novelraw Chapter 151 : Chapter 151
Chapter 151 : Chapter 151
Chapter 151. For the Kingdom (3)
“Now, both of you, listen carefully. Tonight, you, Master, and you, Head Maid, simply went to bed early. Understood?”
At Anna’s words, Jorzan and the Head Maid nodded blankly.
They were firmly under the influence of Anna’s mind control magic.
Seeing this, Mei whispered to Evan from behind.
“Even an advisor can’t resist mind control magic.”
“That’s because the Princess is so skilled in magic. Besides, what choice do they have when they’re already knocked out?”
“True enough. Even a Great Mage’s grandfather wouldn’t be able to resist mind control while unconscious.”
Thus, the unconscious Jorzan and Head Maid obediently followed Anna’s instructions.
“I’ll say it again. You both went about your day as usual and went to sleep. Got it?”
At Anna’s question, they nodded simultaneously.
“If you understand, go to your rooms and sleep immediately.”
At her command, they rose without a word, opened the door, and headed to their respective quarters.
Anna peeked out the door, watching their retreating figures until they were out of sight.
“Please, just go quietly… Please.”
Anna fervently hoped that the commotion of the night would not linger in their memories as she slowly closed the door.
“Phew~ There won’t be any more trouble, right?”
Perhaps due to the fatigue from casting spells in succession, Anna rubbed her tired eyes.
But with tasks still remaining, she sat in a chair and spoke up.
“What are you two planning to do now? Your business here is done, so you’ll leave, right?”
“Yes, we’ll withdraw for today. However, I may need to visit again tomorrow.”
“What does that mean?”
“I plan to visit the royal library tomorrow. There’s a book I absolutely need to find. I’d like you to accompany me, Princess.”
“Compared to what happened today, that’s a very easy request. I’ll do it.”
The clue to the soul-separation technique that Ernst had revealed at the Coast of the Dead.
If the Emperor was truly alive, the definitive evidence would be in a book about the tribe that used that forbidden art. Thus, Evan had to visit the library tomorrow without fail.
“Then I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Princess, thank you for your patience.”
Evan prepared to leave with Mei.
“Wait a moment!”
“Yes?”
“You’re really coming tomorrow, right?”
“Of course. Is there a problem?”
As Evan tilted his head curiously, Anna tried to act as if it were no big deal.
“No, I just wanted to confirm. Make sure you come tomorrow.”
“Understood. Rest well.”
Watching Evan leave, Anna fell into deep thought.
Evan, you’re definitely planning to go to the Empire. I don’t know why you’re so determined to go there, but I can’t just stand by and watch.
Though she didn’t know the full extent of his circumstances,
for the sake of the kingdom—
and for her own sake—she was determined to prevent Evan from heading down a dangerous path.
Let’s talk again tomorrow.
***
After the midnight commotion was resolved, Evan entrusted Rotman Reverk, the man from the Empire, to the Viper Organization and headed to the palace library as planned.
“Ah! Duke Lafard, good morning!”
“Good morning, Advisor.”
Evan passed by Jorzan, who remembered nothing, and walked down the corridor.
Huh?
But at the library entrance, Princess Anna was already waiting.
“Were you waiting for me?”
“No, I just arrived.”
It was obvious she’d been there for a while, but not wanting to embarrass her, Evan refrained from further comment.
“Then that works out well.”
“Are we going in now?”
“Wait a moment. The place where the book I need is located isn’t one we can just walk into.”
“What?”
Evan paused at the door, recalling the method to find the book he sought.
The secret phrase Ernst had taught him at the Coast of the Dead.
“Eperio Nok.” He said speaking this spell would reveal a hidden space.
After gathering his thoughts, Evan spoke slowly and clearly.
“Eperio Nok.”
The door didn’t react immediately.
For a moment, he wondered if he’d misspoken, but then the space beyond the door began to tremble.
—Rumble.
Seeing this, Anna, startled, hurriedly asked Evan.
“What did you just do?”
“This phrase is supposed to be the key to opening a secret space in the library.”
“A secret space? Who told you about it?”
“Someone who once stayed here.”
As Evan gave a brief answer, the trembling ceased, and the tightly shut door slowly creaked open.
—Creak.
Beyond the open door, blue magical flames danced, illuminating the space.
In the center stood a single bookshelf.
Anna couldn’t close her mouth at the mystical sight.
“Good heavens… Such a place existed?”
Her tone suggested she was seeing this space for the first time, prompting Evan to ask.
“You really didn’t know, Princess? Didn’t the advisors or His Majesty ever mention it?”
“No one would know. This… this is a space connected to another dimension.”
Instantly sensing the mana flowing within, Anna realized this was a highly sophisticated space formed by advanced magic.
“How is this possible? Evan, who exactly told you about this place?”
“A Great Mage who protected the kingdom centuries ago, Ernst.”
“What? You mean that Ernst?”
“If it’s not a namesake, then yes, probably.”
“How could that…?”
“Come to think of it, you don’t know where I’ve been these past few years. To put it briefly, I was in the realm of souls.”
“Oh…!”
Anna was beyond surprised—she was stunned.
What kind of extraordinary experiences had Evan had over the years?
While she had been living in the palace, he had undergone countless adventures, each enough to be a lifelong tale.
“What an incredible life. Honestly, I’m a bit jealous.”
“You wouldn’t think so if you experienced it yourself.”
With a serious expression, Evan scanned the books on the shelf.
The bookshelf was filled with rare tomes, their titles alone sparking curiosity.
For Anna, who frequented the library, it was like a playground.
“Wow, The Origin of Fire! There’s even a biography of the elementalist Asphelt!”
“…”
Unlike Anna, who exclaimed with childlike wonder, Evan remained focused, quickly scanning the bookshelf.
After a moment, he spotted a worn, faded tome in the middle.
Found it.
The book he sought was titled Memories with the Zakarin Tribe.
Evan pulled it out, opened it, and began reading immediately.
“You came to see that book? The Zakarin Tribe?”
“Yes, I had to check this one.”
“Oh, I see. Then I’ll look at some other books. We’re not leaving yet, right?”
“Of course not.”
Thus, the two began spending their time separately.
While Anna explored the fascinating books, wandering the shelves, Evan quietly focused, reading the records about the Zakarin Tribe.
Soul-separation technique… Soul separation…
The book was written like a diary, and Evan flipped through the pages quickly, waiting for the information he needed.
Finally, in the middle, he found what he was looking for.
A short but clear and powerful passage.
[I couldn’t hide my astonishment. The tribal chief succeeded in soul separation. Of course, it was merely transplanting a frog’s soul into a dog. (Though, I’m not sure if I can even call it ‘merely.’)]
The author continued:
[For now, transplanting a soul into a human seems impossible. Is such a thing even feasible? It’s a technique beyond necromancy, a higher-dimensional art. Perhaps in a few hundred years, it might be possible.]
The author was skeptical about the success of the soul-separation technique.
In fact, Evan had also questioned its feasibility during his conversation with Ernst.
But hundreds of years had passed since this book was written.
If so, it was possible that by the time the Emperor was alive, the forbidden technique could have been perfected.
If I meet the Zakarin Tribe, I’ll know for sure.
With slight unease, he continued reading, and near the end of the book, he found a clue about the Zakarin Tribe’s location.
[This place, where the Golden Lake stretches out, evokes awe with its breathtaking beauty, unlike the fearsome jungle. I don’t mean I want to live here, but it’s certainly a sight worth seeing once in a lifetime.]
The Golden Lake.
That was the only clue.
“The Golden Lake…”
As Evan slowly closed the book, Anna, hearing his voice, turned and spoke.
“Did you find what you were looking for?”
“For now, yes.”
“I’m asking just in case, but is this related to the Empire?”
Anna, who had been cheerful throughout, suddenly turned serious.
“To be honest, yes.”
At his answer, Anna abruptly stepped in front of him.
“Evan, make me one promise.”
“Suddenly?”
“Yes. Promise you won’t go to the Empire alone, no matter what.”
“That’s what we talked about before…”
“Evan, please. I’m not saying don’t go.”
Faced with Anna’s earnest and serious expression, Evan nodded.
“Alright. I won’t go alone. I’ll take time to gather companions.”
“Really?”
“Yes, but I’ll have to go eventually. If I don’t, the Empire’s threat will eventually engulf the kingdom, and it’ll be on a scale incomparable to the Kandahr.”
“I know. That’s why I have a proposal.”
Anna took a breath and continued.
“Allow the kingdom to officially investigate the man from the Empire. I’ll ensure his safety, of course.”
Rotman Reverk was a key figure in Evan’s plan to go to the Empire.
But since the Princess intended to detain him, Evan asked her intentions.
“Princess? What are you thinking?”
“Just hear me out. If we do this, Father will likely send an official delegation to the Empire.”
This meant the kingdom would formally protest to the Empire.
“At that time, you should go with the delegation. That’s my proposal.”
Anna was thinking of Evan’s safety.
Of course, Evan knew that even if he went with the delegation, he would still do what he needed to do, and the Empire wouldn’t leave him alone.
But there was no need to worry Anna here.
“Alright. I’ll do as you wish, Princess.”
Only then did Anna smile with relief.
“Really? You promise?”
“Yes. I still have more to investigate here.”
Evan held up the book.
“And there’s still unfinished business.”
“What’s that?”
“Personal family matters.”
***
Two weeks later, as preparations to depart for the Empire were in full swing, a letter arrived from Mei.
The contents were concise yet clear.
[Duke, we’ve located all the collateral branches. We’ve tracked down everyone stemming from the Lafard Family.]
Reading the letter, Evan realized the time had come.
It’s time to prune the branches.