You’re so beautiful, Aster. Like the siren that lives in the deep sea, you show off your splendid appearance and gently charm and kill those who come close. This poison looks like you. It slowly stops and kills people who come intoxicated with its scent. Just like you made your mother die.”
Genoyer began research using Aster as a test subject. Every time Aster was dying, he gave him an antidote and revived him, repeating the process endlessly. Each time that happened, Genoyer poured out his feelings of inferiority to Aster and used that pain as nourishment to maximize his satisfaction.
Erasing the cold look in his eyes, Aster said. “But it’s a little strange.”
“What do you mean?”
“My brother. He’s doing it faster than I expected. I thought it would take at least a month, but what’s with the sudden rush?”
“Isn’t he impatient? Because Your Excellency suddenly changed your mind to attend the New Year’s ball.”
“Did he feel threatened by my sudden attendance?”
Louis nodded affirmatively. “First, the young master must have been planning to rebuild his power at the ball. Since Your Excellency’s face is unknown, he must have judged that there was a good chance.”
“That’s ridiculous. What can he do on the subject of being kicked out of the successor position?”
“That’s not necessarily true. Since Grand Duke Sestein is a very secretive family, there are many nobles who want to line up here and there. However, when the Grand Prince, who was the natural successor, personally came forward and invited them to become friends, is there any reason not to welcome it?”
“That’s why he took it too far.”
“That’s what I see.”
“Then should we assume that his purpose of bringing Lusi in today was that he was trying to grab my leash?”
Louis bowed his head instead of answering to Aster’s murderous voice, which clearly spoke out each word.
The possibility of being exposed to danger was always kept in mind. He didn’t hide that he had feelings for her, so he fully expected that she would be targeted at any time. Didn’t Genoyer also notice this and keep an eye on her?
That’s why, without her knowledge, he imprinted a layer of protection magic on her. It left traces on her slightly touched collar, hair, and skin that he had briefly brushed. Even if it wasn’t that, a lisianthus necklace was imprinted with powerful magic that would protect her completely without her knowing.
Aster has completed all the preparations to prepare for every possible emergency. No, he thought it was done. But Elusiana was kidnapped. She almost died and probably would have if it had been a little later.
Genoyer had no intention of keeping her alive from the beginning. He must have tried to trade her with his body. Because he knew what she meant to him.
“Haaa…”
Aster let out a suppressed groan. It was too much complacency. He was so complacent. Because his power was so great, he had forgotten how weak she was.
The woman who was almost in his hands was swept away by their plans, and he almost lost her. When he was moving her through space with her entire body bound, he thought his blood was rushing to his stomach. As she fainted in fear, he thought her heart would stop. How fortunate and thankful he is that she’s alive and well.
Aster said with a cold, stiff face. “If Lusi had been taken away, it would have been exactly what he wanted.”
“Fortunately, the young Lady is safe.”
Louis told him the reality as if trying to appease the angry Aster. Thanks to this, Aster, who was able to suppress his boiling anger for a moment, asked with a flash of cold eyes.
“Where is the trash that we collected?”
“They’re in the dungeon.”
“How about identification?”
“One is a mercenary, and the other is a knight of Count Eragost.”
“I see.”
Astor’s mouth bent eerily. “If they thought about harming another person’s life, they should take responsibility for that death. Wouldn’t that be fair? Let’s go to the dungeon.”
“I will take you there.”
Louis led the way to the dungeon.
* * *
The cage was once a temporary shelter for test subjects but is now empty.
Aster stopped not far from the dungeon entrance. Creek. When he opened the cage and entered, he saw Emil sitting on the bed, whose limbs were still intact. He raised the corner of his mouth slyly.
“Are you ready?”
Emil, who had his eyes closed, slowly raised his head. His eyes were empty, as if his soul had disappeared from his body.
“It’s commendable that you don’t know how precious your life is. But the knight of Eragost.”
When Aster flicked his finger, a bottle of black liquid appeared in his hand. “I didn’t intend to let you go in peace.”
Aster grinned and held a bottle in hand. At some point, the floating medicine bottle stopped in front of Emil. Flinching, Emil opened his eyes and shouted. “Kill me. I have nothing to say to the Grand Duke. All of this was done on my own— K-keugh.”
“Keugh. Keugh.”
Emil fell to the floor, holding his neck and breathing harshly. Then, the medicine bottle that blocked his throat popped out.
“Kek. Keugh. Keurgh. Kekek.”
Emil, who had finally caught his breath, glared at Aster with bloodshot eyes. His will to die seemed as strong as heated iron.
Aster sneered sarcastically. “If you want to die. You can die. Just die in terrible pain until your last breath.”
“…”
“It starts with the pain of your internal organs being torn apart.”
“…!”
“The beginning starts with the pain of tearing the intestines to shreds.”
Emile’s eyes trembled. He hadn’t felt it yet, but it was clear that the pain was more terrible than he imagined.
“Your esophagus, stomach, and lungs will melt one after another. Your blood vessels will burst, your heart will shrink, and your brain will be mushy. Then, your bones will break into pieces until your heart stops. Your entire body would be grotesquely distorted, and you would die without even letting out a single scream.”
“…”
“After that, I’m going to visit your family. Your relatives, your neighbors, and even their children. How about it? Do you like my gift?”
Emil finally closed his eyes tightly as Aster recited his words like shaking off a deadly poison.
“…What can I do?”
“It’s nice to hear from you now.”
Aster waved a blue glass bottle in front of Emil, colored with contempt.
“If I’m satisfied with what you say from now on, I will give you this. Ah, this is the antidote. And… If I determine that it’s useful information, I will release you.”
“Are you serious?”
“Is there any reason for me to lie to you?”
The moment Emil met his eerie eyes, he got goosebumps.
“I… I-I made a mistake. Please forgive me.”
“Whether to forgive or not, I’ll decide after listening.”
Aster spoke coldly as if this was his last chance. In response, Emil gritted his teeth and lowered his head. “Yes… I’ll tell you everything.”
* * *
“At this rate, it would be a big blow to Lady Eragost.”
Is it just that big? If Emil, the knight of Count Eragost’s family, had recited what he had said, Camilla wouldn’t only be expelled from society but also completely buried. Not only did she threaten and imprison people, but she also encouraged her followers to rape, assault, and even murder. Her evil deeds didn’t stop at one or two times. It was like a poison that had accumulated over a long period of time.
“But unfortunately, there is nothing to be called evidence.”
She hired people to do work, and she got rid of them when the work was done. This meant they were killed and disposed of so that no trace was left. Therefore, finding their connection with Camilla could be considered a great achievement.
Astor snorted briefly. “Gossip starts to go around without evidence, right? Release people and secretly spread the rumors. Say that all the women Camilla was jealous of met unfortunate deaths.”
“Count Eragost will not remain silent.”
“It’s them who will get disadvantaged as time goes by. Then we’ll see a gap. We just have to make sure we don’t miss it.”
“Hmm. It’s not a bad method. Maybe figuring out where the poison is used will be easier than we think.”
“You don’t have to figure it all out. If you figure out one or two big ones, you’ll be able to tie them up. But now, rather than Eragost, my older brother, who recently manufactured a large amount of poison, comes first.”
Louis looked at Aster with a slightly surprised look.
“My older brother has no place or time to retreat anymore. Just like Old Man said, by attending the New Year’s Ball, he completely lost the opportunity to create his own power. That’s why he did something ridiculous like kidnapping Lusi to hold my leash. Then how will my older brother try to make up for his past mistakes?”
You’re so beautiful, Aster. Like the siren that lives in the deep sea, you show off your splendid appearance and gently charm and kill those who come close. This poison looks like you. It slowly stops and kills people who come intoxicated with its scent. Just like you made your mother die.”
Genoyer began research using Aster as a test subject. Every time Aster was dying, he gave him an antidote and revived him, repeating the process endlessly. Each time that happened, Genoyer poured out his feelings of inferiority to Aster and used that pain as nourishment to maximize his satisfaction.
Erasing the cold look in his eyes, Aster said. “But it’s a little strange.”
“What do you mean?”
“My brother. He’s doing it faster than I expected. I thought it would take at least a month, but what’s with the sudden rush?”
“Isn’t he impatient? Because Your Excellency suddenly changed your mind to attend the New Year’s ball.”
“Did he feel threatened by my sudden attendance?”
Louis nodded affirmatively. “First, the young master must have been planning to rebuild his power at the ball. Since Your Excellency’s face is unknown, he must have judged that there was a good chance.”
“That’s ridiculous. What can he do on the subject of being kicked out of the successor position?”
“That’s not necessarily true. Since Grand Duke Sestein is a very secretive family, there are many nobles who want to line up here and there. However, when the Grand Prince, who was the natural successor, personally came forward and invited them to become friends, is there any reason not to welcome it?”
“That’s why he took it too far.”
“That’s what I see.”
“Then should we assume that his purpose of bringing Lusi in today was that he was trying to grab my leash?”
Louis bowed his head instead of answering to Aster’s murderous voice, which clearly spoke out each word.
The possibility of being exposed to danger was always kept in mind. He didn’t hide that he had feelings for her, so he fully expected that she would be targeted at any time. Didn’t Genoyer also notice this and keep an eye on her?
That’s why, without her knowledge, he imprinted a layer of protection magic on her. It left traces on her slightly touched collar, hair, and skin that he had briefly brushed. Even if it wasn’t that, a lisianthus necklace was imprinted with powerful magic that would protect her completely without her knowing.
Aster has completed all the preparations to prepare for every possible emergency. No, he thought it was done. But Elusiana was kidnapped. She almost died and probably would have if it had been a little later.
Genoyer had no intention of keeping her alive from the beginning. He must have tried to trade her with his body. Because he knew what she meant to him.
“Haaa…”
Aster let out a suppressed groan. It was too much complacency. He was so complacent. Because his power was so great, he had forgotten how weak she was.
The woman who was almost in his hands was swept away by their plans, and he almost lost her. When he was moving her through space with her entire body bound, he thought his blood was rushing to his stomach. As she fainted in fear, he thought her heart would stop. How fortunate and thankful he is that she’s alive and well.
Aster said with a cold, stiff face. “If Lusi had been taken away, it would have been exactly what he wanted.”
“Fortunately, the young Lady is safe.”
Louis told him the reality as if trying to appease the angry Aster. Thanks to this, Aster, who was able to suppress his boiling anger for a moment, asked with a flash of cold eyes.
“Where is the trash that we collected?”
“They’re in the dungeon.”
“How about identification?”
“One is a mercenary, and the other is a knight of Count Eragost.”
“I see.”
Astor’s mouth bent eerily. “If they thought about harming another person’s life, they should take responsibility for that death. Wouldn’t that be fair? Let’s go to the dungeon.”
“I will take you there.”
Louis led the way to the dungeon.
* * *
The cage was once a temporary shelter for test subjects but is now empty.
Aster stopped not far from the dungeon entrance. Creek. When he opened the cage and entered, he saw Emil sitting on the bed, whose limbs were still intact. He raised the corner of his mouth slyly.
“Are you ready?”
Emil, who had his eyes closed, slowly raised his head. His eyes were empty, as if his soul had disappeared from his body.
“It’s commendable that you don’t know how precious your life is. But the knight of Eragost.”
When Aster flicked his finger, a bottle of black liquid appeared in his hand. “I didn’t intend to let you go in peace.”
Aster grinned and held a bottle in hand. At some point, the floating medicine bottle stopped in front of Emil. Flinching, Emil opened his eyes and shouted. “Kill me. I have nothing to say to the Grand Duke. All of this was done on my own— K-keugh.”
“Keugh. Keugh.”
Emil fell to the floor, holding his neck and breathing harshly. Then, the medicine bottle that blocked his throat popped out.
“Kek. Keugh. Keurgh. Kekek.”
Emil, who had finally caught his breath, glared at Aster with bloodshot eyes. His will to die seemed as strong as heated iron.
Aster sneered sarcastically. “If you want to die. You can die. Just die in terrible pain until your last breath.”
“…”
“It starts with the pain of your internal organs being torn apart.”
“…!”
“The beginning starts with the pain of tearing the intestines to shreds.”
Emile’s eyes trembled. He hadn’t felt it yet, but it was clear that the pain was more terrible than he imagined.
“Your esophagus, stomach, and lungs will melt one after another. Your blood vessels will burst, your heart will shrink, and your brain will be mushy. Then, your bones will break into pieces until your heart stops. Your entire body would be grotesquely distorted, and you would die without even letting out a single scream.”
“…”
“After that, I’m going to visit your family. Your relatives, your neighbors, and even their children. How about it? Do you like my gift?”
Emil finally closed his eyes tightly as Aster recited his words like shaking off a deadly poison.
“…What can I do?”
“It’s nice to hear from you now.”
Aster waved a blue glass bottle in front of Emil, colored with contempt.
“If I’m satisfied with what you say from now on, I will give you this. Ah, this is the antidote. And… If I determine that it’s useful information, I will release you.”
“Are you serious?”
“Is there any reason for me to lie to you?”
The moment Emil met his eerie eyes, he got goosebumps.
“I… I-I made a mistake. Please forgive me.”
“Whether to forgive or not, I’ll decide after listening.”
Aster spoke coldly as if this was his last chance. In response, Emil gritted his teeth and lowered his head. “Yes… I’ll tell you everything.”
* * *
“At this rate, it would be a big blow to Lady Eragost.”
Is it just that big? If Emil, the knight of Count Eragost’s family, had recited what he had said, Camilla wouldn’t only be expelled from society but also completely buried. Not only did she threaten and imprison people, but she also encouraged her followers to rape, assault, and even murder. Her evil deeds didn’t stop at one or two times. It was like a poison that had accumulated over a long period of time.
“But unfortunately, there is nothing to be called evidence.”
She hired people to do work, and she got rid of them when the work was done. This meant they were killed and disposed of so that no trace was left. Therefore, finding their connection with Camilla could be considered a great achievement.
Astor snorted briefly. “Gossip starts to go around without evidence, right? Release people and secretly spread the rumors. Say that all the women Camilla was jealous of met unfortunate deaths.”
“Count Eragost will not remain silent.”
“It’s them who will get disadvantaged as time goes by. Then we’ll see a gap. We just have to make sure we don’t miss it.”
“Hmm. It’s not a bad method. Maybe figuring out where the poison is used will be easier than we think.”
“You don’t have to figure it all out. If you figure out one or two big ones, you’ll be able to tie them up. But now, rather than Eragost, my older brother, who recently manufactured a large amount of poison, comes first.”
Louis looked at Aster with a slightly surprised look.
“My older brother has no place or time to retreat anymore. Just like Old Man said, by attending the New Year’s Ball, he completely lost the opportunity to create his own power. That’s why he did something ridiculous like kidnapping Lusi to hold my leash. Then how will my older brother try to make up for his past mistakes?”
