Darkholm Translation

CHAPTER 115 Twenty years ago, on an autumn night. Mount École. A white moon was obscured by twin black moons in the dark night sky. A single beam of light shone like a mirage through the sky, where even the stars had hidden behind the clouds. The light pierced through the waterfall, cascading down a steep cliff, and ascended into the sky. A faint buzzing sound was carried on the wind through the silent, deserted mountain, where not even the hoot of an owl could be heard. Along the riverbank, where the waterfall continued, flames erupted, gradually growing larger. A circular portal appeared, revealing a scene within the circle completely different from the surrounding mountain landscape. Snap. A foot stepped out of the portal and broke a twig on the ground. A tall, slender man with long silver hair appeared, holding a camellia cane that reached his shoulder in one hand and a fluffy white rabbit in the other. When the man bent down to place the rabbit on the ground, the rabbit's body...

CHAPTER 114 The weather continued to be as warm and sunny as a spring day. It was a warm afternoon in early winter, perfect for holding a tea party in the garden without a heater. Beneath parasols, numerous dresses gathered in groups and entered the front gate of the Lotus Palace.  The Lotus Palace, which had once housed the eleven candidates for empress, had now become the Empress’s palace. The palace, gifted to the Empress by the Emperor, looked quite different from before.  For his wife, who loved nature, the Emperor had planted various flowering and fruit trees throughout the palace grounds.  The gaudy sculptures and everlasting artificial flowers that had been displayed before were gone, replaced by living plants that marked the seasons.  Real pink lotus flowers now floated in the lotus pond, and carp swam beneath them.  Frogs leaped toward dragonflies from the smooth stones at the edge of the pond.  The chirping of birds perched on branches and the fl...

CHAPTER 113 Two mornings before the wedding. “Head maid! Your Majesty... Your Majesty...!” Two young maids ran screaming into the sitting room connected to the Empress's bedroom. They were the new maids who had joined the Empress's bedroom team yesterday. Vera's face paled as she looked at the maids running out of the bedroom. “What happened to make you look like you've seen a ghost?” The problem was that they hadn't seen anyone, not that they had seen a ghost. “Her Majesty the Empress is not in her bedroom!” “The dress we prepared for her to wear this morning is still hanging there.” The maids stomped their feet and made a fuss as they answered Vera's question. They had entered the bedroom at the time when the Empress should be waking up, but there was no one there. It was impossible for the Empress to go for an early morning walk or leave the bedroom. Moreover, all three of the maids who followed the Empress like shadows and Millie were present. Vera and Dina ...

CHAPTER 112 The story of the new Empress’s gift to the Emperor spread rapidly from the high walls of the capital to the furthest corners of the Empire. The market merchants, always quick to catch on to rumors, gathered to talk about what had happened in the palace yesterday as if they had been there themselves. “They say the robe His Majesty wore blocked all the pouring rain.” “My goodness. Is that really possible?” “My nephew, who was guarding the outdoor auditorium, saw it with his own eyes. The heavy raindrops bounced right off the robe.” “Our Tommy and Sam are still suffering from dermatitis after returning from the last battle. They marched for four days in the rain wearing soaked wool uniforms. When they got back, their whole bodies were, oh my… If they make uniforms with waterproof fabric now, it will be a great relief.” “Not just uniforms. If we make market tents with waterproof fabric, we can do business even when it rains. That would be the best.” “So, the demand for wool nee...

CHAPTER 111 They forgot even their soaked undergarments in the pouring rain. Those who looked at the Emperor with incredulous eyes could only move their lips, unable to make a sound. After a moment, a deep voice broke through the sound of the heavy rain. “The raindrops… are bouncing off the robe!” The cold rain seemed to avoid only the Emperor standing in the center of the stage. As soon as the thick raindrops hit the Emperor’s robe, they scattered into the air as if light was being reflected. “A waterproof… robe? That’s impossible…” Despite seeing it with their own eyes, they couldn’t believe the words coming out of their mouths. A waterproof robe. It was awe-inspiring to think it was possible. Countless kingdoms, including the Empire, had spent enormous funds and energy trying to make waterproof uniforms for their soldiers. For soldiers who had to endure harsh weather on the battlefield, wet uniforms from rain and snow were the worst. Waterlogged clothes not only lowered body tempera...