Chapter 29 - Released
POV: Eril
Waking up this morning the usual feeling of unease wasn’t present and I could clearly think after what felt like years.
The heavy feeling I had in my heart was also gone, and then it hits me.
‘W-wait, what have I been doing these past years!? Everything’s kind of foggy? I-it can’t be…’ [Eril]
Finally realising my actions this past decade, my heart begin to swirl with hate and my mind confused as to why I did it.
Thinking further I remembered the time I was caught by mother trying to escape from the palace.
‘T-that old hag!! I can’t believe she’ll go so far just to keep me here!!!... but, how am I supposed to feel for little Merilien and Gelion…’ [Eril]
The more I think about it, the more my head hurts.
I couldn’t just forget about them, they played no part in this whole mess, but how am I supposed to apologize to Haliel for leaving her alone to suffer.
“Tch. How annoying… I guess I’ll start the day by paying mom a visit?” [Eril]
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POV: Laurel
The fight I had witness against the Queen was a sight I had never expected to see my whole life.
More surprisingly Haliel won, though it was not a perfect victory.
While Princess was fighting with Queen Silvia, she was also thinking about us and had Blaze protect us, then she placed a barrier on us before using [Eye of the Storm].
In the end though, it seems her body couldn’t take on the burden of absorbing the mana used in [Heavenly Hurricane] then releasing it back out along with [Eye of the Storm] and the continuous [Absorption Barrier].
If I remember correctly, [Absorption Barrier] is a protection spell that decreases the user’s mana gauge instead of their health upon taking damage.
Even if she is a magic prodigy, her body is still too young and her mind too underdeveloped to take on such burden.
From how the Queen was fighting and the rumors of her younger days, I’d say she underestimated Princess and paid a huge price for it.
The outcome may have been different if Queen Silvia was serious from the start, nonetheless things had already been settled.
Though it was morning and we had already defeated the Queen, which is still unbelievable to me, we had not moved out of the chamber.
At the moment, Princess Haliel is asleep in Nym’s arms while Blaze is having a serious conversation with Queen Silvia, who woke up thanks to a grade S potion.
“Queen Silvia, like I’ve asked so far, did you play any part in the disappearance of my master’s body?” [Blaze]
“What makes you think I have to answer you?” [Silvia]
“Tch. Still not answering? Did you or do you know who could’ve done it!? I’m losing my patience.” [Blaze]
“I may not be fully healed yet but you are still a mere monster. There’s no reason to speak to you.” [Silvia]
That is pretty much how things have been since she got back up and the conversation has yet to progress.
“Huff. Fine, then why did you send someone to kill Haliel?” [Blaze]
“I had my reasons.” [Silvia]
“And what reason is that, mother?” [Eril]
“!” [All]
Turning around we saw Empress Eril walking in with an angry expression on as she glared at Queen Silvia.
“Oh, just cleaning up after you my darling.” [Silvia]
That comment seemed to have popped a blood vessel because in the next instant, Empress was already in front of Queen Silvia and landed a nice kick to her chin.
The kick sent Queen Silvia flying a few feet and when Empress looked over at Nym and saw Haliel, everyone in the room could feel the pressure that she was giving off.
“What. Did. You. Do. To. My. Haliel!” [Eril]
I’ve never seen Empress this pissed off before, but I think I already experienced something similar to it before.
“All I did was play with my granddaught-” [Silvia]
“Cut the bullcrap! Knowing you you really did try to kill her didn’t you!?” [Eril]
While yelling at the Queen, Empress slapped her in the face and the sound resounded through the whole room.
“... Is that anyway to treat your mother?” [Silvia]
“Hah! That’s fresh. And how about me, is this anyway you treat your daughter? You mind control her!” [Eril]
“I did what must be done to keep the empire together.” [Silvia]
“You think I cared about this empire when I left!? Like hell I did, but you just had to do all this didn’t you! Rip apart my family, manipulate me, and even try to kill my daughter! I’d kill you right now but I’ll refrain since you are still my mother.” [Eril]
“So you going to leave again?” [Silvia]
“There’s nothing to go back to even if I left… so I’ll let Haliel decide what she wants. It’s the least I can do to make it up for leaving her alone.” [Eril]
‘S-so it is true!? Everything Princess suspected was true?’ [Laurel]
Looking back, the face that Alissa had on was full of regret and fear.
Nym also had a look of surprise on and following her statement, Empress went over to Nym and took Haliel from him.
“Is she alright Blaze?” [Eril]
“Don’t worry Eril, she just exhausted herself out. I already gave her a mana potion so she should be up in a bit. But first, Queen Silvia I don’t like to threaten people so I’ll kindly ask again. Do you know anything about what happened to Alan’s grave!?” [Blaze]
“Sheesh, what’s with you and this Alan person’s grave? I have my own things to worry about and because of you people my research will take a while to pick up again.” [Silvia]
“Stop avoiding the question!” [Blaze]
“What’s this about Alan’s grave?” [Eril]
“The reason why we’re all here was because Haliel discovered that someone has dug up Alan’s grave and suspected Queen Silvia or Rinor to have something to do with it. Well, what started this assumption was an attempted assassination by Alissa, who also seemed to have been manipulated by Queen Silvia.” [Blaze]
Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
Empress moved her gaze over to Alissa when she heard what Blaze said and Alissa quickly lowered her head.
Turning back to Blaze, Empress asked him another question.
“And what exactly happened in here?” [Eril]
“... A fight. Between Haliel and Silvia with Haliel being the victor.” [Blaze]
Empress’s face grew dark again and the pressure from earlier came back but quickly disappeared.
“Tch. You never cease to anger me mother. I’ll take my leave now, I don’t want to wake up Haliel.” [Eril]
Saying so Empress stormed out of the room and slammed the door behind her.
All attention now returned to Blaze and Queen Silvia.
“Well, what’s your answer? I don’t believe you are in a position to do as you please at the moment. Simply spreading what happened in here can bring this whole empire into a state of civil war you know. So I suggest you answer my questions. Are you involved or not? And as for the issue surrounding Eril, let’s see if they want to cause an uproar about it.” [Blaze]
“Tch. I had no part in whatever you’re talking about.” [Silvia]
“Then what is this ‘research’ you’re working so hard on?” [Blaze]
“It’s classified information.” [Silvia]
“I see, even more important than the unity of this empire?” [Blaze]
“Tch. There’s no point of only one of two succeeds… I’m currently trying to create a spell to surpass the level cap.” [Silvia]
“!” [All]
‘S-seriously?’ [All]
“It’s the only way to defeat the Shades with such insane stats. Reach levels high enough to surpass their stats and wipe them out. Well, I can’t progress much further because that brat destroyed my documents. Does this satisfy you yet?” [Silvia]
“How do you plan to do it?” [Blaze]
“Excuse me but I believe I answered your question already. Unless you can beat me again, I won’t spill anything. And next time I’ll be going full out, so don’t expect an easy win. Watch your backs traitors.” [Silvia]
“... Fine, but I think it’s you who should pay attention to where you’re stepping. You’re on unstable grounds now. Come, let's go Laurel and Nym. You too Alissa.” [Blaze]
Following Blaze, we walked out of the room that is now in a complete mess with a whole new view on what is going on.
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POV: Haliel
Opening my eyes, I was in my room again and when I looked to see who was holding my hand, I saw mom.
She had a happy expression on, one I haven't seen since she first held me her arms when I was a baby.
“Morning sweetie.” [Eril]
“Your back mom?”
“Mhh. I’m back Haliel. I’m sorry I left you alone this whole time.” [Eril]
This is the first time I really felt like I had reunited with mom and tears began running down my cheeks while mom hugged onto me.
Even though I am 26 mentally, I couldn’t help but cry being held in my mom’s arms after so long.
“Thank you Haliel. Thank you for freeing me. I’m sorry I was so weak…” [Eril]
“Sniff~ It’s okay mom. It wasn’t your fault, I’m just glad you’re back to your old self again.”
After that mom pointed out that I hadn’t taken a bath in a few days and suggested we should take bath together.
“M-mom, I’m not a little kid anymore, I can take a bath perfectly fine on my own.”
“Aww, but I wanted to see how much you’ve grown without me. And besides we’re both girls right?” [Eril]
Mom, that isn’t the issue… well it kinda is. I may be a girl but I was guy before and… I can’t tell her this!
Without much resistance, we ended in the bath together while I was facing away from her.
This is so much more embarrassing than I had originally thought but my mom seemed to be quite pleased.
“You are sooo cute when you’re embarrassed Haliel. Well we won’t get clean from just sitting here, let’s get scrubbing.” [Eril]
“Ah, mom. Ahahaha. That tickles.”
I had always taken a bath by myself and ever since my first time, I have gradually gotten used to seeing myself naked but to see a fully developed body, even I haven’t seen a real one before in my previous life.
Somehow I managed to make it through the bathing experience and we were putting on our clothes when mom asked me a question.
“...So Haliel. What do you want to do?” [Eril]
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, do you want to stay here?” [Eril]
“! Do you plan on leaving mom?”
“If it’s what you want.” [Eril]
“But what about Merilien and Gelion?”
“I’ve made up my mind.” [Eril]
S-she’s serious about this… But I can’t be greedy, I mean how could they cope without mom. I made it because I was mature mentally, but they are just kids… how would they respond to their mom leaving them?
“Honestly, I’m not sure. This whole time I was simply trying to find you when I got strong enough and now that we’re together… I’m not sure.”
“It’s fine, we’ll stay together until you decide on what you want. When you decide, just tell me. Okay sweetie?” [Eril]
“Yeah.”
Maybe I’ll go find the one who dug up dad’s body and make them pay?
In this bittersweet moment, I had no idea of the disaster that had already begun and what awaited for me.
***
PS. Hmm, I guess I'll explain more about the magic system as the chapters progresses , maybe when explaining it to Gelion or Merilien, and if not I'll put it in a separate page with other info dump that I might do in the future. As for the characters' stats, I'll do one after chapter 30. Enjoy!