Chapter 32

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: Chapter 32

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter 129

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Long ago, a demon descended to destroy this world.

The demon was incredibly beautiful.

People imagine demons as utterly hideous, but that's not true at all.

Demons captivate humans with their stunning beauty.

The demon trampled humanity using its allure.

Then one day! An angel, unable to tolerate such atrocities any longer, sent a proxy!

The angel's apostle descended to this land and purified those corrupted by the demon.

The demon tried to strike at the apostle but froze upon seeing her, unable to think straight.

Fearing for her beloved apostle, the angel granted her the power to resist the demon.

The demon, who had enchanted countless people, fell completely for the apostle's sweet fragrance.

And so the apostle of God...

"How long do you plan to keep this up?"

Yurta irritably turned to the woman reciting a fairy tale nonstop beside him.

The children's storybook she read without pause was grating on his nerves.

The woman, who had received no reaction for a while, curved her eyes at the corners when Yurta finally looked her way.

She set the book down and swept her pale golden hair behind her ear.

"Does the young lord dislike fairy tales?"

"What I dislike is Your Highness toying with me."

"I've never toyed with you."

Yurta swallowed a curse under his breath.

He'd gotten tangled with a real headache.

Not long ago, Yurta had woken up bound in some unknown place.

It was his first time seeing restraints meant for high-grade magical beasts, and he found it absurd.

He tried to rip them off immediately and escape.

But at that moment...

<You're awake?>

Second Princess Evangelin entered the room.

<I was so shocked when we found you on the brink of death at the base of the cliff.>

<...>

<We're acquainted, aren't we, young lord?>

The one who had saved Yurta after he fell off the cliff was Second Princess Evangelin.

She had been heading north for a divine weapon delivery at the time.

That's when she spotted Yurta at the cliff base and rescued him.

<Then why keep me bound?>

Yurta's condition went beyond mere restraint; it felt like he was being treated like a beast, which soured his mood.

In response to his sharp question, Evangelin smiled leisurely and gave an unexpected answer.

<Because you're a Transcendent.>

<...What did you say, Your Highness?>

<I knew you were exceptional with the sword, but I thought you were just talented. I had no idea you were a Transcendent.>

<You must be mistaken.>

<I've already had several priests confirm it. Denying it won't help.>

<...>

Anyone could see Yurta's state after the fall was dire, so she called in priests with holy power to treat him.

In the process, the secret he'd hidden was unintentionally revealed.

It was an utterly awkward situation.

<Why hide that you're a Transcendent?>

<It has nothing to do with Your Highness.>

<You don't mind if I spread this around?>

He couldn't let that happen.

<...What do you want?>

<I like how quick you are, young lord.>

Evangelin and Yurta had met a few times at banquets; they were mere acquaintances.

They knew little about each other, but Yurta had heard the rumors about her.

She was not someone to underestimate.

'Can't harm her since she's a princess...'

He had to be cautious.

He waited for her to state her demand. With his abilities, there was little he couldn't grant...

<Marry me, young lord.>

<...If it's a joke, it's not funny.>

<Do you see marriage as child's play? I'm serious. You're of marriageable age, and so am I. Perfect match, no?>

<...>

It was a proposal he never saw coming. He'd definitely gotten stuck with the wrong person.

<I'm the best choice you could have. Or do you have someone else in mind?>

<...>

<Then you can keep a mistress.>

A mistress.

Yurta reflexively thought of Rozhi. A hollow laugh escaped him.

She wouldn't even accept him as one.

<Generous terms, yet you're displeased?>

<Why marriage of all things?>

<Because I'm very interested in Transcendents. No better way to keep you tied down. So, what's your answer?>

<I refuse.>

After that, Yurta remained shackled, forced to endure the princess's nonsense.

"Still no change of heart today?"

"I wonder if Your Highness plans to give up anytime soon."

The princess didn't reply.

She wouldn't release him until he agreed to marry.

"I'll take my leave for today. But next time, I hope for a better answer."

Ridiculous.

Yurta didn't even glance as she left the room.

Once she was gone, he yanked at the restraints.

Crackle!

The restraints resisted with a surge of power. The backlash reached his body, making him wince.

His condition was already poor.

He put up with her silly jokes to buy time to recover.

'No more delays.'

He needed to reach Rozhi soon.

No matter the shock to his body.

He pulled at the restraints without hesitation.

Crrrack!

Ignoring the rebound, he shattered them with force.

"Urgh..."

His battered body absorbed the full impact, and he vomited blood.

Yurta wiped the blood from his mouth.

Many restraints remained.

By the time he broke them all, he was a wreck.

Dragging his near-collapse body, he escaped and headed to the northern castle.

There, he heard the news that Rozhi was dead.

Rihart gazed down quietly at the woman buried in his chest.

She looked up and whispered seductively.

"Aren't you going to kiss me, Rihart?"

"..."

"Come on."

She tugged at his clothes, urging him.

Only then did Rihart feel certain.

The soft touch, her breath, the warmth of the living.

It truly wasn't an illusion.

Yet despite the face he'd longed for being right there, Rihart looked at the woman embracing him with emotionless eyes.

Not only that. With a gentle smile, he pried away the slender arms around his waist.

"...Rihart?"

The woman sensed something off and asked.

"You were so convincing I almost fell for it."

"..."

"Who are you?"

"...I'm Rozhi. What's wrong with you?"

"Right. You look just like Rozhi, which startled me. Even twins aren't this identical."

Her appearance was identical.

Rihart scanned "Rozhi" with cold, detached eyes.

"Strange. Even the bone structure matches."

Appearance aside, the skeleton too?

The woman looked flustered.

"Because I am Rozhi. What are you talking about?"

"Rozhi would have fled the moment she saw me. She wouldn't try to prove she's Rozhi like you."

Rihart's eyes grew icy.

"This joke isn't funny. Who are you?"

Only then did the confusion fade from the woman's face.

Without expression, she looked like a completely different person.

"Ah, how boring."

She cupped her cheeks with both hands and tilted her head.

"How did you notice with such an identical face?"

"Because it's just the shell."

"Hmm. That guy fell for this shell just fine."

That guy?

So she'd shown this shell to others besides him.

Thinking of it as Rozhi's shell soured his mood for some reason.

"Who are you? Who has the gall to wear that face?"

"Me? Good question... Who am I?"

"No games..."

"It's not a game. I lost my place long ago."

The woman spouted nonsense.

"What trick is this?"

"Trick?"

She suddenly burst into laughter, giggling as if she'd heard something hilarious. Watching her, Rihart felt oddly unsettled.

It was Rozhi's shell, after all.

"I'm not here to trick you. I'm here to help."

"Help me?"

"Want some good news? Rozhi isn't actually dead. She's alive."

"What nonsense is that?"

He'd checked her pulse dozens, hundreds of times.

Her warmth, her pulse—they were those of the dead.

"Don't believe me? I'll prove it. You were looking for Rozhi, right?"

"..."

"I know where she is. Follow me."

Rihart found the woman deeply suspicious.

A woman with Rozhi's face appearing out of nowhere, offering help—and claiming Rozhi was alive.

It was impossible not to doubt.

Yet he followed without a word. He wanted to find Rozhi that badly.

Even if her goal turned out to be his death, he couldn't refuse.

Thus, Rihart followed her as if entranced.

"There she is."

"...!"

The woman hadn't lied.

Rozhi was really there, where she pointed.

But...

"Oh my. Things are getting interesting."

Rozhi was embracing Marquis Evantes.

Rihart felt the thin veil of his reason shatter completely.