Chapter 83
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Chapter 83
A street in the Capital renowned for its concentration of grand mansions.
Standing before the gates of the most expensive estate among them, Theo appeared somehow diminished in stature.
His entire body had contracted with anxiety.
"Um, are we really allowed to enter here...?"
Theo's eyes darted nervously, as though he would flee to anywhere else at a moment's notice if given the chance.
Karha, for different reasons, had no desire to enter at all.
"This place... it's that place!"
He had recognized it as the Heretic Inquisitor's Mansion—where Chesa had spent the past week.
The fact that he needed to seek Hailon's assistance made Karha's lips purse like a duck's.
But there was no other choice.
With his face swollen in displeasure, Karha rang the bell attached to the mansion's iron gate.
The Servant who emerged from the inner entrance gasped the moment she saw Chesa.
Immediately after, every Servant in the mansion came rushing out to greet her.
"You've finally come!"
"We've been waiting so eagerly for your return."
"Miss, how we've missed you. Do you remember playing ball with me?"
Their fervent welcome left Chesa bewildered.
The Servants ushered the two of them and one fairy into the mansion with utmost care.
Seated in the Reception Room, Theo and Karha exhaled in relief.
"At least we've found some respite. But whose mansion is this...?"
"You don't need to know who the Security Force commander is. Once you know, you'll wish you never had."
Though Karha's response was evasive, his words held truth.
No one desired entanglement with the Heretic Inquisitor.
Since the Heretic Inquisitor's identity was classified, those who learned related information faced execution with high probability for even minor transgressions, all in the name of maintaining secrecy.
Even if acquitted and allowed to live, one had to swear a binding oath of silence regarding the Heretic Inquisitor.
Breaking such an oath sworn in Holy Power meant immediate execution.
So everyone pretended ignorance and desperately avoided involvement.
Hailon had made an exception only for House of Basilian.
"You'll be safe here, so set your mind at ease."
"Yes! Thank you so much."
Watching Theo's gratitude, Karha clicked his tongue.
Honestly, Theo needn't have been involved at all—he'd simply had the misfortune of being caught up in this.
Yet he showed not a trace of resentment.
Theo was marveling at the sight of the mansion.
"This home is truly magnificent."
"The Security Force commander should have his eyes replaced."
"Yes...? How would one replace eyes?"
“....”
Karha, who had been grumbling, found himself at a loss for words in the face of such innocence.
It seemed he couldn't adapt, lacking the innocent, teddy bear-like type around him.
'The two of them must be playing well together.'
Even if I stepped away for a moment, I didn't need to worry about Theo and Karha fighting.
"Rest now! I'm just going upstairs to sleep for a bit."
Babies, after all, slept at all hours without warning.
The moment she confidently declared she'd go sleep in her own room, veins bulged across Karha's forehead.
"You made a separate room for the baby? You thief...!"
He was in an uproar, demanding to know what gave her the right to prepare a room for the baby when he was the one here.
"Please calm yourself, Karha!"
"Let me go!"
While Karha and Theo bickered back and forth, I quickly climbed the stairs.
The Servant who had often helped transport me during my stays at the Basilian Mansion was waiting in front of the Reception Room, and she promptly carried me to Chesa's Room.
As she set me down inside the room, she whispered softly.
"Please visit often. The master has been waiting for you."
"...Hmm?"
"He often visits the room where you stayed. That's not like him at all."
The Servant spoke with flushed cheeks, as if making a confession.
"We've all been waiting for you too."
I'd only spent a week at the mansion, yet everyone was acting like this. It was bewildering.
The welcome greeting earlier had already been burdensome, and now hearing this near-confession made me genuinely confused.
Still, I answered graciously.
"I'll come again!"
"Yes. I'll contact the master right away. He's busy with work, but he'll come before sunset."
"Understood."
The door closed.
Finally alone in the room, I clenched my fists tightly.
The Skaya Kingdom is wealthy.
It was because the kingdom controlled pirates and collected tribute from them.
So they must have hired very skilled mercenaries.
The fact that I'd fled here would soon reach Itar's ears.
When Itar came leading his mercenaries.
For perfect safety, Hailon needed to be at the mansion.
My plan could only be completed with Hailon here.
'Otherwise, there's no point in coming all this way.'
So I intended to make Hailon abandon all his work and come running.
As I slowly drew up my power, flowers and butterflies bloomed all around.
I created a large, magnificent butterfly.
The ominously crimson butterfly was unmistakably that of a sorceress.
I sent the elegant, fluttering butterfly to Hailon first.
Then I sent another one to Itar as well.
The crimson butterflies fluttered away toward their target and vanished.
"Good, everything's ready."
The bait was cast; now I just needed to set the trap.
Chesa giggled, drawing upon even greater power.
Space twisted around her.
Chesa's Illusion Realm began to unfold.
"Hah!"
A Chessboard of alternating black and white stretched endlessly into the distance.
A small infant appeared in that space, exhaling deeply.
Flowers bloomed profusely, wrapping around her form.
When the petals faded, the fox spirit Lichesia stood revealed.
Her eyelids lifted slowly, unveiling eyes as crimson as roses.
Undulating golden hair cascaded down like a waterfall of precious metal.
Chesa made a light gesture, summoning her axe.
She moved her slender limbs freely, swinging the axe with exhilarating grace.
A chess piece hovering in the air was struck by the blade and split cleanly in two, scattering into flower petals that dissolved away.
Chesa laughed brightly and cried out.
"Ah, this adult body is the best!"
With another swing of her axe, a colossal mound of flowers bloomed from the ground.
Chesa settled gracefully upon it.
"Shall I wait patiently?"
Soon her prey would come seeking her.
***
Itar despised everything adorned with the epithet "Holy."
Yet here was a mansion frequented by a Holy Knight.
It was a mansion of such grandeur that no Holy Knight's salary could afford it—he wondered if the man was perhaps a hidden child of some noble house.
Regardless, he had no desire to come anywhere near anything "Holy" if he could help it.
But now he had no choice.
It was an infant who bore a striking resemblance to the enchantress Lichesia.
I had to have it.
"We're heading to the mansion."
Leading his mercenaries, I marched boldly toward the mansion where the infant was supposedly hidden—only to stop short.
"...?"
I couldn't believe what my eyes were seeing.
The Holy Knight Order had surrounded the mansion.
Faced with the overwhelming presence of heavily armored elite knights, my mercenaries immediately looked pathetic by comparison.
"W-what is the meaning of this?"
My mercenaries muttered nervously, their spirits crushed.
A man who appeared to be the commander of the knights turned his gaze toward me.
The moment our eyes met—his blue eyes piercing into mine.
Recognizing his identity, I suddenly wanted nothing more than to return home.
The man's eyes narrowed slightly with menace.
"...You."
Just as he was about to speak.
A butterfly tinged with crimson appeared in my field of vision.
Instinctively, I reached out toward the otherworldly creature when the sound of chains rang out.
"Gahhh!"
My limbs were bound by pristine white chains that erupted from nowhere, and I screamed in agony.
"Do not touch that."
A low, chilling voice issued a cold warning.
Yet even as I thrashed about, the crimson butterfly descended gently onto my forehead.
The moment the butterfly's wings brushed against my skin.
My entire vision inverted.
The mundane became the extraordinary, reality transformed into illusion.
Confronted by the grotesque landscape unfolding before me, my eyes widened in shock.
"W-what is this...!"
It was the Illusion Realm of the enchantress Lichesia.
Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org