Chapter 33 Library (3)
The Library (3)
A silent library.
Moonlight, drifting aimlessly, streamed through the windows.
Under the faint glow, bookshelves smeared with blood and corpses strewn in every direction. Pools of thick blood scattered across the floor.
All of it combined to create an eerie atmosphere.
At the center, lying atop a corpse, sat a golden-haired woman.
The Imperial Princess—and the very architect of this scene—Aria von Shpenheim.
In stark contrast to the gruesome surroundings, she seemed utterly unbothered. Simply lost in quiet contemplation.
When she sensed movement beyond the library entrance, Aria turned her head.
Creak.
The sound of an old hinge as the door opened. Beyond it, a man clad in black armor approached, the metallic clanking of his steps echoing.
Though his presence was undeniably threatening, her expression remained perfectly composed.
The man wore a helmet, yet Aria faintly recognized the face beneath it.
Among those who wore black armor, only that brat had such a distinctive gait.
"Long time no see, Big Sister."
"Yes. It has been a while, Little Brother."
Luke von Shpenheim.
A face she hadn't seen much since his official death record. At most, she might have glimpsed him during large events like the Hunting Festival.
Though even then, that helmet would've made it hard to recognize him.
Aria chuckled softly and wiped her bloodstained hands. Unlike Luke's conflicted expression, hers was utterly serene.
As she cleaned her fingers with a towel pulled from her sleeve, she asked him:
"What brings you here? You wouldn't have come just to see me."
"His Majesty the Emperor's orders."
"His Majesty, huh..."
She rolled the title around in her mouth a few times before suddenly letting out a hollow laugh. No matter how many times she thought about it, the title didn't suit him at all.
Especially coming from Luke, who had lost everything because of him.
"By the way, how's your mother?"
"...She's doing well."
A brief silence before his reply. And along with it, a quiet mutter reached her ears.
'Why ask when you already know?'
His thoughts brushed against her awareness. Had he anticipated her reading his mind and answered accordingly? He was clearly different from the immature boy he'd been back then—even after becoming a Sword Master.
Well. That was nearly ten years ago. Enough time for an innocent boy to grow into a hardened man.
Ten years was more than enough for that.
"Oh? If you say so, then I suppose it must be true."
She replied dismissively as she stepped closer to Luke. Through the slit of his helmet, she caught the slight furrow of his brow.
When he still didn't move despite her standing beside him, she urged him on.
"What are you doing? Let's go."
"...Right. Understood."
At her indifferent words, he exhaled as if giving up and took the lead. Aria followed leisurely behind.
What words could pass between half-siblings meeting after so long? She searched for something to say but found nothing worth voicing.
Not like they could discuss anything related to the Imperial House anyway—not with the Brand controlling him.
He used to follow me around so much when he was little. Now we can barely hold a conversation. A bitter feeling welled up, and she sighed before she could stop herself.
"We've arrived."
Before the Emperor's office.
Since it wasn't far from the Imperial Library, the journey hadn't taken long. Though disarming the assassins' traps along the way had eaten up some time.
"Mm, thanks for leading the way."
She passed by Luke, who had stepped aside, and grabbed the door handle.
Without knocking, she flung the door open—prompting a startled reaction from him. His ever-stiff demeanor drew a faint smile from her.
Honestly, seeing him like this, he's not so different from how he was as a child.
"...Enter."
The room was filled with golden ornaments. If she gathered all the gold here, she could probably buy an entire small kingdom.
Continuing her idle thoughts, Aria stepped forward toward the man holding a golden chalice.
The Emperor of the Arieh Empire—a man also known by the title of Conqueror. Her biological father.
Yud von Shpenheim.
"You've been quite unruly, it seems."
"Yeah, well."
The Emperor regarded her quietly. An oppressive weight pressed down on her, as if restraining her body whether she realized it or not. Just facing him felt like her willpower was being whittled away.
His golden pupils locked onto hers.
"After all, they were nothing more than worthless playthings, weren't they?"
"Indeed."
"You were the one who said you didn't care what I did with my toys, Father."
"Yes, I did say that."
Goosebumps prickled across her skin.
"My child."
A kind voice—but eyes devoid of warmth.
The Emperor's gaze tangled with hers. A crushing wave of killing intent began pressing down on Aria's body.
The oppressive energy made it nearly impossible to breathe, forcing her to gasp for air.
"Don't you think you've taken the joke too far?"
"Hah, hah. I don't really... think so."
She still couldn't read his thoughts.
It was different from Abel or Adel. If they simply couldn't be targeted by her ability, the Emperor felt like he outright nullified it.
"You still have quite the mouth on you."
Huuung...
A golden magic circle unfurled in the air.
Before she could react, Aria was forced to her knees by the crushing weight pressing down on her. Watching from behind, Luke grimaced.
"Ghk—"
"Seems you've been up to something amusing..."
The Emperor idly toyed with the wine glass in his hand as he continued.
"You shouldn't cross the line."
The line.
His methods were always the same.
As long as the line wasn't crossed, he permitted anything. But the moment it was breached, payment was exacted.
That was the Emperor's way of handling the Imperial House's puppets.
"Aria von Shpenheim."
At his call, her heart constricted. A pain like blades carving into her flesh surged through her body, forcing a dry heave from her throat.
A curse passed down through generations of the Imperial House—a leash held by the Emperor.
Unlike the Brand carved into Luke, this was closer to an innate constitution.
Meaning, from the moment she was born, this body had never truly been hers.
Tap.
The Emperor flicked his fingers, and the pain vanished. That was the nature of the leash.
No matter what she did, this curse ensured she could never escape his grasp.
"A troublemaker deserves appropriate punishment."
"Another finger, is it? Last time, it was the ring finger of my left hand, I believe."
Aria grinned as she spoke, and he let out a quiet chuckle.
"No, this time will be a little different."
The Emperor gestured toward Luke. His face twisted in displeasure, but he reluctantly stepped forward.
As Luke reached his side, the Emperor extended his hand.
"Stab Aria's left eye."
"What kind of—"
Before he could finish, his body moved against his will. The Brand burned white-hot, seizing control of his limbs.
Gritting his teeth, he fought to suppress the force driving him forward. The Emperor merely watched in silence.
"Kh—"
Shhhhk.
Contrary to Luke's resistance, his arm cleanly drew the sword from its scabbard. Trembling violently, the blade unerringly pointed toward her.
At the sight, Aria burst into laughter.
Instead of waiting, she strode toward Luke. Gripping his right hand tightly, she guided the sword toward her left eye.
Stunned by her sudden action, Luke shouted in panic.
"Big Sister!"
"I don't care—stab me."
"But—!"
"I said stab me."
With those words, the blade pierced her eye. A sharp pain flared, but it wasn't unbearable.
She had long grown accustomed to this level of agony, thanks to the curse.
If anything, it was Luke's face that looked more pained. His trembling hands, his pallid complexion—
Even after being abandoned like this, he still reacted like this. Still such a good child, she mused.
"Are you... satisfied now?"
"Amusing."
The Emperor chuckled faintly, as if genuinely entertained. The fiery glow of Luke's Brand gradually dimmed.
Watching this, the Emperor smirked and stretched out his hand.
Huuung...
A golden magic circle spread over her eye.
"It'll return within a month."
The blood trickling down her cheek stopped. The searing pain faded as quickly as the bleeding ceased.
Glancing at her reflection in the decorative mirror, she saw her left eye had restored itself without a single scar.
Yet the vision in that eye was gone—swallowed by darkness. "Return within a month"—did that mean her sight would come back?
Aria roughly wiped the blood dripping down her chin.
"Be more careful next time."
"Yeah, I'll try."
BANG!
With that, Aria slammed the office door behind her and stormed out. Watching her retreating figure, the Emperor smirked.
"Rebellious children are so troublesome to handle."
"...Is that so?"
Luke gnashed his teeth behind his helmet, glaring at the Emperor. Whether he noticed or not, the man calmly drained his wine glass.
"You may leave now."
"Yes."
As if waiting for those words, Luke immediately strode out. The Emperor set the glass down on the table, watching him go.
White steam still rose faintly from the wine—still warm.
Turning his head, he gazed out the window at the pitch-black night sky.
Not a single star shone in the absolute darkness. The last starlight he had seen had long since faded.
Suddenly, he recalled the first night sky he had ever looked upon.
The dazzling, blinding brilliance of those stars no longer existed. All that remained was his worn-out self and the abyssal dark.
"Fate is beginning to shatter."
With those words, he closed his eyes and surrendered to sleep.