CHAPTER 31
“…I know. Let’s go now.”
Responding quietly, Roziana turned her body and began walking forward obediently once more.
Yes, not yet.
Just a little further, and they would reach the safest tower in the palace.
Just a little longer.
“If anything happens to me, the first to come running will be As and Father.”
So she had to wait a little longer.
Roziana took a deep breath.
“I never liked it from the beginning.”
The plan to kidnap Izev in her place, the dangerous battle everyone—including Leodian—was risking their lives for, just to protect her…
And, above all, the fact that her safety was being decided by someone else.
“The very idea that some things are out of my control from the moment I was born…”
That sense of helplessness was becoming unbearable.
“If I were just an ignorant child, it would be one thing…”
But as someone who retained her identity as the witch Erika for nearly 500 years, becoming a baby again but still having all her memories, being unable to act or think freely was incredibly frustrating.
Possessing power but being unable to use it became increasingly agonizing with each day.
“I don’t want to just sit back and be protected anymore.”
Roziana clenched her fists tightly.
“A witch isn’t someone who needs protecting—she’s the one who protects what is precious.”
In the distance, the faint lights revealed the entrance of a tower hidden within the forest.
The tower had been fortified with all kinds of protective magic and barriers by Leodian.
It was the emperor’s final line of defense to keep her safe from Mephisto and any outside threats.
Asterios led the way with three Gold Guardians in front, while Mari and Roziana followed behind. Pushing aside the thick foliage, the secret entrance to the tower came into view.
Roziana took a deep breath.
Then, with a sweet voice, she called out to him.
“Sir Tenebres.”
“Yes?”
“I… I feel a little dizzy. Could you hold me for a moment?”
It was an unusual request coming from her.
Narrowing his eyes, Asterios approached and checked her complexion.
Seeing her worried expression and pale face, he gently lifted her, supporting her back and knees.
Mari, who had been following behind the princess, stepped forward and took the lantern to light the way in his place.
“Your Highness, are you alright?”
The three Gold Guardians ahead turned back in concern.
“Yes, I feel much better,” Roziana answered with a soft exhale.
Asterios faced forward again. “We’ll go a bit slower now.”
“Thank you, Sir.”
Then, as they reached the entrance to the tower—
“Sir Tenebres.”
Roziana called him again gently.
Just as Asterios looked calmly into her violet eyes—
Wink!
“?”
The princess suddenly winked.
Blinking in confusion, Asterios was suddenly hit by an unimaginable force that pushed him and the others into the tower.
“!”
Looking down, he realized Roziana was no longer in his arms. In her place, glowing violet magic letters shimmered in the air.
A witch’s spell…!
Even as Asterios grasped the situation, a loud noise came from behind.
Thud!
“Your Highness?”
His cry was met only by the sound of the massive door slamming shut.
At the same time, the protective barriers of the tower activated with a loud hum.
“Damn it!”
They had been tricked!
Roziana’s voice came faintly from beyond the sealed door.
“I’m sorry. As. I’m sorry, everyone.”
“!”
Realizing her intent, Asterios’s brow furrowed deeply, and his golden eyes flared red.
But Mari, Fiona, Angela, and Thomas were all confused.
“Her Highness locked the tower doors herself?!”
“No way!”
“She locked us in for our safety, and went alone?!”
“Goodness! That can’t be allowed, Your Highness!”
“Your Highness!”
As they pounded on the now-sealed entrance and walls in panic—
A low voice commanded:
“…Everyone. Step away from the wall.”
Asterios, his white mask gleaming and crimson eyes glowing, raised his hand toward the wall.
Exactly one night before—
Roziana had a private audience with Leodian, the emperor and her father.
“Don’t protect me too much?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Could you pretend to protect me instead? I truly hate the idea of someone risking their life for me.”
Leodian’s expression twisted at her words.
He hated to admit it, but he knew exactly what she was implying.
“Rozie, don’t tell me… You’re planning to let Mephisto capture you?”
Though his voice was calm, it sent a chill through the room.
Cedric gasped from beside him.
“Oh my!”
Roziana playfully covered her mouth.
“Father, you’re so clever.”
Twist.
Leodian’s eyebrows twitched at her unexpected response.
“Haah.”
Shaking his head, he rubbed his forehead.
“Rozie, if you knew how your father felt, you’d never say that.”
“But Father, I have a strong feeling he won’t hurt me.”
“If we could survive on feelings alone, that would be nice. But this could be a foolish decision. Please, follow the plan I made. That priest has a similar build to you—he’d make a perfect decoy.”
“Do you really believe Mephisto wouldn’t tell us apart? I can’t put someone loyal to me in danger.”
“Absolutely not. It’s too dangerous!”
“If I don’t go, something even more dangerous might happen. And… there’s something I have to confirm.”
“Something to confirm?”
“I can’t say yet. Please, just trust me once.”
“Still, I can’t allow it.”
Knowing he wouldn’t budge, Roziana stood up.
Leodian’s eyes widened, thinking she had given up.
“Rozie?”
“Father, look closely.”
See what kind of power your daughter possesses.
Leodian would surely feel it.
What kind of power she had—and how much.
Roziana exhaled and closed her eyes.
“Nova.”
In a flash of golden waves, the enormous griffin she summoned roared.
It lowered its head and nuzzled her affectionately.
Golden dragon energy shone around the princess and her griffin.
Though everyone had seen her summon before, the creature had grown even more majestic in just a few days.
It was enough to show that her dragon power had grown to match Leodian’s.
She’s trying to reassure me with her strength…
He admired her courage.
But that wasn’t all.
“Holy power, activate.”
Now, brilliant white light joined the golden aura.
It was so bright that Leodian had to squint.
Cedric bowed his head, shielding himself from the intense light.
“Ugh!”
A power unlike anything they’d ever felt. Warm yet blinding—an instinctive sense that it would protect her completely.
Leodian relaxed slightly. If she was this powerful, maybe she could hold her own against Mephisto.
But that didn’t mean he would send her to the Demon Realm.
“I understand your intent now, Rozie. But still—”
“Shh. Just a moment, Father.”
Roziana raised a finger to her lips.
Just as Leodian was reflecting on how sweet it sounded to be called “Father”—
“Mana Circle.”
“!”
Leodian’s body flinched.
Mana Circle?
Rozie is using mana?
His golden eyes trembled slightly.
Mana is a different kind of magic from dragon power.
Only demons from the Demon Realm… and—
Only witches can use it!
He stared at his daughter in disbelief.
Long ago, witches had vanished.
They had been an essential part of the world—now no longer in existence.
But now—
How?!
Even the unshakable emperor was stunned.
As he watched, a violet energy quietly formed a circle around Roziana’s body, mixing with the swirling gold.
She floated gently as waves of purple and gold intertwined in layers.
She was enveloped in the combined storm of three forces. The burst of light shattered the space around her.
Leodian had never felt such overwhelming power.
Roziana spoke again, this time with absolute confidence.
“Father. I’ll be fine in the Demon Realm. I won’t just sit still and be protected anymore.”
The stunned emperor could only stare blankly at his daughter.
“So, I’ll be back. Father.”
The daughter who had grown up overnight smiled at him as if nothing had changed.
