Chapter 537

Cecily found herself restrained within a mana-binding sphere, confined to the deepest level of the royal dungeon as if entombed. The women involved in her scheme were imprisoned in the palace's outer tower pending further investigation. Despite their parents, led by the Duke of Yurbara, becoming aware of their daughters' innocence, they remained distant, treating them like strangers.

The aftermath of the Moon Honey incident left a lasting impact.

"It might be the right time to discuss this," Davey suggested, prompting King Krianes to sigh and rub his face wearily.

Turning to Baris, the King inquired, "Baris, please explain. With this incident targeting Davey and Perserque, it's hard to believe you wouldn't have information about it."

Baris stole a glance at Davey and Perserque, who sat gracefully beside him, but quickly averted his eyes when theirs met. Perserque's smile made Baris sweat. He removed his glasses and set aside the documents he held.

"Moon Honey is a recreational drug."

"I'm aware of that. The uproar revolves around it. What intrigues me is why it's treated as more than a mere drug."

Forbidden substances were strictly prohibited, and their trafficking, importing, or sale resulted in severe punishment. However, Davey had never encountered a substance that elicited such stringent judgment.

"It's because of its horrific manufacturing process, shocking even notorious organizations. Some who know about it refrain from acknowledging or producing it."

Baris, visibly agitated, continued, "Moon Honey isn't just made from narcotic plants."

"Not just plants?"

"Young children. Specifically, girls aged between five and eleven years."

The realization that it was a drug derived from people caused Davey's fists to clench tightly in anger.

"In the past, the Empire razed a country overnight for secretly manufacturing and selling this drug. That's why it's seldom mentioned now. Most of the new nobility, except for the older generation, are unaware of it."

"It wasn't merely a scheme to discredit a few nobles but an attempt to crush the entire Rowane Kingdom."

With Davey present, military suppression would be impossible, but it would mean losing his justification, a sacrifice of part of his world-shaking power. Either way, there was no benefit.

"Children..."

"It's a cruel drug. Girls aged five to eleven are kidnapped, confined in a dark cave, given minimal food and water, and subjected to six months of beatings and abuse. They're also tormented by terrible nightmares."

The only remnants left for these slowly driven-insane children were the horrific traces of abuse and fear.

"And just before they're about to die, they're offered salvation."

Those children endured continuous starvation and abuse while plagued by nightmares.

As Baris fell silent in anger, King Krianes sighed and continued, "The children, barely eating or drinking, enduring constant nightmares and abuse, are lured into test tubes with delicious food and warm clothing. The lid is closed, and then..."

"Closed, and then what?"

"They're slowly heated over a weak fire, cooking to death gradually."

The surviving children, trapped in the hot test tubes, gradually burn to death. Davey grimaced, reminded of the horrific ancient execution method of the brazen bull. Perserque also clenched her fist, unseen.

"Damn it..."

"Hmm?"

'It seemed she muttered something, but...'

Listening to Baris's explanation, Davey suddenly realized the drug's manufacturing method was akin to something he knew. "It's similar to Incubus."

"Incubus?" Baris inquired, prompting Davey to nod.

"A more vicious curse. It also involves using children. Seems like the brutality extends beyond just the manufacturing process, doesn't it?"

"Exactly. Moon Honey isn't just about that; its effects gradually manifest after consumption. Initially, it offers an overwhelmingly sweet illusion and pleasant sensations, making it a highly sought-after drug. The issue arises as it doesn't stop there."

Consumers of Moon Honey underwent a slow descent into madness while experiencing increased strength.

"Mana amplification, physical enhancement—various doping abilities. However, eventually, it drives individuals to insanity, transforming them into malevolent spirits."

'Evil spirits...' Davey thought.

If the aftermath were severe, simply releasing the involved women would be an absurd decision. "They would have tried to conceal their association with the Boltis Kingdom. Even if you protested to the Boltis Kingdom, they would feign ignorance," Davey remarked.

"That's usually the case," Baris replied, his eyes widening as he grasped Davey's implication. "Brother, you don't mean..."

"Your Majesty, I believe we need to negotiate with the Boltis Kingdom regarding this matter."

"Davey," the King addressed.

"Your Majesty," Davey responded.

"This matter could become quite serious. Without evidence, our accusations could seem baseless."

"It's fine, Your Majesty," Davey said confidently, a sly smile on his face. "The Holy Kingdom relented after initially resisting, didn't they?"

The King and Baris looked at him incredulously.

"I am a prince who has renounced my succession rights. So, I humbly request, Your Majesty, to grant me the authority to negotiate."

"This could escalate into a major problem," the King cautioned.

"I'll bear that in mind."

After Davey reassured him, the King sighed, rose, and discreetly handed a small seal to Baris.

"This is the royal seal. You have permission to utilize its authority through Prince Baris. However, remember you've renounced your succession rights. Don't exceed your bounds."

"I'll keep that in mind, Your Majesty. Then, I'll take my leave."

"Planning to depart immediately?" the King inquired.

"No, I've already sent a protest to the Boltis Kingdom. However, a warning is still necessary. Their response will arrive shortly, but for now, I'd like to check on the condition of the women who ingested that cursed drug, Moon Honey."

"Brother?" Baris looked at him in surprise.

"Baris, I may be a prince, but I am also a sworn physician."

Even for those deserving death, Davey's creed was to heal them first, then deliver punishment. The zombie virus that spread during the previous vampire war was more a curse than a disease.

"Then, Your Majesty, I shall take my leave."

"You won't even call me father till the end," the King remarked.

Davey fell silent for a moment, then, followed by Baris, while Perserque slowly rose from her seat.

"Perserque."

It was at that moment that King Krianes stopped Perserque as she was about to leave. "Yes, Your Majesty?"

"May I have a moment to talk with you?"

Perserque glanced momentarily at Davey, then smiled brightly. "Yes, Your Majesty."

***

The Boltis Kingdom did not have an official Assassin Squad, or at least it wasn't publicly acknowledged. However, Perserque's mention of it suggested she had delved into the true essence of Cecily, who had been posing as a lady. This was a significant revelation.

Creak...creak...

The sight of the ladies scratching the walls with their iron restraints in despair was disheartening. It appeared they were cognizant of the true nature of Moon Honey and the grimness of their futures.

"In a way, they're already being punished," Baris remarked.

"Even so, this goes against the principles of justice," Davey responded.

"Hmm," Baris murmured thoughtfully. "Brother, didn't you once tell me about the nobles you turned bald for provoking you?"

"Ahem! Stop with the pointless talk and come along." Davey then commanded, "Open the door."

"Prince Davey! His Majesty strictly ordered not to let anyone in..."

"Open the door," Davey repeated firmly.

The guard hesitated, then slowly opened the door. "Please be quick, or you might incur His Majesty's wrath."

"I have His Majesty's permission, don't worry."

"Ah, in that case."

Passing the guard, Davey entered and saw a black-haired girl sitting listlessly—the Duke's daughter of Yurbara. Even though she had not taken Moon Honey while with Perserque, examination revealed she had already fallen prey to the deception of a Boltis spy and ingested the drug prior.

Baris clicked his tongue briefly at the sight of her mindlessly scratching the wall, not making any attempt to look at them. "The Lady of the Yurbara Duchy was once a sought-after figure in the kingdom for marriage proposals. I didn't expect her to be this broken."

Approaching decisively, Davey grasped her chin. Her face, looking up at him blankly, was filled with resignation, sorrow, and despair. It seemed not only due to the drug. After all, who would be unscathed after being disowned by their own father? After roughly taking hold of her, Davey gently opened her eyes and shone a light, examining her dull pupils.

"Lady, please lie down on the bed," he said calmly.

She looked up at him dully, then slowly complied. Without hesitation, Davey conjured a blade of energy and cut open her dress at the abdomen.

"Brother?!" Baris exclaimed, alarmed.

Anyone could mistake this for a violation. Ignoring Baris's outcry, Davey placed his mana-charged hand on her abdomen and frowned. "This is potent."

There was something inside her body that mana could not displace. Normally, most drugs' traces could be treated periodically, but Moon Honey was different. It was sticky and spread tenaciously throughout the body, inducing madness and a dramatic increase in physical abilities. A dreadful drug.

"This isn't poison or a curse. What kind of person made this?" Davey mused, disgusted by the drug's cruel nature.

"Is there no way even for you, brother?" Baris asked, his voice tinged with bitterness. Davey, having treated diseases like the black-and-white plague and the melting acceleration virus, was taken aback.

"For now, there's no immediate solution. I'll have to take some blood and examine it. Thankfully, she hasn't consumed enough to go mad immediately."

As he pondered, the lady gazing blankly at the ceiling whispered, "Just... let me be."

Her voice, filled with resignation, lingered in the air. "Leave you to die?"

"Let me die, please."

At her words, Davey fell silent. "This lady doesn't seem to value her life."

"What do I have left?" she asked.

"What?"

"Disowned by my family and branded a criminal by my country. Even you, Prince, have abandoned me."

"..."

"What do I have left? Better to die than live like this..."

As she murmured, finally breaking into sobs, Davey gently pricked her arm with a needle to draw blood, then said, "Why do you feel like you have nothing left?"

"..."

Looking at him with tear-filled eyes, she heard him say nonchalantly, "You still have your life."

She remained silent, her eyes filled with questions.

"Brother, she's not entirely wrong. She has lost everything."

"How about offering her a position in the palace?" Davey suggested.

"Employ her in the palace?" Baris looked surprised.

"Aren't we short on hands?"

Baris stayed silent for a while. Then, he muttered, "It's not as simple as..."

"If you deceive me..." Davey warned.

"Yes, I know. Lose a hand."

"There's a place for her, right?"

In the months since waking from his coma, Davey had noticed areas in the palace that lacked resources.

"There will be opposition from the old nobility."

"Then handle it."

After assigning Baris the task, Davey sighed and nodded. "Just heal her, then."

"Alright."

Rising decisively from his seat, Davey led Baris back to the palace. With the Grand Emperor of the Contas Empire preparing his request and Lastwhisp investigating the Illuminati independently, Davey had no immediate tasks.

"Then what's remaining is..."

"Prince Baris, ah, Prince Davey, you're both here." A burly, sweating noble rushed toward them.

"Aren't you the diplomat from OneMouse? What's the matter?"

"It's just that... we've received a response from the Boltis Kingdom..."

He quietly took the paper and read through it. Simultaneously, a look of fury spread across his face. "These damn scoundrels..." he muttered in anger.

"Your Highness, please, a bit more restraint in your language..." the flustered OneMouse diplomat pleaded.

Baris handed Davey the letter, commenting, "Brother, these guys are seriously audacious, aren't they?"

The letter was straightforward in its content. It denied the existence of any Assassin Squad in the Boltis Kingdom and instead expressed outrage at the Round Kingdom for casting such baseless accusations. It threatened to take the matter to the International Union and warned of presenting evidence of the trafficking of Moon Honey, a drug prohibited by the Union, within the borders of the Round Kingdom.

"So, they want to play it cool and get away with it?" Davey surmised. "They demand 2,000 horses, 80 wagons of wheat, and 30 wagons of steel as compensation, knowing full well there's no direct evidence against them and that they have the upper hand. Plus, there's no proof that Moon Honey originated from the Boltis Kingdom, only that it was circulated within our borders..."

If this went to the International Union, it would likely turn against the Round Kingdom.

"Fine," Davey said with a smirk forming at the corner of his mouth. "Keep this safe and follow me."

"Brother, where are you going?"

"To negotiate as a diplomat."

Davey covered his ear with his hand. "It's me. I'm about to negotiate with these amoral bastards, so get everything ready."

They needed to understand something. By initiating this local provocation, they were effectively challenging the Rowane Kingdom to war.

"The Heins Territory, no, the Rowane Kingdom doesn't negotiate with terrorists for long."