I Became the Teacher of the Imperial Family’s Bastard

027. The Never-Setting Sun (1)

I lay in the mansion’s garden, staring at the sky.

Tomorrow is the founding festival, isn’t it?

It’s already been several days since I met that woman.

I’ve thought a lot about her, but nothing feels right.

I wonder if I’m being too sensitive, but the thought that she might have some intention just won’t go away.

Nothing special happened in the meantime.

The only difference from before is that I recovered my body with the necklace I got from the crown prince.

I fiddled with the necklace around my neck.

“A tool is a tool, after all.”

The efficiency is poor.

It takes about 10 mana to barely get 1 healing power back to recover my body.

But even this is something.

Having grown up eating well, my mana reservoir is quite solid.

It matches well, indeed.

I was feeling satisfied with having obtained a good item.

“Pharos, you really like sunsets, don’t you?”

Aria, who was sitting next to me, said that.

“What’s with the sudden comment?”

“Isn’t it true? Pharos, didn’t you come out to see the sunset every evening? Aria understands that feeling.”

Aria said with a bashful smile like a bun.

“When the sunset paints the sky, clouds like strawberry cotton candy float lazily. Imagining eating them makes me so happy that I truly feel like Aria, the princess of the cotton candy kingdom!”

“Didn’t you switch to being the cheeseburger princess?”

“I’m doing both!”

A double agent, perhaps.

A sigh escaped at the sight of such fickleness.

And to add one more thing, I don’t look at the sky for such trivial reasons.

“I am looking for omens.”

“Huh? Omens?”

“If you don’t watch the sunset, you might miss them.”

It wasn’t a difficult story.

I was just struggling to make the most of the information I had.

-That day, the sunset was very long. Many people realized it because it was the day before the founding festival. Everyone took it lightly. Just another day… That’s all they thought. Including me.

My sister, who was in prison, had told me about the omens of the events Beatrice would cause.

-After the incident was over, it was revealed through investigation. The sky that day wasn’t red because of the sunset. It was because the demon descended upon this land, and its malevolent aura covered the sky above the capital.

After returning, I realized I had to stop the harbingers of the golden age and started investigating.

I dug through the ancient texts in Pharos’s library and the royal archives about demons, and that’s how I found out.

‘Forbidden Providence.’

That’s what they call the demon’s mana.

It takes on the red hue of the sunset, and when the demon descends to the mortal realm, it spreads through the surrounding atmosphere, creating an environment where the demon can live and breathe.

‘If the sun sets and you can’t see it, the demon has descended.’

That was the explanation in the ancient document.

So, after finishing my investigation, I looked up at the sky like this every day.

I don’t know which year that woman will cause trouble, but if there’s even a small change, I plan to visit immediately, so I keep this time slot free.

Anyway, that’s that.

“But Your Highness, the Princess. Aren’t you returning to the palace?”

“Today, it’s okay to be late!”

“Huh.”

“There are many, many guests visiting the palace! So it’s bustling, and if Aria is out at that time, it will trouble Brother, His Highness! Because Aria is a good child, she told Brother, His Highness, that she will have dinner with Pharos today!”

Oh, how admirable.

Well, starting tomorrow, there will be a ball in the imperial city every day for the founding festival.

It’s not just nearby countries that visit.

‘Even different races have come.’

A thousand years ago, we fought to the death, but now, the different races that share borders with us have made peace.

It’s not genuine friendship, but more like an agreement of ‘let’s not harm each other.’

Participating in the founding festival is an extension of that ritual.

It’s to remind each other that the alliance is still maintained.

‘Since it’s such a hectic day.’

Rumors about Aria are still not good.

From the Crown Prince’s perspective, to protect Aria, it was better to keep her by my side than in a crowded place.

Well, I have nothing else to do, so I can gladly do it.

“Hmm, what should we have for dinner?”

“`

“Aria wants a cheeseburger!”

“But you had one for lunch.”

“Oh, then… cotton candy!”

“That’s not a meal.”

“Ugh! Pharos, stop being so mean!!!”

“Ouch!”

Aria grabbed my hair.

This cheeky little brat is getting more and more mischievous by the day.

It was the moment I tried to get up and shake her off.

Clunk!

My body froze.

“Huh?”

“…!”

“Pharos…? Are you very angry? I’m sorry… Is it because Aria was a bad child for a moment…?”

Aria’s cautious words didn’t immediately register in my ears.

All that filled my vision was the sky, the scene before my eyes.

Panic surged.

The sunset was gone.

‘Since when?’

Since when did the sun disappear from the sky?

There was no change.

Without any change in color, the sunset had simply vanished from the sky at some point.

“`

Anxiety surged.

The thought that an accident might have already occurred in that brief moment of carelessness made my body tense.

I calmed my rapidly beating heart.

‘…Calm down. You were prepared.’

I recalled what needed to be done.

“Pharos…?”

“Your Highness, there is something you must do immediately.”

“Uung?”

I looked straight at Aria, who tilted her head, and spoke with a serious expression.

“It’s a crisis in the Cheeseburger Kingdom. A crisis so great that we cannot handle it with our strength alone.”

Aria suddenly stopped and her face turned pale.

“W-What is it! What enemy has come!”

“There is no time to explain. More importantly, could you please return to the palace? We need the power of the Cotton Candy Warrior and his companions. As soon as possible.”

“Ah, understood!”

As Aria tried to dash out, I grabbed the back of her neck.

“…You need to hear where to call them.”

“Ah! Where should I call them?!”

“Please call them to the Magic Tower.”

“Understood! Brother Warrior to the Magic Tower! Brother Warrior to the Magic Tower! Brother Magic Tower to the War… No! Warrior to the Magic Tower!”

Fearing she might forget, Aria shouted the words aloud and vanished.

I stroked the switch at my waist.

‘The Magic Tower is north of the capital.’

How long would it take if I ran? Could I make it in time?

‘…No.’

Boom!

I awakened my body with mana.

‘Running is faster.’

Bang!

Having made my decision, I sprinted towards the Magic Tower.

* * *

The grand hall of the Magic Tower.

Beatrice gazed at the numerous wizards who had collapsed, unconscious.

A large-scale sleep spell.

It had been prepared rather hastily, but thanks to the pre-engraved space, there were no mistakes.

The timing was fortunate.

Starting tomorrow, there was a presentation, so all the key personnel of the Magic Tower were here for rehearsals, and the Tower Master was absent.

Moreover, since the caster was herself, no one was wary of her mana.

There was not a trace of emotion in Beatrice’s eyes as she scanned them.

Her thoughts were the same.

‘Regretful.’

If only there had been a little more time, she could have prepared more perfectly.

Contracts with demons inherently required intense souls, their despair, and screams as nourishment, so she aimed to create an environment befitting that.

But there was no time to prepare those things.

The summoning circle was not perfect, and if they attacked during the process, she would not be able to stop them.

It was more beneficial to put them to sleep and offer their souls intact without a fight.

‘No time.’

Tomorrow is the founding festival.

The men targeting Rebecca would pester her daily to join them at the festival.

Rebecca, being a child who loved festivals, would nod without suspicion.

Such anxiety had always been there, but recent events added another layer of impatience.

‘Pharos’ young master.’

That man was threatening Rebecca.

In such a situation, sneaking Rebecca out was not an option.

Beatrice took a deep breath.

‘There are souls. Screams and despair can be replaced with incantations. The deal itself will be successful.’

There was no problem with this plan.

Beatrice had spent quite a long time preparing for this, collecting numerous materials and cases.

Even those from before the age of humans were included.

‘Demons are beings completed by contracts. If the contract terms are meticulous, they cannot play tricks.’

In other words, their identity lies in the contract, and if there is a perfect plan, they have no choice but to move according to the summoner’s will.

There were indeed such cases.

Therefore, Beatrice was not uneasy about the summoning itself.

She was just looking forward to the brilliant future ahead.

‘It’s all over now. Finally, we can be together.’

Beatrice’s eyes trembled.

A small smile appeared on her lips.

Her gaze turned to the elders of the Magic Tower.

Their words came to mind.

– Beatrice, you are the future of the Magic Tower. You can become anything you desire.

– If you have any difficulties, speak up. We will help you as much as we can.

– We are proud of you.

Beatrice’s brow furrowed.

‘Lies.’

Their smiles were false, fabricated for their own benefit.

Their words were ultimately for the glory of magic, and the kindness they showed her was merely an attachment to a tool.

If that wasn’t the case, then why, why did no one comfort her?

Was it only filled with expectations?

She was the only one who was different.

Only Rebecca, in the suffocating pressure, comforted and embraced her.

―It’s okay. It’s okay if you can’t do it. I’m right here beside you. You can cry now.

Beatrice remembered that moment clearly.

‘It was a starry night. I was on the terrace. Rebecca hugged my head.’

She wished the sky was dark.

She wished nothing would reflect her.

In such a moment, what covered the sky was.

‘A pointed hat…’

It was that moment.

Throb―!

Her head ached.

Beatrice frowned and shook her head to erase the thought.

‘I’ll think about it later.’

It seemed like she had to.

After all, wasn’t there something more important?

Beatrice took out the things she had prepared.

The materials needed for the summoning ritual began to be assembled slowly in the grand hall, and what was created was a giant circular gate made from the essence of life.

*Chizik―*

As mana adhered, a sunset-colored current began to form inside the circle.

Beatrice smiled.

‘It’s done.’

The mirror of the contract.

It was easily completed, and now the real work began.

Beatrice emitted mana.

The great control, once praised as a talent bestowed by the heavens, arranged the mana needed for the summoning without a single waste.

Having finished her preparations, Beatrice continuously formed hand seals and chanted.

“O one who harbors desire. I seek a contract, so answer this call.”

*Chizijik―*

Inside the circle, a deep sunset hue arose, so thick that the other side could not be seen.

A voice echoed.

[What name do you seek?]

A voice that struck the mind.

Even though it did not pass through the eardrums, and even though this language had never been heard before, its meaning was instinctively understood—a chilling voice.

It was a demon.

The oldest sentient being on this land.

A transcendent spirit observing the world.

A thrill of success surged through her.

Beatrice responded immediately.

“It is called longing.”

[What do you call longing?]

There was a hint of laughter in the demon’s voice.

Beatrice knew.

If she called the demon by any other name here, she would lose her body.

So she answered clearly.

“…Amorio. The one who binds with profound love. I know you.”

It was at that moment.

Kwakwang!

An ominous energy swept through the space like lightning.

Nothing could be seen with the eyes.

Only the aura of twilight flickered in human form before the mirror.

The form groped its own body.

Then, with a trembling voice, it spoke.

[Ah, it has been a long time. The present world.]

Beatrice felt a tension.

No matter how perfect the preparation, a demon.

It was a being close to transcendence.

‘No mistakes allowed.’

Beatrice swallowed hard and spoke.

“…Amorio. I called you for a contract.”

[Yes, why else would you mortals summon us? If not for that contract, you wouldn’t even look at us.]

“That’s enough small talk. I’m not so naive as to be swayed.”

[Hehe, what a pity.]

It was the voice of a seductive woman.

Each word sent a chilling sensation through Beatrice’s body.

Beatrice felt breathless.

But she endured it, thinking of Rebecca’s face.

The demon Amorio asked.

[So, whose heart do you wish to possess? Tell me the name of the one you desire, and I will carve your name into their heart.]

“The price?”

[You’ve come prepared. A strong soul. Though it lacks screams and despair, that’s fine. I can extract those from the soul later. Since it’s been a while since I’ve had a visitor, I’ll overlook that much.]

It was as calculated.

Screams and despair were accessories; if the soul was taken, they could be extracted later.

In a brief moment of joy, Beatrice thought of Rebecca’s face.

“Rebecca, carve my name into Rebecca’s heart.”

[Let’s see… Pink hair, green eyes. Is that the girl in your mind, Rebecca?]

“Without a doubt.”

[You wish for your name to be carved into that girl’s heart?]

“Precisely.”

[Is there no doubt about all these matters?]

“None. Not a single one.”

[The contract is established.]

At that moment, the twilight’s current pierced Beatrice’s heart.

It was a natural phenomenon of the contract.

There was nothing to fear.

‘Let’s meet soon. Now we are truly together.’

A dazzling smile appeared on Beatrice’s face.

From now on, they would be together.

There would be nothing to fear.

Such a future was envisioned,

Crack!

“Gah?!”

It collapsed.

Thud!

Beatrice fell.

She looked up at Amorio, gasping for breath.

[…Hehe.]

She couldn’t understand.

A demon can never harm the summoner in a contract.

Except in one case, if the contract terms are not wrong.

“Uh, why…?”

The answer that came to her was something Beatrice could not possibly understand.

[Didn’t you ask? If there was nothing wrong with what you desired. I gave you a chance, but you couldn’t take it.]

The twilight-colored current drew closer.

The demon, seemingly unable to contain its joy, laughed and then pretended to be angry as it spoke further.

[You lied. You deceived the contract terms.]

“What…?”

[The condition you set for me was to engrave you in that child’s heart. I merely complied.]

That’s right.

That was the condition, and all the preparations were made.

But why is it pressing down on her like this?

As anger surged, the answer came back.

[Listen carefully. I said I would write the name, not ‘rewrite’ it. The balance doesn’t add up.]

Beatrice’s eyes widened as if they would tear apart.

Rewrite.

She didn’t even understand those words yet.

[You deceived me, so I will take my due.]

Immediately, what Beatrice saw was a black, eerie hand emerging from the current.

End

ⓒ papapa.

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