Chapter 123
“Is that true?”
Karden’s expression instantly turned pale. Why would Shuvelia be at the dimensional barrier magic circle?
That meant Shuvelia was in grave danger.
“Yes. The tracking spell I cast on Shuvelia is showing up here. It’s faint but definite. What should we do now, Your Grace?”
“Of course I will…”
Karden was about to say he would go rescue her himself, but closed his mouth.
The fate of the capital now rested on his shoulders.
He needed to protect the citizens of the capital, and there were knights and soldiers risking their lives for him.
If he left them to destroy the dimensional barrier magic circle and rescue Shuvelia, and if the monsters broke through the walls before that, a mass slaughter would inevitably occur.
Karden felt his heart might burst from worry about Shuvelia.
The current situation was almost cursed—unable to go rescue his lifelong companion and beloved with his own hands.
Karden gritted his teeth.
The back of his hand, gripping the sword handle,e turned bone-white. Red flames flickered in his eyes.
Owen, noticing his lord’s inner conflict, stepped forward.
“Your Grace, please leave this to us. We will defend the walls with our lives.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Owen.”
Karden flatly refused. But Owen didn’t back down easily.
“We still have time. The gates can hold for a few hours. This battle will only end if we destroy the dimensional barrier magic circle quickly. You going there yourself to destroy it, is the fastest way.”
While Karden was struggling to make a decision, the soldiers stirred and parted to make way.
Through the opening appeared Crown Prince William and the Royal Knights on horseback.
Karden was surprised by the Crown Prince’s appearance and hurried to greet him.
“Your Highness, why have you come here? This place is dangerous!”
Karden glared at the Royal Knights’ Captain, intending to reprimand him.
The Captain merely bowed his head with a stern expression.
William stepped forward as if to protect the Captain.
“Hyungnim, I came here of my own will. How could I save only myself when the capital is in danger?”
“If Your Highness is endangered, there is no future for the kingdom. How can you not understand that?”
In this dangerous situation where monsters could attack the walls at any moment, if something happened to the sole heir, the Crown Prince, an even greater calamity could occur.
William stared at Karden with an unwavering, firm expression.
“When my people and soldiers are in danger, saving only my life as Crown Prince would be more shameful than death. I will fulfill my duty as Crown Prince.”
William’s expression was serious, showing no fear.
He was no longer the timid, fragile Crown Prince who had always been protected, but a Crown Prince who had grown into the material of a sovereign.
Seeing this, Karden gave a faint smile.
“I have been briefed on the situation by Mage Ron. Don’t worry about this place, complete your mission safely and return.”
“I will follow your command.”
Karden gave a respectful military salute to the Crown Prince before immediately mounting his horse.
Yudis and dozens of soldiers followed behind Karden as he rode quickly toward the sealed temple.
Karden gritted his teeth and urged his horse forward.
Shuvelia, please be safe!
***
The floor of the abandoned underground temple shook as if an earthquake had struck.
The massive dimensional barrier magic circle slowly began to rotate.
The black magicians surrounded the magic circle and started chanting the activation words in unison.
“We beseech the great power of ancient times, with your mighty strength, bring punishment upon this land!”
Ah, no. I must stop this madness!
If monsters pour out like this, this land will turn into a red hell filled with slaughter and despair.
“Stop!”
Berdin showed me the crystal ball with a satisfied smile.
The crystal ball showed the desperate battle scene of monsters climbing the walls and soldiers fighting to stop them.
“Shuvelia, watch carefully. It will be fun to see humans being torn apart by monsters.”
“Stop this madness right now!”
Tears welled up, blurring my vision.
Anger and resentment toward Berdin surged through me like fire burning along my nerves.
The strange letters and shapes engraved in the magic circle writhed like vines and wrapped around my feet.
It felt like bloody hands were grabbing me and dragging me down into a pit of hell.
Just as I was despairing that my power would be stolen like this.
The magic circle letters that had gripped my feet crumbled away.
“What’s happening?!”
Berdin noticed something was wrong and shouted at the black magicians.
The black magicians chanted the activation words again in confusion, but the magic circle did not absorb my power.
Instead, the red glowing power slowly began to fade.
Berdin cursed under his breath and glared at me as if he wanted to kill me.
“Why aren’t you losing magic power to the circle? You clearly have the strongest magical power among the Ulpes tribe!”
Even Franz looked confused by this situation, his eyes filled with bewilderment.
Berdin grabbed the crystal ball and strode across the massive magic circle toward me in the center.
Franz instinctively blocked his way to me.
I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly at this sight. What are you trying to do by protecting me now, you traitor?
Berdin looked down at Franz with contempt.
“Move aside, fox leader. I’ll check for myself.”
“Ugh.”
Franz gritted his teeth, then reluctantly stepped aside.
I glared at Berdin while still tied to the chair.
If that bastard comes close, I’ll bite his hand off.
Berdin held the crystal ball close to my head.
“What are you doing! Get that away!”
As I shouted at him, Berdin’s expression subtly changed.
“…So that’s it.”
“What nonsense are you talking about!”
“So the image in the crystal ball was the real you.”
In the crystal ball held near my head appeared the image of a young woman.
Long black hair with black eyes. It was my familiar face from my previous world.
“Ah……”
Berdin twisted his lips upward as if he finally understood.
“A soul from another world. That’s why the magic circle couldn’t absorb your magic power.”
Franz, who also saw my true appearance in the crystal ball, staggered back as if in great shock.
“Not… Ruel?”
Franz stared intently at the crystal ball before turning his gaze to me.
His eyes trembled with confusion.
“So that’s why you couldn’t remember me. Because you’re not Ruel……”
Franz’s face contorted as he gripped my shoulders tightly enough to break them.
“Ugh, let go!”
“Who are you! Where did Ruel’s soul go!”
Franz brought his face close to mine and exploded with anger.
“I don’t know! I suddenly became Ruel. How would I know? I’m the one who’s frustrated!”
“What?”
The strength drained from Franz’s hands gripping my shoulders. He stepped back with a dazed expression.
“Move aside, fox.”
Berdin pushed Franz away with a contemptuous look and stood before me.
Berdin’s gaze as he looked down at me tied to the chair was so chilling it seemed devoid of even a speck of emotion.
“It doesn’t matter what’s inside the shell. I only need the magic power residing in the body.”
Berdin pulled out a dagger from his waist. The sharp, keen blade gleamed as it emerged from its sheath.
Berdin’s reflection in the blade showed his face grotesquely distorted.
“To open the dimensional barrier, we need blood from someone with powerful magic. It’s the most effective method.”
“What are you trying to do! Get away!”
I shouted, but Berdin twisted my wrist with a chilling smile.
“Aagh!”
His merciless grip caused twisting pain in my bones.
At that moment, Berdin swung the dagger toward my wrist.
A terrible burning pain shot through my wrist. Drops of blood fell from the wound.
As the blood drops fell onto the magic circle, the circle absorbed my blood like a greedy monster.
Woong.
The magic circle began to emit a red light as it connected along its lines.
Seeing this, Berdin smiled with satisfaction.
“It’s working. Next, I’ll pierce your heart in one strike.”
Ah, no!
I struggled to break free from the chair, but I couldn’t do anything.
The shackles on my wrists and ankles rendered me helplessly powerless.
He raised the dagger high. His platinum eyes flashed with madness.
“Become a sacrifice for the new world.”
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