Chapter 258
Chapter 258
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>Translator: penny
>Chapter: 258
>Chapter Title: Crimson Revelations
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>Stunned by the shocking situation, Do-hyun snapped back to his senses.
But even after regaining his wits, the questions remained the same.
‘What the hell is going on here?'
Gamilion had mentioned sensing strange auras from both the First Prince and Second Prince, so he figured there was something hidden.
But this went beyond that.
'Their entire bodies are red? Is that even possible?'
Truth's Eye was a trait that pierced through hidden things.
In other words, their entire bodies being red meant something was concealed throughout their bodies... and this was the first time he'd seen such a phenomenon since acquiring Truth's Eye.
It was weird to apply game logic to reality, but even realistically, he had to question if this was possible.
It was utterly bewildering, but if he ventured a guess, something clicked.
'What if it's not external, but something hidden inside their bodies?'
For example, mana.
If the mana circuits circulating through their bodies had been affected by a Fragment of Destiny or something else?
Then it would spread throughout the body, so that appearance wouldn't be so strange.
It could be something else entirely, but...
"Your complexion doesn't look good. Have you been feeling unwell lately and pushed yourself to come out?"
"Haha, what good am I if I can't even walk around the palace? It's suffocating. For me."
"...You're right. Your Highness has always loved being active. It feels like just yesterday you were learning swordsmanship from me."
"It's already been two years, Sword Emperor. Oh, are you perhaps missing the title of 'Master'? Haha."
"Heh heh, you can't tease an old man like that. Well... I do miss it a little. You had such outstanding talent."
Their conversation lent credibility to his guess.
'Two years ago—that's when the game opened.'
Right around then, he became frail, and Truth's Eye was saying something was hidden throughout the prince's body?
Something smelled off.
But he couldn't figure it out just by thinking.
After pondering for a moment, Do-hyun finally spoke up.
"Greetings, Your Highness. It's an honor to meet the Second Prince here, having come at His Majesty's command."
"Ah! Is that so? Nice to meet you. I'm Eden de Arniss. What should I call you?"
"I'm Kaiser. The ones behind me are my guardians."
Perhaps because he'd made an effort to be as polite as possible.
Even though he'd barged in suddenly in a way that could sour the mood, the Second Prince responded with a smile.
Compared to the First Prince, who would chop off an arm for insolence, it was like dealing with a saint.
"I see, Kaiser. I got carried away talking just between us, leaving our guest out. It was rude since it's been so long since I saw a welcome face."
"Not at all, Your Highness."
"By the way, you're the first Apostle personally invited by His Majesty... It's intriguing. Would it be alright to chat briefly until His Majesty arrives?"
"Of course."
Thanks to that, he naturally achieved his goal of conversation.
However, most of that conversation served to satisfy the Second Prince's curiosity.
"I heard you're the top contributor in the Forgotten Tomb. We've been keeping an eye on it, so I have many questions."
The Second Prince had a good personality, but he was born royalty.
Satisfying his own curiosity came first, like second nature.
So when the Second Prince asked about events in the tomb, he gave a brief summary, and when follow-up questions arose, he answered them, repeating this several times.
"I see. That clears up a lot of my curiosity. To handle such a massive disaster... This makes me wonder if the Apostles are even more impressive than I thought, or if it's you specifically... Probably the latter."
"You're too kind."
"Haha, no need to be humble. It's an achievement you can proudly boast about."
Finally satisfied, the Second Prince offered admiring praise instead of questions.
The Sword Emperor clicked his tongue in displeasure from behind, but even he didn't interject, seemingly acknowledging the feat.
"We've talked mostly about you. Hmm... It should take His Majesty a few more minutes to arrive. Is there anything you're curious about regarding me, before then?"
'Now's the time.'
Sensing the moment he'd been waiting for had arrived, Do-hyun's eyes gleamed.
He wet his lips with his tongue and cautiously opened his mouth.
"It's nothing much... Have you ever heard this name?"
"A name... you say?"
"It's called the Moon Order."
He uttered the name softly while watching the Second Prince, but after pondering, the prince simply shook his head.
"First time hearing it. Is it a famous group?"
"...I heard it from someone recently. It stuck in my mind, so I wondered if it was well-known and asked, but it seems it's not."
"I see. Anything else you're curious about?"
Seeing his calm demeanor, Do-hyun paused before asking about the Fragment of Destiny.
But the response was the same as before.
"That's new to me too... Goodness, don't you have any questions for me? Haha. I thought you'd have some since I'm a prince, after all."
"How could I not? I was just hesitant to ask boldly."
"Haha, you're a guest personally invited by His Majesty, so feel free to ask."
His face showed complete ignorance as he joked around, with no trace of anything odd.
If anything, he seemed embarrassed.
Based on this alone, it might seem like a dead end, but Do-hyun's eyes sharpened instead.
When he mentioned the Moon Order, he definitely saw it.
Just for a split second, the prince's eyes and mouth tightened then relaxed.
'He definitely knows the Moon Order.'
'I think so too, Master. You can't fool my eyes. That's definitely a face hiding something.'
'Lizariza.'
'Indeed. That was a distinctly uneasy reaction.'
Was he pretending not to know because they were in cahoots?
If so, there was no malice or killing intent, but it could be high-level poker face.
He needed more information.
As Do-hyun was about to speak again.
"Hm?"
The corridor suddenly grew noisy.
Not loud, but bustling with activity, and he soon learned why.
"His Imperial Majesty the Emperor arrives!"
"Ah! His Majesty must be back. Regrettably, our conversation ends here."
The ninth emperor of the great Arniss Empire.
Baharun de Arniss appeared from beyond the corridor.
The palace's red carpet seemed to exist solely for him, and his walking upon it suited him perfectly.
Step, step.
A monarch's gaze that seemed to command all.
Though his height was just under 180cm—not particularly tall—his presence made him appear gigantic.
His attendants trailing behind him looked annoyingly burdensome.
Click, click, click, click.
Finally, the attendants parted like the Red Sea to either side, and the emperor approached to stand right before them.
The air grew heavy.
"Many guests. Eden, why are you here...?"
"I happened to pass by and saw, so we had a brief chat... *cough, cough*."
Mid-sentence, the Second Prince suddenly coughed harshly, his face paling.
His already pale complexion turned almost zombie-like, making one question if this was the same person from moments ago.
"Tch. Your condition has worsened. Go back and rest."
"...My apologies."
The Second Prince bowed his head and withdrew.
The emperor watched his retreating figure without averting his eyes until he was out of sight, then finally turned.
"...All this gold must be mere decoration. It seems to have no effect."
"It did have a slight effect. He was talking quite comfortably just before."
"...Is that so. Thank you, Sword Emperor. It wasn't even a request for you, yet you obliged readily."
"No such thing exists. Whoever can bring him safely does so. I'll take my leave now, so please converse freely."
"Mm. Understood. We'll talk separately later."
Only after sending off the Sword Emperor did the emperor's gaze finally turn to Do-hyun.
Staring at him with piercing, enigmatic eyes, the emperor spoke flatly, as if tossing out the words.
"You're Kaiser. Come inside."
With that, he turned and entered the door, exuding an atmosphere that made defiance difficult.
Truly befitting the man who declared that under heaven, the sun was the emperor of the empire.
But Do-hyun, looking at this emperor, felt not admiration but absurdity.
Not for petty or unpleasant reasons.
[Truth's Eye activates.]
'...This is insane. Why is the emperor red too?'
The emperor of the empire, Baharun de Arniss.
His body was also tinged red.
Not entirely like the Second Prince's, but a faint red light centered on his chest, spreading to his shoulders and navel.
'Something's definitely there.'
Was it his imagination that the door beyond looked like a tiger's den?
Stepping in felt like he'd get deeply entangled in something.
It was highly unappealing to enter readily, but didn't they say even a tiger's den was fine if you kept your wits?
'This damn main quest wouldn't be any different.'
Do-hyun straightened his posture with a short deep breath.
'Alright. Since it's come to this, let's dig in properly.'
* * *
It had already been 30 minutes since he vowed that and began conversing in the audience chamber.
The talk progressed smoothly, making his earlier tension seem unfounded.
"I've heard of your fame. You're very well-known among the Apostles. Everywhere you go, it's filled with talk of you. Some even call you a god."
"......"
"I wondered if Apostles serving a god should do that, but it just means you're that exceptional a talent. Great heroes captivate people, so it's understandable."
"You're too kind."
"It's something to be proud of, so put aside the humility."
"...Yes. Thank you."
The conversation had been a nonstop string of praises like a relay.
He'd heard the emperor was so arrogant as to say there was no need for two suns under heaven, but in person, he was a man who acknowledged what deserved it.
'Hmm! As expected of a great empire's emperor, with such discerning eyes. It's said from ancient times that to become a great king, one needs sharp vision. A king's qualities include leadership and talent, but most importantly, how many capable people follow him...'
'...I see.'
This was also why Charlie stood quietly beside him with the most satisfied smile lately.
Harried by Charlie's unrestrained reactions, Hardis subtly stepped back, while Eliza nodded along with a soulless expression.
Do-hyun half-listened and let it slide, lost in thought.
'I tried probing indirectly about the Fragment of Destiny or Moon Order just in case... but he showed no sign of knowing.'
Though he'd phrased it carefully to avoid suspicion, the emperor reacted even less than the Second Prince, who had responded to Moon Order.
Unlike Sargis's lord who reacted immediately, or Pratelle's Gilberun.
But he couldn't dismiss the emperor as unrelated,
[Truth's Eye activates.]
When that red light occupying a quarter of his body proved a connection.
It seemed definitely tied to the imperial family, yet how could he know nothing?
His head ached from the incomprehensible situation.
Around then.
"I think we've covered the preliminaries... Shall we get to the main point? You're probably wondering why I brought you here."
Emperor Baharun removed the hand propping his chin.
Leaning his upper body slightly forward, the perpetual nonchalance vanished from him.
The faint wrinkles at his eyes and mouth straightened rigidly, feeling even cold.
Staring at Do-hyun with utmost seriousness, he slowly parted his dry lips.