Chapter 125

Ivailo ground his teeth as he watched Percival being released.

 

“So Lilithia Baimery refuses the marriage and ends up walking out alive?”

 

However, seeing the man standing boldly beside her, Ivailo’s lips curled into a smile full of predatory delight.

 

The black-haired man who had appeared to protect Lilithia Baimery. It was Freyer.

 

“I knew Freyer was alive. Yes, it wouldn’t do for him to die so easily.”

 

Though he had disguised his outward appearance, Freyer’s unique aura could not be hidden.

 

‘This might actually be better.’

 

He could kill Freyer with his own hands and take Lilithia Baimery for himself.

 

Ivailo devised a new plan and immediately stood up to find his secretary. He was never around when searched for, but always appeared when not needed—a truly willful bastard.

 

‘Well, it doesn’t matter.’

 

As he passed the Empress, who was staring at Freyer with trembling eyes, Ivailo whispered to her:

 

“You must be so pleased that your dead son has returned to life, Mother.”

 

Ivailo turned and headed down the corridor outside the execution grounds, but someone was waiting for him.

 

“Brother.”

 

“Diara Alstein. I didn’t know you attended the execution.”

 

“I wasn’t particularly interested in the stage you set, Brother, but I had something I absolutely had to tell my noble brother.”

 

“Get to the point.”

 

“I thought you might be quite sad that your plan failed.”

 

It wasn’t a failure; it was a stepping stone to success. He now had the chance to kill the Emperor’s son, Freyer, with his own hands.

 

“Multiple failures are often necessary for success.”

 

“It would be best if you didn’t carry out your plan to kill the Emperor. If you do, there will be no turning back.”

 

“A plan to kill the Emperor…?”

 

“Isn’t that your next move?”

 

It was a plan he had mentioned to no one. How did Diara Alstein know what was about to happen? Ivailo glared coldly at Diara, trying to deduce a rational explanation.

 

“I thought the Alstein House had no interest in the throne.”

 

“My family might not care about the throne, and I certainly don’t. But your future plans were so obvious I felt the need to give you some advice.”

 

Diara crossed her arms calmly.

 

“If you want to keep the position you have now, I simply wanted to tell you it would be best to stop your subsequent plans.”

 

“Then, whose side are you on?”

 

“I’m on the side of those trying to change fate. To protect them, it seems I’ll have to stop you, Brother.”

 

‘Fate.’

 

A cold energy flickered in the air. For a moment, Ivailo burst out laughing.

 

“I am the one who is going to change my own fate.”

 

Diara’s expression hardened into a cold stare as she looked at Ivailo.

 

“Yes, I am going to become the Great Emperor who changes destiny, so I cannot stop.”

 

Ivailo smiled, his eyebrows twitching in an almost deranged manner.

 

“Thanks for the advice.”

 

He squared his chest proudly and walked past Diara.

 

Pressing her brow, Diara sighed toward Ivailo’s retreating back.

 

“Ha… I really hate him.”

 

 

***

 

 

A light of relief rose in Nazlee’s eyes.

 

“His Highness is alive.”

 

His Highness was by Lilithia Baimery’s side. She felt a sense of resentment, but she hadn’t realized that the fact he was safe would bring her such mental stability.

 

“He’s telling her to run away…”

 

She didn’t want to tremble in fear of losing him anymore. She would abandon her family. Only then could she live her life with His Highness.

 

Her father wouldn’t listen to her. Then, the only way was to ask Prince Ivailo—her betrothed—to break off the engagement. Nazlee quickly grabbed her skirts and headed toward the Imperial Palace.

 

“Ugh.”

 

In the distance, she saw the Crown Prince approaching. She hadn’t expected to encounter him so soon.

 

Nazlee hurriedly hid behind an ornament in the hallway and began to take deep breaths.

 

‘I just need to say one thing.’

 

That she wanted to break the engagement because she loved Prince Freyer. Nazlee steadied her breathing and peeked out into the hallway.

 

‘I’m too late.’

 

He had seemed to be alone, but when Nazlee peeked out again, she saw a figure in a black cloak beside Ivailo.

 

“You said you’ve devised a new plan.”

 

She thought she had missed her chance to speak to the Crown Prince, but she focused on his subsequent words.

 

“Yes, since I failed to get Lilithia Baimery into my hands through intimidation, I must start a new plan.”

 

‘Lady Lilithia…?’

 

The Crown Prince had liked Lilithia Baimery. Since he also disliked the idea of marrying her, she thought the talk of breaking the engagement would go well. But Nazlee blinked at the words that followed.

 

“Weren’t you planning to win Lady Lilithia through more gentlemanly means?”

 

“I was. But my mind has changed. Is the altar ready?”

 

“It would be better to call it a ‘Sacred Workshop’ rather than an altar.”

 

“It is an altar—the place that will produce the mana to grasp the continent in my hands. The location?”

 

“I have prepared the Imperial Cathedral.”

 

“The perfect place.”

 

All Imperial events were held at the cathedral. Even the Emperor’s coronation took place there, so there was no better spot for Ivailo.

 

“Bring Lilithia Baimery to the cathedral tonight. And kill the Emperor.”

 

Nazlee, having overheard a secret she never should have, covered her mouth with both hands. Unaware of Nazlee’s presence, hidden by her small stature, the Crown Prince and the mage walked away. Once they disappeared, Nazlee exhaled the breath she had been holding.

 

To kill the Emperor.

 

“…Pr-Pretend you didn’t hear, Nazlee.”

 

You didn’t hear the Crown Prince’s plan.

 

I only need to get Prince Freyer. I should use this gap to tell him to leave with me.

 

I must find where Prince Freyer is. Nazlee pulled her staggering body upright and hurried outside.

 

 

***

 

 

Scarlet’s image appeared on the communication device sitting on the desk.

 

– I heard the news that you saved Lilithia.

 

“Has the news already reached there?”

 

– Well, it’s an event everyone is interested in.

 

“What is the purpose of this call?”

 

Freyer, who had hurriedly finished dinner with Lilithia and Percival to return to his room at the sudden contact, was feeling irritable.

 

– I found out the components of the sample you sent and called to tell you, and you’re going to be moody? Should I not tell you?

 

“The components.”

 

Scarlet gave a leisurely smile.

 

– Honestly, listing the components would be too complicated. Just know it’s a mixture of several toxins. But there is only one place that can create and manufacture such a poison.

 

She paused, and Freyer focused on her words.

 

– The Northern Magic Tower.

 

The Northern Magic Tower. The mage who had died also belonged to the Northern Magic Tower. Poisoning their own ally? But there had been no movement since then.

 

“There’s been no movement since the last Hunting Festival.”

 

– But they’ve started moving again recently. Evidence of the Northern Magic Tower came up regarding Matte Dalman.

 

Scarlet disappeared from the screen, and the sound of her rummaging through things could be heard. Then, she held up a small drawing to the screen. Freyer leaned forward, pulling his chair closer to the desk.

 

– This insignia. It’s a hypnotic spell from the Northern Magic Tower. And Matte, whose hypnosis was broken by our mages, confessed everything. But here’s the interesting part: the Tower Master told them not to kill Lilithia, but to capture her alive.

 

“Then who ordered the killing?”

 

– Apparently, the Empress told them to kill Lilithia.

 

Freyer clenched his fist. The Empress killed his mother and now even was trying to kill the woman he cared for.

 

Was she trying to take his life and eliminate everyone around him?

 

“…….”

 

Just then, someone burst through the fluttering curtains, breaking Freyer’s silence.

 

“Second Prince!”

 

Freyer, his hearing sharpened by the swamp of his emotions, stared at the newcomer. It was Horga, appearing with a rigid posture, tensed muscles, and sweat pouring down his face.

 

He was the knight who guarded the Emperor.

 

“His Majesty! His breathing is critical!”

 

Freyer stood up violently, bracing his hands on the desk. The communication device on the desk tumbled to the floor.

 

– This is bad. In the end, the Emperor has been eaten.

 

Scarlet monologued grimly as she watched Freyer’s frantic retreating figure.

 

 

***

 

 

Arriving at the Emperor’s bedroom, Freyer’s eyes widened at the horrific scene. Priests and nobles surrounded the bed. In the center, the Emperor was gasping for air, his abdomen stained with blood and a large wound.

 

“…Was it the Empress?”

 

“It was the Crown Prince. After he visited while the Empress was away…”

 

“You should prepare yourself, Your Highness.”

 

“Can he not be saved?”

 

The priests shook their heads with grim faces.

 

“We brought back his breath after it stopped, but… we don’t know for how much longer…”

 

In the Emperor’s hand was a blood-stained envelope. Freyer took the envelope, opened it, and clenched his fist as he read the contents.

 

[Bring the Imperial Seal. If you want to protect what is yours.]