The Princess Imprint A Traitor - Chapter 30: The One Awakened from the Dream within a Dream (5)

Mikael adjusted his posture, doing his best to look like a diligent student.

“From what I’ve figured out, there are two main reasons sealing stones break: either the power supply to the circuits gets cut off, or the target coordinates get misaligned, causing an error.”

“Hm, the first one sounds more likely,” Mikael commented.

“Exactly, and it’s the easier one to fix. You just need to restore the mana supply. The sealing stone will then reactivate on its own and try to recover its function. But here’s the problem—this reactivation process can’t be controlled externally.”

“Ah, so it was designed to function independently, without allowing human interference.”

“Right. That’s why I’m asking if you know how to break an alchemy ritual.”

“Break it? Well…”

Mikael’s knowledge of how to disrupt alchemy was simple.

“They taught us that if we destroy the alchemy circle, it stops functioning.”

“Correct!” Eve clapped her hands as if to encourage him. It was a gesture to boost his confidence before moving on to more complex ideas.

“In both magic and alchemy, math and language are essential. Alchemy, in particular, relies heavily on algebra and geometry. If geometry and math express shapes through formulas, alchemy works in reverse.”

“I see.”

“That’s where alchemy circles come in. They’re diagrams that use alchemical formulas and symbols. You can think of the circle’s surface as coordinates, and the shapes, curves, and lines within the circle are the formulas containing alchemical information.”

“So it’s not just some pretty geometric design?”

“No, it’s alchemy language expressed through the language of geometry. And that’s also why alchemy circles have a critical weakness.”

Eve returned to the topic of how to disrupt them.

“If you destroy even 25% of an alchemy circle, it’s enough to disable its function. You can paint over parts drawn in ink, break any etched lines, or distort the surface. Any method works.”

“Wait, just distorting it works?”

“Yes. Since it’s based on geometry, if you warp the plane, the entire formula becomes twisted. It’s no longer the same set of coordinates and formulas.”

“That’s quite interesting. It could come in handy if I ever need to disrupt large-scale alchemy.”

“Exactly. Once you understand the principles, it doesn’t matter what material or design the circle uses—you’ll be able to handle it.”

With that, Eve concluded her brief lecture on basic alchemical countermeasures.

“Alchemists all know this, but many homunculi don’t,” she added.

“They never taught us about alchemy in the training grounds. It was all magic and swordsmanship.”

“That’s a problem. Homunculi are especially vulnerable to alchemy.”

“Vulnerable?” Mikael asked, clearly puzzled. Eve let out a small sigh before explaining.

“Unlike humans… homunculi can be used as alchemical sacrifices. And not just any sacrifices—very valuable ones.”

“…”

Mikael’s expression darkened at this revelation.

“This is… the first I’ve heard of it.”

“Yes. Only a few people in the imperial family know about it.”

Eve skipped over the more detailed and gruesome explanations, jumping straight to the main point.

“Alchemy circles serve as both coordinates and vessels for materials and sacrifices. So, it’s important that you never step into an active alchemy circle.”

“Just stepping into one could draw me in? That’s… shocking.”

“Exactly. If you ever accidentally find yourself in one, remember to destroy it the way I just taught you. Got it?”

“Of course. I have no intention of dying early and leaving you behind.”

“Good, good.”

Pleased, Eve patted Mikael’s hair in praise. He lowered his head slightly to make it easier for her to reach, offering his compliance like a well-trained knight.

***

A night illuminated by moonlight. Eve was seated in a lotus position, meditating beneath Yggdrasil, the World Tree. After finishing her deep meditation, she opened her eyes and glanced behind her. There, leaning against the tree’s trunk, was Mikael.

“There’s no one around, right?”

“Within a 100-meter radius, it’s just the two of us.”

It was the perfect setting for a secret rendezvous, but unfortunately, there was work to be done. Eve sat up straight again, took a deep breath, and began to draw mana from her now stabilized mana core.

A brilliant light suddenly radiated outward, enough to cover the entire lake. It was the Arachne’s Silver Threads, a barrier of offense and defense taught to Eve by the sage of the Spruce Forest. The light didn’t fade over time but continued to glow, emanating from the very threads forming the barrier. The innumerable silver threads spread out, creating a surface of light.

‘Wow, calling it “extraordinary” doesn’t even do it justice.’

The Arachne’s Silver Threads that Eve deployed were now on a completely different level. Even Mikael, who had seen it before, felt overwhelmed by the sheer power. But Eve wasn’t finished yet.

A single bead of sweat rolled down Eve’s forehead as she focused even harder. She had resolved to take the Arachne’s Silver Threads to the next level—not just deploying it but controlling its movement to wherever she desired.

Sharp fragments of light sparkled like blades, dancing above the moonlit lake. Countless silver threads moved without interfering with each other’s paths, tightly surrounding the objects in the vicinity. Mikael, watching, felt as if the breath was being squeezed out of him by the precision of her control.

With the barrier now surrounding every object in sight, the Arachne’s Silver Threads finally came to a halt. Sweat dripped from Eve’s chin, and her brow furrowed with strain. She was nearing her limit.

“Haa…!”

With an exhale, the Arachne’s Silver Threads retracted, folding in on themselves like wings of light. Mikael approached Eve, who was breathing heavily.

“That was incredible. The area it covered, the number of threads, the precise control, and the duration—everything was exceptional. It’s overwhelming.”

“Th-thanks. I think I can extend the duration if I reduce the range a bit.”

“The sage of the Spruce Forest would be immensely proud to see your progress.”

“Really?”

Eve’s face lit up but soon took on a wistful expression.

“Oh, I miss my master. Should we visit sometime?”

“That sounds good. There are some unresolved matters I’d like to address as well.”

Mikael still harbored a grudge about his lack of privacy in his past life.

“Hahaha…”

Just as Eve let out an awkward laugh, realizing that they still had unresolved personal issues to deal with, Mikael suddenly tensed up.

“Eve.”

“Huh? What… Whoa!”

Eve was startled, almost letting out a scream as Mikael suddenly scooped her up and leaped toward Yggdrasil. They landed softly on a branch, hidden within the thick foliage. Mikael raised a finger to his lips.

“Shh, someone’s coming.”

“…”

His voice and gestures were like an alluring whisper, and even the serious look on his face as he scanned their surroundings was mesmerizing. However, Eve quickly snapped out of it and asked, “But why are we hiding?”

“…Ah.”

“We don’t need to hide, do we?”

“….”

“….”

Only then did Mikael realize his mistake.

“Well, it was just an instinct.”

Eve couldn’t help but chuckle softly at his sheepish expression.

“Did you want a secret rendezvous?”

“…And what about you? You’re out here alone with me in the middle of the night. Are you saying you haven’t had a single improper thought?”

“As if. You’re a knight, so you at least learn virtues like temperance and restraint. I, on the other hand, am an unrestrained royal, and it’s been really tough lately.”

“It sounds like you’re teasing me. Anyway, someone really is coming.”

Eve quickly changed the subject, realizing that if they kept talking, Mikael might just show the limits of his restraint out here in the open.

Just as he had predicted, two figures appeared by the lake. One of them had such a distinctive hair color that Eve quickly recognized them.

“It’s Rosie and Sir Millard.”

“What are they doing out here at this hour? Certainly not a secret meeting…”

If anything, their own rendezvous had been interrupted. Mikael’s gaze toward Rosie was already less than friendly. Silvestian, standing with his back to the lake, kept watch near the World Tree. Meanwhile, Rosie began quietly removing her clothes, clearly intending to take a secret swim.

‘Oh no.’

Eve immediately covered Mikael’s eyes with her hand.

“M-Mikael! Close your eyes. It’s against the knightly code to peek.”

“I’ve already closed them…”

Even so, his flustered voice betrayed him. Worse, Silvestian was standing alarmingly close to Yggdrasil and quickly noticed something was off. His sharp blue eyes scanned the surroundings before turning to warn Rosie.

“Your Highness, put your clothes back on.”

“What? Why?”

“Someone is hiding here.”

“…!”

Rosie’s face flushed with fury.

“Come out at once! The crime of spying on a royal won’t go unpunished!”

‘Ugh… We’ve been caught.’

In a way, it was fortunate they were discovered before things escalated any further. Eve and Mikael stepped out from beneath Yggdrasil. Mikael respectfully turned his back as Eve walked over to the lake.

“Sorry, it wasn’t intentional.”

“E-Elder sister?”

Rosie’s ruby-red eyes widened in surprise at the sight of Eve.

“…”

“…”

The unexpected encounter led to an awkward silence between Eve and Rosie. Rosie’s face flushed again, though this time for a different reason.

‘Why did it have to be her?!’

For Rosie, Eve was currently the last person she wanted to face. She would have preferred to stay hidden, thinking it would’ve been far better than being discovered. Memories of her disgraceful behavior started to flood back, one after another, torturing her with delayed embarrassment. She remembered all the nonsense she had spouted and how she had clung to her half-sister, crying with tears and snot all over.

‘I’m supposed to be the graceful White Rose of the Empire! The flower of society! A noble and dignified princess!’

And yet she had wiped her snot all over someone else’s chest! With no pillow to hide behind, Rosie could only tear at the cuticles of her nails in frustration. She couldn’t bear to look up. She was sure Eve would now look at her with nothing but disgust and scorn, ready to criticize her shamelessly. Just the thought of it made her want to disappear.

“Rosie.”

“…”

However, the voice of her half-sister was unexpectedly gentle. Drawn by surprise, Rosie instinctively looked up at Eve. Her face, as always, was calm and kind.

“Ah…”

In an instant, all the tension that had built up in Rosie’s chest melted away. She somehow felt reassured, as if Eve wouldn’t criticize or spread rumors about her embarrassing actions. Eve, sensing the uncomfortable silence, tried her best to break it.

“You came here for a bath, I see.”

“Huh? Oh, yes.”

“Well, um, we were here first, but we missed the right moment to leave. I’m sorry if we startled you.”

“Ah… yes…”