Chapter 33
A legless captive crawled forward on his hands, clutching at Jia’s ankle. “Please, kill me…”
Why should I…? Even as she thought this, Jia raised her hand, forming the magic just as she’d been taught. Light magic, the very magic she’d manifested for the first time today, the magic that had brought her such joy. She’d been genuinely thrilled by the discovery of her talent, proud that she was useful, that she could help someone. She hadn’t learned magic to hurt anyone. And yet…
Her trembling hand felt alien, as if it didn’t belong to her. Blazing light streamed towards the writhing captive. Lethal magic pierced the hearts of the suffering prisoners, one by one. Six captives, all dead in an instant.
The screams ceased. Jia stared at her hand. Though untouched by blood, it seemed stained crimson.
“Ah… uh… ah…” A whimper escaped her lips. Unable to bear it any longer, she clutched her head. I didn’t want to kill them. I didn’t want to see them suffer. I wanted to save them. I didn’t want to kill them. No, no…
Tears streamed down her face. She sobbed, her gaze falling upon the corpses. A scream tore from her throat. “Aaaaagh!” She wanted to believe she hadn’t killed them, but she couldn’t even rationalize it. The bodies seemed to accuse her, to insist that she was the one who had killed them.
As Jia’s screams escalated into a full-blown panic attack, the Emperor, once again, doused her with cold water. She whimpered, clenching her jaw. She couldn’t tell if she was trembling from the cold or the horrific images seared into her mind.
This place was a nightmare. She wished she couldn’t see the pools of blood on the marble floor. With trembling hands, Jia channeled her divine power towards the blood. In an instant, it vanished.
So, it can be used like this too…
Jia directed her power towards the bodies. None of the dead revived. She’d expected as much, yet a bitter smile touched her lips.
“Quite useful, indeed.” The Emperor commented on her magic and divine power. Jia turned to him, numb. He seemed pleased, utterly indifferent to her anguish.
Fear gripped her. She wondered if she, too, would become like him after spending enough time in this dreadful place.
Knights entered and efficiently removed the bodies. Jia remained kneeling, paralyzed. The weight of another’s life was crushing.
The Emperor lifted her limp body and carried her to the bed, as he always did.
Jia closed her eyes, nestled against him. She longed for sleep, hoping it would offer an escape from the haunting eyes of the dead. But sleep wouldn’t come, no matter how tightly she closed her eyes.
While she wallowed in self-loathing, the Emperor, having drawn upon her divine power, slept soundly.
Resentment and anger surged through her. Jia was startled by the intensity of her hatred. She had never hated anyone like this before. Not even in high school, when she was bullied and ostracized. Back then, she had only blamed herself or felt sadness.
As this potent hatred consumed her, her heart pounded. It wasn’t just excitement. Could it be…? she wondered, extending her hand and summoning her divine power. The light, though dimmer than the first time, was stronger than yesterday.
Her inner state was definitely connected to her power. Her earlier suspicion was confirmed. For a fleeting moment, she considered using it to strike the sleeping Emperor’s throat. But she stopped herself.
Not yet. Not yet…
***
“Still no progress?” Even Julia, Jia’s constant shadow, had free time. Night had fallen, cloaked by the Mutatio. She sighed, looking at her brother, her mirror image.
“It’s only been a little over a month. What’s the rush?”
“A month is the problem. His Majesty, who grows bored of everything so quickly, has kept that slave by his side for a whole month.”
Saville gulped down his wine and crushed the glass in his hand. Shards pierced his skin. He clicked his tongue, using a magic stone to heal the wound. Julia scoffed at her brother’s careless use of the expensive stone.
“I’ve placed two dogs by the slave’s side.”
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