Marriage with a Suspiciously Demure Husband - Chapter 107.2

Schedule: Wed and Sat. Nana's ko-fi, Nabi's kofi.

Chapter 107.2

Magical surges typically consume the host, resulting in an unprecedented explosion. Dark magic was no different. It either devoured its wielder or, seized by the dark magic itself, erupted with the force to annihilate everything around it, including the host.

However, Hazel hadn’t displayed those typical signs, and the severity of the situation only became apparent after she collapsed. She had been suppressing the surge internally.

This made it quieter and more dangerous. Unconsciously restraining her power, Hazel writhed in agony, beginning to harm herself.

Realizing this, Kairos had offered himself as a target, urging her to hurt him instead.

The incident had occurred as they rushed Hazel to the Imperial Palace, where higher-ranking mages could assist, after a mage at the Duke’s estate had provided temporary aid.

Upon arrival, the high mages helped suppress the remaining dark magic, and a mage from the tower was summoned. Hazel eventually returned to normal.

Rendil, after examining Hazel, had asked if she’d shown any prior signs of a surge.

Kairos, to his knowledge, said no.

He had been puzzled, noting that Hazel seemed as if she’d experienced such precursory symptoms before. With his fingers no longer interlocked, he twisted the ring on his right index finger.

“Your Grace.”

“Speak.”

“This is a blatant provocation.”

Kairos’s eyes darkened.

“Currently, it appears the Duchess was the target, but even that isn’t certain. Whether they targeted the Duchess, Your Grace, or have a more insidious goal…”

“….”

“What’s clear is this wasn’t simply an act of revenge for hunting them. There’s something more. Find the key Cultists. They will undoubtedly possess some form of evidence.”

* * *

The next day, I accompanied Kairos to the Imperial Palace. As luck would have it, we were able to meet with both the Emperor and the Crown Prince, but obtaining the answers we sought proved difficult.

“I see the news has startled you. I anticipated your arrival and kept my schedule clear.”

“You’ve already made your decision, then.”

At Kairos’s words, the Emperor sighed deeply.

“It’s unavoidable. The situation in the capital is dire.”

“….”

“Every morning report indicates over one hundred Cultists apprehended each week. That number has been exceeded for some time now. Two days ago, twenty were captured in a single day.”

“…That many?”

While we were tirelessly dealing with monsters in the north and exchanging information with the guilds, the Imperial Palace had its own burdens. We only remained somewhat informed about the capital due to Kairos’s frequent contact, but our recent busyness left us unaware of the worsening situation.

I’d assumed the constant arrests would have diminished their numbers, but they were increasing daily.

“Their roots run deeper than we thought. The people’s unease grows with each passing day, and this is the only thing calming them. If even this is canceled, they will truly grasp the gravity of the situation. I ask for your cooperation, this once.”

It seemed they hadn’t even unearthed the deepest roots.

The Emperor’s plea deflated my resolve to argue against the Founding Festival. Canceling the largest and most important celebration would be a public admission of the precarious situation.

I understood his concern, as the Founding Festival was held even when the Emperor was ill.

“We will make every preparation. I’m well aware of your struggles in the north, so I will not hold you accountable if you cannot attend.”

“.…”

I looked back and forth between Kairos and the Emperor.

The Emperor beckoned, and an aide brought a large scroll. Unfurled, it revealed a map, marked with dark patches.

“This is the tainted land, reported daily. Priests and mages personally assess it weekly. We are aware that the spread of the taint in the north has been significantly slower. This is thanks to your efforts.”

Despite his words, a considerable portion of the north was also blackened on the map. Areas showed signs of being cleared and then re-tainted. The Cultists and monsters were multiplying rapidly.

While the number of missing persons had decreased, this was even more alarming.

It meant families were willingly offering themselves as sacrifices. This made it impossible to track them, as there was no one to report their disappearance.

This needed to be addressed quickly.

After a moment of thought, I asked Jed.

“Your Highness, could I meet with the Princess? As soon as possible.”