It’s not something I can’t understand.
If this “Relic” reacts to Fangryphon’s bloodline, it makes sense that it would react simultaneously to both Alice and Claire.
However, I don’t recall the relic showing such a strong reaction when I saw it previously.
I tried to remember the relic that the Emperor had taken from Lucas. At the time, I hadn’t been in the best condition to observe it properly, but I was certain it hadn’t behaved like this—glowing intensely, as if screaming, “Use me! I belong to you!”
Back then, it seemed to possess the ability to suppress the Masked Woman’s powers, or something similar, but it hadn’t displayed such a blatant, active presence.
So, why is this artifact now reacting in this way before us?
The most logical explanation is that the relic has been partially assembled. According to its lore, “it holds no great significance until fully gathered,” but it’s plausible that as it nears completion, its functionality begins to manifest more prominently.
Considering that the sequel’s main storyline revolved around collecting these relics, it’s not surprising that gathering them one by one would trigger story-driven events.
However, there’s a problem.
“Sylvia, what is this...?”
“Unni?”
It’s difficult to explain this situation to the two standing behind me.
I’ve never had even a drop of Fangryphon’s blood. Whether someone intentionally placed me here or it was sheer coincidence, the relic’s reaction makes it clear—I am not biologically the Emperor’s daughter.
I’ve suspected this for some time. Back at the orphanage, the one who inherited the Emperor’s blood was Claire. The Emperor had only assumed I was his daughter because of my abilities.
If the Emperor’s real goal in starting a war wasn’t world conquest but gathering the relics—and if he planned to select the child best suited to wielding the relics—then it makes sense why his plans fell apart after Claire’s death.
In this world, Marmaros could even be extracted from humans. Stories often include villains who exploit such concepts, and the idea of using one’s child as a tool fits the Emperor’s character perfectly.
The question remains—why Claire?
Logically, based on bloodline concentration, it should have been Alice. In societies where nobles and royals value maintaining a pure lineage, intermarriages among close relatives are common. The deceased Empress, too, was undoubtedly of the imperial bloodline.
Genetically, Alice should be the one inheriting Fangryphon’s blood.
Naturally, Claire’s mother—
——.
“Unni?”
Ah.
For a moment, my mind froze. It was Claire’s voice, close and calling to me, that pulled me back to reality.
In the dim underground space, Claire’s face appeared pale under the relic’s glow.
Rather than being concerned about the relic pointing toward her, Claire seemed more worried about my reaction.
As she stepped closer, the relic’s light grew even brighter, almost as if it was begging to be used.
...Claire’s biological parents.
In the original story, their identities were left as unresolved threads. Why Claire possessed such talent in swordsmanship or how she managed to escape at such a young age—none of these mysteries were ever properly explained.
Even if the main story didn’t delve into it, the subplots involving Claire strongly hinted at something deeper.
If one parent was the Emperor, then who was the other?
Did the orphanage director know? Perhaps. It’s possible, though Claire wasn’t under their care from the start. Even in the original, it was mentioned that she was “bought” from somewhere.
The problem is, there’s no way to know what happened during the transfer.
Because the director is dead.
The source of this c𝐨ntent is freёwebnovel.com.
I killed them.
If the orphanage still existed, there might be clues to trace Claire’s past. Surely, there would have been ledgers or documents. Knowing which neighborhood she came from could lead to answers by questioning everyone in the area.
But that evidence is gone—burned to ash.
...I set it on fire.
I wanted to roll on the floor, clutching my head in frustration.
And I did.
“Sylvia!?”
“Unni!?”
Despite the alarmed cries of the two behind me, I spent a good while writhing on the dirt floor before suddenly springing to my feet—
And rewound time.
“I have something important to tell you both.”
Before Claire and Alice could call out to me again, I turned to face them.
To anyone else, it would have seemed like I quickly assessed the situation and addressed them decisively. While the three of us were aware of my ability, there was no visible trace left when I rewound time.
“....”
The people trailing behind us hesitated at my words.
“It’s about the Fangryphon imperial family. I apologize, but could the rest of you wait outside for a moment?”
It was a somewhat presumptuous request, but I made an effort to sound as polite as possible. After all, everyone here was someone I considered a friend.
“Hmm.”
Of course, I hadn’t expected a completely agreeable response.
“In the heart of Belvur’s territory, practically beneath the Lutetia Royal Palace, you’re asking us to leave so you can discuss the Fangryphon family?” Charlotte, clearly agitated from the long journey, spoke up.
I understood. Anyone would find it upsetting. Though I had little attachment to the Azernian Empire, if a high-ranking official from another country came to my homeland, demanded privacy, and brought up foreign matters, I’d be irritated too.
Especially if it turned out to be a secret base built by someone from another nation without anyone’s knowledge.
“This relic is deeply connected to the Fangryphon bloodline,” I explained. “And, frankly, I’m the only one here with any real knowledge about it.”
Sophia might know a little, but not as much as I did.
“Even Alice isn’t fully informed. I promise to share as much as I can with everyone after speaking privately with those directly involved.”
“....”
“Does this ‘involvement’ include Claire?”
While Charlotte was silent, staring at the relic, Leo cut in with a question.
Of course, it sounded absurd.
Even I found it ridiculous. Hearing it directly from the Emperor himself had been shocking enough—Leo, who had lived his entire life as Claire’s brother, would find it downright incomprehensible.
Would I finally see Leo’s face turn pale after revealing the truth about Claire?
...
I marveled at my ability to think like this, even in such a situation.
Was it something to be proud of?
Neither Leo nor Charlotte looked entirely convinced.
Still, the trust I’d painstakingly built up until now seemed to work in my favor. It wasn’t just about camaraderie or professional competence. Without their belief that I wouldn’t betray them, they wouldn’t have stepped aside.
Nor would they have followed me this far.
“So?”
Alice asked impatiently. Though her arms were crossed, she tapped her fingers against them, betraying her unease.
“What do you mean I’m involved, Unni?”
Claire, on the other hand, seemed far less tense. She probably hadn’t even guessed the reason for her presence here.
“....”
I stayed silent for a while before finally speaking in a strained voice.
“Claire.”
“Yes?”
“You carry the blood of Fangryphon.”
“...Huh?”
Claire blinked at me, her expression blank.
Silence.
Uncomfortably long silence hung in the dim space. For some reason, the room seemed even darker, despite the relic’s glow.
“...What?”
“...Excuse me?”
Finally, both Alice and Claire broke the silence simultaneously.
TL Note: Unni = Sister