Chapter 111: Formatting

Chapter 111: Formatting

I fondly remember the times when you both used to argue over who was the older brother in your childhood, but this time, I cant understand your argument at all. Is this some kind of game?

At Masains words, Seongjin narrowed his eyes and glanced at Logan.

Pretending to be an adult all by yourself, and you had such fights with young Morres?

Logans face turned a bit red.

Why are you both arguing about who is Jibrils grandfather? You do realize that youre both actually younger than her, right? Despite her appearance, Jibril is already an adult who has graduated from the academy.

No, thats, um

I never thought Id have to tell Prince Logan to act his age.

Logan hung his head in silence. Seongjin, watching with a smug expression, suddenly felt a strange sensation.

Sir Masain, why are you only scolding Logan?

Then Masain replied with an indifferent expression.

Well, I didnt expect any such thing from Your Highness.

?

You havent exactly acted your age either, have you?

Seongjins mouth dropped open.

Sir Masain, youve been hanging out with Francis and now youre picking up his habits!

The carriage continued in silence towards the outskirts of the palace.

* * *

Ashley Betcher and Jonathan McAlpin were receiving treatment at a medical facility operated by the imperial family. They were isolated in a remote room in a large building of the medical center.

As they were still technically prisoners, there were guards at the entrance, but the watch wasnt intense since they were just young students.

The guard, standing idly in a bored stance, straightened up and opened the rooms door as Seongjins group approached.

Your Highness! I cant express how happy I am to see you again!

Entering the room, a boy who recognized Seongjins face shouted with brightened features. He was a slightly plump and smart-looking boy, but Seongjin had never seen him before.

Who are you?

As the boy staggered out of bed to approach, Seongjin, startled, stepped back out and then re-entered the room. This has to be the right place, right?

The boys face, once filled with joy, quickly fell, and his eyebrows drooped.

Im Jonathan. Didnt Your Highness call me an old friend?

What?

Jonathan? Jonathan McAlpin?

Yes, Your Highness.

Jonathan McAlpin, the link between Morres and the Black Prophets.

And possibly, an accomplice who might have secretly supported Morress heretical group.

He was a chubby boy when he was groaning in jail just a few days ago, but what happened to him in such a short time?

Even considering the bloodletting treatments by the plague doctors, is it possible for someone to become this emaciated so quickly? He looks like hes lost a significant part of his body mass.

Shouldnt you be the last one to say that?

Logan spoke from behind with a slightly incredulous tone.

No, what. Ive been through aura storms and all sorts of things!

Seongjin tried to hide his confusion and smiled awkwardly.

Wow, Jonathan. I hardly recognize you. I was worried because you were ill for so long, but it seems my worries were needless.

Its all thanks to Your Highness. You discovered that parasite, right? Thanks to you, I was able to escape the horrific bloodletting treatments.

Remembering his ordeal, Jonathan shivered.

This guy, he seems more relieved to have escaped bloodletting treatments than to have recovered from the Gray Plague. What exactly did the Lyora Plague Association do?

Yes. Its good to see youre looking better now.

Haha, actually, I feel much lighter than before the plague. I think I might be even healthier now.

Jonathan scratched his cheek with a slightly embarrassed look.

The problem is with Ashley

Jonathan turned his head towards a corner of the room, and everyones gaze followed.

Ashley Betcher.

The other victim of the Gray Plague was sitting on a small bed in the corner of the room.

Her condition was markedly different from the lively Jonathan; she sat there with a vacant expression, staring blankly into space. She had lost so much weight in just a few days that she looked almost skeletal.

Why is she like that?

What? Why? What?

Wait, this is a misunderstanding. It wasnt me who destroyed them!

Why is Masain looking at me like that too? He was there that day!

Just then, an eerie voice sounded from behind them.

Prince Morres

A voice that was slightly hoarse, yet strangely compelling.

Turning around, they saw Ashley Betcher, who had been sitting vacantly until now, turning her head towards them.

Her previously unfocused eyes now held a clear hostility as they stared directly at Seongjin.

Ashley! Are you back to your senses?

Jonathan tried to approach with delight, but Seongjin quickly raised his hand, stopping him.

Although he hadnt known Ashley long, Seongjin sensed a distinct alien feeling from her.

That gaze was definitely not Ashley Betchers!

Logan also seemed to sense something, reaching for his sword, Arjuna, while blocking the group from Ashley. Ashley glanced at Logan, then focused back on Seongjin, speaking.

So, it was you who did that to the Heresy Tribunal

A fierce hostility surged from Ashley, the atmosphere in the room suddenly becoming tense and heavy. For a moment, a peculiar yellow glow seemed to flicker in her eyes.

What exactly is happening?

The Demon King urgently warned Seongjin.

[Its a channel, Lee Seongjin! Someone has opened a channel using her as a medium, though its quite unstable!]

A channel?

Seongjins face turned grave.

Seongjin couldnt help but feel that the Arenja werent involved. They had cautiously communicated their intentions through Commander Bruno, but had not yet attempted direct contact with Seongjin.

Yet, knowing about the mind crystals in Gray Plague patients and using it for channeling?

If so,

The culprit involved in the Gray Plague or perhaps the one who brought the monsters to Delcross!

Seongjin, with a hardened face, reached for his Nutcracker, watched closely by Ashley. Then, Ashley, with a sinister voice, again addressed him.

You ruined everything. What are you, exactly?

Me?

Yes, the new horse of the guardian. Do you even know on whose stage you are playing, in whose hands you are being played?

.

Foolish one!

Ashley sneered with a twisted smile, showing a grotesque expression.

Then, suddenly.

She twitched as if electrocuted and began shaking.

And suddenly, she started shouting at thin air.

Such a persistent nuisance! These tiny beings!

?

And you are no different! Do you even know who you are helping right now!

While Seongjins group looked on bewildered, Ashley staggered to her feet from the bed and began gesticulating at thin air!

Get lost!

Dont interfere!

Get lost!

You creatures too!

She seemed to be fighting with herself, shouting and responding alone, appearing utterly mad.

How long will you keep this up!

Get the hell out of the palace, you wretch!

Disappear far from the palace, you villain!

?

Seongjin blinked in confusion.

Huh?

This oddly repetitive manner of speaking, it felt familiar somehow?