Chapter 13

‘Life Transference Ritual.’

A forbidden technique used by warlocks to draw upon the lives of others to extend their own lifespan.

This ritual, which resulted in countless sacrifices, was ultimately classified as ‘a forbidden art that betrays humanity’ and was placed on the empire's list of banned practices.

However, Ludeville used this ritual in the exact opposite manner, not to steal the lives of others, but to sacrifice his own.

Odely slowly stepped forward and pressed her hand to the cold floor.

A strange current stirred beneath her skin.

‘...So, it really is here.’

In her past life, she had spent five full years confined to this detached annex. Because Rudvill had written into their contract that she must remain there, limiting not only her lodging but also her movement.

Then, out of nowhere, a memory floated up from her mind.

"What are you doing here?"

It was an unusually warm day. Although spring in the north was still harsh, it felt warm to Odely. A world she had never been allowed to enter since childhood, the place where sunlight reached. She thought that if she just stepped out for a moment, he wouldn’t notice.

But in just one hour, Ludeville did not miss that brief window. He immediately realized her absence and brought her back to the detached annex without a word.

He gripped Odely's shoulders tightly and snapped at her.

"I clearly told you not to step outside this annex."

"That’s a blatant breach of contract. Do you wish to terminate it?"

"Do not cross this boundary again."

His tone was as cold and detached as ever.

Until that moment, she had believed that she was confined to this annex because she was an annoyance to him as his concubine. That day, his fingertips trembled slightly, and his face appeared pale and unstable. She had mistaken it for the fragile nerves of a man who feared upsetting the woman he loved.

But now she understood. What he feared wasn’t confrontation, or rumors.

What he feared was losing Odely.

Odely had to remain in the annex for exactly five years. This was necessary for the ritual to function properly. In other words, Ludeville had confined her there for the duration of the five-year contract solely to save her life.

The life transference ritual was not a simple spell that activated with a single incantation. If another person’s vitality were abruptly forced into her body, the resulting shock could kill her, just as an incompatible blood transfusion could.

That’s why she needed to stay close to the ritual site. So that over time, her body’s natural rhythm and magical circuits could slowly adapt. So that she could become a true ‘vessel’, a seamless receptacle for the life energy.

For five years long, Ludeville silently continued this preparatory work, believing that this life was his last chance. When all preparations were complete, he divorced Odely as planned.

Over the course of a year, Ludeville transferred all his remaining life force to her.

Every last drop.

That was why her health had slowly recovered. Why her frail body had grown strong.

Because he had given her his life.

So, the first thing Odely had to do to protect him was...

‘Undo this ritual.’

Ludeville had already poured half of his life force into completing this ritual. She had to ensure that she received back what he had sacrificed, half of his life force.

‘Since it hasn’t been activated yet, if I undo it now, I should be able to reclaim his life force.’

However, there was a crucial ingredient needed for this. It was the key to undoing the ritual.

‘According to his memory, it's hidden in his personal safe.’

Odely immediately turned and exited the secret space.

***

"...She requested to stay in the annex?"

The sword halted mid-air.

Ludeville slowly turned his head without relaxing his stance. He could hear the knight sparring with him let out a sigh of relief from across the way.

"Yes, Your Excellence. The lady requested it herself."

"Already making strange moves, I see."

He muttered indifferently.

The detached annex was a long-neglected building, isolated on the outskirts of the castle. He had never been there, not even after becoming the Grand Duke.

"Wasn't that originally a storage room?"

"Indeed, it has recently been used as a supply storage."

“Originally, it was a guest room for diplomatic guests.”

The butler cleared his throat awkwardly, looking somewhat embarrassed as he explained.

However, Ludeville showed no particular reaction to the fact that Odely had voluntarily entered a storage room.

He felt nothing about it.

Of course, it was absurd.

‘Didn’t she say she’d marry me if she piqued my interest within two weeks? And now she is hiding away in isolation?’

Is she giving up already?

Or plotting something?

Is it defiance? A test? A strategy? He couldn't tell.

But one thing was certain.

“She won’t last long.”

Ludeville had already lost interest.

He wasn’t curious anymore.

He regretted even granting her that grace period.

She’s nothing special after all.

When he first saw her, a strange jolt had struck him, like breath caught in his throat.

A phantom vision had flickered to life so vividly that he had reached for it without thinking…

…But it had to be a delusion.

A drunken hallucination. Nothing more.

“Leave.”

He slung the sword over his shoulder with a sigh.

The boredom had returned, seeping into every corner of his expression.

There was no longer any reason to fight, or to think.

He turned to leave the training grounds,

Then paused.

A strange thought passed through his mind.

Wasn’t she supposed to be sickly?

She’d never left her home due to her fragile health, or so her family claimed.

Could a greenhouse flower survive two weeks in a glorified shed?

No… She disappeared for 3 months and returned completely fine.

She had crossed the harsh Northern lands without even breaking a sweat.

The “sickly” part must’ve been an exaggeration.

Perhaps overprotective family members, or an invented weakness.

Besides, she hadn’t been forced here. She came willingly.

He had even less reason to care.

What could possibly happen in two weeks?

That was where his thoughts ended.

He walked away without another glance.

—

Odely marched toward the safe without pause.

When she reached the door, she inhaled and carefully reached out.

Following Ludeville’s memories, she gripped the handle—

“.....!”

There was no resistance. No familiar bite of magical defense.

The seal is gone?

The safe that should have been protected was… unguarded.

Alarmed, Odely pushed the door.

It creaked open, too easily.

And inside—

‘...It’s gone.’

The small compartment where the pendant had been kept…

It was completely empty.

As if someone had already taken it.