MEMORY ILLUMINATION 6
A Future Where the Past Is Someday Visible
The Imperial capital Harkenweltz burned to the ground.
The bombs planted all over the Empire had ignited a fire that swallowed the buildings and people, dying the capital red. Crossweil watched the whole thing from a hill overlooking the city as he was powerless to do anything else.
“We didn’t light this,” he said.
“I know. I told Nebulis that, too.”
Yunmelngen, who was next to him and lying on the grass, spoke curtly. The prince had said he didn’t want to watch the capital burn. Instead, he had been lying down and looking up at the sky the whole time.
“I’ve just realized this, but fire from astral power extinguishes immediately. These flames keep going. There’s someone who lit this fire to make it look like it was a witch. But there’s no way it was. They’ll pin this fire and everything else on Nebulis.”
The Grand Witch Nebulis had destroyed the capital. It was true that she had destroyed the streets, and both the Imperial soldiers and citizens had witnessed that. She was a monster. After this, that impression of her would likely be solidified.
“Who’s behind it? Assassins tried to hurt you too, right?”
“They wouldn’t tell me anything. But I have a hunch.”
“……Who?”
“The Eight Great Elders.”
Yunmelngen let out a sigh.
“They’re the only ones with enough power to do something of this scale, but it’s just by process of elimination. Unfortunately, I have no proof.”
Yunmelngen slowly raised himself from the grass. He placed a hand on his forehead and grabbed his own bangs.
“Crow…”
There was rage in his soft voice.
“We don’t have time to wait anymore. I need to ascend to the throne immediately so I have the authority to sweep them out. I’ll make sure they pay for burning down the capital.”
“But you don’t have evidence.”
“So then we just have to find it.”
Yunmelngen stood. He brushed off the leaves clinging to him.
“There are more astral powers being born in this world. Eventually, there may be one among them who can see the past. If it possesses a human—”
“You really think someone that convenient will just show up one day?”
“We’ll find them. I don’t care how long it takes. It’ll take time to restore the capital anyway. We can take fifty years, or even a century. I know it’s going to be a lot of work, though.”
He let out a sigh.
The Crown Prince, soon to be Lord, squinted with happiness.
“Thank you, Crow. I’m happy you stayed.”
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