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Chapter 54
Evan’s brow twitched.
“…No way…”
Jin asked Rekardo.
“Is it Lisonia?”
“That’s right.”
I remembered reading about it once in the library.
The Akada family of the earth mainly used the special ability of “geomancy,” which was referred to as magic.
They didn’t wield destructive powers like Radiance or Black Flame, but they contributed to the empire’s development with special drugs and inventions.
One of those was “Lisonia,” used to tame slaves captured during wars.
A tool that forced loyalty so one person couldn’t easily betray another.
Simply put, if I die, Evan dies too.
Evan and I had become bound by shared life.
“……”
I looked at the ring fitted perfectly on my ring finger.
“Instead of keeping Evan Taylors imprisoned in the underground jail, it was decided to put Lisonia on him, limiting murder and hostility.”
It seemed the topic had been discussed in the monthly council.
No matter his crimes, locking up a hostage and heir caused the Taylors family to complain.
But considering an assassin under Caesa’s curse had already attacked me, and Evan himself had been caught trying to harm me, the other families must have decided I needed protection.
Chenoa Taylors must have agreed reluctantly, like swallowing bitter medicine.
Now, for Evan’s safety, even the Taylors family had to cooperate in protecting me.
Of course, Lisonia had its limits. Since it was almost a curse-level enchantment, its effect would last at most three years.
“If you die…”
Evan looked at me.
In an instant, Radiance flared from his hand.
But until it reached me, I simply watched him.
“…That means I’m finished too.”
The sharp, thorn-like Radiance halted right in front of my forehead.
Jin’s lips moved.
“How dare you.”
Black Flame, summoned by Jin, wrapped tightly around Evan’s throat.
“……”
Evan just stared at me.
I could tell he was observing my reaction—though what he was thinking, I didn’t know.
Maintaining as calm an expression as possible, I mouthed silently:
“Planning to regress again?”
Evan’s blue eyes wavered.
Moments later, he lowered his head.
For some reason, I thought I saw the faintest trace of a smile.
“You’ll need to relearn table manners.”
Rekardo, still eating with an unruffled face, frowned at Evan.
A moment later, the Radiance threatening me dissipated.
“Jin, the same goes for you.”
At Rekardo’s words, Jin also released his threat toward Evan.
I thought about Evan’s attitude.
In the dungeon, he had said killing me was the best option.
But now, he seemed to have changed his mind.
Was it just because of Lisonia? That even if he believed I was truly a Persetus, he didn’t want to die with me?
No. The atmosphere feels subtly different.
Could it be he no longer sees me as an enemy?
Hard to tell from his expression.
“……”
With a frosty look, Jin placed his napkin down.
“I apologize, Father.”
Then he picked up his utensils.
When Rekardo finished eating, he set his utensils down with a clink.
Straightening his collar, he fixed his eyes on Evan.
“…You’re different from your father. Your movements are sharp and precise.”
After a while, Rekardo stood up from the table.
As he passed Evan, he added:
“Even so, think carefully before you act. That’s the only way you’ll survive in Winchester.”
As the door closed behind Rekardo, blood trickled down Evan’s cheek.
The meal had already descended into chaos.
I sat still in my chair, staring at Evan Taylors.
“……”
What on earth was he thinking?
Meanwhile, Jin—now freed from restraining himself—let his cold fury rise.
“Your Radiance feels repulsive.”
“……”
“Radiance is always unpleasant, but yours especially so.”
At his words, Evan slowly lifted his eyes to meet Jin’s.
“Shame. It seems you need someone to fix your manners.”
Black Flame shimmered dangerously in Jin’s green eyes. Evan’s lips twisted slightly, but before things escalated, I spoke up.
“Enough, brother.”
I didn’t want to ruin dinner any further with delicious food right in front of us.
Evan stared hard at me.
I pointed at the empty seat across from me.
“Fighting won’t do any good.”
Then, turning to Jin—who looked ready to turn Evan into ashes—I added:
“All that’ll happen is the table and windows get destroyed.”
Both men’s eyes fixed on me.
Special abilities… amazing, yes, but also exhausting.
No need to wreck the furniture by clashing them here.
“…Let’s just eat. We’re all hungry.”
I picked up my fork and knife and cut into my meat.
Even mountains are best climbed after a meal, as the saying goes.
Evan’s brow twitched again.
“…You look healthier than the last time I saw you.”
Was that supposed to be a compliment?
I popped a piece of steak into my mouth and rang the little bell.
When a maid entered, I said:
“Bring another serving, please.”
After long months eating nothing but stale bread in the dungeon, Evan looked much thinner than before.
“After all, we’re in the same boat now, Evan Taylors.”
I held up my ring finger, showing the ring as if it were some kind of friendship band.
“Whether we like it or not.”
Jin, who had stood earlier to confront Evan, gave a scoffing smile and sat back down.
He muttered:
“Killing that brat wouldn’t harm you, so I thought I’d loosen up a bit…”
I knew Jin wasn’t completely reckless.
He would’ve restrained himself, never going as far as to kill Evan—he’d consider the political consequences.
And Evan wasn’t in any condition to win anyway.
Soon, the maid returned with another full meal.
“There’s plenty of food.”
“…I’m tired. I’ll rest.”
I thought I saw Evan’s lips twitch faintly again.
As he left, soldiers waited outside the door.
It closed behind him.
“Welcome to Winchester,” I said to his back.
Jin set his wine glass down, his green eyes now deep with shadow.
Evan Taylors entered the Square for the first time in nearly two months.
After returning to his assigned room, he showered and changed into clean clothes, looking almost unscathed.
Though Winchester’s torturers had once whipped him mercilessly, the use of Radiance had healed his body quickly, leaving no trace.
Even so, he looked weary as he stepped into the Square.
That bothersome ring on his finger reminded him of the child calmly eating steak, leaving him with a strange feeling.
What was that absurd warmth?
This was his twenty-eighth regression.
Perhaps this time, the flow of the future—always similar though slightly different—could actually be changed.
Though he couldn’t yet be certain.
Even if Shasha Winchester was altering the course of events, her bloodline was still Winchester’s: the blood of villains.
“…Whether I want to or not.”
Growl―
His stomach rumbled loudly.
Fresh from the dungeon, he hadn’t eaten properly.
In this child’s body, even hunger felt irritating.
Still, from tomorrow morning, he’d finally get a proper meal.
Evan entered his quarters, and his brow twitched.
The plate of meat he’d left behind earlier at dinner was now sitting neatly on his desk.
“…Ha…”
