Chapter 91: “A Flourishing Age”
The Imperial Festival, in its earliest form, had existed long before the Abyssal Demon Realm, before the fall of the ancient empire, when the North Empire was just the North Kingdom.
It had begun as a religious ceremony, then evolved into a national celebration.
Finally, after the ancient empire’s fall and the Abyssal Demon Realm’s invasion, it became an annual ritual, a day to beseech the gods for a “miracle” to aid the knights on the front lines.
This was because most of Vikarn’s devices could only be used once a year, requiring time to recharge. And the North Empire, unfamiliar with their inner workings, could only follow the established protocols.
Now, with the war on hold due to the Abyssal Lord’s impending awakening, the festival was no longer just about activating a few combat devices. It was an opportunity to explore the full potential of Vikarn’s technology.
And it had also become a battleground, a clash between the capital and the other city-states, between humans and other races.
The city-states sought to gain more influence, the other races to uncover the festival’s secrets, and the capital to expand its power. And there were others, like Sasha and Bai, who were after Vikarn itself. Everyone had their own agenda.
But the ordinary citizens of the capital, oblivious to these hidden struggles, celebrated with song and dance, their first large-scale festival since the war’s end.
The streets were strewn with fragrant petals, every house adorned with colorful lanterns, the air filled with a festive spirit.
Lilia sat in her favorite café, a royal establishment, on the top floor, in a private room reserved for her.
She looked out the window, her eyes, for once, bright with excitement, taking in the scenery, as if she could never get enough.
Unlike Lilia’s cheerful mood, her maid, Erlya, was filled with worry.
She stood beside Lilia, silent, her gaze flickering to Lilia’s collarbone, then quickly away.
The Demonic Rune was still there, only slightly faded…
It seemed Miss Bai had been right. She had only suppressed it.
“A flourishing age, long overdue, Your Highness,” a smooth, deep voice said, and Prince Kruse sat down opposite Lilia, dressed in a flamboyant pink suit.
He was rarely serious, except when it came to official business, often appearing as a carefree, spoiled heir—though his status was far beyond that.
Lilia wasn’t surprised by his appearance. She turned to him, a polite smile on her face. “Grand-uncle, are you finished with your duties?”
Seeing the faint hope in her eyes, Kruse knew what she wanted to ask. “Don’t worry. Ares… His Majesty is out of danger. He’ll be fine. He just needs to wake up.”
Ice Lily’s power was potent. Even a brief exposure, not intended to be fatal, had caused serious damage.
Thankfully, Bai had identified it as an Ice Demon’s spell, and they had been able to administer the correct treatment, allowing Ares to recover quickly.
Lilia sighed in relief, though her smile remained unchanged. “I understand, Grand-uncle.”
“You child…” Kruse shook his head with a smile. Lilia was always so formal, never revealing her true feelings.
But he found her polite demeanor a bit distant. He preferred the tearful Lilia who had called him “Grand-uncle” in the study.
That had been a rare display of genuine emotion.
He remembered when she was a little girl, she used to call him “big brother.”
Ares’s face had been a sight to behold then…
A warm smile touched his lips as he reminisced.
“What are you thinking about, Grand-uncle? You seem so happy,” Lilia asked, her own smile gentle.
“Just some old, foolish memories,” Kruse said, his smile fading slightly as he took a sip of the coffee before him.
Lilia watched him, a hesitant expression on her face.
“What is it?” he asked, putting down his cup.
“Grand-uncle, that coffee… is mine,” she said, pointing at the cup in his hand.
“Uh…” Kruse froze, his face flushing with embarrassment.
But Lilia quickly eased the awkwardness, pushing the sugar and milk towards him with a smile. “It’s alright. I hadn’t drunk any of it. If you like it, I’ll just order another.”
Kruse, with no other choice, stirred the milk and sugar into his coffee, a wry smile on his face. “Your Highness, you’re still the same…”
Since she had come of age, Lilia had lost her childish innocence, always striving to be the perfect princess, even on the brink of death.
She had succeeded, so perfect she almost seemed inhuman… like a puppet, dressed in the role of a princess.
Perhaps only the appearance of Bai had brought a touch of… humanity to her.
Thinking of the strange girl, a demon who seemed to favor humans, Kruse felt a headache coming on. He didn’t know what Leticia was thinking, putting such a sensitive individual in charge of the capital’s defense.
But she had been surprisingly competent, her handling of the capital’s affairs even more so than Rolof’s, who had been in command for years.
But Bai’s identity was still a major concern…
He sighed heavily.
Just then, a light knock came at the door, followed by a quiet, childish voice.
“Your Highness?”
