus was the first to speak:
“I sent word ahead, but I didn’t expect you to come out to greet me. Seeing you like this reminds me of that night.”
The night when he had secretly visited the temple at the deity’s call.
Prion clearly remembered that day too. Unlike then, Prion smiled faintly:
“But much has changed since then. All thanks to you, Your Grace.”
“That’s true.”
Prion chuckled lightly at Kylus’s nod, which showed not the slightest trace of modesty.
Thinking that he truly was a consistent man.
But unlike the past, the Duke’s confidence no longer appeared as arrogance.
He was truly a hero of the empire.
“Let’s go, Your Grace.”
Prion, who respectfully guided Kylus to the chapel, said at the door:
“I’ve made sure no one will come near the chapel until you leave the temple.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
It’s the least I could do.
Prion opened the chapel door, added quietly, and then withdrew.
Kylus entered the chapel without hesitation.
Thud-
The sound of the large chapel door closing echoed heavily.
Kylus walked slowly toward where the deity’s statue stood.
The atmosphere of the chapel was solemn and quiet, just like that night.
Perhaps because of the heavy atmosphere, Kylus recalled the despair and resignation he had felt here that day.
As if sorting through those emotions, Kylus closed his eyes tightly and then opened them.
‘Today is not that day.’
The beginning was different.
Today, he had come to the deity first because he had business with him, not because the deity had summoned him.
Kylus took a deep breath and looked up at the statue of the deity.
And quietly called his name.
“Lord Helios.”
At that moment, a strange energy stirred within his body. It was the deity’s power that still remained.
But that was all—the chapel remained quiet.
No voice of the deity was heard, no form of the deity was seen.
‘Is it not working?’
“Helio…”
Just as Kylus was about to call Helios again, steeling himself—
Suddenly, a flash of white light emanated from the statue.
[Kylus Dearrut.]
And a mysterious voice calling his name.
Kylus met the eyes of the deity who had manifested before him.
