Chapter 5: 5

I Need to See Some Blood

 

The Treasury of Iron Palace secured the most precious objects chosen by the Empire that held supremacy over the continent. In the armory were wonders held by the continent’s Heroes and previous Emperors. It was even said that ancient magic and rituals existed before the Magoen Empire’s establishment were hidden inside.

The Treasury held many such wonders, and one of them was a huge library. Records recognized for their intellectual value, various philosophies, art, and fiction was kept inside. Even pre-imperial works were collected if they were thought to be of value, even if their knowledge went against the Empire.

The power of knowledge is great. Especially those records of the ancient, mythical time before the land was conquered.

[You face a mighty force that will change Fate. The mighty force is about to swallow it up]

The mystery of Fate Predation I faced now might’ve existed at that time. However, one thing was certain.

‘It’s not the first time.’

The first mystery I encountered wasn’t this fate predation. When I was pretending to be a fake Emperor, I was threatened by assassins while wandering around the treasury, and I ran away to live, but that was when I met it.

[You acquired the First Heart among the Flames of the Heart]

The Flames of Heart were from the first Emperor and founding father of Ironia, the Iron Empire. The first mystery of Chiron Ironia, the Iron Flame Emperor.

I found the roots of a lost empire. Because of this, I didn’t lose the dignity of the Emperor until the end, even though I was a fake. The political opponents who tried to kill me couldn’t step forward.

‘This time, it will be different.’

I swallowed the flame, but I was convinced. It was the ability to restore my dignity even after the tyrant’s reign spread like a plague. Even though I was a prince with no foundation or ability before becoming a tyrant, it would be different if I had acquired the foundation. Wasn’t that a power to change Fate?

When I tried to move again after the flames dissipated.

Swoosh!

The flame ignited again inside my stomach.

[It is a Fate too great to prey on. Sub-Fate Misfortune is triggered, and the power contained in the Flame is flowing back!]

This hadn’t happened in my past life. I just had a little flame in my heart back then. But as I was questioning it, the flames spread inside me like wildfire.

“Hehehe. Hehehehe.”

I didn’t bend over in pain but instead sneered. Then I straightened up.

Rebellion, pride, self-righteousness, depravity. This body ignored all the pain that wracked it with the feeling of not wanting to lose. Why this was happening evaded me, but one thing was certain.

“Even if it hurts a lot.”

The Fate of madness and tyranny wouldn’t bend even in the face of a mighty force. If other people saw it, they’d probably say I was crazy. But thanks to this madness.

‘The flame reacted to my blood.’

The biggest difference between my previous life and my present life was my blood. Before, I wasn’t an actual member of the Ironian imperial family, so the mystery couldn’t fully express. But now I was in the real Emperor’s body; that must be the change. The mystery was responding to my blood. And actually, that was perfect.

‘Run wilder.’

I was looking forward to seeing what greatness this mystery, now that it met the blood of the imperial family, would hold. Even with flames consuming me, I stood tall, a smile of disdain on my lips, my hair unruffled.

How long did I endure it? Gradually, the records in the flame flowed into my mind, and I realized how to deal with the violent flame.

Pain was the process of reading this book. However, learning modestly didn’t suit a tyrant.

“Mystery, listen to your master. You cannot burn me.”

Give in and prey on it. It must be a mighty force and destiny that was difficult to bear, but this was the command of a mad, self-righteous tyrant.

[You did not give in the because of Sub-Fate Rebellion, Pride, Self-Righteousness, and Depravity]

[A new Fate is born through the effect of luck in Misfortune!]

[You recognized the mystery-devouring bloodline of the Sub-Fate Noble Blood]

[You forcibly devoured a greater force!]

The Fate of the tyrant swallowed up the great mystery. The searing pain lancing my flesh started to subside, and the flames gathered toward my heart. It felt like I was being branded.

“Ugh-.”

It was hard to even for the body of a vicious tyrant to bear this, and a small groan leaked out. But that was all. His madness and my will wouldn’t allow anything more.

Ultimately, the mystery seemed to give up and stayed in a circle around my heart.

Pound-pound-pound.

A powerful ring of flame swirled around my heart. At the same time, all the knowledge of this power and how to use it was imprinted in my head.

It was flame-filled with power but also a book that kept records. Unlike in my previous life, I could now read them.

[Sub-Fate Misfortune has moved beyond death. It preys on Fate]

[You have built up a Noble Spirit with Sub-Fate Rebellion, Pride, Self-Righteousness, and Depravity. It preys on Fate]

[You have acquired 500 Modification Points]

[Total Modification Points 600]

[Since you have swallowed the Flame, all the effects of the First Heart are put into your body!]

[You have encountered the element that will bloom the Sub-Fate Noble Blood, the Flame of Heart. A new Fate is born]

[Fate has turned its head by the acquisition of this power]

Once again, Fate took a turn. I still didn’t know where it was heading, but one thing was for sure.

“It’s going to be stormy.”

Many challenges awaited me regardless of how much changed. For now, I should head to a place where I can practice with this new power.

Just as I was about to leave the library.

[Clash of Fates embraces a new one. Weak luck dwells in the Sub-Fate]

I burst into a bout of mad laughter at the good news. Ah, I should calm down before I make it outside.

The sky was filled with light purple as the sun started to dip below the horizon. It was a shame I wouldn’t have the time to train today…but I turned to look for Alfred with the feeling I had achieved something much better.

“Are you done with your business?”

Alfred bowed his head politely as soon as my gaze fell on him. Beside him was a different Treasury Keeper from earlier. When I met this newcomer’s eyes, I felt anger.

“Put down your arrogant eyes before I pull them out.”

“My apologies.”

It was hard to suppress the rising tide. Should I just leave after swallowing the flames?

The Keeper trembled when he saw the red corners of my lips rise, and the purple light of the fading sun glinted off my eyes. It was madness.

“I’ll let you live since I like the sky.”

But today, luck was on the Keeper’s side. The Prince continued to move forward. Mismatched with the lineage of a noble prince, his footsteps seemed to hang, but it wasn’t a flaw. Disorganized yet beautiful, stretched yet dignified.

It was only after the Prince got into the car that the Keeper let out a small breath. The heavens saved his life. It was funny, but it was understandable for the 11th Prince.

“Whew.”

Seeing the Keeper was relieved, I also exhaled a little. Fortunately, he didn’t find anything strange.

“…”

I felt someone staring as I buried myself into the comfortable seat. I made eye contact with Alfred, who was looking at me through the rearview mirror. My heart was pounding, but I remained calm and relaxed on the outside.

“You owe me another life. It’s already been three times.”

“…I didn’t say anything….”

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“Your gaze looks disrespectful.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Yes, you should apologize.”

I glanced out to the scenery of the Iron Castle. Mana lanterns that blazed white pushed away the incoming dark from their building wards.

“Do you know anything about the Nameless Clerk?”

I remembered the person who had told me the mystery of Fate Predation. Now that I regressed, he was working as a clerk.

“The Nameless Clerk? Nameless…it’s the first time I’ve heard of them.”

“You have never heard of them before?”

My brow wrinkled. I wondered if he was pretending not to know to avoid contact.

“Is that true?”

“It is true. None of the clerks are anonymous.”

Alfred’s expression was sincere. It was absurd; I couldn’t believe the Nameless Clerk, in charge of one of the palace’s mysteries, didn’t exist.

But knowing who Alfred really was, I knew that no one else would have a clue if he didn’t. There were no employees in the Iron Castle he didn’t know.

“Shall we look for him? I will inquire at the Imperial Annals Hall.”

“Do it.”

“You look happy. Did you find any good books?”

“You seem very interested in it. Do you want to owe me again?”

“I will keep quiet.”

Alfred suddenly smiled with satisfaction at my blunt answer.

“While you were in the library, the 7th Princess visited.”

“…The 7th Princess? What did she say?”

“She seemed to be in a good mood. Just like you, Prince.”

He brought it up out of the blue, but I shrugged it off with a frown.

Why would that crazy bitch feel good? Alfred gave a hint, and I understood.

“Let all the employees join us this evening.”

“Understood.”

The purple eyes reflecting the night sky suddenly flashed with blood.

 * * *

Everyone gathered in the dining hall had questions at the sudden order. But when everyone spoke in trembling voices about what awaited them, the Prince they spoke of appeared.

He sat down as if it were a matter of course and didn’t spare a single glance for his servants. Soon the food was readied, and the Prince ate it without a change in expression. It was his indifferent attitude, as usual. There was a strange elegance in the relaxed movement; each bite was greedy but not ravenous.

The Prince shined alone as the main character, and the employees looked at him from the background.

“Bring me the wine.”

Everyone went stiff at the word wine. The Prince was famous for his temper, and his rage only grew when he was drunk. Today, Satan would appear. Everyone foresaw the tragedy to come.

“Here you are.”

The Butler Alfred brought a glass bottle of brown liquid with dim eyes. However.

“Not this one. Something else.”

The Prince shook his head. Even after that.

“Not. Something else.”

“No.”

“The other one.”

He refused all the bottles Alfred brought. Everyone broke out in a cold sweat under the increasingly tense atmosphere. Some maids choked back tears, breathing heavily even though nothing had happened.

Finally, when Alfred brought him a bottle of dark wine.

“Right. Pour me a drink.”

Alfred nodded and poured the wine. The Prince lifted the glass and shook it, leaving a faint trace on the inside of the glass. As if hinting at the blood that would soon flow.

He sniffed deeply, then shifted his gaze toward the servants for the first time all night. Then, very slowly, he looked at them individually as if choosing meat for a steak.

Finally, he pointed to one of the shivering maids with his chin.

“You, come out.”

Next, he pointed to a servant who clenched his fist.

“Come out.”

The Prince called out several more.

“Bring enough glasses for everyone.”

He set them up and poured the wine. And then.

“Pick up the glass.”

They picked up the glasses.

“Drink it.”

The Prince brought his own up to his lips with a crazed smile. The liquid swayed in the servants’ trembling hands.

“If you don’t drink, everyone will die. Even your families, and it’s a crime to go against the mad Prince’s orders.”

“…”

“But if you drink it, I will spare the rest of you.”

“…T-that.”

“Or do you have something to say?”

In the end, with that subtle question, they broke.

“I’m sorry! I-I was just told to bring it!”

“So was I!”

“I was just told that it was medicine good for stamina.”

“Please spare our lives! Please, Please!”

They fell to their knees and pleaded their guilt.

The Prince suddenly brought the wine to his lips, and he didn’t stop until his glass was dried.

Everyone stared as he set it down.

“Tell me, by whose order was it? I need to see some blood.”

The Prince flashed them a blood-soaked smile.

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