Chapter 29
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Aunt Mane of the White Castle
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The White Castle had a structure almost identical to the Imperial Palace.
It was terribly familiar to me, of course, and to Antiope and Ekyon as well.
The building placements were similar, the roles were similar.
Apart from the color being white and the scale being smaller, it was like a copy-paste job.
'Sturdy.'
The Imperial Palace was the same; even though these were buildings constructed long ago, they felt brand new.
Clean as new and rock-solid.
"Your Highness. I apologize, but please wait here in this room for a moment. The master has gone out on reconnaissance, so I'll fire a signal right away to let him know."
"It's fine. I showed up out of the blue, so it's understandable. Take your time."
After sending off the man who had guided us to the room, I plopped down on any old sofa.
Judging by the furniture and layout, it looked like a reception room.
"You two, just sit down casually too. Standing will make your legs hurt."
"Yes, Lord Niu."
"Understood, Your Highness."
I sat Ekyon and Antiope down beside me, then quietly savored the silence.
It was quiet, but not awkward.
'Should I take a nap?'
As far as I knew, stepping beyond the castle walls didn't mean you hit the border right away.
I'd heard there was a buffer zone like the DMZ.
The person who'd gone out on reconnaissance had probably headed there...
It would take some time to get back here from there, right?
So, I closed my eyes to catch a light sleep.
Waiting by dozing off might be rude, but among relatives, they'd forgive this much.
"Oh? Already asleep? Must be exhausted."
But the speed of her arrival was way faster than I'd imagined.
'Already here?'
When I opened my eyes, an unfamiliar woman was peering right into my face.
Definitely a face I'd never seen before, yet it didn't feel strange at all.
Indigo-tinted hair.
Leather outfit just like the Emperor's.
Aside from the hair length, her build was exactly like the Emperor's too.
'Whoa, damn.'
I pressed a hand to my startled pounding heart and bowed my head.
Bowing while seated wasn't proper etiquette, but standing up felt too awkward.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Niu."
"Huh? You can tell just by looking?"
The woman tilted her head.
She seemed amazed at how I'd known.
"Yes. Though I'm not sure what to call you. Since you're Mother's sister, should I say aunt, or..."
"Or whether to call me father or mother?"
The woman smiled softly and hopped up onto the table.
Her massive hips, wrapped in short leather shorts, captured my gaze.
'Come to think of it, everything's big.'
Her hips were huge, but so were her tits—practically the same size as the Emperor's.
Her slim waist was cinched tight, making her wide pelvis stand out even more.
"Look at you, asking about titles while openly checking out my body? Adorable."
Before I could respond, the woman grinned with her eyes.
I'd tried not to make it obvious, but she'd noticed—her senses were sharp.
Those keen senses, plus appearing without a sound.
As expected, she wasn't an ordinary human.
"My apologies. My eyes wandered without thinking, and I was rude."
"Rude? Oh... You thought I was upset? Not at all. I like it."
"You like it?"
I tilted my head and met her eyes; she nodded.
"Imperial men are better the stronger their lust. Makes them proactive during impregnation breeding, and they sow plenty of seed."
"Glad I didn't offend you."
The greatest duty of an imperial male was sowing seed.
They could enjoy a 24-hour sex life guaranteed by the state.
Right now, the pilgrimage left no room for that, but once back?
I might end up breeding nonstop until I dropped dead.
"Anyway, about the title thing? Just call me aunt. And speak casually. Got it?"
"Is that okay?"
"You've more than earned it. Putting distance feels off to me. Come on."
The smiling woman furrowed her brow.
It felt like she was holding a knife to my throat while urging closeness—weird.
"Yes, Aunt. Sorry."
I apologized in a casual tone, and only then did her face brighten.
"Good. That feels way more friendly. Call me that from now on."
"Yes, Aunt."
"Perfect. You know my name? And my unique magic?"
"I heard everything from Mother."
Her name was Manes Ion.
Orpheus's sister, with space as her unique magic, or so I'd heard.
She could cross the continent in an instant if she wanted, or attack.
A vicious magic in every way.
"Great. Skip the intros then. These bitches with you are your exclusive breeders and guards, right?"
Manes glanced lightly at Antiope and Ekyon with a laugh.
True to Ion imperial blood, she was rough and arrogant.
"Yes. We honorably greet the noble Ion imperial."
Ekyon and Antiope rose in unison and bowed.
Their voices and movements were flawless.
Ion imperial hierarchy lumped everyone except the Emperor and Crown Prince under the single title of imperial.
No princesses, grand princes, or kings.
Not even a spouse for the Emperor, as one might expect.
'Probably due to their unique family structure...'
Whether the Sex Survivor devs skimped or aimed for distinct flavor, it was simple.
"Good to meet you. Hope we get along."
"Yes, we'll keep that in mind."
"Great. Sit back down."
Manes had them sit, then locked eyes with me again.
The warm atmosphere put me at ease.
"Now I see why that girl dotes on you so much. Instant fondness on sight, womb twitching. Makes you want to treasure her."
"Pardon? Ah... yeah."
"Yeah. Guess that's why she raised you with such care."
I gave an awkward smile and nodded.
This clan was so openly incestuous—blunt and explicit.
No backpedaling in their words.
"Mother did pamper me a lot."
"I'd have done the same. Anyway, meeting you like this is great. Was just gonna peek at your face, but now I gotta give a gift."
"A gift?"
"Yeah. Name it."
Didn't see that coming.
Her laying the groundwork first made dropping the bait much easier.
"Then, could you grant one request?"
"Request? What?"
"There's a Count Krueger here, right?"
"Yep. Been using him for this and that. Why? Did he wrong you big time? Or help you out?"
Wrong me? Big time.
A crime big enough to lose his head.
"He sent assassins to kill me. And there were prior incidents too."
I summarized briefly: the sleeping pill fiasco in Viscount de Gaulle's territory, the assassination attempt en route, and turning the assassin to my side.
"Unbelievable."
As I finished, a thick smile spread across Manes's lips.
So deep it was chilling.
'Creepy.'
Eyes not smiling, just the mouth—sharper, more predatory.
A beast's smile fit perfectly.
"To sum your story: that punk was colluding with northern scum?"
"Yes. So I want to find proof of collusion."
"Such a hassle? If eyes are an issue, I can make it an accident."
True to being the Emperor's sister—radical.
Similar looks, and this decisive streak too. Amazing.
"He's been a close aide for years, though. You sure it's fine?"
"Trash like that's disposable. Treat 'em human and they still betray? Time to scrap."
Traitors must be purged.
Spot on, but I wanted it righteous and clean.
Assassination or accidents were quick.
Just kill and done.
Still, it'd feel like I was the villain—lingering unease.
No thanks.
"Just purging him would make me feel guilty. I want proof, then tear him down openly, in the light."
"Oh?"
Manes softened her sharp expression into a broad grin.
Declaring boldly must've eased her mood.
"You're true blood. Impressive."
"Still got a long way."
"Just lacks experience? Mindset's perfect—proud."
Manes reached out and stroked my head.
Much like Orpheus's occasional pets.
Sisters?
Or because she helped make me with Orpheus?
Didn't matter—felt good.
This tangled family tie didn't weigh on me.
"I'll handle this, so relax and wait. Stay the night in the castle."
"Huh? Is that okay?"
Shouldn't I resolve this myself?
Help was fine, but handing it all off felt wrong.
I asked puzzled; she nodded.
"My tool stabbed you, so I handle it. No worries."
"Thank you."
I feigned reluctance, bowed.
Thought just aid, but her eagerness surprised me.
"Oh, and that assassin. Family held hostage, right? I'll sort that too. Relax."
"That's too much trouble..."
"Trouble? Just one extra broom sweep."
Manes grinned, rose from the table.
Her thick, smooth white thighs drew the eye.
"I'll assign someone—follow and rest. Structure's like the palace, but guidance helps."
Crazy.
Relief made me slip again.
"Yes. Thanks, Aunt."
I sighed, stood.
Thankfully, my companions took it in stride, no disdain.
Manes used spatial transfer to retrieve the personnel waiting at the border.
They shifted to peacetime alert.
Just as on the way in, they crossed her opened space and returned to the castle in one go.
Among them was Count Krueger, source of the unease.
"Count. Take the soldiers, rest, drill a bit."
"Yes. Might I ask why the sudden withdrawal?"
"Cute Crown Prince showed up. Told him to stay a few days—keep good vibes."
"Ah, the Crown Prince is here?"
The count widened his eyes in surprise.
Acting like he'd just heard.
'What a clown.'
Knew he was fake from the start, kept him for utility...
Now just pathetic.
Manes hid her true intent behind a smile.
Had he read it, Krueger would've fled in terror.
"Then, I should pay respects. All right?"
"Go."
The lord waved him off; the count bowed and withdrew.
Dark night, empty office—Manes alone.
'Time to go.'
Alone, she opened space and warped to the Imperial Palace.
Destination: palace office.
"Hm? What's it now?"
Late night, Emperor signing with pen, frowned.
Sister's return visit so soon wasn't welcome.
"I that hated?"
"You wrecked my plans—no helping it. Anyway, another urgent issue? My son's not hurt, is he?"
"Your son's resting fine. It's about him."
What now? Emperor set down her pen, sighed.
"Speak."
"Know Krueger? Works under me."
Instantly, the Emperor's eyes flashed sharp.
A name she'd itched to shred—natural reaction.
"You caught it too?"
"The kid, Niu, told me. Trying to settle quick, but got proof?"
"Corruption evidence?"
"Yeah. Was gonna erase quietly, but he wants it open and righteous. Firm cut, in the light."
If the child's wish, grant it.
Emperor nodded, thinking it timely.
Manes's space jumps slashed travel time.
Infiltration easy.
Verification of gathered intel: under a day.
Possibly done before dawn.
"Had a few items to verify. Confirm, seize justification, public execution."
"Asking for help? Been ages since we teamed up."
Manes grinned wide, wiggled her hips.
Old memories stirred joy.
"True. But you? Watched that scum run wild? Or missed it?"
"Hard to believe, but he snuck contacts behind my back. Had some skill."
Can't watch every ant from the sky.
Even Emperor no exception.
Plus prep time aplenty.
Years invested? Totally possible.
"You let it slide some. Pilgrimage and all."
Would've stayed silent even knowing, but Niu's visit changed that.
Manes, any imperial, would.
"Guilty."
"Then met the kid, changed your mind?"
"Yeah. First sight, affection hit, wanted to help. Weird."
Manes glanced apologetically, sighed.
Acted normal, but that was the issue.
"Help offered, I'll take. But doesn't clash with pilgrimage intent?"
"Play dumb. Force that compels aid. Power to leverage people. That's his talent, no?"
If solo required, no companions allowed.
Allowed meant using humans okay.
Above all, Emperor and imperials executing traitors? Natural.
Shackled by pilgrimage not to? That's odd.
'Sophistry, but logical. Justification crystal clear.'
Rules exist, can't go overt...
But pretext aplenty.
"Open doors where I direct. Ideally done before dawn."