Chapter 284
Chapter 284. Do Not Doubt (2)
"What is this, what is this...?"
Eleanor muttered to herself.
Although she spoke quietly enough that no one could hear, her feeling of bewilderment was clearly evident.
"Two princes...?"
Eleanor clicked her tongue as she watched the two people who had entered Yulian's mansion.
Third Prince Kaldrach de Adratan.
Fourth Prince Eulsis de Adratan.
Two people who couldn't wait to kill each other had entered this place together.
'Why?'
Eleanor felt her mind becoming complicated. The reason she was here was because of Yulian's request.
― If, as you excel at magic, you could deactivate magical devices within a certain area, would that be possible?
With a sly smile, Yulian had requested this, and Eleanor had agreed.
Deactivating the magical devices was a difficult task, but being well-versed in the 'darkness magic', she knew the method.
Of course, at the beginning, it felt strange.
Because the place where she was to set up this 'barrier' was none other than Yulian's mansion.
'I thought it was to prevent attacks from other mages.'
But it wasn't.
― A strong barrier is not necessary. It just needs to work on magic devices used for communication.
He had said that it was enough if they could control only 'communication', which is the basis of 'darkness magic', so it wasn't to protect the mansion.
Regardless, Eleanor had complied with Yulian's request.
The barrier enveloped the mansion, and the magic devices using 'communication' were effectively controlled.
She was confident in controlling such situations using darkness magic.
After all, the D'Micelle family had always been skilled in such matters and even recognized by the imperial family for this field.
'Those imperials...'
Why are they here? And two of them at that!
Revealing a troubled expression, Eleanor maintained the barrier.
'What if they find out?'
Eleanor questioned herself. The time of deliberation wasn't long, and soon an answer was found.
'... Execution.'
Some said that few faced execution for disrespecting the imperials.
Everyone understood that defiling their honor was something only fools would do.
Likewise, imperials rarely brought their subjects to the execution ground on charges of 'imperial defamation'.
Unless one truly went against them, they were relatively lenient.
'But now.'
It could clearly be interpreted as having a malicious intent. Moreover, having two raised the possibility twice over.
'Yulian.'
To ask for such a troublesome favor.
'We mustn't be discovered.'
No matter what. By any means!
Did Eleanor's earnest wish come true? The two princes didn't seem to notice her barrier.
For now, Kaldrach had left. As she breathed a sigh of relief, Yulian signaled to her.
'Does he want me to release the barrier?'
Is he asking me to die? Eleanor thought that due to Yulian's gesture.
Beside the Fourth Prince, Eulsis, was definitely the diviner Abigail. Eleanor knew that she was not merely a 'diviner' but a 'witch'.
'The moment the barrier is lifted... if she's a witch, she'll immediately know whose barrier this is.'
Even so, he asked to take it down?
'He is asking me to die?'
Despite it being a matter of life and death, Eleanor had no choice but to follow Yulian's instructions.
After taking a deep breath, Eleanor waved her hand once. Seeing this, Abigail appeared startled in Eleanor's sight.
Simultaneously, their eyes met.
'Yulian.'
If anything happens to me, I will curse you even in death. Eleanor suppressed her anger silently.
***
"All the Twilight have completed their task."
Once Eleanor dispelled the barrier at my command, Pintel's voice came through the magic device.
This was essentially the moment when the results of having both princes in this place bore fruit.
'A warning to Kaldrach.'
Creating a situation with no options for Eulsis, leaving him no choice but to cooperate with me.
However, claiming that cooperation equates to saving Eulsis would be absurd.
He will die. Whether by my hand or Kaldrach's. That moment will only be prolonged.
"This was the reason... even knowing Kaldrach would be here, you called me?"
Eulsis asked, and I nodded. I thought I hadn't shown any expression, yet Eulsis' eyes reflected a smile.
"To use the Isaac's Mirror as a hostage, to lure me to this place and quietly dismantle the ritual sites."
Squinting his eyes, Eulsis gazed at me. I merely shrugged at him without giving a reply.
He was correct.
Using the 'Isaac's Mirror', I lured Eulsis to this barrier-protected location, and then demolished all the ritual sites I had investigated.
Knowing so, Eulsis would inevitably fail to respond.
"Unfortunately, I do not possess such capabilities, Your Highness Eulsis."
"If so, how would you explain this phenomenon?"
When Abigail handed over the artifact, Eulsis took it and extended it to me.
"The moment you entered this place, the magical devices became mute, and all the ritual sites meant to operate the 'Demon God's Horn' were simultaneously destroyed."
"What a coincidence."
"Coincidence? Concurrence?"
Ha!
Eulsis burst into laughter.
"Your Highness Eulsis, you need not converse with this individual."
Upon hearing Eulsis' ridicule, Abigail stood by his side. Then, she whispered in a loud enough voice for me to hear.
"Summon the Heavenly Reverence Guards."
"A Heavenly Reverence Guards... feel free to summon them."
At her words, I held up my hands, displaying leisure. Certainly not because I could handle all the Heavenly Reverence Guards.
"Kaldrach was here."
Eulsis couldn't summon them. That's why I could display such leisure.
"If the Heavenly Reverence Guards were to move against Yulian, Yulian would naturally retaliate."
"In this world, who desires death?"
"If the situation escalates, would Kaldrach merely stand by?"
"That, that's..."
As Eulsis' cold gaze turned to Abigail, she lowered her head.
"What a predicament."
Recognizing his situation, Eulsis allowed a sigh to escape his lips.
"Four days left until the solar eclipse. In that time, the ritual sites have been destroyed, so there's no way to contaminate the land anymore."
Glancing at me, Eulsis spoke.
"We can't gather all the horns, and if we push forward to seize them, Kaldrach will end up benefiting."
"So, why not run away?"
"Run?"
The word 'run' made Eulsis slightly tilt his head.
"Gathering all the horns and reviving the Demon God is now impossible. With no options left, I suggest running as a choice."
"... If I run, I'll have to leave the Heavenly Reverence Guards here. If so, Kaldrach will pursue me, no?"
"You could live just a little longer."
This statement was essentially saying that Eulsis' plans had turned into empty dreams. And I was shamelessly doing so in front of his face.
Of course, Eulsis didn't seem to have any intention of denying it.
"Yes, yes... Your Highness Eulsis."
Abigail nodded and spoke to Eulsis.
"Running away is also an option. As long as you're alive, you can find opportunities somehow."
"No, this is the last chance."
Eulsis' eyes were filled with determination to leave a deep scar upon the empire somehow.
"If I miss this opportunity, Kaldrach will surely kill me. The bastards who willingly went north to pacify the savages won't leave this wound unchecked."
The more he spoke, the more Abigail's face grew somber.
"Do you have a method?"
The act of asking for a method was, in itself, laughable. There was no way I could hear any such method.
After all, Eulsis was an enemy. And surely, he thought the same of me.
"A vessel for the Demon King has its own methods. You know that, don't you?"
Turning his head, Eulsis seemed to think of leaving the mansion and began to move.
There were ways to stop him here, but that would only create discord during the process of obstructing 'Kaldrach'.
My objective was to pit them against each other until both fell out.
"Milena, that damned woman."
Abigail paused without following Eulsis and glared at me.
In her eyes, there was hatred towards me, no, towards 'Milena'.
"This situation now, is it something that witch contrived?"
Leaving behind cryptic words, Abigail whipped her head around and followed Eulsis.
'A situation orchestrated by Milena?'
I couldn't understand what she meant. She had died years ago.
"Have the two princes left?"
Once Eulsis had also departed, Eleanor, whom I had requested to manage the barrier, finally showed herself.
Her face was tinged with difficulty.
Though she tried not to show it, it seemed she had broken a cold sweat at the thought of deceiving the two princes.
"How was it? Was it not a good experience?"
"Yes, it was delightful. Aside from the brush with death and the imminent threat of it happening again, it was a great experience."
Although she spoke in the most unaffected tone possible, a sense of resentment still lingered in Eleanor's voice.
It seemed I had frightened her by not providing a proper explanation.
'It's nearly time to wrap things up with both Kaldrach and Eulsis.'
Neither side has much time left.
This applies to Kaldrach, who has vacated the north, and to Eulsis, with the solar eclipse approaching.
If one side forfeits and flees, the ordeal might end without incident, but it doesn't appear to be heading that way.
It would be wise to reassess the strength of the Twilight.
***
After finishing matters related to the ritual sites, 'Twilight' gathered at the assembly point, awaiting dismissal.
Soon after, Pintel approached them.
"Well done today. This will serve as an occasion for Sir Yulian to view you in a new light."
With a satisfied gaze, Pintel surveyed the Twilight and began to speak.
"Until now, it's no exaggeration to say that you've been saving your strength for this day. So that you can spread his name far and wide... Hmm?"
In the midst of what was close to a speech, light emitted from the magic device, causing Pintel to turn his attention that way.
It was a communication magic device. To check the contents, he made a gesture to the Twilight to stay put, then moved aside.
"Ah, understood."
Sounding rather flustered, Pintel said he understood before returning to the Twilight.
Rim Hassaur, who felt puzzled by Pintel's behavior, saw his doubts quickly dispelled.
"Sir Yulian says he wants to see all of you."
The liberator wants to see us?
A murmuring sound rose among the Twilight.
Clacky's Corner:
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