NOVPUBThe warm light of the bedroom seemed to block out all the shadows and the chill of deep autumn at the door, while the moonlight softly spilled over the knight motif carpet and the luxurious furniture.
Across the long table, the third princess of the Cerryti Empire, Alexia, was still sitting there. Her brown hair fell naturally on her shoulders, her eyes looked like deep lakes, yet they had already lost their lustre because of sleepiness. Under the moonlight, her cheeks seemed pale and translucent.
She seemed to have exhausted all her strength in vain struggles, only to encounter utter despair. As a result, hope finally shattered all over the ground, unable to piece together again.
"So, in your view, Princess Alexia, there’s no trace of corruption in the Cerryti Empire, right?"
Lanci asked again with a look of understanding.
"No."
Alexia’s voice was short but firm.
However, to her, Lanci’s words seemed like a relentless whipping.
Although Alexia knew Lanci didn’t mean to, he simply didn’t know anything.
But if he deliberately asked her again, then he had a really bad character.
It’s a pity.
She won’t dream like a story in a fairy tale where there is a ’know-it-all heroic savior coming to save her and her country’.
"..."
Hyperion was silent by the side, keeping her guard up, paying attention to every potential piece of information.
She could tell that Princess Alexia was hardheaded.
Under the influence of the Great Love Poet, there is obvious emotional fluctuation in the princess.
Right now, Hyperion was also calculating.
She didn’t want to tip off Lanci and Princess Alexia.
Only she knew that her father, Duke Migaya Alansar’s disappearance, was related to the Cerryti Empire.
Being a princess, Miss Alexia might be aware of some critical information!
But Hyperion was reluctant to involve Lanci, so she was just listening in and hoping that Lanci could unintentionally ask something that could help find Duke Migaya.
However.
Even though Hyperion acted normally, Lanci still turned his gaze towards her.
He was smiling but not speaking.
This startled Hyperion!
She thought her acting was impeccable.
Why did Lanci’s sudden gaze make her feel like he could see through her thoughts?
"Hyperion, don’t worry. If in our perspective, we consider her a suspect related to the Rebirth Church, it’s not against the international law in the South Continent to stay alert and even restrain her before confirming her identity."
Lanci said gently.
His words made Hyperion relieved.
After all, she just overthought.
"..."
Lanci turned his head to the side with a smile.
He seemed to be laughing at Princess Alexia’s stubbornness.
In fact, Hyperion didn’t know he had known many things already, even taking his previous promise "will rescue Migaya" as a joke all the while.
To find Duke Migaya, indeed, they should hurry before the Ninth Progenitor, Marquis Bernhard, lifts the seal, kills Duke Migaya, and gets the [Original Tablet-Dark].
Each of the Blood Clan naturally has an affinity with the Dark attribute, making the [Original Slabstone Tablet - Dark] an irresistible top-tier Magic Card for them.
In the era when the Blood Clan were all sealed, it seemed that the [Original Slabstone Tablet] series of artifacts had not yet been born in the world. Therefore, none of the newly unsealed Blood Clan owned an [Original Slabstone Tablet]. In fact, even a year and a half later in the main storyline, the Blood Clan initiated an operation to hunt down the holders of the Slabstone.
The [Original Slabstone Tablet] series had the characteristic of "dropping on the holder’s death". However, for the immortal Blood Clan, acquiring an [Original Slabstone Tablet] was almost akin to permanently possessing it.
Hence, as the [Original Slabstone Tablet - Dark] would later be obtained by Marquis Bernhard, the ninth progenitor, while Lanci was aware that the third, seventh and eighth progenitors were unsealed earlier but did not obtain Migaya’s [Original Slabstone Tablet - Dark], it probably meant that Migaya was still alive.
According to Lanci’s plan, after he returns from the Northern Continent from his quest for the [Original Slabstone-Sealing], and prepares to challenge the Shadow World once again, he is than going to team up with Hyperion to visit the Blood Clan’s lair in Cerryti Empire for an ecological balance survey.
If they could even get aid from the Cerryti Empire before that, it would surely be the best possible outcome.
As long as Princess Alexia of Alecysia was an enemy of the Blood Clan, they shared a common goal.
So Lanci decided to probe her slightly.
"Your Highness Alexia, based on your previous answer, may I hazard a guess... The plight of the Cerryti Empire is not undertaken by the Rebirth Church but probably something far more terrifying than evil cultists that you fear," said Lanci, unable to hide speculation in his voice.
Lanci put down his teacup, his gaze moving away from the princess. His eyes were calm, but his voice held an undeniable conviction.
"... I don’t understand what you are talking about. Moreover, the Cerryti Empire is not facing any hardship as of now. You don’t need to indulge in idle speculation!"
Alexia’s shoulders shivered slightly. Even though she was refuting Lanci’s words, not even Hyperion could miss how she was putting on a brave front.
Lanci’s words felt like they were exposing her fears with deadly accuracy.
"With the Twelve National Defense Generals standing guard, why do you fear? Can’t you distinguish between those who are being manipulated?"
Lanci chuckled and spoke almost as if talking to himself.
"Every word you’re saying now implicates you in a serious crime, stop now. I’ll consider it as it never happened."
Her voice was stern and short, with a chilling undertone. Alexia attempted to suppress her emotions that were on the verge of unraveling.
From the start, she could have stayed true to her act while answering Lanci’s questions, but under the influence of the Great Love Poet, she lost control over herself!
She had no idea why Lanci kept probing, as if he could read her every thought!
"Have there been any ominous figures in the palace that scare you recently?"
Not giving her the opportunity to gather herself, Lanci came up with another question. 𝓷ℴ𝓿𝓅𝓊𝒷.𝓬𝓸𝓂
"I warned you before, don’t ask anymore!"
Alexia’s voice was noticeably shaky, and she resembled a small lioness with her hair standing on end from fear.
"In no more than a year and a half..."
Lanci tapped the tabletop lightly, almost as if signaling a final answer to Alexia.
His words were as unerringly certain as the chime of a bell tower in the pitch-black night.
"The Blood Moon will completely envelope the Cerryti Empire, your Highness. Your kingdom is doomed."
The crisp words echoed like a thunderclap in Princess Alexia’s ears.
"!!"
With the clattering noise of the table and teacup hitting each other, Princess Alexia finally backed away in fear and stood up.
In the pitch dark night, she looked like a frightened girl, startled by a clap of thunder.
She stared at Lanci, trying to pry some truths from his eyes but was ultimately unable to find any answers in his naturally green eyes.
Even though Lanci could infer certain inklings from her responses and behavior,
No sane person across the North and South Continental landmass would believe that the massive Cerryti Empire could be annihilated by the Blood Clan in a mere year and a half!
"Exactly, what do you... know..."
Her eyes sparkled with resentment and defiance. Her dried-up teardrops began welling in her eyes again.
