DBOFS 93

Chapter 93

A corner out of Harris’s sight.

“For now, I think it’s better if you stay still rather than try to escape immediately.”

Camilo, who had been dragged along with me, replied calmly.

“To retrieve the Haeju Stone, you’ll need to enter the imperial banquet at the founding ceremony, which the emperor will attend. So it’s best to maintain your position as the guide for Viscount Godwin.”

“Just as I thought.”

Of course, she had also received Adrian’s instructions to “get the Haeju Stone by any means necessary.”

‘It’s convenient not having to explain and just get straight to the point.’

We quickly discussed how we would approach once the emperor appeared, and how to steal it afterward.

“We’ll need something to distract the eyes before stealing it.”

“And prepare a very convincing fake in advance.”

Even then, it would only be a matter of time before we were caught, but at least we could buy ourselves some time to escape.

…Even before I could say that, one person came to mind at the mention of “fake.”

Duke Eindelta.

‘If only I could drag that crazy pleasure-killing man into this.’

His “replication” skill was practically indistinguishable to the naked eye. It could even temporarily bypass magical detection.

‘Plus, he can make it on the spot.’

All you had to do was make contact. From innate ability to skills, he had the makings of an excellent thief—but somehow, he had taken up a twisted hobby and become an assassin.

I thought that even if it’s a close call, a thief is still better than a murderer, and I fiddled with Adrian (the rock).

“Nothing’s easy….”

“…Actually.”

Maybe because of my muttering, Camilo hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“There is actually a fourth way to retrieve the Haeju Stone, aside from the three methods you mentioned.”

“What? What is it?!”

“Of course, that method is extremely difficult to attempt as well…”

“Difficult? Are you kidding me? What could be harder than stealing the imperial crown from the emperor’s head? Just spit it out!”

If that worked, it would save us from this grueling ordeal from the start!

Camilo smiled ambiguously and spoke. The fourth method she mentioned was…

“A Haeju Sorcerer?”

“Yes. Although not widely known, there were small tribes wandering the continent that had passed down the art of Haeju Sorcery for generations.”

Like the Duke Isag family, Camilo added that these were tribes that raised orphans rather than relying solely on bloodlines.

‘They really were a decent tribe.’

But she used the past tense. That meant…

“Unfortunately, the entire tribe was annihilated, so there’s no way to contact them.”

“What? Why! Who could have done such a heinous thing?”

“Elysius, Lord of the Magic Tower.”

“….”

The hope that at least one survivor might exist was instantly crushed by the appearance of this powerful figure.

“Who else could be evil enough to wipe out the entire line of Haeju Sorcerers?”

Camilo sighed as if mourning the annihilated tribe, and I was left speechless.

I suppose as someone at the pinnacle of wizardry, he could have taken offense at a tribe of sorcerers capable of dispelling magic—but to actually eliminate them entirely…

‘That’s terrifying.’

At this point, it was nothing short of a disaster. How on earth did Adrian escape from that Lord of the Magic Tower?

“That’s why I said it’s difficult,” Camilo said, looking at me with pity. No, this wasn’t just “difficult.”

‘No wonder she didn’t tell me about the fourth method until now—it’s simply impossible.’

The new hope of a Haeju Sorcerer was dashed in seconds, leaving my head spinning.

“…Was that why Adrian insisted so strongly that I retrieve the Haeju Stone?”

Camilo remained silent at my muttering.

Adrian had three demands in exchange for guiding Harris.

‘First, get the Haeju Stone.’

Of course. Up to this point, I could nod along without much thought.

But,

‘Second, within three months.’

Three months?!

I screamed inwardly at the thought. Just retrieving it was already tough—three months?!

‘The founding ceremony will take place exactly within three months. That’s when I need to attend.’

That meant I had to take the crown from the emperor’s head when he appeared.

Except during grand official events like the founding ceremony, the emperors of Ramsus rarely wore the crown with the Haeju Stone.

‘So basically, there’s no other opportunity.’

But now that the quest had a specific deadline, the pressure was enormous.

And…

‘Finally, escape from Harris Godwin immediately after taking the Haeju Stone.’

“….”

I didn’t quite agree with that last part.

Adrian had consistently insisted that the paranoid Harris would kill me if he found out the truth. So I needed to escape before being discovered.

Back then, I couldn’t deny Adrian’s overwhelming presence.

But now, thinking alone…

‘Even so, I don’t think Harris would really kill me.’

It wasn’t baseless confidence. I hadn’t done that much to Harris—would he really kill me just because a fake was exposed?

‘If you betray me, I’ll kill you.’

…Would he really?

Those past words echoed in my mind, exaggerated.

‘But!’

I quickly switched to positive thinking. I survived before when I should have died, right? And my relationship with Harris has improved since then. So…

‘…He’d just feel more betrayed?’

People get more furious when betrayed by a friend than by a stranger.

So I quickly stopped my dark thoughts.

‘Damn it, why does Adrian’s advice keep sounding right?’

My mind was a mess.

Cold reason warned me to set boundaries with Harris before things got more complicated.

If I pushed too far, I’d end up hurt—physically, mentally, or both.

“…Fairy.”

“Yes?”

“Do you know anything about fairies?”

The question was an escape from reality. I didn’t expect a serious answer.

“Anything will do…”

“There’s a lot.”

“Just tell me anything… okay?”

“From oral folklore to the latest Magic Tower research results. There’s so much I don’t know where to start.”

I just wanted a little TMI to calm my chaotic mind, but Camilo was serious.

“I’ll prepare a proper report for you soon.”

“Huh? No, you don’t need to be that professional…”

I blinked.

Camilo, who had been packing in preparation for my escape just moments ago in the treasury full of glittering treasures,

“…is gone.”

‘Indeed… the secret skill of the head of an information guild…?’

Amazing. But why now?

“Jade.”

Ah, Harris’s voice from behind made me realize. That’s why!

‘Wait, why didn’t I notice?’

It was strange. Harris was naturally imposing, and I’m sensitive enough to instinctively notice Camilo, who was hiding her power.

“Harris.”

Just saying the name made my mouth go weak, like entering a warm room after being freezing.

“I thought I heard someone else speak just now.”

…Wait, how did he hear that? This guy is ghost-like!

Panicking that he might discover my connection with Camilo, I hurriedly made an excuse.

“I-I was talking to myself.”

“Talking to yourself?”

“Yes. I talk to myself a lot, haha…”

“Hmm.”

Harris gently narrowed his red eyes. Despite his mesmerizingly attractive face, I felt a warning not to mess with him.

“Well, fine then.”

Thank you for ‘fine then’…

“But why come all the way here just to talk to yourself?”

“Well, the founding ceremony is coming up, so I’ll be leaving soon. I just… wanted to organize and take a look while I could…”

“You ended up picking up mostly liquidatable jewels, perfect for escaping?”

“….”

Harris’s calm voice sent chills down my spine.

‘No, I just carefully moved here to avoid being heard!’

But I couldn’t defend myself. The moment I heard the word ‘escape’ from him, my heart raced.

‘Could he have discovered it?’

I hadn’t done anything yet!

Feeling guilty, my mouth dried and breathing became tense.

I stammered, backing away unconsciously.

“J-just a coincidence… really…”

“Yes, a coincidence.”

Harris smiled.

“Got it.”

“….”

My breath caught. His smile was so beautiful it felt dangerously lethal, like a last meal before death.

‘Why! What did I do wrong?!’

It wasn’t that I hadn’t done anything—I’d done too much, and it made me anxious.

And then,

“Jade.”

A wall pressed against my back. It was already too late to run.

Harris’s long arm blocked the path I had been eyeing for escape.

‘I-is this the legendary wall block?’

I opened my mouth in shock.

“Harris…”

I didn’t know what I’d done wrong, but please spare me!

Harris smiled, dangerously charming, and asked,

“Are you planning to get married?”

My brain immediately shut down, and I answered without hesitation.