Chapter 47
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Curses and a Seaside Reunion
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I didn't pull my hand out of the lake until the water had completely settled.
No water sprayed up, and the electricity rippling across the surface had vanished.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine."
I took Ekyon's hand and slowly stood up.
My mana reserves were so vast that this much hadn't even tired me out.
"From the feel of it, it's definitely a curse... but damn, it's creepy as hell."
"Y-Yes?! A curse?"
The old man who'd been listening in widened his eyes and asked.
It was only natural for him to be shocked at the mention of a curse plaguing their water source.
"Yes. It's unmistakably a curse, but I can't figure out why someone would cast it on the water supply of such a small village."
Unique Magic came in all sorts of varieties.
Some could even make people fall ill.
The problem was... why target a tiny village like this?
I was curious about the intent behind it.
Magic experiments. Scams where they poison you then sell the cure.
Or maybe they just enjoyed tormenting or killing people.
Or perhaps there was some massive scheme at play that involved laying this curse.
'Too many possibilities. No clear answer.'
Dwelling on it too deeply would just give me a headache.
Better to give up on overthinking and scout the nearby villages for clues.
"Old timer, how many other villages are around here?"
"Pardon? Oh, yes. About seven more, and they're not too far. Practically neighbors."
"Could you guide us? I need to check if the other villages have curses too."
"Of course!"
We immediately grabbed the old man and escaped the village.
We wandered the nearby settlements, checking if they suffered the same curse.
'Holy shit, chills.'
The results were grim: four villages bore the exact same type of curse.
Clear evidence that someone had deliberately spread it.
Each village was small, but together they added up to a considerable size.
That made it even more unsettling.
'Smells like sabotage.'
We toured each village, healing the sick and purifying the curse's sources.
On the way back to the first village, I pieced my thoughts together.
If curses spread across multiple villages, rumors would fly.
Rumors breed anxiety, and anxiety makes it easy to stir up trouble.
In other words: sabotage.
'Who the hell's behind it?'
After dropping the old man off at his village, I spurred my horse onward.
I'd advised him to stay vigilant for the time being, so it should be fine.
The issue was identifying the saboteurs...
Without clues, it was next to impossible.
And we couldn't just sit around waiting for the culprits to show.
No telling when that might happen, and we had our own tasks.
'Straight to Vuro, then?'
Viscount Montpe ruled this village, but broadly speaking, it fell under Count Vuro's influence.
Best to meet Vuro directly.
"We'll skip Viscount Montpe's lands entirely. Head straight for Vuro."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Antiope nodded and snapped the reins.
Neigh!
The horses, which had been ambling along, now stamped the ground with renewed vigor.
It was nighttime now.
Normally bedtime, but the moon was bright, the path wide open—perfect for riding.
'Gonna have to cut back on sleep for a bit.'
I sighed and leaned back against the luggage compartment.
As I closed my eyes, old stories I'd heard started floating to mind.
Emperor Orpheus had praised Count Vuro as a capable man.
My etiquette tutor had spoken highly of him too.
A noble faction member, yet trustworthy.
Not the type to oppose just for opposition's sake.
'Sounds reliable enough.'
Of course, I'd step up myself...
But if the count took charge, the investigation would scale up, and things would move faster.
So we raced straight for Count Vuro's territory.
Once he got involved, the neighboring lords would mobilize too.
'Hope we wrap this up quick.'
Knowing cockroaches were crawling underfoot made my skin crawl.
Better squash 'em fast.
We cast magic on the horses and skimped on sleep.
Thanks to the extra speed, we arrived much sooner than expected.
"Nice view. Makes sense for a territory hugging the sea like this."
Ekyon, handling the reins, murmured as she glanced aside.
Count Vuro's lands were right by the ocean.
His walls curved in a semicircle around the coast.
"Yeah. Looks great."
I blinked at the sea, a rare sight for me lately.
Gazing at the clear waters opened up my chest.
"Cleared."
We passed inspection with our fake IDs.
Once inside the gates, we hunted down a decent inn.
Except for our stay at the northern castle, inns or camping were the rule during pilgrimage.
'Hell of a view.'
After booking rooms, I blinked out at the sea for a bit.
The salty breeze blowing in.
The old-school port evoking the age of sail, and the deep blue sea beyond.
A fantasy world delivering pure fantasy vibes.
"Actaeon, go invisible and scout key facilities. Antiope, gauge the overall mood. Ekyon, stick with me as guard."
"Understood."
I gathered the girls in the inn room, issued orders, then sent them out.
Having Actaeon extra made dividing tasks a breeze.
"Let's head out too."
"Yes, Crown Prince."
As they went their ways, Ekyon and I stepped outside.
Destination: the count's castle.
No appointment, so he might not be there...
But someone had to be manning the keep.
'We're here.'
After a long walk, we reached the castle's main gate.
Built high up, just getting there was a workout.
"Halt. This is the count's domain—turn back."
A guarding soldier gripped his spear, eyes sharp.
Polite yet firm; well-trained.
"Crown Prince of Ion. I need to see the count urgently—pass it on. If he's out, tell whoever's in charge of the castle."
I pulled an item from my pocket.
A palm-sized platinum hexagon stamped with the imperial crest.
"Ah...! My apologies!"
The soldier's eyes went wide at the badge.
As gate guard, he knew noble insignia well.
"Your inspection was polite, not rude at all. You did great—no worries."
"Th-Thank you!"
His eyes sparkled as he opened the gate.
Quick on the draw; must've been urgent for him.
'One'll stay.'
Noble castles usually had two or more at the gate.
Leave one to announce guests, so the gate didn't stand empty.
"It's fine—go quick. You're already flustered; barging in would make it worse."
"Yes! Pardon me!"
The gate soldier bolted inside.
His panic suggested he was new on the job.
"My apologies!"
The opposite guard rushed over, bowing.
Even flustered, his voice stayed steady.
"You've been on this post a while, huh?"
"Yes, about five years."
"Ah. So rookies handle regular guests, and you take the high-priority ones?"
"Usually, but such cases are rare, so I erred. Forgive me."
Forgive what?
I grabbed his shoulder, lifted him up, and shook my head.
"No error—don't sweat it. Anyway, is the count inside?"
"My deepest regrets, but the count is away. Likely at the seaside."
"Seaside? What's up?"
I tilted my head; he nodded.
"Yes. Entertaining a noble guest who arrived a few days ago. The count insisted on hosting personally to avoid rudeness."
"Fair enough. Who's this guest?"
"Imperial blood."
My eyes widened involuntarily.
That I hadn't known.
"Imperial? Who?"
"I hesitate to speak the name myself, but it's Lady Castro Ion."
Whoa. Hearing it made my head throb.
Castro Ion was Aunt Manes's daughter.
To me, she was like a half-sister, yet also a full one.
'Virgin birth incest makes it tricky.'
Would've been clearer if it'd been straight pussy-rubbing conception.
But the emperor's genes were mixed in.
Family for sure, but hard to pin down.
Why? It could go either way.
"For real? Isn't she stationed at the eastern border?"
"She was, but came at the count's request. Details are classified."
"Got it."
I crossed my arms and nodded.
Classified, huh.
Felt linked to this mystery plague.
"Huff, huff... Y-Your Highness...!"
Mid-chat with the guard, a young man dashed from beyond the gate.
One of the noble heirs from the grand ball.
"Wh-whoa, easy. Don't trip."
I grabbed his shoulder and steadied him.
Sweat poured down his face from the rush.
"Hoo, hoo... My apologies."
He caught his breath, then offered a noble bow.
Not showy—genuine poise.
'Impressive.'
At the ball, eyes were on him, so etiquette was expected.
But this was home turf. As noble faction, he could've been wary.
Instead, pure delight.
"No need. Sorry for dropping in unannounced."
"Nonsense. You sought my father?"
"Yeah, but he's out?"
"Yes. We'll fetch him shortly—would you wait inside?"
He apologized with sincere regret.
Sound judgment, perfect manners. Felt properly welcomed.
"Nah, it's fine. I'd rather go to the sea where he is. Cool?"
"You'll seek him out yourself?"
"Gotta when you've got business. But... it won't cause trouble? Be straight."
"No, sir. He's just observing the guest—no issue."
He ordered a nearby soldier to prep a carriage.
Urgent expression, calm voice.
From the talk, she's working, count's totem-pole-ing...
Guess we'll see.
"Your Highness, please board."
Soon, the count's carriage rolled up from afar.
Big, sturdy, horses in top shape—like a count's ride.
"Thanks. You coming too?"
"If permitted, I'd escort you personally."
"Suits me. Lead on."
We hopped in and raced toward the seaside.
'Fast.'
Clatter.
Down the gentle hill, speed ramped up.
Bouncy at times, but solid.
Neigh!
The carriage halted near the shore after a long run.
A massive pier of stone, piled with timber.
Ships docked alongside—up close, it stole my breath.
"Huge."
"Yeah."
I chatted with Ekyon as I dismounted.
Words failed beyond "huge."
"This way. I'll guide you."
"Sure. Thanks."
I followed him down the pier steps.
Sea right ahead—heart raced.
"There he is."
He pointed to a man at the pier's end.
Back view only, but clothes and stance screamed wealth.
"Father. We have a distinguished guest."
As we approached, the youth spoke.
Definitely the count.
"Distinguished guest?"
The man turned, words halting as his eyes bulged.
Count Vuro, confirmed.
"Wh-Your Highness? Here?"
"Had urgent business, dropped by. Heard you have a guest?"
"Eh? Ah, yes."
Count Vuro blinked rapidly and bowed.
Even dazed, manners first. Proper guy.
"Forgive my late greeting. Crown Prince, Your Highness."
"All good. My bad for the surprise visit."
"No, no. Have you heard? Another VIP arrived."
"On the way. Where is she?"
I scanned around; his gaze fixed on the sea.
No way, in there?
"In the water."
What the hell?
Today's full of head-spinners.
"Uh, Count."
Sploosh!
Before I could speak, a man-thick waterspout erupted at the pier's end.
Something had burst from below, aftershocks lingering.
"Crown Prince!"
Ekyon rushed forward, mana flaring.
Reliable, but no need.
"Easy. It's fine."
"Ah."
She nodded, steadying her breath.
Her heated mana cooled.
Blue-tinged hair.
Leather clinging to her soaked, voluptuous form.
And that oddly familiar pull, like with other royals.
All signs pointed to imperial.
'Huh?'
She stared straight at me, then strode over.
Ignoring the bowing count.
"So you're my little brother."
The woman before me blinked and said.
She recognized me, just as I'd clocked her.