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nAfter wetting the pen tip in ink, I began to write letters on parchment paper. I missed writing instruments that I had in Korea.

nSince scientific advancement is significantly lower in this world, there have been many difficulties. I eventually adapted to the inconveniences, but it was still hard to gather knowledge—something that would have taken an instant on my smartphone.

nWhat is needed for Amalion detoxification:

n1. Flarinte (toxic but neutralizes Amalion)

n2. Elf (to deal with highly poisonous flarinte)

n-Problem: Hard to find an elf. Very bad feelings towards humans.

n3. Sleeping pills.

nIt took quite a while to find ‘flarinte’ because it is not well known and primarily located in high mountainous regions.

nThe first thing I struggled with most for years was deciphering information about Amalion. Once I had a basic understanding of it, my second objective had been to uncover agents to combat it.

nEven after so much time, I have only a basic working knowledge of Amalion.

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n

n‘My biggest hurdle is finding an elf.’

nHuman beings and elves were currently not on speaking terms.

nUntil 30 years ago, humans and elves were constantly interacting and trading.

nThe Elves were outstanding in medicine, and many medical advancements that humans used in this world were contributions discovered by elves.

nMost importantly, elves were masters of detoxification, poisons, and medicines.

nThe nail in the coffin for Elf and Human relations occurred 30 years ago. A daughter of the head of Elves and a prince of the Imperial family were courting. But their love affair ended in tragedy.

nIt’s still a mystery why, but the prince murdered his lover.

nThe Elves were in an uproar and demanded justice from the imperial family, but the emperor ignored them.

nThe situation worsened when a group of outraged elves was caught and executed, citing their guilt in holding the imperial family in contempt.

nOn the day of their execution, the wrath of the Elf leader pierced the sky and ended up cutting off human interaction.

nElfs were still around, but they hid from human eyes.

n‘Now, I need an Elf.’

nBecause “flarinte” was scarce and rarely used, there was little to no human beings who could handle flarinte without the help of elves.

n‘What if the Elf falls into another person’s hands after first refining all the florintes?’

nMeh, I was getting ahead of myself.

nRegardless, I need an elf. But the odds of finding an Elf were almost nil.

n‘Well, at least I have a chance.’

nFortunately, I have only one chance… through an illegal slave dealer.

nIn the novel, there is a scene in which the male lead catches illegal slavers and rescues an elf.

nThat Elf turns out to be the son of the current leader of the Elves. In the wake of this incident, the Elves welcomed the Male Lead who earned their trust despite being human.

nHe gains a notable and strong reputation amongst the Elves, and they are indebted to him. I need them to be beholden to me so they will cure Alastair.

n‘…Mhmm…. If I remember correctly, the guy who ran the slave shop was a subordinate of Alastair. Was it Galen himself? I recall Galen earning a miserable death at the hands of Alastair.’

nThat’s my only chance.

nBy any means necessary, I had to save that Elf instead of the male lead.

nI folded up the parchment, opened a book to tuck the paper in between the pages, and left the study, heading for my next destination.

nI followed the smokestack in the distance.

nKnights were taking off their tops and sweating profusely.

nChaeng-! The shriek of sharp-flying swords clashing resounded.

n“Lady····?”

nA knight that spotted me called me unconsciously.

nThe knights who were fighting stopped all at once. Others gaped, their mouths left open, which amused me with their silly expressions.

nI looked at them indifferently. I could see a couple of men hold their breath in when our eyes met nonchalantly. I greeted them with a smile and turned my head.

n“What are you doing here?”

n“Are you busy now, brother?”

n“Yes, very.”

nMikhail laughed, lightly retaliating against my manners from before, saying, “I’m busy, not turning my eyes away from books.”

nHe looked very leisurely as he sat back and watched the knights train.

n“Okay. Then I’ll wait.”

nI flopped down beside him. Mikhail’s eyebrows went up.

n“Do you have something for me?”

n“I have something I want from my brother.”

nI smiled at him; Mikhail frowned, pretending he didn’t see my cheery demeanor.

n“What is it?”

n“Toshif’s invitation.”

nMikhail’s face hardened, and I maintained my smile; this was to be expected.

nToshif’s invitation was an invitation to the illegal slave trade.

nToshif was an alias for Galen.

nThe name was known only to the people in the black market, and Mikhail was also a part of that world’s backbones. Mikhail was kindhearted, but unexpectedly, he’s got an essential position in the underground world.

nHe was a good man, a generous brother but was also a villain in this novel.

n“How do you know that?”

nMikhail held a stiff smile and lowered his voice while looking ahead. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him so pointed.

nMikhail was always smiling and light-hearted.

nHis bright personality and charming laughter made people forget who he was and lower their guard around him.

nOne of his talents was getting to know people intimately. Mikhail knew who wore a mask of indifference, like me and who wore a friendly facade like him. His cold face is his real face.

n“I guess I knew something I shouldn’t know?”

n“··Serina….”

n“…….”

nMikhail paused momentarily. It was apparent that he thought the information had leaked out from somewhere.

n“That’s not something you should know.”

n“Then you shouldn’t have leaked information. If you lose something, it’s the fault of the person who lost it, not of the person who found it.”

n“….”

n“But what should I do? I know now.”

nI couldn’t tell him my plans to save Alastair.

nn order to meet the Elves, I needed to infiltrate Galen’s slave ring. I needed to know when and where the slave market opens.

nWhen I try to recall what I read in the novel, I couldn’t remember.

n‘This is Mikhail’s specialty.’

nAn invitation must have come to Mikhail, who has been operating in the underground world.

nMikhail’s expression added conviction to my expectations. It would be nice to get information from Mikhail, but it would be a tall order.

nI decided to be satisfied with the invitation.

n“Of course, I’m not asking for free. I’ll give you a deal. “

n“…….”

n“I’ll give you my blood. You know my blood’s good.”

nMy blood has mana. So often, in an emergency where one’s mana has fallen, wizards use their blood as a magic medium.

nI remember Mikhail saying that the mana in my blood is of high quality and unique. And there were quite a few times when he expressed his desire to use my blood in experiments.

nOnce, I let him use my blood for experiments, it felt uncomfortable and weird, so I never gave it to him again.

nEver since I had to hear his whining pleading with me to no avail.

n“Seri.”

n“Not enough? I’ll give you a 10% stake in my mine.” This is worth a lot more than anything Toshif could turn out.

nThe mine was what I got from Alastair on my birthday last year. It hosted many rare and valuable minerals that were sold for astronomical prices.

nMany aristocrats offered to buy it from Alastair, but he ignored them and gave it to me as a gift.

nFrankly, it didn’t move my heart; even without it, I already had more than enough money to last me ten lifetimes.

n“Stop it, alright?”

nFinally, Mikhail opened his mouth. He looked irate.

n“Do you think I’m someone who would put my sister in danger for an experiment? The Rigo Mine? Oh, I am very envious.”

nHis tone was sarcastic, and his smile was twisted. I waited silently through his retorts full of indignation.

n“What a waste I still can’t give you that invitation, mine or no mine.”

nThen he patted me on the shoulder and gave me a look.

n“So, sister, you can keep trying to bargain, but my answer is going to be the same.”

nMikhail’s hand that was patting my shoulder then used it as leverage as he stood up. Mikhail turned away from me.

nI stood up and blocked his way. He tried to ignore me, but I snorted mockingly; I wasn’t going to drop this so easily.

nMikhail sighed at my ridicule and slowly turned his eyes toward me. I didn’t miss that moment and moved quickly.

nPow-! I put a simple sword laced with mana in front of his neck with quick handwork.

nWith the sound of a light cut in the air, the tip of the sword was facing his neck. Mikhail’s eyes reflected a flash of surprise.

n“You know what, brother?

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n

n“You, you, y…….·”

n“If I had stretched the sword a little further, you would have died. Maybe you won’t be so lucky next time.”

nIn the distance, we could hear the sharp sound of the flying swords hitting each other from the training ground, but we focused on each other, ignoring all else as we challenged each other with our eyes.

nI picked a fight, and no one could stop us.

nThe knights didn’t notice us, focused on their rivals in the fighting ring, and I had put up a blocking vision spell.

n“Who’s worried about who when you almost died?’ Mikhail grabbed the blade with cool eyes.

nHe struck the sword that was aimed at his neck.

nI quickly stretched out towards his neck with the other hand that wasn’t holding the sword and aimed the dagger at his throat.

nPressure was added and slightly cut his throat. Mikhail’s eyes deepened. But I had no intention of stopping.

n“I had already warned you that if I did it one more time, you’d be damned. Was my warning funny?”

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