Chapter 75: Ina’s Journey to the Imperial Court

After Lilith left, the blood mist over Barlia’s capital gradually cleared.
Prim took Rustia to contact the knights guarding the capital.

Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise—the death toll from this incident was low.
But nearly everyone fell into extreme weakness, including the knights.

Without exception, upon waking, no one remembered what had happened.
This made Prim’s cleanup simpler.

She delegated minor tasks to Rustia, freeing herself to handle the troublesome nobles and Holy Church aftermath.

She found her father, King Romaic III, as hoped.

Unfortunately, he had long since died.
Only a horrifying skeleton remained in a hidden room atop the palace.

Prim was swamped with these matters, barely finding time to rest.
Thus, she had no spare attention for events outside the capital.

“Hmph… that prince failed…”

In the wilderness beyond the capital, a dark red figure paused on a barren slope.
His gaze swept over the scattered magical beast corpses at his feet, finally settling on the distant capital.

Luo Fengte raised his right hand.
A blood-red orb appeared, hovering silently above his palm.

He regarded the blood light as if it were a exquisite artwork, but his voice remained low.
“…But I’ve gathered what I needed. Shame the demonic artifact was reclaimed.”
“Never mind. It doesn’t matter.”

The blood light vanished.
Luo Fengte looked south again.
“Those Holy Church pawns I bewitched are nearly spent. The goddess’s followers are truly troublesome.”
“But as long as God descends again, this minor issue won’t matter.”
“As for the vampires…”

Luo Fengte muttered to himself, pausing at the mention of vampires.
“I’d better avoid provoking you for now. I can’t beat that one.”
“There’s still a chance… perhaps I can claim the Fire Demon King’s power.”

Kalmoz Empire, Imperial Court.

Lilith, carrying Ina and the unconscious Cynthia, landed gently in the garden atop the imperial court.
She patted Ina’s face.
“Wake up, we’re here.”

“Uh… where are we?”

Ina stirred groggily.

“The Imperial Court, the empire’s heart.”

Lilith set Ina down, holding the childlike Cynthia in one arm as she explained.

“Imperial… Court?”

Ina had never heard the name, but it sounded akin to an imperial capital.

After a moment, Ina shook off her dizziness and surveyed her surroundings.

They were amid exotic flowers and plants, many unfamiliar to Ina.
Like the eerie purple plant at the edge, with a gaping, blood-red maw that quivered.

“…Is that a man-eating flower?”

Ina swallowed, pointing at the purple plant as she asked Lilith.

Lilith glanced back casually.
“No, that’s just a weed—an ornamental plant.”

“Weed… weed?!”

Ina’s eyes widened in disbelief at the carnivorous-looking plant.
‘This thing is a weed?!’
‘It could swallow me whole!’

Before Ina could inquire further, Lilith carried Cynthia out of the garden.
Ina hurried to follow, afraid of being left behind.

‘Joking? Who knows if there are weirder plants here?’
‘What if I end up as plant food?’

She stuck close to Lilith, step by step.

Finally exiting the garden, before Ina could sigh in relief, a familiar yet strange voice came from ahead.
“Ah~ Lilith~ Where’d you get this little cutie you’re holding?”

Ina peeked from behind Lilith.
Before them stood a silver-haired girl resembling Cynthia.
Taller, with subtle differences, but otherwise a near copy.

“Cynthia has a clone?”

Ina blurted it out.

“How rude! This is Her Highness Cynthia’s mother, the Empire’s Empress, and Her Majesty Alicia, our supreme ruler!”

Lilith turned, glaring at Ina with a stern tone.

“Empress? Her Majesty? Cynthia’s mother?!”

Ina ignored Lilith’s anger.
She never expected two shocks in minutes.
But first on her mind wasn’t her rudeness—it was Cynthia.
“So! Cynthia’s actually… the empire’s princess?! Is this real?!”

“Yes, Cynthia is my precious daughter, my only child.”

Alicia regarded the shocked human girl, a smile on her lips.
“But you’re quite interesting, little one. After learning my identity, you’re still focused on Cynthia.”
“Aren’t you afraid of what I might do to you?”

“Uh… you seem kind and approachable?”

Ina scratched her head, voicing her thoughts.
But the next moment, she realized her impropriety.
“Ah, no… I… I didn’t mean…”

“Well, relax a bit, little one.”

Seeing Ina panic, Alicia’s smile remained.
“And Lilith, don’t be so stern. You’re finally back, after all~”

“Your Majesty, Her Highness…”

“Well, don’t worry, she’s fine.”

Alicia approached Lilith, gently taking the sleeping Cynthia into her arms.
She stroked her little head softly.
“Oh my… Cynthia’s become so adorable. Now those old punishments won’t work.”

“Punishments…?”

Ina had questions, but Alicia offered no explanation.
Instead, she turned, carrying Cynthia toward the back.

“Um… Lilith, you can rest now.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Then, Alicia glanced at Ina again, speaking slowly.
“That little girl… Ina, right?”

“Huh? Yes… but how do you know my name?”

Ina hadn’t introduced herself yet.
She was curious how the Empress knew.

“I know everything about Cynthia, but that’s not important.”
“Since you followed Cynthia to the Imperial Court, you’re her guest.”
“I know you have many questions, but first, rest well. We’ll talk later~”