PUBW 40

Chapter  40

Ordinary people cannot recognize demonic energy. Among the researchers Artipe had sent, none possessed divine power.

“They say they couldn’t keep developing the drug because of its strong addictiveness. Even if no one realized it was a reaction caused by demonic energy, did no one expect it? How long have they been researching this?”

They said it hadn’t even been a month since they discovered it, but could that really be true?

My chest felt tight, as if something were pressing down on it.

“Is there no way to remove the demonic energy from the Rika leaves?”

“That would likely be difficult. The demonic energy isn’t simply clinging to the herb. I think it grew from soil in the western forest steeped in demonic energy, so it became poisonous in its very nature.”

“I see…”

I had thought at last I’d be able to cure my mother and free myself from Chase.

“I will bring you the Rika leaves.”

I lifted my head abruptly and stared at Seth.

“I can give you enough for about one vial. Since I’ve already given you the recipe, try treating the Duchess with it. If it works, I’ll get you more.”

“You mean you’ll steal them again?”

“What other choice do we have?”

“And what happens if you’re caught?”

Seth hesitated for a moment, then replied lightly.

“Very few people know about it, so they don’t know much. They won’t kill me. He’s still the Pope, after all. And to execute me, they’d have to announce the charges publicly, which means they’d have to reveal the existence of the Rika leaves. That would be difficult.”

“No. Absolutely not.”

“But…”

“I won’t allow it. I can’t save my mother by letting you risk your life. That’s no different from black magic.”

“I’m telling you, I won’t die.”

I stared at Seth.

He looked haggard. His hair was a mess, his face hollow. I could hardly remember the time when his face had been clean and smooth from sheer laziness.

“Why are you doing this for me?”

“…Because of me, Saintess Eluna lived a life of nothing but sacrifice until she died.”

“It wasn’t because of you. If anything, it was because of the god Odros, who gave me such great divine power.”

“No. I know what it’s like. Priests sought me out when I was young too, and I was used. Some people even pretended to be close to me, just like I did to you.”

Seth was weighed down with guilt. Guilt as heavy as the suffering he had endured.

“Still, no. We mustn’t sacrifice anyone else. Unless you plan to make me repay you in the next life, you cannot steal it.”

“I still feel guilty about how half-heartedly I used divine power on the Duchess last time.”

“I said no. I think I’ve found someone who knows about my mother’s illness. I’m meeting him soon, so please stay put.”

“Who?”

“Marquis Caius Borghese.”

Seth frowned, trying to recall Caius.

“He has a good reputation, but if he knows about the disease, that’s very suspicious. Should I come with you?”

“It’s fine. He surely wants something too, so he won’t kill me.”

Seth pulled a grim face.

“Are you throwing my own words back at me?”

“Yes.”

“…Fine. I won’t say things like that anymore.”

He accepted it quickly. I smiled faintly and rose to my feet.

“I’ll be going now. Thank you again today.”

“You’re welcome.”

He answered in his usual indifferent tone.

When I returned home, I only told our family doctor, Alfredo, that the Rika leaf had become poisonous.

Seth said it was difficult, but Alfredo promised to look for a way to neutralize the poison.

I entered the exhibition hall. It was a show of a young painter who had recently begun to make a name for himself.

Since it was opening day, the place was packed with people.

“Lady!”

A middle-aged woman in elegant attire, greeting the guests, spotted me and quickly approached.

“Countess! It’s been a while.”

Countess Gren was the painter’s patron. She had organized the exhibition herself and was introducing him to people.

“For a moment, I thought the Duchess herself was walking in.”

She was my mother’s old friend, and I had come in her stead to congratulate her.

“Have you been well? I’m sorry I couldn’t attend the last soirée.”

“Hehe, what would a young lady find interesting about an old woman’s party? Don’t give it a thought. More importantly, I wanted to introduce you to the artist but… oh dear, where has he gone?”

The Countess looked around, trying to find him.

“Perhaps he’s busy since it’s his big day. I’ll look at the paintings first and greet him later.”

I gently held her arm as she was about to summon an attendant.

“Is that so? He does seem a bit overwhelmed. It’s his first exhibition, after all.”

“Countess—”

Just then, newcomers spotted the Countess and came over to greet her.

“Then I’ll go enjoy the exhibition for now.”

“All right. But we’ll have a small gathering afterward, so don’t slip away.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Leaving her to greet others, I entered the exhibition.

But the first painting I saw made me freeze in place.

It showed a child smiling brightly against the backdrop of a forest.

Shining golden hair. Warm green eyes. A fine, adorable short dress far too luxurious for the setting.

“Longing.”

“What a mismatched title for that picture,” murmured viewers beside me.

“Maybe it just means the artist misses this child. Perhaps they’ll never see them again.”

After a few more words, the people moved on.

Heat rose inside me. A storm of anger, hope, and guilt surged all at once.

Then I heard calm footsteps. They stopped beside me, also facing Longing.

“Caius will be here soon.”

The low, deep voice was unfamiliar, yet my head snapped around instantly.

Flaming red hair. Dark skin.

The one who deceived me. The one I killed.

“Keenan…”

His eyes lowered, meeting mine.

“How are you… alive?”

“Kaius is a demon. Tonight, he plans to kill you. As you go deeper, you’ll come to a small courtyard. The fountain at the center will explode. If he leaves you there alone, run quickly.”

Keenan said only what he wanted, then turned to leave.

“Wait!”

I had so many questions. How was he alive? How did he know Caius’s plan?

And did he not resent me?

But as I tried to grab him, people who had gone deeper inside came running back in panic and collided with me.

“Ah!”

In that instant, Keenan vanished.

“It’s really the Duke of Redmond!”

The name the fleeing person cried out made me whip my head toward the entrance.

“Artipe…?”

It was Duke Redmond. Not the mischievous Artipe, but the grim, expressionless Duke himself.

His chilling gaze landed on me.

I flinched at the long-forgotten sensation of that piercing look.

“I never imagined Your Grace would honor us with your presence,” Countess Gren said, quickly regaining composure despite her initial shock.

Artipe inclined his head slightly in the haughty manner of a great nobleman.

Ah, right. Artipe really did have a nasty personality.

Now that I looked, maybe he was just rotten to the core.

“Then please enjoy the exhibition.”

As soon as the brief greeting ended, he entered. People stepped aside to clear a path.

The distance between us closed.

Panic gnawed at me. Would he acknowledge me here?

His lips twitched ever so faintly.

Thankfully, as he passed by, he whispered so only I could hear:

“The innermost lounge.”

And then he walked off.

Should I look for Keenan, or go to Artipe?

Since Keenan had only given a warning and disappeared, it seemed better to wait for contact through Countess Gren.

So I headed toward the lounge Artipe had mentioned.

I reached the door, put my hand on the knob—

And it swung open abruptly.