Chapter 148: Dragon's Eye, Human Heart (12)
Chapter 148: Dragon's Eye, Human Heart (12)
Not much is known about 'Dragon Blood Runes.'
The only public information was that they were an ancient mystical legacy and that only the Imperial Household could bestow them. Even then, the principles or the logic behind them remained a mystery.
They were a source of power that allowed one to wield formidable magic simply by being granted them. The Imperial Household strictly managed all related information; consequently, the number of people who possessed Dragon Blood Runes was very small.
While all members of the imperial family are collectively referred to as belonging to the 'Imperial Household,' strictly speaking, the only supreme authority within it was the Emperor.
No other power players existed. This held true for every single organization under the Imperial Household.
Power was like roots spreading out from the Emperor at the center. The order of precedence was determined by one's proximity to him, and the Emperor could confiscate that power whenever he pleased.
To maintain such thorough control, a complex surveillance system was essential.
Even intelligence agents belonging to the Imperial Household did not know the full organizational chart. Naturally, who belonged to which organization was also classified. This inevitably led to several complications.
Politics is a living thing; it must encompass frequent variables and a rapidly changing landscape. The organizations of the Imperial Household managing these affairs needed to be capable of swift, coordinated responses.
That was why the 'Dragon Blood Runes' were granted.
The exact number of people who possess these runes is unknown. However, one certain fact was that anyone granted a Dragon Blood Rune was, by definition, a close confidant of the Emperor.
The Emperor's children, known as 'Royals,' and the various members of the organizations within the household enjoyed great influence, but this was merely borrowed power from the Emperor.
No one existed within the Imperial Household who could ignore the Emperor. Naturally, no one could ignore a possessor of the Dragon Blood Runes either.
This was because the Dragon Blood Runes were a symbol of the Imperial Household and the Emperor’s own prestige.
Rumors were rife that this mysterious magic, which activated even without mana, was a vestige of the dragons that had vanished long ago. For the Imperial Household, which claimed to be the descendants of dragons, the Dragon Blood Runes served as proof of that lineage.
This was also why every organization within the Imperial Household obeyed a possessor of the runes.
The same applied to the First Prince and the Second Princess, the leading candidates for the throne. Even those before whom the heads of the Five Great Noble Families bowed their heads did not dare touch a possessor of the Dragon Blood Runes.
Their power was merely granted to them because of the possibility that they might become Emperor. In reality, surpassing the Emperor's authority was impossible.
And yet, the Fifth Princess, who was far down the line of succession, had dared to lay a finger on me.
It was no wonder the Saintess found it laughable. She likely thought the Princess had attacked me without knowing I possessed the Dragon Blood Runes; that was why she hadn't even offered me a word of consolation.
The moment the Dragon Blood Runes were revealed, the entire problem would be over.
The Saintess was one of the two people who had seen 'me' use the Dragon Blood Runes. She said I had used them when I suppressed her and Yuren simultaneously, and even she, with her strong competitive streak, had no choice but to remain silent in the face of the runes.
It was a memory I had forgotten for a while. Since the 'me' at that time wasn't actually me, it couldn't be helped.
The Saintess snorted, her eyes asking if I had only just remembered. Her nagging continued.
"I know it's for the organization, but isn't this a bit much? You could at least reveal your status. If the Princess knew your true identity, she'd be so shocked..."
I couldn't offer any reaction to the Saintess's constant chattering.
True, as long as I had the Dragon Blood Runes, the entire situation would be resolved.
However, a critical problem remained. I didn't know how to use the Dragon Blood Runes.
They seemed to be bestowed upon me, but since I didn't know the activation method, I couldn't use them.
It was a predicament. According to public knowledge, the only way to prove one was a possessor of the Dragon Blood Runes was to actually manifest them.
At this rate, I was destined to be pushed around despite carrying a powerful weapon. I groaned, scouring the fragments of my unconscious for a long time.
Of course, doing so yielded no clues on how to use the runes. I could only mutter curses under my breath.
If my future self was going to cause trouble, he should have at least left some practical information.
For example, how to use the Dragon Blood Runes.
Instead, the only thing he left behind was a cryptic sentence: 'One who possesses the Dragon's Eye does not know the human heart.' His lack of flexibility was frustrating.
It was while I was inwardly grumbling about my future self.
The Saintess, who had been talking to herself, suddenly let out a dry cough. It seemed her throat had gone hoarse from talking too much.
I was still lost in thought, dazed, holding my canteen. Thus, I couldn't react properly when the Saintess snatched it away.
"Ah, I'm thirsty... I can have a sip, right? It's just water; I can refill it anywhere."
Go ahead, I thought, looking at her indifferently, before I suddenly froze.
A memory flashed through my mind.
Come to think of it, did I fill the canteen with water this morning?
I was certain I had put something else in there. Realizing this, I snapped out of it and hurriedly tried to stop her.
"Wait, hold on—!"
But it was too late.
The Saintess, who had been gulping down the liquid, suddenly widened her eyes. Then, with a loud pffft, she sprayed the liquid out of her mouth.
I slapped a hand over my face.
The liquid in the canteen wasn't water; it was alcohol.
I had put it in there this morning because I was feeling so troubled.
Hack, hack! The Saintess made choking sounds, thumping her chest. Right around her esophagus. She must be feeling a burning sensation right about now.
With eyes beginning to tear up, she pleaded with me.
"Wa—water! Give me some water!"
"I don't have any. Just bear with it."
The Saintess looked miserable at my sigh-filled answer, but there was nothing I could do.
I could have Yuren fetch some water, but it was more efficient to just wait it out.
Either way, she would settle down eventually.
Just as I expected, the Saintess stopped coughing before long. She looked dazed, as if all her energy had been drained.
"Ugh, the smell is weird..."
"Is this your first time drinking?"
"Why would a Saintess drink alcohol?"
She snapped back, glaring at me with resentment. I could only shrug.
Who told her to snatch the canteen away? I wasn't at fault.
However, accidents always bring unexpected results.
As she glared at me, a faint flush began to creep onto the Saintess's face.
Her pupils unfocused slightly, and I could feel the heat in the breath she exhaled. It was a far too familiar sign, making my eyes go wide.
Don't tell me she's drunk?
It was only a sip or two. If that was enough to get her tipsy, she must be an incredibly lightweight drinker.
A very plausible future played out in my head.
The drunk Saintess leaving the prayer room, staggering through the temple. The believers would whisper as they saw her, saying the Saintess herself was drinking inside the temple.
Cold sweat trickled down my forehead. She was someone who staked her life on maintaining her reputation.
If her image was tarnished by a mistake like this, there was no telling how devastated she would be. In the end, I quickly snatched the canteen back from her hand, worried she might drink more in her drunken state.
Then, I opened the door to the prayer room and spoke to Yuren, who was waiting outside.
"Yuren, go get some water."
"...What?"
He looked at me as if wondering what was going on at the sudden request, but he immediately frowned upon smelling the scent wafting from the canteen in my hand.
He was always quick on the uptake, and this time was no different.
Yuren immediately started walking away. I slammed the door to the prayer room shut again and approached the Saintess.
Her gaze was hazy. Her slightly heated skin created an obscene atmosphere.
Her pale pink pupils, melted by the intoxication, turned toward me.
"...Ian?"
"Yes, Saintess. I'm right here."
I answered obediently, just in case an unexpected situation arose.
I had to hold out until she could at least drink some cold water and regain her senses. As soon as she heard my answer, she let out a soft giggle.
Her slender finger poked my cheek.
The disheveled Saintess was breathtakingly beautiful. Her sweet body scent mingled with the smell of alcohol, tickling the tip of my nose.
With an innocent smile, the Saintess whispered into my ear.
"...Dummy."
"Yes, I'm a dummy."
"Moron."
"I'm a moron, too."
We had only exchanged a few words, but she seemed to find it incredibly amusing, giggling away.
Soon, she leaned her face against my chest. I was worried she might hear my pounding heart.
"I've... never seen someone who lives at such a loss as you."
"...I don't always live at a loss."
I reflexively made an excuse, but the Saintess just chuckled as if it didn't matter.
She wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me closer.
Her lips came so close to my ear they almost touched. Her supple breasts were pressed firmly against my chest.
It was a pleasant sensation. I was sure it would feel even better if I touched them.
The Saintess's breath was so sweet that I couldn't help but have such thoughts.
And in the next moment, at the words whispered into my ear—
"That's why I like you, Ian. You're different from other people. You're special."
I fell silent for a moment.
Anyone hearing that might mistake it for a confession. When my frozen gaze turned back to the Saintess, the strength had already drained from her body.
She had fallen asleep. After only two sips of alcohol.
Thinking this was probably for the best, I gave a bitter smile and laid her down. Her face as she slept peacefully was like that of an angel.
I waited for Yuren with my back against the wall of the prayer room, and just in case, I asked the sleeping Saintess.
"Saintess, do you happen to know how to use the Dragon Blood Runes?"
Of course, there was no answer. I let out a short laugh, watched the sleeping Saintess for a moment, and then slowly stood up.
I felt a presence outside the door. It seemed Yuren had returned.
Just as I was about to turn away—
"...Eyes."
At that small mumble, I froze in my tracks.
Glancing back, I saw the Saintess was still in dreamland.
"With your eyes, yawn... you have to see... with your eyes... the basics of all magic..."
The Saintess fell back into a deep sleep after those words. Perhaps she hadn't even woken up in the first place.
Finding the sight quite lovely, I stared at her blankly for a moment.
Then, I shook my head and walked away.
Who was I to dream of a Saintess?
And above all, I still had work to do. Until that work was finished, romance was out of the question.
I fiddled with the letter in my pocket.
Only by saving the world could I save my future fiancées.
Now, it was time to meet Senior Delphine.
I entered a secluded research building.
It was a place where the original purpose for its abandonment was unknown. Nevertheless, it seemed to be regularly maintained, as the interior was clean and peaceful.
Normally, I should have headed to the Idalos Hall by now.
However, since the situation surrounding me was so unfavorable lately, Senior Delphine had taken the initiative and sent me a note beforehand.
This deserted research building was where she had summoned me.
As I walked along, looking around here and there, I eventually arrived in front of the designated laboratory. I cautiously pulled the door handle.
Senior Delphine was there.
The northern beauty, with her radiant golden hair, blood-red eyes, and porcelain skin, gave me a bright smile the moment she saw me.
She rose from her chair, then immediately knelt down and bowed her head, speaking in a polite tone.
"...You've arrived, Master?"
To be honest, I had really hoped she wouldn't do that.