Cursed Heir System: Revenge Against the Gods-Chapter 39. The truth seeker

Dao, also called the Truth Seeker, was the most feared demon in Midia’s history.

Dao could see everything, no matter where it happened. No secret was safe from him, not even the hidden truths of the kingdom.

Twenty years ago, he attacked the Midia Kingdom, and most of the Champions were too far away to help. Only young Sharra, her father who was the Duke at the time, and two other Champions stood against him.

Sharra was the one who finally defeated Dao, but the price was terrible. Her father died in the fight, and his body was never found. Sharra was also cursed that day, a curse so personal that she never told anyone about it, not even Janine. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

That same night, she became the new duchess.

Now, after all these years, a young boy who wasn’t even born when the battle happened was suddenly asking about Dao.

He’s not just asking about whether that legend is real but he’s asking about where it was, as if he already knew about it, and that left Sharra completely shocked and speechless.

Her amber eyes locked onto the kid; for a moment her stern face slipped into something bad.

"How do you know about that?" Sharra asked carefully not to draw attention in the Concreda Church’s corridor.

Alan chuckled and scratched his cheek with a boyish grin as blue eyes flashed in mischievous innocence. "Well ..." he added nonchalantly, "it’s sort of a myth that people talk about, isn’t it? I’d hear people talk on and on about Dao, so I more or less grew up with that stuff. So I figured, I’ll ask the one person who would actually know if it was real."

He was curious, almost like a little boy asking his mother an absurd question.

Janine raised an eyebrow, who’s clearly not buying the act. "Why are you digging into something like that, kid?" she asked. "What, you planning to track down the Truth Seeker and ask it something? Got a secret you need unraveled?"

Alan maintained his grin, but his voice turned flat. "No chance," he said by shaking his head.

People can’t just walk up to Dao and start chatting with him casually. It gives answers for sure, but he’ll ask for a price that will be so high even the most corrupt nobles wouldn’t dare ask. Alan is not that desperate yet.

The tanned beauty chuckled at that, clearly amused. But the green-haired duchess didn’t laugh with her. Her amber eyes narrowed as they glowed faintly with her Blessing of Judgment; she watched Alan’s face for any hint of a lie.

"Then why are you asking for it?" she said, calm but uneasy. "Are you planning to use that knowledge for something... unsavory?"

Alan met her eyes without any flinch. "No, Your Grace," he replied firmly. "I just want to know. That kind of knowledge might come in handy one day."

Her Blessing searched for his lies, but there was no lie in them. He was telling the truth, at least.

Sharra didn’t say anything more. Instead, she turned around and started down the stairs, her green hair swaying behind her. The guards started to lead the way again.

Alan stepped after her without hesitation.

Moriko, who had no clue what Dao even was, just kept munching on her dried meat as she walked behind them.

Anna looked between her mother and Alan, her crimson eyes filled with worry. She opened her mouth to say something... then closed it. She could feel it—this wasn’t the time.

But Alan knew why Sharra stayed silent. She couldn’t speak the truth outright here with people around. But in her silence... she’d already given him the answer.

The group walked down to the third floor of the Concreda Church’s headquarters, where many nobles and knights were waiting outside the large meeting room. Sharra led the way; her presence was so strong that people stopped whispering, and the guards quickly made space for her.

Then a cheerful voice rose above the quiet crowd.

"Anna!"

It was Sofia Mahler—the fourth and final candidate to become Monarch. She walked over with a warm smile. Her reddish-brown hair was tied in a loose braid; she’s kind of a beauty that could stand out.

Sofia was supported by Duke Liam Dubost. Like Anna, she came from a lowborn noble family, but she was taken up by the Duke after her announcement of candidacy. That shared background had created a quiet friendship between them.

"It’s so good to see you," Sofia said happily, clasping Anna’s hands cheerfully.

Anna’s face lit up as she saw one of her few best friends. "Sofia! I was hoping you’d be here," she said, her smile genuine as they began chatting animatedly.

Alan stood a little apart from the others while the Duchess was busy speaking with someone else.

Whispers followed him wherever he went, as some knights were quietly talking about the commoner knight who had dared to challenge Paul Petersen.

"Is that really the guy who stood up to the champion?"

"How did someone like him even get here?"

"I heard he didn’t even show respect to the Fire Champion."

But those words didn’t matter to Alan; they felt empty to him.

What stopped him was something else; it’s a scent he hadn’t smelled in six years. His eyes widened and his breath caught as he slowly turned and saw a blonde girl walk past him.

It’s Velmira Loos, one of the candidates backed by House Fitzgerald and the girl Alan had once loved before he was imprisoned, his fiancée.

Both girls gave polite replies with a small nod, and Velmira walked into the meeting room. She didn’t even look at Alan. He watched her go while his heart was twisting with old feelings.

"Alan!" Anna’s voice pulled him back to reality. He blinked and saw her standing right in front of him, her crimson eyes narrowed and her hands on her hips.

"You zoned out again," she said with a slight frown.

Alan scratched the back of his neck and gave her a small, awkward smile. "Sorry, my lady. Got distracted."

Anna’s face softened a little, and she nodded toward Sofia, who was watching them with a curious, cute smile.

"Sofia wanted to meet you," Anna said more gently.

Alan turned to the auburn-haired beauty and gave a polite bow. "Nice to meet you, Lady Sofia. I’m Alan, personal knight of Lady Anna Nocelle," he said politely as an honorable knight.

Sofia’s brown eyes sparkled with amusement as she returned the gesture with a graceful curtsy.

"Sofia Mahler, candidate from House Dubost," she replied with a friendly yet teasing voice. "I’ve heard quite a bit about you, Alan. The commoner who made the Earth Champion bleed and stood up to Paul Petersen? You’ve become quite the story in Teranese."

Alan gave a small, modest smile. "You’re not exactly unknown either, Lady Sofia. Everyone knows House Dubost’s candidate."

Sofia chuckled softly, her voice like music that drew glances from the nearby nobles.

"Such a smooth talker," she said with a wink that made Anna uncomfortable for some reason. Then she leaned in slightly, placing a finger thoughtfully on her lips, and her tone turned playful.

"House Dubost is always looking for good talent, and a knight like you would be a great fit, Sir Alan. Ever thought about switching sides?"

The bold offer made several heads turn, including nobles and knights nearby who began whispering in surprise.

Anna stood frozen beside them as her crimson eyes widened with shock while her hands slowly clenched into fists at her sides.

Everyone knew how powerful House Dubost was, as their businesses stretched across the continent and being one of their knights meant wealth, status, and an easy life that was something most people could only dream of.