Too bad I couldn't come back right away.
When I turned my body, blood poured out from the wound site.
Oh...I almost cried inside.
'What a cruel human being he really is.'
For someone like him at that level among the awakened, his use of force is like moving his hands and feet.
'He deliberately made me bleed.'
While I was calming down my bitterness and looking away, I saw that the awake person whose eyes had met my eyes a short while ago was still standing in his place.
'What's wrong with that person?'
I felt like his eyes were fixed on my wound, or was I delusional?
But a group of magicians suddenly rushed towards me and formed a human barrier that completely blocked my vision.
Then they started screaming like little chicks:
“Oh my God, Madam Duchess, you look so hurt...!”
“Blood!
We know too.
We know you can heal this wound quickly, but...”
“Do you allow us to treat you ourves?”
They seemed to think that I had left the wound untreated just to stir their consciences and make them feel guilty.
But no, that's not the case.
Simply put, I am incapable of using magic.
Then Hilaria, who was born with a fiery mana nature, was always bad at healing magic.
“Then... let us...”
The magicians hesitated a little, then advanced towards me with cautious steps, and began racing to shower me with healing magic.
Bright lights spread until my eyes hurt, and the pain gradually began to subside.
So that my features would not appear as relaxed as a cat drunk from the smell of the bramble tree, I tightened my facial muscles a little, and then I saw one of the magicians holding Louis in his arms and approaching me cautiously, as if he was afraid that he would be blamed.
Then everyone lowered their heads and said in a low voice full of remorse:
“We made a mistake, ma'am.”
“We were irrational.”
“Even this child… didn’t do anything, and yet he heard harsh words.”
I watched the witches, one after another, sincerely confess their sins, while swearing never to repeat their mistake again.
Where did those arrogant people go who were just roaring like monsters?
Everyone looked ridiculously broken and ashamed.
‘Am I a kindergarten teacher?
Why do they all seem to be waiting for me to scold them?'
Perhaps that is what made me say:
“Compared to the Emperor’s anger, this is a good situation.”
I pretended to speak with dignity like Duchess Ariel, but my real intention was to reassure them not to hold themves responsible for what had happened.
As soon as they heard this, the magicians suddenly raised their heads with eyes shining with emotion.
“Our Lady...”
“We... uh... we fought with those bastards... we made a mistake!”
“We made a mistake, aah!”
What really funny people they are.
I burst out laughing in spite of myf.
I laughed unconsciously and then panicked, but the status window remained silent.
Apparently my laugh wasn't loud enough to raise a warning.
But the magicians froze in their places.
They opened their mouths and stopped moving, even those who were crying loudly.
'What happened to them?'
I looked at them with astonishment mixed with pity, then I turned my body to finally return.
“The lady smiled now...”
“Shut up, you insensitive idiot!”
I heard a commotion behind me, and I saw again that awake person standing alone while looking at me with a tense, distorted look.
'What's the matter?' Does he feel wronged?'
But, I have nothing to do with it.
I was so tired.
I'll just go home.
I ignored the pain that lodged itf in my chest whenever I remembered that cold look of the Emperor.
Those who were secretly observing the situation exchanged glances and smiled contentedly.
What fools they are.
How fun this scene is!
The mere fact that these two groups are the protectors of the empire is ridiculous.
'To be fooled by such a simple trap...'
How laughable the scene of them attacking each other was!
Rather, confronting the Emperor and the owner of the Magic Tower gave them pure ecstasy.
How disgusting to see them—those who reluctantly cooperate against a common enemy called “The Gate,” even though they hate each other.
'Good, let them all fall into the abyss.'
The appearance of the great ruler is near.
His loyal followers do nothing but prepare for that day.
They were giving their blood, and their lives!
'It's true that Caesis, that bastard, is not an easy opponent...'
But when they remembered the terrifying demonic power that the Emperor had unleashed in anger today, they felt shivers to the point of cursing.
However, in the end, there was only one human standing helplessly in the face of death.
'He is nothing but a hideous monster.'
That monster does not realize that his pride will devour his heart.
He does not know that they have prepared a special gift for him today for this very day.
They failed six years ago,
But they saw how much the Emperor was shaken during his confrontation with the Duchess.
So this time will be different.
Those unknown people smiled mysteriously, then began to skillfully erase their traces until they disappeared as if they were not there.
“I wonder what dream he's having now.”
I said in a worried voice while running my fingers over the corner of the sleeping Louis' eyes tiredly.
How sad he was...
There was a shiny tear still lingering at the corner of his eye.
Since we got back, he hasn't eaten or said anything.
Rather, he's been crying silently until he fainted and fell asleep.
As I expected, he seemed to be the one who endured all the pain.
“Meow.”
So I couldn't look with satisfied eyes at the fat cat that had woken up from its nap and came to me just now.
“You fat cat.”
“I am Great Guide Lucy!
I don’t allow you to do that insult, Mew-human!”
“Okay, enough.”
“What?”
“Great Guide, just tell me, what exactly are you doing?
Yesterday and today you did nothing but eat, so what have you done for us?”
"I don't understand why you're fighting with me.
My presence alone is of great benefit to you, you stupid Miu."
“You.”
Lucy the cat jumped into the bed and ran around the sleeping Louis.
Then she placed her broad buttocks near his small hand, turned her body to hug him, and began rubbing her head with his hair.
I sighed as I straightened Louis' hair, which was messy and full of cat dander.
“Are you the one who made him cry, huh?”
I was going to say “no,” but I kept my mouth shut.
“Maybe yes.
The wizards and awakened ones all fought, and he had to see it all up close.”
“Wasn’t it you and the Emperor who quarreled, Miao?”
Oh this...
This is a question that can only be asked by someone who knows too much.
“You knew something, didn't you?
A strange window appeared a while ago.”
I looked at Louis to make sure he was still asleep.
He seemed completely absorbed, so I continued talking reassured.
I turned to the fat cat who was licking her little paws and said:
“Explain.
What is meant by unauthorized intrusion?
You have to prove that you deserve your food.”
When she completely ignored me, I grabbed her tail angrily.
“Meeeow!”
Although this is something cat lovers would never do, I convinced myf that it was not a real cat.
Have you ever seen a cat eating sweets?
“Leave me meow!”
“Answer clearly this time, don’t be evasive like usual.
I will not allow something like this to happen again.”
“Hmm...”
When I spoke sternly, Lucy the cat gave me a sharp sideways glance, then stared at me calmly as if she hadn't made a fuss a while ago.
What's wrong with her?
Why did the atmosphere get so serious all of a sudden?
“Don’t you know, human being?
This world moves according to a specific course, just like any story that has a hero and a villain.”
“So, are those… you’re talking about the real hidden villains?”
But the original story did not include that they infiltrated the imperial palace.
“Events are going differently than I know.”
Everything was different from the beginning.