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“What’s going on? Why are you back so soon?” I asked urgently, pushing open the door leading to the inn courtyard.

Just then, a man who appeared to be the leader of the knights approached me quickly and spoke in a hasty manner.

“As soon as we arrived near the location mentioned by the lord, we encountered the Diazi First Division. They were clearing out the remnants of Nyx and conducting reconnaissance in the area.”

My head spun. Dizzy with a faint vertigo, I pressed my forehead with the palm of my hand.

‘Why is Diazi here? If it was the First Knights, they would usually escort the family head.’

‘How did they get here so quickly? Nicholas Diazi…’

“Lord Diazi left for that place three days ago to transfer Nyx’s body to the sanctuary,” the knight said.

It meant that they had arrived at that place not long after I left Tantaros.

Furthermore, the knight added that once Lord Diazi left Tantaros, he had immediately sent a communication through the teleportation portal at the temple. Therefore, the High Priest was already assembling a group of powerful priests and heading towards the sanctuary.

It was truly astonishingly fast. My plan to buy time by moving Nyx to the sanctuary had been expedited.

However, I wasn’t pleased at all because I couldn’t tell if it was a gain or a loss.

“…Ophelia.”

I murmured her name like a sigh.

“Yes?”

How could she have found Tantaros without any powers or hints?

How was that even possible? In the first place, it wasn’t like that in <Ophelia and the Night.> So…

Does Ophelia know about <Ophelia and the Night>?

“Damn it.”

A hollow laugh escaped me. It made sense only if I hadn’t been the only one reminded of that damn novel.

If this was all some trick by a god or something, fine. When did Mahera ever tell me that story, claiming I was the only one who knew? Why didn’t I seriously consider this possibility? I foolishly assumed I was the only one who knew.

‘With Ophelia, the human whom the gods love the most…’

The idea of moving Nyx’s body to the sanctuary and reinforcing the seal must have come from Ophelia. Her mind worked in that kind of direction.

Perhaps Ophelia, and even Nicholas, knew about that damn novel.

What if there are others who know? The thought sent a chill down my spine. In that moment, my chronic migraine, a persistent ailment, made my jaw clench tightly.

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“…Lord. The detailed account is left in a letter by Lord Diazi.”

The knight who had been discreetly observing handed me a carefully folded stack of papers from his pocket. With a contorted face, I stared at the stack and tightly closed my eyes.

I would have preferred if only Ophelia knew. If in this world, only she and I knew about <Ophelia and the Night>, at least it wouldn’t be disadvantageous for me.

Ophelia senses a sense of debt towards me. If it’s Ophelia, she would refuse a method that sacrifices me to kill Nyx.

The problem was if someone else knew about <Ophelia and the Night> and the fact that I had to die to completely kill Nyx.

Nyx is a dangerous criminal who can bring destruction to the Empire, to the entire continent. Apart from personal grudges, it is certain that this person must be eliminated. And the fact that my death is the easiest way to kill Nyx is an undeniable truth.

If it were me…

If it were me, I would have chosen to kill Aisa Mcfoy to restore Ophelia’s powers. It is the most certain and efficient method.

Thump, thump, thump.

My heart raced madly. Though my mind felt on the edge of anxiety and restlessness, my actions were surprisingly calm.

I quickly opened the sealed stack of papers. As usual, Diazi’s letter was brief.

“…”

Soon, I fell into new confusion.

Lord McFoy, return to your territory. The subsequent matters will be taken care of by the High Priest and the Diazi family.

Responsibility? What exactly are they referring to? What is the hidden agenda between Ophelia and Nicholas Diazi?

I chewed on the inside of my mouth and tightly furrowed my brows.

‘Does Nicholas not know?’

To be suddenly excluded from this matter, something felt off. It was quite bothersome to be told to exclude myself. I calmly read through the short letter until the end.

P.S. Does Lord McFoy know the whereabouts of Norma Diazi?

Instinctively, my hand holding the paper trembled. I hadn’t intentionally hidden him, yet it felt like something was stabbing my chest.

Thump—

Just then, I heard the sound of Norma entering the courtyard, as if following me. Without even realizing it, I slowly raised my head, my contorted brow unfurling.

Norma approached me with hurried steps. The sunlight touched his hair, and with each step he took, it shimmered like a wave of light. His fairy-like presence, as if he had sprinkled stardust on himself, no longer surprised me.

“Lord, what’s the matter?”

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Norma widened his eyes as he looked at my deeply creased face. He approached me with faster strides than before.

I tried to find an appropriate response. Due to my overwhelming burden, his approach felt slow-motion.

Finally, Norma stood three steps away from me, examining my surroundings. With the movement of his golden eyes, his long and full eyelashes fluttered.

Everything felt surreal, more than ever. That damn novel, my survival, and Norma Diazi awakening and standing before me with a worried look in his eyes.

“…”

I would rather it all be a dream.

I took a deep breath, searching for words to say. Norma still wore a concerned expression, waiting for my words.

“Do you still have no intention of meeting your younger brother?”

That was the only thing I could say. Norma’s golden eyes lingered on the crumpled letter in my hand.

“They are asking about your whereabouts, your younger brother, Lord Diazi.”

That was all I could say.

* * *

Lady Stang led Norma, to a gazebo located on one side of the courtyard.

“The patriarch suddenly became busy due to the information brought by the Knights. Please understand that she has a lot to consider, Sir Diazi,” she said with a genuinely apologetic expression. She pushed the refreshments slightly towards Norma, making an effort to show her sincerity. Fortunately, Norma had enjoyed a simple diet for the past few days.

“While it may not be very entertaining for an old woman like me to roam around the festival, the patriarch specifically requested you, Sir Diazi. She made a promise. Tomorrow or the day after, she plans to leave for Katam, so if not today, there won’t be much time, right?”

“I am fine. I am just concerned about Lord McFoy.”

“While the lord cannot leave immediately, she specifically mentioned that she will definitely come out before the fireworks display.”

“No, I am truly fine. Please don’t inconvenience yourself.”

“…I thought the news from the Knights was all good, but it seems that it’’s not the case for our lord.”

Ektra’s gaze momentarily rested on the window of the room where Aisa resided on the top floor of the inn.

“Why is our lord always involved in so many incidents… Oh my! I’ve uttered unnecessary words, I apologize. What I meant to say is, please don’t worry too much, Sir Diazi. The entire Empire recognizes the resilience of our lord.”

“Yes. I understand.”

Norma, without realizing it himself, smiled softly as he spoke.

“…! This may not be the right time, but—”

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Ektra saw his reaction and reconsidered her thoughts.

‘Isn’t there a mutual liking between the two of them? Perhaps this is the perfect opportunity to drive away that sneaky fellow once and for all!’

“Sir Diazi!”

Ektra called the Norman with a fervent breath.

“Yes, madam. Please tell me.”

Norma responded with a gentle smile. In the moment when Ektra faced his beautiful smile, her fantasy became a reality in her mind. Norma had a flawless appearance, temperament, lineage, and swordsmanship skills. There wasn’t a single flaw.

‘Could it be that the reason our lord had been unlucky all this time was because she was meant to meet this person? This person is none other than the future Lord McFoy’s husband!’

Ektra immediately wanted to share this fact with other deities she was on good terms with. If Aisa were to hear it, she would gossip and complain, regardless of her age.

With the determination of someone resembling Aisa in drive, Ektra didn’t hesitate.

“Sir Diazi, as expected, let’s go to the festival area with our upper ranks first! Since we may part ways tomorrow or the day after, how about preparing a gift for the lord? In the style of nobles, and it’ll also help you relax!”

Ektra firmly grasped Norma’s hand and spoke in a somewhat urgent tone.

“I’ve been serving the lord for ten years, and I know her preferences very well!”

“…”

Despite his twenty years of experience as a merchant, Norma always wore a smile, making it difficult to discern his true thoughts. In the short silence from Norma, Ektra secretly swallowed her saliva nervously.

“I didn’t think of that idea because of my incompetence. It’s a good idea. Thank you for your consideration, madam.”

“As expected!”

As Norma smiled with crescent-shaped eyes, Ektra cheered. He was slightly surprised by her loud cheering but smiled encouragingly as if supporting her enthusiastic spirit.

* * *

I had been lying in bed like a lifeless corpse for hours. My head was pounding. Is it really so difficult to just not die and survive a bit longer?

‘First, let’s reinforce the assassination preparations. I need to join forces with Dogman right away.’

“…This is just… Nothing seems to be cleanly resolved.”

I couldn’t take it anymore, and I slapped one side of the bed.

“Ophelia…”

What are you thinking right now? How did she think of me in <Ophelia and the Night>? How did she exactly react to my death?

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In the story, Ophelia was furious at my death. She was sad. Undoubtedly, she was filled with despair.

“…If Ophelia won’t kill me, then what? I don’t know who else might be targeting me.”

A breeze blew through the window, carrying a slight relief from the scorching heat. My black hair, still undone, swayed in the wind. I turned my head to avoid the messy hair.

“This is why I always tie my hair tightly.”

“…”

With a changed perspective, this time I noticed three withered flowers placed on the windowsill. Norma had given me those dying flowers just yesterday.

“I thought you would die soon, but you’re surprisingly persistent.”

The withered flowers barely held on, just barely clinging to life. Now that I looked at them, those flowers and my current state were not much different.

“…You gave me a shitty gift, Norma.”

I muttered with a sullen expression. By now, Norma would have likely followed Ektra instead of me.

“‘Tomorrow’,” we promised just a few hours ago. But in this state, it seemed unlikely that I would even be able to step outside the inn, let alone watch the fireworks.

‘I look like I can’t keep my word.’

As I thought that, I curled my body even tighter. Suddenly, there was a commotion outside the window. Strangely, the commotion didn’t subside, but only grew louder.

“…What’s going on?”

Feeling a sense of tension, I slowly raised my upper body.

‘What is it? Did Norma and Ektra come back already?’

Thump. Thump. Thump.

The sound of footsteps, either from someone wearing boots or a knight, grew closer and it was no illusion.

‘What are the knights doing?’

In a state of panic, I hurriedly crawled out of bed. Just as I was about to get out of bed, the door swung open with a bang, opening in both directions.

“…”

I couldn’t make a sound and stiffened my entire body as I saw the person who forcefully opened the door and appeared before me. The person who broke through the door continued to approach me. With each step closer, my temples tightened.

“…Hey. What are you doing here?”

In a state of disarray, I weakly opened my mouth while still half-leaning on the edge of the bed.

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