Chapter 102

Someone was after Lycian’s life.

And not just recently—but persistently, since he was a child.

The moment I learned that, my mind went blank.

“The Crescent Moon Witch was gravely wounded by the Time Dragon ten years ago. Since then, she’s been forced into periodic hibernation, so she can’t move about freely. She’s asleep even now. But there’s no telling when she might wake again and come for my life.”

Lycian let out a long, heavy sigh.

“I… I’m afraid Muriel might end up in danger because of me.”

“…….”

“And even if it’s not the Crescent Moon Witch, I’m afraid someone might try to use you against me.”

From everything I’d seen, Lycian was strong.

In body. In mind.

And yet he was afraid—because of me. Afraid of losing me.

‘I’m Lycian’s weakness.’

My heart lurched.

Compared to him… I was far too weak.

My stamina was terrible; I could barely take care of myself.

The only thing I could really do was open the ‘Secret Door’ and hide in subspace.

‘This won’t do.’

At the very least, I need to build up my stamina.

So that if Lycian is ever in danger, I can at least drag him away and run.

“Starting today, fifty sit-ups. Fifty squats.”

“Pardon?”

“Nothing. More importantly… you don’t know why the Crescent Moon Witch is targeting you, right?”

“I don’t know the exact reason, but I have two guesses.”

“What kind of guesses?”

“…A grudge from a past life?”

“…….”

Maybe he thought it sounded ridiculous himself—he let out a small, sheepish laugh.

“That’s unlikely, of course. Just something I threw out there. …My real guess is that she’s after the power of time that I possess.”

“The power you inherited from the Time Dragon?”

“That’s right. I can…”

Lycian paused, then smiled faintly, lowering his voice like he was sharing a secret.

“I can slow my perception of time or stop it momentarily. And I can see three seconds into the future.”

The sheer scale of that revelation made my eyes go wide.

“It’s not constant. I have to concentrate intensely to use it.”

“It’s a secret,” he whispered near my ear.

“Among the dragon descendants still alive, I’m the only one who possesses the power of time. It’s far rarer than the public believes.”

I blinked rapidly before managing a halting response.

“Th-that’s incredible….”

And then, suddenly, a memory flashed through my mind.

‘You put yours down late! I saw it! Something was off!’

‘Mr. Dewdrop, don’t be so petty.’

‘Pe-petty…! That’s not it, something was really weird! The feeling was just…!’

Right. When we played rock-paper-scissors!

‘Ninabel’s instinct was right?’

He’d used his time power even then.

Just to beat a single dewdrop rice cake….

‘A dragon descendant abusing an absurd ability just to win rock-paper-scissors….’

As I stared at him with slightly dimmed eyes, Lycian tilted his head.

Anyway—his movements that were impossible to track with the naked eye, the way monsters couldn’t land a single scratch on him….

‘It was all the power of time.’

Gazing at him, I realized it again.

This guy was a total cheat character…!

‘Then just how strong is the Crescent Moon Witch, if she managed to wound someone like him internally?’

An ancient being, he’d said. I couldn’t even begin to measure that kind of strength.

After a moment of thought, I spoke.

“If you’re the only half-dragon with the power of time, that alone would be reason enough for her to target you.”

“Most likely. I first learned I was being targeted when I was thirteen. After that incident, the Time Dragon and the other royals layered over a hundred protective spells on me.”

“You’ve met the Time Dragon?”

I asked in amazement, and Lycian let out a soft chuckle, like I was adorable.

“Only once. When I received the protective spells at thirteen. I haven’t seen him since. He dislikes the mortal world.”

“I see…. Then you must have met the first emperor too?”

“That’s right.”

“That’s amazing….”

To me, they were figures from history books.

And yet Lycian had met them in person.

It felt unreal.

“Even wrapped in such exceptional protective magic, I still suffered internal injuries. If not for your treatment, Muriel, I might have died.”

Back then, I’d saved the handsome man collapsed outside my cabin because it felt like a waste to let a face like that die.

If I’d ignored Lycian and walked away, pretending not to see him…

Just imagining it made me dizzy.

“…Has the Crescent Moon Witch ever attacked any other royals?”

“No. It seems she doesn’t feel the need. She’s obsessively focused on me.”

“…….”

“And from what I can tell, she’s considered weak for one of the Star Clan. She doesn’t dare oppose a dragon directly. That’s why she always hides, careful not to catch his attention.”

“Does Mr. Dante know about this?”

“…Not just Dante. The retainers who’ve served me for a long time all know. Since it could become a weakness, they’re bound by an oath not to speak of it carelessly.”

An oath—a magical contract.

If the one who swore it breaks it, even by accident, a terrifying backlash follows.

“What happens if they break it… even by mistake?”

“Well, it’s not life-threatening, but….”

Lycian rolled his eyes slightly before continuing.

“They’d lose their hearing, sight, and voice. They wouldn’t be able to write either. So the servants in this castle can only ever make vague references.”

“Ahh, that explains it….”

Now I understood the castle staff’s constant ‘We’re sorry, but we can’t tell you’ attitude.

I lifted my gaze to the pitch-black, withered tree.

“Then… why did this tree die?”

“I’m not sure. It became like that after I was attacked by the Crescent Moon Witch.”

“Hmm….”

A thought suddenly struck me.

Could I use Appraisal on this tree too?

‘I’m curious what it is….’

Well… nothing to lose. And using Appraisal wasn’t difficult—

‘Focus!’

I fixed my gaze on the dead tree and willed myself to appraise it.

“…!”

It works?

‘Don’t tell me this tree was usable as a medicinal ingredient too…?’

Ding!

With the sound effect, a bluish window shimmered into view.

“…?”

I blinked rapidly in confusion.

This was the Moonlight Magnolia Tree?

‘Is this what they mean by it being darkest under the lamp?’

A hollow laugh slipped out.

Come to think of it, they said this tree had been a gift from the Parakai Church.

‘It was planted on His Grace’s thirteenth birthday. We don’t know what kind of tree it is either—it was a gift from the temple. They said the day would come when he’d need it.’

The day would come when he’d need it… How cryptic.

‘Did the temple know Lycian would be attacked?’

Or was there another reason they’d gifted this tree?

“Hmm….”

If this tree was an ingredient for Elixir….

‘Could I revive it with my ability?’

If it’s possible, I’ll try.

Purification, Sacred Touch—whatever works.

“Muriel?”

As I stepped closer to the tree, Lycian called out, puzzled.

I turned back to him with a bright smile.

“Just wait a moment.”

Then I slowly drew in a deep breath and activated Purification.

Fwaah!

“…!”

The light of purification burst forth more brilliantly than ever before.

An opalescent radiance wrapped around the pitch-black, lifeless tree without leaving a single gap.

And then—

‘…It worked!’

Starting from the roots, the tree gradually regained its natural color.

A moment later, as the light faded, revealed in its place—

“Wow….”

Crimson magnolia blossoms had bloomed in clusters, as if dyed by red moonlight.

System messages appeared one after another.

‘Oh yeah!’

I jumped up in delight.

Eight pyeong at once!

‘And I can use it up to six times a day now!’

Good. I’m getting more competent by the minute—now all I really need is stamina.

‘Getting Elixir ingredients this easily… I must really be the system god’s favorite.’

I dashed over to Lycian and threw my arms around his waist.

Then I beamed up at him.

“Lycian, don’t worry too much.”

“…?”

“Everything’s going to work out. I’ve got a feeling!”

He’s protected me all this time.

So I’ll protect him too. I’ll do everything I can.

“Muriel….”

Just as Lycian began, his voice thick with emotion—

“Gah—!”

A strangled gasp rang out nearby.