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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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The recent discovery of a ruin containing information about the Four Dragons…
While she couldn’t discuss the details until Arwen was fully informed, Adriana paused after hearing the news.
She assumed it would be difficult for anyone to immediately grasp the danger posed by the Four Dragons.
But Adriana, surprisingly, accepted it easily.
Her expression was more serious than usual as she carefully considered the name “Four Dragons” before continuing.
“The Church doesn’t acknowledge the Four Dragons.”
“I know. That’s why I hesitated to ask, but… this is a serious matter.”
Verod also seemed curious about Adriana’s answer.
The Church had always been aggressive towards the Four Dragons.
They wanted to erase anything related to them, to make people forget. But he had told Adriana about this because there was information he needed to obtain.
The Church had erased all information about the Four Dragons, but if they knew about this ruin…
Someone would know that the Four Dragons’ consciousness was separated from its body.
And they would have prepared for the future.
Verod seemed uncomfortable, but he also seemed to respect Adriana’s decision.
If even the Saint couldn’t exert her authority in this matter, perhaps he, the paladin who had served the Church the longest, had to make a judgment.
“Well, this is something we should normally ignore and pretend we don’t know about. I believe both the Duke and the Grand Duchess are aware of that.”
“That’s true. I understand.”
“However, the murals in the ruin… they’re too serious to ignore. I believe this is something we need to investigate. Verod, what do you think?”
Verod seemed surprised by the sudden question, his lips moving silently.
The Saint’s answer was what we had been hoping for.
It was the easiest way to resolve this. Adriana’s special authority within the Church could help us draw many conclusions about the Four Dragons.
After much deliberation, he sighed softly, meeting our gazes one by one.
He seemed to have given up and answered.
“I will follow your lead, Saint. You intend to reveal information about the Four Dragons to the Duke and the Grand Duchess, correct?”
“I’m sorry. But I believe we need to uncover the truth about this.”
“I simply follow your judgment, Saint. For a long time now, what you consider right has been right for me as well.”
Verod bowed his head, and Adriana, smiling faintly, looked at me and spoke.
“But it will take time to gather information from within the Church. I’ll make the request, but it will take time to review it and send it here. If it’s alright with you, could I see the ruin myself?”
“The ruin? That should be fine.”
When Adele agreed, Adriana urged us to move quickly.
She was probably concerned about the urgency of the matter regarding the Four Dragons.
The tense atmosphere had dissipated somewhat, which was a relief, but we were all aware of the gravity of the situation.
I had come to the North to clear my head, but I was busy again.
I met Adele’s gaze, and she frowned, seemingly dissatisfied. I chuckled softly at her expression.
It seemed she felt the same way. And probably Adriana as well.
The ruin hadn’t changed much since our last visit.
Aside from a few insects that hadn’t been there before, there were no signs of anyone else having been here.
We were here to confirm whether the information I had given Adriana matched the remaining parts of the ruin.
If the Saint personally verified it, the Church would take it seriously and investigate further.
Verod also stared at the murals with surprise, then he seemed to realize something and glanced at me.
“By the way, you read that. I’m not very knowledgeable about ancient languages. Did you study them before?”
“…I had the opportunity to learn them by chance. I’m not an expert. I can only read them.”
I couldn’t tell him I had spent over a decade learning them.
It would be absurd to try to explain the regressor’s unique privilege.
Verod chuckled, seemingly amused.
“It’s surprising enough that you can handle a sword at your age, but you can also read ancient languages. If you were a member of the Church, you might have been considered a Saint.”
“I’m not that special.”
“You’re already special. As the Duke of Taylor, you’re above everyone else except the Imperial Family. Joking aside, you’re practically on par with the Imperial Family. Perhaps you could even rise above them.”
He said it jokingly, but his words, hinting at my future actions, left a bitter taste in my mouth.
Hmm, perhaps I really would rise above the Imperial Family.
If I successfully staged a rebellion and became Emperor, that would be the case. But the throne belonged to Miragen.
If I were caught, I would die. And if I wasn’t, I would be wandering aimlessly somewhere, my name unknown.
The Taylor name would be meaningless then.
“That’s a rather heavy joke.”
“Is it? I didn’t mean it that way.”
Verod approached me and adopted a slightly cold expression.
I felt his energy pressing down on me, the energy he exuded whenever he was warning someone.
I channeled my magic and pushed it away, frowning slightly.
I wondered why he was suddenly acting this way. Why had he approached me now, while Adriana and Adele weren’t looking?
My question was soon answered by his words, spoken in a low, serious voice.
“I think it would be wise to be careful. I’m only considering the Saint’s perspective, but I can tell this is a dangerous matter.”
“…Nothing dangerous will happen. I hate that more than anything.”
“You’re well aware that a lot has changed since you met the Saint. She values emotions above all else, and she’s easily swayed by others’ feelings.”
He sighed softly and continued, looking at me directly.
“And she’s especially vulnerable to you. You know why, don’t you?”
I wasn’t so foolish as to not know it was because of her love for me, but I remained silent, listening to his words.
I couldn’t deny that Adriana’s actions often aligned with my thoughts because of her feelings.
She was the Saint, but she was also the woman who knew my past, the woman who supported me despite knowing all my plans.
Verod didn’t know that. That was why he was wary of me.
I couldn’t explain it to him, and that was somewhat frustrating.
“I’ll be careful. Nothing bad will happen to the Saint.”
“She’s someone I must protect with my life. I didn’t intend to be disrespectful, but I have to intervene in this matter. It’s not just anything, it’s about the Four Dragons.”
The Four Dragons were beings the Church had to eradicate at all costs.
But Verod’s concern seemed to go beyond the Four Dragons themselves. He was also worried about the “connection” between the Four Dragons and someone else.
Did Verod know about the Crown Prince?
I chuckled softly, trying to keep it from being noticed, then nodded and stepped back.
Verod, seemingly satisfied with my response, retreated and hid himself so Adriana couldn’t see him.
I didn’t know how Verod had learned about Kaitel, but it seemed like the news of him trying to utilize the Four Dragons’ precognitive abilities had spread.
It had been years since Arwen discovered it, and I had even used it to some extent for the Southern subjugation, so those who needed to know, knew.
That was why Verod was wary. Kaitel might consider Adriana a threat if she got involved.
Kaitel was capable of such things.
I thought about it for a moment, then approached Adriana.
She had a serious expression on her face, being able to read the ancient language.
It was understandable that she would be troubled.
The murals were practically rewriting her understanding of the Four Dragons. Even I had been shaken.
And from her perspective as the representative of the Church, she might view these murals, which spoke of the goddess’s incompetence, negatively.
“Would it be inconvenient if I helped you?”
“No, it’s alright. I can read it if I place my hand on it and let the divine power flow. I learned how to read using a similar method.”
A white light emanated from Adriana’s hand as she touched the mural.
It was a warm, comforting light that flowed towards her as if revealing the meaning of the inscription.
“This seems to be the last one. I can’t read the faded parts.”
“You must be convinced that the information I gave you is true, but this is where it gets important. You said the masked figures near here are investigating the Four Dragons, so it would be best to capture and interrogate them.”
“Of course, but I’m worried about something else.”
I asked what it was, and Adriana, looking at me, spoke softly.
“Are you sure you’re alright? I mean… you’re regressions might be related to the Four Dragons?”
“…I’m not too concerned about that.”
“But even so-”
“Isn’t there something more important right now?”
Regression was a serious matter, something that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
But it was something I could investigate later.
Right now, it was more important to investigate how the Crown Prince was utilizing the Four Dragons and whether they would be resurrected. I could figure out my own situation later.
“We can think about me later. The important thing is whether the Four Dragons will harm others.”
“…Yes, you’re right.”
Adriana glanced at me and sighed deeply, as if frustrated.
I wasn’t that important in the grand scheme of things.
If others could be happy at the cost of my misfortune…
I would surely act that way.
She understood my feelings, but there were things I couldn’t do for her.
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