NOVEL NEXT Chapter 45
Chapter 45
“What do you mean, Sei? You’re not human?”
I clicked my tongue softly as I looked at Camille, who had turned pale and was now ashen.
‘His expression is completely frozen.’
As expected, the shock was significant. I hadn’t planned to reveal it this way; I had intended to take my time and prepare a formal explanation. Although the situation wouldn’t have changed much, either way, saying it out loud felt somewhat liberating.
“I, too, require an explanation. You’re not human, Officer?”
“I apologize for not telling you earlier. I am a member of a race called Clonne.”
“Clonne? I’ve never heard of such a race.”
“You most likely haven’t. It’s a lineage not well known to the world. I only recently found out myself.”
“Recently?”
“I encountered my kin by chance during the expedition. He was the one who recognized my true identity.”
Camille’s eyes widened even further at my words, realizing whom I was referring to.
“Could it be…”
“There’s a good chance you’ve guessed correctly. I’m speaking of Serige the herb gatherer.”
“So, that’s why he willingly gave us the antidote…”
“I won’t deny that my being a fellow Clonne played a significant role.”
He let out a low groan at my calm reply.
“But the herb gatherer looked entirely human. And you don’t appear to be of mixed race either.”
“The appearance of Clonne is almost identical to that of humans. However, they possess unique abilities not found in humans.”
“The extraordinary abilities Officer Sei has demonstrated so far. Like the effects of your blood.”
The Crown Prince spoke next. Upon my confirmation, he nodded in understanding.
“Your Highness, could we keep this fact just between us?”
Camille’s voice suddenly broke through the silence. I, along with the Crown Prince, who was lost in thought, turned to him in surprise.
“What… Are you referring to the fact that Officer Sei is of a different race?”
“I would prefer if no one else knew about the conversations that took place here today. I’m begging you. Promise this in the name of the Crown Prince.”
“Lord Camille, what are you—”
“Sei, just stay quiet. I’ll handle this.”
“Lord Camille…”
“It’s not evident from your appearance! If we don’t say anything, no one will ever know. Can we just not reveal it?”
His desperate expression left me speechless. Knowing all too well why he was reacting this way made it even harder.
The empire was an extremely conservative nation. Only patrilineal descent was recognized in noble families. If a family had only daughters, it was considered normal to adopt a male cousin or take in a son-in-law to continue the family line.
There was also significant social stratification. No matter how hard a commoner worked, they could not advance beyond a certain rank. Official entry into nobility was a slow and arduous process.
In this country, those of a different race were perpetual outsiders. While they could be granted residency or business rights, they could not receive citizenship. Naturally, they couldn’t dream of titles or public office. Furthermore, mixed-race individuals weren’t even considered human. In many ways, my situation had become worse than before. But still…
“Did my hiding all this time seem admirable to you? You seemed to despise it more than anyone.”
Camille’s face turned ashen at my sigh-filled words.
“That’s different! I’m just saying that we don’t have to reveal you’re a different race.”
“No, it’s not much different. I didn’t disclose my true nature for the same reason until now.”
“…!”
His adamant expression wavered. Seeing him stunned, I conveyed my sincere feelings.
“Lord Camille, I no longer want to hide.”
“…”
“I’m tired of hiding.”
I attempted to lighten the heavy atmosphere with a gentle smile, but it didn’t seem to affect Camille, whose face twisted even more.
Suddenly, events took a turn, providing a break from the tension. The air around us stirred, followed by a loud commotion outside the door. Someone was shouting.
“A son wants to see his father, and you dare to obstruct him! What kind of law is this?”
“Your Highness, please calm down…!”
“Enough, let me pass! Surely, the Crown Prince wouldn’t deny his own brother!”
The booming voice left no room for doubt—It belonged to the First Prince, Altman.
“Well, it appears my brother is here. It seems our conversation will have to be postponed.”
The Crown Prince immediately recognized who it was. Though he maintained a gentle smile, his eyes grew colder.
“It’s indeed an unfortunate coincidence that our audience times overlap. While I was responding to Officer Sei’s request, it’s not an appropriate time for a visit.”
“The First Prince must have received some urgent news.”
“Indeed. Perhaps something like the escape of a Clonne prisoner from the dungeon.”
We exchanged meaningful glances. Meeting at the Crown Prince’s palace earlier might have been a coincidence, but encountering each other twice now implied intent. It confirmed who was behind the Demonic Beasts. The First Prince had always been a prime suspect, but realizing it was another matter. The Crown Prince smiled bitterly.
“It might have been too late if not for your decision. You saved us, Officer.”
“I apologize, Your Highness.”
“For now, it’s best that both of you hide. Even if we announce your identity and merits, this is not the right time.”
With that, the Crown Prince touched a nearby picture frame. A bookshelf slid sideways, revealing a hidden room behind it.
“…!”
Camille was the first to assess the situation. He quickly shoved me inside the hidden room and then stepped in himself. The bookshelf slid shut just as the door to the chamber opened.
“Your Highness! You mustn’t do this!”
“Let go of me! Ah, the incense burners are extinguished! Who did this?”
Ignoring the protests, the First Prince stormed in, immediately checking the burners and flying into a rage.
‘So he was up to something after all.’
I had felt something was off; the air actually felt fresher without the burners. Unlike humans, Demonic Beasts’ respiratory systems function differently—it was a way to check for poison. As I smiled wryly, I met Camille’s gaze, which was now filled with understanding. He had finally realized why I had asked for the burners to be extinguished.
“I had them turned off, brother. The air inside was too stifling and needed ventilation.”
The Crown Prince’s voice remained calm, but a hint of confusion laced his words.
“No matter the reason, you should have consulted with the royal physicians first! Acting on your own like this!”
“Regardless, lower your voice. You’re in the presence of His Majesty.”
“That incense was to aid His Majesty’s recovery! What if this harms His Majesty’s health?”
The First Prince’s protests didn’t cease despite the Crown Prince’s warnings. Whether it was jealousy toward his younger brother or frustration from his disrupted plans, he acted thoughtlessly, showing no signs of backing down.
“It’s terribly noisy. Who’s causing this commotion?”
“…!”
The heavy voice that followed changed everything.
I instinctively held my breath. Even without seeing, I knew from the authoritative tone—it was the Emperor.
“Y-Your Majesty?”
“Father!”
“Oh my, His Majesty! He’s conscious!”
The room filled with simultaneous cries of surprise and relief. Camille too covered his mouth in astonishment.
“Father! Are you awake? Can you recognize me?”
“The Crown Prince’s jest is excessive. Are you trying to make me seem like a father who doesn’t recognize his own son?”
The Crown Prince’s urgent plea contrasted with the Emperor’s relaxed tone. For someone who had just regained consciousness after a long time, the Emperor seemed to have good vitality. He moistens his lips with water brought by the attendants.
“It feels like I’ve been asleep for a very long time. How long has it been?”
“It’s now entering the third month.”
“That’s much longer than I thought.”
“You might be feeling weak. Are you uncomfortable anywhere?”
“I’m fine. In fact, I feel quite refreshed, as though I’ve had a good sleep. The Crown Prince must have been very worried.”
“No, Father. Just seeing you awake is happiness enough for me…”
The Crown Prince couldn’t finish his sentence. His voice, unable to conceal his sobbing, lacked the usual composure and calmness. For the first time, I remembered that he had just come of age. The burden he bore was far too great for someone so young.
‘And so is this one.’
I sighed as I looked at Camille, still covering his mouth with teary eyes.
“But Altman, why are you here at this late hour?”
The Emperor, having comforted the Crown Prince for a while, suddenly seemed to remember something and asked. He targeted the now silent First Prince, who had been quiet since the Emperor woke up.
“Father, how could you say such a thing? Does a son need a reason to visit his father? It’s only natural.”
The First Prince, as seen through the crack of the bookshelf, was frozen. His forced smile was obvious to anyone. Even though he tried to speak warmly, his words came off as stiff. Naturally, the Emperor scoffed.
“That’s not something someone who usually avoids being called should say.”
“M-My apologies. When have I ever…”
“Enough with the obvious excuses. I asked because it’s unusually late for you to be awake. Isn’t it a bit late to be fulfilling filial duty?”
It was a fair question considering the late hour. Though he hadn’t asked the Crown Prince the same question.
—–
(T/N): Done with the proofreading. These are some of the changes:
> Demon Beasts to Demonic Beast
> Inspector to Officer
> Field Team to Operations Team
> Dragal Mountains to Dugal Mountains
> Semion to Semeion
If you’re enjoying the novel, please consider rating it here on the Fenrir Translation site and on NovelUpdates. Reviews are also greatly appreciated. Thank you! ~