IYAMD 90

IYAMD 90

After the dissection work, which took several days, Marsilia received the dragon’s heart. It was said that dragons hearts are made of a gemstone that matched their elemental property. If what was being passed down was correct, then the heart of a dark-element dragon should have been a black gemstone. However, the gemstone in Marsilia’s hand was a deep green color.

Marsilia, holding the large chunk of gemstone in both hands.

“What’s wrong?”

Marsilia, deep in thought, took a long time to respond.

“It’s just… strange.”

“What’s strange?”

Indeed, what was strange? Why did the dragon’s heart [unauthorized copy]feel like it was infused with the goddess’s power? Marsilia stared at the gemstone, which had a similar aura to his divine power, with a confused expression.

“Marquis, find the most sensitive priest among them and bring them here.”

“Sensitive” refers to someone who has a heightened ability to sense divine energy. Those who excel at amplifying divine power also tend to have good sensitivity. They were often used to search for potential new priests as well.

The Marquis returned shortly with a young priest, a girl who appeared to be no older than 15.

“The goddess’s servant, Eilin, greets His Majesty, the Emperor.”, Marsilia showed her the heart.

“There is divine energy emanating from this. I need your confirmation.”

Eilin placed her hand over the heart and began chanting a prayer. A faint light appeared from her hand, disappearing into the heart before returning.

“It’s natural to feel divine energy, Your Majesty. The purity of the divine energy is so high, it could be described as a divine energy mass.”

After hearing the priest’s confirmation, Marsilia was even more puzzled. How could a dark-element dragon have a heart filled with the goddess’s power?

Marsilia immediately issued a gag order to Eilin and anyone else aware of the situation.

“Until we know more, no one should speak of this matter.”

Once back at the imperial palace, it seemed Marsilia would need to revisit the investigation that Serez had conducted. He, too, likely hadn’t expected this and had probably overlooked something in the documents he sent.

For now, Marsilia decided to move on from this issue. It was a waste of time to dwell on something that couldn’t be resolved immediately.

It was also about time to return to the capital. It’s already September, so Marsilia had to hurry back before the council meeting. A grand parade would be necessary to spread word of the dragon’s demise.

To meet the tight schedule, Marsilia instructed to finalize everything within two days. After other generals had left to give orders to the knights, Odette Hill remained behind.

Marsilia glanced at him and, guessing the words he had yet to speak, said:

“The Archduke is calling you back, right?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Our Knights should return first.”

Marsilia sat on a table in the tent, her gaze fixed on him.

“It seems the Archduke is finally going to commit treason.”

Odette, unable to respond, lowered his head. Marsilia hadn’t expected an answer, but even so, he had fought bravely alongside him in the recent battle. It was hard to just send him back without a second thought.

“Returning to the Archduke now means you and your family will be traitors, Baron Hill. Think carefully. Is your lord’s life more important than yours or your family’s?”

Odette, with his head bowed, clenched his lips. After a long, deep breath, he looked up and met Marsilia’s gaze.

“I am a knight, Your Majesty. I know my life is in danger, but I cannot betray my sworn lord.”

Marsilia lightly nodded. The feeling of regret was brief. If their paths diverged, there was nothing to be done about it.

“If that is the case, then present your neck, Baron Hill. I cannot allow you to remain as my enemy.”

As Marsilia drew his sword, Odette Hill kneeled on one knee, bowing his head.

Just as Marsilia’s sword was about to fall on Odette Hill’s neck, a golden sphere struck his sword, knocking it aside.

“Jaha, what are you doing?”

Jaha blocked Marsilia’s path. He had drawn his own sword and was pointing it at Odette’s neck.

“I’ll do it.”

“What?”

Marsilia narrowed his eyes, unable to understand ​unauthorized copy​his words. Jaha, with a tired expression, turned around. Their eyes met, and he sighed softly.

“You are the protector, Mar. The empire is something you must protect.”

What was he saying? Marsilia blinked at him, urging him to explain further. Jaha frowned as though frustrated.

“You capture the monsters. I’ll deal with your enemies.”

That was absurd. Marsilia felt a lump in his throat, and he brushed his hair back. Stabbing his sword into the ground, he pulled Jaha’s shoulder toward him, sighing in exasperation.

“You don’t understand me at all.”

The throne would never be so easily defended. Even if he added one more life to the bloodshed, Marsilia’s sword would never feel lighter.

Jaha nodded, as though understanding. “But I wasn’t there before.”

Marsilia’s grip on Jaha tightened. “Then what about now?”

Marsilia felt his throat dry and swallowed nervously. Jaha, without turning back, answered as though it was obvious. “Now, I am here.”

Marsilia chuckled and buried his face in Jaha’s shoulder, his arms wrapping around Jaha’s waist. Jaha muttered in frustration, “Let go. I can’t move.”

Marsilia paused to calm his racing heart and then, once composed, asked softly, “Could I let you stain your hands with blood and be at peace?”

Marsilia summoned Sasha, instructing him to bind Odette. Then he stepped outside and shouted at the knights busy with the final preparations. “Listen up, Black Knights and Crimson knights. Odette Hill has just confessed to treason. Stop what you’re doing and capture all Doton Knights. Anyone who resists will be executed.”

The knights, hearing the Emperor’s cold voice, immediately subdued the Doton Knights, who had no chance of resisting against them, especially since there were two Sword Masters among the Imperial Knights.

After the Doton Knights were captured, Marsilia turned to Jaha with a grin. “I hope you’ve finally realized how much trouble you’ve caused me.”

“Humph.” Jaha snorted, his face sour as he returned to the tent.

Marsilia suppressed the urge to follow him and called for General Des to send a letter to the capital. The Emperor’s seat might have already fallen, and if not, it was only a matter of time. Marsilia looked to the sky, teeth gritted, wishing for the safety of those left behind.

Meanwhile, Serez, having received intel that the Archduke was about to move, made preparations. “Emileo, pack up. If we’re to survive, it’s now or never.”

“Yes?” Emileo replied, confused.

“We need to leave the palace before the Archduke arrives. Grab only what’s necessary and get out.”

Serez grabbed the Imperial seal and a few important documents before heading to the Emperor’s private chambers. There, the servants were busy evacuating as well. He quickly changed into clothes prepared by the steward and left the palace, heading for a safe area near the market.

“Damn it, if the Emperor finds out, my head will be on the line. What’s the Archduke thinking, causing this chaos?” Serez grumbled.

The steward, patting Serez’s shoulder, reassured him. “Surely, Your Majesty won’t behead you.”

“Steward, you know His Majesty’s temper,” Serez replied darkly. “My head may be safe, but my limbs will be torn apart.”

As the two continued on their way, Serez muttered about the dire situation, but visit our site suddenly Ashton offered a possible solution. “Hide behind Lord Jaha. Then, you’ll be safe.”

Serez’s face brightened. He had completely forgotten that Jaha was involved, but now he felt relief. The two men slipped into the shadows of the back alleys, blending in with the dark.

The next day, the flag bearing the Archduke’s crest flew above the empty Imperial Palace. The citizens, only awaited the Emperor’s return.

The streets were lined with the Archduke’s soldiers, while the people locked their doors and waited, confident that their Emperor would return.