Chapter 160: Dragon's Eye, Human Heart (24)
Chapter 160: Dragon's Eye, Human Heart (24)
The Academy’s Great Temple was always teeming with visitors.
It was a place where believers flocked to find prayer rooms or attend services, and where the injured gathered in desperate need of healing. It was only natural, given the circumstances.
The Great Temple, which housed hundreds of people at any given time, was famous for treating everyone equally. Impartiality was, after all, one of the core values emphasized by the Heavenly God Religion.
However, even the ground they stood upon belonged to the mortal world. Consequently, the temple was forced to give special treatment to a select few guests.
Cien, the 5th Princess of the Empire, was one of them.
Although the Empire and the Holy Kingdom were separate nations, the leaders of the various continental powers maintained close ties. The same held true for the Imperial Household and the Holy Kingdom’s Papacy.
Relations between the Empire—the undisputed strongest nation on the continent—and the Holy Kingdom—which wielded the formidable power of religion—were particularly amicable.
There was simply no benefit for either side to be in conflict.
Thus, it was only natural for Cien to be treated as a VIP not only in the Empire but also in the Holy Kingdom. The Great Temple of the Academy was no exception to this rule.
Of course, she maintained a facade of not enjoying any special privileges, but Cien was shrewd enough to subtly exploit her status whenever necessary.
Just like right now.
The temple’s concentrated healing rooms were normally off-limits to visitors.
Unless one was a close friend, a family member, or the presiding priest, entry was forbidden without the patient’s explicit consent.
The only reason Cien was able to visit one of these rooms was entirely due to her social status.
Lady Ruphesia—Cien had heard rumors that she had been brutally dealt with by Ian not too long ago.
The rumors said she had been holed up in the concentrated healing room ever since, refusing all visitors. True to those words, Lady Ruphesia sat there now, looking utterly soul-dead.
Both her arms, exposed from her upper body, were wrapped tightly in bandages. The faint blood seeping through the cloth served as grim evidence of the nature of her injuries.
Amputation.
She had lost all her limbs except for one leg. And all because she had slapped a commoner girl once.
The Princess had heard the reports, but seeing the victim’s wretched state in person made even her recoil in internal horror.
Is he a complete lunatic?
The exercise of violence had been far too cruel.
Even if one conceded a hundred times over that Lady Ruphesia was in the wrong for picking a fight first, the idea of severing the limbs of a neutralized opponent was not something a sane person would ever conceive.
At this point, Cien actually felt a sense of gratitude.
Had she not escaped her own entanglement with that psycho without a single scratch? The only price was that her favorite knight had turned into a shut-in.
Thinking of Irene made Cien feel gloomy again.
She had to get rid of Ian Percus somehow.
This wasn't just for her own sake; it was a decision for the good of the Academy. In her mind, she had already branded Ian as a monstrous villain.
Ahem.
A small, forced cough broke the silence of the sickroom.
Lady Ruphesia’s hollow eyes drifted toward Cien. She wore a dazed expression, as if it took her a moment to realize who Cien was.
The mental trauma seemed severe.
Then again, it would be stranger to be fine after watching one's own limbs fly through the air. Cien carefully stepped forward, inwardly sympathizing with Lady Ruphesia’s plight.
It was only then that a faint spark of recognition appeared in Lady Ruphesia’s eyes.
“Prin… cess…?”
Cien nodded, wearing a benevolent smile. She naturally took a seat on the chair beside the bed.
“Senior Ruphesia, are you alright? I’m sorry I couldn't visit sooner.”
In truth, Cien didn't have much of a connection with Lady Ruphesia.
At most, they had passed each other a few times, and Cien had humored the lady’s obvious flattery once or twice.
Yet, Cien’s current demeanor was that of a dear, concerned friend. A stranger would have been completely fooled.
In fact, the flattery of a superior can warp even the perception of a subordinate.
Lady Ruphesia knit her brows slightly, but soon accepted Cien’s goodwill at face value.
Right, I suppose we were close.
Ruphesia thought so, unaware of the sharp glint hidden in Cien’s eyes.
“……I heard you were attacked by Senior Ian?”
Her tone was subtle.
It sounded like a gentle probe, but the content was so direct that Lady Ruphesia’s body flinched.
Her face began to turn deathly pale. Her shoulders trembled uncontrollably; anyone could see she was gripped by extreme terror.
The intensity of that emotion was enough to make Cien’s eyes ache.
But she endured it and maintained her smile.
This was excellent material. She was already looking forward to how she would cook this up.
“Th-that… I… ugh….”
“Don’t be afraid, Lady Ruphesia. There is no one else here. Besides, that man can never come in here.”
Cien’s whisper coiled around Lady Ruphesia’s ear like a snake as the lady repeated broken, non-verbal sounds.
“I couldn't bear to hear about such senseless violence. Honestly, what did you do so wrong, Lady Ruphesia? You only slapped a commoner once.”
As Cien’s words sank in, Ruphesia’s ragged breathing began to steady. Nevertheless, the look of terror in her eyes never truly faded.
The Princess pressed on with her persuasion.
“……Let’s bring this to the disciplinary committee.”
“N-no! You can’t!”
Ruphesia shrieked in surprise. Her eyes were shaking violently again.
“Th-that madman… he’s not the type to care about things like that! I realized it the moment I met him… he’s a mad dog that will bite you to the end the moment you touch him!”
“You’re right. He is that kind of man.”
Cien didn't bother to deny Ruphesia’s words. She simply nodded slowly and spoke again.
“……But, can you really continue to live alongside that madman?”
Ruphesia’s eyes widened as if she had been struck by lightning.
Seeing those blue eyes fixed on her with a look of incomprehension, Cien allowed a faint smile to form internally.
Yes, fear is best controlled with more fear.
“Think about it, Senior Ruphesia. You still have your life at the Academy ahead of you. But all that time, Senior Ian will be walking the same grounds. He’ll be in a position where he can ambush you at any moment.”
“Ah… ugh… h-he….”
Watching Ruphesia’s body tremble again, Cien felt certain.
Just a little more pushing and she would break.
In fact, the deeper the mental scars, the more vulnerable one becomes to greater fear. This was how Cien had always handled people.
“It’s better to bring him before the disciplinary committee and have him removed from the Academy entirely.”
“B-but if I do that… th-that man will come for me….”
“We’ll keep it a secret.”
Cien smiled brightly, as if this were the only possible solution.
“I will help you. We’ll hold the disciplinary committee in secret, and then expel him in a surprise move, leaving only the final statement… Of course, I will personally guarantee your safety, Senior.”
Even so, Ruphesia’s eyes were filled with nothing but hesitation.
As Ruphesia wavered, unable to make a decision, Cien whispered one last time.
“……Otherwise, do you want to be the one to leave the Academy, Senior? That’s too unfair. He’s the perpetrator.”
Only then did Ruphesia’s trembling subside slightly.
Though faint, an emotion other than fear was flickering in her eyes.
It was anger.
Naturally, she wanted him gone. As much as she was afraid, she was equally furious and humiliated. She must have prayed thousands of times for him to just disappear from her life.
Cien was offering that opportunity now, but Ruphesia was still hesitating.
That was how deep the scars Ian had left on her were.
Ruphesia stammered as she spoke.
“B-but… I even said things that insulted his family… I-if he brings up a duel for noble honor….”
“Then he should have just killed you cleanly. Why would he torment you like this instead? I can handle something of that level with my influence.”
Cien took Ruphesia’s trembling hand with a warm smile, as if telling her not to worry.
She whispered her final pitch.
“I’ll help you get your revenge, Senior… because that’s what I want as well. The Imperial Household, or a mad dog that doesn't know its place—which side will you bet on?”
It was a question that didn't even need asking.
Having obtained the answer she wanted, Cien left the sickroom with a satisfied smile. As she walked out, she suddenly bumped into someone.
She felt a plush sensation, followed by a soft elasticity that immediately bounced her back.
The Princess stared at the source of that sensation, dumbfounded.
It was the Saintess. She, too, seemed flustered, staring blankly at Cien with wide eyes.
Cien immediately bowed her head with an awkward smile.
“I-I’m sorry, Saintess. I wasn't paying attention for a moment….”
“It’s alright, Sister Cien. I didn't expect anyone to be in Sister Ruphesia’s room either.”
The Saintess offered her usual benevolent smile, and Cien had to beat a hasty retreat, smiling sheepishly.
The curves of her body were just too overwhelming.
Who could have guessed that the source of that cushioning was her breasts?
At the same time, Cien couldn't help but feel a faint flicker of suspicion.
Come to think of it, she had heard that the Saintess had gone on the internship dispatch with that man. There was even intel suggesting she was subtly concerned about him.
She wouldn't happen to pass on what she overheard, would she?
But Cien soon chuckled and dismissed the thought.
The Saintess was the beloved daughter of the impartial Heavenly God. She was a woman known for not tolerating violence and for maintaining a clear distinction between public and private matters.
Cien judged that she wouldn't leak sensitive information like a disciplinary committee meeting.
If they were in a romantic relationship, it might be different, but she had never heard a single rumor of the Saintess being in love. Even after opening her ‘Eye,’ Cien hadn't sensed any relevant clues, so she was almost certain.
Thus, the Princess failed to notice.
She didn't see the Saintess’s pale pink eyes narrow for a split second as they watched her back.
The Saintess watched the Princess’s retreating figure for a moment, letting out a soft "Hmm." After a short while, she gave a deep sigh and shook her head.
Honestly, that man, Ian Percus, was involved in far too many incidents.
Well, I suppose I should tell him about the disciplinary committee.
With that thought, the Saintess entered the room to treat Ruphesia.
It was a truly unfortunate turn of events for Ruphesia.
Cien was walking with Irene for the first time in a while.
Irene’s complexion was incredibly dark. Even though it was her first outing in a long time, she didn't look cheerful or in a good mood.
But it didn't matter. Cien believed that eventually, the day would come when Irene would return to her normal self.
Though the fact that she had chosen shock therapy as the method was a bit questionable.
Cien and Irene were wandering through a remote part of the Academy. They were looking for Ian.
Her intention was to probe him and see exactly what means he had used to seize control of the Newspaper Club.
No matter how crazy Ian was, he wouldn't suddenly attack the Princess. To be honest, hearing the recent rumors made her a bit uneasy, but surely there were limits to what a human would do.
Furthermore, if Ian had taken over the Newspaper Club, his methods must be linked to the Imperial Household.
The only entity the Imperial Intelligence Agency could prioritize over the Imperial Household was the Imperial Household itself.
Perhaps one of Cien’s pathetic older brothers or sisters had attached themselves to Ian.
Cien snorted derisively.
Unless it was the First Prince Vilteon or the Second Princess Iris, it was difficult for anyone to oppose her, given how much the Emperor doted on her.
Since she had no ambition for power, it was awkward to assassinate her, so the only thing they could do was this kind of childish interference.
Ian had probably clung to that connection somehow and gone to the Newspaper Club to beg and plead.
Neris, the Newspaper Club President, likely wore a troubled expression before giving in to the annoyance and saying yes.
And then that lower noble would have bowed his head in gratitude.
That was the common-sense scenario. However, since the process of identifying who that ‘connection’ was was important, the Princess was personally making the trip.
Following the trail of sightings, the Princess and Irene finally found signs of life.
It was a clearing in the southern forest.
In a place where no one visited since the appearance of the demonic beasts—except for the investigation team—they spotted a young noble with black hair.
It was Ian Percus. His back was turned, so they couldn't see his face clearly, but judging by the hand axe in his hand, it was definitely him.
There were few men who could radiate such a thick scent of blood just by holding a hand axe.
The moment she saw his back, Irene froze, but Cien grabbed her hand and offered words of comfort.
“It’s okay, Irene. He won’t be much once we talk to him… As long as we don’t provoke him, he has no reason to use that axe…….”
It was then that a sudden scream rang out.
“Ugh, k-kyaaaaaaaah!”
That vivid shriek caused both Cien and Irene to freeze simultaneously.
Cien turned back to Ian with a bewildered look. There, she saw a woman collapsing to the ground, blood splattering onto the dirt.
It was Neris, the Newspaper Club President.
An Expert-level powerhouse and a promising agent of the Imperial Intelligence Agency.
Why on earth was she there?
Before she could even process the question, Neris—who had been struck in the shoulder by the hand axe—looked up at the man with eyes full of terror.
The man quietly knelt down.
And as he met Neris’s gaze, he spoke a single sentence.
“……I told you not to have any doubts.”
The moment she heard those words, Neris’s face turned ghostly pale. She hurriedly adjusted her posture and immediately bowed her head to the ground.
“P-please… forgive me…….”
Cien’s eyes went blank as she watched the scene.
What is this situation?
Wait, is this actually real?
Instinctively, Cien turned her gaze toward Irene. She wanted to ask if the scene before her eyes was the truth.
But Cien soon realized.
There was no need to ask.
The color had long since drained from Irene’s face.
It was a sad, unbelievable reality.