Chapter 1378.1
Neltarid had asked Davey before if he knew why the vampires had betrayed Goddess Freyja.
However, he knew nothing about it, and probably never would.
Yet, one thing was certain. The Primordial True Ancestor had resisted the system itself, just as Neltarid had, and then fallen. As a result, the entire race was twisted and corrupted by a curse.
Davey couldn’t help but find it ridiculous, as it was practically a collective punishment, but it was clear he’d reached their tomb. He was unsure why their power had awakened only a little over a decade ago, but what mattered was the fact that it was a tomb.
A distinguished and powerful figure’s tomb.
In other words—
“There must be a lot for us to pillage.”
“Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if you got struck by lightning one day.” Josiah shook her head with a look of exasperation. The suits of armor she had smashed no longer appeared.
Aeria cautiously peeked her head out from the cave entrance. “Ummm. Davey?”
He walked over to her side, then turned back and said, “Let's go, Josiah.”
“Teacher, I want to go and rest. It's really... embarrassing to keep being outside in these pajamas.”
“You're a graduate student and an associate professor at my university,” he reminded her.
“Huh?”
“Just keep following me.”
“Ugh, seriously.”
‘She really has no interest in whatever treasure might be inside.’
* * *
The two reunited women talked about Aeria’s life, since Empress Redimia's death happened when Aeria was very young.
Davey heard that Imperial Prince Vashas had also cherished Aeria deeply before the incident.
[Should I call you son-in-law, or Davey?]
“Call me whatever’s comfortable for you, Redimia.”
[I'm glad he’s so straightforward. I can feel his energy through his eyes. His thoughts are deep, and he doesn’t seem like the type to cross lines. You've truly met a good person, Aerie, even if he's a bit mischievous.]
Aeria giggled in response. “Hehe.”
Josiah interjected, “Excuse me? Teacher... who is this person?”
“That’s Empress Redimia. She passed away a long time ago.”
“What? Then why is she here and not in the River of Souls?”
[May I ask who you are, young lady?]
“My name is Josiah Frances. I’m his student. It's nice to meet you.”
[So bright and pleasant! I can also feel the energy in your eyes. I will say, you have a slightly familiar feeling.]
She seemed to be especially skilled at reading people.
[More importantly, may I ask why you’re in such a dangerous place, Davey?]
“Aeria received a letter. It told her to come here if she wanted to know the truth about the accident that day.”
[So it is true... Who on earth... No... I think I know...]
She wore a serious expression.
[The people of the Goran Kingdom. This must be their doing.]
“Goran Kingdom?”
[They’ve been lurking around here long before you two arrived. I wondered why officials from another country were on Lyndis's land, so I followed them for a bit and happened to overhear their chats. I heard them mention the Goran Kingdom's Chancellor Valgos.]
“Goran Kingdom, huh? From what I recall, their kingdom is currently fighting tooth and nail with Lyndis. Oh, and Chancellor Valgos became king through a military coup a little over a decade ago. It sparked a power struggle with many participants, regardless of their supposed justification.”
That was one of the reasons why the Lyndis Empire and the Goran Kingdom had a poor relationship. Of course, it was a political struggle, not a war.
[However... it's strange that the Goran Kingdom chose to get involved in a conflict with the Rowane Kingdom. The Goran Kingdom clearly doesn’t have the capacity to start a war with another country, and there’s no reason for them to provoke Rowane in the first place.]
She had heard through Aeria about the great influence Rowane Kingdom and its Heins Territory wielded, but it seemed to defy her common sense.
Just as she mentioned, the Goran Kingdom had no ill will toward Rowane.
However.
“Lyndis isn’t exactly in their good graces,” he informed them.
“Davey, what do you mean?”
“The Goran Kingdom is currently in an ongoing political struggle with Lyndis.”
[Then I understand even less. Why would they pick a fight with Heins, a powerful faction, while already fighting Lyndis? Aha, wait a minute...]
“Yes. They plan to pin the blame for this whole situation on Lyndis. The last words they left to cause confusion were...”
It was the last thing the specter of the man who guided them there said—to let the world know of Emperor Deorte’s ugliness.
[That's impossible! By what means?! There can't be a member of the imperial family who wants Aeria dead...]
“There are. Two people, actually.”
Her eyes widened at his answer.
[May I ask who they are?]
'Should I actually tell her?’
He didn’t hesitate for long.
[Who on earth... Who would betray their family?!!]
Empress Redimia immediately shouted in a fit of rage.
After a brief moment of contemplation, he told her the truth. “It’s the Imperial Prince of Lyndis, Vashas.”
Her eyes opened wide.
[W-what?]
“And his son, Belluard. Redimia, you know both of them well.”
[Lies... Lies!! Why would that kind child Vashas try to kill Aeria?!! Davey. Even as a joke, this is too much...]
“I assure you, it's the truth. Even now, Imperial Prince Vashas absolutely despises Aeria.”
[Why on earth...]
“Because he thinks your death was Aeria’s fault.”
Aeria, who survived the landslide that occurred at this place a little over a decade ago, had lost most of her memories and kept mumbling about only one thing. She kept repeating that Empress Redimia was swept away by the mudslide while trying to save her.
Silence filled the surroundings.
“However, Vashas is a clever man. While he was slightly shaken when he saw Aeria recently, he’s generally not the type of person to fall for such a foolish and stupid scheme.”
[T-then—!]
“But Belluard’s different. I’m sorry to say this, but I’ve already confirmed he was behind the whole scheme, including sending that letter to Aeria. The people of the Goran Kingdom probably leaked the information and evidence behind the scenes.”
The Goran Kingdom sought to create animosity between Lyndis and Heins. They planned to set the stage, then sever themselves from the situation and separate entirely, leaving the other two to fight each other.
“Honestly, I’m not too happy about this,” Davey mumbled.
“Should I go and make a complaint?” Aeria offered.
“Don't bother. What authority do you have over them anymore? No, once this job is done, I’ll personally pay a visit to the Goran Kingdom.”
“T-Teacher?”
“They have to pay the price.” Davey rose from his seat with a grim smile.
The Goran Kingdom thought they had everything perfectly under control, manipulating everything from behind the scenes, but they’d made two mistakes.
First, they hadn’t realized that Empress Redimia had been watching them there. Second, they left behind evidence.
“However, that won’t be enough justification against them,” Josiah reminded him.
“That's not the important part, Josiah.”
When he looked her straight in the eye, she looked surprised. “Oh! You're... planning to overthrow them.”
“Since they used and targeted Aeria, those bastards will pay the price.”
“Then shall we go straight to the Goran Kingdom?”
“No. Since we’re already here, let's loot this place out. And,” Davey cut himself and looked at Redimia before continuing, “You know you shouldn't be here, right?”
[Aeria told me. I hear you reached the level of controlling souls.]
“That’s how things turned out. For now, your soul’s being maintained by what's buried beneath this land, yet over time, your soul will twist and shatter. Once that happens, it’ll be hard for me to do anything for you.”
Even though she knew she had to let go and ascend, she couldn't easily answer.
“Ummmm. Davey,” Aeria called out in a cautious voice. “If it's not a problem, could you let her meet with my big brother Vashas just once?”
He looked at Empress Redimia. She seemed greatly shocked that her son, the child who had been so kind, had changed so much.
[Yes! The misunderstanding must be cleared up. That accident wasn't your fault, Aeria.]
“It's not to clear up a misunderstanding,” Aeria said firmly. “Even though we aren’t on good terms, he was a very warm and good person a long time ago. For the past decade or so... he must’ve suffered greatly, missing you. He must think that if he had followed us back then, everything would’ve worked out fine.”
With a somber face, she turned back to Davey. “Vashas might’ve just been unable to bear the guilt he felt.”
Empress Redimia slowly embraced her, even though she couldn't physically touch her.
[I'm sorry... I'm so sorry. By leaving so irresponsibly, I placed too heavy a burden on you. You were so young...]
Her heart was filled with sorrow after learning of the change in her son and the hostility Aeria had faced because of him.
“Ummmm,” Josiah piped up from the side. “Teacher, do you have a way?”
“Her soul’s bound here. That's likely why she can't find peace, instead remaining here.”
In other words, if he could put the lingering traces of the Primordial True Ancestor that remained there to rest, her soul would be freed from its captivity.
He continued, “But I can't guarantee that her soul will be left intact if that happens.”
He had the authority, but lacked the experience. Having never done anything like it, he couldn’t possibly be sure of the outcome.
“There's a chance her soul could be torn apart by the backlash. Honestly, I’m not even sure if recovery is even possible. Even if it is, I can only see it taking a significant amount of time. And if that happens... she won't be able to return to her original form ever again.”
Empress Redimia had been trapped there for over a decade, Vashas changing entirely after losing his mother there.
“Even so—”
“It's all just speculation, but if Vashas is involved in the entirety of this incident?” Davey cut everyone off and spoke firmly as he met eyes with Empress Redimia, “I’m sorry to you, but I won’t be able to just let it slide.”
Based on the current situation, he was inclined to think Vashas wasn’t involved, believing the man wouldn't make such a foolish judgment. Yet, that was just speculation.
Conversely, he also had to consider the possibility that neither Belluard nor Vashas were involved.
If the Goran Kingdom was truly using false information to trick him into suspecting Belluard, he had no intention of harming the man, no matter how much he disliked the guy. Of course, he knew that the possibility was low.
Even if he didn't like them, it wasn't enough to kill them all just because an opportunity arose.
Nonetheless, there was no harm in being cautious.
“I'm sorry to say this, Redimia, but if both of them are involved and aware, they’ll become my enemies.”
No matter how much she cherished Aeria, he couldn’t promise anything about Vashas at that moment.
“If he truly is involved, I’m sorry, but I’ll make sure he pays the price.”
[That’s—!!]
“I know,” he responded. “Whether it's Vashas or Belluard, it's just a possibility for now. But if it truly is the case... would you be able to bear such a sight?”
He held no grudge against her. Rather, he was grateful for her comforting Aeria. That was why he couldn't easily give her the false hope of resolving everything amicably.
Hearing his firm answer, she weakly floated up and turned away.
[Please just give me a minute, Davey. I want to clear my head.]
“You still call me Davey with such familiarity, even in this situation.”
[How could I blame you? All of this is because I’m a wretched mother who foolishly failed to consider the consequences of her actions.]
To be fair, it wasn't her fault in the first place. It was an accident, with the only evil ones being the scoundrels who exploited it.
Davey didn’t have a solution for it all to end peacefully.
