Chapter 118
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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Chapter 118
At Bibeorus's words, Aran slowly opened her mouth.
"If I volunteer, would I be selected?"
"Well, in an experiment where most die anyway, you've survived twice in a row."
In fact, among the executives who underwent experiments using Imperial Servants' blood, Aran was the only survivor.
There had been one executive who succeeded in the experiment for the first time and discovered Crown Prince Kiaros's dark period. But that executive also died just a week after revealing the future.
"You seem to think I should volunteer."
Aran spoke without expression.
"There are cases where it succeeds, but most of them die."
"Aran."
"So I didn't know back then, twenty-three years ago, that test subjects were always in short supply."
"Aran, Aran. That's ancient history."
Bibeorus chuckled softly, as if soothing her.
It was Bibeorus himself who had exploited the twenty-year-old Aran, whose eyes were only fixed on the desire to become better at magic.
Along with the Tower Master's blood, he had also demanded a large sum of money. He had hidden the reality that test subjects were scarce and instead deceived her into thinking money was necessary to undergo the experiment.
[I only have this much money... I stole it from Father.]
[You need more. Hmm, should we lend it to you? The interest is a bit high, but you can definitely pay it back.]
[I don't want to pay it back... Then give me just one year.]
[One year from now? Why?]
[I met someone by chance on the way to the Southern Region, and there's a man I like. He's the second son of a noble family. After we marry, I can ask him to pay it back for me. Then I'll undergo the experiment, and once I become good at magic, I can return to the Magic Tower with him.]
[Haha, is that so? I see. Well, the second son of a noble family must have plenty of money.]
[My father probably has even more money than my husband. Father is very wealthy.]
The Aran of that time knew absolutely nothing.
Because the Tower Master had only taught Aran that "your husband is the one who serves you," she simply thought that was what marriage was.
[Father will probably scold me harshly now, but once I become good at magic and return, he'll definitely be pleased!]
And so Aran married Cedric without a second thought.
And when she learned that Cedric had no money, Aran's ignorant world finally shattered.
[I'll undergo the experiment for now. Once I become good at magic and return to the Magic Tower, Father will definitely find a way to resolve this!]
She had already come too far. She believed that returning to the Magic Tower required achievements to match.
She underwent the experiment while pregnant. But it had no effect whatsoever.
[It's remarkable that you didn't even die... Would you consider joining the Gaejo Faction? We can make your dreams come true here. We have plenty of other experiments prepared.]
[But the cost of the experiments...]
[What experiment costs between colleagues? Don't worry about it. We'll take care of everything. In exchange...]
[In exchange?]
[Forget your family. We'll be dreaming of a much greater world.]
Aran could only nod. Her daughter would probably be raised well by Cedric.
In fact, cases like Aran's were very common in the Gaejo Faction.
Those who fell into the Gaejo Faction's grasp eventually rose to executive positions within the organization. They became addicted to their own bodies growing stronger after the experiments.
"Aran, in this new world, you'll rise to incredible heights. How can you still not forget those old days? Now we're family to each other."
Bibeorus spoke with a bright smile.
"Even when you lost the experimental creature you were managing last time, I didn't rebuke you at all, did I? And that was despite it falling into Kiaros's hands."
"It didn't really cause any major problems. That single experimental creature wouldn't have been enough for them to trace us anyway."
"Regardless."
Bibeorus continued speaking in a soothing tone, responding to Aran's sullen excuse.
"I too abandoned my son. Well, he was lacking in many ways, but... that's how all ordinary humans are. Now I don't even remember that child's name. Because I was reborn anew."
"...."
"I think you should undergo this experiment, Aran. Your heart keeps wavering because you haven't experienced gaining power yourself. Let's try once more. Alright?"
Aran gave no response. Bibeorus let out a low chuckle and added,
"Hand over the management of the experimental creatures you've been handling so far to someone else. Let's help you compose yourself before the experiment."
"...I want to continue managing the experimental creatures myself. I made one mistake, but."
"Is that so?"
"And I'd like to manage the human experimental subjects as well."
Most experimental subjects were dead, so there weren't many left to manage.
Bibeorus stroked his chin as he spoke.
"Not until that righteous-mouthed muscular specimen comes into our hands. He was your husband, after all."
"That's.... I forgot about that mistake from my foolish youth long ago."
"Regardless."
Despite undergoing experiments multiple times, there was still only one person who hadn't become a member of the Gaejo Faction. That was Cedric Loapi, who remained imprisoned in the Prison.
Even as he grew stronger and stronger, he continued to refuse the position of executive within the Gaejo Faction.
"I know you visit that specimen often. I'm sparing him from death because it would be wasteful, but I'm hesitant because I worry he might be a bad influence on you."
"If I truly cared about that man, would I have stayed silent when he came here to repay my debt? That man doesn't even know that I'm Aran."
"Hmm."
"I'm simply going there to persuade him to become an executive like me, because he's such an excellent specimen...."
"Then go ahead and persuade him."
Bibeorus shrugged his shoulders.
"Think about it after you've persuaded him, alright?"
"...."
"Soon the era of the Imperial Servants will end and our era will come. You know that, don't you?"
Then, after tapping Aran's shoulder twice, he left the conference room first.
* * *
Tomorrow was finally the day I would confront the High Priest. My heart raced with anticipation.
I examined my room carefully, thinking.
'I should tell Kibon to hide here tomorrow.'
With so many secrets, there were too many things to consider.
'The High Priest will definitely attack Kiaros. But Kiaros doesn't know the High Priest is an experimental subject and won't be particularly on guard.'
I wanted to station knights in this room, but then I would have to tell Kiaros, 'You're in your dark period. I don't trust you.'
While I was thinking such thoughts, Kibon entered.
"You called for me."
"Ah, yes. Come sit here."
I had Kibon sit at the table. It was where Kiaros and the High Priest would sit tomorrow.
If I stretched the tablecloth long enough, Kibon could probably hide underneath it without much difficulty.
"Hey, Kibon."
"Yes."
"You can fight, right? The Empress acknowledged it. How strong are you?"
"Minister, whenever you ask me to use my strength for anything, you need not worry in the slightest. I am more than capable."
How adorably boastful he was.
I suppressed a quiet laugh and asked further.
"If an incredibly powerful monster-like human came charging at me like the wind, could you hold them off for a moment?"
"Even if an incredibly powerful monster charged at lightning speed, I could hold them off for quite some time."
He was truly confident. But lacking credibility, I made one final confirmation.
"This isn't just your own delusion, is it? There's someone else who agrees with that assessment?"
"Yes."
"Who?"
"...Crown Prince Kiaros...."
His brief hesitation gave me some pause, but I decided to trust him anyway.
"Right, well.... Kibon, you're not the type to deceive me with false words and such."
In any case, I decided to settle on Kibon for now.
When the High Priest lunged at Crown Prince Kiaros, Kibon would emerge from hiding to hold him off for a moment while I screamed. Then the knights outside would immediately suppress him.
In the original story, the High Priest had not performed notably during the war. He had hidden himself away entirely once combat erupted.
In other words, he was not invincible.
'He surely plans to kill Crown Prince Kiaros and me in one fell swoop, but if Kibon suddenly appears to face him, I can buy us time.'
Kibon gazed at me quietly and spoke.
"But why are you suddenly asking me that?"
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Brought to you by Valir Scans! To support our team and enjoy the latest releases, please read directly on our official site: valirscans.org
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