Chapter 134

For Crown Prince Depier, the single most important thing was seizing power. Thus, morality, what little there was of it, was the first thing to be discarded. It was thanks to that very priority that he summoned the knights who had survived the experiment and handed down a secret order.

Something else mattered more to him than anything. The first group he sent had failed. Surviving the experiment didn’t mean they had all succeeded in enhancing their physical abilities.

Those initial knights had perished before even reaching the Emperor’s chambers. But at last, Depier obtained perfectly completed specimens. A satisfied smile curved his lips. Anyone could see the murderous aura radiating from the knights kneeling before him. None of them could be mistaken for ordinary humans.

“Who is your master?”

“It is His Highness, the Crown Prince!”

Even brainwashing had already been completed. There was not a trace of joy, anger, sorrow, or pleasure on the knights’ faces as they muttered like machines. They were nothing more than weapons of slaughter, created through experimentation. Each one had physical prowess that exceeded that of a normal human, with superior reflexes and agility.

“How is it, Mother?”

“…Depier. You’ve truly worked hard.”

The Empress spoke in a voice trembling with emotion.

“Depier will be able to defeat Thersion and become the true Emperor.”

“Yes, Mother. It’s all thanks to your guidance.”

Depier kissed the back of the Empress’s hand. Before his sharp-edged smile could rise, it faded. Just as Depier had said, the Empress had succeeded in raising her son into a monster. To Depier, she was nothing more than another insect greedily coveting power.

Parental affection? He had never been raised to understand such things. Killing the Emperor but sparing the Empress, there was no reason to do that in Depier’s mind.

“Mother. I’ll bring you Father’s head.”

But outwardly, Depier whispered sweetly like a dutiful son. The Empress nodded, eyes filled with emotion.

“Now, at last, I’ll see you ascend as Emperor.”

Yes, Mother. In the next world, that is.

Depier rose to his feet. The synchronized footsteps of the knights who followed him came to a halt. It was because Depier had stopped in the middle of the corridor. He beckoned to the knight standing nearest him.

“…Burn the Empress’s palace to the ground.”

“Yes, my liege.”

There was no hesitation, no questioning. They had been created to be that way.

“Aaaaah! Depier!!!!”

A scream that scraped the ears rang out, followed by the stench of blood stinging Depier’s nose. But he didn’t respond to the call. He merely praised the returning knight with a calm expression. Depier’s next destination was already decided.

* * *

News of the Emperor and Empress’s deaths reached Thersion as well. The entire nation stirred like black waves in mourning.

“The Emperor and Empress both died at the same time, huh.”

Carlisle murmured. The article named Thersion as the prime suspect behind the assassination. A ridiculous accusation, given that the bloodline of Thersion wasn’t even allowed past the palace gates. 

With an expression that showed not a hint of alarm, Carlisle added, “Then the culprit is the one who survived.”

“The word from our man inside the palace is that Crown Prince Depier succeeded in his experiments.”

Ysildus spoke gently. His tone suggested complete indifference to whatever Depier and the palace sorcerers were plotting. He was nothing but serene and warm.

“So humans have created a monster. Funny how they once tried to frame the Wolf God as one.”

“Well, humans are endlessly forgiving of themselves, aren’t they?”

“Except for Alexa.”

“Indeed. Alexa is the exception.”

Ysildus and Carlisle exchanged soft smiles. Watching from nearby, Essellia clicked her tongue.

“There’s no need to even ask where Crown Prince Depier is headed next.”

“He’s already announced that he’ll take the throne after the funeral. He’s also declared that he’ll personally punish Thersion in revenge for the late Emperor and Empress.”

At last, the Imperial Family and Thersion had reached the point of total severance.

“So Depier isn’t Emperor just yet.”

“It would actually be more convenient if he died now, before taking the throne. That way, we could install Jeremiah as Emperor.”

“Are you confident?”

Ysildus gave him a look of mild disbelief, as if to ask are you really asking me that?

“You’re my son. If you want something, you’ll take it. The only thing I wonder is… even after you end all of this, are you confident Alexa will still be by your side?”

“…If I were stupid enough to lose her, I never would’ve started this to begin with.”

Essellia reached for Carlisle’s hand. 

Whenever this father and son mirrored each other’s hostility, it was always her who suffered in silence. While she had softened under the influence of the children, Carlisle remained unchanged. Perhaps slightly gentler than before, but still like a beast that throws its cubs off a cliff to make them strong.

“…Fine. I promised I’d entrust Alexa to you. Thersion will strike before Depier ascends the throne. We’ll have to move quickly, Ysildus.”

Carlisle smirked. Then, in a voice tinged with amusement, he said, “Alexa had better be waiting for you when you return.”

Ysildus’s icy blue eyes lit up.

“If Alexa chooses someone else.”

Essellia and Carlisle looked intrigued. That such a scenario could even be imagined, it seemed that mingling with humans had brought Ysildus closer to becoming one himself. Just as they had that thought… 

“I’ll kill the one she chooses.”

“…And if it’s not you again after that?”

“I’ll kill that one too.”

Ysildus said lightly, with a radiant smile. So much for change. Ysildus still carried the vivid, untamed instincts of a wolf. Essellia shook her head. Carlisle burst out laughing. Their son would never change, especially not the part of him that loved Alexa.

* * *

Lunailliah leaving her mountain lodge to come to Thersion. It was something that hadn’t happened in centuries. The wolves of Thersion stuck their heads out the windows, their senses tingling as they took in Lunailliah’s energy. It was the sacred power of the Primordial Wolf.

“Lady Lunailliah.”

Essellia greeted her gracefully.

“It’s been a long time, Essellia.”

“It’s an honor to see you again, Lady Lunailliah.”

“And Carlisle?”

“Like a child afraid of a scolding, he’s refusing to come out.”

Carlisle, who greatly resembled Dephensores, probably only took lectures from Lunailliah. That’s why he avoided dealing with her whenever possible. 

With a resigned shake of her head, Lunailliah began scanning the crowd for one person.

“Alexa!”

“Luna. Thank you for coming.”

Alexa greeted her with pink cheeks and a sweet smile.

“You asked. Of course I came.”

Lunailliah spoke like it was nothing. Brillia, upon meeting the Wolf God’s wife, looked at her in awe. Other wolves, drunk on Lunailliah’s presence, caused a stir, but order was restored quickly.

Lunailliah followed Alexa to her private laboratory. Brillia, Alexa, Jeremiah, and finally Lunailliah, these four had gathered to undo the binding circle. Alexa placed her smartphone on the table.

“Luna, do you remember this?”

“Of course. Alexandria never let that thing out of her hands.”

“There are notes about the binding circle stored in here.”

First, they drew a massive circle on the floor. It was their second time doing this, so it took far less time than before.

“Alexandria must have known I’d be the one to break the seal. She left clues on this phone. The easiest way… is for me to sacrifice myself, since I failed to find what she left behind.”

Not knowing Alexa’s true identity, Dephensores had tried to force that method on her.

“But the other way is to find what Alexandria left behind and break the circle ourselves.”

“There are three things we need, Alexa.”

Lunailliah studied the binding circle as she spoke. Alexa nodded deeply.

“The sacred blood spilled by the Primordial Wolf.”

Lunailliah pointed to one sharp end of the circle. Alexa placed Jeremiah at the opposite end.

“The pure blood of the one who inherits Temperchi’s line.”

Finally, Alexa stepped into the center of the circle.

“The unstained blood of the one who has returned.”

Lunailliah and Alexa finished speaking at the same time. From the beginning, it was as if Alexandria had designed this circle for this very moment. The sacred blood clearly referred to Lunailliah. Alexa murmured, her face clouded.

“Alexandria wanted to believe until the end. That Temperchi would return.”

That must be why the condition called for pure blood, blood that had not betrayed. A heart that remained loyal to Thersion. Alexa turned to look at Jeremiah. At this point, it was no exaggeration to say that everything now depended on him. He was a piece of the puzzle that made this story whole.

“Jeremiah. I’ve decided to believe in you. What about you?”

Jeremiah, echoing the words pure blood, smiled radiantly.

“If you believe in me, then I’ll believe in me too, Alexa.”

That was his answer.