Chapter 76
Chapter 76
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: The Fourth Prince Emerges
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"Long time no see."
"Yeah, something like that."
Rachel responded perfunctorily to the greeting that reached her ears.
Three weeks after Paris Emporus's arrest, a banquet was held, just like in the 20th round.
"You don't look well."
"You're too bright for my mood."
Rachel and Abyss presented a stark contrast in complexion.
Unlike Rachel, who had dark circles under her eyes from being buried in piles of documents, Abyss's face was glossier than ever.
"The medicine worked wonders. It's a shame it was so short-lived."
On the day she entered the capital, Rachel had run into Abyss and informed him that Paris Emporus would be murdered the night before the banquet.
Enoch had obtained a truth serum from Carion and passed it to Abyss, allowing him to extract clues about the Black Sorcerer.
"Did you find out who it is?"
"No, but I got some leads."
Abyss shared the information he had obtained from Paris Emporus.
It was brief: a man estimated to be in his late twenties to early thirties, with pale skin, calluses on his palms, neatly trimmed nails, and red hair.
Red-haired men were exceedingly common in Cudas. Yet Abyss was satisfied with this intel.
"Neat nails mean he's no commoner."
"Exactly."
Rachel nodded. Commoners in Cudas could never have soft hands and feet.
Unlike modern people, their laborious lives left their skin rough and their nails unkempt.
In other words, neat nails pointed to either nobility or someone not engaged in manual labor. At the same time, the calluses on his palms suggested he had trained with a sword.
Nobles made up less than 1% of Cudas's population. These clues narrowed the field considerably.
"Plus, he stays by the Third Prince's side."
"That seals it as nobility. How did he avoid the priests' eyes?"
Their whispering came to a quick halt. Too many eyes were watching them.
"We'll talk details later."
"Sounds good."
"Oh my, is the conversation already over?"
A woman who had approached them first spoke up just as Abyss and Rachel finished talking.
Rachel blinked at the newcomer.
"L...!"
Rachel quickly shut her mouth.
She already knew who this tall beauty in the blue dress was.
"Hello. I'm Lekeya of House Nerus."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Abyss. Unlike you nobles, I have no family name."
Abyss greeted her smoothly, but Rachel blinked in surprise.
'Does Lekeya remember the 20th round?'
"And you?"
She only gave Rachel a questioning look, showing no particular delight.
Rachel's eyes dimmed. The memories of their friendship existed only for her, not for Lekeya.
'What was I hoping for?'
"I'm Rachel Emporus. Pleased to meet you."
"Yes, likewise. But... have we met somewhere before?"
Lekeya tilted her head, staring at Rachel. She narrowed her eyes as if trying to recall something, but then shook her head.
Her expression changed in an instant, and she grabbed both of Rachel's hands.
"I don't remember, but it doesn't matter!"
"Huh?"
"I've heard about your exploits! Exposing your uncle's crimes, and now working in the royal administration?"
"Yeah, somehow it happened."
Rachel shrugged, feeling burdened by Lekeya's sparkling eyes. But Lekeya gripped her hands even tighter.
"I heard about you from my father and came to this banquet just to meet you! Could you spare some time for me? I have something important to discuss!"
Lekeya's excited voice echoed through the banquet hall, drawing even more attention.
"Yes, I can make time, so how about lowering your voice for now?"
"Oh, sorry! I got too carried away with joy."
At that moment, fanfare blared. The king and his family entered. The nobles parted to form a path, and Rachel, Abyss, and Jesty were positioned at the front of the dais, as before.
"These three have uncovered the crimes of Baron Emporus, who brought harm to the kingdom, and earned great merit. Thus, in the name of Pavellos III, I bestow upon them rewards."
The rewards were given in order of age: Jesty, Abyss, then Rachel. They received the same titles and lands as before.
However, it wasn't entirely the same. Abyss and Jesty were granted half each of the territory previously ruled by Paris Emporus.
And for Rachel...
"I highly commend Dame Peristera's abilities and grant her the honorable position to serve in the royal palace, along with Glory House."
'Eek.'
Rachel forgot her tension at His Majesty's words. "Honorable position" was just a fancy way of saying "I'll have you at my beck and call."
'This is Carion's scheme!'
What else could "royal palace" mean?
Until now, Rachel had been dragged around by Carion to work in the administration, and it was obvious she'd be appointed as an administrator.
'Boo hoo, that little brat Dorn finally convinced His Majesty. At least I got a mansion near the capital—should I count that as a blessing?'
The three stepped back, and her father along with others took their place before the dais. Unlike previous rounds, more people were being appointed.
'Had Carion finally realized how short-staffed they were?'
In the past, only Henri had received his title after the reward ceremony, but this time, several academy graduates underwent commissioning. Positions like the vacant head of the administration and other department heads were filled, making the ceremony longer than before.
During this, Rachel could observe the king's face. The rumors of his chronic illness seemed true—his complexion was pallid.
He sweated, struggling to stand for so long.
Finally, the reward and commissioning ceremonies ended. Rachel thought the banquet would begin, but the hall doors opened, and Enoch, clad in golden uniform, strode down the red carpet to the front of the dais.
The nobles murmured at the sudden appearance of the unfamiliar figure.
Thud!
Pavellos III slammed his staff on the floor, silencing the noise.
"There is a fact I must announce to all here and now."
His deep voice resonated through the entire hall.
"Eighteen years ago, the queen was said to have miscarried, but in truth, she safely gave birth to a prince."
Many nobles were shocked by the king's revelation. They didn't show it overtly, but they had wondered about this.
Nineteen years ago, the first queen had been pregnant, but there had been no news since. The ladies serving her remained silent, as did the palace maids.
The nobles had naturally assumed a miscarriage, especially without an official statement.
To hear now that a prince had been born raised many questions.
At the king's gesture, Enoch ascended the dais and stood beside him. His silver hair gleamed under the chandelier lights.
"Silver hair?"
"He's handsome!"
"If I were ten years younger!"
"Isn't that attire reserved for royalty?"
All eyes focused on Enoch.
A silver-haired young man in royal garb. With the king's words, guessing his identity was child's play.
"Let me introduce him. He bears the traits of our founding ancestor and, due to an ancient covenant, was sent to the temple—my son, Enoch."
The king's statement overturned the royal claim that kings since the founder had fiery red hair.
But since Enoch was born of the royal blood, it was justifiable. With a silver-haired royal born under divine blessing unseen, there was no tainting of legitimacy.
"Why now?"
An elderly noble murmured the question unconsciously, not boldly.
"The covenant between the royal family and the temple stipulated twenty years. It was meant to be revealed two years from now."
No one voiced it, but they all wondered, "So why now?"
Pavellos III scanned the nobles calmly before speaking.
"It is said that dark, shadow-worshipping factions lurk in this kingdom."
Thud!
The staff struck the floor again.
"My son Enoch has gained ample experience and recognition in the temple. Thus, the temple has put him forward to purge these unclean forces and requested the royal family's aid."
'No wonder Enoch's face has been scarce lately—he must have been busy aligning the royal family and temple.'
"From this moment, I declare Enoch as my fourth son! However, as one who follows the will of the gods, secular affairs must not hinder his mission, so he shall never ascend the throne."
Pavellos III firmly declared Enoch could not become king. But the timing was ambiguous.
With the crown prince dead and only the Second and Third Princes remaining, a Fourth Prince appeared. Could he truly never be king?
Regardless, he had the temple's support. The nobles' minds reeled at this sudden Fourth Prince.
The king smirked, as if reading their thoughts.
"Instead, on the day he is released from the temple's protection, I shall grant him all lands south of Kallos."
Kallos South was Cudas's southernmost region, vast plains rich in water—Cudas's breadbasket.
Thus, the vassals grasped a hint of the king's intent. Enoch would become a grand duke upon leaving the temple.
The king was bolstering Enoch's power. Carion was the frontrunner now, but if Enoch reached out to Demian, the outcome could flip.
'I can hear their brains churning.'
Rachel read the nobles' atmosphere in the silence. Many would try pulling Enoch to their favored successor. Unaware he was already aligned with Carion.
'Not bad.'
Though Enoch had acted alone without consulting her, the result was positive.
How much weight did the Black Sorcerer hold in Daimon? High nobles, scholars, and merchants might abandon the dangerous sorcerer for temple-backed Enoch.
If Enoch didn't clearly side with them, Demian's faction would fracture.
'Relationships built on profit without loyalty are fragile like that.'
In the 20th round, when Paris Emporus died in prison, Rachel thought it was silencing. Someone capable of drugging guards and infiltrating could have freed the baron.
But they killed him instead. Their bond was a thread, easily snapped.
'This way, we can identify Demian's Black Sorcerer.'
Her danger level might drop too, potentially ending this endless regression.
The king looked to Enoch, signaling him to speak if he wished. Enoch did not hesitate.
"I bear royal blood but have devoted myself to the gods. I shall not flaunt my lineage. However."
Enoch paused, gazing down at everyone. His eyes met Rachel's, and she smiled. Only then did he continue.
"As a subject of Cudas and apostle of Lux, I will hunt down and punish the Black Sorcerers seeking to summon the Demon King. That is all."
Demon King. The ominous words sparked unending murmurs.
But Enoch calmly turned, supporting the king and displaying divine power.
Holy light enveloped Pavellos III, color returning to his pale face.
The king's chronic illness was long-standing, so healing it before nobles posed no issue.
Feeling much relieved, the king raised his glass.
"In these times when unclean elements hide among us, his return from the temple is a great blessing! Raise your glasses."
That day, the king lingered far longer than in the 20th round.