When the Black Moon Rises - Chapter 64
Chapter 64
In the middle of a light that blinded even her, she struggled.
A terrible pain, caused by the immense spiritual power passing through her limbs all at once, was raging over her.
'...Still, it's better than then.'
However, no matter how excruciating, it wasn't as painful as when she had drunk the Fatal Fragmant poison.
It wasn't as hard as when she had watched her family's necks being kicked by someone's foot.
'I can't let that happen. I absolutely won't let that happen.'
The sword in her hand felt as if it was burning. As if it was writhing, telling her to let go.
'No. It's not the sword, exactly.'
She gritted her teeth and opened her tightly closed eyes, glaring at the small, red orb embedded in the hilt.
It was the Ju clan’s sacred object passed down since the beginning.
The Divine Dragon's Spirit Orb.
The very symbol of the Mystic Ruler's authority, a necessity for the coronation ceremony of the Mystic Ruler, which Ju Kyunghyun couldn't have.
If I can't have it, I would rather corrupt it by infusing my power into it.
As the power boiling within her body erupted, the Divine Dragon's Spirit Orb also fiercely resisted.
It knew that she was trying to subdue it.
The fire that had started in her hand now began to engulf her entire body.
Her stomach was churning and her intestines were twisting but, regardless, she focused all her attention only on the Divine Dragon's Spirit Orb.
'I am also of the Mystic Ruler's blood. I am also a descendant of the Ju clan!'
Regardless of position, obey my spiritual power!
Along with those words, she exploded her power again.
That’s when it happened.
From somewhere in this space, it sounded as if a large beast was howling.
"Keoheong—!"
The massive roar was enough to disrupt her concentration, but she instead felt a sense of relief at that sound.
A white tiger, as if running through the wind, passed through her body.
At that moment, the burning heat that had engulfed her body calmed slightly. The suffocating pressure of her breathing returned to normal.
She unleashed her power once more.
‘Obey me!’
Along with those words, the sword slipped from her hand. It transformed into the shape of a large red dragon and stood in front of her.
With that final scene, she lost consciousness.
Even though she was unconscious, she felt like she had seen something.
As if she had exchanged important words with someone.
It felt like someone was patting her head as she repeatedly nodded in agreement.
“……Hwa.”
Because someone was calling out to her, breaking through the darkness.
“……Sehwa.”
Because it was someone she wanted to respond to no matter what, she desperately forced her way out of the confusing darkness.
“Ju Sehwa.”
Long eyelashes, like butterfly wings, fluttered frantically before revealing a pair of sorrowful, violet eyes.
Beautiful eyebrows and lustrous eyes.
Looking through his mask, Baek Giha was watching her, his gaze filled with concern.
“Baek Giha.”
When her voice, hoarse with sleep, called out his name, his long eyes crinkled terribly.
He bit his lip, swallowing back his words, before pulling her into an embrace.
“I’m glad.”
Hot tears, which had filled the space inside his mask, were dripping onto her shoulder.
“I’m glad.”
He, a Divine Beast, someone who had nothing to fear in this mystic realm, was trembling with a fear he couldn't hide.
She couldn't miss the raw emotions, simmering beneath his repressed voice, as he said he was relieved.
Her eyelids grew hot as well.
"Sehwa, you..."
Ju Kyunghyun's voice broke into their space, reminding her of where she was.
It was the banquet hall.
Her face paled as she slightly pushed Baek Giha away.
"Let's talk tonight."
He wanted to say that he didn't want her to do something like this again. His gaze said it all.
But when Sehwa looked up at him with soft eyes, he nodded, stepping back slowly.
As she watched him return to his seat, she also straightened her body.
But then, she noticed that she was still holding the divine sword in her hand.
The divine sword, which had been enveloped in orange spiritual power, was now entirely covered by a deep red-purple spiritual power.
Both she and the Mystic Ruler would have understood the meaning of this.
Unable to believe it, she poured her power into the sword once again.
The sword energy blazed like flames, and its name rang out like a song.
The Divine Dragon's Spirit Orb no longer resisted her power.
Who could comprehend the joy she felt at that moment?
A surge of emotion welled up inside, but she couldn’t tell exactly what it was.
She wanted to cry, and she wanted to laugh.
Suppressing the burning sensation in her chest, Sehwa released a bit more power.
And with a slow swing of her arm, she created a path of spiritual power.
The path of red-purple flames seemed like flowers blooming in the air, a dance of her black robes and red-purple skirts that followed her movements.
"Stop!"
"!"
The dance, which had everyone watching breathlessly, was interrupted by the old man’s shout.
As if having just now become aware of his presence, Sehwa quickly turned to face the old man with a startled expression.
Fortunately, the banquet hall, protected by a barrier created by the old man and others with strong spiritual power, had not been damaged by the large shockwave.
No one was hurt, and the banquet hall was also perfectly preserved, but someone was definitely seeing something strange about the old man's subtly trembling body with anger at the tip of his head.
Feigning fear, Sehwa lowered her gaze and stood still.
The old man, who had been frighteningly silent, finally opened his mouth.
"Bring that sword here."
She offered the sword to him, using both hands to present it.
And then.
Chiiik—.
She didn't miss that small sound when the old man accepted the sword.
It was the sound of the Divine Dragon's Spirit Orb resisting the old man's spiritual power.
Unable to control his expression, the old man’s jaw trembled slightly.
But like a skilled actor, he quickly regained his composure.
His snake-like eyes narrowed as he smiled and added.
"Impressive. A truly impressive child was born to the Ju clan."
“To celebrate your exuviation, I was about to give you a gift, what would you prefer, child?"
“A gift? Simply your words alone are more than enough to make me feel honored.”
At Sehwa's rejection, the old man's gaze narrowed slightly.
"Don't say that. Myoungyoon is an important member of the Ju clan, and has already accomplished many things for the Ju clan. His sons have protected the borders well, and you, as well, have taken on a significant task right after completing your exuviation."
"..."
"So, it is only right that I bestow upon you a truly great reward. Behold, I will give the Ju clan's Divine Dragon's Spirit Orb to the daughter of Elder Myoungyoon!"
At his words, everyone, who had been stunned by the shockwave, simultaneously held their breath.
"!!"
"Just now, what did he say?"
"...Good heavens. The sacred object to such a young lady?"
Sehwa also bowed her head as if she was startled. But there wasn't even a hint of trembling in her voice.
“Mystic Ruler. Isn’t the Divine Dragon's Spirit Orb a sacred object of the Ju clan? A treasure needed for the Mystic Ruler's coronation ceremony. How could you bestow such a precious object upon my unworthy self?"
"I am not giving it to you entirely. I am doing this to ensure your safety. From this moment on, you will carry the Ju Clan's sacred object when going to the Baek clan."
The old man then declared to everyone in the banquet hall.
"Listen well. I am announcing this today. That child will take on the responsibility for the disappearance incident in place of my son and go to the Baek clan. Even at such a young age, she is an exceptional talent who knows righteousness and possesses unwavering loyalty. Showing my appreciation for her, I bestow upon her the sacred object and send her with it."
A low voice, filled with an undeniable authority, spread throughout the banquet hall.
"The Ju clan's sacred object is the authority of the Ju clan's Mystic Ruler. The divine object will make it clear that this young lady is going to the Baek clan as the Mystic Ruler’s proxy. It is also a declaration that the Ju clan will actively involve itself in the disappearance case that the six clans have requested."
The old man’s sharp gaze, along with a smile, turned towards the Baek Clan Head.
"This child is of the Mystic Ruler's bloodline, fulfilling the six clans' requirement. And as the daughter of the Ju clan Elder, Myoungyoon, and the Young Lord's betrothed, I trust that she will fulfill her duties."
"!!"
The gazes of those watching collided in the air at the declaration.
'Gasp. Betrothed? We clearly saw it. Just a moment ago. The Baek clan head's gaze was definitely not ordinary... The way he was looking at that lady.'
'Ah, no. But she's supposed to marry our Young Lord, isn't she? That power alone would be enough for that, but to give her to another clan, it would be impossible.'
“Since it's been decided so suddenly, I want to help this child with preparations to adapt well to life in the Baek clan. Therefore, it would be better if you returned home first, Baek Clan Head. You surely wouldn’t be so heartless as to drag a young girl who has just completed her exuviation all alone."
“……”
"I will keep my promise, so there is no need to worry."
The old man’s smile deepened as the Baek clan head kept his silence while looking at him.
Regardless of what was happening, the people expressed their admiration for the Mystic Ruler's generosity and the immense gifts he was bestowing upon her.
The Ju clan's Divine Dragon's Spirit Orb, the most sacred of all mystic artifacts, was something that could enhance their spiritual power simply by holding it.
How could they have had the idea of giving that precious artifact to such a young lady?
It must be because he was the Mystic Ruler, they thought as they were marveling at the Mystic Ruler's grace.
That's when it happened. The clear and elegant voice continued.
"But, Mystic Ruler. If you would allow it, I have one thing I'd like to ask."
"What is it?"
"What if the Divine Dragon's Spirit Orb that you have temporarily bestowed upon me ends up belonging to me?"
"...What?"
"I am speaking about what would happen if the spirit orb embedded in that sword were to end up being mine?"
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