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Chapter 76 Part 3 – Alisa’s objective is gradually being revealed. The secret of the True Emperor’s Ruby. Since it’s been a while, I, for one, wish to have more of a presence.

「…… It’s true that I gave Scarlet a hard time. However, I recognize that girl as my only rival. I’m more eager than anyone else to see Scarlet grow up.」

「What ……」

Unable to comprehend Alisa’s intentions, the members of the Light Bat Tribe were bewildered.

Alisa interrupted their words abruptly without hesitation.

「…… You guys are sealing the true power of the True Emperor’s Ruby in order to protect Scarlet, aren’t you? Ahahaha, isn’t it because you don’t want her to follow in the True Emperor’s footsteps? After all, the True Emperor did have a horrible death.」

Alisa’s words sent a shock through the members of the Light Bat Tribe.

「…… How did you know that ……!? That should be a secret that only our tribe knows ……」

「Ahaha, it looks like I’ve hit the nail on the head. Don’t worry. It’s not like the secret’s out. I’ve seen the Scarlet in the『True History』unleash the forbidden power of the ruby in order to defeat me. As well as the consequences of that choice …… Ahahaha!! She’s really …… a stupid girl.」

Alisa’s expression was obscured by her blond hair that was fluttering in the wind. The edges of her mouth were strung up in the shape of a cruel crescent moon, which made it seem like a mocking line. That is why no one noticed the slight note of sadness in her words.

「The cursed miracle of the Ruby in exchange for a price. What a double-edged sword. No wonder the True Emperor died so young and the unification of the continent only lasted for such a short period of time.」

The people of the Light Bat Tribe do not know the 「True History」 and did not completely comprehend the meaning of Alisa’s words. But it was enough to make their complexion worsen and flare up at her.

「…… You ……!! Could it be that you’re planning to make Princess Scarlet release that cursed power ……!! In order to turn her into someone worthy of being your opponent ……!! We will absolutely not let you do that!! She is the princess who is the reincarnation of the True Emperor ……!!」

「Fufufu, you seem to be emotionally agitated. However, Scarlet is a bottomless good-natured person. Someday she will unleash that power of the Ruby. Even if I don’t do anything, that girl has too many things that she wishes to protect in this life and I am sure that the number will continue to increase. That makes me troubled.」

Alisa bit her thumbnail. It’s a childish behavior, but perhaps because of the blue flame-colored eyes, it gives the impression of a tiger gnawing on the cage. Alisa’s blond hair surged up as if it was possessed by countless snakes.

「…… Scarlet’s spirit had been broken once along with the Ruby and it hasn’t been completely healed yet. That’s why she doesn’t have the memory of the『True History』. But she thinks that she sealed it up herself because the memory was too painful …… I want to settle this battle with the Scarlet that remembers everything. I will not let the cursed miracle happen again. I will not allow anything to get in my way, no matter if it’s God or the world ……!! Ahahaha!! That’s right. And then we will continue our dance in the midst of the flames. …… Ahahaha!! Ahahahahaha!!」

Muttering something that is incomprehensible to the people of the Light Bat Tribe, Alisa laughed loudly like a madman. She extended her hands to the sky and danced while twirling around.The sky of the spiritual world split and the ground rumbled. It was the dance of the goddess of death herself. Alisa’s tremendous spiritual power affected her surroundings.

「…… You ……!! Don’t tell me you’re trying to destroy the Ruby of God’s Eye ……!!」

The chief of the Light Bat Tribe groaned as he clung to the ground, trying not to be blown away by the storm.

「…… Of course not. Scarlet has to quickly become stronger together with this Ruby. Otherwise, she won’t be able to reach me. We only have time until she turns 28 years old.」

The storm had abated and Alisa was staring down at the chief from above.

「I want Scarlet to become a queen before it reaches the time limit. For that purpose, I’m going to train her.」

Said Alisa as her golden hair brushed her cheek.
The chief gasped.

「…… Make Princess Scarlet become the Queen of Hydrangea ……? You have always raised the banner of revolution against the princess, so why would you ……」

「Ahahaha, when did I say that I was going to make Scarlet the queen of a single kingdom? Do not underestimate my nemesis. She can accomplish that much on her own.」

Alisa laughed and moved away from the chief. Then she looked up to the skies.
With thunderstorms roaring in the dark clouds behind her, Alisa turned around.

「…… An empress who will rule over all the kingdoms of this continent. That’s what I want from Scarlet. Listening to the cries of the kingdoms as the clash, the two of us will dance together. It will be the most exquisite waltz that even Scarlet who has been a queen has ever experienced. It‘s also perfect as that girl’s dream is to be a shut-in. Because we could take over all the land we could see and make it her home.」

The chief and the other members of the Light Bat Tribe were stunned by this grandiose and crazy idea.

Alisa chuckled as the flash of lightning illuminated her face.

「What’s with that expression? Do you think that the unification of the continent is just a pipe dream? Didn’t you say that Scarlet is the reincarnation of the True Emperor? Now that she has the Ruby, she can fly anywhere. The truly scary thing about Scarlet is neither her knowledge nor her ability. It’s her indomitable spirit that makes the seemingly impossible possible. I know that better than anyone else. You probably realized it as well since you’ve fought her.」

After Alisa said that, the shadow of a huge mountain-like beast appeared from the ground. The bright red one eye stared down at Alisa.

「Fufu, how rude of you to look down on me. Normally I would not forgive this, but considering your physique, I guess it can’t be helped. The one who nearly became the king of beasts. To think that you had been lurking inside the Ruby. If Scarlet knew about this, she would definitely lose strength in her legs and fall down. Did you take a liking to Scarlet? Or to Bradd?」

The beast didn’t respond. It just bared its fangs and sneered.

It was not afraid of Alisa at all. The fur on its back stood on end and a dreadful energy blew toward Alisa. As if feeling comfortable, Alisa squinted her eyes.

「Fufufu, it seems that you have no intention of being reduced to a pet. I like that spirit. A solitary beast is beautiful. I’ll make a special cooperation with you. Together with the people of the Light Bat Tribe as well.」

「…… We refuse!! You will surely deprive Princess Scarlet of the people she cares about!! There is no way we can cooperate.」

Alisa laughed out loud at the Light Bat Tribe who bluntly rejected her proposition.

「Even if it’s a cooperation, when you don’t like it, I don’t mind if you guys want to confront me. However, just don’t tell Scarlet about my true nature. As long as you promise me that, you are free to do so. But I’d be troubled if Scarlet does not attend the ball tonight. So let me restrain you for a while longer.」

When Alisa pointed her fingers, a red mist entwined around the members of the Light Bat Tribe like a snake.

「No matter how strong you are, you will never be able to break free from this technique. This is the blood sakura poison of the ‘Lawless Crew’. How does it feel to have your own muscles blocking your movements? The better trained your body is, the more effective this technique is. Although, to be more exact, the only ‘Lawless Crew’ members who know this technique properly are the ghosts of the warriors in the duke’s residence.」

Alisa looked up at the beast next to her and sneered.

「Fufufu, what you used was nothing more than a fake. Do you feel frustrated? …… Ahahaha!! That’s amazing. You already understood it. If they had fought against the current you, even after Scarlet and the others worked together, they might have no chance of winning.」

As if she were patting the head of a promising student, Alisa twirled her fingers through the fur of the beast and closed her eyes.

「…… Fufufu, Scarlet. You don’t seem to have noticed, but tonight’s ball is a reenactment of the ball held 14 years ago. Anyone not present at the ball 14 years ago will be barred from entering the mansion. Only Cornelia can enter tonight’s ball from your entire group. Ahaha, so I’ll help you this one time. But actually, you should be able to do this much.」

Alisa’s wide-open blue eyes started to turn crimson again.

「Now then, Ruby of the True Emperor. It’s time to wake up. Shook the world with your gaze. For the sake of your master, Scarlet. …… Ahaha, you want to wield your power as well? Okay then, do as you will.」

Looking up at the beast, Alisa laughed.

「Ahahahaha!! Scarlet. With the body of a young girl, you won’t be able to properly participate in the ball. So, I’ll turn you into an adult. I’ll have Bradd, Seraphy, and Arnold escort you so you won’t be lonely. Although, it would be impossible for you to be a wallflower when you’re in your adult form.」

A flash of lightning illuminated Alisa and the beast’s gigantic body like a silhouette. Alisa’s eyes and the beast’s one eye began to glow red eerily as if they were resonating with each other. Wings of blood fluttered on Alisa’s back and a mist of blood rose from the beast’s back.

And then, as if responding to them, a huge half-closed eye appeared in the sky.

Then its eyelids slowly opened.

The spectacle was indeed very fitting for the other name of the True Emperor’s Ruby, the Ruby of God’s Eye.

「Now, go and enjoy yourself. Scarlet. Have a wonderful night with your mother, so that you can think back to it in the future and cry a lot.」

The power that overflowed from the Ruby’s eyes dyed the surroundings white. The power contracted for a moment, then gushed out as a pillar of light, piercing the sky at once. The dark clouds were blown away and the light from the gigantic pillar engulfed everyone there.

「…… Scarlet. You have to learn how to draw more power out of the True Emperor’s Ruby. But I won’t allow you to mess with the forbidden power.」

In the midst of the light, Alisa muttered enchantedly like a maiden in love.

「I’ll make you so strong that you won’t need anything like that. I’ll give you many trials of life and death as a gift. You can’t break out of your shell without writhing in hell. Survive the schemes of the four princes and come closer to my strength. I will continue to stay right next to you and watch over your growth. When you are sad, I will let you cry on my chest as much as you want. Ahhh, I’m really looking forward to it ……!!」

Like a snake stalking its prey, her tongue fluttered and licked her dainty lips.