Chapter 107
Chapter 107
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 107
Chapter Title: Enricasil Invitation
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“Do you know anything about Dallas’s butler?”
Erewin pouted her lower lip at the sudden question.
They had been in the middle of discussing recent events at the Magic Tower.
“Why bring him up out of nowhere? Is there a problem?”
“It’s not exactly that, but last time I met Dallas, the butler left a strange impression on me.”
“He does have quite a backstory.”
Damian wasn’t sure how much of Elgana’s true identity had been shared.
Someone like Empress Abigail probably knew, but given Dallas’s personality, it was unlikely he’d told his other siblings.
He was endlessly lenient with his own people. But he left no room for those outside his circle.
He wouldn’t have told Boris or Arkin.
One was a rival gunning for his throat, and the other held no value as an ally.
Erewin was ambiguous. As twins, she often moved with Boris, but their relationship was complicated.
Besides, no matter her skill, she couldn’t be a rival. Princesses were destined to leave the imperial palace.
That was why Erewin had chosen Damian. She would enthrone him as emperor and wield influence from the shadows.
‘But Boris, that bastard. Scheming like that behind the scenes.’
She had heard the full details of the Rubia ambush incident from Erewin.
In the end, it stemmed from Boris’s greed to claim credit.
‘Twins with double the greed.’
They wanted the world without the talent for it. Born as the emperor’s children, they were insufferably arrogant.
“I heard he’s a pretty skilled magician. It’d be weirder if Dallas’s man lacked ability.”
Erewin glanced around before pressing close to Damian.
“This is something Dallas absolutely told me not to tell anyone…”
In truth, there was no need for such theatrics even with secrets.
Her guards kept people at a distance, and she could use soundproofing magic if needed.
She did it anyway for her own satisfaction. This was how lovers behaved, in her mind.
Erewin and Rubia. Both craved the empress’s seat, but inside, they were hopeless lunatics.
“Apparently, he made a name for himself at the Magic Tower long ago. There are even rumors he’s connected to your mentor.”
Erewin didn’t know much herself.
Of course, it didn’t matter. Damian wasn’t after her information. He just wanted her to run wild among the orthodox faction.
“But why?”
“No reason. I just heard he’s connected to Rubia.”
Shaa. The moment the word ‘Rubia’ hit her ears, Erewin’s face darkened rapidly.
“Who from.”
Snap. She flicked her fingers, casting soundproofing magic. Nothing triggered her like Rubia.
“I overheard it casually at the Magic Tower.”
The statement was, of course, a lie.
But it was true that Elgana and Rubia were connected.
Rubia had known Elgana’s identity for a while and had learned his magic in exchange for turning a blind eye.
Saying she ‘learned’ was generous. Rubia wasn’t the type to accept instruction from anyone.
She had simply invested time observing and analyzing Elgana’s spells.
Still, it must have helped more than her actual mentor, Mateus.
-That’s how it happened… Sigh. It’s a shame about him too. Though that’s all he amounted to, failing to make the right choice.
“Is it, certain?”
“I only overheard it, so I can’t swear to it. But hearing what you said, sis, makes me think there might be something.”
Erewin bit her nail to hide her anxiety. Her mind raced.
‘Has Dallas made some secret deal with Rubia? No, why? If Mother finds out…’
No matter the stakes, Rubia’s involvement always provoked this reaction.
She hated herself for it but couldn’t stop. It was a physiological response.
“Uh…”
“Sis. Calm down.”
The trembling stopped. Instead, Damian’s warmth spread through her hand.
“What could possibly go wrong? Not with you and me together.”
Erewin’s lips parted as if drunk on wine.
Right. They were the ones whispering forbidden love, promising to stand at the empire’s pinnacle.
‘If that’s true, it could even be an opportunity.’
The public didn’t know, but Empress Abigail saw Michael as a thorn in her side.
He was the biggest obstacle to her blood claiming the throne.
That sentiment naturally extended to her fiancée, Rubia.
If Dallas was collaborating with Rubia, he’d fall from Abigail’s graces.
Empress Abigail’s dream was her child on the throne. It didn’t have to be her eldest son.
And it didn’t have to be a son at all.
Erewin wouldn’t be some ordinary empress. She aimed to be the most powerful in imperial history, rivaling the emperor himself.
She would claim the seat right beside the throne.
‘She won’t accept it right away, but…’
Damian made it possible. Outwardly, she played the merciful figure embracing even a bastard, but reality was different.
Still, her evaluation of Damian had risen lately.
She had separately instructed Erewin and Boris to win him over.
It was due to his growth over the past year. If it came to open conflict with Michael, he’d be a key asset.
People’s hearts weren’t eternal.
Hating Damian’s mother, Marianne, was fair enough, but hating Damian too was excessive.
The solution was simple.
Damian just needed to rack up merits beyond now and earn Abigail’s recognition. Prove his path to emperor outshone the other princes.
And she would be at his side.
Erewin von Edbalt, who resembled Abigail more than anyone.
Erewin would surpass Abigail as empress. She would achieve the true dream Abigail cherished.
Smack. Suddenly, Erewin kissed Damian’s cheek. The limit for sibling affection.
‘You can’t drive with the whip alone.’
Damian stroked her hair in resignation. Proper rewards kept the bites at bay.
“Heehee.”
But Erewin, unsatisfied, pulled Damian’s hand to her own cheek.
‘Exposing the truth suits this woman best.’
Given her personality, suspicion planted, she’d investigate Elgana. Her abilities wouldn’t easily uncover it.
So Damian would step in. Scatter evidence without her noticing, leading her to the truth.
“Kyaa?”
Then, the bone fragment in his pocket floated up to the table.
“Ah! Is this the servant armament I’ve only heard about? It’s kinda cute.”
“Kyaa…”
“Hmm?”
When Erewin reached out, the bone fragment dodged. It trembled, hiding behind Damian’s hand as a shield.
“Hehe. I heard it’s shy, but it acts so lifelike. How do you even make something like this?”
No. It wasn’t mere shyness. The bone fragment feared Erewin.
Nothing unusual about her body. Perhaps it was her twisted emotions.
The demon still held many research secrets.
“Oh dear. I got so caught up chatting with you, I almost forgot the most important part.”
Erewin gently offered a golden invitation.
“This is…?”
“Membership to Enricasil. I went through hell to get it.”
Erewin said, propping her chin.
“Time to build ‘our’ own faction, don’t you think?”
It wasn’t just coquettish smile. It brimmed with confidence.
‘I didn’t expect her to prepare in earnest.’
The proposal: Damian as emperor, Erewin as empress. He hadn’t thought she’d take it seriously.
He figured she’d just shower him with affection like endless prayers for rain. But she had her own plans.
Of course, her plans wouldn’t come to fruition.
Empress Abigail wouldn’t allow it, and Damian would discard her once her usefulness ended.
Still, this invitation held real value.
It fueled their absurd act.
Enricasil was the empire’s secret social club.
Membership required an existing member’s invitation, and the process wasn’t simple.
Among imperial clubs, it was the only one the royals couldn’t join at will.
Others groveled in welcome if the imperial family attended, but Enricasil upheld its principles.
“Dallas will be there too. I’ll probe about his butler this time.”
Only two royals belonged: Erewin and Dallas.
Now Damian would join them.
Legend said Enricasil predated the empire, but no one knew the truth.
‘Wait, this year’s Enricasil…’
Nearly three years since Damian’s regression.
Especially the last few months of active moves had altered much of imperial history.
Relying on past knowledge had limits. Blind faith in old experiences could backfire.
But this Enricasil was different.
Damian’s influence was minimal, so he could fully leverage his foreknowledge.
“Thank you, sis.”
Ahh. That expression melted Erewin’s heart again.
The one emotion only she could feel among the empire’s women.
“By the way, sis. The spoils from the devil worshipper purge went to the Magic Tower, right?”
“Yeah. Payment for their support. The harmless loot was divided among the purge squad, and the rest stayed with the Tower.”
The Guardian would normally handle such storage.
Three days until the next Enricasil.
If he contacted Dennis today, he’d get what he needed in time.
“Hehe. This gathering, I’ll attend with my real ‘family.’”
For a split second, Damian’s face stiffened. But it was so brief Erewin didn’t notice.
Her tone and expression vaguely mimicked Rubia.
She loathed comparisons to Rubia yet imitated her.
It was pathetic in a way.
If Erewin weren’t a princess born to nobility, she wouldn’t be so warped.
“And… this doesn’t have to happen right away.”
Erewin leaned in close again. Her breath tickled Damian’s fine hairs.
“Won’t you call me Erewin soon? When we’re alone.”
“…I’ll try. Calling you by name feels embarrassing.”
“It’s fine, it’s fine. Change bit by bit. Use this chance to swap your entourage for more refined people. I heard you brought two commoners to the palace. One’s a traitor’s descendant.”
“Yes. Acquaintances I met in the south.”
“Clean them up soon. They don’t suit your station. If aiming for the throne, choose people with dignity beneath you. Or…”
Erewin smiled wickedly, flicking her hand.
“Want your big sis to handle it?”
Damian just smiled silently. Erewin loved that smile, forgetting her words as she lost herself in it.
‘Yeah. She’s that kind of woman.’
Any pity vanished instantly. This woman was another irredeemable lunatic.