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Chapter 65
Judging by the way he spoke about roles and such, this wasn’t a regression. There was a clear nuance, as if he somehow knew he was inside a book.
‘Would he believe me if I told him?’
No. He would definitely think I was crazy.
“Zzii.”
‘Just as I was about to start a conversation, Wished came.’
“I see.”
Whether he was pretending not to notice or truly didn’t care, Wished didn’t ask again or seek confirmation.
“But why did you become beastified? What did the Pope do?”
I shook my head, adding that I didn’t know how it happened either.
“I’ll find a way. But why did you come upstairs so late at night?”
“Zzii, zzi…”
‘Well… I had something to say. I kept worrying about the hand thing earlier…’
“That was just a reflex, wasn’t it? I was surprised when you suddenly reached out your hand.”
Apparently, Wished didn’t take it to heart. He buried part of his face in his arm and muttered.
“I made a deal with the Emperor. In exchange for letting this matter slide, I got my reward. Money. And power.”
Even though he was speaking to me, Wished muttered as if talking to himself.
“Once I complete this holy site purge, I’ll gain even greater wealth and power.”
Wished turned to look at me.
“I’ll become someone no one can dare challenge.”
He was probably right. Simply holding the rights to a holy site purge meant power.
Yet, for some reason, I could only stare at his empty eyes and remain silent.
“The Emperor has accepted.”
At the priest’s words, the Pope, who had been kneeling in prayer, opened his eyes.
His face, hidden behind clasped hands, was expressionless.
But soon, he lifted his head and showed a faint smile.
“Thank you for your efforts. Now go and rest.”
After dismissing the priest, the Pope stood.
The radiant smile that the priests so admired had vanished without a trace.
Only one figure remained in his mind.
Luna.
A character not in the original work, one he had never created.
Who was this woman, really?
Morning arrived.
Preparations for the purge had already begun several days ago, so all that remained was a meal before departure.
But a few procedures were still left—namely, an audience with the Emperor.
Since everyone participating in the purge had to be present, I hid inside Wished’s pocket.
The purge team consisted of no more than ten subordinates of the purgers and one unit from the royal knights.
Our side included Wished, Gruel, Miguel, Dana, Nana, Kaiman, the black panther, Helen, me + Geumdong—a total of nine.
“We pay our respects to His Majesty the Emperor.”
When the curtain behind the gold-studded chair opened, everyone simultaneously knelt. Note: animals were prohibited, so the black panther stayed outside.
“Come in.”
The voice sounded strangely weaker than at the banquet a few days ago.
“I hope the Duke’s first purge will be a success.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“The knight unit accompanying the Duke on this purge is…”
The door behind them creaked as iron clattered.
“It’s an honor to join you, Duke.”
Because I was in Wished’s pocket, I could tell he hesitated briefly before replying.
I already knew whose voice it was. That buttery-smooth voice.
The Second Prince.
“This is the 2nd Knight Unit led by the Second Prince. And, very specially, I’ll assign a priest to accompany you.”
From the Emperor’s sarcastic tone, it was clear this purge would not be easy.
“Did I offend you, perhaps?”
As soon as we left the audience chamber, the Second Prince spoke.
Wished stopped and turned to him. The Second Prince wore a confident smile.
Wished looked at him and said,
“That’s correct.”
The unexpected answer caused the Second Prince to furrow his brows.
“Duke, that means you are implying His Majesty’s will…”
“Has there ever been a purge including direct royalty when the purger wasn’t a royal?”
The Second Prince became like a chick with honey on its beak—speechless.
He had nothing to say, but staying silent would acknowledge Wished’s point, so he stammered:
“Duke, His Majesty merely wished to provide me with experience. How can we interpret it like that? We’ll be together for months; if it starts this way, who will be harmed?”
The Second Prince disliked Wished for speaking so boldly despite having the least wealth and power among the Dukes.
Wished quietly stared at the Second Prince.
The Second Prince cleared his throat and moved on.
“I’ll finish my preparations; come to the Second Prince’s quarters and join us before we depart.”
No one failed to understand that he meant to be personally fetched.
“Lord Wished, no matter how perfectly you disguise it as an accident, you cannot avoid anger.”
Kaiman quickly whispered from behind Wished to calm him. Wished exhaled deeply and stared intently at the Emperor’s room.
Yesterday, after rescuing Luna and returning to the palace, Wished made a deal with the Emperor. At that time, the Emperor’s eyes weren’t as dead as they were now.
Overnight, he must have taken some enhancer.
And he fell for the temptations of the Empress and the Second Prince, causing this mess.
But not all news was bad. One thing became clear: the fact the Second Prince would join the purge meant that they greatly desired something from this holy site.
“Find out which priest will join the purge.”
This meant even the Pope was interested in this matter.
After receiving the order, Wished departed immediately upon reaching the palace.
The carriage carrying the Second Prince followed behind Wished’s procession. The holy site surrounded the empire, and the purge proceeded clockwise from the west.
We had to teleport near the holy site and prepare the camp.
Although there was a magic circle in the palace, it wasn’t large enough for the carriage, so we had to go outside.
Since we departed early, there was a little time until the magic circle was ready. Wished quietly slipped to the back.
The main road was spotless, but just a little inside, the slums appeared.
Wished leaned against the window of a shabby house, barely noticeable. Below the window, a sick old woman sold flowers.
Wished knocked three times in a steady rhythm, and the window opened slightly.
“The situation has suddenly changed.”
The Crown Prince spoke urgently.
“We’ve bought some time, but not much, so I’ll speak quickly. The Empress visited the Emperor early this morning. He seems to have taken an enhancer then.”
“The Duke of Persia and the Empress met three times during the festival, including just two days ago. They must have exchanged enhancers each time.”
Wished stepped away from the wall, observing the shadowy figure of the Crown Prince through the window.
“What is the real purpose of the Empress and the Duke of Persia? Why does the Empress act as if in love and bear a man’s child she does not love? Revenge? Conquest? Or something else?”
“…As expected. I thought the Duke might have known, and I was right.”
The Crown Prince could not hide his awe at Wished, who had deduced in mere days what he had spent over ten years discovering, while also feeling a faint emptiness.
