episode_0136

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Professor Jeremiah closed the door to his private study and walked away slowly.

The personal study in the corner of the lab was large enough to fit the status of an academic professor.

Unlike the laboratory where all kinds of magic items and experimental materials were strewn about, the study was neatly organized.

Jeremiah took off his robe, hung it on a hanger, and sat down on the lounge sofa.

He crossed his legs and nervously touched his chin. Then he got up again and rummaged through the tea cabinet against the wall of the study.

I took out the strong liquor I had stopped drinking a while ago and poured it into a glass and drank it. The high alcohol content made my esophagus and stomach hot.

“That’s amazing.”

Feeling the heat, Jeremiah muttered to himself.

“I really didn’t know you would be this bold.”

He thought of Beatrice. The princess. The woman with Green’s blood.

A smile suddenly appeared on my lips. I leaned back on the sofa, holding a glass of wine. There was a portrait hanging on one side of the study as I sat there.

“We must bring forward the schedule. Before the last of the royal family disappears into the hands of the sect or the empire.”

Jeremiah spoke to the portrait.

Of course, no answer comes.

“The day will come when I can give you back your freedom.”

This was his pledge and his wish.

He lifted his glass and tilted it toward the portrait, as if proposing a toast.

“I don’t know how the supreme being who conquered the demon world happened to be staying by Green’s side, but I want you completely.”

The portrait depicted a woman. There were traces here and there of the artist’s utmost effort in recreating her real appearance.

The will to capture the woman’s mood and all the things that stimulate the five senses was put into this painting, which is incredibly mysterious.

However, it may not have been able to fully capture the beauty that a real woman exudes, so the woman with long silver hair in the portrait was looking at him with hazy eyes as if she felt pity for him.

Purple eyes.

The purple eyes in the portrait were fascinating yet strange.

“It is truly regrettable… … ”

When Jeremiah persuaded Fabian to become possessed by the horn of Eligos, he planned to fake his own death and act secretly.

But things went wrong because of the sudden appearance of the unknown royal family.

Beatrice thought Jeremiah was scared and confused at the time, but in fact, Jeremiah was simply surprised. The sudden appearance of the royal family, and the fact that they were protecting the students and interfering with his plans, made him flustered.

“It’s a cruel torture to have to pretend not to know you even though you’re so close.”

But what surprised him more than anything else was running into Beatrice again at the night market in the commercial district.

The moment Jeremiah saw Beatrice, he knew that she was royalty.

I noticed it, but I didn’t show it.

The plan was already in progress, and the royal family was needed only at the final stage of the plan.

“… … ”

But the moment he saw Beatrice accompanying him, Jeremiah couldn’t help but feel agitated.

A face with thin, delicate lines and purple eyes filled with street lights caught Jeremiah’s attention.

Jeremiah immediately realized that she was the Queen of the Demon World.

Even though he was in the presence of royalty, even though he was wearing a shabby academy uniform and mixing with humans, Jeremiah could tell.

The elegant woman seemed to be assisting the royal family. I could barely contain my rising anger. It was impossible to make a mistake.

There was no choice.

She must have her own purpose for being by the royal family’s side.

It is not known whether she, who was only a shell, recognized Jeremiah. However, Jeremiah met her for the first time in a thousand years, and the moment felt like an eternity.

“Until the day the demon world descends again, and until the day you become complete… … ”

Jeremiah looked at the portrait with sad eyes and took a sip of his drink.

widely-

I put the glass I had emptied in one gulp down on the table next to the sofa, sat down at the desk, and opened a book.

“By the way, that’s a strange coincidence. I didn’t know you’d be interested in my research.”

The book contained the traces of Jeremiah’s long years of research.

From ancient runes to the sophisticated spells of today, Jeremiah personally carved the essence of all magic.

The neat handwriting was written with care, each and every letter.

The book, which contains the agony of a great wizard and professor at the Imperial Academy, is a precious artifact in itself. Of course, Jeremiah is a much more superior being than his current identity.

His brilliance opens the door to taboos and attempts to recreate the ideals of the Great War era.

And it even surpasses Green’s power.

“Tov Meod. Maybe it’s fate.”

The research Beatrice called the love potion. She had practically seen through the essence.

“How do you feel, Green, watching those who are not granted power struggle?”

Beatrice, who inherited Green’s blood, would not need someone like Tove Meod.

“Is it funny? Is it pathetic? It’s not unreasonable to feel that way. The forbidden spell that I could never acquire even after devoting my entire life is an extremely ordinary and natural ability to you.”

Jeremiah felt an indescribable sense of helplessness and inferiority from the Green family in the past. It was like that that made him who he is now.

“But the price of arrogance has finally come, and Green’s fate is entirely in your hands. To you, a weak and dull woman… Princess.”

The time for planning will soon come.

The era of brilliant war will come.

“Will you join me at the end of my research? I really want to show you… Hah. No, no. You won’t be able to see it, the power of Tov Meod.”

The princess will disappear as a sacrifice.

Jeremiah will achieve his long-cherished wish through the princess’s spirit.

“Juliena La Morta.”

Think of purple eyes.

It brings to mind a supreme being that transcends the boundaries of light and darkness.

“I will definitely complete you with the power of a traitor. And… … ”

Jeremiah’s satisfied smile contains much desire.

“I hope you follow me this time.”

He plans to subjugate the Queen of the Demon World with the power of a traitor.

Tob Meod.

The worst magic that resembles Green’s power could even capture Yulienna, who was once called the Demon King.

I have lived for the Queen of the Demon World.

And he lives to make her whole again.

The great war ended with Yulienna being defeated by the warriors and her essence being sealed in the demon world.

Jeremiah has been pretending to be human ever since. He has been waiting for his time. It has been a long wait.

But the excruciating waiting and patience will soon come to an end.

Now the day will come when Juliana will live for Jeremiah.

Until that day, all kinds of death will be sown on the earth.

*

Swing your sword with a clear mind.

This is what Louis, the sword’s master and superior, told him. Please don’t think about anything else when swinging your sword.

Louis, who was always joking, pathetic, and like a bum, became serious when he picked up a sword. It was only natural, since he was a man who had risen from a commoner to the highest rank in the empire with just a sword.

It was just a light piece of advice, but looking back, it was exactly what Karl needed. It was a meaningful piece of advice.

I can’t control my emotions or my dizzy mind.

“Haa… Haa… ”

Carl was swinging his sword alone in the academy training grounds, not resting from the middle of the day until the sun had completely set.

You can swing it until you collapse from exhaustion.

Right now, I even thought that it would be okay if I worked myself to death like this and my heart burst.

‘Then, I hope we don’t meet again. If we do, it will mean that you are disturbing me.’

Beatrice’s last words still echo in my head.

And it will continue to ring.

So, as Lewis advises, it may be impossible to wield a sword with a clear mind.

The afterglow of Beatrice lingers. The only way to forget her is to toil away in a daze.

Beatrice’s sticky voice has been lingering in my ears since last night.

Beatrice’s voice felt more stimulating than Alana, who had even kissed her, or the saint’s breath and lips.

Oh, but Kissrani, what on earth did you do?

I did something so reckless, and the price I paid was a slap in the face.

I was trying to hide Beatrice’s work, but I ended up having to shut Alana’s mouth…

Bam-

At that moment, the wooden sword that Kal was swinging broke.

He collapsed, unable to withstand the intense training.

Carl looked at the broken wooden sword and started walking towards the dormitory.

Yeah, I guess it’s okay now.

I worked hard all day.

At this point, I was so tired that I thought I could fall asleep right away.

I don’t think I’ll do anything weird like last night, like losing sleep or having to throw away all the handkerchiefs I had.

Carl thought of a window left wide open for ventilation.

It’s all because of Beatrice. That crazy bitch must have used some evil magic. So since last night…

Carl blushed, shook his head, and headed toward the dormitory.

*

Although I only left it open during the day, fortunately the smell in the room has somewhat disappeared.

Carl was about to go home after dinner, but he just came back to his dorm room. He wanted to take a shower. He wanted to quickly collapse and fall asleep.

But as he entered the room and looked for clothes to change into, Karl was startled.

The view inside the room changed a little.

“?”

Looking closely, there was a glass bottle on the neatly organized desk. It was perfume. There was also a luxurious envelope.

Karl opened the envelope.

And then I was surprised. It was because the perfume sprayed on the letter had a familiar scent.

It was Beatrice’s musk scent.

It was the scent of perfume that was fascinating, mixed with her body odor.

“… … ”

Carl slowly read the words written on the letter.

“Dear Carlos,

I feel bad that I wasn’t able to say goodbye properly, so I’m leaving this here.

But since we haven’t met face to face, there are things I can say. Just like me, who gets embarrassed when I see you and can’t say everything I want to say.

So I think I can convey it in writing.

My whole heart.

Does it bother you that I called you ‘Carlos’ at the beginning of the letter?

I know that just as I met you with a false appearance, you also treated me with a false appearance.

As I said, I know a lot about you.

I know that you are not a duke’s son, that you are from a colony, and much more.

I’ll wait for the day when I can face myself again, letting go of all the lies I’ve told myself to deceive and protect myself.

Whatever your true self, I am confident that I can accept you just as you are.

If you ever miss me, please look back at this letter.

Smell the scent of the letter and think of me.

Think of me and don’t worry about me.

Because a worried look doesn’t suit you.

You are the sun, Carl.

It is said that the sun is the one who brings the night and drives away nightmares.

Burn away all your worries and concerns.

My sun.

I think the perfume I sent you together suits you the best.

It reminds me of the sun.

-from V. 」

As his dry golden eyes read the neat writing, they became more lively.

“What is the sun… ”

Carl snorted and folded the letter carefully. Then he held it up to his nose and took a deep breath.

“If you’re going to give me that damn bitch, give her the perfume she uses.”

As he said that, a smile spread across his lips.

As he said, the scent wrapped in the letter paper will not last long. It will fade over time, and so will Beatrice’s scent.

So, if she had left behind the perfume she used, it might have filled the room with her scent, just to remind me of her.

That way, I won’t forget her, as I will be able to follow the sense of smell, the oldest human sense.

“… … ”

But maybe…

Maybe this was the plan too.

The scent will fade, and you will have to go back to smell it again.

Swish-

Karl picked up the bottle of perfume that was on the desk.

It was an expensive men’s cologne.

It was a bold provocation, just like the Beatrice that Karl knew, to come find her wearing this perfume someday.

Let’s just stay still, how do we find the traitor?

Carl tried spraying some perfume.

It smelled like rich leather and lemon.

It was the scent of a genuine male.

I was surprised at how much of an image I had for that woman.

It was then that the sword’s magic tool rang.

Woo-woong – As I turned on the magic tool that made a sound, I heard a familiar voice.

-Hey, little one.

It was Louis. But his voice was unusually tired.

-Come to headquarters.

He was unusually serious. Karl noticed this and answered politely.

-All right.

-… I don’t know if you know this, but the identity of the unknown has been revealed. The princess has appeared.

The sword smiled bitterly.

-Beatrice… I guess it’s Dahlia.

-Did you know?

-I found out yesterday. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you right away.

-… …

Silence fell beyond the magic ball.

-Kal, let me get straight to the point. This is war now.

Louis’ voice was heavy.

-You can leave if you want. I’ll help you live a normal academy life. I don’t want to drag you into this.

Carl tried to say something, but Louis wouldn’t stop talking.

-You will have blood on your hands in the name of justice. The mission to kill your heart awaits you. You may have to use your connection with the princess to assassinate her.

For a moment, the sword’s eyes flashed.

-So let me ask you, will you work for the Empire? Are you willing to die for the Empire?

-If I…if I say I won’t back down…

The long fingers of the other hand holding the perfume were holding the magic tool. Carl walked out onto the terrace and looked at the night sky.

-Can I meet ‘that girl’?

-That’ll be the case.

Carl looked up with a clear mind. It was a pitch-black night sky.

-That’s great. Director, I’ll catch the princess.

-… …

-I don’t yield to anyone else.

A cool breeze brushed Karl’s forehead. Louis replied that he understood and ended the call. As the magic tool stopped working, Karl’s heart began to beat faster.

Again, you can meet Beatrice again.

I finally came to a clear mind.

Karl leaned against the terrace railing and held the perfume up high. Then he suddenly realized that the moonlight shining on him was fading.

Clouds obscured the moon that had been illuminating the night. A pitch-black darkness descended upon the Academy grounds.

It was a night in which there was no trace of holiness.

Holy night.

THE END