"I want you to give me the Eidolith Crystal as my reward. You don't mind giving it up, do you?
Hastora had decided on the reward.
The Eidolith Crystal…
At this moment, it was incredibly valuable to him.
This versatile crystal would significantly boost his strength and improve his chances of survival in this world.
It allowed him to absorb all kinds of energy.
Beyond that, it facilitated Soul Contracts—unbreakable soul pacts used by higher races in sacred agreements.
He planned to use a Soul Contract if needed, but not yet; he needed to get stronger first.
The Eidolith Crystal also protected one's Life Factor from destruction—meaning he wouldn't die easily.
So, what was a Life Factor?
A Life Factor was a concept of existence, defining an individual's fundamental existence.
It existed deeper than the body, soul, and mind, encompassing a person's entire life, death, and reincarnation.
Destroying someone's Life Factor, erased them from existence on a conceptual level.
Few knew about Life Factors; only a select few were aware of their existence.
Hastora had intentionally included them in his novel to add intrigue.
The crystal possessed many more incredible abilities.
It was a highly prized artifact, a recent realization for him. He had to get it, no matter what.
Valeriane hadn't yet responded to Hastora's request.
She was silent, saying nothing.
She seemed hesitant to accept his offer.
It's only natural that he's hesitant.
The Eidolith Crystal had been treasured by her husband, the Emperor, for years.
It was a family heirloom.
Giving it away…
But she would.
She wouldn't let her daughter die.
She had a decision to make.
Her daughter's safety or the loss of a precious heirloom?
Valeriane silently considered her options.
She'd made her decision.
"Very well… I will—"
She stopped abruptly, a sudden inconsistency dawning on her.
"How did you know about the Eidolith Crystal? No one else knows about it.
"Only my husband, my father, my mother, and close family members are aware of its existence."
Valeriane eyed Hastora suspiciously.
Hastora remained silent, offering no response. He'd messed up.
Asking for something without considering the consequences.
It hadn't even crossed his mind until now.
He'd forgotten he was inside a novel.
Sweat beaded on his brow; he stammered. But he had to stay calm. Otherwise…
"I heard it through rumors," he said, striving for a plausible excuse.
"Rumors?" Valeriane cocked her head.
"Yes, rumors. I accidentally overheard rumors that the Emperor possessed a very valuable artifact."
Hastora swallowed, regaining his composure.
He continued. "I was intrigued, so I eavesdropped and learned everything."
It was the most plausible excuse he could muster.
Hopefully, this works.
If not… his plan would fail completely.
He met Valeriane's gaze, trying to appear as unsuspicious as possible.
The Empress returned his stare, their eyes locked.
This made Hastora nervous, but he had to remain calm.
One wrong move and he could die=his plan ruined.
He couldn't underestimate Valeriane's power.
Even without her husband, she could protect the Eldorian Empire alone, without needing help from other kingdoms.
Hastora was certain of this because, after all, he'd written it.
Valeriane closed her eyes, then rose from her seat.
"Very well, I believe you. Please sit."
"You believe me so easily, Your Majesty?" Hastora asked, surprised.
In the novel, Valeriane wasn't the type to trust someone so easily.
…But now, everything had changed completely.
"So you want to know why?" Valeriane retrieved another chair for herself and Mirellia.
"Yes…"
"Very well, I'll tell you."
She sat down.
"The rumors about the Eidolith Crystal are true. I also overheard them from a maid in my palace.
"The rumors started two years ago, right when Valeska fell ill.
"Perhaps Valeska's illness is connected to the spread of these rumors. It's unlikely this rumor appeared spontaneously; someone must have spread it." She explained.
"Has Your Majesty identified the source of the rumor?. " Hastora asked
"Not yet. But there is someone I've suspected."
Hastora straightened, the story becoming more interesting.
"Who did Your Majesty suspect?" Hastora asked curiously.
"That person is… my own son, Sigvard."
"What?"
This was completely unexpected for Hastora.
Initially, he thought a maid was the source of the rumor, as he'd written in the novel.
But everything had changed.
Again and again, due to the changing narrative.
He needed to hear Valeriane's explanation.
"Why would you suspect your own son?" he asked.
"It's because Sigvard has never had a good relationship with Valeska. Since childhood, he's never considered her his sister.
"He's always been indifferent to her, but he's never once struck her.
"I think Sigvard wanted revenge on Valeska by giving her this illness, or curse."
Valeriane's explanation was clear and logical.
Valeriane stated that Sigvard had a poor relationship with Valeska since childhood.
However, he never hit Valeska—he still had a conscience.
He needed to know why Sigvard hated Valeska.
Perhaps knowing that would make everything clear.
"Why does Sigvard resent Valeska? Could Your Majesty explain that to me? I'm just curious; there's no other intention."
Valeriane's answer was the key to this entire problem.
If Sigvard's reason for resenting Valeska made sense, then there was no doubt… he was the culprit.
However, if her explanation was unclear and lacked strong factors motivating Sigvard's resentment towards Valeska, then…
He wasn't the culprit.
So, Hastora just had to wait.
What percentage chance was there that Sigvard was the culprit?
Zero percent or one hundred percent?
Valeriane approached
"It all happened four years ago. " she said.
"Can you tell me?"
"Yes. I don't mind. But I have one question."
Hastora tensed; the atmosphere shifted. He sensed a deadly undercurrent in her question.
Valeriane gestured towards the door.
"Why is your female companion standing there instead of sitting down?" she asked.
Hastora glanced at the door.
"Hey, what are you doing there?" he asked Elyshara, his gaze sharp.
"I didn't want to interrupt your conversation, so I stepped out."
Seeing this, Mirellia quickly pulled up a chair and drew Elyshara in.
"You should sit here," Mirellia said.
The tension was too palpable; Elyshara had no choice but to sit and listen.
With the atmosphere seemingly back to normal, Valeriane continued.
"So, Sigvard's resentment towards Valeska began four years ago, at a dinner party. My husband announced he would be holding a Battlemage tournament on Sunday. Many children aged twelve and thirteen signed up. Teenagers aged sixteen to eighteen also participated."
Valeriane continued, "my children also participated. Valeska was twelve, and Sigvard was fifteen. The Battlemage matches were age-based. Valeska fought in the twelve-year-old group, while Sigvard fought in the fifteen-year-old group. Many children fought valiantly, including my two children. Valeska won in the twelve-year-old group, and Sigvard won in the fifteen-year-old group."
Valeriane inhaled deeply.
"But… only Valeska received recognition from my husband; Sigvard didn't. From that moment, Sigvard harbored intense resentment towards Valeska. I saw it in his eyes."
The story became even more compelling; Hastora's curiosity intensified.
"Why? Why did only Valeska receive recognition from the Emperor? Why not Sigvard?" he asked, intrigued.
"Because Sigvard won unfairly. He used performance-enhancing drugs."
Now it was clear.
Sigvard was the type to play dirty.
Based on Valeriane's account, Sigvard was three years older than Valeska.
Hastora already knew this, but he wanted to confirm that Sigvard's story hadn't changed.
Changes to the narrative were a major problem for him now.
There was a subtle shift in Sigvard's character.
In the novel, Sigvard was kind, gentle, and deeply loved Valeska. But now, his personality was completely different.
For now, Hastora could only conclude that Sigvard was behind both the Eidolith Crystal rumors and Valeska's curse.
There were many strong indicators pointing to Sigvard as the culprit.
Sigvard might have cursed Valeska out of spite and anger.
He needed to eliminate Sigvard before things escalated.
With his current strength, killing Sigvard would be easy.
But he needed to know Sigvard's location first. Asking Valeriane was his best bet.
"Your Majesty, do you know Sigvard's current location?" he asked.
Valeriane lowered her head, then answered.
"No, I don't know his current location. Sigvard ran away from home two years ago, right when Valeska fell ill."
The evidence against Sigvard grew stronger.
Sigvard likely cursed Valeska and then ran away.
He was probably hiding somewhere.
Hastora would deal with him later.
For now, he had to save Valeska and obtain the Eidolith Crystal.
Hastora rose from his chair and approached Valeska.
"I think this conversation should end here. First, we need to save the princess," he suggested.
"You're right. I think we've spent too much time on unproductive matters," Valeriane offered a thin smile.
It was a false smile; Hastora recognized it.
She was simply trying to maintain her composure as an empress.
But behind that smile lay deep wounds.
Losing her only son had left an unbearable ache.
But Hastora didn't care.
Sigvard would be dead soon, anyway.
There was no point in feeling sympathy.
"May I begin now?" Hastora asked, seeking Valeriane's permission.
"Yes, you may begin now."
Hearing this, Hastora quickly produced the Arcanum water he carried in a shadow bottle.
He opened Valeska's mouth and poured the water in.
'My plan will proceed smoothly and easily, ' he thought.
After ensuring all the Arcanum water was used, he sat back down and waited.
After five minutes.
nothing had changed.
Hastora stood and gave Valeska another dose of Arcanum water from his shadow bottle.
But the result remained the same.
He tried again.
Three times…
Four times…
Five times…
Still nothing.
"This isn't working. What's actually going on?"
To be continued in the next chapter…