Chapter 286
Unaware of these circumstances, Ysaris turned her gaze back to Kazhan on the bed and murmured,
“If magic could solve this, Lena would have told us. But with no other options, we should consult the Sage.”
* * *
A few days later, after an urgent request for an audience, Sage Yesis delivered his verdict with simple finality:
“Impossible.”
“…May I ask why?”
“You wish to influence the Emperor’s mind, do you not? My magic is limited to ‘seeing.’ It cannot be used on the unconscious. If you thought I practiced dark magic, that’s a grave misconception. My master would strike me down at the mere mention of it—how could I?”
His firm refusal made Ysaris bite her lip. She’d tried not to hope too much, yet the disappointment was crushing.
“For the record, dark magic mostly harms the body. Don’t seek out its remnants unless you want to kill him for good.”
“…Thank you for the advice. Please keep my husband’s condition confidential.”
“Naturally. I’ve no desire to see Uzephia plunged into chaos.”
As she rose to leave, Ysaris asked one last question.
“Is there any advice you can give us? Even the smallest hint?”
“Hmm. Magically, I’ve nothing to offer… But why not seek a bloodline ability related to the mind? The continent is vast. Someone out there might help.”
It wasn’t practical—bloodline abilities were rare. Most were concentrated in Lena’s village, yet its master had said nothing. The odds were slim.
Still, Ysaris clung to hope.
She swallowed the bitter reply from Tebi, the gatekeeper she’d contacted just in case. The dead end left her hollow.
No magic, no dark magic, no bloodline abilities—what was left?
“Haah…”
Finally alone, Ysaris exhaled sharply and splashed water on her face. Kazhan’s peaceful expression almost annoyed her now.
‘What would you say if you saw me like this? Disappointed? Or pitying?’
She stared at him, exhaustion and stress etching her pale face.
“An Emperor can’t sleep this late, Kazhan.”
The words tumbled out—accusatory, petty.
‘Wake up. Do you know how hard this is for me?’
A one-sided conversation, just like their peaceful past.
Except now, there was no reply.
“……”
Silent, Ysaris rested her hand over Kazhan’s left chest. The absence of a heartbeat still felt strange, no matter how often she checked.
‘Are you really asleep? Will you ever wake?’
‘If nothing works… is all this effort even worth it?’
“…We have to try. No matter what.”
She whispered it like a vow. As long as he wasn’t truly dead, she’d keep trying.
‘Kazhan didn’t deserve to die. He had to live.’
‘Live to…’
‘Live to—’
‘Then what?’
Ysaris froze. The unconsidered future loomed as she stared blankly at Kazhan.
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