Chapter 80
“How can you be so confident?”
The wizard patted his chin and asked.
“Ugh, I put a curse on her.”
Curse Magic.
The wizard knew what Killian meant by the curse.
As he said, it was a curse that couldn’t be lifted unless you came to the Black Tower.
The Archmage of the Magic Tower would have known other methods, but it was not available to “wizards.”
If someone other than the wizard who did it intervened, it would not be impossible to lose their life.
The mysterious wizard smiled brightly.
“Well done, Killian. As a token of appreciation, I will return your left arm.”
The wizard spoke in a satisfied voice and reached out toward Killian’s mutilated left arm.
Dark Magic erupted from his hand.
“Ugh—!”
As the Black Magic touched his left shoulder, Killian struggled in torment.
The pain he felt was as if thousands of arms were digging into his flesh.
The magic flowed naturally on his shoulder.
And soon, the magic gradually took shape and began to grow.
“Huh…?”
Finally, when all the pain disappeared, a black arm made of magic appeared.
Killian clenched and unclenched his hand.
Although it had the same shape as a monster, the movement was as natural as his original arm.
Moreover, he felt oddly stronger.
Killian smiled brightly and knelt before the wizard.
“Thank you, wizard.”
*****
“If it’s a marking of a curse…”
Curse. A single word and Lexion knew something was wrong.
He struggled to hold onto hope and asked the Archmage.
But Karen’s expression remained grave.
“This is ancient magic. It’s almost like nonexistent magic now. Very few people know about this magic.”
Karen ran a hand through her greasy hair.
Only she and Jeremy knew of this old magic that supposedly should have disappeared so long ago.
However.
‘If that bastard is still alive…’
Anyone who studied black magic would know this magic.
“Why did such magic happen to Elena…”
Lexion stared at Elena with reddened eyes and murmured.
Karen also looked at Elena.
“… As this magic is a ‘curse,’ it comes with a price.”
“The price, what is it?”
“It is vitality. Giving your life force to make your opponent slowly die.”
Lexion’s eyes widened.
Killian’s grudge seemed bigger than he initially thought.
Despair slowly crept into Lexion’s eyes.
“Besides, this curse came from Black Magic. It is clear that the person who cast this curse practices this type of magic.”
As Karen continued, Lexion’s grip tightened.
It was clear that his foolish blood-related brother had become blinded by revenge and had been stained with black magic.
Anger nearly engulfed his reason, but Lexion managed to control it.
Elena’s life was more important now.
“Then what should I do to save Elena?”
Lexion asked with earnest eyes.
“The curse must be lifted by the person who placed the curse on it.”
Hearing the answer from the Archmage, Lexion couldn’t help but feel devastated.
There was no way Killian would lift the curse.
Lexion became even more miserable.
Quietly staring at him, Karen added:
“… There is but one more way.”
“What is it? Tell me!”
Lexion shouted.
Karen ruffled her hair and let out a sigh.
“It’s a very old and dangerous method, but it’s the only way to save Elena.”
Karen turned her gaze back to Elena, took a breath, and continued.
“There is a ‘Snow Mountain Beast’ in the Kurte Mountains to the North of the Empire. We need to get the blood of that monster.”
The Snow Mountain Beast that existed in the Kurte Mountains was a legend in the Soleth Empire.
Whenever parents discipline their children, they would say, “If you don’t listen, the Snow Mountain Beast will grab you!”
So, until now, Lexion only thought that the “Beast of the Snow Mountain” was a legendary creature.
Reading Lexion’s expression, Karen spoke again.
“The Snow Mountain Beast is not a legendary creature. It is the last of its ancient race that has lived for thousands of years.”
“… So, do I have to kill that last one?”
At Lexion’s question, Karen shook her head.
“There is no need to kill. A cup of blood is enough. But there’s no way that that monster will just willingly give you its blood, so you’ll probably have to kill it.”
Karen gave a bitter smile.
“Unfortunately, Jeremy and I can’t approach the Snow Mountain Beast. For a long time, that race and the wizards don’t get along well. Besides, because of the unique power of that race, we can’t even go near it.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
Lexion spoke up.
“Because I’m going.”
There was an unconcealable determination in his eyes.
“Even if I risk my life, I will save Elena.”
Lexion’s strong will was transmitted to Karen and Jeremy.
Lexion approached Elena and sat down next to her.
Then, still looking at her, he asked them both.
“Is there anything else you need besides the blood of the Snow Mountain Beast?”
“No. Its blood is all we need. The monster’s blood has the power to purify everything.”
“All right. But, how long can Elena last?”
Lexion asked, holding Elena’s hand.
There was no vitality in her hands.
She was like a dead person. Lexion felt his chest tighten.
“One week. If it takes longer than that, even if the person who cursed her comes, she won’t be able to wake up.”
“… All right.”
Lexion answered Karen’s words and kissed the back of Elena’s hand.
‘Wait for me, Elena.’
Then he got up from his seat.
Karen silently stared at him.
From her first encounter with Lexion Halos up until now.
She clearly felt his love for Elena.
So Karen decided to do something else for them, something she had never done before.
“I’ll let you use the portal that connects to the Kurte Mountains area.”
At her words, Lexion’s face brightened a little.
“You don’t have much time, so it’s a special permission. Jeremy will open it for you when you return from your preparations.”
Karen spoke casually and turned around.
She told him everything she could, so it meant that their discussion was over.
Looking at her retreating back, Lexion bowed his head.
“Thank you.”
Although he never bowed to anyone, he would put down everything as long as it was for Elena.
After expressing his gratitude, Lexion immediately left the Archmage’s office.
Jeremy also saluted Karen and followed him.
“Once you’re ready, come to Elena’s lab. I’ll guide you.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Lexion hurried his steps.
As the two disappeared from the hallway, the door to the office closed.
Karen walked slowly towards Elena.
She straightened the girl’s disheveled hair.
“You have met a good person, Elena.”
Karen’s lips rose softly.
Lexion Halos genuinely cared for Elena.
So Karen believed that Lexion could save Elena.
“Until he returns, get some rest.”
Karen stroked Elena’s hair and activated her magic into her hands.
She couldn’t leave Elena in the office until Lexion’s return.
Numerous people were moving in and out of the office.
So Karen decided to send Elena to her bedroom.
It was the safest place for Elena because it was a place that no wizard would dare to enter.
Elena’s body floated and disappeared in an instant.
Elena appeared in the Archmage’s bedroom, which was connected to the office by a secret passage.
Soon, her body was settled on a large, soft bed.
*****
Returning to the Halos manor through Elena’s lab portal, Lexion immediately got to work.
“Duke?! Duke? Is there something you need to do?”
Kerr, who had just entered the office, asked Lexion.
“Kerr. I’ll be gone for about a week, so I’ll leave the mansion in your care.”
“Ye-yes?!”
Kerr was taken aback by the sudden remark.
“So sudden? For a week? Is it because of Lady Elena?”
As he headed to the office, he heard stories from the servants, so Kerr quickly thought of this reason.
“Yes. To save Elena, I must move.”
“… I understand if it’s for Elena’s sake, but where are you going?”
Kerr put the papers he had brought on the desk and asked Lexion.
“The Kurte Mountains.”
“What? Why are you going there?”
“I’m going to capture the monster in the snowy mountains.”
“… Wait! It’s real?!”
Kerr’s eyes widened.
“Yes.”
“No, wait. Let’s assume it’s real. But are you going there alone?”
Lexion nodded subconsciously as he continued his preparations.
The Kurte Mountains were rugged, so it would be quicker to travel alone.
Besides, he couldn’t bring his own soldiers with him to use the portal in the Magic Tower.
Kerr asked more questions, but Lexion carried on with his preparations without answering.
He put on his winter battle uniform, took his sword, and headed to the Magic Tower.
