Who is Virelle De Valmont?
She is a very important character for the development of one of the characters. At the same time, Virelle De Valmont is also a character full of potential but ends tragically because of an unknown curse.
Geoffrey didn't know much because the description or story about her wasn't mentioned that extensively. She only appeared briefly, giving her powerful impact on one of the characters with her death. But before the curse destroyed her, Virelle was once mentioned as an extraordinary genius.
A very genius young girl, to the point that even heaven was jealous of her and cast a curse upon her and killed her.
After her death became known, and the curse that befell her was publicized, commoners eventually made Virelle's story into a famous folktale.
Geoffrey's suspicion was based on the Emperor's obsession that seemingly wanted to cure his tragic daughter. Then, because he had run out of options, he finally summoned him here.
An ordinary student who had a Bloodline related to curses.
Long story short, after the Emperor explained Cascading Decay to him, wrinkles appeared on Geoffrey's forehead.
'The situation seems far more wretched than what was explained in the novel.'
Virelle was isolated in a pavilion far from the Empire's main mansion. It was said the garden near that pavilion had been completely contaminated and was rapidly rotting.
That meant, besides its contagious nature; Cascading Decay also showed that the rot could destroy anyone who approached its host.
No matter how Geoffrey looked at it, this was tantamount to a suicide mission for him.
"....Is there anything I can do about it... Your Majesty?" Geoffrey tried to speak calmly.
In the current situation, by any means, he couldn't find a way to cure Virelle from such a curse.
He couldn't even get close.
What did the emperor expect from a weak student like him?
When Geoffrey's gaze met the emperor's dark pupils that looked like a very deep vortex, Geoffrey unconsciously lowered his head slightly because of that presence's aura.
"...This is an opportunity for you." Said the emperor.
However, Geoffrey couldn't understand what opportunity the emperor meant.
"Opportunity?" Geoffrey asked carefully.
The emperor nodded.
"You seem not to know about it," The emperor threw his gaze in another direction, snorting softly. "You're apparently not that smart."
Geoffrey froze in place. A forced smile appeared on his face, "Sorry, but I truly don't know, Your Majesty."
Even so, Geoffrey's thoughts were actually screaming differently.
'How could I know something I don't know?! I'm not the real Geoffrey, damn it!'
Somehow he really felt like cursing at the emperor. Of course, if Geoffrey did that, believe that he would die right then and there.
That reverie was dispersed by the emperor's voice. "Let me open your eyes."
After saying that, the Emperor handed a letter that was so simple and looked shabby to Geoffrey.
Without hesitation, Geoffrey received the letter curiously. There was nothing special about the letter, there wasn't even a certain symbol or crest indicating that it was an important letter.
But seeing that this was a letter given directly by the emperor, inevitably, Geoffrey felt cold because of his worsening premonition.
'I hope it's just my feeling.'
Enough with what was happening now. What other bad thing could possibly happen?
While sighing briefly, Geoffrey opened the letter then read it. At first, there was nothing special, but gradually; Geoffrey's expression crumbled with gloomy confusion.
"... Impossible!" He smiled bitterly and glanced at the emperor, "There must be a misunderstanding he—"
His words stopped.
The Emperor's empty expression. That meant there was no misunderstanding at all here, all of it came as it should and what actually happened.
Geoffrey's mouth was still in a gaping condition. He froze in place, throwing his face toward the letter.
Then... The corners of his lips curved, forming a smile.
His lips twitched full of annoyance.
'Seriously?! Geoffrey's biological brother wants to kill Geoffrey?! What kind of plot twist is this?!'
No matter how Geoffrey thought about it, this was really a very strange incident. Considering how he had lived for two months in this body, exchanging letters with Geoffrey's older brother.
It was very clear that their relationship was harmonious and seemed to have no unfriendly relations. Even his family also showed no hostility whatsoever.
Moreover, Geoffrey himself. Didn't he worship his older brother more than anything, like a loyal dog.
So, where did it go wrong?
As if realizing Geoffrey's confusion, the Emperor spoke:
"De Lune always gives birth to brilliant talents, not inferior to the main powers in the Empire." The emperor explained.
When he saw Geoffrey turn toward him confusedly, the emperor immediately continued:
"Your family's Bloodline is always related to the moon. However, what about you?" He asked. "What is the relationship between your curse Bloodline and the moon?"
'Ah.'
Geoffrey immediately realized it.
'Geoffrey was never liked from the beginning, from the moment he awakened his Bloodline.'
The question was, why only now did they have the desire to kill Geoffrey?
That letter contained handwriting from Geoffrey's biological brother. Edmund De Lune, the eldest son from County De Lune.
The contents were simple.
[Kill Geoffrey De Lune.]
Although Geoffrey didn't know to whom the letter was given, he at least knew that his seemingly normal family must have made some kind of scheme to kill him.
The reason why Geoffrey could live peacefully now could be ascertained because they couldn't act freely when Geoffrey was at the Academy.
Therefore, they would definitely do it when Geoffrey was not at the Academy. When he was alone.
And the time when he would be alone was...
'When I return to the Academy later...?'
His body tensed.
'... No, I must stay calm.'
Geoffrey eased his anxiety. He wasn't dead yet, there was still a chance. He calmed himself, staring toward the emperor who looked indifferent.
"... What orders do You have, Your Majesty?"
The emperor's previous words said that his offer was an opportunity for Geoffrey himself.
Because the emperor already knew from the beginning about this problem, also considering that he seemed quite useful to the emperor.
Geoffrey concluded that the opportunity meant was the emperor's protection because Geoffrey himself could still be useful to the emperor.
For that, the only safety Geoffrey could grasp in this place was by hugging the emperor's sturdy legs.
The emperor's gaze then went toward Geoffrey, a thin smile formed again on his gloomy face.
"Good. You already know what you must do," He said while tapping the table with his fingers. "By any means, find a way to cure Virelle."
***