Finally, they reached their last destination. Franz let out a deep breath as he gazed at the signpost that read “Urentum.”
Finding the magic stone warehouse here would still be challenging, but the hope of finally being free from danger was becoming a reality.
“Finally, we are in Urentum.”
“Yes, sir Franz. The summit is just ahead.”
“The key is to quickly find out where the magic stones are hidden.”
“Exactly. There are two main suspicious locations, but it’s most likely underground at the place where Louisette’s villa once stood. And…”
Stilikov’s explanation stopped abruptly, his startled breath echoing in the air. Franz turned to him, sensing something was wrong with his own face.
“Sir Franz, your nose…”
Dark red blood was streaming from his nose. Stilikov hurriedly pulled a handkerchief from his pocket to stop the bleeding.
“It seems using magic consecutively took a toll.”
One reason why the illegal processing, distribution, and use of magic stones is legally prohibited is due to such side effects.
Using superhuman power intertwined with gravity inevitably has consequences. In a way, it defies the natural order.
The royal family has conducted extensive research to minimize the side effects that can occur from using magic, and to mitigate risks, they began processing the magic stones.
If one processes a magic stone without knowing the proper method, it could cause severe harm to their body when using magic.
“Is it reasonable to say that it’s too much just after moving a few times?”
Franz, having wiped his face, irritably tossed the handkerchief aside. Stilikov, glancing at the discarded handkerchief on the dirt floor, returned his attention to Franz.
“It seems we should take a break.”
“A break? Do you want to rest from a mere nosebleed and end up resting in prison for life?”
“Sir Franz.”
“No, it would be fortunate if I could at least rest in prison. If those bastards catch us, I might not even have the chance to rest, but instead, live forever in hell.”
“…Are you sure you’re alright?”
“I’m just a bit tired. You and that guy who used the same magic stone seem fine, right? It’s not because of the magic stone. Don’t worry.”
Then what is it? In reality, there should be nothing exhausting for Franz, who simply follows a schedule and does as directed when going to bed on time.
Stilikov, who meticulously planned every movement and worried himself to the point of losing sleep while keeping an eye on his surroundings, was indeed pushing himself much harder.
If his body were to show signs of distress from overexertion, it would make more sense for it to happen to Stilikov rather than anyone else.
A thought crossed Stilikov’s mind. Perhaps Franz had the same thought. It was the curse of black magic, the side effects that Marina had suffered for so long.
Marina endured terrible pain alone because she performed all the dark magic on behalf of her son. However, if one thinks about it, Franz couldn’t be completely free from black magic either.
Moreover, hadn’t he directly used magic to threaten and harm Celeste’s soul, which was connected to him?
Perhaps the price for his careless use of black magic was now starting to show.
“Go and look at the map again. Decide where we should go first.”
“Can we move right away?”
“If you really care about me, you should get us out of this country as quickly as possible. Don’t scowl at me uselessly while waving around cloth.”
“Yes, Lord Franz. I will prepare the horses immediately.”
The first destination was the place where Louisette’s villa had been. It was where Celeste had hidden outside the capital, and the site where he had caused an explosion himself. Franz roughly wiped the blood off his hand.
***
To think you are Valerie’s sister.
It was a particularly exhausting morning after a long night of torment from Karl. I had no appetite due to the restless sleep. I was tired and had a headache, yet for some reason, the corners of my mouth kept turning upwards.
As I mumbled about being tired while laughing softly, Leev, who was dressing Valerie, subtly tried to engage me in conversation.
“I heard His Majesty visited late at night?”
The news of Karl’s surprise visit had spread like wildfire among the knights of the royal investigator and the Count’s attendants.
Although Leev pressed her lips together to stifle a laugh, she couldn’t hide her amusement as she watched me. What mischievous comment would she make next?
I opened my fan wide and waved it, creating a light breeze; my true intention was to conceal my face with the broad surface.
Leev would undoubtedly chatter on about how ‘I looked happy’ or ‘How could I manage such a kind smile despite being tired?’
“With so much state affairs to attend to, you even steal time from your sleep to see Her Majesty. Truly a romanticist.”
“If you’re planning to tease me again, it would be wise to refrain, Leev.”
“As I say every time, how could I dare to tease Her Majesty? I’m merely expressing my admiration and respect for the perfection that is the supreme rulers of this empire…”
“Enough. Stop. Shh.”
How could she attach such embarrassing embellishments to her words? If that wasn’t teasing, then what was it? When I feigned anger and stiffened my expression, Leev finally fell silent.
“I’m worried His Majesty might be tired and should take a walk.”
“I’m fine. That’s why I slept in.”
“Are you sure you don’t need more rest, Your Majesty?”
The next day came after arriving at the Count’s residence. Despite the royal investigator’s insistence to rest to alleviate my fatigue from the journey, I didn’t head straight for the cave but took a full day to rest.
Having rested sufficiently, it was now time to execute the true purpose of my visit to the Count’s residence.
“This is enough. Call for Sir Matthias.”
Karl intended to assign his closest aide, Clovis, to me as a substitute, but he was too busy with state affairs to do so.
Instead, a brown-haired member of the royal investigator named Matthias was included in the procession; he was said to hold a higher position than Clovis in the royal investigator.
If Clovis was the captain, then Matthias could be considered the deputy captain.
Anyway, I finished my light meal and called for him. Not knowing where or how Franz was moving, I felt a pressing urgency to trace his whereabouts as quickly as possible.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I will inform Commander Matthias.”
Leev shook the bell to summon a servant outside the bedroom and relayed the message to call Commander Matthias of the Imperial Investigation Unit. In the meantime, Hannah returned, trying to ensure the Count’s safety once more, just in case.
“Your Majesty, preparations are complete.”
To avoid misunderstandings among the servants regarding the Count, she reassured Lady Margaret with an explanation that ‘the Empress would be taking a light stroll in the garden and wanted to ensure safety once again.’
Keeping the verification of the underground tunnels a secret from even the Count’s servants was done to prevent the knowledge of a connection between Count Louisette and Duke Toscur from leaking outside.
Even if I thoroughly instructed the servants to keep quiet, too many words circulating would only create problems.
If someone carelessly let slip a word about it, the consequences could be fatal, much like when I had been attacked by dark magic users while surveying the square a year ago.
“Your Majesty, Sir Matthias has arrived.”
I stood up, opened the bedroom door, and stepped outside. Matthias was kneeling in greeting in the hallway outside the bedroom. I gestured for him to rise, and then we proceeded together to the first floor of the mansion.
“The investigation unit will escort Your Majesty’s procession.”
“Understood.”
The procession, disguised as a stroll, headed toward the garden. Hannah was next to me, and Matthias followed behind, providing solid protection.
Behind them trailed several knights from the Imperial Investigation Unit. Leev stood opposite Hannah, clutching Valerie and following me.
We could have headed straight to the secret tunnel, but we deliberately walked around the end of the garden. I couldn’t move as if I had a purpose while pretending to be out for a walk.
At the end of the roundabout path, I found the entrance leading to the secret tunnel. It felt familiar even though I had only visited once.
“This is where the tunnel begins.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“You must not enter from the tunnel entrance.”
The tunnel was designed for those who bore the blood of the House of Louisette. The entrance still emanated a potent magical aura.
The entrance to the cave, fortified with a magic stone barrier, could not be recklessly destroyed, and it felt even more desolate than the last time I saw it. A chilling aura seemed to linger, creating an illusion of an ominous presence.
