Chapter 72

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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 72
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Encounter
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Heading toward the cabin, Lellia recalled memories from her childhood.

‘I heard they built a lot of new buildings in the southwestern part of the imperial palace grounds.’

This area, however, was no different from before.

Lellia walked down the dark path, tightly clutching a few magic vials she had brought in case of danger.

As she passed through a small forest, she spotted some soldiers on patrol and quietly hid herself.

A good while after they had passed, Lellia started walking again.

It seemed the final banquet was being held in the main castle, so this area was quiet.

‘I came to the cabin on the day of a banquet once before…’

She had found nothing at the cabin and returned to the tower.

And as soon as she went inside, she had come face to face with Cedric, Damian, and Yuriana.

‘I had to apologize for hurting Yuriana.’

Recalling the events of that day, her mood sank.

Back then, Lellia had been kicked out of the tower and returned to the cabin, where she had desperately held back her sorrow.

She had comforted herself, thinking it was okay, that it was fine because she had her friends.

In any case (though it didn't seem to be much help), she was now here again, truly with the help of Romeo and Calix.

That fact alone was a great comfort and gave her courage.

Lellia walked diligently in the direction of the cabin.

It was then.

‘Wait, what is that?’

On the path to the cabin.

Lellia stopped near the place where the tower she had lived in as a child stood.

‘I knew they had built a new building because of what Romeo said, but…’

She didn't know they would build something so large and ornate.

‘…It's quite something.’

With a bitter expression, Lellia turned away without a second glance.

It was surely something the emperor or the twin brothers had created for Yuriana.

Soon, she reached the vicinity of the cabin.

The cabin was still the same. Lellia felt as if time had turned back to her childhood.

‘This is no time to get sentimental.’

Lellia checked her surroundings and slowly pulled open the door of the unlit cabin.

And the moment she took a step inside.

The somehow chilly air made her hold her breath.

“……!”

Inside the cabin, where not a single candle was lit, moonlight streamed through the window.

Lellia's eyes met with someone sitting in a chair.

It was Emperor Perseus.

For a moment, it was as if time had stopped.

“…El, Elizabeth…?”

Emperor Perseus frowned and mumbled slowly. His low voice was slightly slurred, indicating he had been drinking.

Only then did the liquor bottle on the table come into view.

“…Elizabeth, my goodness… you….”

“……”

Lellia stared at Emperor Perseus with a numb expression.

Unlike the expressionless Lellia, tears were streaming from his eyes. He seemed to have mistaken Lellia for Elizabeth in his drunken state.

Her resemblance to her mother was so striking that even Duke and Duchess Superion had been mistaken; it was understandable that Emperor Perseus would react this way.

He slowly rose to his feet.

He seemed to have drunk a lot, as he staggered.

Lellia's eyes wavered for a moment before her gaze hardened.

Her hesitation was brief.

With a splash!

Lellia opened the lid of the vial in her right hand and splashed its contents directly at Emperor Perseus.

“Of all the times….”

She muttered, as if blaming the emperor.

He slumped.

“……”

Emperor Perseus, who had been trying to approach Lellia, collapsed to the floor.

It was an anesthetic potion that knocked the target unconscious.

‘Why today of all days, alone and without an escort…’

Lellia furrowed her brow.

Then again, Emperor Perseus used to visit this place without an escort in the past as well.

‘I came up empty-handed more than once because of that.’

Lellia looked down at Emperor Perseus, who had fallen into a deep sleep as if he had fainted.

Even after nine years, he was still as young and handsome as ever.

‘…This isn't the time for this.’

Lellia tore her gaze away from Emperor Perseus and fumbled with her necklace.

When she touched the jewel, the image of her alchemy tools appeared in the air.

Lellia brought up the special ingredients window and pressed the search button. An illustration of a flying dragon appeared shortly after.

[~~Yaaay~! (ง˙∇˙)ว~(ว˙∇˙)ง Searching for special ingredients~~]

After that message, the numbers on a gauge began to rise.

The ingredient Lellia needed to find was called ‘Crystal of Memories’.

It was one of the ingredients to cure her grandmother's illness, but she hadn't been able to find it no matter what she tried.

Lellia was certain she could find that ingredient here.

‘It must be because something containing my mother and grandmother's memories is here.’

[75%]

‘Fill up faster…’

Lellia stared desperately at the number. The gauge had just reached 79%.

“……!!!”

Suddenly, she felt a strong hand grip her ankle.

Lellia let out a small, involuntary gasp.

Looking down, she saw Emperor Perseus letting out a pained groan.

“El… Elizabeth….”

It was then.

*Knock, knock.*

“Your Majesty, are you all right?”

Along with the sound of knocking on the cabin door, someone's voice could be heard.

Lellia bit her lip hard.

Emperor Perseus, dazed, fell back asleep.

“Your Majesty, may I come in?”

The voice from outside the door spoke again.

[80%]

‘There's no time.’

Lellia gripped the vial in her hand.

“I'm coming in, Your Majesty.”

*Creeak.*

And the moment the door opened.

With another splash!

She once again splashed the magic potion in the face of the knight who opened the door and entered.

The knight collapsed and fell asleep without even noticing Lellia.

‘…What do I do?’

Of all the places to collapse…

The knight had fallen right in front of the door. To close it, she would have to move the heavy knight.

[87%]

“Hurry… hurry!”

Lellia tapped her foot impatiently, waiting for the gauge to fill. Her gaze was fixed on the open doorway.

‘What's that sound?’

Just then, she thought she heard murmuring voices in the distance.

‘More people are coming!’

Peeking her head out the doorway, she could indeed see lights in the distance.

Several of the emperor's attendants and knights were heading this way, holding lanterns.

[95%]

Lellia had no choice but to quickly leave the cabin.

‘Why did Emperor Perseus have to be here today of all days…!’

Resentment toward him welled up inside her.

Lellia ran quickly toward the northeastern gate where Calix would be waiting. A wave of anxiety washed over her, and she ran so desperately that her lungs burned.

“Oh? You're back already? Was it a success?”

Calix, spotting Lellia from a distance, waved his hand enthusiastically.

Lellia ran toward him, glancing nervously behind her.

Calix was kicking at the armor of the knight he had knocked out earlier. It seemed he had tried to put it on and failed.

Lellia grabbed his arm, gasping for breath.

“No, quickly… we have to run… *huff*….”

“Why? Did you get caught?”

“Yes, they'll be after us soon. We have to run, quickly! Now!”

They would have seen the emperor and the knight lying there, so all hell would break loose. Just as Lellia said, a loud commotion could be heard from afar.

Calix stared blankly at the exhausted Lellia.

“Hold on.”

“Yes?”

“You said we have to go quickly.”

Lellia let out a silent scream at Calix's next action.

Calix had suddenly grabbed Lellia by the waist and lifted her.

As if holding a small child, he secured Lellia under one arm.

“Hold on tight.”

Following his words, Lellia instinctively gripped Calix's sturdy neck. At the same time, he began to run like lightning.