EWOWMAIBTYPF Chapter 188

Chapter 188

 

⟨It was a time when I was in and out of the imperial palace almost daily due to issues regarding the conferment of my title.⟩

Because the Emperor misunderstood the relationship between the Duke and the Grand Duchess, he childishly delayed approving the succession, using petty tricks.

The Duke, who had spent hours each day waiting in vain in front of the audience chamber, happened to overhear the Emperor speaking with the Imperial Court’s Chief Mage about the ‘Demonic Relic’ passed down through generations of emperors. And then, he learned the truth.

That very evening, the Emperor invited Marquis Diapel, who had returned to the capital after a long absence, to the palace.

Whenever the Marquis visited the capital, he would often play chess and drink with the Emperor, and on such occasions, he would usually stay overnight at the palace.

Realizing that the Emperor intended to use the Demonic Relic that night, the Duke knew he had only one option.

⟨Your Majesty! There you are. I waited all day, but you didn’t come. I assumed your attendant had failed to deliver the message properly, so I came myself. Ah, the Marquis is here as well? Oh dear, he seems quite drunk, shall I escort him ho—ugh!⟩

The Duke, who had barged into the Emperor’s quarters and was putting on an ill-fitting show of levity, touched the item the Marquis had just reached for and in that moment, a sharp pain cut into him, and drops of crimson blood fell.

Immediately, dark smoke burst forth as the Demonic Relic absorbed his blood.

⟨Y-You! What are you doing?!⟩

The Emperor shouted in fury, trembling all over.

But even as he watched the Emperor erupt in anger, the Duke remained calm.

Even if he caused a scene and earned the Emperor’s hatred, what more could they do—kill him? He had already half-resigned himself to death the moment he set foot on the battlefield.

Of course, this may have ruined his plans to take revenge on the former Duke and the Council of Elders, but if it meant saving Marquis Diapel and his one true friend, he had no regrets.

And he didn’t hide these feelings from Lucio.

⟨I don’t regret the choice I made. In fact, I’m grateful I discovered the Emperor’s plan.⟩

The only person the Duke truly regarded as a father was not the blood-related former Duke, but Marquis Diapel.

The Marquis had returned to the capital solely to support the Duke’s succession.

Above all, this was before the Duke had met his wife.

At that time, he had no intention of marrying or continuing the duchy’s line. So even though he had become a dog who must obey the Emperor unconditionally, having his life in the Emperor’s hands, his heart remained light.

And then, a few months later, Stella announced her marriage to Grand Duke Belus.

The Emperor, realizing too late that his plan had failed, fell into deep despair—but fortunately, he didn’t blame Duke Elard.

He believed the Duke had simply been caught up in an accident by chance.

Thus, Duke Elard became the Emperor’s sword, succeeded his title, and outwardly appeared to be the Emperor’s most favored subject.

At the same time, the Duke, who once feared nothing, not even death, gained a precious family.

⟨Even if I could go back to that day, I’d make the same choice. But…⟩

The Duke hesitated for a moment, then said that if the Emperor’s command ever threatened his family, he would never follow it and that someday, he would break the contract, so Lucio need not worry.

Lucio nodded without expression, but inside, he coldly shook his head.

How could he trust an Emperor who resorted to such lowly schemes?

Even if the Duke remained loyal, with his life pledged to the Emperor, he could be discarded like a stray dog at any moment.

So that night, Lucio made up his mind.

He would deal with everything related to the Emperor, the Demonic Relic, and the contract, alone.

His father was neither a political man nor skilled at hiding his emotions.

Rather than risk drawing the Emperor’s suspicion, it was better for him to do nothing.

Later, even though he knew it saddened the Duchess, Lucio moved from the estate to the capital.

And there, avoiding the Emperor’s gaze, he began his investigation in secret.

The results were minimal.

Perhaps because the Temple controlled the information, it was nearly impossible to learn anything about the Demonic Relic or find a lead.

Then, suddenly, a thought occurred to him:

‘If the Emperor dies, what happens?’

Would the contract naturally dissolve?

Or, since the Demonic Relic was said to be passed down through generations, would it be transferred to the next Emperor?

It was all just speculation, but for Lucio, it was the moment a new plan began to form.

If ownership really did pass on, the best option would be to strike a deal with the next Emperor to break the contract.

And that’s why he decided to establish an information guild and make Nicholas the next Emperor.

 

***

 

“After founding the guild, I secretly sought out the retired Chief Mage of the Imperial Court, hoping to glean some information about the Demonic Relic. But whether bound by a magic seal or something else, he wouldn’t say a word about it.”

After listening to all of Lucio’s explanation, I let out a breath I’d been holding in.

Lucio gave a sheepish smile when he saw me.

“This is the first time I’ve ever told anyone this story.”

“…”

“Not even Father, Nicholas, or my subordinates know.”

Lucio spoke calmly, saying it felt a bit strange to share all of this now.

Throughout the entire conversation, he remained composed and serene, without any trace of resentment or anger.

And that only made my heart ache more.

I, too, carried secrets I couldn’t tell my family.

‘But at least I had Raizel…’

Lucio had fought a lonely battle, completely alone, unable to trust anyone.

“Raizel once said—”

I wanted to ease his burden even a little, so I barely managed to open my reluctant lips.

“The demonic relic… the method of choosing an owner varies greatly, but it was said that the number of contracts is fixed. Only once in the owner’s lifetime.”

So even if Lucio creates the next emperor, it has nothing to do with the contract Duke Elard made.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that everything he had done up to now had been for nothing.

Instead of showing disappointment, Lucio nodded with a firm expression.

“I did think it was strange. When the emperor realized his mistake, I wondered why he didn’t cancel the contract with my father. I even suspected he might not know how to do it himself.”

But to think the number of contracts was limited to just once…

Lucio rubbed his chin thoughtfully and said,

“That’s why the emperor was obsessed with ancient relics. He must’ve been trying to find another demonic relic.”

I agreed with his assumption.

Perhaps the emperor still hadn’t been able to let go of my mother, this thought filled me with bitterness.

“Then… how do you break the contract?”

Lucio finally asked the question he had most wanted to, and I swallowed hard.

I hesitated to say it, but the decision didn’t take long.

“The contract… is automatically broken when the owner dies.”

Lucio’s eyes widened at my answer.

He looked like he hadn’t imagined he would get this information so easily after all the time and effort he’d spent.

“If the emperor dies, the contract is broken?”

Lucio let out a laugh, perhaps at the futility of everything he’d worked for, not knowing such a simple answer existed.

But in that brief moment, I caught the murderous intent that flashed in his eyes.

“You mustn’t touch the emperor.”

I spoke urgently, and Lucio’s blue eyes flickered faintly.

“Why not?”

He had quickly suppressed his agitation and responded calmly.

“I don’t plan to make a big deal of it. We just quietly get rid of the emperor, and at the same time, we hide the demonic relic.”

Wouldn’t that be best for everyone?

Lucio’s question left me silent.

Because I, too, deeply sympathized with his heart.

A wicked artifact like the demonic relic should’ve never existed, and the emperor who used it deserved to pay the price.

However…

“You absolutely can’t. If the emperor dies…”

I bit my lip slightly before continuing.

“The Duke will die too”

As soon as I said those words, Lucio’s body stiffened.

He spoke stiffly, as if trying to hide his trembling voice.

“When you said the contract is broken…”

“If the relic’s owner dies, the contract bound by blood automatically causes the contractor’s heart to stop as well. Everyone connected to the contract dies, so naturally, the contract is broken.”

At my final confirmation, Lucio closed his eyes tightly and remained silent for a long time before speaking slowly.

“Did Father… know that too?”

“…Probably.”

The emperor wouldn’t have left that unsaid.

‘If I die, you die too.’

So don’t even think about doing anything reckless.

You have to follow my orders until your last breath—he must have threatened him like that.

“Ha, Father…”

Lucio let out a dry laugh and held his forehead.

“He once told me he had a final solution. That if there were ever an imperial command he absolutely couldn’t follow, he would use that method.”

He must have planned to kill the emperor and die himself.

Watching him murmur with his eyes lowered, I suddenly felt a strong urge to hug him tightly.

At that moment, my fingers twitched on their own.

“Isn’t there… another way? What if we just destroy it completely…”

“Breaking it recklessly won’t cancel the contract. And it’s not something humans can destroy anyway.”

Lucio’s expression darkened quickly at my words.

Watching him quietly, I spoke.

“There actually is a way to resolve it.”

“What is it?”

Lucio asked immediately.

Feeling his desperation, I gave a bitter smile.

“I said I’d help earlier, but… I have to take that back.”

“It’s okay. Just telling me the solution is…”

“This isn’t something I should help with. It’s something I should’ve resolved from the start.”

Lucio blinked slowly at my words.

Seeing his expression that showed he didn’t understand, my throat tightened.

“You take responsibility way too far.”

“What?”

“From the beginning, the emperor was after my family. Thankfully, you bore the burden in our place all this time. And now, even you…”

Unable to continue as guilt overwhelmed me, Lucio tightened his grip on my hand.

“…Thank you.”

Feeling the comfort in his action more than in his words, I took a deep breath and declared,

“Now, leave it to me.”