episode_0139

“Phew… Thank goodness…”

He hugged the note written in Yujin’s handwriting tightly and let out a sigh of relief.

If he could only have the certainty that Yujin would return, then this waiting wouldn’t be as painful anymore.

It seemed like he could wait with hope.

Of course, he didn’t know how Yujin would respond.

Nevertheless, this was much better than being left without any hope.

He felt a sense of relief.

“Cornelia?”

He finished packing up his belongings and stepped out into the hallway, shouting loudly.

But the mansion only echoed with empty sounds.

Cornelia truly seemed to be nowhere to be found.

It was strange.

He couldn’t see Cornelia even when he looked outside.

Where could she possibly be at this time?

“I’ve lost a lot of trust.”

He wrote a note and stuck it on the door before leaving the mansion.

Carrying a small bag in his hand.

It was time to return everything to its original state.

“Lady, I heard you’ve woken up. Are you feeling okay?”

“Yes. Well, aside from feeling sore all over…”

“Here’s the hospital entry record, in case you’re curious.”

“Yes…”

He decided to visit the Holy Knights.

Perhaps they were handling this chaos and he could get some information.

But why were they giving him the hospital entry record?

-17:51. Cheon Michael Jackson

-18:01. Nurse

-19:18. Cheon Michael Jackson

-20:00. Nurse

-20:01. Cheon Michael Jackson

-20:45. Cheon Michael Jackson

-22:02. Nurse

-23:55. Cheon Michael Jackson

-01:28. Cheon Michael Jackson

-07:13. Cheon Michael Jackson

-08:03. Nurse

He was taken aback.

It seemed that Yujin had been taking care of him with great care all this time.

But for some reason, the leader of the Holy Knights was giving him a slightly suspicious look.

I had no idea why and was just bewildered.

“Um… Are you okay?”

“Yes? What do you mean?”

“Oh, no. Never mind. Please forget it. You wanted to hear about the situation of the incident, right? I’ll explain.”

I was at the scene of the incident, but I was practically clueless.

I didn’t really know what had happened and just helped Yujin.

But after hearing the explanation from the leader of the Holy Knights, things became clearer.

It was revealed that a necromancer in the form of a ghost had stolen the body of Archbishop Nicholas and impersonated him.

Finally, the mystery was unraveled.

Things that didn’t make sense before were starting to make sense.

“Cheon Michael Jackson has been very helpful in uncovering the truth. It seems that he has an advantage in terms of information over us… We even suggested working with the Papal Office, but he refused. Even if we promised a reward beyond what we could offer…”

“Yes, yes. I know. You did your best to try to catch him, so you don’t have to justify yourself. He’s not a man who cares about money anyway, so there’s no way we could have caught him no matter what we did.”

I was also a man who couldn’t catch him.

I couldn’t entangle Yujin with something as trivial as money.

I understand.

“And there’s something that requires the Lady’s testimony. It’s about Solara Artemisia, the Vice Commander… We suspect her frequent meetings with Archbishop Nicholas and her disappearance during the incident as an act of betrayal, but she has remained silent. Cheon Michael Jackson has defended her, saying it’s not betrayal. What are your thoughts, Lady?”

“…”

The time had come.

It was time to make a decision.

Solara Artemisia.

That little bitch.

It was a clear fact that she had betrayed the Papal Office and allied with the enemy.

In my heart, I wanted to execute her right away.

That was the punishment she deserved for betrayal.

The price Solara had to pay.

“However, did Yujin really forgive me…?”

This raises a question.

Why did Yujin choose to protect a traitor who had switched sides?

A woman who betrayed once could betray again.

Was it because of Solar’s powerlessness that tempted Yujin?

If so, it would be even more dangerous.

Just the thought of someone like Solar falling into the enemy’s hands gives me chills.

Wouldn’t it be better to just kill her here and now?

“I need to meet the Vice Commander first.”

“Yes. I will guide you.”

I need to meet Solar first before making a decision.

Before heading to the detention center.

I decided to visit the hospital again.

“Saint! I heard that you performed my surgery yourself!”

“No. No, that’s not true. I only assisted, the Engineer did everything. What I did was something any recovery mage could have done.”

“I survived thanks to your miracle, Saint. Thank you so much.”

Zenon, whom I met there, looked healthy.

It was the world’s first artificial heart transplant surgery, so there were many concerns, but there were no side effects in the past 24 hours.

Engineer Keren stayed in the hospital room all day and night in case the engine caused any trouble.

It seems like he’s been awake all night and is still sleeping on the makeshift bed in the room.

He truly is an extraordinary person.

“And how is Nuna doing?”

“Well, you see…”

“She hasn’t been cleared of suspicion yet?”

“No…”

“I won’t ask for any favors. I don’t know the details, but I felt that something had changed in Nuna recently… If the crime is proven, she must atone for it. Whatever punishment is handed down, I won’t blame the Saint.”

“…”

Zenon forced a smile and spoke.

It seems like he suspects Solar’s betrayal.

It must have been easy to sense, having spent so much time with his close sister.

After leaving the hospital, I headed to the detention center.

Solar had been interrogated without a break, it seemed.

As soon as I arrived, I ordered the interrogation to stop and gave Solar some rest time.

After a short break.

I could finally face Solar, who was neatly dressed.

“Solar Artemisia. I need to hear everything that has happened until now.”

“…”

“Are you going to keep silent? Have you forgotten that I can execute you for treason with a word? I’m here to help you. To help, I need to know a lot.”

“I understand… Mijeong-nim also told me to cooperate with the Saint…”

“…”

I couldn’t help but frown.

Mijeong must be referring to Yujin.

How many aliases does Yujin use…?

Anyway.

After hearing the explanation from Solar about everything that had happened so far.

I could finally come to a conclusion.

I began to understand why Yujin chose to spare Solar.

“….So, I was deceived by Mijeong-nim once again and killed the resurrected body of the Four Kings’ Cali. After that, the Four Kings’ Luna and Zenon, who was controlled by her through sorcery, appeared…”

It was a simple reason.

This woman.

She was incredibly cunning.

How could she deceive the same person twice in the same way?

“Miss Mijung has spoken. She said that you are the Apostle of Justice appointed by the gods… that you are the warrior who will fight against Draken. Only then did I understand. How did you deceive me with such skillful words? How did you see through everything? If you are chosen by the heavens, it makes sense. That’s why I have decided to dedicate my body and soul to serving you for the rest of my life.”

“…”

I will correct it.

For the third time.

It seems that Yujin thinks of this stubborn person as a convenient tool to use.

“Alright. What else did that man say?”

In that case, I will also use him.

…

…

“Sigh, haa… Did he leave?”

“He did. Don’t worry.”

Whispering quietly while gently stroking Cornelia’s head.

Although I heard the sound of the door closing, I don’t know when he will return…

But the chances of him coming back are low since he packed his things and left.

“I didn’t expect him to suddenly come in…”

“It’s a good thing he left 6 hours ago. Otherwise, he would have barged in here.”

“That’s true…”

It’s about time for me to leave as well.

Stroking Cornelia’s red cheek as she breathes heavily, I get up.

I start to tidy up my appearance, as we didn’t expect him to suddenly come in, our suppressed breathing fills the room.

“Next time, he won’t be the deputy mayor.”

“That’s right. Just the acting viscount. Now I’m just a wealthy widow.”

“Do you need anything else? I feel bad that I’m always in debt to you.”

“What do I need? Hmm… I think it would be difficult to refuse a private meeting by using the excuse of being too busy if I step down from the acting viscount position. I want to get engaged to you… but that’s not possible, right?”

“That’s not possible.”

“Haha. I was joking.”

Cornelia visibly sulks and shakes her head.

But she doesn’t voice any complaints.

She must be doing it out of consideration for me.

Sitting back on the bed, I gently stroke Cornelia’s cheek.

“I can promise you this even if we can’t get engaged. I love you, and this feeling will last forever.”

Since my true identity must not be revealed, engagement is difficult.

But I can say with certainty that I have fallen in love with Cornelia.

And our hearts are connected.

This much is certain.

I probably won’t regret loving Cornelia, even if I leave here in the future.

I won’t make the foolish mistake of suppressing my feelings out of fear of parting.

“You didn’t say you love only me?”

“I can’t lie.”

“I know. You like the saint, but due to circumstances, we are separated. I was lucky enough to slip through that crack and enter. I understand the situation.”

“That’s not it. I have only fallen in love with you, and Jill and others have no relevance.”

The order is reversed.

If it weren’t for Cornelia, I might not have had the courage to face Jill.

In that case, I wouldn’t have been able to persuade Solara or save Xenon.

Just thinking about it is dizzying.

“No matter what anyone says, you are the first person I have truly loved.”

“Is that true…?”

“Yes.”

This mutual love between us was a first.

Here and in my entire life.

If it weren’t for Cornelia, I might have been acting frustrated forever.

I am very grateful.

For loving me.

And for allowing me to love.

Finally, Cornelia seems satisfied, showing a bright smile.

It can’t be anything but a smile that brings happiness every time I see it.

“I should go now.”

“Yes. Be careful.”

Crouching on the bed, wrapped in a blanket, Cornelius gave her one last kiss.

With that, he cautiously left the mansion.

He had to be careful not to be caught by the knights or officials on his way out…

“Late.”

“Ugh!”

“Sorry.”

Mijung, who had been waiting outside the castle, and the unnamed one who popped out of my sleeve, joined us.

Mijung stuck close to my side.

The unnamed one climbed up my shoulder, nestled into my neck, seeming to like this spot.

I have to be careful not to squish him when I lie down…

“Now, where to?”

“It’s time now.”

The tasks ahead were already set.

Traps would be laid in Cologne.

It was time to hunt.

But first…

“I found you!!!”

“?!?!”

Boom!

My body tensed, and my legs moved on their own.

Mijung and I simultaneously stepped back.

In the spot where we had been standing, a heap of dirt had been scattered, creating a large crater.

Standing in the center was none other than the vampire with silver-white hair.

“Transylvia?!”

“Long time no see! Well, not really! Feels like a long time though!”

She looked quite different, making it hard to recognize her.

In many ways, she looked more feminine.

Her hair, once neatly tied back, was now in a ponytail.

Her previously tight clothes were now loose, revealing her ample chest bound with bandages.

This is awkward.

I don’t know where to look.

“You! Are you using some kind of spell to weaken the fighting power of men? How cowardly!”

“Huh? What are you talking about? I don’t know about spells, but now I am someone’s bodyguard. It’s my mission to find and capture you. Don’t be too disappointed.”

“…”

Transylvia became a slave?

Who could have subdued Transylvia and made her a slave?

“Ah…”

I see.

There is only one person in this world who could possibly do that.

The strongest being in the world.

“Prepare yourself! Just by holding you until the master arrives, it’s my victory!”

“Yerina is coming?!”

“Haha! You caught on! I wasn’t planning on hiding anyway!”

I need to run.

Right now.