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nAceras, dressed in a robe, walked the streets of Frederic while carefully checking his plans. Attention was often drawn to his unusual appearance, but it quickly dispersed.

nThere were many people on the outskirts of the city who wanted to hide their identities. There were not only one or two people wearing these clothes, so it was impossible to identify them.

nKelsion had successfully disturbed the Empress’s mind.

nLater, if she wants to contact him and find out how to lift Beolde’s curse, he will ask her to do a favor.

nIt will seem like a trivial request at first glance.

nAccess to the fanatic imprisoned under the Imperial Palace required someone from the Imperial family of the Frederic Empire, or the head of the four Ducal families.

nThe Duke of Artus had been shaken enough, but he had to prepare one more insurance.

n‘I need to kill him as soon as possible.’

nAceras did not trust his subordinate underground. To be exact, he did not believe in the human mind in front of overwhelming power.

nIt’s been more than half a year since he was imprisoned. It was too long.

nOnly once, Aceras had approached right in front of the space where his subordinate were trapped while Kelsion hypnotized the captain of the Imperial Palace Guard.

nHe broke the magic tool he had purchased for a great cost from the underworld.

nThen, the wall became transparent and the inside was visible.

nAccess to the inside was absolutely impossible, but this much was possible. He could see his subordinate, who had his limbs fixed like a stuffed insect. It was a tragic sight, but he could not feel sorrow. From a certain point.

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n“Argel, open your eyes.”

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nThen the imprisoned subordinate raised his eyelids.

nHe couldn’t raise his head and rolled his eyes up to look at Aceras.

nTears welled up in the eyes of his subordinate who recognized him. But he didn’t say a word. He seemed unable to move his tongue unless he was allowed to.

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n“I’m here to save you. But we still need time. Can you endure for a little bit more?”

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nHis eyes gleamed with hope.

nAt that moment, Kelsion signaled that the guard captain would soon wake up from hypnosis. Aceras thought as he left his men.

n‘It hasn’t been revealed yet.’

nThere is hope, so he will hold out for a while. But he doesn’t know how long his subordinate can stand it.

nHe came up and spoke to Kelsion.

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n“Kelsion, we’re running out of time. Disrupt the Empress’s mind faster.”

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nThat subordinate holds a secret that must never be revealed to the Frederic Empire.

n‘Absolutely not.’

nHowever, even if he makes the Empress move according to his will, he must also convince Duke Artus to do the same thing.

nThere was one more thing he had to get……

nThe headache got worse after thinking for a long time.

nHe clasped his head.

n‘Ah, please.’

nHe hopes everything ends soon. All of it to be faster, for everything to be burned…….

nAceras raised his head and found someone. In an instant, the sun set and his surroundings became dark.

nIt was Dalia Pesteros.

nShe was holding a boy’s hands and saying something with a delighted look on her face.

n“How have you been? Why are you back in the capital? Could it be that Mr. Meldon acts like he never knew you?”

n“No, he found me a job, and he’s still helping me from time to time.”

n“It’s so nice to see you.”

nFour years had passed before he knew it, but the moment he saw those gray hairs, there’s no way he couldn’t recognize her. She has blue eyes that sparkle, and a clear smile.

nIn an instant he had only one thought in his head. He naturally approached the boy and put his arm around his shoulder.

nFortunately, the young boy’s mind is fragile, so he can instill at least one thought without being as adept at brainwashing as Kelsion.

nHe naturally pretended to be friendly with the boy, his eyes dim for a moment and then returned.

n“……who are you?”

nDalia asked in surprise when she saw him suddenly appearing. The boy spoke in defense of him.

n“Ah, this person helped me……”

nThe idea that Aceras instilled into the boy was simple. ‘This guy is a good guy’. It won’t last long, but it definitely worked.

n“Help you? …… Is it Mr. Meldon?”

nIf it’s Meldon, he’s the illegitimate son of the Duke of Artus.

nHe remembered him helping Dalia during the kidnapping incident a few months ago. The two may have been close before then. There was a sudden surge of jealousy.

n“That’s not true.”

nAceras skillfully changed his voice and answered. However, Dalia still looked at him suspiciously.

n“You’re lying. It’s you. You’re wearing weird makeup like last time, right? The technique is good, too. You even changed your voice.”

nDalia lowered her head and tried to peer into the face inside the robe. Aceras lowered his robe deeper and hid his face further. It was then that he felt a sense of disappointment.

n‘I must have gone crazy. Dalia Pesteros knows my face.’

nHe was embarrassed when he thought that he was dealing with her while hiding his face with a robe or something like that.

nBut fortunately, Dalia didn’t seem to see anything. She naturally grabbed his robe and said,

n“What are you doing here instead of working?”

n“……because of some reason.”

nConcerned about the grabbed robes, Aceras spoke briefly.

nAs she was right in front of him and talking to him, all the worries he had been dealing with so far felt somewhat foolish.

nShe is in front of him. The only person who can give him rest. Just by being together, he could forget the headache that had been afflicting him for so long.

n‘I want to touch her more.’

nAceras recalled the energy of purification when their body touched a long time ago.

n‘As expected, quickly…… I have to take her.’

nHis eyes gleamed darkly under the robe. This may be an opportunity that will never come again.

n“……Speaking of the work, I have something to tell you about it. Come here for a moment.”

nAceras naturally grabbed her hand and pulled her towards him. However, the expected energy of purification did not come.

nInstead, Aceras’ eyes quickly reached the ring Dalia was wearing. There was a strange magic that he presumed belonged to the Emperor. It seemed to prevent Dalia’s power from manifesting.

n‘…….’

nHis lips twitched for a moment.

n“What are you talking about? We were supposed to talk about that in the mansion last time. Have you already forgotten?”

nDalia pouted her lips as she naturally pulled her hand away from Aceras.

n‘Oh, it doesn’t work.’

nAceras felt regretful.

nShould he reveal his true self now and take her right away?

n“Mr. Meldon is such a fool.”

nHowever the moment Dalia smiled at him, Aceras gave up.

nThe peace of this moment was so foreign, the sensation he had felt so long ago that he could not break it.

n‘In any case, when the Empire collapses, she’s bound to fall into my hands.’

n“Aiden, now that I’ve met you, I’ll give you a present. Let’s go to the store together.”

nDalia looked at Aceras while stroking Aiden’s head.

n“Do you want to go with us too Mr. Meldon? Adrisha is over there. If you help increase the sales, you might get along a little better, right?”

n‘That woman has a good eye.’

nShe will recognize him right away.

nIt was unfortunate. Of course, he had thought of killing her as well and taking Dalia, but…….

n‘I can’t take her to the Holy Empire in the middle of Frederic’s capital without any loss.’

nAceras gave up.

nDoubts were slowly rising in the boy’s eyes anyway.

nThe question of ‘who the hell is this?’ which should have come to mind at first, was slowly returning to him.

nIt’s time to leave.

n“I need to turn down the offer.”

n“Okay then, see you next time at the mansion. Aiden, you come here.”

nDalia grabbed Aiden by the sleeve and pulled him. Aiden looked back at him suspiciously and followed Dalia’s lead.

nAceras looked at Dalia’s back for a moment, and then turned again.

n‘………everything as soon as possible…….’

n* * *

nBy the time it was determined she had gotten far enough away from him, Dalia’s steps began to speed up slowly.

nShe spoke in a low voice while pulling Aiden hard.

n“You know, Aidan. Do you really know that person?”

n“Well, I think so…… I don’t think so……. I don’t know. I’m confused.”

nAs expected.

nDalia’s heart was pounding.

nShe touched the locket necklace on her chest with her other hand. There is a magic bead that Cedric gave her last time.

nThis was also a fainting spell. Adrisha chose this as the most appealing point was that it was a wide-area magic that could be applied to all humans within 10m around it.

nShe was thinking of throwing it and ran right away in case of an emergency. Fortunately, it didn’t happen.

n‘Crazy, crazy, crazy.’

nShe showed the acting skills that will never be seen again in her life. Even now, she was still wondering how she could have been so natural.

nHe hurriedly put on the robe, but Dalia caught a glimpse of the angelic handsome young man’s face before that.

nIt was too fast, but……she was convinced by Aiden’s reaction.

nThat person that Dalia saw……it was Aceras!

n‘No, why is he walking around here when he’s supposed to be in the Holy Empire!’

nMoreover, he even naturally asked Dalia to go somewhere with him. If Dalia didn’t know anything and followed him, she would have been……by now…..

nHer surprised heart was moving up and down quickly.

nDalia put her hand on her chest and slowly took a deep breath.

n‘It’s okay. I overcame it.’

nDalia came to her senses again. And she had a perfectly natural question.

n‘Why is Aceras here now…… ?’

nJust what, is he planning?

n“Dalia!”

nAdrisha saw Dalia from the gun store and ran to her.

nWithout any more time to think, Dalia grabbed her arms and raised her head to look at Adrisha.

nAs soon as she saw Dalia’s eyes, Adrisha noticed that she had something to say, and quickly turned her head to put her ear close to Dalia.

nDalia whispered.

n“Aceras is in this Empire.”

nAdrisha’s eyes widened in astonishment.

nTranslator Note: Is there….a hope for salvation for our Aceras??

n Just want to share kdrama that I’m currently obsessed with..Alchemy of Souls..you guys need to watch it!

n There will be no update next week since I need to travel to a different state to send my younger brother for his university registration (and kinda a staycation as well hehehe)

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