Chapter 102: Betrayal? (1/2)

”Sol, you are a half-dragon right?”

”... Indeed. So? Are you going to kill me to get my core?”

”Oh, ~!? You are surprisingly calm. Do you think I would not hurt you? No, from your reaction you are clearly wary of me. Then, do you think you can beat me? Ah~! Even though you don't really believe so you don't think you would lose either. I really wonder what kind of skills you obtained during your awakening.”

The duchess continued to ask and answer to her own questions.

The binding surrounding him slowly came apart before completely vanishing.

”Arachne's thread. This is how this weapon of mine is called. It's a gift from the goddess after I showed my overwhelming talent. From what she told me. There was once a woman who went by the same name and whose skills could only be defined as godly. This thread was created by her. They are close to indestructible.”

This information startled Sol. But he wasn't too surprised. If as he thought all the previous kings of Lustburg were earthlings, there was no way that such a coincidence could happen without a meddling hand behind it.

”This is interesting and all, but should I mention that imprisoning the prince of the kingdom, even shortly, is a crime?”

While he talked, his blue eyes turned gold.

”Say, duchess, are you perhaps underestimating me?”

Aura of power began to emanate from his whole body. He was well and truly pissed.

The reason why she acted this way didn't matter.

The fact that he could have escaped any time he wanted didn't matter.

At the end of the day, the sole truth was clear, she had assaulted him.

<<Intent>> ”I suppose that Gerald was given a similar proposal.”

All the energy he was amassing immediately vanished.

”What!?”

The duchess was as calm as ever.

”I believe that you heard me quite clearly the first time.”

Sol's eyes showed pure disbelief.

He had been somewhat prepared, but deep in his heart, he always harbored the hope that everything was a mistake and that his uncle wouldn't betray him. Clinging on a vain hope, he asked,

”What makes you say that? Since when did you know or suspected?”

Arachne examined his expression. She could see how hurt he was at her revelation. Still, she needed to continue,

”I don't know all the details, but Gerald has a granddaughter. A very cherished girl, she was also the most likely candidate to become a Holy daughter since she was blessed. But out of nowhere, she suddenly vanished.”

”I already know that, and so?”

”Heh, then, did you know? In his estate, there's two of my sculptures. No one outside of my companion during the war knows that I can share sight and hearing with the things I create. This is why I know. His granddaughter didn't vanish. I don't know why, but she is currently in a very deep sleep and she is growing weaker by the day.”

”Once again, and so? This isn't enough to be suspicious of him.”

”That's of course, see, after I received the invitation from those heretics, I immediately began to suspect people around me. This is when I saw it. It was just a glimpse, and I never saw her again, but I can't be wrong. He met a witch… A red-clothed witch...The same witch who proposed a way to resurrect Mars.”

The hope in Sol's eyes dimmed considerably. He felt as if a stake was pierced in his heart.

Of course, this was just the duchess assumption.

Perhaps, like her, he only accepted outwardly while in reality, he was still loyal.

Perhaps, the way to save his granddaughter didn't need a core.

Perhaps, Milaris was truly a traitor and she was just misleading him.

Perhaps…

'Get a grip!'

He screamed internally.

”Hope for the best but prepare for the worst.”

His murmur surprised Arachne. She had been prepared for many things. Tears, refusal to accept reality, suspicion toward her, and many others. But,

'To think that he would be able to recover so fast.'

This made her respect for him grow a great deal.

Sol on the other hand was doing everything to calm his fast-beating heart. He couldn't afford to be distracted now. He needed to keep his wits with him.

'Let's do one thing at times.'

Letting out a sigh, his eyes immediately focused back on Arachne.

”Your suspicions are noted. Now, I suppose that this is why you met my aunt to discuss. I will analyze the situation with her. Let's stop the discussion here. I admit that your revelation has quite rattled me.”

”As you wish.”

Getting her answer, Sol got up and turned away before leaving. His steps, heavy with muddy feelings.

Watching him close the door behind him, Arachne sighed and rose up before going to another room in her study.

There, admiring her full collection of Mars goods, she poured herself a glass of wine and closed her eyes, a feeling of peace washing over her.

This place was her sanctuary. It was her own little closed world.

”Mars, I finally had a true discussion with your son. He really grew up well.”

She gulped her drink and continued to stare at Mars's portrait, her eyes, blurry with tears.

”I really miss you.”

She could have resurrected her most beloved person. But she gave up this chance.

She could only smile bitterly and watch the future situation unfold.

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A few minutes later, in the quarter reserved for Sol, Setsuna fidgeted uneasily.