SYMDF 50

Chapter 50

After the coronation of the new Emperor of O’Brien, a banquet was held. The Empress Dowager chose not to attend, saying she would mourn the late Emperor’s passing for the time being, but even without her, the banquet hall was lively.

The appearance of great nobles who had traveled from the provinces for this day gathered attention, and the story of Camillus, who had returned to the capital as Grand Duke after eight years, was on everyone’s lips.

Though Camillus himself had yet to make an appearance at the banquet for reasons unknown.

‘Perhaps he has pressing matters.’

Though Ion tried not to dwell on him, his eyes kept searching the hall.

“Are you looking for someone, Minor Duke?”

“Ah.”

Upon hearing the question, Ion recalled that he had been speaking with a count from the western region. He apologized and answered.

“No, it’s nothing. I was just feeling a bit lightheaded and distracted.”

Indeed, Ion’s face was quite pale. His light wheat-colored hair and green eyes lent a mournful air, and the count easily accepted the hurried excuse.

“I heard the Minor Duke’s health is poor due to a curse. That is why I bring this…”

Or rather, it should be said the situation was well exploited.

Ion looked at the small bottle offered to him and tilted his head.

“A medicine?”

“Not an ordinary one. I know a mage in the Tower who gave it. They say that drinking this can completely remove certain curses.”

Handed the bottle, Ion accepted it. The pink liquid inside the transparent vial bubbled faintly, though not very warm.

It certainly seemed more potent than other medicines, but if effective, it would likely be temporary.

“If it doesn’t kill the □□…”

There was no known way to break the curse.

Many, including his father, had searched everywhere for clues to the curse that had tormented Ion for so long, but none were found.

Feeling his spirits sink for some reason, Ion wanted to quickly end the conversation with this person and coughed unnecessarily amid the talk.

“…Thank you for your concern. *cough*.”

The count’s expression showed visible regret.

“I hope this helps the Minor Duke.”

Hearing that, Ion thought the count shared the same wish. So, without hesitation, he came to the point.

“Thank you. So, is there anything you wish to ask of me?”

Give and take. Knowing that everyone had similar intentions, Ion wanted to end the topic swiftly. The count smiled broadly, their eyes showing mutual understanding.

[Status anomaly: Favor]

[Lionelli Odessa feels light favor toward the player.]

[The player has successfully persuaded Lionelli Odessa.]

After a few brief, polite words under a fake smile, Ion turned and sought his father. Approaching the duke in the crowd, the duke stepped out and spoke first.

“Ion, you don’t look well.”

Coinciding with this, the system adjusted the death probability, quietly rising.

[Current player death probability is 24%.]

Ion had felt refreshed after waking earlier, but his headache worsened after Camillus reshaped the barrier. The stronger suppression was evidently taxing him more.

Nodding, Ion kept watchful eyes, observing the somewhat chaotic hall awaiting the new Emperor’s arrival.

“You’ll have to endure until the new Emperor arrives, right?”

The duke handed a servant some water to give Ion, who, relaxing his frown, was then guided to a corner by his father.

“If you’re too weak, you can leave. Sir Ernest waits outside the castle gate. Your father is here; it’s safe.”

The calming tone gave comfort. Ion noticed others glancing his way then looked up at his father.

“But who knows what trouble might come? You even sent such a letter to my father…”

If Vernian misunderstood Ion’s absence due to bad health as avoidance, there could be trouble. Vernian was the kind to flare up over such trifles.

Recalling the recent letter where Ion called Vernian a cherished person, the duke’s face twisted slightly.

“Do you suppose it was a serious proposal?”

They both intended it as a joke…

〈Could it not make him even more persistent? I worry because, as you know… he is not easily reasoned with.〉

Recalling Sir Ernest’s warning, it felt ominous and unsettling to ignore it outright.

Smiling gently, Ion took his father’s arm, who was at a loss with worry.

“At least I should make an impression to avoid trouble.”

“If that’s your mind, there’s no helping it.”

“But I’ll just rest a moment.”

Looking up at the banquet’s second floor, the duke nodded. He bent the arm Ion held.

“Then I shall escort you.”

Ion nodded and followed as the duke led him to the stairs and up to the second floor.

When Ion first entered this body, he had thought Duke Krager a stepfather who disregarded injury, but he had since realized the duke was deeply devoted to his son.

Climbing with such warm guidance, Ion overheard talk of Camillus.

“Now that the Mage Tower Master’s barrier has been broken, will the Grand Duke rule the Tower?”

Or,

“Still, he is blood of the royal family; that much matters.”

“…A bastard cannot inherit the throne anyway.”

Though the duke apparently heard this, he showed no interest. Unable to contain himself, Ion finally spoke.

“Father, why do you think the late Emperor suddenly bestowed the Grand Duke of Virentium title?”

The topic was widespread, and even if the duke tried to ignore Camillus, it was difficult. From his first day in the north, Camillus had broken the Tower Master’s barrier and shown skill—there was likely another motive.

Hence the Empire’s affairs would remain tense for some time.

Yet Duke Krager appeared surprisingly indifferent.

“He must have had his reasons. Perhaps he worried for the current Emperor.”

Worried…?

‘Did he think that once Camillus became Duke, he would cease coveting?’

Ion found the duke’s choice of words ill-fitting and searched his own mind.

“But he hated the Grand Duke so much. Could there be a valid reason now…?”

Then a scene from before surfaced.

〈You resemble your mother well.〉

The late Emperor had said that as he sent Camillus northward.

“Could it be because of the Grand Duke’s mother?”

But no sooner had he muttered that than the duke suddenly snapped at him.

“Ion!”

Startled, Ion looked up, and the duke checked around as if startled by his own words. Thankfully, having climbed and walked some distance, no one was close enough to overhear. Some, however, peered over the railing after hearing the shout.

Sensing the gaze, the duke calmed himself and wrapped an arm around Ion’s shoulder.

“Never speak such things again.”

“…I know. I only say them before you.”

Why was the duke so sensitive?

Startled by this unfamiliar behavior after years of knowing him, Ion was then struck dumb by a new quest notification.

[Discover the identity of Camillus Valderas Clodel’s mother]

[Through listening to others besides Jemel Drusilla Krager or finding clues, discover the identity of Camillus Valderas Clodel’s mother. The quest will be considered complete once you obtain information identifying the person by name or title.]

[Completing this quest will raise Jemel Drusilla Krager’s hostility, Camillus’s favor, and many others’ favor or hostility.]

Reading the quest idly, Ion froze briefly. His grip tightened on his father’s arm.

“…Because I trust my father.”

Seeing the droop in Ion’s voice, the duke looked at his son with concern.

“Ion, are you well?”

They met eyes. A sudden breath catch left Ion struggling for air.

“Yes, *cough* yes…”

As he coughed, exhibiting symptoms before a previous attack, the duke quickly led him into a room on the second floor with an open door.

“You should rest quickly. Thankfully this room is vacant.”

He seated Ion at a table and continually asked if he was alright. Ion nodded vigorously and tightly grasped the mana stone around his neck.

Seeing the serious situation, the duke closed the external door and returned to Ion’s side.

“Just in case, I will stay with you.”

But Ion shook his head.

“I’m okay. Holding it helps… I’m getting better.”

Hearing that, he took a deep breath and searched in his pocket, pulling out a small bell purchased years ago by the duke out of concern, reassuring his father.

“If I get really bad, I’ll ring this bell. It’s loud, so someone will definitely hear.”

“…Ion.”

“You mustn’t leave, Father. Vernian or rather, the Emperor, is coming soon.”

“….”

Persuaded by such practical reasoning, the duke finally stood. He warned to ring the bell if needed and to return home, then left. Ion watched his retreating back intently.

Once the door closed, Ion wheezed deeply the breath he held in. Hearing the noise, a hidden Yomnyong crawled out of his pocket.

“Kku?”

Noticing Ion’s urgency, the creature kissed his lips as before.

[Received “Condensed Mana” from White Dragon.]

[Status anomaly: “Mana Suffusion” temporarily enhanced. Duration: 90 minutes.]

Thankfully, the relentless headache plaguing his mind eased somewhat.

“…Thank you, Yomnyong.”

Muttering softly, Ion calmed his breathing and then called up the quest details from before. His eyes fixed on one line.

[…Jemel Drusilla Krager’s hostility…]

Considering the timing of the quest’s activation and effects, one conclusion was inescapable.

The veiled mother of Camillus and Duke Krager were intertwined somehow.

‘And badly so…’

Knowing her identity alone was enough to build hostility.

For eight years, Duke Krager had been always just a loving father to Ion Krager. Ion never suspected he hid anything from him, convinced of his sincerity.

“But something is there.”

…and on reflection, enough grounds existed to suspect.

Eight years ago, Duke Krager had despised Camillus.

But where did that loathing stem from? And at that time, Camillus had just left the Tower…

Ion retraced what he had missed and felt a dizzying shock that left him dazed for a time.