Epilogue

‘Time is cruel. Humans, unable to live eternal lives like the gods, are buried in fleeting moments. Great empires, the emperors who ruled them, and renowned generals leave only brief traces. Before time, they eventually crumble like sand. Thus, the Vistius Empire also sets with time. As the different species who fled across three seas soon return, a new crisis will befall not only the Empire but the entire continent.’

The cry of a blind seeress ended. Tied to the stake, she was judged a heretic and was instantly engulfed in flames. But people didn’t know that the witch they had put to the stake was actually a saintess.

* * *

As the witch prophesied, the different species who had fled across three seas returned after 2,000 years.

“M-monster!”

“What monster? Hey! You look similar to the humans here. Try talking to them.”

The continent was now called the old continent, and the continent where the different species had crossed over was called the new continent. Unlike the old continent, the people of the new continent, where not only humans but all sorts of different species mixed, were superior to the people of the old continent in many ways.

They had the power of the gods who had left with them. Unlike the old continent people who had lost divine protection, they freely wielded magic.

Flying ships, water that poured whenever desired, pens that moved without human hands. Fear filled the eyes of the old continent’s citizens.

“Drive away the demons!”

“In the name of the goddess, cast them into the sea!”

New fears bring conflict. Temples across the land rose up. But those from the new continent showed with their own eyes that even the gods the old continent people worshipped were on their side. The old continent people’s morale broke at the magic displayed by the new continent people, and they declared surrender.

However, some continued to reject the new continent. Thus, wars large and small occurred for a long time.

The war that seemed endless finally ended after 200 years. As always, there were winners and losers. Losers must follow the rules of the winners. Though there was much discord, the old continent people gradually acknowledged and accepted the new continent.

And so more time, a long time, passed. Terms like old continent and new continent became things of the past. By then, what ruled the world was, just as in ancient times, the power bestowed by the gods—magic.

* * *

“M-mother.”

Yerena trembled, hiding behind a curtain. Her family was about to die. Because of her.

In an age where magic was important, anyone from a noble family in any country needed to have magical power. Especially in this country where she lived, noble children who didn’t manifest magical power by age ten became sl*ves and lived miserable lives, supposedly due to divine displeasure.

Most nobles easily abandoned children born without magical power, claiming they tainted the family bloodline. But Yerena’s family was different. Though they were prestigious nobles born with powerful magic, they loved their daughter who had no magic. So they took the risk and pretended she had magical power.

But in the year Yerena turned twenty, they were finally caught. Her family had to choose whether to hand her over and receive a light punishment or risk fleeing.

‘I’ll go. Please stop. Everyone will be in danger at this rate.’

The person concerned said she would become a sl*ve. But Yerena’s family shook their heads. They decided to flee to another country with their daughter, abandoning both status and wealth. However, just as they reached the border and were about to cross, they were caught by bishops from the magic tower who captured nobles without magic.

Though the situation had turned dire, Yerena’s parents still wouldn’t give up their daughter. Casting protective magic, they were determined to protect her until the end.

‘If they’ve come this far…… what happened to my brothers?’

Yerena’s brothers were confronting enemies outside the mansion. But the fact that enemies had come this far meant…… Yerena’s blue eyes grew wet once more.

“Give up now, Count. Hasn’t the House of Wisder preserved its prestige for generations? Will you throw it all away for someone unworthy?”

“No matter what you say, I will not hand over my daughter!”

Yerena’s father shouted loudly. But his face was already pale. His magic has depleted, and the protective spell would soon break.

Yerena saw her mother glancing at the curtain where she was hiding and crying. She rose from her place, trembling.

‘No. I can’t let my parents die too.’

She knew how miserable a sl*ve’s life was. If she were dragged away like this, she would become a sl*ve in the palace of the Fourth Prince who had been pestering her for some time. The thought of his gloomy purple eyes made her shudder with disgust. But even more terrible than that was the thought of her parents dying because of her.

She was about to reach out to pull back the curtain when a group of people hurriedly entered the hall.

Yerena widened her eyes at their attire. The golden hawk pinned to secure their cloaks meant only one thing.

‘The Seventh Prince’s knights?’

The princes, who had to compete for the throne based on ability, each commanded their own knightly orders. And the most famous among them was the Golden Hawk Order of the Seventh Prince, who had just entered.

But why was the Seventh Prince’s order suddenly standing before her parents? Why were they confronting the bishops from the magic tower who had come to capture her? Yerena blinked at the situation she couldn’t understand. Her parents also showed clear signs of confusion.

But an even more surprising thing happened. The Seventh Prince’s knights, who had been confronting the frowning, loud-voiced bishops from the magic tower, straightened their posture and saluted a man who was just entering.

‘Ah……’

Long black hair and red eyes. Yerena recognized the man immediately.

He was the Seventh Prince, the master of the Golden Hawk Order and, along with the First Prince, considered the most likely next emperor.

‘Why is His Highness the Seventh Prince here?’

Yerena had seen the Seventh Prince from a distance a few times. The Seventh Prince, who had eyes the same color as the Founder who overflowed with magic, was always indifferent to his surroundings. Some said this made him look cool, but Yerena found him frightening. Especially at the last banquet she attended before her lack of magic was discovered, he had stared at her strangely.

Since they fled not long after that banquet ended, she had forgotten about the Seventh Prince. But seeing him again revived that eerie feeling from back then.

She looked at the Seventh Prince through a thin gap while holding the curtain. And for a moment, the Seventh Prince, who had been saying something to the leader of the bishops, slightly turned his head.

Their gazes met precisely. Startled, Yerena unknowingly let go of the curtain and stepped back.

“Even if you are His Highness the Seventh Prince, you cannot do this! Investigating those without qualification is the magic tower’s duty!”

As soon as her gaze was cut off by the curtain, she heard the bishop’s shout. Then suddenly, a light flashed.

‘This is……!’

It was a light as brilliant as gold. Yerena raised her arm to block the light coming through the curtain. Though she couldn’t sense magic, she could tell someone had cast a powerful spell.

The light flashed for a long time before gradually subsiding. And just as Yerena lowered her arm, a large hand gently pulled back the curtain.

Surprised, Yerena sat down. Was a bishop from the magic tower coming to capture her? Her face grew pale. But what appeared before her, beyond the fully drawn curtain, was a man with eyes like bright red rubies.

“You’re finally looking back at me.”

The Seventh Prince, meeting Yerena’s eyes, said something incomprehensible. Confusion filled her eyes.

Seeing this, the man smiled gently. His seemingly cold impression changed in an instant to something as warm as the golden light he had displayed.

Yerena’s trembling gradually subsided. The man patiently waited until her breathing became calm.

Finally, the man was fully reflected in the now-calm blue lake of her eyes. As if he had been waiting for this moment, he lowered his gaze. Then, with his waist deeply bowed and with utmost courtesy, he extended his hand to Yerena.

He spoke to her as she remained dazed,

“Don’t worry. This time, both you and your family will be safe. I give you my word.”

The Blind Cannot See – End