Chapter 98

98

"…So that’s how it was."

The Crown Prince, who had listened to my story for over ten minutes, muttered blankly.

When I first started my story, there was still a hint of doubt in his eyes. He must have considered the possibility that my story could be a lie.

However, when I revealed the vivid hatred that could not possibly be false, the Crown Prince finally seemed to be convinced.

"I will bring down the Everett family. And as for the Duke of Everett and Owen… I will kill them with my own hands."

"…I understand now. The Duchess of Valentine truly wants to kill the Duke of Everett and his sons."

He smiled faintly, as if a certain memory had just come to mind.

"My mother also had the same look in her eyes. A look of someone who, out of intense hatred, vows to one day take their life with their own hands."

"…."

"That’s a look I’m all too familiar with. But… I didn’t expect to see it in the Duchess. That’s why I was quite surprised."

The Crown Prince’s mother, of course, is Queen Elemele. It was easy to guess who she hated so intensely.

'It must be His Majesty the King, her husband. No doubt about it.'

The story of how the two once loved each other passionately was a well-known anecdote known to the entire world.

However, as the King began to indulge in his lust, their relationship deteriorated, and in the end, only hatred remained.

Perhaps because they had loved each other so intensely, they now hated each other just as intensely. Love and hatred were like two sides of the same coin, similar yet different emotions. It was easy for love to turn into hatred, just like flipping a palm.

"…I will believe in the Duchess’s hatred. That emotion must be genuine, without a doubt."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

The minor conflict with the Crown Prince was thus resolved.

Jen looked relieved, while Theodore was staring at the Crown Prince with a slightly discontented look.

The Crown Prince, sensing his gaze, turned to Theodore and said gently,

"I’m truly sorry for doubting your wife, Duke of Valentine. I regret it, so please don’t glare at me with such intensity."

"…How could I possibly glare at Your Highness? It’s a misunderstanding."

Theodore turned his head and spoke in a gruff tone. The Crown Prince raised an eyebrow and laughed in exasperation. His gaze, which alternated between Theodore and me, was filled with complex emotions.

"Then… do you two really plan to divorce after all this is over?"

At the Crown Prince’s question, Theodore remained silent, and I nodded calmly in response.

"Yes, that’s my intention."

"…."

Theodore’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and he clenched his fists tightly, as if trying to suppress his pain.

I pretended not to notice and silently sat down again, focusing on what I needed to do at this moment.

"Then, please look at this map, Your Highness. This map is the most crucial evidence for our plan moving forward."

Until I completely finish this revenge, I cannot envision any future.

* * *

A few days later.

Theodore, Jen, and I, along with other collaborators, had arrived at a small village in Dornac.

If Owen hadn’t noticed that the safe had been robbed, the next place where an artificial crack would occur would be this village.

"Hmm? There are a lot of people on the streets. There are also many colorful decorations… Are those ladies selling floral crowns over there?"

The Great Sage Blesset, the Crown Prince’s mentor, muttered to himself as he looked around.

Despite knowing the importance of today’s plan, he seemed as relaxed as if he were on a field trip.

I wished he would focus, but I couldn’t scold someone much older than me, so I remained silent.

"Today, there’s a festival in this village. Dornac has a mild climate, so many such events are held! Lily, do you want to try this?"

"…."

I smiled faintly at Jen, who was already holding a pile of snacks in both hands. Instead of answering, I shook my head, and Jen muttered, "They’re delicious…"

…Is his lack of tension a trait of the Delacroix family? He looked incredibly at ease, wearing a floral crown and enjoying the festival while eating snacks.

Theodore glared at Jen and asked reproachfully,

"Jen Delacroix, are you here to have fun?"

Jen frowned slightly and replied with a hint of resentment,

"Have fun? Of course not. I just… think that a too serious atmosphere isn’t good. It can actually reduce efficiency. If you look at the Duke of Valentine, he’s too serious about everything. We’re here to catch the mage and the summon before the crack occurs, right? We need to act discreetly. If the atmosphere is too heavy, they might notice and run away."

"…."

Theodore was speechless, his face contorted. Theodore, who seemed to find it not even worth responding to, clicked his tongue and walked past Jen. It was a clear sign that he didn’t want to deal with him anymore.

'Sure enough, they are completely opposite…'

Jen is light, while Theodore is heavy. This refers to their personalities and attitudes. Theodore is serious about everything, while Jen always maintains a relaxed demeanor. Like oil and water, they are two extremes that cannot mix, making it difficult for them to understand each other.

"Did I do something wrong? Lily?"

Jen asked, looking at Theodore. I replied with a somewhat awkward feeling.

"It’s not that you did something wrong… but you two really don’t match. It will be hard for you to get along."

Jen looked dejected, like a wet puppy. I smiled wryly and patted his back.

"Um, the place where the magical traces are the strongest is right here…"

The Great Sage Blesset said, sweeping his gaze over the village cemetery’s wall. His azure eyes seemed lost in thought. I walked past him and surveyed the surroundings.

'…Indeed, this area is suitable for causing a crack.'

If I were Owen, I would have chosen this place. There are no witnesses nearby, and the villagers are enjoying the festival, unaware of anything.

I turned to the group and began to speak.

"Let’s split up into pairs and search the cemetery…"

At that moment, a strange sensation hit me, and my body stiffened.

A chill ran down my spine, and I felt as if countless eyes were staring at me.

'This is… definitely the same feeling I had when I saw the summon in Theodore’s memories—'

Lily! Be careful!

Somnia’s warning echoed in my mind, and almost simultaneously, Theodore pulled me into his arms.

A bright flame erupted in front of me. A seraphim, in the form of a giant bird, enveloped Theodore and me protectively.

However, I soon realized it was too late.

"Theodore, your arm…"

There was a mark on Theodore’s arm, as if it had been bitten by a human. A sinister black aura was emanating from the reddish mark. My heart sank when I saw it.

"It’s fine. Don’t worry about it."

Theodore pulled down his coat to cover his arm. I opened my mouth to question him.

"It’s fine? That wound, it’s…"

At that moment,

"Oh, how terrible… Is this the summon?"

Blesset’s voice came from nearby.

I turned my head. The summon that had bitten Theodore’s arm was now restrained by Blesset.

The summon looked similar to the one I had seen in Theodore’s memories: a bizarre form with countless human faces floating in a mass of mud.

However, it seemed… a bit larger. I hoped it was just my imagination, but…

It absorbed more souls in the meantime.

'…What?'

I was shocked by Somnia’s words. Her next response was even more shocking, making me feel nauseous.

Fifty… no, a hundred or so? It has consumed the souls of the dead and become stronger.

"…!"

I quickly covered my mouth. My stomach churned, and my body trembled. 'In the meantime'… it had been only a few months, yet the Everett family had killed another hundred people in that short time?

'They’re mad. How could they… these cursed people…!'

Be careful, Lily. If we don’t suppress it soon, a crack will occur in the surrounding area.

'…Right.'

Somnia’s warning steadied my chaotic mind. I clenched my fist and gritted my teeth. Suppressing my disgust, I approached the summon.

Blesset’s magic was holding it in place, but it seemed like it would break free soon. This summon had become a dangerous entity.

If we let it go, the Everett family will use more souls to strengthen this creature.

"There might be Owen’s mage hiding nearby. They’re probably just observing the situation now, but if I interfere with the summon, they’ll reveal themselves. Your job is to capture the mage when that happens."

"Of course, I haven’t forgotten, Lily."

Jen nodded seriously, and Blesset and Theodore followed suit. From Theodore’s injured arm, the black aura continued to rise. I felt a sense of unease. If it’s an incurable wound…

"…"

Don’t worry, Lily. We’ll find a way to deal with it after suppressing the summon. Focus on what you need to do now.

'…Right, you’re right. I need to focus on what I need to do now.'

I steeled my resolve and summoned Somnia into the real world. Her form, like a starry night sky, spread out in the air.

…Lily, if you really can’t do it, just say so. You don’t have to bear it alone.

'I’m fine. Let’s start.'

A small sigh seemed to come from Somnia, and the silken-like form of Somnia enveloped both me and the summon.

At the same time, the anguished cries of over a thousand people pierced my mind.

'Save me!'

'Ah!'

'It hurts, it hurts…'

'Ugh, Mom…!'

'Please, save me…!'