**

I greeted Harman with a bright expression.

He made a puzzled face while asking me, Your highness, what are you doing?

Oh, this? Im just getting that Aztal rune or whatever its called tattooed on me.

Of course, it was just a portion of the runes.

I had gathered bits and pieces of Mikaels torn-apart corpse and copied the rune letters, showed them to Hans, and asked him to research it. And after about a month of intense research, he finally figured out an extremely small portion of the runic symbols.

I asked Hans, How long do you think youll need to decipher the rest?

He pushed up the goggles on his face, placed the tweezers on the bowl containing holy water, and glanced at the document with runes written on it. Even if its an imitation, it still boasts a considerably complex structure, your highness.

Hans sounded really excited.

But then again, we were dealing with the so-called gods language here. For an Alchemist like him, this whole thing mustve been really intriguing.

If I work together with the Imperial Familys high-ranked clerics, as well as the Church of Caioliums Alchemists and clerics, then at the latest, three months should suffice, your highness. Plenty of related information was unearthed during the investigation of the Church itself. Thats why I estimate it to be no more than three months, sir. While saying that, Hans continued to peruse the document. However, even if we successfully recreate this imitation, itll still be very difficult to find someone capable of fully wielding this item. Unless were talking about someone on the level of an archbishop, that persons body will fail to handle the power and simply explode.

You dont have to sweat over that one. I can control it just fine.

Hans nodded in agreement at my casual response.

Although, I thought I heard him mumble almost inaudibly, Well, yeah. If its his highness whos capable of hunting a dragon

After brushing that aside, I asked him something else, What about the Vampires warp magic? Isnt it going to overlap with the research into these rune letters?

Ah, no, sir. I believe itll be fine. Weve had some real progress in that topic recently. We should get a concrete result soon, your highness.

The corner of my eyes caught the figure of Harman, who had been eavesdropping in my and Hans conversation, walking over to the window.

He cautiously studied the atmosphere in the room before asking me, Your highness, have you heard the news yet?

I looked back at him. What news?

The one regarding the Second Crown Princess Consort, your highness.

I got up from the chair and walked to the window Harman was using to stare at the outside.

At the moment, First Imperial Prince Luan was heading to where that woman was. In addition, White had also been released from prison so that he could accompany his son.

They were leading one of the five forces of the empire, the Heavenly Army. The whole procession was marching bravely out of the imperial palace and the capital itself.

I muttered, Theyre heading to the kingdom of Lome, arent they?

Harman nodded silently.

Isnt that kingdom going through a civil war right now? Is it alright for another country to interfere in their internal conflict like this?

The reports did say that the rebels are shielding the Second Crown Princess Consort, after all. Your highness, the kingdom of Lome should no doubt be aware of the fact that giving shelter to a woman accused of high treason within their borders isnt the wisest move. Also, the royal court of Lome has been requesting our assistance as well.

I muttered to myself at his reply, The kingdom of Lome must be feeling pretty great about this. What with the Imperial Family lending them aid and all.

Im sure they will hand over the appropriate compensation for it, your highness.

I nodded slowly at his reply.

Harman glanced at me and asked a question, Are you alright with this, your highness?

It wasnt that hard to guess why Harman asked that question. It mustve been because of the matter of revenge for this bodys mother, Yulisia.

Well, Im not really sure.

I deliberately tried to sound vague.

Yeah, the matter with Yulisia was an unfortunate one. However, someone like me shouldnt stick his nose into it. I should just let the ones truly involved have their deserved vengeance.

I mean, the two people who genuinely hated the Second Crown Princess Consort had already stepped up to the plate here. Well, sure, White might end up dithering about being unable to decide, but I was certain that Luan would unhesitantly cut her head off on the spot.

Harman stared at me for a while before saying something else, Actually, your highness I came to see you because theres a matter related to the current event that Id like to discuss with you.

I shifted my gaze over to him.

The Third Imperial Prince, Ruppel He wishes to have an audience with you, your highness.

My brother? What for?

Actually, I could guess that one pretty easily too.

I smacked my lips.

Now that an excuse made itself available, maybe itd be a good idea to pay him a visit. I mean, the Third Imperial Prince didnt have all that long to live anyways.

**

The prison was damp and filled with a mouldy stench.

Pained moans from the imprisoned convicts leaked out from various cells. Ahead of me was a bare-chested torturer wearing a hood and wielding a lit lantern; we were currently walking through the gloomy corridor.

Charlotte and I silently followed him while scanning our surroundings.

The prisoners, convicted of heavy crimes, were glaring at us with burning eyes. Every single one of them had been sentenced to death for their sins.

Someone cried out that they were wrongly convicted, while some begged us to save their lives. Some even openly hurled all sorts of expletives in our way, or simply guffawed like a madman.

Holy cow, what a scary place this was! Third Imperial Prince Ruppel was imprisoned in a place like this?

Eventually, we reached our destination.

The torturer raised up the lantern and addressed the convict in the cell, You have a visitor, traitor Ruppel. Its his highness the Seventh Imperial Prince, so show some respect.

The bare-chested man finished saying that and pushed forward the key to the cell.

Well, then. If something happens, just call for me, your highness.

Ah, sure. Thanks.

The torturer lightly bowed his head and left us.

I turned to stare into the cell and raised my lantern higher. Third Imperial Prince Ruppel could be seen within the darkness.

Back when I met him for the first time, his face came across as kinda handsome and annoying to look at, but now

He had morphed into a cripple.

Unkempt beard had almost completely covered the lower half of his face, while his visible skin and lips were dry and cracked.

His emaciated body was still shackled even now, robbing him of his freedom of movement despite being inside a prison cell.

It was hard to tell from his current appearance that he used to be an Imperial Prince once upon a time.

I could only smile bitterly at how Ruppel looked now.

Even if we didnt have what youd call a healthy brotherly relationship, I still felt complicated when seeing a sibling of mine imprisoned like this.

I did my best to rein in my emotions and smiled brightly.

While lifting up a basket of fruits in my hand, I spoke to him, Brother, I came to visit you!

I used the key the torturer handed over to open the cell door before stepping inside.

Ruppel had this dazed, far-off look on his face.

Hello? Brother?

I waved my hand in front of his face. However, he remained the same as before and didnt move an inch.

Huh. Hes not really all there in his head, now is he?

Left with little choice, I placed my hand on top of Ruppels head and injected a little bit of divinity.

A short while later, he jolted awake and began staring at me in stupefaction.

Okay, now. Brother, you wanted to see me, so Im

Allen!

Ruppel urgently grasped my shoulders.

At the same time, Charlottes eyes sharpened considerably. She rapidly unsheathed her sword and placed it near Ruppels throat. Do not touch his highness with your filthy hands.

He got frightened by her murderous glare and quickly let go of my shoulders.

Its alright, said I.

Charlotte wordlessly withdrew her sword.

It seemed that she still had some animosity towards Third Imperial Prince Ruppel even now. Her anger stemmed from her belief that he was one of the culprits responsible for sending me to Aslan.

Maybe that was the reason for her rather sensitive reactions lately whenever she detected something that could pose a threat to my wellbeing.

I straightened my attire and stared at Ruppel.

He was squatting on the ground as a look of despair could be seen clearly on his face. Which wasnt all that surprising, really.

He had been sentenced to death. There was no more hope left for him.

I smiled and spoke in a gentle voice, hoping to change the atmosphere somewhat, What did you call me here for, brother?

Allen, Allen!

Ruppel hugged his head and repeatedly cried out my name.

After asking Charlotte to step back, I then crouched on the prison cells floor. Yes, Im here. Brother, Im here.

Ruppels eyes were shaking unsteadily. He urgently spoke to me, I, I have a favour to ask you. M-my mother, Rose Darina

I refuse. I cannot help you in that regard, brother.

I immediately refused Ruppels plea even before he had a chance to say what it was. It didnt take a genius to figure out that he was asking me to save Rose.

But that was one favour that I just couldnt humour.

Rose wasnt just some random unimportant passerby, but a traitor to the empire. There was no reason to spare her life. She was the main instigator in the war with Aslan, and the culprit behind letting the Vampires infiltrate the imperial palace. On top of that, she even tried to have me assassinated.

Not only had I no thoughts of saving her life, I also didnt want to get labelled as her accomplice or some such, either.

Why should I take on such a risk in the first place?

Ruppels expression crumbled even more at my quick response.

He reached out and grasped the hem of my clothes.

He began sobbing as his head faltered. I know. I know it, Allen. My mother wont be able to stay for long in this world. The Imperial Family has no thoughts of sparing her. I know that even if its you, helping her will put you in hot water. However!

More strength seeped into his hands gripping my clothes.

If its either our brother, First Imperial Prince Luan, or our father, theyll definitely try to execute her the moment they find her.

Ruppel gritted his teeth.

As your brother No, wait. As the son of a woman about to die, Im begging you for this favour.

He slowly raised his head. Tears trickled down his dirty cheeks. He pleaded with me as his expression distorted.

One minute No, its fine even if its only a few seconds. Before she dies, let me see her one last time.

I wont ask you to save her or even spare her life. This fate, its mine and my mothers to pay. I know that Im being shameless for even asking you something like this. However, I truly wish to see her face at least one last time.

Ruppels head faltered again and he buried his face in my chest.

This this is my first and last wish, Allen.

He began trembling even harder.

Please let me see my mother.

He sobbed silently.

A man with not much time left was making an ardent plea. No words of comfort would work on such a man, I figured.

I could only make a bitter smile at Ruppels feeble figure.

Right, I was still his little bro, so I should at least say something to comfort him.

I carefully pushed Ruppel back and stared straight into his eyes.

Brother.

He stared back at me.

And at his despair-filled face, I resolutely replied.

I refuse.

< 098. Third Imperial Princes Wish (Part One and Two) > Fin.