Chapter 76 - Chapter 76: Afterimages and Rebirth

Dawn's first light had yet to pierce the night, but the candlelight in the royal study still flickered. The desk was piled high with tattered scrolls and mural rubbings collected overnight by Prime Minister Gu and Eirea, casting shadows of the bone-splitting rituals from centuries past. Queen Avril stood rigid beside the desk, her fingers brushing the rubbing of the "Flame Dance Altar": "The reason these afterimages linger is that someone intends to revive the dance of slaughter through ancient rituals, stifling the birth of trust."​Lucian presented the last sealed letter: "Last night, the shadow guards captured a messenger from the old faction of the Holy See in the west tower chamber. He confessed that the 'Burning Blood Covenant' is preparing a devastating 'Bone-Splitting Rite' in the old drainage tunnels beneath the palace."​Avril drew a sharp breath, her voice cold: "The old drainage tunnels were once a tomb passage for exiling heretics. If they become the ritual site, the people will face a blood disaster. At once, I shall lead the Silver Oath Knights and shadow guards into the depths tonight to purify this place completely."​Lucian bowed in respect: "Your servant will mobilize the troops immediately. At your command, not a single soul shall escape the shadows."​Deep into the night, all was silent. Avril and Lucian changed into plain clothes, carrying a scepter and longsword, and entered the long-abandoned drainage culvert through the palace's secret stone passage. Moss crawled over the damp walls; the drip of water echoed in the narrow tunnel like the whispers of ghosts.​Lucian led the way, shadow guards following close behind. Suddenly, a stone door ahead creaked open, revealing crimson candlelight and seven robed priests—the masterminds of the Burning Blood Covenant, gathered around an ancient bronze drum, chanting hoarsely while the drum thundered dully. Blood dripped from the drumhead, splattering the stone floor.​Avril raised her scepter, flooding the space with light, and shouted: "Break the formation!" White-red holy light and flame-veined royal blood erupted simultaneously, scattering the chants. In that instant, the priests turned in terror. Lucian charged in, his silver sword clashing with shadow guards' daggers as they severed the drum ropes. The remaining priests drew daggers and lunged, but as they fell, they screamed, summoning ghostly phantoms—semi-transparent figures wailing in circles.​Avril gripped her scepter, reciting the "Holy Severance Incantation." Light transformed into a whisk, brushing away the ghostly phantoms and turning them into harmless spiritual energy. The priests collapsed one by one, their blood-colored armor patterns peeling off. Lucian severed the last priest's bone sword; metal clashed, and blood spattered, freezing in the cold culvert.​The ritual was utterly dismantled. The ancient bronze drum and bloodstones were burned. Avril knelt beside a puddle, her scepter's tip touching the icy water to inscribe the final "Purification Seal." The flowing water instantly turned clear, washing away bloodstains and moss. She rose slowly, leaving only the sound of spring water and wind echoing in the cold culvert.​Lucian draped his cloak over her shoulders, his voice low: "Your Highness, the shadows here have finally dispersed, but the weight on your shoulders has grown heavier."​Avril smiled faintly, though tinged with sorrow: "Only through constant purification can we embrace true light. But I also need rest and warmth."​They walked side by side through the secret passage back to the imperial garden, the sky already paling with dawn. Flower shadows lingered by the spring, mist curling gently. Avril traced every crack on her scepter: "Every purification is a reforging of trust. I only hope the ashes of blood and incantations never spread across the realm again."​Lucian pulled her into his arms, murmuring: "A realm purified by your own hands will never fall, sustained by your fire and conviction."​Morning dew clung to petals. In the spring pavilion, they sat together, physically and mentally exhausted yet still happy. Avril unclasped her silver chain, letting her hair fall loose, revealing the snow-white glow of her neck and shoulders. Lucian handed her a cup of warm tea, his fingers brushing her palm, which trembled slightly from tension.​She sipped the tea, warmth spreading through her limbs, and smiled down at Lucian: "Could we set aside state affairs this morning? Let me drown in your tenderness a little longer."​Lucian's voice softened: "Your wish is granted. Let the storms rage beyond us—here, we'll just let ice and warmth intertwine."​He bent to kiss her neck and shoulders, his fingertips undoing the top button of her nightgown, revealing her snow-white skin where tea steam mingled with dawn light. Avril wrapped her arms around his neck, her fingertips trailing over his chest and the edge of his robe.​With the sound of the spring and birdsong as their companions, they clung to each other again in the pavilion, where the morning breeze was gentle. They cast aside the nightmares of blood and incantations, longing only to hold each other for warmth, savoring this last moment of peace.