Northspire Palace.
Her Imperial Majesty, Empress Isolde, had spent a sleepless night within the royal lodge.
Everyone believed the brilliant and formidable Isolde was planning a night assault on Sentinel Peaks.
Thus, the soldiers were eager for a fight, resting with their weapons close at hand.
It wasn't until the dead of night that urgent news finally arrived at the palace.
Isolde heard the most wonderful sound in the world.
"Your Majesty, the person has been captured."
"Excellent!!"
She was utterly thrilled, then excitedly ran her fingers through her hair.
Impatiently, she said, "Where is he? Bring him to me at once!"
Lady-in-waiting: "He is on a ship returning. He is expected to arrive at dawn."
Hmph. Hmph. Hmph.
Isolde seemed to be sneering, but the laughter was quite loud.
Not a shred of sleepiness remained as she declared with an air of triumph, "And what about that Crystal? Where is she?"
"Your Majesty, she is in the Victory Pavilion."
Hearing this name, Isolde could not help but laugh incredulously.
So, she knows to celebrate my victory for me?
Well, while Sylas isn't back yet, I'll deal with you first!
She immediately had her retinue prepare to proceed to the Victory Pavilion.
Guards armed with blades stood outside the courtyard, clearly maintaining a strict watch.
Earlier that morning, not long after Sylas had left Celestia Ridge, the Aethelred Phalanx from Northspire had arrived, seized Crystal, and brought her back.
Actually, when Isolde had set out, she had deliberately announced her departure date later than planned.
She had arrived in Northspire days ago, wanting to take them by surprise.
Who would have thought that even with such caution, they had almost let him escape?
If she had blockaded the port just one day later, Sylas would probably be eating spaghetti somewhere by now.
Isolde was still relatively clear-headed.
Crystal, to the very end, didn't know that Sylas had already escaped.
She was still relieved these people hadn't discovered her 'Brother Sylas'.
After Crystal was brought to Northspire Palace, Isolde hadn't even had time to interrogate her, instead urgently sending people to intercept the vanished Sylas.
If not for the news of his capture, Isolde would have been furious to death.
Now, triumphant, she arrived outside her rival's room.
She stood there, her pregnancy prominent, and asked lazily, "Well? Has she been shamed into taking her own life?"
The two ladies-in-waiting guarding Crystal were stunned by the question.
Would the person in this room be shamed into suicide?
Has Her Majesty captured the wrong person?
They told the truth: "Your Majesty, she has not harmed herself.
She ate quite a lot for lunch and dinner, retired to bed early, and is sleeping quite soundly."
Isolde: "..."
And this is the one who dug Sylas out of the grave?
She thought Crystal was deliberately playing weak, fooling the ladies-in-waiting.
But upon opening the door, a soft snoring could be heard from the bedroom.
Crystal was truly sleeping peacefully.
Attendants brought a chair for Isolde.
She sat in the main room, just watching.
She couldn't help but mock inwardly.
Sylas, this is your betrothed?
Tsk tsk, your fate is truly too bitter.
One of the ladies-in-waiting walked over and woke Crystal.
Crystal, drowsy, rubbed her eyes.
Seeing Isolde in the main room, she immediately felt annoyed.
What's with showing off that big belly?
But she didn't dare act insolent before Her Imperial Majesty.
She could only lazily get out of bed and curtsey. "Your humble servant pays her respects to Your Majesty."
Isolde said with a cold laugh, "Sleeping quite soundly. Apologies for disturbing your sweet dreams."
She was mocking her.
Crystal, however, didn't catch the sarcasm.
She said blankly, "It's alright. Wasn't dreaming about anything special."
"Not dreaming about your 'Brother Sylas'?"
Crystal laughed somewhat sheepishly, "Not Brother Sylas. It was Brother Silvanus."
Isolde scoffed.
"Crystal, are you still pretending to be foolish with Us?
He has been captured.
You'd best confess everything now.
Otherwise, hmph, your mother will face consequences!"
Crystal shuddered, fear evident.
But, stubbornly, she said, "It is Brother Silvanus. He's not Sylas.
Sylas is dead. He is Silvanus, my distant cousin."
"Crystal!" Isolde exclaimed angrily.
She pointed at the girl and said furiously, "As stubborn as a mule!
Do you think you can withstand the instruments in the dungeons?
Hurry up and explain everything from the beginning!
If you dare keep pretending to be ignorant, We will have your entire bloodline executed!"
"It is Brother Silvanus... Wuuu wuuu... It really is Brother Silvanus..."
Crystal was scared into tears.
Only one thing occupied her mind:
That is not Sylas.
It had to be said, this simple-minded Miss Lyn was quite stubborn on this matter.
Isolde detested crying.
Especially from this incompetent fool who couldn't even string a coherent sentence together.
However, Crystal crying like this suggested that she might be telling the truth.
Isolde frowned, feeling that things were perhaps not so simple.
Thinking about it, Crystal was incapable of anything.
How could she possibly resurrect Sylas?
Back then, after Sylas died, his body had stiffened.
He was thoroughly deceased.
And this silly girl, what ability did she have to bring someone back to life?
Besides, if she had such power, would she have been captured and be sleeping soundly here?
For a moment, Isolde actually forgot to continue pressing the interrogation.
Just then, another lady-in-waiting ran into the courtyard.
She held a stack of documents and hurriedly stood before Isolde.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty... During our search of the Magnetite County magistrate's residence, we discovered a large number of forbidden magic manuals, and also..." She glanced with difficulty at the Empress's gown and said, braving herself, "...also Lord Sylas's cultivation journal."
"What?"
Isolde's frown deepened.
Cultivation?
Sylas knew cultivation?
A mere man with a depleted essence, how could he cultivate?
Was this still a matriarchal world where women were superior?
She casually picked up the journal.
Seeing the handwriting on it, the corner of her mouth hooked up involuntarily.
And you say it's not Sylas?
This handwriting—I'd recognize it even turned to ash!
But as she flipped through a few pages, she began to feel that something was wrong.
The things written in this cultivation journal were truly bizarre.
[15th August, Year of the Lyonesse Calendar.
Ravenhold falls.
I found several books of dark magic and began to cultivate.
Mother forbade me, hoping I would accept my fate and die with dignity.
I refused. I want to perish together with Isolde.]
[Isolde gave me to Victoria.
This is just as well.
I can cause the death of Aethelred's pillar.]
[Celeste of Aethelred has actually also fallen under my charm.
How ridiculous.
Now they will all die.]
[That vile Jade, following Isolde's orders, helps a villain do evil.
I have mastered the divine magic.
I will ensure everyone who bullied me falls under my spell.
Heh, just wait for your doom.]
[That tyrant Isolde will never guess that I have refined Crystal into a puppet.
Once I fake my death and escape the palace, she will take me away.
Moreover, I have implanted memories in her mind: I am now her distant cousin, Silvanus.]
[It feels wonderful to possess such divine power.
Even if Isolde comes from Lorynth, I can escape beforehand, leaving her to grasp at empty air, haha...]
Isolde's heartbeat quickened the more she read.
She felt she was seeing a vast conspiracy.
Then, she saw the names of the techniques Sylas had left behind.
"Incubus Ascension," "Heart Ensnaring Magic" "Magic of Resurrection," etc.
These cheap books bought from a Celestia Ridge bookstore had now become ironclad proof of his cultivation of dark magic!
A "Buzz!" rang in Isolde's mind.
She felt cold all over, her hands and feet icy.
No wonder I was so obsessed with Sylas.
No wonder my sister loved him desperately after just one meeting.
And this silly Crystal before me, who would rather die believing firmly that Sylas is her distant cousin.
So!
He has refined himself into an Succubus!
How terrifying!