Chimera

It was a strange moment last night. As my mother was reading me the book, I didn’t even realize I had fallen asleep. I realized it only after waking up this morning. It was a bit shameful to know that I had fallen asleep beside someone who would throw me to my death. However, the feelings I felt were… bizarre, yet pleasant.

My mother from Earth had never been that… tender to me. Never so sweet. I had always fallen asleep by myself, she never even checked on me, even during my younger age. I was a kid that needed a fond mother’s touch, the warmth of love… But no, I didn’t get it. In time, I just grew used to it.

So, that moment last night, the way we were lying next to each other, it was nice… It made me wonder what would even drive her to let me die… She was genuine. I would know if a mother never loved their child, because I was subjected to one my entire life.

Experiencing that left me rather conflicted about how to interact with her. But I should focus on the task at hand. Right now, it was to gain some information and confirmation for what I was thinking of doing involving my magic. And instead of reading some books, which would take some time and comprehension, I thought it was best to ask an expert about it.

I was just going to pretend to be a curious princess who wanted to know more about magic. Today, I was visiting the Chamber of Mystics. It was where all the magic stuff happens, studies and research. Now what kind of research would it even be needed when we had specified branches for our magic?

Well, it was also where they did some experimentation, creating chimeras or homunculi. The Cleaners in the library was one of their finished products, gradually improving them even. I heard that in the past the Cleaners could only do the most basic of actions. And in time, they were given a tiny amount of sentience. And this was just among many of their results.

I used the elevator, going one level down. I walked down the corridor, heading to the west side of the palace. The Chamber was not integrated within the palace building, but there was still a path connected to it. Well, it was only proper that they did that. There could be accidents that might happen, after all. Explosions, or experimental subjects escaping.

It was still a little further away. There were also servants all over, they were witnesses of my actions today. But not like I could do anything about it. Well, at least normally no one would ask these servants questions about where they saw a royal was heading.

Eventually, I arrived at an exit out of the corridor. And before me was a pathway made of bricks and stones and marble, stretching all the way to a building at the end. The pathway’s length was around a hundred fifty meters long. It was wide enough to let carts go through, and there was also a water channel at the center of the pathway. I walked over to the edge to look at the view below, first to the right side. The water-filled bottom was still part of the palace, so escape on this side would not be an option.

On the left side, however, there was a wall, but there should be an opening that lets water out to the river. However, from what I recalled, they had steel barriers, preventing anyone from getting inside or out. Escape through here might be a cause of failure. It was also heavily guarded.

River, huh…?

The river was large and long, going into the forest. Thankfully, I went out during the day, I could see the horizon from here. Full of trees, and rising hills and mountains.

“Hm.”

I looked around.

Unless I find a way to break the steel cage, I should find another way.

The wind blew past, and I shifted the hair that covered my eyes. I looked towards the building at the end.

Long way to go.

Thankfully, they prepared transport for a royal. On the water channel, there was a small black boat. I approached the boat, and the creature sitting on the seat immediately stood up and kneeled before me. It wasn’t completely human.

It was covered in a cloak, its arms were not human. The skin was grey, the fingers were long and pointed, without fingernails. Its feet were like talons of birds, but without the claws. The face was human however, but the eyes were a serpent’s. It was around seven feet tall. Its limbs were bound in chains, tied to the boat itself.

That was its purpose — the ferryman of this small body of water. Its own prison. Once upon a time, he was a man. A man who betrayed the kingdom for his own benefit. He stole treasures, killed soldiers and servants, and attacked one of the royals. In the end, he was captured. Then he was subjected to unimaginable torment until loyalty was engraved deep into his mind — loyalty to the kingdom. Of course, part of those tortures was experimentation, turning him into this. A chimera. One that had no other purpose but to ferry its passengers.

“Your Royal Highness, how may I be of service?” he asked, while his head was lowered.

I casually sat down on one of the seats and crossed my legs. “What other purpose can you even serve?”

“... Nothing more but ferry passengers.”

“Then you shall do so. Take me to the Chamber of Mystics.”

“Understood, Your Highness.”

He walked to the helm, and the boat started moving. There was no need to row, relying only on magic. That also meant the ride was quite smooth. How convenient. It was using its own mana to make this move.

I looked up at the clear sky. “Do you still feel admiration?” I asked out of‌ curiosity.

“No. Long have I lost such emotion.”

I glanced at it. “You have mana. What magic do you possess granted by the divine?”

“I was a Celestial Sorcerer. But I am now forbidden from using it, nor could I even if I wanted to.”

I didn’t even know how that was possible. But if I were to guess, it was during his transformation into a chimera. “How are they stopping you from doing so?”

“When I turned into what I am now, I lost that ability. No, to be precise, my new constitution is blocking it. My body is programmed to stop any magic spells from being cast. Except for expending my mana.”

I was feeling a bit disturbed just thinking about how much hell they put this guy through. To the point that he couldn’t use his magic. Programmed… like a machine. It changed his very nature. Terrifying. Death would have been a better option in my opinion.

I leaned back. “I see.”

I decided to just stop this conversation. Speaking with a chimera was not a comfortable experience. Just looking at it made me shudder.

This place is just full of horror, huh?

Why couldn’t things just be, I don’t know, normal? That would have been easier to deal with. Ugh… It was a miracle I was handling things just fine. Otherwise, I might have been freaking out. This place was both beautiful and disturbing. The latter I wouldn’t have minded if only they didn’t seek to kill me!

Screw this place!

I arrived at the end of the water, and I disembarked. Placing a hand on my hips, I looked up at the tall, elegant structure in front of me. The surface of the walls was shiny and smooth, and it stood around four stories tall. Outside of it were hedges of grasses, going around it. There wasn’t anyone here outside, not even a guard.

I headed straight to the entrance, and there I saw inside was a receptionist behind a desk. Thankfully, she was human. The moment she saw me, she flinched in shock.

“P-Princess?!” She became frantic, and quickly got out from behind the desk, stumbling around. She stood before me and bowed her head deeply. “Greetings, Princess! W-We didn’t expect your arrival today.”

Well, I didn’t make an appointment or anything.

Plus, it wasn’t common for a royal to visit.

“Apologies for the sudden visit.” I nodded. “I just have some questions, my curiosities.”

“Oh… You could have just sent a letter, we would have been willing to answer…”

“It may not be so simple. But I also wish to review my knowledge. And I decided to go and consult with the one who has the best knowledge regarding anything mystical.”

“I-I see.”

I looked around. The lobby itself was pretty fancy. A giant chandelier hung from the ceiling. The roof even had wide skylights on the sides, giving a wide and clear view of the sky. The walls were plain, with not much decoration or anything. But the engravings, the golden seams, and shapes of the columns were so intricate that they would certainly impress just about anyone. This place didn’t fall far behind compared to the palace interiors.

“Is the Preceptor available? I wish to meet him.”

“W-Well, he is quite busy with an experiment. But! I’m sure he would make time for you. Would it be all right for you to wait here for a moment? We would still need to prepare to receive you inside. It might be a bit of a mess.” She nervously smiled.

It would seem I really gave her a hard time. In that case, I decided to be considerate.

“Certainly. I shall wait here.” I sat down on the waiting couch.

“Thank you, Your Highness! I shall be back quickly!”

With that, she ran off through a pair of doors.