Chapter 85

Chapter 85

Before long, red blood oozed out.

The woman lifted her hand from Rupert’s palm, where a pattern was drawn, before taking her thumb and lightly pressing it.

At that moment, a faint turquoise light rose from the strange pattern drawn on Rupert’s palm and disappeared in an instant. Similarly, the pattern drawn on his palm by the woman also disappeared as well.

Stunned that the pattern, blood, and tingling pain that disappeared in an instant, Rupert lightly squeezed and opened his palm. Meanwhile, as Grand Duchess Blaine stared at the two of them with a bewildered look on her face, the woman raised her lips in response and uttered.

“Now, the contract between the Viscount and I has been concluded.”

“Then, are you moving the way I want now?”

“Of course. As long as the Viscount pays me, I’ll grant you whatever you want from now on.”

“I’m saying this just in case, but I won’t let you go if you betray me.”

“Don’t worry, my lord. The contract we just made is a blood contract, and if I don’t fulfill it, I’ll lose my magic and my life could be in jeopardy.”

“Hmm. All right, I’ll believe you.”

When Rupert, somewhat wary of the mysterious contract unfolding in front of her, asked the woman to shake his hand, she reached out her bony hand and took it. They looked happy, as if they had already gotten what they wanted.

In particular, Rupert had a very satisfied smile as he kissed the back of the woman’s bony hands as they joined hands.

“Then, I want to ask you something in commemoration of your becoming an accomplice.”

“What is it?”

“What’s your name?”

“Oh, do you know what it means to ask a witch for her name?”

“Haha. Do you really think I’ll make your name known to the Vatican? Don’t worry. Aren’t you and I bound by a contract?”

“It is so… But, what if Grand Duchess Blaine divulges my name and I get arrested by the Vatican?”

“Louise is my person. She wouldn’t betray me, you got her wrong.”

“Huhu, is that so?”

The woman giggled at Rupert’s sly words, then glanced sideways at the Grand Duchess.

Seeing Grand Duchess Blaine with her face unable to hide the displeasure—whether it was because Rupert’s attention had been completely drawn to her a little while ago, or because she regretted having entangled Rupert with her dangerous-looking teeth—the woman’s smile deepened.

The next moment, the woman spoke, deliberately slipping her own bony hand in Rupert’s.

“I formally greet you. My name is Morgan de Faye, the Witch of the Mire. Viscount Rupert Guinivis and Grand Duchess Blaine.”

“I wish to see good outcomes hereafter, Morgan.”

“…I look forward to your kind cooperation.”

“Likewise, I look forward to your cooperation.”

To Rupert’s words, Morgan answered readily. It was the moment when the contract was established, announcing the beginning of an event that would shake the entire Empire in the future.

Even though she had seen it with her own eyes, she still couldn’t believe it.

After shaking Morgan’s hand, Rupert stared blankly at the palm of his left hand. It was the palm that had been cut with a strange pattern by the woman’s fingernails just a moment ago, but now, it was clean as if he hadn’t been hurt at all.

Rupert couldn’t take his eyes off his palm as if possessed by something.

Seeing him like that, Grand Duchess Blaine wrinkled her face as though she was bothered by something as she was sitting next to him. In the meantime, while watching them, Morgan thought it was very interesting how the two people’s expressions changed every second. She gave them a strange smile and uttered.

“Now then, since we have to fulfill the contract in earnest, shall we talk, viscount, Grand Duchess?”

“….”

“Oh, that’s right. What should I do first?”

“As I said earlier, the first thing you will do is create an opportunity for me to meet the Duchess of Persen. To break the spell, we need to know the caster, and to find out who cast the spell, we have to see the target in person.”

“Right. When would be a good time?”

“The sooner, the better. As time passes, the soul of a person from this changed world gradually melts into the body of the Duchess of Persen. At that time, no matter how strong a wizard or witch’s magical power is, it won’t be able to return to its original state.”

“…I, I see.”

At Morgan’s words, Rupert replied with a serious expression. If so, it was necessary to advance the plan that he had been preparing so far.

As he thought so, he glanced back at Louise and asked.

“Has there been any letter from your eldest uncle in the Vatican regarding Minase’s divorce, Louise?”

“…No. There was none.”

“Damn it, the Emperor himself has indicated that he intends to divorce the two of them, so why are we still not getting an answer?”

“Duke Persen seemed to be moving the public opinion of the paladins within the Vatican this time. In particular, it seems that Sir Gallahed, the leader of the paladins, has been writing letters to His Majesty all along. In the process of proceeding with the divorce, the applicant, the Duke of Persen, forgave his wife for infidelity, so please pretend that the divorce never happened… Even His Majesty, who listened to my persuasion and ignored them at first, seems to be shaken by the paladins. I’m sure His Majesty would want one of his most cherished vassals, the Duke of Persen, to do whatever he wants.”

“Damn it! The Emperor is always like that. He’s easily swayed by public opinion… such a weak fellow is sitting like an Emperor! Sh*t, if he wasn’t the son of the former Empress, I’d—”

“….”

“Ha, I can’t help it. As expected, we should also move our plans forward a bit. Again, we must carry out the plan we prepared before the Emperor changes his mind.”

Rupert, who had been pouring out his emotions in response to the Grand Duchess’ answer, soon calmed down with a short sigh and muttered softly with a thoughtful expression. Eventually, he opened his mouth with a strange smile as if he knew everything.

“May I ask what the Viscount’s plan is?”

“Yes, it’s not a problem. At first, I planned to get Minase out of the Persen family and then destroy him by accusing him of treason.”

“I see. And what about now?”

“Before that, let me ask you first. What should I do to break the half-soul spell and call Minase’s soul back? Should we put her on a stand and cast a spell on her?”

“That’s not wrong. First, tie the body that will be the vessel for the return soul to the magic circle I drew, then remove the soul of the other world that dwells in the body and offer a sacrifice to bring back the original soul that has gone to another world.”

“I see… In that case, I just need to make a very slight adjustment to the plan I have in mind.”

“What do you mean by a slight correction?”

“The one who committed treason. In other words, I’ll drive the sinner to ‘Minase Persen’.”

“….!”

At Rupert’s words, Grand Duchess Blaine looked back at him with a surprised expression while Morgan exclaimed, intrigued.

“Didn’t the Viscount say he loved the Duchess of Persen? Don’t you know that treason is a mortal sin that can’t avoid the death penalty? Do you intend to send your loved one to the gallows?”

“To be more precise, it’s not Minase, but it’s the ‘soul’ from the other world that dwells within her.”

“…Yes?”

“The culprit behind all this commotion is a witch from another world who dared to take the body of the Duchess and manipulated the Emperor’s cherished vassal, the Duke of Persen, to murder the Grand Duchess and even the Emperor.”

“This…”

“Oh, my… Rupert.”

“In order for this plan to succeed, I need your help. Can you do it?”

When Rupert glanced up at Morgan with the deep, dark red eyes of a conspirator and asked, she gave a low giggle and replied coolly as if she was having fun.

“Of course. I’m a faithful witch who keeps her contract.”

“Great. Then, Louise, it’s your turn… Can you help me?”

“…What can I help you with?”

“Do you still have it? The bracelet you got from that lowly bastard.”

Contemplating Rupert’s words for a moment, the Grand Duchess recalled the emerald bracelet she had worn at a party hosted by the Marquis of Loengram not long ago.

As Minase Persen showed up at the party in a shabby outfit at first glance, they were ridiculing her for her situation with a husband who was stingy in decorating her on purpose while spending money sparingly on making connections with the central nobility by sending ornaments.

Grand Duchess Blaine nodded her head knowingly and asked Rupert.

“Oh, do you mean the emerald bracelet?”

“Yes, the one he sent you as a gift. Could you bring it next time?”

“…Yes. It’s not difficult, but why?”

“From now on, that bracelet will be the trigger to announce the start of our plan.”

“What does that mean?”

“I’m going to make that bracelet proof of treason.”

“Yes…? How?”

When Grand Duchess Blaine asked, tilting her head, Rupert smiled seductively and patted her on the back of her hand.

“I’ll engrave the words of another world on the back of the bracelet you wore. Of course, the letters in that other world are phrases that curse you, your children, and even the Emperor.”

“….!”

“Oh, are you going to accuse the engraving of that phrase as being the work of the Duchess of Persen?”

“That’s right.”

“However, when the Vatican examines the bracelet, they’ll quickly learn that the phrase has no power whatsoever, so what are you going to do with that?”

“Of course, we really have to put a curse on you.”

“…Rupert!”

“Oh, my goodness.”

At the words that slipped from Rupert’s mouth, Grand Duchess Blaine grabbed his hand with her fearful face. It wasn’t fake though he would be putting a real curse on her… what does this mean?

At his suggestion that went beyond her limits, the Grand Duchess shook her head and tried to meet her gaze with him. No matter how hard she tried to convince him, even to the point that she was going to summon the real soul of Minase Persen…

…No, this was outlandish.

Grand Duchess Blaine begged him as she glared at Morgan, who was just laughing as if she was having fun, not intending to dissuade Rupert.

“No way! Are you really going to put a curse on me, let alone the Emperor? Rupert, are you crazy? Besides, what if I really get cursed?!”

“Don’t worry, Louise. Am I really going to curse you?”

“That…then?”

“You just have to pretend to be cursed and fall down. It was because the place where the curse goes is only the Emperor.”

“….!”

“I’m not sure, but can you put a curse on that bracelet that will slowly disfigure you if you get a spell on it?”

“That’s as easy as picking a flower stem.”

“All right then. Louise, after receiving the bracelet, all you have to do is fall down as if you were cursed. Then, I will take care of all the problems after that.”

“…Really? Really, is that all I have to do?”

As Grand Duchess Blaine asked in a still uneasy voice, Rupert put his arms around her shoulders with a smile on his relaxed face. While he affectionately hugged her trembling body and brushed her disheveled hair behind her ear, he continued to whisper in a sweet voice.

“Yes. That’s enough.”

“….”

“Don’t worry. It’s all for me, you, and the children’s future. So, you just have to do what I tell you to do.”

“Rupert…”

“Okay?”

In the end, Grand Duchess Blaine was forced to nod to him, who urged her not to worry. Seeing her, Rupert gave her his charming smile while giving her a short kiss on her bare cheek before he pulled his body away from her with no regrets.

The next moment, he turned to Morgan, who was looking at the two of them with interest.

“It’s all up to you now. From now on, I’ll explain to you the plans I have made throughout my life and the things I have prepared so far. Will you be able to follow my instructions?”

“Didn’t I tell you a little while ago? I’m a faithful witch who would risk her life to keep a contract. If the Viscount pays me the price I want, I’ll obey even if you ask me to mix snake venom in the Emperor’s meal.”

“All right, I trust you. If you ever betray me… you know what would happen, right?”

“It’s the Viscount. If you betray the contract with the witch, the price won’t end with just the Viscount’s life.”

“Don’t worry about that. If this plan fails anyway, I won’t be of this world before I pay the price for betraying you.”

Despite Morgan’s warning, which, depending on who heard it, would send chills down their spine, Rupert responded with a nonchalant smile. Seeing that, Morgan softly curled her red lips exposed under the robe in satisfaction.

In the friendly atmosphere created by the two now accomplices, Grand Duchess Blaine was the only one who couldn’t smile. She glanced at Rupert’s profile, who hadn’t fully looked back at her except when he was trying to convince her a little while ago, and at Morgan, who was laughing as if she had discovered an interesting toy.

‘…Did I do something wrong?’

This was the way she worked hard to catch Rupert’s attention… by helping him with Minase Persen, who had been estranged from him, to reunite again. Though somehow, this made Rupert’s mind seem further distant, and that made her anxiety grow even more.

‘No… I can’t do anything anymore. Let’s trust him… I have to trust him.’

Nevertheless, the Grand Duchess struggled to suppress her anxiety… no, she had to suppress it.

…Rupert Guinivis.

Like her savior, she had to believe the words he said and the future he presented to her. Grand Duchess Blaine tried to indulge in the story of the two conspirators with a barely made-up nonchalant face.

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