The Runaway Maid is Loved by the Archmage - Chapter 199

※ This book contains depictions of coercive/dubcon/noncon acts, violence, and immorality. Reader discretion is advised.

The space distorted and moved as if it were alive, and the ceiling above them also cracked open, showing a part of the banquet hall they had passed through.

Roina gasped for breath and poured in more strength. Golden energy surged and swirled around her. She had obtained the key to this energy from Ethan just a moment ago, but if she used this much energy, she wouldn’t be able to hold on for long.

But if she didn’t do it, everything would end. She gritted her teeth and endured.

Starting from where her hand touched, the mirror shattered piece by piece with a clanging sound. The shadow that had taken Erika’s form screamed, then collapsed powerlessly as if its string had been cut. Roina could feel the shadow’s consciousness returning to the mirror.

But it didn’t matter. Under her power, the mirror shattered helplessly, and all the magic flowing for the banquet ritual was blocked. The mirror, with even its stand completely shattered, scattered and fell beneath her feet. Roina picked up just one of the fragments.

It had sharp edges, but as she touched it, it softened and changed shape. Roina instinctively took the mirror.

And soon, by Roina’s will, the ground beneath their feet rose, changing their position to show the entire banquet hall. From the underground warehouse to the center of the banquet hall. In the suddenly brightened view, the blackened surroundings were visible.

The splendid chandeliers and the floral decorations prepared for the banquet were all wrapped in something black with a viscous texture, and the nobles who had tried to escape were all entangled and captured by black tentacles.

The sacred ceiling paintings and the Crown Prince’s attire, the altar for the ritual, everything was stained with ominous black, red, and other colors. In the center of it all, the Crown Prince wore a sinister smile. His face was still more beautiful than anyone else’s, but he wasn’t hiding the evil self that lay beneath.

“This can’t be…”

Yoseph, who was with her, let out a groan. It was such a tragic sight. The noble figures who had greeted him just a while ago were all captured, trembling in fear or screaming in mortal danger.

The ritual had stopped. But the scene in this hall was not something that could be reversed or stopped.

Click.

At that moment, the second hand of Yoseph’s pocket watch pointed exactly to midnight.

Darkness poured down from all directions, centered on the altar.

“The ritual, it stopped, but…”

“It continued until the middle! The subject of the transaction has already been summoned!”

After Yoseph’s shout, the Crown Prince’s smile deepened. He looked only at her, not hiding the lust-filled look in his eyes, and licked his lips once.

Was it too late? Roina thought anxiously.

‘No, no. The sacrifice hasn’t been offered yet. It can still be reversed.’

A golden spark flickered in her eyes. Then, a sound came from within the darkness.

“Roina…”

A voice that seemed familiar yet unfamiliar. Scratching her from the depths of her being.

Roina squeezed her eyes shut and opened them.

“Go back!”

“Heh heh…”

From right behind the Crown Prince, the stagnant darkness revealed its form. Smooth, white skin, black hair, and purple eyes with unfathomable depths. Eastern-style clothing with wide sleeves. It was Ryuhyeon. As he appeared, the Crown Prince’s smile deepened.

“Ryuhyeon… You, you were the contractor.”

“Yes, that’s right. Thanks to you, it’s become quite an amusing game.”

Ryuhyeon said cheerfully, smiling with his eyes. Roina was in shock. She knew he wasn’t an ordinary human, but he was the very being from whom the Crown Prince had borrowed power. Probably the Black Dragon from the legends passed down in the Ryo Kingdom. If so, he must have been toying with her.

“I really couldn’t have imagined you breaking out of my hypnosis like that. I thought you still knew nothing, but you’re regaining your power quite well.”

At that moment, the Crown Prince interjected. With a confident expression.

“Even if the ritual is interrupted, the transaction made before that is still valid, right?”

“Of course.”

Ryuhyeon nodded pleasantly at those words and waved his hand.

Then, the Crown Prince, who had been smiling leisurely, suddenly clutched his heart and knelt down.

“Kugh… Could it be?”

“It’s a good deal. Pretending to give a little power and taking Kailum’s blood. It’s not a complete form thanks to your interference… but this is good enough.”

“Damn it.”

The Crown Prince tried desperately to exert power at Ryuhyeon’s words, but he trembled all over, as if it was too much for him.