Chapter 79

While causing concern for Leonhardt, it seems that most of the suspects who were cooperating with the former crown prince, Zaid, have been captured.

By following the people lured by Cordelia on that day, they were also able to apprehend those close to Zaid.

There are still some minor details to be tidied up, but the critical part has already been overcome.

The control of Leonhardt's animal ears is also progressing smoothly, and they are almost back to normal.

Cordelia has left her mansion and is starting to reappear in public.

Once the ceremony to establish the crown prince is completed, Cordelia will be officially recognized as Leonhardt's fiancée. However—

"The king has fallen ill…?"

At the news brought by the messenger from the palace, Cordelia could feel her face turn pale.

He was the king of her country and Leonhardt's father.

When she looked at him, his emerald eyes wavered for a moment, and she could see him trying to hide his shock.

"…What do you mean? Explain the details."

Leonhardt, without losing his composure, asked with a controlled expression.

However, Cordelia noticed that his fists were clenched so tightly that they had lost their color.

"Yes, sir! Allow me to explain, though it may be presumptuous."

According to the messenger's explanation, King Balmonk was strolling in the palace garden that day.

Of course, the security was tight.

They were prepared against attacks by swords, spears, and even magicians. The security measures were thorough to prevent any harm.

(And yet, the king was harmed despite all that…)

It seems the attacker was a magician.

The reason it can only be described as such is that the spell used was different from any existing magic.

The black flames that rose up penetrated the earth wall created by the guard magicians and struck the king directly.

"…How is my father now?"

"Strangely, there are no major burns or injuries, but he has not regained consciousness…"

The messenger hesitated before informing Leonhardt.

The news was not good, and Cordelia's heart raced.

"…I see. I will go to see my father first."

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

The king's illness is under a strict gag order, and information is being controlled.

However, such information tends to leak out somehow.

The palace, without its master, was enveloped in a heavy atmosphere.

"Brother Leonhardt!"

As soon as he got off the carriage, Femina ran straight to him.

She clung to Leonhardt as if to hold on for dear life.

"I'm so relieved…! I'm so relieved! When Father was attacked, I thought it might be your turn next…!"

"I won't be taken down so easily."

With a gentle voice, Leonhardt patted Femina to comfort her.

(He's suffering, yet he's still so kind even at a time like this…)

Cordelia was also shaken by the news of the king's attack, but not as much as Leonhardt and Femina, who were the king's flesh and blood.

When Cordelia patted Femina's back, she seemed to calm down a bit.

After entrusting the crying Femina to her attendant maid, they resumed their walk to the king's bedroom.

In front of the king's bedroom, nearly a dozen guards were stationed.

They were being cautious to prevent any further harm to the king.

"Prince Leonhardt, we have been waiting for you!"

"Yes, let me see my father."

As the guards saluted and cleared the way, Cordelia stepped into the bedroom.

She could see the bed bulging in the shape of a person.

"…What?"

Cordelia doubted her own eyes.

It looked as if a black mist was clinging to the bed.

Was it an illusion? Or a mistake?

Just as she was about to confirm with Leonhardt,

(It's different…?)

Cordelia had a premonition and felt her skin prickle.

The person next to her was Leonhardt, yet not Leonhardt.

His face and form were the same, but he had been replaced by someone else.

"Who are you…?"

As she asked hesitantly, the emerald eyes looked down at her.

(No…! It's definitely not him!)

She shrank back from the sharpness of the emerald eyes.

Leonhardt had never looked at Cordelia with such eyes.

"Hmm, as expected of the one entrusted with the holy sword. You're not as stupid as I thought."

His tone was arrogant and condescending.

The voice was the same, but it was clearly not Leonhardt.

"Where is the prince, where is Prince Leonhardt…?"

"He hasn't gone anywhere. It's just that the inside and outside have been flipped, that's all."

"Inside and outside…?"

"What did you think the regression to an ancestor meant?"

He hooked his finger under her chin and tilted her face up.

The cruelly gleaming green eyes pierced her directly.

"Regression to an ancestor means the reincarnation of the ancestor, the holy beast. It is the holy beast itself, wearing human skin, which is why it can use powers beyond human capability."

"Reincarnation…"

So, Leonhardt is the first king of Riolberne himself?

There were many things she didn't understand, but there was something Cordelia had to ask.

"What has happened to the prince I have been interacting with until now?"

Her voice trembled.

Her heart beat irregularly, and cold sweat trickled down her back.

—If she could never see Leonhardt again.

Cordelia's heart would surely shatter and never heal.

"Don't worry about that. I'll return once my business is done."

What business?

Her mind was in turmoil, and Cordelia finally reached a conclusion.

"…Are you trying to eliminate that black mist clinging to the king's body?"

"Pretty much, yes."

The thing that was Leonhardt—Lionel, the first king of Riolberne, if his words were true—announced this.

Lionel approached the king and raised his right arm.

"Burn. Let the remnants of the curse be consumed."

"!"

A golden flame burst forth, enveloping the king's body.

The flame burned fiercely, scattering sparks and dispelling the black mist.

"Will the king be saved now?"

"I don't know. There's a considerable burden on his soul, so it depends on the strength of his vessel… his body."

"…Thank you."

The principle was unclear, but it seemed the king had been saved.

When Cordelia expressed her gratitude, her chin was grabbed.

"What are you doing?"

"You want to show gratitude, right? Just leave it to me."

Lionel's face drew near.

A thought flashed through Cordelia's mind as she froze.

The first king, Lionel.

He was a legendary hero, known for his fondness for women—

"Ugh!"

"Kyaa?!"

Suddenly, she was pushed away.

Stumbling, she looked up to see Lionel, no, Leonhardt, pressing his chest.

"Damn it, what a joke…!"

Cordelia stared in shock at Leonhardt, who was cursing.

She reached out, sliding her fingers along his cheek.

"Prince…? Is it really Prince Leonhardt here…?"

"Yes, it is. I'm sorry—!"

With a sudden movement, Cordelia found herself hugging Leonhardt tightly.

(I was so scared…!)

What if Leonhardt's personality hadn't returned?

A deep fear gripped her, as if a bottomless pit had opened beneath her feet.

"Prince, I'm so relieved…!"

"Cordelia…"

Leonhardt hugged her back, and the warmth of his body helped Cordelia calm down.

"Prince, is there any change in your body now?"

"…I wish I could say there's no problem… Look at this."

Leonhardt pulled away and pointed to his chest.

At first, it looked unchanged, but as she stared, she could see a faint golden flame.

"The color of this flame is the same as before…"

"That's right. I can feel the flame swirling in the center of my body, deep in my chest."

Cordelia looked into his emerald eyes to confirm his words.

The light in his eyes was gentle and calm, showing no sign of the wild presence of Lionel.

She let out a sigh of relief and was gently patted on the head by Leonhardt.

"It's unlikely that Lionel will suddenly take over my consciousness. He used the flame to help my father and intends to rest for a while."

"Can you sense what state Lionel is in now, Prince?"

"Yes, I can feel his consciousness faintly. …It might be true that I am a reincarnation of the same soul as Lionel."

"Reincarnation, transmigration…"

"Don't look so worried. I have the memories of the time Lionel was in control. For now, I have the dominant consciousness, and I won't allow him to do anything improper like that again."

Leonhardt's eyes were sharp and cold.

Even though they shared the same soul, he would never allow Lionel to kiss Cordelia.

"…We shouldn't stay here too long, or the guards will become suspicious. Let's move."

We will update another chapter today.