novelraw Chapter 94 : Chapter 94
Chapter 94 : Chapter 94
Chapter 94. Use
“If you’re sorry, then grant me one favor.”
A sudden request? Shaferia was puzzled, yet secretly pleased.
It was a chance to ease the burden in her heart.
She answered firmly.
“Please, tell me anything. If it is within my ability, I’ll do my utmost to help.”
Yohan smiled, satisfied.
“I’m grateful for your goodwill. But let us move to a different place first.”
There were too many ears in the hall.
They needed a quieter spot.
Yohan and Shaferia left the hall.
***
There was no suitable place to receive her.
Normally he would have used the reception room in the lord’s castle, but that was impossible now.
The castle was completely wrecked.
He couldn’t let Shaferia see the ruined fortress.
‘Where should we go?’
After some thought, Yohan chose the village church.
The church was empty.
The priest’s post was vacant, and hardly anyone came there now.
He and Shaferia sat side by side on the pews.
Shaferia looked at the pentacle above the dais and crossed herself.
“Saint Marziel. May the Great Saint’s grace be with the baron’s house.”
Yohan crossed himself as well.
“Saint Marziel.”
Shaferia turned to him.
“But my lord, has something happened to the castle?”
Access to the keep was completely restricted.
Even the servants were living in the village now.
And here they were speaking in the church instead of the reception hall.
Anyone would suspect something had gone wrong.
Yohan’s face darkened.
He began to act.
“…There was an attack.”
Shaferia’s eyes went wide.
“What? Who would dare commit such blasphemy?”
The Miyatro family was now only a border barony, but once they had been the greatest house on the continent.
Five hundred years ago, they had been entrusted by the Moon itself with a sacred duty:
As the Moon’s Eye, to watch over the Abyss.
They held sacred privileges.
Foremost was the treaty of Absolute Non-Violation.
No power on the continent could raise a hand against the Miyatro family under divine mandate.
Even political pressure was forbidden.
The treaty had grown hollow with time, but its framework remained.
For five centuries, no one had dared to use force against the Miyatro family.
According to Yohan, that treaty had been broken.
Shaferia was aghast.
Yohan said,
“It was a demon’s attack.”
She leapt to her feet.
“I’ll contact the Church immediately!”
Surely a subjugation force would be formed.
Such a thing should never have happened.
But Yohan gently pulled her arm.
“Lady Shaferia, please calm yourself and hear me out.”
“But…”
“I beg you.”
Seeing his calm face, she regained her composure.
She sat back down.
“Very well. Please continue.”
Yohan nodded.
“The demon that attacked the castle is dead.”
Relief washed over her.
“As expected of the watchers of the Abyss. You smote the vile spawn.”
But Yohan spoke bitterly.
“It wasn’t our family’s doing. At the time of the attack, His Highness the Third Prince was fortunately present. He slew the demon.”
“You mean His Highness Gawain?”
“Indeed. Without him, the Miyatro family would have suffered mortal harm.”
Shaferia gasped.
“Truly, the Great Saint guided him to you. The Moon must have led His Highness to the baron’s house.”
She tied everything to the divine, fanatical as always.
Yohan marveled inwardly.
“I agree. Yet cruelly, the Moon also gave me a trial.”
“A trial?”
“Yes. A great problem arose. Just before dying, the demon left a terrible curse upon His Highness.”
Shaferia swallowed.
“What kind of curse…?”
“His Highness is turning into a demon.”
Her pupils dilated.
“Is that true?!”
Yohan nodded gravely.
“Nothing but the truth. Even now he battles the malice within, but honestly, his state is dire. It’s only a matter of time before he is consumed.”
Shaferia could not hide her agitation. She spoke frantically.
“Then we must contact the Church immediately! They must have a way to cure it.”
Yohan shook his head.
“That must never happen. If word of the corruption spreads, His Highness will not survive.”
She looked bewildered.
“And why is that?”
“Because of politics. The Count of Staviana will seize this chance to kill him outright. You know the main Church is in the Count’s grip.”
The holy Order dancing to a count’s strings? It was sacrilege, but she couldn’t deny it.
Her face darkened.
“Why would the Count want His Highness dead?”
She was ignorant of politics.
Yohan explained calmly.
“To make his grandson, the Seventh Prince, crown prince, the Count drove out the Third Prince. But he failed to kill him. Now, with this, he will finish the job.”
Gawain was the parricide who killed his mother.
Now he was even becoming a demon.
Perfect material for endless accusations.
With a little maneuvering, the Count would see him dragged to the Empire without treatment.
As royalty, he might be spared execution, but he would never emerge again.
A life worse than death.
Shaferia tried to deny it.
“If we explain the situation precisely, surely the Church will help. No matter how powerful the Count…”
But Yohan cut her off, his voice hard.
“Blind faith solves nothing. Face reality. The Order’s leaders are rotten. Surely you’ve felt that yourself.”
He was right.
The Order was not pure.
It had long consorted with politicians.
Shaferia bit her lip.
“…I won’t deny it. But, my lord, please remember there are still sincere ones among them.”
Yohan clicked his tongue.
“The more sincere, the less power they hold.”
Her expression sank.
“Then it sounds as if there’s truly no way to cure His Highness.”
Yohan said evenly,
“No. It means we will not rely on the Order. Earlier, I asked for your help.”
Shaferia looked at him, puzzled.
“My help is needed to cure His Highness?”
“Yes. With your aid, the curse can be undone.”
She lacked confidence. Her voice shrank.
“But as you know, I’ve lost all my power. How can I help him?”
Her Holy Power and gifts had all been stripped away. She was little more than a commoner.
Yohan shook his head.
“You are one of the Great Saint’s beloved. That alone is enough.”
There were a few born with such grace.
Shaferia and Gawain were among them.
In Inmalog’s later arcs, there was even a story of beloved ones sharing body and soul.
If used properly, that setting could stop Gawain’s corruption.
Shaferia’s face grew doubtful.
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
“There’s no time to explain fully. First, I must know your resolve. Lady Shaferia, are you willing to help His Highness? Even at some cost to yourself?”
She answered without hesitation.
“Of course. Tell me my role, and I’ll give it my all.”
He had expected that.
Yohan was very satisfied.
Suppressing a smile, he said calmly,
“Then you’ll come with me to the Abyss. In the Second Sector, there is a way to heal His Highness.”
Her face tensed.
“The Abyss…?”
Yohan smiled gently.
“Are you afraid?”
She denied it at once.
“No. While the Moon endures, I have no fear.”
Yohan smirked.
“Good. Then let us go see His Highness.”
He had to show her Gawain’s state, to make her believe.
He rose, and she followed.
“Where is he now?”
“In the castle. Don’t be too shocked when you see him.”
They headed for the keep.
***
“Wh-what is this…?”
Seeing the interior, Shaferia was struck speechless.
The castle looked as if a war had raged inside.
“This way is better.”
Yohan led her to the underground library.
It was still intact, though heavy with gloom.
“…So there was such a place here.”
Two months ago she had never come down.
Her steps had refused to carry her.
Even now, the space exuded unease.
The damp clung to her skin. The heavy dark filled her with chills.
Was it imagination? She thought she smelled blood.
As she looked around nervously, Yohan chuckled.
“Further down, the atmosphere changes. Bear with it.”
“There’s a deeper level?”
He stopped before a round table.
“Yes. It is the Forbidden Archive of the Abyss. Surely you’ve heard the name.”
She gasped.
“Is it real?”
A treasure hidden somewhere in Miyatro lands—once mere legend.
Yohan snapped his fingers.
“Our destination is the Archive.”
At that moment, a man stepped out of the dark.
A gaunt middle-aged man, his face twisted in servility.
He spoke to Yohan.
“Ah, son. I was waiting.”
It was Grian, once the Watcher of the Abyss, now Yohan’s puppet.
Yohan smiled gently.
“Yes, father. I have business in the Archive.”
“Come up, then.”
Yohan sat at the round table and beckoned.
“Lady Shaferia, this way.”
A strange unease seized her.
Why was Grian so emaciated? What was this ominous table?
She had no answers.
Hesitantly, she approached.
Yohan suddenly pulled her down into the seat.
“Wait, what are you—!”
Grian placed his palm on the Gold Crystal.
Now that Raguel had become a High Elf, only Grian could operate it.
The blood of Miyatro was recognized, and the round table sank.
Shaferia’s scream echoed through the chamber.