NOVEL WEB Chapter 37
When the sun sets… even the Heart of the Empire ain’t exempt from darkness creepin’ in.
Still, there are places burnin’ bright with lanterns at this hour, but their purpose is a whole ‘nother story.
And that includes the Imperial Palace right smack dab in the middle of the Empire’s core.
Instead of plain old lanterns, they’re usin’ magic lamps fueled by magic stones to light up the joint.
Currently in said spot? The Emperor, Empress, and none other than the elf grand magician Geoffrey Day Adelvais—who’s both mentor and historic senior to the royal duo.
There’s this red couch so soft it could swallow Geoffrey whole. He’s sittin’ deep, leanin’ back with his arms draped over the silver armrest like he’s chillin’ hard.
Without his robe on, all you see is some snug-fittin’ shorts and a top coverin’ his chest and neck area—his outfit mostly gray and gold, which contrasts sharply with his snow-white skin. Not a blemish in sight, smooth as butter, lookin’ fresh and crisp like nobody’s business.
Sittin’ cross-legged with bare feet, he looks lazy AF, almost bored—but don’t let his slouchy posture fool ya. His emerald eyes are sharp and hintin’ at somethin’ heavy brewin’.
While idly combing through his absurdly long hair (which somehow flows past the couch back), he asks casually:
“Where’s Ruelde?”
“He had an urgent matter come up and had to leave,” comes the reply.
“…You didn’t send him away, did you?”
The Emperor doesn’t flinch under Geoffrey’s stare. Neither does the Empress—they just accept his boldness naturally.
“Do I *look* like someone who’d lie so casually?” the Emperor retorts.
“So much worse,” Geoffrey mutters dryly.
With a scowl, Geoffrey leans forward. “I already talked with Mel about possible situations involving Carriel.”
First possibility: A demon showed up and got involved somehow.
Second: Some relic lured the kid into trouble.
Third: Someone deliberately guided him there for their own agenda.
“Not too far off from what we’ve been guessin’, huh?”
“You think the brat tried to rob the treasury outta greed?”
“No way,” the Emperor says without hesitation.
“And then there’s the theory that Carriel was hidin’ his strength—or maybe he didn’t have any until now.” The Emperor continues smoothly, “But even that aligns with earlier suspicions.”
“Just say it straight—contracted with a demon, gained power. End of story. Unless ya wanna believe some angel blessed him or your royal ancestors suddenly decided they liked Carriel better than y’all. Sounds legit, right?”
“…”
Geoffrey’s tone starts carryin’ a touch of irritation. “I know you didn’t call me here to blame anyone. But make no mistake, this emotion you’re seein’ has nothing to do with the current situation. Don’t get it twisted.”
“Understood,” the Emperor replies calmly.
Beside him, the Empress’s dark eyes flicker anxiously, but the Emperor gives her a reassuring glance.
“Our daughter Ellie brought up some questions regarding this. We thought it best to consult you, since only you or someone above you could provide proper answers.”
“…Speak.”
An awkward silence settles briefly.
What’s takin’ so long to spit it out?
As Geoffrey grows increasingly impatient, the Emperor finally says:
“Is it possible Carriel might be cursed? And if so, perhaps it’s rare enough that nobody noticed…”
“Hold up. What’re you implyin’? Accusin’ us now?”
“No, please hear me out fully.”
“…”
Reluctantly, Geoffrey adjusts his posture.
“Maybe during the World Tree connection process, he accidentally took on some ancient curse or calamity.”
“That’s different how?! Why blame us?!”
“Even if unintentional, right?”
“What evidence supports that?”
“…We’re still gatherin’ facts.”
“This lil’ punk messin’ with us? Tryin’ to skate by vague?! Pathetic!”
“That’s not my speculation—it’s Ellie’s.”
“Good job, champ.”
Despite his rant, Geoffrey seems to calm down slightly, acknowledging the argument might hold water.
“If that’s true, why’s everyone in your court trash-talkin’ him like he’s garbage? What kinda curse would cause THAT to happen? Curious, ain’t I?”
“If untrue, well… that’s its own problem.”
Might be pure fantasy, sure.
But Ellie claimed she felt a strong sense of unease—and only realized it after Carriel left.
That’s why she doubts things now.
“Ahh, you’re here?”
Geoffrey glances toward the door where knocking sounds follow.
A dignified elderly gentleman, the Chamberlain of the Royal Court, steps inside and announces:
“It’s Hamren Ruslef Eih.”
“Ruslef, huh…”
Geoffrey recalls a southern nation wiped out during the Demon King invasion bearing that name.
“Descendant of a fallen kingdom.”
Born between an elf and half-elf.
“Hmm…”
The Emperor wears a somber expression, offering condolences. Hamren bows lightly in gratitude.
“Alright, spill it. Nothin’ held back.”
Thankfully, his usual snarky tone returns.
Hamren internally sighs at having to deal with this again but pushes such thoughts aside.
“To summarize: The main reasons Carriel’s reputation tanked were because he supposedly bullied a girl, disdained commoners, and exiled them…”
“HOLD UP! WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU SAYIN’?!”
Geoffrey turns sharply to the Emperor and Empress.
“Let him finish. Later, we’ll clear up misunderstandings…”
“Bad rumors spread fast, leaving a nasty mark on his rep, yeah?”
“Exactly.”
“Anything else?”
“Incompetent, below-average, poor social skills, hangs with bad company, lurks in alleys doin’ illegal stuff…”
“WHERE’D YA HEAR THIS NONSENSE FROM?! Sounds more like some poison mushroom impersonatin’ Carriel. Wrong person maybe?”
“All points directly linked to Carriel Brendiar.”
“Did the whole Empire drink poison overnight?!”
“Recently, he’s been partying every night in the red-light district. Worst rumor yet claims he turned a teacher into cripple, beat up princes and nobles near death, then got banished under the guise of a pilgrimage…”
“BANISHED?! You serious?!”
“Nope. Absolutely not.”
“Then WHERE’S CARRIEL?!”
At this, the Emperor hesitates several times before shutting up completely under Geoffrey’s rising fury.
“Ya lost ONE KID and ya tryna cover it up?! Quickly! Or are ya claimin’ Carriel magically turned into some toxic fungus or frog while we weren’t lookin’? Oh wait… wasn’t that part of yer earlier ‘curse’ nonsense? Sayin’ ya dunno why or how he went crazy?!”
“Calm down, Master.”
“Calm?! Y’all need ta chill. If word gets higher up, this ain’t just a diplomatic spat—we’re talkin’ war-level issues. Who d’ya think we’ve always backed and supported despite everything? Didja really think Lu埃尔d threatenin’ to chop down the World Tree scared us into cooperation?!”
“We’re not done yet! Figure out the facts first before blowin’ up.”
“Looks like y’all missed somethin’ big here. Lemme break it down for ya fools.”
Can y’all picture all the crap that little one’s been through? Hamren, when was this whole ‘bullied girls and kicked out commoners’ thing supposed to happen?”
“Five years ago.”
“YOU DUMBasses! So for FIVE YEARS, that kid endured EVERYTHING… and ya’all STILL stood by him, right? Right?! Lu埃尔d and Hermine aren’t dumbos either, so surely they TRIED to fix things?! RIGHT?!”
“…”
“WHY’RE YA ALL SILENT NOW?! Shoulda been cheerleadin’ here! WHY’RE YA FREEZIN’ UP?!”
By now, Geoffrey’s head’s spinning.
What the heck’s goin’ on?
These idiots’ minds are incomprehensible.
Did the world change drastically without me noticing?
Or did everyone lose it after the Demon King disappeared?
Or… did something REALLY BAD happen that turned Carriel into the worst scumbag even demons fear?!
“WHAT DID YA DO THESE PAST FEW YEARS?! AND WHY CAN’T YA FIND HIM?! Is this the best the Empire can manage?! At least admit ya gave up searchin’!”
Right then,
another knock echoes as the door opens.
“May I add a word regarding this matter?”
Princess Ellie enters the room, her usual stoic face unchanged.