Once upon a time, after a great storm had passed through the Arion Kingdom…
A tragic nation that was unknowingly manipulated by the heretical High Priest who served the Demon King.
Almost countless histories intertwined were on the brink of falling into the hands of heresy.
The one who resolved this tremendous incident was none other than the Sirius Empire.
Even as we speak, the Crown Prince of the Empire is bustling about to restore order to the Arion Kingdom.
“Are you really sure it’s alright for you to go alone?”
The man bidding farewell to the lone woman setting off on her own was none other than Master Allen, the captain of the Special Task Force.
To his question, the somewhat petite woman responded with an air of indifference.
“Who do you think I am? It feels so much better going alone.”
Allen gave an awkward smile as he met her gaze, which resembled the desolate eyes reflecting a desert at sunset, peeking through the colorful robes akin to autumn leaves.
“That may be true, but wouldn’t it be faster if Lady Erias went alone… Nonetheless, hasn’t the heretical group begun their activities in earnest? If anything happens on your way back…”
Ever since shattering the divine artifact Nix from somewhere unknown, Erias had been unable to use magic.
No one knew exactly why, but according to her, it was some sort of price to pay.
She mentioned that using such a sacred artifact required stringent conditions, and this time she managed to bypass them, resulting in a stronger backlash.
Of course, it wasn’t that she couldn’t move her mana at all.
More accurately speaking, the amount of mana and spiritual power needed to cast spells had increased exponentially.
Though Allen, who didn’t know much about magic, simply accepted it without much thought.
Clack!
Annoyed by Allen’s worried expression, Erias frowned and tapped his head with her staff.
“Ugh!”
“Tch, who’s worrying about whom here? You should worry about yourself. Casting two curses when one would’ve sufficed… It’s impressive that you’re still alive.”
Erias clicked her tongue while inspecting Allen.
Though he appeared fine on the outside, she could see through him clearly.
Two curses were eating away at Allen’s body.
Not just any curses either, but ones directly placed by the High Priest.
He must be enduring immense pain even now.
It was likely far more excruciating than what the Imperial Princess had experienced.
“No matter how skilled you are as a master, handling two curses is too much. If you don’t resolve it soon, your soul will be destroyed, not just your body.”
“I’m fine. I’m not dying anytime soon, and the pain is manageable. If worse comes to worst, I can always cut off the sensation.”
“You foolish boy.”
Looking into Allen’s determined eyes, Erias guessed his resolve wouldn’t waver.
Truthfully, it wouldn’t make much difference if she let him die; they were merely connected by work, and they weren’t particularly close.
However, the fact that Allen was the owner of a sacred artifact and his blood being quite helpful for ‘Elixir’ research made her hesitate.
“Tch, there’s nothing else I can do, it seems.”
Hiding her true thoughts, Erias pulled something out from within her robes.
It was a vial containing a luminous blue liquid.
“Take it.”
“What is this…?”
“It’s a potion created during my research of holy water. Though it falls short compared to the real thing, it should help suppress the progression of the curses.”
Among the byproducts of the elixir research, this was a precious result with notable success, yet Erias handed it over without hesitation.
If the wizards from the mage tower saw this, they’d surely envy Allen, as she never shared her research results with anyone outside the royal family.
“Ahh, thank you. There was no need for you to go this far.”
“Stop your nonsense and take it quietly. You should realize that you’ve become a hero indispensable to the empire. Your life isn’t solely yours anymore.”
“Haha, if the Golden Way Zodiacs themselves say so, I don’t know what to do with myself.”
Allen reluctantly put the potion in his pocket with an expression that seemed nonchalant.
That carefree demeanor irritated Erias.
How could he not rejoice or bow in gratitude but instead wear such an expression?
‘That’s why I didn’t want to give it to someone like you, who understands nothing.’
But since it was already given, there was no taking it back.
Suppressing her bubbling irritation, Erias spoke.
“This potion has improved further compared to the one given to the Imperial Princess.”
“Oh, then I should give it to Lux…”
“Focus on yourself first, you idiot!”
Does this fool not understand priorities?
Unable to contain her anger, Erias struck Allen with her staff, imbued with mana.
Allen groaned in pain.
“It hurts!”
“That’s the point! You dense oaf! In all my years, I’ve never seen someone as foolish as you! Do you think the Imperial Princess can resolve the curse if you’re dead? You need to survive for that to happen!”
“Ahhh, I get it. I’ll drink it, won’t I…!”
After beating Allen for quite some time, Erias sighed and muttered to herself.
“Hmph… To make me this angry is indeed a talent.”
“Haha, guess I am quite talented in my own way.”
“…!!!”
Thwack!
Allen ended up getting punished again.
***
“Properly assist the Crown Prince. Don’t do anything useless.”
“Yes yes, don’t worry and go ahead.”
“…”
After glaring at me for a moment, Erias shook her head and disappeared.
It was her specialty, spatial transference.
Even though she was leaving anyway, did she really have to glare like that?
She truly is hot-tempered despite appearances.
Gurgle-!
“…!”
As I turned my head, a wave of pain hit me, causing me to bite my lips.
The curse inflicted by the High Priest of Lust was agonizing enough to make breathing difficult.
The feeling of something tightly gripping your heart is something incomprehensible unless experienced firsthand.
Unconsciously clutching my chest, I felt the potion Erias had given me.
“To solve the curse, I need to survive… right?”
I had a pretty good idea of her intentions behind giving me this potion.
Since it was crafted by Erias herself, its effects must be remarkable.
I could tell from the painkillers I received when I first encountered the curse.
Therefore, I intended to give this potion to Lux.
After all, I had a promise with Yggdrasil, the World Tree.
“A seed of unrest has sprouted in the east. Eliminate it, and you shall obtain what you desire.”
That seed of unrest in the east undoubtedly referred to the High Priest of Lust.
Since Yggdrasil’s wish has been fulfilled, perhaps I’ll receive recognition upon returning.
There’s no doubt that receiving divine acknowledgment will resolve the curse.
“The gods recognize you and grant you semi-divine status. Even a great demon’s curse can be resisted thus.”
These words from Mimir, who introduced himself as the guardian of infinite wisdom, must be true.
My heart longed to rush to the Elven Forest immediately.
However, the Crown Prince cannot leave amidst news of terrorism in the empire.
Besides, now that the heretics plaguing the Arion Kingdom have been dealt with and there’s a guardian knight present, there shouldn’t be much danger…
“For now… it should be fine.”
If the curse becomes unbearable, I’ll head to the Elven Forest alone.
I can return within a day traveling solo.
Moreover, there’s another reason I can’t leave immediately, even without the Crown Prince.
“Hmm, feeling a bit better now.”
Regulating my breathing, I slowly moved forward.
Passing through the garden where I currently stood, I walked down a long corridor until I reached the infirmary.
This place, reserved exclusively for treating royalty, was one of the few areas untouched by the High Priest’s influence.
Think of it as the nurse’s office in a school.
Creak-
“Ah, you’ve arrived?”
Entering, I found Earl waving at me with a smile.
“Where’s the doctor?”
“He’s gone to check on those Paladin Knights or whatever. He said checking if this patient regains consciousness is enough.”
“Figures, he must be busy.”
With every step, the strong antiseptic smell stung my nose.
“… Is it still ongoing?”
“Yes. However, the surgery was successful. Thanks to Senna, the remaining wounds weren’t too severe. Is the Holy Maiden’s divine magic really that different?”
“Likely so.”
Senna’s weary face came to mind.
She must’ve worked hard to heal the wound that pierced through someone’s torso.
“Ah~ I’m hungry.”
Suddenly, Earl, who had been looking up at my face, stood up.
“I’ll quickly grab something to eat and come back. Can you watch my spot?”
“Eat well. The royal chef’s food tastes good, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah, it does. Though it’s a bit bland for my taste… Anyway, I’ll be right back.”
Click-
Earl cheerfully left.
Such considerate behavior is uncharacteristic of him.
Chuckling softly, I sat in the chair he had occupied and gazed at Black Wolf lying on the bed.
“… Wake up already, idiot. Are you even part of Blackwater?”
Her short hair, reaching down to her neck, gleamed even in unconsciousness.
Her soft ears stood upright.
Her clear skin maintained its elasticity, but…
Her amber eyes, which once sparkled, remained hidden under her eyelids.
Seeing Black Wolf deeply asleep filled me with anguish.
A different kind of pain from the curse’s spasms.
“If you’re going to attempt assassination, at least do it properly.”
I couldn’t forget the scene where she was stabbed through the chest by the High Priest of Lust.
Had I acted just a little faster, could I have stopped it?
Had I appeared more reliable, would she not have attempted the assassination?
Had I been more cautious, could we have avoided the trap?
Had I done just a little more…
Futile regrets clouded my mind.
It shouldn’t have been allowed to end so easily.
Even if it meant cursing her with a more intense curse, I should’ve let her suffer endlessly rather than granting her eternal peace.
Now that she’s dead, where can I vent this resentment?
“Should I seek out a necromancer? Maybe turn her into an undead and kill her repeatedly.”
Such violent thoughts lingered briefly.
Watching the blanket rise and fall with her small frame brought a sense of relief.
The warmth of life was still present.
“… You resemble Snow White.”
I recalled a fairy tale book from my past life.
I haven’t seen such illustrated books in this world, but once everything settles, maybe I could create something like that.
Why not? They’re rare here.
Stories about selling things nonexistent in another world to become filthy rich.
“Speaking of which, how did Snow White wake up again?”
It was definitely due to the prince’s…
“Hmm, should I call the Crown Prince?”
Chuckling softly, I gently touched Black Wolf’s ear.
Still as soft as ever, causing me unconsciously to…
“… Allen?”
Moments later, Black Wolf opened her eyes.
How strange?
Hiding my surprise, I smiled faintly.
“Did you sleep well?”
After much deliberation, I greeted her with these simple words.
Blinking her eyes, she asked curiously.
“Why is your face red? Are you in pain somewhere?”
“… Who’s worrying about whom?”
Turning my head, I wiped my face.
I could hear the movement of her ears and tail behind me.
And the lingering warmth and softness.
“You shouldn’t be in pain.”
On the day our precious subordinate and friend opened her eyes,
the joy swelling in my heart, like the foam atop a cappuccino, overshadowed even the terrifying curse.
