If the Divine Power is too great, there is a risk of being discovered by the Holy See. So, to hide that truth from the Holy See, the Queen carved a special mark on Lucia's body. It was a mark that could conceal the Force, and when one used the Force, they would endure excruciating pain. Just like that, the pain Lucia endured would become nutrients that strengthened Queen Cornelia's Black Magic.
If the pain is too great, the child may die.
The Queen threatened Elvira like that.
So, you have to warn her carefully, right?
Just like that, she forced her to hide the child from the eyes of the Holy See.
Elvira caressed her painful child's back.
“I told you not to use the Force.”
“But mom cried.”
Those words tore her heart apart.
"No, no. I'm okay. Holding your baby's hand like this won't hurt me at all."
Both mother and daughter were physically and mentally exhausted by the Queen's abuse, but they survived by relying on each other.
Currently, the child is just a hostage for the Queen to dictate to Countess Elvira as she wishes, but she does not know when that disaster will directly strike Lucia.
Therefore, she must do her best. Carrying the hope that one day they can escape this quagmire with no way out.
She clutched the lapis lazuli necklace that she always wore. It was an heirloom necklace from the Earl's family, with a mechanism hidden behind the gem. Inside that mechanism is a small almond-sized pill bottle.
It was her insurance and her last refuge. She didn't want to use it if possible, but it was perhaps her last hope and only means to escape all this pain. That is a very strong poison for two people, it will put an end to everything.
The next day, I immediately looked for Richard. To discuss what I saw in my dream last night.
"The child in last night's dream is Countess Elvira's daughter. Her name is Lucia."
Richard raised his eyebrows.
“Does the Countess have children?”
Delfina quietly interjected.
“I heard that Countess Elvira has a daughter. But……”
Delfina's face looked dark, so I had to ask again.
"But?"
“I heard that the little girl was very sick and died shortly after giving birth.”
“Really, really?”
“Yes……”
“Is the daughter…… dead?”
I recall the memory in the dream. At least the child is old enough to understand his mother's pain and can talk.
“No, she is clearly alive.”
I remembered the content of the dream again.
"Perhaps, she is somewhere in the Imperial Palace. The structure of the room is similar to our Jade Palace."
Delfina nodded as if remembering something.
“I heard there is a place where the Queen's godchildren gather.”
“The Queen's godson?”
"Her Majesty the Queen has many godchildren. They are mainly children of noble families close to the Queen, and I heard that some of them live in the palace and become her Majesty's minions."
“Perhaps the Countess's daughter is there.”
But Delfina shook her head with a dark expression.
"The Queen's godchildren only stay at the Imperial Palace after they reach adulthood. Even if the Countess's daughter is still alive, it is unusual for a young child to live alone in the Imperial Palace."
Delfina said that the upcoming party hosted by the Queen is also an opportunity to select godchildren. Last year, Giovinetta also became the Queen's godson. Just like that, the Queen chose outstanding children from among the children of noble families and became their guardian. It was a great honor because it meant relying on the Queen's power…….
“The child I saw in my dream was not in such a situation.”
I have to find the child. But the Royal Palace is endlessly vast. Where can I find that little girl?
“Ah, that reminds me……”
I recalled the content I saw in the dream. When I talked about how a warm power flowed from the child's hand, Richard spoke as if he had thought of something.
“Maybe it's the Force.”
“The Force?”
He explained about the Force.
“I said it before. Pure human pain is the best way to amplify Black Magic.”
"Yes."
Obviously at that time we deduced that the reason why Countess Elvira injured her back was because of that.
“But there is a method that is more effective, no, more effective than that.”
“Is that the Force?”
He nodded with a serious expression.
“Not necessarily the Force, but the Force is more certain.”
"Why?"
Divine Power is a type of power with properties similar to the magic power that magicians often use, but different. The exact distinction between these two types of power remains a matter of debate among magicians.
“However, Divine Power is the only magical power recognized by the Holy See.”
“What difference does it make being recognized?”
"There is a big difference. Blindly believing in something is magical in itself, and prayer gives power."
Richard explained in a complicated way, then seeing our puzzled expressions, he sighed lightly.
“Simply put, inflicting pain on someone with Divine Power, the quintessence of Faith, becomes an excellent ingredient for Black Magic.”
And if that child was truly the Lady's daughter, she would not ignore her mother's injuries, and if she was skilled in Black Magic, she would not overlook this point. If it were possible to provoke people with the ability to use Divine Power to inflict pain on themselves, wouldn't there be greater benefits?
Richard's next words took my breath away.
“……Child, is the ingredient of Black Magic?”
At that moment, I remembered the voice of a very small child. Furthermore, I miss those slender and small hands. It was a child only about five or six years old.
“How, how could… do that…”
How can you sacrifice such a small child? Richard added solemnly.
“That's why it's called evil magic.”
“Then, quickly……”
I have to find that child as soon as possible. That's the best thing to do.
“Lucia appearing in my dream means that she is the clue to help me overcome my difficulties, right?”
“Absolutely.”
I nodded. And quickly declared with an assertive voice.
“I will definitely find Lucia.”
But how? I wondered how to find the child hidden in the Royal Palace.
At that moment, Cesar nodded and spoke to me.
“Maybe if it was Ave.”
He immediately summoned Ave. A brilliant golden light emitted before his eyes, and Ave appeared in midair. As soon as it appeared, it opened its beak and made a ruckus.
“I can do it!”
"Huh?"
Is it that easy?
“With Rabbit's help.”
“Rabbit?”
Does he mean Bernadetta? Before I could ask, Ave disappeared into thin air. And a moment later, there was a knock on the door, and Ave returned naturally with Bernadetta, who was practicing magic in the next room.
Ave perched on Bernadetta's head and spoke arrogantly.
"It's about finding someone who possesses Divine Power. My strength may still be difficult, but if Rabbit lends me his magic power, it's possible."
"Really?"
I shouted with a voice full of excitement and joy.
Bernadetta seemed completely unaware of this situation, just bewildered. Because she didn't know what was going on, she just looked at our faces.
“Ah, I almost forgot to explain it to Bunny.”
I explained the situation to Bernadetta in an understandable way.
“That means there are bad people holding a child captive.”
“Bad person?”
“Yes, and that child is very small, smaller than Bunny.”
The girl listened to my explanation, then showed a very serious expression and asked.
“Could it be that this is… a secret mission?”
"Yes, that's right. It's a secret mission!"
I quickly nodded and winked at Bernadetta. Bernadetta showed a determined expression and nodded.
“Yes, I will try!”
While Bernadetta and Ave went looking for Lucia, I went looking for Countess Elvira. In fact, the Countess usually arrived at the Jade Palace at this time, so it wasn't difficult to determine her location.
I couldn't ignore it once I knew her situation.
"Countess?"
It was rare for me to talk to her, so Countess Elvira turned around in surprise. Normally, we just say hello and then pass each other, so awkward silence reigns.
“Your Royal Highness, what's going on?”
She asked me with a doubtful expression. I hesitated a few times, then finally took something out of my bag and placed it in her hand.
“You take it.”
“This…… is it……?”
“It's an ointment that helps heal wounds.”
The Countess's face changed from surprise to expressionless like a mask.
“Why did you suddenly do this?”
"There's no special reason. This ointment was made by Richard, so the effect is very good."
Surely this seems strange. The lady must think I don't know she's injured. She must have thought she hid it well.
Furthermore, the relationship between me and Madam, no matter how good it is, cannot be called close.
“I can't accept this……”
She quickly wanted to return the ointment to me. But I was faster. I quickly turned around and left that place.