(194) Theodore White (3)
While Theodore was dealing with the Emperor, more than 200 people had gathered beyond the small mountain behind the Imperial Palace. They were the Paganus who had been living in seclusion within the Empire, concealing their identities.
In front of them was a huge cage for a beast.
It was a space vast enough to make the word 'us' seem meaningless. If it weren't for the tall steel bars visible immediately after crossing the mountain, it would have looked like an ordinary forest.
The two Imperial Knights guarding the iron bars lost their lives, and most of the employees tending to the wild beasts were killed as well. Those who barely managed to escape with their lives were bound to be killed by the pursuing Paganus.
"Today has finally come."
Martina spoke as if singing.
“It is time to bring down the hammer of justice upon those who persecuted us.”
The Paganus clenched their fists tightly.
Martina turned to look at the man with dark brown skin and splendid attire. It was Pielta Kubera, the Prince of the Karuto Kingdom.
When he arrived in the Empire, he rode an elephant the size of two buildings combined, yet no one knew he was Paganus. The Kingdom of Karuto had long since joined hands with Paganus.
The Kingdom of Karuto, located in the northwest of the continent, had many grievances against the Empire. The people of the Empire treated the people of the Kingdom of Karuto, who lived in harmony with beasts, as barbarians.
A cold smile formed on the corners of Pielta's lips as he had come to the Empire as a Prince but had not received good treatment.
"The Camellia Empire has been at peace for too long."
“That’s right, Prince. So let’s shatter that peace today.”
At Martina's words, Pielta nodded with determined eyes.
As Pielta signaled, his servants brought several large boxes. Inside were the hearts of various wild beasts.
What was contained in the unusually large box was an elephant's heart.
"There aren't many elephant hearts, so cut them up and share them. The effect won't last long, but a few hours is enough for us."
The eyes of the Paganus as they took what was inside the box and shoved it into their mouths were filled with madness. Martina tapped Pielta's forearm.
"Prince, please take care of the wild beasts."
Pielta grinned. His eyes gleamed cruelly.
"As I said yesterday, once this is over, I'll have Victoria and Ariana. Oh, and Charlotte, too."
Pielta enjoyed torturing beautiful women and listening to their screams. Finally, his hobby was to throw them into a cage of wild beasts and watch them struggle to escape for their lives.
"Fine, I'll give you as much as you want, so bake it or boil it, do as you please."
Martina looked back at her own kind.
The heart of the beast flowed through the veins of the Paganus, transmitting its power in its entirety. A fierce energy filled the eyes of the Paganus, who had been nothing more than ordinary humans just moments before.
The Paganus were ready.
Martina said.
“Let us cover this land today with the power of Lord Amanthal.”
Ariana sat on the drawing-room sofa without moving a muscle, even after Theodore had left.
Geor, Averaster, Wiona, and Isabelle prepared to return to the Eastern Territory. Since preparations to leave were almost complete even before Theodore arrived in the Empire, there was not much left to do.
Ariana didn't even know that Geor had finished preparing to return to the Eastern Territory.
'It really has slipped out of my hands.'
Since the timeline ended, most events unfolded under Ariana's initiative. From the custody trial to the present day, there was hardly a place untouched by Ariana's gaze.
But now it is different.
Ariana's fight was over, and many things took place behind her back.
"The late generation will be fine."
Ariana turned her head at the soft voice coming from beside her. She had forgotten that Cyrus was still keeping watch over Theodore while she was worried about him.
"Will it really be okay? Grandfather is too old."
"It’s okay since Louis went along too."
A faint sigh escaped from between Ariana's lips.
“I guess I’ve really been running relentlessly, only looking straight ahead. Seeing as I can’t see anything now that my fight is over.”
"That's always the way revenge is. You end up so focused on the target that you can't look around at those nearby."
"Did you feel the same way?"
"I was like that too."
"But that isn't the case now."
“Of course. Because now, you are the only one I see.”
Even in the midst of this, Cyrus's voice was sweet.
"You are my goal."
Their gazes met. His lips lightly touched Ariana's forehead and then pulled away.
He gazed down at Ariana, who was blinking her eyes, and gently rubbed her forehead with his thumb.
"I never thought I would see only beautiful things like this for the rest of my life."
"I didn't say I'd stay for life."
“Oh, dear. Where is Geor?”
“Why are you looking for Geor?”
"Geor is the only one who prays with me at times like this."
Ariana chuckled at the silly remark. His eyes softened.
“Go ahead, just smile like this. I’ll even become a clown for your smile.”
"I am looking forward to your clowning, though."
Even while exchanging jokes with him, the tightness in her chest did not go away. Ariana turned her gaze to the window.
June in the Camellia Empire was a beautiful month. The clear sky that Shini liked stretched endlessly.
Do the people under that sky know? That the clouds of war are gathering over this land, over this continent?
"What will Grandfather say to the Emperor?"
"Is there anything you can't guess?"
“Of course I do. I’m not a god.”
"You look like a god of war when dealing with the Bronte mother and daughter, yet you become a fool in front of your own family."
Cyrus wrapped the ends of Ariana's hair around his fingertips, looked down, and continued speaking.
“That quick-witted little head must have an idea. It’s just that you don’t want to think that way. Or is it that you're afraid of getting hurt if you do?”
Ariana pressed her lips together tightly. Cyrus knew Ariana all too well.
“The late generation will turn their backs on the Empire. You know that, Rian.”
“Why... just because of me...”
In this situation, that was the only thing Theodore had to say when meeting the Emperor. If the Imperial command was not revoked, the East would no longer serve as the wings protecting the Empire.
She knew it, but she couldn't believe it.
While Theodore was dealing with the Emperor, more than 200 people had gathered beyond the small mountain behind the Imperial Palace. They were the Paganus who had been living in seclusion within the Empire, concealing their identities.
In front of them was a huge cage for a beast.
It was a space vast enough to make the word 'us' seem meaningless. If it weren't for the tall steel bars visible immediately after crossing the mountain, it would have looked like an ordinary forest.
The two Imperial Knights guarding the iron bars lost their lives, and most of the employees tending to the wild beasts were killed as well. Those who barely managed to escape with their lives were bound to be killed by the pursuing Paganus.
"Today has finally come."
Martina spoke as if singing.
“It is time to bring down the hammer of justice upon those who persecuted us.”
The Paganus clenched their fists tightly.
Martina turned to look at the man with dark brown skin and splendid attire. It was Pielta Kubera, the Prince of the Karuto Kingdom.
When he arrived in the Empire, he rode an elephant the size of two buildings combined, yet no one knew he was Paganus. The Kingdom of Karuto had long since joined hands with Paganus.
The Kingdom of Karuto, located in the northwest of the continent, had many grievances against the Empire. The people of the Empire treated the people of the Kingdom of Karuto, who lived in harmony with beasts, as barbarians.
A cold smile formed on the corners of Pielta's lips as he had come to the Empire as a Prince but had not received good treatment.
"The Camellia Empire has been at peace for too long."
“That’s right, Prince. So let’s shatter that peace today.”
At Martina's words, Pielta nodded with determined eyes.
As Pielta signaled, his servants brought several large boxes. Inside were the hearts of various wild beasts.
What was contained in the unusually large box was an elephant's heart.
"There aren't many elephant hearts, so cut them up and share them. The effect won't last long, but a few hours is enough for us."
The eyes of the Paganus as they took what was inside the box and shoved it into their mouths were filled with madness. Martina tapped Pielta's forearm.
"Prince, please take care of the wild beasts."
Pielta grinned. His eyes gleamed cruelly.
"As I said yesterday, once this is over, I'll have Victoria and Ariana. Oh, and Charlotte, too."
Pielta enjoyed torturing beautiful women and listening to their screams. Finally, his hobby was to throw them into a cage of wild beasts and watch them struggle to escape for their lives.
"Fine, I'll give you as much as you want, so bake it or boil it, do as you please."
Martina looked back at her own kind.
The heart of the beast flowed through the veins of the Paganus, transmitting its power in its entirety. A fierce energy filled the eyes of the Paganus, who had been nothing more than ordinary humans just moments before.
The Paganus were ready.
Martina said.
“Let us cover this land today with the power of Lord Amanthal.”
***
Ariana sat on the drawing-room sofa without moving a muscle, even after Theodore had left.
Geor, Averaster, Wiona, and Isabelle prepared to return to the Eastern Territory. Since preparations to leave were almost complete even before Theodore arrived in the Empire, there was not much left to do.
Ariana didn't even know that Geor had finished preparing to return to the Eastern Territory.
'It really has slipped out of my hands.'
Since the timeline ended, most events unfolded under Ariana's initiative. From the custody trial to the present day, there was hardly a place untouched by Ariana's gaze.
But now it is different.
Ariana's fight was over, and many things took place behind her back.
"The late generation will be fine."
Ariana turned her head at the soft voice coming from beside her. She had forgotten that Cyrus was still keeping watch over Theodore while she was worried about him.
"Will it really be okay? Grandfather is too old."
"It’s okay since Louis went along too."
A faint sigh escaped from between Ariana's lips.
“I guess I’ve really been running relentlessly, only looking straight ahead. Seeing as I can’t see anything now that my fight is over.”
"That's always the way revenge is. You end up so focused on the target that you can't look around at those nearby."
"Did you feel the same way?"
"I was like that too."
"But that isn't the case now."
“Of course. Because now, you are the only one I see.”
Even in the midst of this, Cyrus's voice was sweet.
"You are my goal."
Their gazes met. His lips lightly touched Ariana's forehead and then pulled away.
He gazed down at Ariana, who was blinking her eyes, and gently rubbed her forehead with his thumb.
"I never thought I would see only beautiful things like this for the rest of my life."
"I didn't say I'd stay for life."
“Oh, dear. Where is Geor?”
“Why are you looking for Geor?”
"Geor is the only one who prays with me at times like this."
Ariana chuckled at the silly remark. His eyes softened.
“Go ahead, just smile like this. I’ll even become a clown for your smile.”
"I am looking forward to your clowning, though."
Even while exchanging jokes with him, the tightness in her chest did not go away. Ariana turned her gaze to the window.
June in the Camellia Empire was a beautiful month. The clear sky that Shini liked stretched endlessly.
Do the people under that sky know? That the clouds of war are gathering over this land, over this continent?
"What will Grandfather say to the Emperor?"
"Is there anything you can't guess?"
“Of course I do. I’m not a god.”
"You look like a god of war when dealing with the Bronte mother and daughter, yet you become a fool in front of your own family."
Cyrus wrapped the ends of Ariana's hair around his fingertips, looked down, and continued speaking.
“That quick-witted little head must have an idea. It’s just that you don’t want to think that way. Or is it that you're afraid of getting hurt if you do?”
Ariana pressed her lips together tightly. Cyrus knew Ariana all too well.
“The late generation will turn their backs on the Empire. You know that, Rian.”
“Why... just because of me...”
In this situation, that was the only thing Theodore had to say when meeting the Emperor. If the Imperial command was not revoked, the East would no longer serve as the wings protecting the Empire.
She knew it, but she couldn't believe it.
Because of me? Because of your granddaughter, whom you've only known for a mere four years. You’re saying I’m putting the entire East in danger just because of one person?
That can't be true. Don't harbor vain hopes. Don't get your hopes up foolishly.
Who would go to such lengths for someone like me? Because I expect and hope so foolishly, I end up being called useless and stupid.
Then she realizes that she still hasn't been freed from the curse Rachel cast on her.
Even though Rachel was now helplessly imprisoned in the dungeon, her voice still held Ariana's ankles tightly.
“To think it’s just because of you. You are such a beautiful and precious gem.”
Cyrus stroked Ariana's cheek. His red eyes had never once left Ariana.
Ariana thought that her reflection in those clear eyes was pathetic.
“The people of the East wouldn’t want their Princess to be swayed by the Emperor’s hand either. Since everyone in the East is a warrior, they won’t be afraid of war.”
"So even the Northern Lord knows how to speak sweet words."
"It's always like that in front of you. You like sweets, after all."
Cyrus, who was in love, was thinking that it was sweeter than chocolate when Isabelle entered the drawing room. Isabelle had taken off her uncomfortable dress and was wearing trousers that were comfortable for fighting.
Seeing Isabelle wearing a leather vest and wrist guards, Ariana realized that Isabelle also had an idea of what was about to happen. Nevertheless, there was no resentment in Isabelle's eyes as she looked at Ariana.
“Preparations are almost complete. I will leave the Empire as soon as Grandfather returns.”
Isabelle, speaking in a determined voice, was lovely as always.
"Why are you sitting here doing work you don't want to do, even here?"
“If you want to get angry, get angry! If you want to swear, go ahead! Don’t force a smile like that.”
She clearly remembered Isabelle approaching her roughly but affectionately when she felt suffocated by the White family's discomfort and awkwardness.
She also remembered Isabelle's back, which naturally stood in Ariana's way when the assassins sent by the Western Lord stormed into the shop.
Because Isabelle was there, Ariana was able to immerse herself in the White family a little more easily.
Isabelle's eyes were shining brightly. She was filled with determination, as if she were not afraid at all of whatever might happen in the future.
Ariana wanted to protect this older sister, her sister, who had her long hair tied tightly in a ponytail.
'Right, this wasn't the time to be digging.'
The East decided to protect Ariana. Therefore, Ariana also had to be freed from Rachel's curse and do what she had to do.
“Yeah, sis. I’ll get ready too.”
Isabelle nodded lightly and turned to look at Cyrus.
“What are you going to do, Your Excellency? If you stay with us, you will incur the Emperor's misunderstanding. If you want to escape, you must do so first.”
"Does Miss Isabelle look at me like a coward who would run away, abandoning the one I love?"
“Well, I don’t know. I don’t know much about Your Excellency yet. In any case, we can’t afford to worry about the Northern Territory, so if you don’t want to get entangled in this, move quickly.”
After Isabelle left, Ariana spoke to Cyrus.
"Isabelle is right. You must have your own plans, so don't let me ruin them."
"It hurts my feelings to hear you like that, Rian. Ever since I said I would give you my heart, my entire plan has been you."
Ariana lowered the corners of her eyebrows and placed her palm on his chest.
“Those words are very sweet, but still, Sei. Don’t ruin your plans. You must not. Act smart.”
"I'm sorry, but Rian."
He took Ariana's hand, pressed his lips against her slender wrist, and spoke.
"A man in love is bound to become the dumbest person in the world. So speak for me, the dummy, Ryan. What are you thinking with that little head of yours?"
Ariana lowered her eyes and looked down at the wrist where his lips had touched.
“The Emperor summoned Western Lord, but he did not respond. You, too, cannot find his whereabouts. That likely means Western Lord already knew that Victoria was going to do something in the Empire. Right, considering she is targeting the Crown Prince of all people, Victoria wouldn't have acted on her own accord.”
Ariana thought as she became the Western Lord.
“Western Lord is a perfectionist. However, he fell out of the Emperor’s favor once with my custody trial and again with his investment in the perfume business. He must have been anxious. Besides, the Emperor has a soft spot for you. He must have thought that things couldn't go on like this. In that case, he had to make the first move. After all, offense is the best defense.”
Ariana raised her head and met Cyrus's eyes.
“If the Crown Prince and Crown Princess had died as planned, the Empire would have been so focused on that that it wouldn’t have been able to pay attention to anything else.”
“It is the same now. The Emperor has lost his reason due to the betrayal by the Bronte family, the Third Prince, and Empress Aiela.”
“A suspicious incident occurred in the northeast at just the right time. Father left the East to investigate it. Grandfather came to the Empire because of my problem.”
The East is completely empty.
Ariana's face hardened coldly.
“If it were me, I would stir up the Empire while simultaneously striking the Eastern Territories. But to do that, I need power. Cyrus, the Western Lord, must have gained more allies than we thought.”
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