The Jewel Losing Its Light
"All we want is one thing. Cooperate in shoving that arrogant fake hero off the cliff of ruin. If you do... you can live."
"......"
The moment she first received that proposal.
Paradoxically, the emotion Adelin felt was one of distrust and suspicion.
A Petrification Disease that she'd barely managed to cover up, known only to her closest aides and the royal family—how could a Harennes hound know about it? It didn't make sense.
But as if he'd anticipated even that level of doubt, the Harennes cardinal pressed on with even more florid words.
"We expected as much, so we've brought a small taste of the Saintess's miracle first. If you would kindly offer your right arm, where the jewels have sprouted."
"...If you're trying any tricks, I'll show you the agony of diamonds embedding your entire body."
"No need to worry."
She'd already prepared for this. She could afford to fall for it once.
With that judgment, Adelin extended her right arm, studded with transparent crystals, to him.
The cardinal gently grasped it and channeled a holy power that felt utterly different from ordinary divine energy—yet somehow faintly familiar.
At that instant, the sensation of sand grains crawling beneath her skin vanished as if it had never existed.
Then a slight tickling pain burrowed into the roots of the protruding jewels.
The transparent crystal formations began to melt away like snow under sunlight.
"This... can't be... "
The warm flow of blood returned to her right arm, which had been numb and hardened beyond sensation.
Adelin stroked it in disbelief. The rough, jagged surface was gone, replaced by her original smooth skin.
Even the stabbing pain in her chest with every breath had eased, if only slightly.
"Heh heh... This is the power of the true chosen proxy."
Confirming her trembling eyes, the cardinal continued with his serene, benevolent smile.
"However, this is merely a partial purification of the Blood Creation Lord's power embedded in Your Highness's body, through the Saintess's authority."
He stepped back, straightening the sleeves of his red vestments.
"The rest will come after Your Highness vows to contribute to toppling the fake hero Kail. Once he's thoroughly crashed to the bottom, we'll provide full recompense."
"......"
"Think carefully. The throne of the Einiss Magic Kingdom, which you've yearned for all your life, is right before you. Will you let those who pointed fingers at your 'lowly bloodline' triumph? You must trample them all and be recorded as the greatest ruler in history—surely you won't let those radiant wings be clipped by such a horrific disease."
"That's..."
The cardinal's words pierced the deepest core of Adelin's desires.
Her past as a bastard child, enduring vicious contempt.
The horrific nights vomiting blood to prove herself, pushing her Jewel Magic to its limits.
Her vow to usher in the Magic Kingdom's greatest era.
Yet paradoxically, what flashed through her mind was the face of the man who had silently purified the Blood Creation Lord's power without demanding anything in return.
It had been a thorough transaction, but his dedication was real.
Even knowing she saw him as a mere pawn for her goals, he'd pressed on ahead, silently cutting down demons.
Adelin's lips trembled slightly.
But the hesitation lasted only a moment.
...Right. I used him solely to survive from the start.
She had to become the master of the Magic Kingdom.
If she died here as a lump of jewels, all the pain and humiliation she'd endured would mean nothing.
Her original purpose in joining that party: survival and the kingdom's prosperity.
Engraving it once more in her heart, Adelin quietly closed her eyes, then opened them.
"...Fine. I accept your proposal."
Half a year passed since then.
In the audience chamber of the Holy King's court.
Beneath the sacred light pouring through stained glass, countless cardinals, archbishops, and envoys from other nations stood in a circle.
And in the center of that splendid yet solemn space.
The voice of the Holy Emperor fell upon the crown of the hero who had knelt after slaying the Demon King and proclaiming victory.
"Though you were not chosen by the Creator God and dared call yourself a hero, We hereby exile you, Kail, to the harshest land on the continent: the Tarnass Ice Plains."
At his declaration, all eyes turned to the kneeling man.
But Kail neither protested his innocence nor erupted in rage.
Releasing the sword he'd never let go, not even for a moment, he gazed briefly at his former comrades who now turned away from him, then slowly lifted his head to stare at the audience chamber's high ceiling—or perhaps the empty void beyond.
"Ha... haha... "
A hollow laugh escaped Kail's lips, the empty cackle of one who had lost everything.
A laugh devoid of emotion, laced only with resignation, hollowing out even those who heard it.
Adelin, the only one who watched him to the end, gripped her staff tightly and averted her gaze.
She couldn't bear to face his impassive expression staring into the void.
Instead, thinking to hurry and finish her duty, she parted her firmly closed lips.
"My testimony is but one."
Her emotionless voice echoed through the entire chamber.
"The sin of impersonating the Creator God's will cannot be erased, even by the feat of slaying the Demon King."
With that single statement, Adelin lingered no longer.
She turned slowly.
The silver-haired cat beastkin Selina, shoulders rigid, was already heading toward the heavy doors of the audience chamber.
Adelin silently followed in Selina's footsteps.
Click—click.
In the audience chamber, only the echo of the two women's heels on the marble floor lingered cruelly clearly behind the lone man left there.
As promised, the day they perfectly toppled the fake hero Kail.
Adelin Aynis sought out the cardinal she'd made the deal with.
"My, you came sooner than expected. Your performance was truly impressive?"
"Enough chatter. Bring the Saintess now."
"...I'd love to work a miracle right away, but regrettably, the Saintess is currently engaged in purging the demon realm."
"What? This violates our agreement...!"
"Shh."
"Kuh...!"
Silencing the protesting princess in an instant, the cardinal slowly stepped forward, gazing at the setting sun as he continued.
"The title of 'great mage who aided in slaying the Demon King and princess who brought the hammer down on the fake hero' should buy you half a year without issue, no?"
"You bastard, surely you're not...!!"
"Yes, just wait half a year to a year. Once the demon realm's purification is complete and it's designated as Holy Kingdom territory, the Saintess will personally visit the Einiss Magic Kingdom."
It was absurd. Once delayed, there was no guarantee it wouldn't be delayed again—or dismissed entirely.
But having come this far, all she could do was wait for the Saintess.
"...She'd better come within a year. Otherwise, Harennes won't go unscathed."
"No worries—wait for us."
Thus ended the day the fake hero Kail fell.
But half a year passed as promised, then the one-year deadline, and even after waiting another year with patience—salvation never came.
The only news that reached her after two years, as she endured the Petrification Disease's worsening symptoms while awaiting word from Harennes, was this.
[Harennes and the demon tribe had been colluding for centuries, slowly plotting the human world's downfall.]
The moment she saw the information the maid brought, Adelin collapsed completely.
She denied it at first, but with the Failer Empire's declaration of war and news of some kingdoms siding with the empire, she lost all hope.
And from that day... her damned family began treating her as a living gem mine, under the pretext of recouping research costs and re-recruiting mages.
.
.
.
"Another... this dream again."
The memories grew more vivid as death drew near.
Her unforgivable karma—no, she didn't even think of seeking forgiveness.
Witnessing the scene like a nightmare or hallucination of guilt, Adelin struggled to rise and checked the clock.
"About an hour since I fell asleep..."
It was the first time. Amid days where the disease made sleep longer and deeper, waking from such a short nap was unprecedented.
Instinctively, she sensed something monumental would happen today—and her premonition was spot on.
Bang—!
"Whoa, Your Highness!!"
The princess's bedchamber burst open without a knock.
The insolent figure who appeared was the maid who would stay by her side until her dying day.
Before Adelin could speak, Serin urgently lifted her body carefully and seated her in the wheelchair beside the bed.
Then she began wheeling her somewhere.
Only then did Adelin, unable to just watch silently, shout as loudly as she could.
"Serin!! Don't you think you should explain what's going on!?"
At Adelin's outburst, Serin glanced around nervously before cautiously replying.
"R-right now... Hero Kail is waiting in the drawing room to see Your Highness!!"
"...What? He dares to...!"
"Would I shame Your Highness even in this situation!? No time—let's fix your pallor first!!"
"...What on earth are you saying. Why would Kail, of all people, come here."
Adelin's voice trembled.
A face she hadn't seen in years.
She'd desperately awaited any news, but hearing he'd arrived unannounced made her heart sink.
Yet Serin just gripped the wheelchair handles tightly and hurried on.
"I don't know either. His Majesty just heard and was shocked too. But is that important now? We must hurry."
"......"
Speechless at Serin's words, Adelin looked down at her fingertips, half-crystallized into jewels.
The thought of showing him her grotesque form felt more horrific than death itself.
But she couldn't avoid it.
No—she didn't want to.
"Alright... I leave it to you."