Chapter 54
Chapter 54
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 54
Chapter Title: Commendation
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Five years ago, Regina made a promise to Lena.
—I’ll make you strong. Strong enough to tear the King of the Dead apart.
Under the red sky of the graveyard, she said this to Lena, who had become a target of the King with Many Hearts. But Lena couldn’t readily accept those words. Strength? That was a word far too distant from her. So Lena asked skeptically.
“Can I really get strong?”
—My wording was off. You’re already strong. Just not quite enough to rip the King of the Dead to shreds yet.
Regina declared firmly. But Lena still wore an unconvinced expression. At just thirteen, she was still too young. Her slightly skinny frame was neither fast nor sturdy, and she had never even held a weapon. She had no experience fighting anything at all.
—If you doubt it, I’ll show you.
With those words, Regina lightly beckoned. A dagger lying on the ground floated up and suddenly flew toward Lena, blade first.
“Kyaa!”
As the deadly weapon hurtled toward her, Lena shrieked and reflexively threw up her arms to block it. But even after waiting a long moment, no pain came. Hesitant, she heard Regina’s voice.
—Don’t move. Just look ahead.
Following the instruction, Lena slowly opened her eyes. Then she let out an involuntary gasp.
“Hic…….”
The dagger’s sharp tip hovered right before her nose. It wasn’t Regina who had stopped it.
‘This again……?’
It was just like that time. The first day she fell into the graveyard, surrounded by wraiths. The world had frozen then, too.
—Don’t move, don’t speak. Just keep your mind awake and watch.
Even without the command, Lena couldn’t budge. The blade had slipped between her limp arms, poised to stab her face. She knew from past experience that if she moved now, the dagger would resume its motion.
—This is your strength. The power to stop time and think. The infinity granted to you, who reached the Abyss while still alive.
Humans facing death sometimes experience time stopping. In that brief instant, they reflect on their lives, feel regret, and finally accept death. When surrounded by wraiths, Lena had gone through such a moment. But it differed from ordinary people in a few ways. First, her consciousness had vastly expanded upon touching the Abyss. Second, she was already accustomed to death. And finally, she could now halt time and awaken her mind in moments of crisis.
—The world won’t move until you do. So observe the threat and think. Figure out how to evade it.
Confused but obedient, Lena stared at the sharp dagger. It had already wedged itself between her shielding arms. Grab it? No, she wasn’t sure. Dodge then? It’d catch her arm. Looking closer, its path veered slightly left. Dodging left would make it follow. Dodge right. Lower her left arm to let it glance off?
—Once you’ve decided, move. Faster than that dagger.
Lena steeled herself and twisted her body with all her might. The halted dagger mercilessly resumed, grazing past her ear.
“Ah……!”
The cold steel brushing her skin made Lena scream. But that was all. The dagger barely skimmed her and flew on, leaving Lena stunned at her own success.
“Eek!”
Before she could rejoice, a dizzying jolt struck her ankle. Her foot had twisted, and with no preparation for the sudden motion, her leg buckled, sending her tumbling down.
—You’ll need training, that’s clear. Tripping over your own feet?
Regina chuckled and beckoned. Lena’s body floated lightly into the air. She flailed in surprise before surrendering to the unknown force. Regina pulled her right up to her face.
—Now do you understand? Why you’re strong.
“……Not really. Will this actually work?”
—Of course. Your enemies won’t even know until you’ve slit their throats.
Regina beckoned again. Lena’s worn blouse and skirt transformed into a stiff shirt and leather pants.
—Don’t worry. I’ll train you plenty.
With those words, a dagger flew toward Lena—this time handle-first. She hesitated, then grasped it. Even that small blade felt a bit heavy in her hands. Hesitant, she asked Regina.
“Why are you doing this for me?”
—Doing what?
“Why help me like this? Is it a joke?”
Her face as she asked was pitiful, like a child moments from punishment. The expression of someone who believed no one would help without reason, yet secretly wished someone would. Seeing that mix of anxiety and hope, Regina answered slowly.
—It’s no joke.
“Then?”
—That’s……
Regina trailed off, then grinned mischievously.
—I’ll tell you once you’re strong enough.
“What?”
—So if you want the answer, get strong fast.
“Hey, that’s cheating!”
Lena whined, but Regina just laughed and said nothing more. Time passed, and Regina kept her promises. To make Lena strong. To explain why she was helping. Those promises were why Lena broke her silence and returned to the world that had erased her. A secret only Lena Rubel knew for now—but soon, everyone would learn it.
***
Lena had already straightened her impeccable attire. She gazed at the massive barred gate blocking her path. Beyond it lay dense foliage and a blindingly white palace.
‘There it is.’
The White Palace, Emperor Nihil’s residence. To reach here, Lena had passed through layers of gates and guards. This deepest sanctum of Grasha Imperial Palace was where the emperor dwelt. At the gate, she drew the silver key Clavis had given her. It fit the lock perfectly. The emperor had summoned her via Clavis with this key. She didn’t know the exact purpose yet—only that he wished to commend her personally.
Lena opened the gate herself and entered. Crossing a corridor stacked with layers of sunlight, she reached a vast domed hall. Entering, she squeezed her eyes shut against the glare. When she opened them, an endless white expanse unfolded.
The cylindrical hall’s walls were draped in white curtains. Behind them, ornate frames protruded like picture frames—Lena recalled Clavis calling this the ‘Emperor’s Gallery.’ White sheets covered the floor too, bathed in light pouring from the open dome above, creating a dizzying sensation like stepping into clouds.
The emperor lay at the center. A woman in a plain cotton dress, neck wrapped in a wide ribbon, bare feet dangling freely. Emperor Nihil napped like a cat atop a pile of enormous cushions. Sensing Lena at the entrance, Nihil lifted her head, stretched languidly, and rose from the nestlike bedchamber.
“You’re here. Lena Rubel.”
Her appearance lacked refinement or dignity, but Lena calmly curtsied, lifting her skirt’s hem.
“Glory to Your Exalted Majesty.”
“Enough of that. Come here.”
Nihil half-acknowledged the greeting by kicking a cushion aside. Lena approached, hesitated briefly, then sat on it.
“I called you to see you up close. Been a while since I’ve seen someone like you.”
“I am honored.”
“Yeah, sure, whatever.”
Nihil waved dismissively at Lena’s courtesy, then spoke bluntly again.
“Say what you want.”
“What do you mean…….”
“I’ll grant you a wish. You earned merits, so you get commended.”
Faced with Nihil’s flat yet outrageous offer, Lena pondered before replying.
“I merely did my duty.”
“Bullshit.”
“……Nothing comes to mind right now. If you’d give me time to think…….”
“You really overthink everything.”
Nihil stared piercingly at Lena. Her glass-bead eyes seemed to bore through her, and Lena, fearing offense, lowered her gaze. Nihil muttered at the sight.
“You remind me of Naza.”
The sudden name startled Lena slightly. Naza—mother of Lin, the late Eastern Duke. Lifting her head in surprise, an even more unexpected remark followed.
“You’re dating Naza’s son?”
Palace rumors spread fast, as expected. But Lena hadn’t imagined the emperor’s interest in such gossip, so she bowed reflexively.
“My apologies.”
“Cut that out.”
“Pardon?”
“No more ‘honored’ or ‘apologies.’ Use courtly speech once more, and I’ll sew your tongue shut.”
Lena hesitated at the sharp threat. Despite the harsh words, Nihil’s face remained expressionless—impossible to tell if it was a joke. With no choice under the casual yet imperious command, Lena nodded. Nihil, as if never serious, murmured drowsily again.
“Amusing. Someone like Naza dating Naza’s son. Hm. Even in front of me?”
Nihil eyed Lena as if struck by a thought. Meeting the expectant gaze, Lena answered carefully.
“That was just the getting-to-know-you phase.”
“Ah.”
Nihil nodded, then muttered to herself.
“That’s how it goes. Good luck or bad? Always like this. Hit or miss no matter what. Wasn’t even aiming for it.”
She grumbled, then looked back at Lena.
“I put your lover through trials.”
The words could sound gentle, depending. Lena responded a touch more warmly.
“Still, it helped confirm our feelings.”
“Good for you. But don’t they get frisky and pounce when in heat?”
Nihil’s bluntness momentarily stunned Lena speechless. The sentence implied much, but the word “heat” shocked her rigid. Nihil waved it off.
“Whatever, you’ll figure it out. Drop that topic. And the wish—you asked for time. Fine, have it. I called you for a reward, not punishment. Take as long as you want, before I change my mind.”
Nihil shifted subjects.
“More importantly, Lena Rubel, I have a question for you.”
“Please ask.”
“Rumor has it your father’s the Northern Marquis.”
Deliberate or just her usual luck? Nihil’s new topic struck Lena’s blind spot again. Only three marquises in the North, but Nihil didn’t recall their names—couldn’t even summon the Eastern Duke’s outright, calling him Naza’s son. No reason to remember some Northern hound’s either. But Lena Rubel piqued her interest for once, so she’d casually checked her origins and the rumors.
“Is it true? If so, why are you acting as the Southern Duke’s proxy in the South?”
Nihil asked with an impassive face.
“No need for long explanations. I have one question.”
Her face betrayed no emotion—did it even have any?
“Is there any reason I should kill you?”