Chapter 111
Chapter 111: Words That Must Be Conveyed
The final part of the contract clearly stated that the engagement would be nullified if the head of the family lost his life.
Of course, this clause was completely legal under the laws of the Valdeon Empire.
However, Elena disliked it because she felt certain he would leave forever.
Despite her questioning, Lupeon simply stared silently at the contract before responding in a calm, measured voice.
“I cannot let you sacrifice yourself forever.”
Having seemingly made up his mind from the start, Lupeon set down the contract and gazed at her steadily.
Elena glared at his expressionless blue eyes and raised her voice.
“Sacrifice? How can you say such a thing!”
“Please, just promise me this one thing.”
Seeing Lupeon’s unyielding attitude that showed he would not bend his will, she let out a shallow sigh and reluctantly signed the contract.
Though it was just signing a document, strangely her vision began to blur.
Try as she might to escape the haziness clouding her sight, tears eventually rolled down her cheeks.
‘I was determined to send him off with a smile…’
Once they started falling, the tears refused to stop, as if her tear ducts were broken.
As Elena hung her head and bit her lip, a gentle hand touched her cheek.
“Elena, please don’t cry.”
When she felt the tremor in his voice as he wiped away her tears, Elena finally lost control of her emotions and covered her face with both hands.
“The truth is… I don’t want you to go.”
Though Elena had tried hard to maintain a composed appearance until now, she feared Lupeon’s absence more than anyone.
The death of Lupeon Devonshire – just thinking about such a bleak future made her heart plummet to the ground.
‘I’m afraid… afraid that I’ll never see you again.’
Elena shook her head at the impossible thought, struggling to organize her tangled thoughts.
There were still so many things she hadn’t told her fiancé.
She hadn’t told him that she was Rosie, his childhood friend.
That he was still the same kind person she’d known, despite seeming ice-cold at first.
And finally… that she truly liked him.
Though she wanted to confess her now-certain feelings, she couldn’t burden him as he was leaving for distant lands.
She could only comfort herself by deciding to convey her heart when Lupeon returned safely after succeeding in his mission.
‘So you must come back, Simon.’
Gazing intently at her, Lupeon spoke in a deep, low voice:
“When I return safely after suppressing the Imperial family, I have something I must tell you.”
Elena’s golden eyes trembled uncontrollably as she looked up at him.
Feeling her throat tighten again, she forced a bright voice as she replied.
“I’ll wait. So please, you must return safely.”
Lupeon silently held her in his arms but made no promises.
However, Elena was certain it wasn’t just her imagination that his heart was beating rapidly.
“You’ll… come back soon, right?”
Looking steadily into her troubled eyes, Lupeon raised the corners of his mouth slightly and answered.
“I will do my best to do so.”
* * *
In the early dawn, the Emperor clutched at his brown hair as he reviewed documents in his office.
“Damn it, damn it!”
Though they were spreading the plague throughout the North according to their plan with Viscount Byzantium, he couldn’t rest easy.
That monster of a nephew might invade the capital again at any time.
Moreover, unlike last time, things could be different if Lupeon brought his army.
Even though they had spread the plague, he felt no peace of mind.
“Damn it. I should have killed him then.”
[Flashback]
“Pro-promise me… You’ll spare the lives of both children, *cough*.”
“Don’t worry, brother. They’re my beloved nephews – of course I’ll take good care of them.”
“If you break this promise, the ghosts of this Imperial family will one day devour you—”
[End Flashback]
The pale face of the previous Emperor spitting blood as he spoke those words kept haunting him, which was why he couldn’t kill his nephews.
That’s why he regretted that day all the more. His moment of fear might now put an arrow to his own neck.
Perhaps due to spending several sleepless nights in anxiety, the Emperor’s trembling hands grasped a cigar.
After taking a deep drag and exhaling, he finally felt his unsettled mood stabilizing somewhat.
Just as he closed his eyes tightly, trying to maintain this brief moment of peace—
Knock knock—
“Your Imperial Majesty, I’m coming in.”
The Emperor, his mood now spoiled, threw an ashtray at the attendant who hurriedly entered the office.
After letting out a soft groan, the subordinate gave a quick bow and began reporting with a grave expression.
“Your Majesty, the Devonshire Knights are currently advancing on the capital!”
The Emperor, who had been listening indifferently, raised his eyebrows before asking with a hardened expression:
“What…? Who did you say is coming?”
“It appears several houses have joined forces, led by the Devonshire Knights.”
According to the sentries who observed through telescopes from the castle walls, the military force appeared to number in the thousands.
“What are you waiting for? Enter battle stations immediately and call in the reinforcements!”
“By your command! I shall carry out your orders.”
The Emperor, loosening his cravat roughly as his throat burned, let out a deep sigh.
“He really tests my patience.”
He had been certain that the responsible Lupeon would remain tied down in the North until the plague disappeared.
But when his nephew showed completely unexpected behavior, the Emperor frowned again.
With even Viscount Byzantium, who could offer advice, tied up in a frontier prison, all he could rely on now was the great demon he had just contracted with.
Swallowing dryly in anxiety, the Emperor hurriedly moved to the underground archive where the forbidden books were kept.
Following the method his half-brother had taught him, the Emperor stepped onto the magic circle drawn on the floor and let two or three drops of his blood fall before a mirror.
The previously motionless magic circle slowly activated, and soon a figure appeared in the mirror.
[Contract holder, you seek me again?]
“Yes, Lord Mammon.”
The Emperor nodded eagerly as he looked at the great demon he had contracted with, and Mammon nodded once.
[What is it you desire?]
“I want tremendous power! Power so great that no one can covet my position!”
[Hmm, great power… You’ve prepared the price already, I assume?]
At those words, the Emperor’s eyes trembled uncontrollably. In his rush to come here, he hadn’t had time to consider the price.
Soon the Emperor, who had been reading the situation, bowed his head calmly and carefully conveyed his words to the great demon.
“If you would allow it, next time I could—”
[There is no ‘next time’ in my dealings. Well, do you wish to withdraw the plague now?]
“I misspoke. Then what kind of price…”
The Mammon reflected in the mirror raised one corner of his mouth crookedly and began to show an eerie smile.
The Emperor was overcome with fear enough to make his liver run cold.
[The price should naturally be giving up what is most precious to oneself.]
“Most precious… you say?”
At this, the Emperor wore a sour expression as he mulled over Mammon’s words.
Having to hand over something precious to the great demon – it didn’t sit well with him at all.
When the Emperor couldn’t readily answer, a cackling laugh was heard.
[You already know, don’t you? It seems he’s just arrived here.]
Click—
As the great demon’s gaze turned behind, the Emperor, suddenly feeling uneasy, turned his stiff neck.
“Father? What are you doing here right now?”
“Mateo, leave at once!”
Mateo Venzo Argenta – none other than his most beloved son.
“Father… why suddenly—”
“Ah, no…!”
Despite the Emperor’s desperate cry, the underground archive was instantly filled with the stench of blood.
