Chapter 76: Afra’s Confusion p2
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“Even Hilna couldn’t outsmart him. He’s been plotting for years! What a cunning bastard!” Lodis clutched his chest, his embezzled funds a painful reminder of his loss.
“I’ve managed to suppress the poison’s effects, but it’ll only last for half an hour. After that, he’ll be in constant agony.” Harry, wiping the sweat from his brow, didn’t join Lodis’s tirade.
He had exhausted himself trying to alleviate Paul’s suffering. His devotion was truly impressive.
“That boy has remarkable talent. It’s a shame he crossed paths with that devil. He could have had a bright future.” Lodis observed Paul, who was slowly regaining his senses.
“I’ll rest for a while. Wake me up when it’s time to leave.” Harry, exhausted, closed his eyes and entered a meditative state.
“I’ll have my revenge!” Paul, his eyes filled with hatred, clutched the scroll in his hand.
If Kailun wanted him to duel Anna, he would give him what he wanted. He wondered if Kailun would regret it when he carved up Anna’s face.
He was confident in his ability to defeat her. He had eight magic circles now, his power approaching the fourth tier.
He had achieved this in just two days by selling his body. Imagine what he could accomplish with more time!
“Good luck. They’re coming.” Lodis wanted to offer words of encouragement, but held back.
Despite Paul’s superior strength, he didn’t believe he could win.
Hadn’t he seen how Hilna had lost?
Oh, right. Paul had been unconscious. He still couldn’t comprehend how a mage like Vivian could move so quickly.
He decided to let Paul serve as another test subject.
Paul was a pleasant distraction, but nothing more. He wasn’t as invested in him as Harry.
“I hope he doesn’t die. Harry would be devastated,” he murmured as he watched Paul approach Kailun.
“I signed your contract. Bring out my sister! She’s a disgrace to our family!” Paul tossed the contract towards Kailun.
The stakes were high: two thousand gold coins, plus interest. The terms were heavily skewed in favor of the victor, but that didn’t matter. He would win.
He was confident in his ability to defeat Anna.
Kailun accepted the contract, but didn’t respond. He turned to Anna, cupping her face in his hands. “Do you desire power?”
“Yes,” she replied, her voice small.
“Open your mouth. I’ll give it to you.” He kissed her, their lips meeting in a passionate embrace.
He wanted to see how Paul would react to this display of affection towards his sister.
But the outcome was disappointing. Paul’s heart was unmoved.
Kailun released Anna, who seemed lost in a daze.
[Kissing your enemy in front of Paul has aroused Anna. Favorability +5. Current favorability: 70.]
Her words might have been harsh, but her body told a different story. Perhaps she had a hidden kink after all.
He had Anna lick the remaining lipstick from his lips and then whispered a few instructions in her ear.
She looked at him strangely, but nodded obediently.
He handed her a sword and stepped back.
“Sister, how can you be with someone like him? Have you forgotten our family’s suffering?” Paul, gathering his magic, tried to distract her.
“First of all, you have no right to call me ‘sister.’ We severed all ties the day Jones sold me. Second, you’re cozying up to the Second Prince and his ilk. What right do you have to judge me? And I’m in this situation because of you! You begged me to steal that scroll! And how did you repay me?”
Her words ripped through his facade. Now everyone knew he had not only sold his sister, but also manipulated her into committing a crime.
But her speech had given him the opportunity he needed. He activated his magic circles, his body surging with power.
Most of his magic circles enhanced his speed and strength. He could even hold his own against a weaker fourth-tier opponent in close combat.
He drew a hidden dagger, intending to carve up her face as a “gift” to Kailun.
Every mage dreamed of close combat. Hilna, the last mage to rely solely on spells, was now a prisoner.
“You forced me to do this!”
He projected his hatred for Kailun onto Anna, his mind slipping into a state of frenzy.
Anna calmly drew her sword as he charged towards her.
“Slash!”
They crossed paths, something falling to the ground with a soft thud.
Paul stared down at his pants, a large section of fabric missing, revealing a bloody gash. He froze.
Perhaps the pain was too intense. He couldn’t feel it. But he could see what he had lost.
An emptiness filled him. His life felt meaningless.
“Aaah!” He clutched his face, his mind on the verge of shattering.
But before he could succumb to despair, Harry appeared by his side, his voice soothing. “Let’s go. We can still reattach it with magic. It’s not too late!”
“Really?” A glimmer of hope flickered in his eyes.
“Really!”
Harry, with Paul in tow, activated a teleportation scroll. He even retrieved the severed… appendage before disappearing.
Kailun, watching the blood pooling on the ground, sighed. “What a shame. If not for that Harry, I would have succeeded. But it doesn’t matter. Next time, I’ll just kill Harry outright. That might achieve the same result.”
He realized Paul’s affections were shifting in a… peculiar direction. Harry had become his new light.
“I’m sorry. I couldn’t destroy it completely. They took it with them,” Anna said, her voice apologetic.
“Don’t worry. I coated the blade with poison. Even if they reattach it, it’ll be useless.” He waved his hand dismissively.
Paul had taken his head in his past life. He would return the favor, in the same location.
Once that was done, his plan would be complete.
Paul and Harry might be gone, but Lodis was still here. He had to fulfill his end of the contract and return the embezzled funds.
Ignoring Lodis, who was cowering behind his aide, Kailun returned to the center of the valley and addressed the crowd.
“Today is my wedding with Afra, captain of the Silver Moon Knights. Thank you all for attending. First, I’d like to thank Duke Stamp for his generous gift of thirty thousand soldiers and his entire territory. Truly appreciated. Next, I’d like to thank Princess Hilna for her gift of twenty thousand soldiers and herself. Such generosity! And lastly, I must thank the Second Prince for his thoughtful gift of a fifth-tier magic scroll. I’m touched by his kindness.”
Everyone, except for Stamp, lowered their heads in shame as he listed their “gifts.”
Lodis was both humiliated and furious. He had also gifted five thousand soldiers! Why was he being singled out for a measly scroll?
Damn his competitive spirit! He would have defended himself if it wasn’t so embarrassing.
Kailun continued his speech.
“However, today’s events have revealed a critical flaw in the Xiya Kingdom: the lack of a capable ruler. Princess Hilna is incompetent, foolish, and unfit to rule. The Second Prince is stingy, shortsighted, and lacks the qualities of a king. I believe Princess Vivian possesses the necessary traits to become our new queen. Therefore, I propose we hold a vote to elect her as the new ruler of the Xiya Kingdom. If she receives a majority vote, she will ascend to the throne. The vote will be held in three days. All nobles are required to attend. Those who fail to appear will be executed for treason.”
Everyone stared at him in disbelief, including Vivian and Hilna.
Why would he surrender his hard-earned victory? It didn’t fit his ruthless nature.
He wouldn’t tell them that his words were a lie. He was simply using this charade to lure the remaining nobles to the Royal City.
It was time for a grand harvest.
Knowing their nature, they would flock to the city, eager to curry favor with Vivian.
Once he had them in his grasp, the entire Xiya Kingdom would be under his control.
As for Vivian’s desire to become queen and rule over him? He would indulge her… in the privacy of their bedroom.
[Hilna commends your foolish decision, believing you’ve made a grave mistake. Favorability +5. Current favorability: -65.]
[Vivian is impressed by your loyalty and offers to let you lick her feet. Favorability +60. Current favorability: 30.]
Kailun: “…”
He couldn’t wait to get them back to the manor and teach them a lesson.
Having made this grand announcement, he began integrating the newly acquired troops into his forces.
He would shuffle their ranks, assign new commanders, and have them sign new contracts. In three days, they would be his.
Around 11:00 am, Lodis, having delivered the embezzled funds, teleported away, his eyes filled with hatred. But even as he left, he didn’t dare look at Kailun directly.
He saw Kailun as a madman, someone who would slap a rabbit just for passing by. He wouldn’t stoop to his level.
Leaving the remaining tasks to Roden, Kailun and his entourage returned to the manor.
Upon arrival, he immediately imprisoned Vivian, Hilna, and Winnie in the dungeon.
Vivian and Winnie were placed in their respective cells. Hilna was assigned the cell opposite Winnie’s, her accommodations equally spartan.
Unlike Winnie, Hilna seemed unfazed by the dungeon’s squalor. She sat down on the dusty stool without hesitation.
Winnie, on the other hand, was miserable. She had spent just one morning away from this nightmare, and now she was back?
Having witnessed Kailun’s ruthlessness, she didn’t dare defy him.
“I don’t understand why you would hand the throne to Vivian. She knows nothing about ruling,” Hilna said, still struggling to comprehend his motives.
“But she knows how to train dogs,” Kailun replied matter-of-factly.
“…” Hilna touched the collar around her neck, her spirit broken.
She had lost everything. Dwelling on it was pointless. She felt a strange sense of relief. Perhaps she could finally get a good night’s sleep.
She was empty now. Kailun’s torment wouldn’t faze her. Or so she thought.
“You promised me the antidote if I behaved. Where is it?” Vivian demanded as he locked Hilna’s cell.
“Right here. One moment.”
He poured the antidote into his palm. As she reached through the bars to take it, he quickly pulled his hand back.
“What are you doing? Give it to me!” she whined.
“I will. But not like this.” He wanted payback for her sneaky favorability boost.
“What do you mean?”
“No hands. Only your tongue. If you touch it with your hands, you’ll have to wait until tomorrow.” He held out his hand again.
“That’s impossible! There’s a fence between us! I can’t reach!” She was getting desperate.
He ignored her protests, his hand hovering just out of reach.
“You’re a devil! I actually trusted you for a moment!”
[Vivian’s favorability has decreased. She’s decided not to let you lick her feet. Favorability -30. Current favorability: 0.]
Kailun: “…”
Just as her tongue was about to touch the antidote, he pulled his hand back a little further.
Vivian: “…”
She pressed her face against the bars, her tongue stretching out.
He pulled his hand back again.
“Pfft!” Hilna, watching her sister’s struggle, couldn’t help but laugh.
Vivian looked like a dog.
Perhaps spurred by Hilna’s laughter, Kailun finally placed the antidote on Vivian’s tongue.
He patted her head. “Remember this. This is how you’ll feed Hilna from now on. If she refuses to eat, give her one of those ‘special’ candies. Turn her into Winnie.”
“？？?” Hilna clapped her hand over her mouth. Perhaps she had celebrated her newfound peace too soon.
“But Winnie was a good girl today. I think she deserves a reward.”
He retrieved a candle from the wall and approached Winnie’s cell.
“No! I don’t want a reward!” She scurried to the corner, her eyes wide with terror.
“Of course no…”
Just as he was about to enter her cell, Afra, now dressed in her usual attire, arrived, accompanied by Carol.
“I never imagined you would stoop to such depths.” She frowned, her gaze sweeping across the dungeon and its occupants.
“Sister Afra, I’m not! I just… I just want to… train another dog?”
Hilna, eager to witness his humiliation, was about to laugh, but Afra’s cold voice cut her short.
“Don’t let it happen again.”
She hadn’t forbidden it. She had simply expressed her disapproval.
Hilna realized she was the one being mocked.
Just as Kailun thought he was off the hook, Afra retrieved an invitation. “What’s this invitation from the Loya Ballroom?” Her gaze was even colder now. Her favorability might be locked at 100, but he could sense her displeasure.
“I don’t know them! Honestly! Just decline it.” He waved his hands dismissively.
“Very well. I’ll decline Isabella’s invitation.”
“Wait!” He grabbed her hand, his ears perking up at the familiar name. “When is it?”
Isabella was the “important figure” the Loya Ballroom owner had mentioned, the woman with exceptional talent for Destiny Magic.
In his past life, she was known as both the Fortune Teller and the Pure Desiress.
No one had ever seen her face, but her voice alone was enough to drive men mad with lust.
Some had offered fortunes just for a glimpse of her, but their desires remained unfulfilled.
Kailun had no such vulgar desires. He simply wanted to establish a connection with this vast intelligence network. Information was invaluable.
He had hoped to rest after the day’s events. His mind was exhausted, and he hadn’t even consummated his marriage with Afra yet.
But there was no rush. They had a family dinner planned for tonight. After that, they could move on to more… pleasurable activities.
He could sacrifice a little rest for the sake of valuable information. Besides, he was curious about this Isabella.
He held the antidote, giving him an advantage in this encounter.
Afra, observing his eagerness, raised an eyebrow. “It’s at noon today.”
“Prepare the carriage! We’re leaving immediately!”
Afra: “？？?”
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