Inedit’s POV
Preparations for the invasion of the royal capital are progressing steadily.
However, half of the Holy Silver Knights are packed into the fortified city on the border.
Even if the entire army of the liberated nation of Oine were to invade, it would not be easy to defeat them.
If it takes time, the kingdom’s military forces that attacked Shahalion might return to the defense of the capital.
If so, this time’s scheme will probably end up in vain.
In order to prevent this from happening, one last move is necessary.
“Perform the ritual.”
I looked around at the court magicians who had gathered for the ritual.
Their complexions were dark and the atmosphere surrounding them was heavy.
“…The adjustments have not been completed yet.”
“I don’t care. Use me.”
“B-but then Your Majesty’s body…!”
The frantic efforts of the magicians have not come to fruition, and in the end, the preparations for the ritual have not been completed yet.
But I have no intention of blaming them for that.
“Do it.”
“…Please give us a little more time…”
“There is no more time.”
When I cut everyone off, their faces twisted in frustration.
However, in the midst of all this, I dare to relax my expression.
To reassure them…
“I’m a descendant of the founder Oine. I’m closer to Oine than any of the previous queens. Don’t worry. Even if I can’t get used to my magic, I’ll try to help you.”
The magicians gave in to my strong argument.
“…We will begin the ritual…”
“Hmm. Thank you.”
I slowly took a step toward the center of the formation drawn on the floor.
A coffin containing a body was placed there.
This is Oine’s coffin, which is usually kept in the mausoleum.
I stand in front of it and look around the hall.
“From now on, we will conduct a seance ceremony!…Please bring the soul of our founder Oine to Queen Inedit!”
Bring down Oine and gain the power of black dragon transformation.
With that power, I will attack the royal capital myself.
This was my last move.
Emotions flow in.
What is this?
Love?
Sadness?
Mercy?
…and…hope…?
Many memories flash through my mind.
Those flashes, however, are not my memories.
Could this be Founder Oine’s residual thoughts?
“…It’s stable…! Moving on to the next stage…”
I hear the voices of the magicians.
The voice that should have been uttered nearby sounded somewhere far away, as if it were someone else’s problem.
The surrounding scenery was hazy and indistinct.
The scene that stands out clearly in my mind is a forest somewhere.
–Where is this? In the forest? —
I can feel the confusion.
It resonates with me as if it were my own thoughts.
Is this… Oine’s memory?
–I am Rise. Hey, what’s your name? —
She went to the kingdom in search of people.
An encounter with a young man.
A peaceful life for the two of them.
My heart hurts… those kind of soft days.
–Hooray……! Oine, we are finally here! —
A future won through struggle.
Trust.
Love.
An irreplaceable feeling.
…Feelings that I don’t know…
–Perel. I’m sure someday again…
The two parted ways.
A hope that someday they can hold hands again…
A wish entrusted to the next generation.
Oine, you…
I understood.
(…You don’t hate them…)
Oine doesn’t hate anything.
She put all her hopes in the future.
Oine’s feelings were painfully felt.
(…but…but…I…)
I hate them.
I can’t help but hate the Kingdom of Perel.
The image of a mother crying as she held her starving child to her chest…
The border village that allowed the invasion and the people who became silent corpses…
The despair I learned that day is attacking me.
I can never forgive them.
Then my mind comes back.
This oath is hidden in my heart.
I am the Kingdom of Perel’s…death.
“…Magical power…increased…! Uncontrollable…!? Turning into a black dragon…!?”
The muscles all over my body began to creak.
My body hurts from the inside, as if it’s being torn apart.
But more than that… my chest hurts.
“…Guru”
What leaked out was a beastly groan.
I am being rewritten from the inside.
The rest of me is changing.
In the midst of all this, only the flames of hatred continue to rouse me.
(…Destruction….Destruction to the Kingdom of Perel…)
I can no longer maintain my sense of self.
It doesn’t look good as it is.
I try to somehow hold on to my fading consciousness.
But the burning hatred won’t allow it.
“…Guruuuu…”
Even the memories of Oine that were floating in my mind became dark and blurred.
“GROOUUUUURRR!!!!”
After hearing that roar, my consciousness sank into darkness.
I wonder what exactly she saw in Oine’s memory. Is the hatred her own but amplified? Or is it because of the black dragon for some reason?
I hope you enjoyed this chapter and thank you for reading!
