CH 97

The screams of monsters melting from all directions were non-stop.

"......Boring"

Oliven, who murmured in a gloomy voice, drew a magic circle around him to block out noise. He was pinned inside and lightly ignoring Cazer, who was talking to him. Sitting still like that, he was immersed in deep thoughts, and once again checked the message left by his master to him.

[In the end, it only gives me a huge disappointment. Even now, if you realize your mistakes and ask for forgiveness, you will be able to remain my disciple. But if you can't do that, I'm going to give you three chances from now on. Whatever you do, I have enough power to stop it. Oliven, if you forsake my heart three times, I will no longer do what a master should, but I will do what I’m supposed to do as the Great Elder of the magic tower. If that's the case, I'd be really sad. Please know that I am really, really patient. Because it's not too late now.]

Oliven put his head between his knees again.

"Master has changed."

His master was out of her mind from the time she studied that power. It was his first time seeing her cling desperately without even taking care of her body like a person being chased by something. His master, who valued living outside the magic tower, had been stuck in the lab since starting the research. It was nice to be around her every single day, but nevertheless, it didn't seem like they were together. At the end of this study, he felt like his master would forever go somewhere, so he had to be anxious all the time. His instinct was so good that it was all the more so. And his instinct really hit it off.

"It's so different."

He remembered the way his master looked at Claude and her face when she was with Ethan Ambrosia. The master's face he saw for the first time was so beautiful, and her eyes, as if studded with jewels, shone beautifully. The image of Ambrosia reflected in those eyes was so beautiful that Oliven instinctively realized it. Now he had become a part of his master's life as just a disciple. Unlike the Duke and Young Lord Ambrosia, who would make life together with her in the future.

"......Master is bad."

Oliven staggered and stood up, hugging his churned stomach. He knew that he was still struggling like a child and couldn't let go of his master. But what if he really, really didn't want to lose his master to something like Ambrosia?

"There is no reason for Master to devote herself to Ambrosia."

He didn't even know that his twisted love was going in the wrong direction. His master had always been merciful to him, so he thought it would be the same this time as well.

"If there is no one around Master, if only I am......"

While muttering alone, a faint smile appeared on Oliven’s lips, then it disappeared, only to appear and disappear, again and again. She said she would let him go three times anyway, so maybe he could play around a little more foolishly and childishly.

"......Laughing like that again. Such a nasty bastard."

Cazer's face, as he looked at Oliven, was uncomfortably distorted. He didn't need the Oliven that didn't help him. He only wanted someone who could help him repay the humiliation suffered by Ethan Ambrosia and restore the glory he should have had.

"First Prince-nim!"

At that time, Python Alton, the eldest son of Alton Estate, ran to him with a face that could not hide his anxiety. He had two magicians brought by Oliven on either side of him, but nevertheless, whenever he saw monsters, he withdrew.

"Tsk."

He couldn't believe his aide, who was going to work with him in the future, was so weak. Cazer was not pleased with Python, but he could not help it. At least he was the one who knew how to please him the most in this humble country estate.

"What?"

Cazer once again used his power to deal with the attacking monsters and was drenched in blood before asking Python. Python said while holding his breath for a moment as he felt like he was about to vomit at the First Prince who was casually drenched in monster blood.

"I, I don't think I can keep my father and brother locked up anymore."

"Why is that?"

At Cazer's words as if asking what the hell was the problem, Python could feel his mind wandering. Cazer constantly slaughtered under the guise of experimentation, saying that he should make something out of the power he received from a suspicious magician. And then, not letting him throw them away, the corpses of the monsters hidden in his room were discovered by his brother Powell. His younger brother immediately reported this fact to his father, and at the order of the First Prince, it had already been quite a long time since he had captured and imprisoned his father and brother, who were about to send messengers to the Emperor.

'Then, will the territory be all right when Father the Lord is absent?'

Since his father the Lord did not take care of the territory, holes began to form throughout Alton, starting with the administration. Cazer's slaughter had reduced the appearance of monsters in the territory, but dozens of things had still occurred a day that required instructions from the lord.

"People in the estate are starting to tremble with anxiety! Even the merchants stopped coming and going......, if this continues, this will be an estate with insufficient supplies."

At Python's words, Cazer frowned as if he was saying something unwise.

What does it have to do with the anxiety of commoners now?

Cazer said without hiding his wistful expression.

"Judging by all those things, you haven't been able to advance to the center yet."

At the words of Cazer, Python's face hardened horribly. It was his lifelong desire to become a central aristocrat. The poor estate he had to deal with and the monsters on the outskirts shackled his ankles and dragged him down, but he still made an effort. At the Academy, where aristocratic children who entered the central political world are going, he crawled to get along with them somehow despite all kinds of ignorance and insults. Moreover, despite the attention of his father and younger brother, he barely managed to earn money and tried to stay in the capital whenever he had spare time. Cazer's words had touched Python's reverse scale.

"I just noticed it! I just couldn’t help but take those things into account! I was just afraid that they would get in the way of First Prince-nim......!"

"Hmm." 

This time, Python's words were of little value, but it seemed that Cazer's heart was satisfied. He grabbed Python's shoulder with a slightly softened face.

"Without noise, let it be done without noise. Didn't the other nobles protest?"

"After seeing the power of First Prince-nim, they were so discouraged that they were still trembling."

"Is that so? Looks like they've finally come to their senses. Hahahaha!"

In the Alton Estate, there were a few nobles who were sent here along with the First Prince. Some of the aristocrats were in his supporting group, including Viscount Nathan. They, too, were quietly confined to the Lord’s Castle when they saw the First Prince using his ominous power. Fortunately, no one cared about the First Prince who had been completely overthrown and the nobles who followed him down to the Alton Estate. So far, Cazer had been able to do things without much trouble.

"There’s not much time left. We should strike that old Emperor’s neck and also take care of those insolent younger brothers who dare to overtake this older brother’s things, right?"

Cazer continued speaking in a soft voice as if trying to appease Python, whose eyes were shaking as if anxious.

"Do you think I'll forget you then? The Alton family in this Alton Estate will now be the contributing family of the Crombell Empire. The contributor to my new written history."

"......!" 

"Oh, yeah. I promise you the duke title. How about becoming the sole Duke of the Crombell Empire?"

Cazer chuckled as if he felt good just thinking about it. A little bit of anticipation was also put on Python's shoulder, who could not hide his uncomfortable feeling. It was a scene where his father and younger brother would hit the ground and shed tears of blood if they saw it.

"Stop the useless chatter. We don't have time now. Soon my master will be here."

Oliven approached Cazer and Python and separated them. It was hard to see the two of them encouraging each other.

"What do you mean your master? Who is that?"

"I don't think I need to tell you that."

Oliven said in a blunt voice, wiping away Cazer's question.

"They must have already informed Master that I studied black magic at the magic tower. I can't stand still."

At his words, the black magicians of the magic tower, standing on either side of Python, said, stiffening their faces.

"If Great Elder-nim knew...... soon!"

"That's why we have to hide even more."

"There is no place on this continent that can escape the eyes of Great Elder-nim!"

"......I know. So I'm thinking of taking some hostages. Fortunately, my master is an aristocrat who loves this Empire and its people."

At Oliven's words, the black magicians of the magic tower opened their eyes wide as if they had something in mind.

"Run the magic circle I studied throughout the Alton Estate. No matter how powerful she is, I don't think Master can break it easily."

* * *

Where and who is talking about me.

Sarah soon sneezed loudly while tilting her head back because her nose was itchy.

"Achoo!"

When she made such a loud noise without realizing it, Sarah hurriedly covered her mouth. But, it was already too late. Everyone in the Ambrosia mansion looked at her with a flash in their eyes.

"Countess Millen-nim!"

"Are you okay!"

"Are you hurt?"

"I, I’ll bring some medicine!"

At the same time, Sarah wrapped her throbbing head as if she was going to have neurosis from the pouring words.