A surge of turmoil stirred within me. Temud's emotions, raw and unrestrained, flooded my senses. His boundless rage seemed to engulf my entire being.
No! Not now…!
Temud's soul writhed violently, threatening to overtake my body. But this wasn't the time. Even for Temud, defeating the Emperor in my current state was impossible. With only a fraction of his power accessible, it was even more so.
Please, stop!
My vision blurred. Temud's soul clawed at the edges of my consciousness, desperate to break free, while I fought to hold it back.
Yes, I understand your anger. But you're the one who called me to this world. You waited a thousand years—can't you wait a little longer?
I was doing everything I could to grow stronger. The moment Temud sought would come, but not now.
I don't want to die like this. Calm down!
I clenched my teeth so hard I tasted blood. My body was drenched in cold sweat, and a wave of exhaustion washed over me. I took short, rapid breaths, trying to regain control.
Phew… That was close.
The storm of emotions gradually subsided. I must have succeeded in persuading Temud, as I finally felt a sense of calm.
"…."
I wondered if the Emperor had noticed my internal struggle. I wanted to check his expression, but I didn't dare raise my head, fearing Temud might act up again. If the Emperor sensed Temud's soul, I'd be as good as dead.
The tension made the brief silence feel like an eternity.
"You may leave now."
"Huh…?"
Just like that? I expected further interrogation, but it seemed this was the end. What struck me as odd was the faint tremor in his voice. Whether it was due to my heightened senses or Temud's influence, I could tell he was shaken.
"Wait in the palace. I'll inform you of my decision later."
"…Yes, Your Majesty."
I couldn't help but feel the Emperor seemed… rushed, as if he had something urgent to attend to.
As the Emperor left, Temud's soul retreated completely into the depths of my being.
The Emperor hurried through a vast private garden, his steps quick and almost frantic. He reached his bedroom and immediately discarded his white armor.
"Ugh…!"
His once human-like eyes turned entirely black. Standing over two meters tall with broad shoulders, his body now radiated with black flames.
"Damn it!"
Alone, the Emperor was a far cry from the composed ruler he appeared to be. He cursed repeatedly, alternating between anger and agony.
"This cursed black flame…! I barely managed to suppress it!"
The black flame was an unquenchable fire. For 950 years, he had poured his mana into containing it, preventing it from spreading further.
"But why now?!"
Over the centuries, the flame had gradually diminished. Though it was a fire meant to burn until its target was consumed, it was still just a spell.
"Temud…! How long will you torment me?!"
A spell should vanish when its caster dies. Yet, this infernal flame had burned for 950 years.
The Emperor had clung to his current body, hoping the flame would eventually extinguish.
"Tch…!"
Like a relapsed illness, the black flame, which had weakened, suddenly flared up again. The fire, which had been reduced by half, now burned brighter than ever.
This had happened the moment Jed looked at him.
"Damn those Arahan bastards!"
The black flame clearly reacted to Arahan blood. After all, wasn't the Emperor also a descendant of Temud?
"If you're a ghost, then stay in hell where you belong!"
Though Temud's body had long decayed, his spirit seemed to linger. The unending black flame was proof of that.
"Ugh! Aaargh!"
It felt as if the black flames were devouring him. For centuries, he had endured the pain of his flesh burning and organs melting, only to rebuild them with mana.
Because of this, he hadn't had a proper rest, let alone sleep. A single moment of carelessness, and his entire body would be consumed.
"At least there was progress…!"
The Emperor clenched his fists in frustration. How much longer would it take to suppress the flames again? The thought alone was dizzying.
He shook his head.
"There's only one way."
The Emperor picked up a document on the table. It was the result of his secret research to eliminate the black flame. His gaze lingered on the final paragraph.
Nunes and I were left in a small chamber within the palace.
--------
Scene: The Guest Room
"They call this the guest room, but it's all nonsense. Outside, armed guards are stationed like a fortress."
Nunes voiced his frustration.
"This is blatant confinement, isn't it? We're practically in a comfortable prison."
"At least there's a bed. That's something."
"What did we do wrong to deserve this? Shouldn't we be praised for exposing the empire's corruption?"
"You know what they say—too clear water can't sustain fish."
"That's ridiculous too. Harmony and balance? Turning a blind eye to corruption is harmony and balance?"
"Keep it down. Do you forget where we are? Either stay quiet or shout in front of the emperor."
"Ugh, I'm just frustrated, okay?"
I sat in a chair, lost in thought.
The corruption was one thing, but the emperor's last move was suspicious.
What was so urgent?
A suspicion crept in—could it be related to Temud's soul?
'If he felt Temud's power, he wouldn't leave me alone.'
Would assassins come tonight?
Was I destined to die without a trace?
'One thing's clear—the emperor killed Temud. The Black Dragon failed to do it.'
So where is the Black Dragon?
Maybe the emperor found and killed it long ago.
If it hasn't been seen in 500 years, it's either dead or waiting for its master, as Celia said.
'This isn't the time to worry about the Black Dragon. I don't even know what's going to happen to me.'
The priority was to leave the palace safely.
The inability to contact the outside or seek help was maddening.
All I could do was wait for the emperor's summons.
Scene: The Guards
"By the way, what happened to the captain of the guard?"
"Huh? Uh…"
"Why are you so flustered? He's from the Colt family too, isn't he?"
"Ah… actually, he's my uncle."
"What? But you didn't acknowledge each other? Did he pretend not to know you too?"
"I didn't know he was in the palace… We've been estranged for a while."
"Estranged?"
Nunes hesitated before speaking.
"Our family follows primogeniture. From birth, my father was destined to be the next head. But the problem was, my uncle was stronger."
"The second son was stronger?"
"He was exceptional since childhood. Extremely so. If they were close in skill, it might've been fine, but the gap was too wide. Resentment was inevitable. I'd probably feel the same if my position were taken."
I immediately understood.
Though primogeniture is preferred, few families enforce it rigidly.
The sense of loss must've been immense for someone who could never become head, no matter how strong.
"I still don't get it. When my uncle left the family, no one stopped him. They even seemed relieved. I wondered if that's what knights call honor."
"Hmm… so that's the story."
"If a knight truly values honor, he should've embraced my uncle back then. Even if it meant giving up the headship."
Listening to him, I sensed a faint resentment toward his father.
"Don't you think letting your brother leave without stopping him isn't honor? It's just clinging to your position."
"Maybe he didn't want to break family tradition. That's not something you can ignore."
"…Maybe. Anyway, I've tried to forget. That's all I can do."
Perhaps Nunes wanted to restore the family's honor, tarnished by his father.
Hearing his story, I saw him in a different light.
Scene: The Next Morning
The emperor summoned us the next morning.
This time, the ministers were present, but what shocked me was the mayor of Leman, bound and kneeling before the emperor.
A few other officials were also there.
"Your Majesty."
"Did you rest well last night?"
"Yes."
The emperor's voice had changed again—gentle and authoritative, like a benevolent ruler.
I wondered what he was plotting, but he continued.
"It took time to uncover the truth. All involved have been arrested and will face justice."
What's going on?
Yesterday, he talked about fish and harmony, but now he's changed his stance.
"Moreover, for exposing corruption, I shall reward you greatly. As of today, Zed Arahan's substitute mission order is terminated."
"…What?"
What kind of nonsense is this? Why terminate the order?
I stared at the floor, my mind racing.
This didn't make sense.
"The substitute mission order is a system for pardoning crimes. You've already exposed much corruption, alleviating the people's hardships and clearing the innocent. That's sufficient to pardon your remaining crimes."
"Your Majesty's words are most wise."
"Your Majesty's boundless grace shall be known throughout the empire."
The ministers flattered him as if I were the only one questioning this.
Yesterday, the emperor seemed intent on overlooking corruption, but today he'd changed his tune.
'What game are you playing, Izar?'
He's truly cunning.
What changed overnight to make him act this way?
"The substitute mission order is over, but I hold your abilities in high regard. May I ask one favor for the empire?"
"…Your command?"
The emperor paused before speaking slowly.
"Find the Black Dragon. Only Arahan can do this."