Chapter 24

Translator and Editor: Effe and Nabi

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Chapter 24

Leonhard took a breath.

A light flashed from the other side of the passage, exactly where Celine was.

‘…What?’

The next moment, nothing was visible.

The soft light that she had lit up with magic, the blonde hair that glittered in that light, and the mysterious light that flashed for a while… All gone.

A heavy silence weighed on Leonhard. All he could hear was the sound of his own heavy breathing and the sound of his heart beating like crazy. He hurriedly ran to the spot where he had just seen Celine.

“Celine…!”

Fortunately, Celine was there.

Her body trembled all over as if she had seen something she couldn’t see.

***

Inside the jewelry box, there was only one key. Celine stared blankly at the palm-sized key, which flashed dazzlingly in the dark.

…It shouldn’t have been like this.

The rewards for clearing the first stage were a few potions that restore maximum health and a pendant used to clear the next stage. However, it was a key she did not know where to use it.

‘What does it want me to open? Is there something in front of this?’

But, this was clearly a closed passageway.

—Tuk.

The jewelry box fell from her hand, crashed into her floor, and closed.

It was because sudden despair overcame Celine. No matter how well she used magic, it would have been difficult for her to clear this stage without knowledge of the game. She wouldn’t have even thought of jumping off the edge of the roof.

Of course, she believed that the curse would be lifted if she solved the remaining stages in the same way.

Nonetheless, the moment she saw this outrageous stage-clearing reward, all her plans went awry.

‘How do I clear the next stage without a pendant right now?’

She was no longer sure that this game was the [ Celine’s Nightmare ] she actually played.

“…Can I come closer?”

Celine turned instead of answering.

Leonhard’s sculptural face, dimly shining in Rashir’s light, caught her eye. She could feel the water around her eyes.

‘Yes, I have Leonhard.’

The villain of [ Celine’s Nightmare ]

As long as he was there, this was the game she knew.

“Where are you hurt?”

As Leonhard asked worriedly, she answered, trying to hide the rising tears.

“It’s okay.”

“What is that light just now?”

Celine made a small light to illuminate the ground. With her mouth shut, she saw the jewelry box lying on the floor.

Click.

The box opened again, and the key gave off a brilliant light.

Celine picked up the key. Even if it looked like something she did not need right now, it would not be a very meaningless item.

—Bang!

There was a roar, and the ground vibrated.

Immediately, Leonhard wrapped around her body. After a while, they fell to the ground. Celine slowly got her body up. The mansion had not changed at all from before they entered, though she knew instinctively.

…Stage clear.

Finally, the first stage was over.

It left her with a big riddle. A large shadow cast over Celine as she peered into the key, which she clenched so tightly that it left a mark on her palm.

It was Leonhard.

“This… What?”

Asking that, Leonhard was handed the key with a puzzled expression on his face and turned it around.

“I don’t know.”

“Isn’t this the purpose of coming here?”

Leonhard returned the key and looked into Celine’s dark complexion.

“In the dream… I saw it in a dream, but it’s different from my dream. It’s not like this, but something else should come out…”

“Pfft.”

“….?”

She was startled by his sudden burst of laughter before wiping away the tears that were still in her eyes.

Leonhard hardened his face and spoke as if the previous smile had been a mistake.

“Didn’t you tell me that day? Prophecies are unreliable.”

Celine bit her mouth while trying to protest that it was not a prophecy. She couldn’t tell the truth.

“Isn’t the reason you panic when it’s different from your dream because you think the dream will come true? Then, it is a prophecy.”

“….”

“Do you know why I don’t believe the prophecies?”

“No…?”

Celine stared blankly at Leonhard. She had no idea what his intentions were.

Seeing that, he continued speaking slowly.

“When I was born, the prophets of the whole empire came to the north. They said the newborn had to be killed.”

Celine’s eyes widened in astonishment.

“Everyone said that I would destroy my family and bring great woe to the empire.”

It looked as though he was talking to someone else.

“Fortunately, everyone was beaten and kicked out. And look at me. Do you think the prophecy came true?”

Celine couldn’t say anything, knowing that the prophecy was correct. At the same time, the truth, which she had been trying to avoid, struck her. The truth she couldn’t face because she only thought about escaping from the curse of countless deaths.

..This was definitely [ Celine’s Nightmare ]

Leonhard had proven that fact.

And, Leonhard…

Five years later, he would become a madman trying to kill her. Meanwhile, she simply thought that he and Bernoulli Castle were different from the game.

Haa!

What a stupid idea.

She may have been simply avoiding reality all this time. Five years, perhaps even sooner, the reality that Leonhard becomes a madman and Bernoulli’s castle becomes a ghost castle…

Leonhard gently grabbed Celine, who was half-dazed.

“Celine, the future always changes. Don’t rely on your foresight.”

“…Leonhard.”

She stared intently into his blue eyes. He only showed concern for her, and there was no sign of madness.

She swallowed a gulp.

Leonhard was wrong. His existence only told her that ‘foresight’ was correct. Rather, to show that ‘foresight’ was wrong…

With that thought, she clutched the key.

She could not let Leonhard face his fate.

The key, which had brought despair to her just a moment ago, and seemingly meaningless, shone with hope. She would follow the guidance of this key and change the future.

Leonhard’s resolute voice was heard.

“Let’s go. This is a wicked place.”

“Wait.”

He followed her silently as he walked to the front door of the mansion. Celine took a deep breath. The mansion, which had killed her dozens of times and taken a young child’s life forever, still exuded an evil spirit.

“Will you be okay? Magic…”

“Because there is Lou.”

She reached out towards the mansion. A huge ice wall began to grow along the wall of the mansion.

If she just wanted to stop people, blocking the entrance would suffice. Nevertheless, carcasses of animals that would have lost their lives by entering through windows or small crevices could be seen everywhere.

Celine didn’t want this terrible mansion to consume life anymore.

No matter how small and insignificant life is.

So, even though it was somewhat too much, she made a huge dome-shaped ice wall to surround the mansion. It was winter, so it would not melt until spring, and in the meantime, she would think about how to completely shut down this mansion.

“Sigh…”

Celine took a deep breath.

Leonhard approached and wiped her sweaty forehead.

“Good job.”

“It should have been like this earlier.”

“….”

Leonhard didn’t answer.

***

The next morning.

They arrived at Libron castle, where the royal family resided. Libron Castle was splendid and beautiful, unlike Bernoulli Castle, whose first impression was somewhat bizarre.

Celine’s eyes moved in all directions without a moment’s rest.

A huge marble fountain, numerous statues decorated with gold leaf, and even the colorful mosaics on the floor…

“Do you like it?”

She tried to answer honestly that it was more beautiful than any building she had ever seen before, though when she realized that he was the heir to the Bernoulli Castle, she turned around.

“It’s my first time in the imperial palace.”

“Hmm.”

Leonhard looked at her as if he knew all about Celine’s heart, and then greeted the official who approached him.

The official exchanged brief greetings with him before turning to Celine.

“I heard a lot about Lute Celine from His Highness Ricardo. Nice to see you like this.”

“Nice, nice to meet you…”

Celine answered with a puzzled face. The Crown Prince and her have never even met, let alone been friends.

What the hell did the Prince say about her, who had no acquaintance…?

Celine’s doubts were resolved within minutes of them entering the Crown Prince’s office.

Prince Ricardo, who stood up and greeted them, was a middle-aged man in his forties or so, with a smile on his lips, but his eyes cold and sharp as cracked ice.

“It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness Ricardo.”

She meekly recited the greeting Danny told her. Celine frankly told Danny that she had never been taught the etiquette of nobles, and Danny was a good teacher.

The Prince’s eyes narrowed.

“You are the Lady of the North. Leonhard threatened me and took you on a mission.”

“Your Highness…!”

Leonhard exclaimed in visibly bewildered embarrassment.

“I just made a request.”

“It’s a joke.”

Saying so, the Prince let out a smirk, although his eyes still didn’t smile.

Celine had a gut feeling that she was the reason the Crown Prince was picking on Leonhard. It was a card that would have agitated Leonhard. Thinking that, she clenched her teeth tightly. Leonhard’s situation would only get worse if she came out here.

‘I cannot be a weakness.’

The Prince spoke in a hard, stern voice.

“Then, let’s get to the point. Many signs of black magic have appeared in my palace, and the Emperor is suspicious of my people. But, I… I am not taking sides, so please listen without prejudice.”

“Please say it.”

“The culprit is not my people.”

The Crown Prince closed his mouth as if he had finished talking and stared at them sternly. Celine got a little nauseous. Of course, he did not want any of his entourage to think he had a warlock. Though if he wanted to make a claim, didn’t he have to come up with a basis?

Leonhard opened his mouth with difficulty.

“Your Highness, I know you are upset. Still, because His Majesty has ordered…”

“What? Investigate. I just want you to know that it will be in vain.”

“….”

“Anyway, I will reduce your work. You can use Rashir.”

“….!”

Leonhard’s eyes filled with astonishment.

“Your Majesty, those words…”

“When Rashir cuts a warlock, doesn’t the original black blood flow?”

“Yes, forgive me…”

The Crown Prince cut off Leonhard’s words.

“One small wound with Rashir would be enough to make a judgment call. Wouldn’t that be better than conducting an unplanned investigation all winter as it is?”

“Aren’t most of them nobles? I will terribly refuse to hurt them. Besides, you know Rashir, Your Highness.”

It was only then that Celine realized what the prince was asking for and how shocking the request was.

Leonhard did not allow her to touch Rashir even in its sheath. Since even the smallest wounds can inflict unimaginable pain…

The Crown Prince was trying to put his entourage into such suffering.

“They will obey my orders.”

At that, Leonhard hesitated and finally nodded his head.

“…I understand.”

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