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nIt was so cold. Every step Aurora took was a struggle to take but she did not give up.

nThe most important thing to do for Aurora right now was to ensure that she pushed her foot in front of the other and to not lose her concentration.

nThe contradicting forces inside her body were not allowing her any time to rest and to see to her situation.

n“Just keep walking. I can feel Rita’s magic nearby.”

nAurora had to speak out loud to keep herself conscious. All her body wanted to do was to fall asleep and never wake up. But this was not something Aurora could afford to do right now.

nIf she stopped walking then she would die due to the pain.

nAurora knew that this was all because of the effects of the corruption. She was suffering like this because she had absorbed some of the darkness inside the main body.

nBut she had no idea that harboring this magic would be so detrimental to her health.

nAurora had no idea where she was walking and how long she had walked for. The cold invading her body made it incapable of feeling anything.

nShe did not even realize someone small had bumped into her until she almost stepped Natasha over.

nThe black-haired girl looked smaller than her. Aurora had to look down at her to notice that she had gone back into her adult body.

nWhen and how it happened was still a mystery to Aurora. Her memory of the walk was a little foggy.

n“Y-You’re suffering from the corruption as well. You f-fell it too right? This is not natural.”

nNatasha’s face was red as well and it was swimming in and out of focus. Aurora’s careless actions seemed to have affected her health as well.

nSo Aurora did the only sane things she could in her situation. She used her powers to knock Natasha’s smaller body out.

nIt was no cold sleep but it would keep Natasha’s suffering at bay.

nAs a result, Aurora felt the corruption inside Natasha trying to find a new host. It was like a parasite who was looking around to use what it can.

nAnd Aurora was a prime vessel for it to use. Aurora was already suffering from corruption so the new dose was even more painful.

nThat was why she did not notice when Natasha fell toward the other corridor and was caught by a familiar face.

nRita’s eyes shot a venomous glare toward Aurora before realizing how was standing in front of her. Then they softened as soon as Rita was knocked back to her senses.

n“I knocked her out for now. Keep her asleep when you get out of here until I return. I will take care of her once I’ve dealt with this place.”

nRita had a complicated expression on her face but this was not something Aurora could allow her to but in as she pleased.

nIf Rita insisted on staying back and helping Aurora out then things could get complicated.

n“B-But you look like you’re in pain. You are in no condition to be walking around either.”

nRita’s outburst brought the other two people toward their small group as well. Alexander had a complicated expression on his face but Blain looked like he had expected this.

n“Will you still insist on going ahead alone? You can ask for help from us and we will comply.”

nIt seemed like Aurora did look worse than she had expected to. But that was not a cause of concern for her yet.

nAs long as she could move, Aurora wanted to see things through alone.

n“I will be alright. It was not something I need to ask for your help with. Rather, I need you to clear this place out since it will no longer be safe. This castle, it will not remain standing like this for long.”

n“So you should understand what I want you to do.”

nAlexander did look troubled. Even Rita had a pinched look on her face.

n“I will do what you ask of me. But take care of yourself as well.”

nAurora gave a last nod of appreciation before she forced her body to move. The corruption inside Aurora was capable of finding other sources it was originating from.

nAurora had only realized it once she had stumbled upon Natasha and recognized the hum of energy she gave off.

nIf so, then this corruption would be the key that would lead Aurora toward the secret room where the cloning experiments were being kept.

n“You have to come back alive. I won’t forgive you if you died now.”

nRita’s yell came out unexpectedly. Her red eyes looked moist and on the verge of crying but she was a good follower who did not insist on following after Aurora.

n“I won’t die because of a small thing like this. I’ll see you all soon.”

nIf Aurora was right in her assessment, she was sure that there were two major places inside this castle the nobility wanted to protect – the cloning room and the research room.

nThere would be various protective spells placed on both places in case of emergency but Aurora was banking on the rooms having a transportation spell in place.

nNow Aurora understood why she had been pushed by the Republicans to make this decision. She even understood why Karan had interfered to make Aurora aware of the secrets of the Northern Republic.

nThe Northern Palace was not a place one could walk into and roman freely. It was true for even Karan since he would be watched thoroughly.

nNot to mention, Karan had the tower’s eyes on him as well.

nIn a sense, only a third neutral party would be able to sneak in here and cause the trouble which would help the Republicans gain the upper hand.

nOnce the research facility would be transported away with its goods, Blain would send a message and call the Republicans over. Instantly, they will have the upper hand and the resources at their disposal.

nAs for the cloning facility? It will not live to see another day.

nThis might be all Aurora would be able to do for the innocent girl she who’s the body she had been occupying recently.

n“Look at me, being reduced to a pawn in other’s plan. And I swore not to be used again.”

nBut somehow, Aurora did not hate the feeling of being someone’s pawn this time. Maybe it was because her own beliefs were similar to the people who had pushed her into the role.

n“I guess I’ll count it as a favor I did to Karan. I do own him a lot after the tower.”

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