Chapter 38
“You look happy, Master.”
“Do I?”
Jacquette spoke quietly to Theophanes, who was handing his luggage to a knight.
“Yes. The corners of your lips look different.”
Theophanes looked at him with a subtle expression.
“How did you notice the corners of my lips were higher than usual?”
“Well, I’d say it’s my sharp observation skills.”
At Jacquette’s reply, Theophanes stepped half a step away from him.
“I’m a married man now, Jacquette.”
“It’s just admiration, that’s all.”
Jacquette gave a light smile, acting unbothered.
Just then, Theophanes frowned at the faint vibration he felt from inside his coat.
Both he and Jacquette quickly pulled something out—it was a small brooch-shaped magical communication device.
“What’s going on…?”
Before Jacquette could finish speaking, a loud, piercing scream echoed through the air.
“Leave the minimum guards here. The rest, follow me. You two send for backup.”
Theophanes gave sharp orders and ran toward the fountain where Jaquette and Daphne were supposed to be.
But among the crowd of people running away, he couldn’t see either of them.
“Daphne! Jaquette!”
He shouted, but it was likely no one could hear over the chaos.
“Master!”
“Emil.”
Emil came running, his face pale.
“You lost them.”
“I’m sorry.”
“We’ll talk more once we’re back at the estate. Report the situation.”
“A portal appeared in the middle of the village. It’s not fully open yet.”
“Split up. You two go find Daphne and Jaquette.”
“Yes, sir!”
Even before Theophanes finished speaking, Jacquette and Emil vanished from sight.
“The rest of the guards help the town patrol evacuate people and find the duchess and the young lady.”
“Yes, sir!”
Theophanes yanked off his hat that was blocking his view and tied his hair up high.
His heart was uneasy.
He tried to stay calm, but frustration welled up.
He was annoyed not because of fear, but because if something happened to her, all his plans would fall apart.
Yes, that was it.
He just needed to check she was safe.
“I won’t let her disappear.”
He whispered and grabbed the fabric over his chest tightly, took a deep breath—
Then leaped onto the rooftop in one swift move.
“Never.”
It sounded like he was speaking to someone, but really, it was a vow to himself.
Theophanes began searching for the two.
Meanwhile…
In an empty alley, a beast twisted in pain.
Whoosh—
The alley shimmered, and suddenly a door appeared on a wall.
Two people stepped through it.
One wore a hood, the other a mask.
The hooded one was a man, the masked one, was a woman.
“Put your hood up.”
“It’s stuffy. I’m already wearing a mask.”
“You know that’s not enough to hide your identity.”
“Ugh, always nagging. That’s why I brought you to protect me, not to lecture me.”
“Still…”
“Let’s finish this quickly and leave.”
“…Fine.”
The man sighed and moved like he’d done this many times.
While the woman walked toward the beast, the man looked around.
Luckily, no one was nearby.
“Oh dear, does it hurt a lot?”
She reached out to touch the beast’s frozen leg but stopped.
“This is…”
She looked at her hand, troubled, and rubbed her brow.
“What’s wrong?”
The man turned to her.
“This isn’t magic. It’s a transcendent’s power.”
“You mean the Winter Transcendent?”
“Yes. Looks like she awakened after all. Guess the Marquis doesn’t know his daughter very well.”
She clicked her tongue, then shrugged casually.
“Oh well. We’ll have to abandon this one.”
“Are you sure? You were so happy when it worked.”
“It’s a shame, but I won’t die just to save that thing.”
As if it understood, the beast suddenly thrashed wildly.
Its movements were like desperate cries.
“Well, at least now we know a beast with a human soul still has intelligence. I’d say that’s a success.”
The woman stepped back coolly.
“Finish it.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Before the word was fully spoken, the man leaped lightly, bounced off a wall, and pierced the beast in one clean strike.
Landing again, he shook off the black goop.
His hands weren’t human—they had sharp claws, like a wyvern’s feet.
He moved them with ease as if used to them.
The woman plugged her nose, stepping away from the stench.
“Ugh. Why can’t we do something about the smell?”
“Of course, it stinks. We made it from rotting things. If it didn’t stink, that would be strange.”
The man wiped the core and handed it to her.
“Luckily, the core is intact.”
“Still can’t control the power fully, huh.”
She inspected the core, then tucked it in her pocket.
The beast’s body collapsed without its core, melting into a pool of black sludge.
Shhhk…
It seemed to be trying to say something, but neither of them cared.
“Once the portal opens, this will all get mixed up anyway. Let’s go.”
She opened another door.
Inside was a room with dark gray bricks.
As they stepped in, their dirty appearance instantly changed.
The woman now wore a glamorous dress.
The man was dressed in a clean uniform.
“I should contact Baron Bruce.”
“Shall I prepare it?”
“Yes. The night would be best.”
“Understood.”
The woman removed her mask and brushed off her dress.
“Even with a new outfit, the smell won’t go away. I’ll go first. Pan, you clean up and follow.”
“Yes.”
She walked up the stairs and opened one last door.
Beyond it was a room as elegant as her dress.
“I’m back—”
“Your Highness!”
A maid inside ran to her.
“My, such a warm welcome.”
“His Majesty is waiting for you.”
“Oh? Has he been waiting long?”
“No, he just arrived. He wants to take a walk with you.”
“Really? Then bring a parasol.”
The princess gave her order and stepped out.
In the sitting room, the emperor was waiting.
“Father!”
“Oh, my daughter. You’re so busy these days, I barely see your face.”
“Aww, I’m sorry.”
She smiled sweetly and linked arms with him. The emperor laughed heartily.
“Elexina, when you say it like that, I can’t be mad.”
“You wanted to take a walk, right? How about the rose garden?”
“Perfect.”
They walked together, arm in arm, so pleasantly that anyone watching would smile.
Elexina felt the core moving in her pocket and thought to herself:
“Now… who should I use for the next experiment?”
