Chapter 43

Chapter 43 – Earnest Wish (3)

“What exactly can you give me?”

“Time.”

“Time?”

“That’s right.”

Unraveling the information Evelyn knew could end the civil war earlier.

“If you accept the deal I’m offering, you’ll be able to have the coronation ceremony before the end of this year.”

Cesar’s eyes widened slightly. There were only seven months left until the end of the year, so it was surprising.

“…What if I don’t accept it?”

“It will take another year and a half.”

The guidance she had given him previously was enough to help him win small victories. But it was not to the extent that it affected the overall situation. As evidence of that, the situation in the East had not changed much since a month ago.

“What are you going to do?” Her languid voice urged Cesar. He rubbed his forehead instead of answering. Evelyn’s palms began to sweat.

“If I don’t accept your demands in the end, what are you going to do?” Cesar spat out a question, not an agreement. Evelyn couldn’t help but grind her teeth. She knew that Cesar would be more cautious as soon as she mentioned the pledge. That’s why she had mentioned Etrada repeatedly before. To let his decisions be influenced by his emotions. But if that didn’t help… A mixture of tension and anxiety mingled, and her blood chilled. Evelyn did her best to suppress her agitation.

“I’ll leave.”

“Where to?”

“To someone else who will make my wish come true. And I’ll pick the right one out of many options.”

“…I guess I don’t have to ask who that is.”

Evelyn brought her hand to her mouth and laughed. It would be Cesar’s loss if he didn’t catch her, and she had other options. Had such a lie deceived him? Actually, there was no such thing as other options for Evelyn. She fervently hoped the desperation she harbored in her heart would not be revealed.

“Tomorrow at noon.”

“. . .”

“Let’s meet at the central temple.”

Evelyn bit her tongue to contain the joy that warmed her body. As the piercing pain overtook her joy, she pretended to be calm.

“Alright.”

After her bright and clear answer, Cesar poured new tea. Evelyn’s tea was already cold because of the long conversation. But it didn’t matter. It was time for her to leave.

“I wonder what you want.”

“You’ll know when you get there.”

“If your wish is a threat to me, the pledge will be meaningless.”

“Such a thing couldn’t be? You have too many doubts.” Evelyn answered in a slurred voice and rose from her seat. “Then see you tomorrow.”

“Wait.” She was going to return to the mansion and savor the results of her achievement but Cesar stopped her.

“Why?”

“…Do you know Etrada’s biological father?”

‘Of course.’ Evelyn swallowed her answer. Cesar’s comments lengthened, regardless of how he interpreted her silence.

“Those who were investigating in accordance with the information you gave me the other day have already disappeared.”

Evelyn closed her eyes without realizing it. Her blood, which had been boiling until just before, cooled once more. The presence of the Original, crawling out from the side, seemed to weigh her down. It was heavy, even if it was expected.

“…Right.”

Her tone was difficult. What Evelyn had given Cesar was the information about how to use the mana engraved on Etrada’s heart. A mana operation method that engraves a magic circle in the heart by processing mana stones. It was the power that allowed one to transcend human limits through mana. From the lowest-level management method provided to breed to the highest-level management method handed down only to direct descendants.

Countless families had all been honing their own processing methods, and their efficiency varied widely. The speed at which mana accumulates in the heart differs depending on which operation method is engraved. Such mana operation was divided into ten stages according to processing method and efficiency. This information gave one access to Etrada’s origins.

From the advanced management law, the nobles monopolized it. If you could compare the detailed magic circle shape, it was possible to discover a given family’s operating method. Of course, for that to happen, the nobles had to disclose the operation method. But who would reveal the family secret? Instead of seeking cooperation, Cesar would have chosen to find out through a spy. Though, it seemed that the spy looking for it had disappeared. It was the Original at work.

“If you know which family she belongs to–”

“No.” Evelyn cut off Cesar. A word that sounded as impatient as it was firm. There was no use in speaking. Because the Original didn’t allow it yet.

Cesar had no way of knowing the circumstances and muttered lowly.

“Don’t you need to show some success?”

But Evelyn couldn’t pay any attention to him. She looked back and smiled sadly. Was her rejection really the answer she gave just because of the power of the Original? Or was it because she didn’t want him to know? Her mouth tasted bitter. Evelyn let out her sigh.

“Don’t be upset. The day will come when you find out.”

“Did you not understand your Emperor? It means I need to know now.”

“I gave you a detour. If you still can’t find it, then there’s a reason for it.”

Cesar’s expression compressed, and Evelyn’s sigh deepened.

“It’s no use glaring at me like that.”

“And why is that?”

“Even if I name that woman’s biological father here, right now, you won’t hear it.”

“What? What does that…”

“Shall we try then?”

Evelyn continued before Cesar could finish. But it was just as she had predicted. Evelyn’s words never reached Cesar.

“Gr…”

Bang, crack– As soon as she put the name of Grand Duke Fedora in her mouth, the leg of the table on which he was sitting broke. The tea on the table fell and there was a loud noise. As a result, Evelyn’s words were erased. She looked down at the slanted table with dismay.

“Shall we try again?”

When she raised her head, she could see Cesar’s hardened face.

“Will that bookcase be broken next? Or the desk you were sitting on? Maybe that window.”

What if all the furniture in the office is destroyed? Evelyn’s voice was shaking. You can be miserable even when you have achieved what you always wanted. It was really sad.

“You will learn when the time comes.”

Evelyn moved, leaving Cesar behind, who still kept his mouth shut. But even after opening the office door, she couldn’t leave. She ended up seeing Etrada standing with Liam in the hallway. Pharrell and Liam, standing next to her, were invisible.

“Ah!”

As soon as Evelyn was seen, the figure of a person overlaid on Etrada’s brightly lit face.

“You came out.”

Evelyn’s lips twisted as she saw herself reflected in Etrada’s eyes. She was the person who was supposed to be a sacrifice for Etrada. Evelyn bit her lip. She felt a stinging pain.

“Hello? We met the other day. My name is Etrada, if you have a minute…”

“Even if I’m not busy, I don’t have the time for you.”

She couldn’t stop the sharp words from going out. No, she wouldn’t have stopped them even if she could. Because Evelyn was only human. She was just a person swayed by her emotions. Evelyn looked at Etrada with hot, glaring eyes, and turned around.

“Uh…”

Etrada muttered and pressed her lips together. But the sound of Evelyn’s heels, as she continued without hesitation, quickly faded away.