TGS - Chapter 103
Chapter 103: Divine Power Cannot Be Wrong
Whether it was incense or poison, the mastermind behind it was undoubtedly Horst.
This man had used schemes to ascend the throne nine years ago, and nine years later, he was still using schemes against the Princess. During his reign, he hadn't achieved any substantial political accomplishments, yet his insidious tricks always seemed to hit their mark.
Beyond that, Lotus was also concerned about the incense he used.
One that could attract animals, another that could make people lose their minds… Was ancient Solancia's research really that advanced?
"Openly, of course not. But in the shadows… I'll have someone look into it."
In front of Lotus, when Alyuin briefly described the possible effects of the drug to her subordinate, she deliberately added, "it will make a person completely lose their conscious awareness."
The subordinate was bewildered.
"Losing one's mind" was usually just an exaggeration. Ultimately, it depended on the victim's own willpower; someone with a strong will couldn't be swayed.
To insist on "completely losing one's mind"—even the arrows of Adia, the Goddess of Love, probably couldn't achieve such an effect.
However, obeying orders was a fine virtue for a subordinate.
The subordinate accepted the command without objection.
Lotus and the Princess exchanged a glance.
If nothing with similar effects existed in the royal city, neither openly nor secretly, not even in rumors, then the origin of Horst's incense was well worth investigating.
Perhaps it came from another kingdom, or perhaps he had a pharmacist or perfumer in his employ—either possibility pointed to more uncertainties.
After an almost subconscious exchange of glances, Lotus averted her eyes without a trace, as if she had suddenly developed a keen interest in the silver cup in her hand, her gaze fixed on its intricate patterns.
She didn't look at the Princess.
"What do you plan to do next?"
Alyuin gave an unrelated answer: "You seem to be very fond of this style of cup."
Lotus: "...It's alright."
Her gaze shifted to the carpet, and for some reason, her thoughts drifted to last night.
Lotus's eyelid twitched, and she quickly returned her focus to the cup.
The Princess lowered her lashes, her profile looking a little lonely, but her eyes, hidden by her hair and long lashes, were actually filled with amusement.
Just when Lotus thought she would say more, Alyuin stopped discussing the innocent cup and nonchalantly returned to the previous topic.
"You were asking about my plans?"
"Yes."
"Oh, there are many. Find something for the old men of the Stubborn Faction to do, pay a visit to Lord Bodoer, and then there's the city gate garrison..."
Lotus cut her off in time, saying helplessly, "You know that's not what I'm talking about."
"I just wanted to chat with you a little longer," the Princess wheedled.
"Of course, regarding Horst—"
Alyuin looked up, the curve of her lips chillingly cool.
"Since my uncle has given me such a grand gift, it's only right that I return the favor."
After a brief chat, Lotus stood up and walked away.
She didn't know what was wrong. Being alone with Alyuin, something so commonplace in the past, now felt a little strange, as if a subtle change had occurred in their established dynamic, making it difficult to act naturally.
Alyuin gazed at her retreating back, her smile slowly fading.
Just then, the subordinate in charge of gathering information came forward again to confirm the details.
"Your Highness, about that drug or incense you mentioned—"
Alyuin waved her hand lightly. "Broaden the scope."
"That thing won't make someone completely lose their mind. At most, it will affect their will and weaken their stamina. Search according to that standard."
The subordinate: "..."
The subordinate with fine virtues: "Yes, Your Highness."
As expected and as was reasonable, there was no information in the royal city that matched the characteristics of those two types of incense.
There were plenty of similar items—some used to lure prey during hunts, others secretly circulated among nobles and wealthy merchants for amusement. They were diverse and fascinating, but none could achieve the same effect.
Alyuin withdrew the search party and stopped investigating the source of the strange incense.
Everything proceeded in an orderly fashion, as if nothing had happened.
So much so that even Horst found it strange and tried to subtly fish for information.
The result, of course, was that he learned nothing.
Puzzled, Horst later summoned Queen Katisi's lady-in-waiting to ask about the situation again.
"I lit it, and I had already added the antidote to Her Majesty the Queen's dinner beforehand. Nothing went wrong... It's just that the Princess left early, and then the Crown Prince happened to arrive, so I had to extinguish the candle. I don't know what happened after that."
Horst couldn't find anything wrong either.
Leaving early? It would be unreasonable for anyone else, but Alyuin was defiant toward them. It was entirely plausible that she would leave on the spot because she was unwilling to discuss Selina.
After thinking it over, Horst could only guess that Alyuin hadn't stayed long enough for the candle to take effect.
Should he go to that madman for a new one?
Thinking of the strange and dangerous things in that madman's room, Horst frowned, a flash of disgust and apprehension in his eyes.
Forget it. I'll wait and see for now.
In any case, the Stubborn Faction must be more anxious than him, especially that old leader of theirs. They were the ones who were truly desperate.
Let them try whatever they want. Even if they succeed, it doesn't matter. A princess spurned by the gods and stripped of her power—could she possibly have the ability to deal with a death threat?
The direct royal bloodline could only belong to his branch. If not, simply disappearing was also a good option.
Horst was immersed in his vision of the future, unaware that an invisible, formless power was sweeping past him, through the room, and spreading throughout the entire palace.
It was a power beyond human reach, emanating from Lotus, who was suspended in mid-air.
She floated in the air in her spiritual form, her eyes lightly closed, extending her senses through the God Power Field that enveloped the palace.
Special incense… strange poison…
And the possible existence of a perfumer.
As if searching for items matching keywords within the palace grounds, the half-burnt white candle hidden by the queen's lady-in-waiting was found, and the two remaining blocks of animal-attracting incense paste in Horst's possession also appeared.
Her divine power rippled like water, searching for more clues.
A different sensation came from one point—the long-sealed bedchamber of the former queen. Inside stood a dust-covered, long-handled bronze censer.
Lotus slowly opened her eyes and glanced in the direction of the former queen's bedchamber, her expression slightly complicated.
There were actually no ashes left in the censer; perhaps it had been deliberately cleaned out. But the fact that her divine senses received feedback meant that a special incense had once burned there—and for a long time, for the sensation to be so distinct.
It seemed Alyuin's speculation was very likely what had actually happened in the past.
Lotus sighed softly. After confirming that her divine power returned no other feedback, she turned and floated away.
There was no special perfumer here, nor were there any strange reactions from the workshop dedicated to blending spices.
Could it be that the strange white wax and incense paste were just things Horst had obtained by chance through some channel, or was the perfumer not in the palace?
Logically, divine senses couldn't be wrong.
Even if she was restricted from using them in the mortal realm, it would cause a reaction like a headache, and Lotus would know.
Yet at that very moment, in a hidden room in a remote attic of the palace, the gaunt master of the attic straightened up, staring intently at a translucent, viscous paste.
"Will it work this time?" he muttered to himself. "I'll know once I try."
On a long table nearby, a young girl covered in venomous snakes numbly opened her mouth, waiting for him to feed her the latest creation.
Her movements were submissive, her eyes gray and lifeless, sustained only by a fragile flicker of fire—the fire of hatred.
The Perfumer, however, paid it no mind.
In any case, that hatred wasn't directed at him.
"You still resent her, don't you."
To soothe the test subject's emotions, the Perfumer spoke as if making small talk.
The girl did not respond.
The Perfumer continued, "Then you'd better perform well. Don't die here. Maybe Horst will ask for you to deal with her, which would save me the trouble of him constantly asking me for this and that..."
This sentence seemed to trigger something. The girl shuddered violently. She flinched when she looked at the Perfumer, but still managed to speak in a hoarse voice.
"She—is in Akhet too? She's returned to the royal city?"
The Perfumer was pleased to see his test subject perk up. "Yes, she arrived long ago."
"I will not… die."
The girl was silent for a long time before saying through gritted teeth.
The Perfumer's bloodshot eyes suddenly widened, and he let out a shrill laugh.
"That's it, this time it's right! The Beast God has blessed me, this direction is correct—"
Outside the hidden room, a thin layer of power covered the man-made stone bricks, like a perfectly sealed membrane.
If anyone could see it, they would discover that this membrane was active, with a very gentle fluctuation, refracting a multitude of iridescent colors imperceptible to humans.
Divine senses cannot be wrong.
…Provided there is no interference from another divine power.
The Princess's residence.
Lotus sat at the table, telling the Princess the results of her divine senses.
When she heard about the white candle and the animal-attracting incense paste, Alyuin's expression remained unchanged, showing only her usual attentiveness when listening to her speak.
Lotus paused for a moment before mentioning the problematic long-handled censer.
The Princess said in a low voice, "So it was true."
There was no madness passed down through the family line; it was merely an incense whose traces had long been erased.
It might not even have been incense, just something mixed within it, creating ironclad proof that most people would believe without question.
For as long as the Princess could remember, her mother's headaches had been intermittent.
Even now, Alyuin couldn't accurately deduce just how long Horst had plotted for that nearly perfect frame-up and usurpation.
Alyuin lowered her gaze, her fingertips tapping lightly on the armrest of her chair.
This also put her on guard. Even though Horst's current actions weren't very threatening, she didn't know what other methods he had hidden, or whether they would be fatal.
However, for now, she still had to leave as scheduled.
The Princess stood up, a hint of vengeful pleasure in her eyes.
Lotus: "The Stubborn Faction?"
Alyuin turned her head and smiled.
"Yes. This should be a fitting return gift."
Get instant access to all the chapters now.
Comments
Post a Comment