Chapter 178
For a creature bound to the ground, capturing one that soars through the sky is nearly impossible—unless one wields magic. Bows exist as weapons, but against a monster with a hide too thick to pierce, they are little more than a symbol of fear.
However, in all things, there are exceptions.
Tak!
“Apologies for my tardiness, Your Majesty. Since my eyes are covered, I failed to see the signal. I came as soon as I caught wind of the situation… but the distance was greater than expected, so I worried I might have lost my way. Haha!”
Swiish!
The man who had landed before the Emperor, flashing an affable smile, effortlessly snatched a heavy iron-tipped crossbow bolt out of the air with his bare hand.
“Hmm?”
As if puzzled by the sudden projectile from the sky, he tilted his head.
Kazhan let out a sigh and issued his command.
“Remove your blindfold, Duke. I will permit you to use your ability—eliminate those in the sky.”
From the start, the signal Kazhan had sent was meant solely for this man.
Uzephia’s most formidable weapon—Temisian Blake—had arrived.
* * *
“It seems Her Majesty the Empress must have been quite desperate. I didn’t expect you to follow me so obediently.”
“Don’t delude yourself. I simply saw a need to have a private conversation with you, however brief.”
Ysaris coldly cut through Runellia’s amused remark.
Even if she had “obediently followed,” it was only to an empty room in an adjacent building, and her escorting knights stood just outside the door.
If anything were to happen to her, the one most inconvenienced would be the Imperial Consort.
A woman so devoted to self-preservation wouldn’t dare act recklessly.
In other words, Ysaris hadn’t followed Runellia here without careful consideration.
“Let’s start by clarifying your intentions. Earlier, it seemed you were too preoccupied with prying eyes to speak freely. What exactly did you come to see me for?”
Ysaris assessed the situation with cold precision.
Kazhan had blocked access to all information under the pretense of isolating her from potential threats.
Though she now doubted his words, the fact remained that he had previously been attacked, and the possibility of a rebel faction existed.
Yet out of nowhere, the Imperial Consort had approached her with absurd remarks, blatantly disregarding Kazhan’s orders.
And what had she said?
Didn’t she want to know about her past?
There was no way this woman, who clearly harbored no goodwill toward her, was speaking the truth.
That was why Ysaris had insisted on arranging this private meeting, despite her attendants’ protests.
She intended to uncover the Imperial Consort’s true motives.
“Does my purpose even matter? Rather than waste time on that, shouldn’t Your Majesty be asking about your own past?”
“Instead of being swayed by the words of someone who might be lying, it’s far more useful to determine your purpose first. So tell me, Consort—what reason do you have for approaching me, despite the risk of incurring the Emperor’s wrath?”
Ysaris was well aware.
If even the Blake Ducal couple—personally appointed by the Emperor—kept their mouths shut, Kazhan’s threats must be nothing short of formidable.
And yet, Runellia had approached her so openly, running her mouth without hesitation.
There was only one possible explanation: she had a clear goal, one she was willing to pursue despite any danger.
“…Hmm. You truly aren’t easy to deal with, Your Majesty the Empress.”
Runellia observed Ysaris with a meaningful gaze before shrugging her shoulders.
Her voice was light, her demeanor almost careless.
If not for the way she subtly lowered her tone to keep their conversation from being overheard, she might have come across as outright frivolous.
“My contract with His Majesty the Emperor is nearing its end. I’ll be stepping down as Imperial Consort soon, and the more I think about it, the more infuriating and absurd it all seems.”
“…”
“That the Emperor was the one who first broke our contract. That you—who made me this way—are now living so comfortably by his side. The two of you despised each other so much, and yet, the more I watch, the funnier it gets.”
Ysaris scrutinized Runellia’s expression, carefully processing the new information.
She needed to discern what was true and what was fabrication.
Yet, with that ever-present smile plastered on Runellia’s face, it was impossible to tell.
A contract between the Emperor and the Imperial Consort?
A set duration, which had now reached its end?
The Emperor had been the first to violate it?
How had she been responsible for what happened to Runellia?
And just how terrible had her past relationship with Kazhan been?
With no memory of her past, Ysaris had no way of distinguishing truth from falsehood.
Just as she furrowed her brow, about to ask a question, Runellia continued.
“So, before I make my exit, I thought I’d shatter it myself.”
“Shatter… what?”
Ysaris hadn’t even needed to ask.
The look in Runellia’s eyes—her venomous, saccharine smile—answered for her.
“Your relationship.”
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