To the Love Born in the Lowest Place

Liv followed Viscount Wolfe alone. The place he guided her to was the basement, and the corridor leading to the basement was so intricate and grand that it was hard to believe such a space existed in this small castle. As soon as he opened the door to the basement, which was equally delicately decorated, Liv sensed that something extraordinary was inside.

‘Divine aura…’

The basement was filled with a thick divine aura. It was so vast that it was difficult to breathe. Even ordinary people who couldn’t sense divine aura would notice that this place was no ordinary location.

“Lady Gracia, do you know the legend of Julius, the first Emperor of the Garcia Empire?”

“Yes, I know.”

In the Garcia Empire, which existed before the Holy Hilysid Empire, there was a legend that the first Emperor Julius obtained the holy sword Virnatus and founded the Empire. It wasn’t just a legend. In the Garcia Empire, there was Beatrice, the Emperor’s daughter born through a maid’s womb, who also obtained the holy sword Virnatus and became Emperor. There were thousands of witnesses who had directly seen that sword.

“Similarly, the Gracia family has a holy sword passed down through generations. It’s the holy sword obtained by the first Emperor Feyte Gracia.”

Liv knew about that legend too. It is said that the first Emperor Feyte Gracia stuck a sword in the ground to end the conflict with the Kingdom of Reboer, and the land rose and trees sprouted instantly, becoming the border.

The only thing placed inside the basement was a jet-black altar in the center. A cloth covering the altar concealed the object placed on it. Viscount Wolfe pulled the cloth and said:

“This is Emperor Feyte Gracia’s sword, the holy sword Ibisikaite.”

“This is…”

Liv’s eyes widened as she saw the sword. The holy sword Ibisikaite had a different form than what Liv had imagined.

“A dagger?”

Liv had only thought of the general form of longswords used by holy knights when she heard the term ‘holy sword’. However, the holy sword she actually saw was a dagger that fit well in the hand. The area near the sword’s handle was covered in silver, which hadn’t discolored at all despite the long time that must have passed.

“Yes, the holy sword Ibisikaite takes the form of a dagger. That’s why it’s said that the first Emperor Feyte always carried it in his bosom.”

“Ibisikaite…”

The name of the holy sword was long, but strangely, it came naturally to her lips. And the moment she reached out and grasped the holy sword…

“Ah.”

Liv smiled without realizing it. She could strongly feel the aura of the Supreme God who loved her from the holy sword.

Finally, it has come into your hands.

“You really loved Anfang Gracia and Feyte Gracia.”

They are my children whom I should rightfully love.

As Liv looked down at Ibisikaite with a strange gaze, Viscount Wolfe slowly explained about it.

“As you know, there are many anecdotes about this sword… But do you know what the most important power contained in Ibisikaite is?”

“What is it?”

“This sword contains ‘love’.”

Although others might consider it childish and absurd, he looked serious.

“The love for his mother, Anfang Gracia, played an important role in Emperor Feyte Gracia founding this country. In other words, this sword has the ability to realize wishes with its power when the user has enough love in their heart.”

“So you’re saying you don’t know exactly what abilities this sword has.”

“At the same time, it means this sword can achieve anything. It’s truly an object that creates miracles.”

“…Like a ‘deus ex machina’.”

“Yes, that’s an accurate expression.”

Liv felt that Ibisikaite would certainly play some role when she faced a crisis she could never resolve on her own. Liv carefully tucked it into her bosom.

* * *

After dinner, Liv thought she should first discuss future plans with those around her. However, Walter was the first to speak up.

“Liv, Hildegard and I need to go to the Merna Empire.”

“The Merna Empire?”

“Yes. Unlike you and Duke Lartman, we’re in a position of being pursued.”

Through the newspaper, they saw that the Emperor had punished Louisa, performed a miracle to stop the people’s protests, and stopped pursuing Emmett and Liv. But Liv didn’t fully believe it. He would still be chasing Emmett and her behind the scenes.

“If we go to the Merna Empire, we can hide. There are many people there who can help me. I’ll find a way to help you from there.”

“But won’t the Emperor predict that Brother will return to the Merna Empire?”

“So what if he does? If the Emperor wants to come to the Merna Empire to capture us, he’ll have to fight the nobles there.”

Seeing this, Liv was reminded that Walter was a highly respected person in social circles. Even as a noble from another country, Walter must have formed sufficient connections in the Merna Empire.

Hildegard seemed to agree with Walter’s words and continued eating silently. And seeing that, Liv realized what she had to do.

“I’ll go with you.”

“…What did you say?”

“Hayden said it before, didn’t he? To fight August, we need to borrow the power of other countries.”

As Liv turned to Hayden, he nodded with a surprised face.

“I’ll do that myself. As the last descendant of Gracia, I’ll go and persuade them to help me.”

Emmett was the first to react to those words. Emmett, who had been looking flustered since Liv mentioned following Walter, tried to persuade Liv.

“Liv, that’s too dangerous. They might try to harm you.”

“But you know it’s most certain if I go. My existence will be the reason for them to help me.”

“Then I’ll go with you.”

“Emmett has things to do here.”

If Liv were to gain help from abroad, Emmett needed to unite forces within the country. The most important thing to become Emperor was actually domestic power. If they started a rebellion domestically, foreign countries would recognize Liv as the rightful Emperor.

Because Liv’s words weren’t wrong, Emmett couldn’t continue speaking for a while. Seeing Emmett like this, Walter said in a low voice:

“Well, it seems he does love my sister after all.”

“Brother…!”

Liv cried out in embarrassment. They knew that Emmett didn’t love Liv, so if Walter said such things, the atmosphere might become awkward.

“…How could I put my wife in danger?”

“But this is something I have to do.”

Liv said in a clear voice.

“Until now, I’ve spent most of my time unable to do anything. I’ve wasted meaningless time. Even after coming out into the world, I couldn’t adapt and just hid, avoiding what I had to do. But I can’t hide anymore.”

“Liv…”

“This is my duty, and I’m going to do everything I have to do.”

Liv’s attitude as she said this looked so firm that even Emmett couldn’t stop her anymore. Walter, who disapproved of Emmett, just watched him with a strange expression. Hildegard just looked surprised, and Hayden was taking Liv’s statement lightly, saying he would follow her anyway.

Checking people’s reactions, Liv strengthened her resolve to leave for the Merna Empire.

‘Because if I stay in the country, I’ll only be in danger.’

Although she had already used divine power to give a revelation about August, she couldn’t completely break him because his military power wouldn’t disappear. Therefore, Liv had to go to the Merna Empire to obtain human power, military power.

* * *

The night at Viscount Wolfe’s castle was even quieter than in the capital. Only the occasional hooting of owls could be heard through the window.

Liv decided to leave tomorrow with Hildegard, Walter, and Hayden. Hildegard and Walter were being pursued, so they had to leave as soon as possible. Therefore, tonight was the last night Liv would spend with Emmett at Viscount Wolfe’s castle.

“Liv…”

Emmett kissed Liv’s neck as he always did, but Liv thought he looked particularly desperate today. When his lips moved lower, Liv pushed him away in embarrassment.

“W-Wait a moment. This is Viscount Wolfe’s house.”

“But Liv, today is an especially difficult day.”

“I-Is this okay?”

When Liv asked with reddened cheeks, Emmett smiled with a subtle expression.

“Well, I’m not in the mood to observe etiquette right now.”

For a moment, Liv wanted to ask Emmett if he was in his right mind for the first time, but she found herself lying under Emmett without realizing it. Liv thought Emmett was acting strangely today.

“I have to leave tomorrow. You know that, right?”

It was meant to say ‘let’s stop’, but at those words, Emmett’s face became even more serious.

“That’s why I’m doing this. When you leave tomorrow… I don’t know when you’ll return.”

“Emmett…”

Because a momentary sorrowful light flashed in his eyes, Liv couldn’t bring herself to scold him and closed her mouth.

Before she knew it, Liv’s dress was rolled up to her chest. Liv raised her arms with a resigned face, and Emmett skillfully pulled off the dress.

Suddenly feeling that she didn’t want to just stay still, Liv raised her head and bit Emmett’s shoulder hard. However, Emmett looked rather surprised.

“What did you just do?”

“…Didn’t you feel it?”

Then Emmett smiled, curving his eyes.

“Liv, that’s not how you do it.”

In an instant, Liv’s tender flesh was bitten, and her body tensed reflexively, her nails digging sharply into Emmett’s body.

“This is how you do it.”

“W-Wait a moment.”