Akashic Records of the Bastard Child Engaged to a Goddess

Chapter 72 The Royal Family isn't safe?

I stood beside the bed on which Lana lay, her eyes tightly shut, her face contorted in pain. I could feel the constant stream of curse energy emanating from her eyes, and I knew that the only way to cure her was to purge the energy using [Purification Magic].

Mana was a producer of cursed energy, but not all cursed energy were products of mana.

"I'm going to attempt to purge the curse energy," I explained to the others gathered around the bed.

Jericho nodded solemnly, while Bluestella bit her lip anxiously.

"Is there anything we can do to help?" Arthur asked, his concern evident.

"Just let me concentrate," I replied as I placed my hand on Lana's eyes and closed my own, focusing all my mana on the poisoned energy.

I could feel the curse energy fighting back, trying to overcome my magic, but I persisted, channeling my power to neutralize it. Suddenly, a burst of bright light radiated from Lana's eyes, causing me to quickly withdraw my hand, hoping it had worked.

It wasn't that it was difficult to purge, but the curse had stayed for weeks and become more potent. So in a sense, I started off with underestimating its potency.

"Did it work?" Jericho asked, his voice laced with hope.

"I sure hope so," I replied, my own voice filled with confidence.

Bluestella hesitated to remove the bandage, but my father convinced her that it was time. Lana groaned as she responded to the touch for the first time in weeks. Bluestella removed the bandage, and Lana's eyes opened, but quickly closed due to the brightness.

"Lana?" Bluestella whispered, her voice choked with emotion.

Lana's eyes opened again, and she smiled, thanking everyone for everything.

"It worked," I said, relief flooding through me.

The king could barely contain his joy, letting out a shout of happiness as he joined in the celebration.

"Thank you," Arthur said, clasping my shoulder.

"What did you expect, Brother Arthur?! I knew he'd do it." Genny surprised me with a hug, thanking me for my hard work.

"I'm just glad I could help," I said, my own voice filled with gratitude and joy.

Lana's was fine, and I couldn't be happier.

---

After leaving the room and allowing Bluestella and my father some privacy, I decided to retire to my own room for some much-needed rest. Beside me was Rhetessia, our beastmaid with her ample bosom. As we walk, I noticed how her breasts bounce with every step, in perfect sync with gravity. She leaned towards me and softly spoke, "I missed you while you were gone."

I couldn't help but smile at her, "I'm back now," I said.

Rhetessia asked about my recent journey to the city of Nuvada, but I couldn't reveal the truth to her. I told her that I found something better than that and her curiosity piqued. She begged me to tell her more.

I simply grinned mischievously and said, "Let's just say that I found something that I have been searching for, for a long time."

A family.

She barely understood the answer but didn't delve any further into it, telling me that as long as I'm happy then she's happy too. As we arrived at my room, Rhetessia bowed before me.

"I took care of everything while I you were away," she smiled.

"Wait, really?" I beamed.

A smug look on her face. "Yes, including my rock collections."

I let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Rhetessia. You're too kind," I told her.

"It's my pleasure to serve you, sir," she replied, her voice filled with loyalty and dedication.

When she took her leave, for a short moment, I admired the sway of her hips. "What!" quickly, I pushed those thoughts away, for she was a loyal servant to me and nothing more.

...

I settled onto my bed and summoned both Serena and Isadora, paying a hefty price of 11,000 MP.

Serena appeared in a bright flash of light, while Isadora emerged from a swirling singularity of condensed black energy.

Isadora took a deep whiff of the air, her nose twitching as she commented on the aroma, which seemed to excite her. "Oh, how delicious, so this is how master room smells," she purred seductively, "I'm afraid I've already made a mess of my underwear." Her eyes glittered suggestively, and I couldn't help but feel my own arousal start to grow.

"(Heh~ there she goes again...)" (Lumiere)

Serena sat beside me, her silky white hair caressing my arm as she held onto me tightly.

" Uh, Serena? Is anything wrong?" I asked her, noticing a change in her behavior since our last intimate encounter.

"No, my love," she replied softly, "I just want to be close to you." Her gaze was intense, and I felt my heart skip a beat as I met her cobalt blue eyes.

Isadora's usually sultry demeanor shifted, her expression now serious.

"What's wrong?" I inquired.

After a moment's hesitation, Isadora spoke up, "It's about that sister of yours, erm... Lana right? Something was off about her.."

"So you noticed too huh.." I raised an eyebrow, "Her predicament was indeed odd."

"Yes master." (Isadora)

Soon after, Isadora appeared by my side, slowly removing my dress shoes and unbuttoning my shirt, I kept my eyes locked on her, wondering what provocative idea would cross her mind next.

Isadora continued. "She had traces of cursed energy particles in her blood. Which means..."

"It was a material curse," I rubbed my chin using my left hand.

The general study of curses were divided into two. Material curse was an affliction that could only be caused by ingesting cursed plants or objects, or getting struck by cursed weapons. Apparently, curses of this nature could not access someone's spirit or soul, unlike immaterial ones.

Hence, Lana's was material while the Grygans' were immaterial.

"What are the chances of Lana being cursed by a material one?" Isadora asked.

"Very slim," I answered. "Lana hardly leaves the castle, and material curses require physical contact or exposure to cursed items. Since she's never had any close encounters with cursed objects, it's highly unlikely."

However, Serena interjected, hugging me tightly with her buxom breasts pressed against my arm. "It doesn't make sense for Lana to have come into contact with any cursed items within the royal estate."

I nodded, agreeing with her, before adding, "Unless someone brought it in with them."

Serena's eyes widened with realization, and her voice dripped with foreboding. "That's impossible," she declared. "No one would be foolish enough to bring a cursed item into the castle with safeguards in place."

I watched as fear and uncertainty crept into their expressions, and my arousal, which had been building throughout our conversation, evaporated in an instant.

We had a dangerous problem on our hands.

With a single, stoic glance, I studied my companions, looking first to Isadora, and then to Serena, before speaking with measured authority. "No one with an ounce of sense would dare to bring a cursed object into this mansion."

Isadora met my words with a grave expression, quickly adding, "Unless the intention was to kill Lana."

Her words hit me like a ton of bricks, but I did my best to maintain a level head and not let the fear show on my face.

Serena's eyes flickered with shock, but Isadora seemed almost resigned to the situation, as if she had already been bracing herself for the worst.

I mused aloud, "It's unlikely they brought it in to kill her. A cursed item would complicate their plans unnecessarily."

Isadora nodded, but countered, "But wouldn't it also make it more difficult to trace, and therefore, less suspicious?"

Her words hung heavily in the air, and I knew she was right.

Serena spoke up, her voice laced with anxiety and urgency. "So what's the next step, my lord?"

I met her gaze, a resolute expression on my face. "Easy, finding the perpetrator. It's official now, this mansion isn't safe for anyone."