Cedric’s eyes widened in shock as he saw Elsez Rohen approaching unharmed, but his expression quickly twisted.
‘How… how is she still alive?’
Tezette had headed to the abandoned palace after hearing the commotion.
Even with Tezette’s skills, it was impossible for him to deal with the magical beasts and save Elsez in time.
“Lady Rohen was at the scene, but fortunately, she is safe.”
Cedric, who had inadvertently revealed his frustration at the failed plan, quickly composed himself upon hearing the knight’s voice.
“Thank goodness you’re safe, Lady Rohen. Your father must have been worried.”
“I apologize for causing concern.”
“No, it’s my fault for not maintaining proper security within the palace. You have nothing to apologize for. But… what brought you to the abandoned palace?”
Cedric feigned a sympathetic expression, but his gaze remained cold as he looked at Elsez.
Elsez paused, as if recalling her memories, before explaining what had happened.
“I was taking a walk to clear my head when someone abducted me. When I came to, I found myself alone in front of the abandoned palace.”
“It must be the work of Rashiel Celest. I will make sure he is captured soon to ease your worries and those of the people.”
“No.”
Cedric looked at Elsez in surprise as she firmly denied his suggestion.
“The person who abducted me was not the Tower Lord. When the dimensional rift opened and monsters emerged, he was the one who saved me.”
Elsez lied smoothly.
The kidnappers were all unconscious when she defeated the monsters and the cyclops.
Since Tezette arrived afterward, no one knew that Elsez herself had slain the beasts.
‘But it’s not entirely false.’
The masked man had stopped her from entering the dimensional rift.
If he had wanted to kill her, he could have done so or let her enter the rift.
That meant—
‘The one who kidnapped me to kill me is not the masked man.’
The person who wanted her dead knew what would happen today.
And likely, that person orchestrated today’s events.
The masked man knew what would happen today but had no intention of killing Elsez.
“In other words, while the Tower Lord might be connected to the previous dimensional rift incidents, he is not the mastermind behind today’s event.”
“…….”
“Considering that possibility might help in identifying the true culprit.”
Elsez’s eyes held a determination that belied her recent ordeal.
Cedric’s expression hardened slightly as he looked at her, but the shadows cast by the trees hid it.
“… That is indeed a valuable clue. Thank you for your cooperation.”
Cedric turned and walked towards the abandoned palace.
Elsez bowed respectfully as he left, but her amber eyes remained cold and focused.
There was one person who stood to gain from Elsez Rohen’s death.
‘But accusing him based solely on that reason would be premature.’
As Elsez turned to head back to the palace, a knight rushed past her towards Cedric. Breathless, the knight delivered urgent news.
“Your Highness, the Cardinal has arrived.”
****
After surveying the situation at the abandoned palace, Cedric returned to the Crown Prince’s quarters and found Astaire waiting in the reception room.
“News travels fast. It seems the palace has a rat. I’ll have to deal with it soon.”
Cedric’s words were a clear dismissal, urging Astaire to mind his own business and leave.
Though they were never on good terms, Cedric usually maintained a facade of respect towards Astaire as the representative of the Holy See.
But today, he had no patience for pleasantries.
Elsez Rohen had survived.
The woman who was supposed to die had lived, ruining all his plans.
Not only was Tezette and Rinel’s marriage in jeopardy, but doubts had been cast on Rashiel’s involvement in the incident.
Despite Cedric’s thinly veiled hostility, Astaire remained composed.
“Be careful not to catch the wrong cat while hunting rats.”
Cedric scoffed, his voice cold.
“I’ve made my intentions clear through Lord Gail. The empire will handle this matter. If the Cardinal continues to interfere, the empire will have no choice but to suspect his motives.”
“How curious,” Astaire replied, undeterred. “How can Your Highness be so certain that Rashiel is behind these incidents?”
“……What do you mean?”
“No one has seen the face behind the mask, have they?”
Astaire’s usually calm gaze sharpened, his eyes gleaming with an unusual intensity.
Cedric gritted his teeth, realizing that Astaire suspected something.
‘The Cardinal has noticed something.’
Though Astaire only mentioned the masked face, it was clear he had other suspicions.
Cedric hid his emotions and responded,
“That’s why one’s usual conduct is important. Rashiel killed his predecessor, dabbled in dark magic, and turned his back on the empire. It’s no wonder he’s suspected.”
“Those are merely excuses and Your Highness’s prejudices.”
“Perhaps. But Lord Lort has identified Rashiel as the mastermind. We will capture Rashiel Celest and uncover the truth. If he’s innocent, he’ll be cleared. If guilty, he’ll face the consequences.”
“…….”
“Either way, this is not the Cardinal’s concern. It is an imperial matter.”
“Even if the presence of the Demon Lord was felt in the palace today?”
Astaire’s words shocked Cedric.
‘The Demon Lord appeared in the palace?’
Cedric knew the Demon Lord had been resurrected, but he hadn’t encountered him yet.
The priestess had said the Demon Lord’s power wasn’t fully restored, making it difficult to meet him. She insisted on opening dimensional rifts until his power returned.
Now, the Demon Lord had finally revealed his presence.
It was what Cedric had been waiting for, but it also meant—
“The Demon Lord has risen,” Astaire declared, his gaze steady on Cedric. “Thus—”
“From now on, the Holy See will intervene under its authority.”
This development signaled that Cedric needed to act swiftly.
****
The next day, Elsez went to work at the Magic Tower as if nothing had happened.
Of course, she did. Right now, she wasn’t Elsez Rohen—she was Anna Ritz. And Anna Ritz hadn’t experienced anything yesterday.
“This will all be over today.”
Taking a deep breath, Elsez looked at the portal leading to the mansion inside the Tower Master’s private office.
Today, she planned to confront Rashiel head-on and uncover the truth behind this incident.
From his own mouth, directly.
Elsez adjusted Anna Ritz’s oversized glasses one last time before stepping onto the portal. A blue light enveloped her.
When she opened her eyes again, the familiar stillness of the mansion stretched before her.
It feels even quieter than usual… Must be my imagination.
She crossed the estate, filled only with birdsong, and stepped through the entrance.
Sensing a guest’s arrival, the butler emerged from the center of the mansion. He bowed politely to Elsez.
“You have arrived.”
“Hello, Butler. Where is Lord Rashiel?”
“Apologies, but Lord Rashiel had to leave on urgent business a short while ago.”
“Urgent business?”
“Yes. He said you may return for today. Your pay will be provided as usual, so there’s no need to worry.”
Elsez’s brows furrowed slightly.
“Of all days…”
She had been ready to end everything today. The thought had brought her relief. But now that her plans had crumbled, she felt deflated.
At the same time, an uneasy feeling crept over her.
Rashiel has never once left during his working hours.
And yet, today, he was gone.
Right after what happened at the imperial palace last night.
The timing was too convenient to be a coincidence.
“If there are any books you’d like to read in the library, you may stay and browse.”
“Ah, well, since I came all this way, I might as well look at some books before I go.”
“Call for me if you need anything.”
Elsez ascended the stairs to the second-floor library.
The butler, watching her retreating figure, erased the kind smile from his face and turned back to his duties.
At that moment, a ripple of mana surged from the mansion’s entrance. Someone had just used a portal to arrive.
After a brief pause, the front door opened, and a man in a black cloak stepped inside.
He gave a small bow, and the butler, as if expecting his arrival, greeted him without surprise.
Glancing once toward the second floor where Elsez had disappeared, the butler spoke to the man.
“Follow me.”
The two entered a private lounge deep inside the mansion.
The butler handed over a prepared list.
“Lord Rashiel has given his orders. Deliver invitations to the nobles on this list.”
“What are the date and location?”
“This coming Tuesday at seven in the evening. The location is Selenium Theater.”
The butler added with a resolute expression,
“That is where the final act of all this will unfold.”
The man repeated the time and place to himself, committing them to memory.
Then, suddenly, he sensed a chill and turned toward the lounge door.
It was slightly open.
The last person to enter had been the butler. The butler he knew would never make such a careless mistake.
Striding forward, the man yanked the door open.
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