Chapter 19: Breaking the Deadlock (Part 2)
To everyone's shock, the Empress not only had fangs on her face but her expression was twitching unnaturally.
"Your Majesty." A few elderly ministers rushed forward but stopped short. They could tell that the Empress's convulsions weren't from pain but rather resembled the behavior of a ravenous predator, yet far more sinister and terrifying.
The Cardinal raised his hand to stop them and said, "Please be careful, everyone. The vampiric nature within Her Majesty has completely taken over. I had no choice but to restrain her with holy magic."
"How is this possible? Just days ago, Her Majesty seemed perfectly fine. Moreover, she's always been gentle and dignified, never meddling in state affairs. If she truly were a vampire, how could she have remained so composed for so long?"
The Cardinal sighed and said, "In fact, when she first began showing signs of discomfort a few days ago, that was when necromantic magic started to take hold of her. The vampire factor in her body had previously been dormant and hadn't fully activated. When I treated Her Majesty, I noticed some abnormalities, but it wasn't until later that I discovered the truth… The vampire attacks over those days were actually committed by Her Majesty herself. However, I refrained from exposing this to avoid alarming others."
Minister Jensen looked at the Empress lying on the bed, his voice trembling. "Release the magic binding Her Majesty. We must question her in person to understand what has happened…"
The Cardinal shook his head. "I'm afraid she can no longer answer any of your questions…"
"Release her!" the elder minister ordered sharply. Though his face was deeply lined with wrinkles and his hair entirely white, his tone still carried authority.
Reluctantly, the Cardinal sighed, shook his head slightly, and ran his hand over the Empress's body on the bed. Instantly, the Empress jerked upright.
"Your Majesty, may I ask—" The elder minister took a step forward to inquire.
But before he could finish, the Empress let out a piercing scream that could shatter eardrums. At the same time, her frail and delicate body lunged at Minister Jensen with unnatural speed. Her mouth opened impossibly wide, like that of a snake unhinging its jaws, revealing sharp, gleaming fangs aimed at the elderly minister.
However, her attack did not reach him. Standing nearby, Lord Rothart and the Cardinal reacted even faster. As if anticipating her actions, they seized the Empress's limbs simultaneously and pinned her back onto the bed.
"In the name of the Lord, I bind all that is unclean and evil." The Cardinal chanted a prayer, and chains of holy magic swiftly coiled into the Empress's body, rendering her motionless once more.
Minister Jensen staggered back a step, his legs trembling—not out of fear but disbelief. It was evident to all present that the Empress's behavior was entirely devoid of humanity. She resembled a wolf starved for centuries pouncing on fresh, blood-dripping meat. Furthermore, the Cardinal's use of the holy binding spell—effective only against undead creatures—was undeniable proof.
The room fell into a stunned silence. Faces turned pale with disbelief and despair. Even the Cardinal and Lord Rothart wore expressions of pain and sorrow. But among them all, the Prime Minister's expression was the most complex and anguished. She bit her lower lip so hard it bled, yet her resolve and composure did not waver. She first looked at the Empress and then at the Cardinal.
"I'm sorry," the Cardinal said, his sigh heavy with genuine regret. He could see the pain, anger, and sorrow in her eyes, and even felt a twinge of guilt. But he quickly suppressed those emotions, knowing what had to be done. Meeting her gaze, he continued earnestly, "I didn't want things to come to this… But since it has, I must deal with it accordingly. Please understand, Prime Minister. I will do my best to handle this."
The Prime Minister's eyes grew heavier with emotion. She spoke slowly, her voice surprisingly calm. "Things have come to this point. Words are meaningless now. Tell me—what are you planning to do? Surely this isn't the only reason you've gathered us here."
The Cardinal nodded. "Indeed. Lord Rothart and I summoned everyone here for a more critical matter."
"Something more critical?" The ministers' voices rose in alarm. They couldn't fathom anything graver than the current crisis.
"Based on the information Lord Rothart and I have uncovered, the Empress has likely been under the control of the same fugitive responsible for assassinating the Duke and Bishop Ronis. His plan was to seize control of the court while His Majesty and Commander Roland were away. I fear Emperor Griffinhart may be in danger…"
Marquis Minsk immediately shook his head. "With Commander Roland and a squad of Paladins by his side, His Majesty should be perfectly safe."
The Cardinal sighed. "I hope so… But given Her Majesty's current condition, if anything happens to His Majesty or Commander Roland, the Empire will be left leaderless. To prepare for any eventuality, I suggest we discuss countermeasures immediately."
Marquis Minsk and several ministers nodded anxiously. "Then let us act swiftly. If anything happens to His Majesty, the consequences will be disastrous…"
At this moment, a Paladin swordsman reported from outside, "Cardinal, a priest from the Magic Academy seeks an urgent audience. We've barred their entry."
"What is the matter?" the Cardinal inquired, his expression tense.
"They reported that someone broke into the cathedral's crypt and stole an artifact, using necromantic magic. High Priest Ryan has been severely injured…"
"What?" The Cardinal, usually composed and unflappable, leapt up as though stabbed. His previously calm demeanor was replaced by shock and outrage, his handsome face twisted in disbelief.
Meanwhile, in the meeting room of Dehya Valley.
An old, decrepit man named Shante sat hunched in his chair, coughing violently. His wheezing sounded like brittle rocks being chiseled apart, filling the air with a decayed and ancient aura.
Despite his frail appearance, the Marquis standing before him dared not show the slightest disrespect. Flanked by Master Aiden and another necromancer, the three formed a triangle, trapping the Marquis in the center.
Shante straightened slightly and said through his coughing, "I've told you countless times, Sandru must not be touched. Yet you and your son not only forced him into action, allowing Nopolinot to be targeted, but also schemed to kill him… Now that the situation has escalated, what do you propose to do?"
The Marquis bowed deeply. "I apologize, Master Shante. This was entirely my decision and has nothing to do with Jarvis."
"It's good that you're taking responsibility. At least that gives us something to explain to Sandru or Agrenel," Master Aiden said coldly, his tone tinged with schadenfreude.
The Marquis's face turned pale and green. Since hearing about the spatial lock scroll, he'd been consumed with dread. While it didn't guarantee Sandru's survival, it greatly increased the odds. And knowing Sandru's infamous temperament, even the slightest chance of his survival was enough to make anyone quake.
"You've acted recklessly," Shante said, shaking his head coldly. "Enough. From now on, you are no longer Acting Guild Leader of Dehya Valley. However, you are still part of the Guild. Whether you stay here to face the consequences or flee to avoid them is up to you."