A Blend of Romance and Fantasy - Chapter 16

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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16.
The second rule of possession fantasy novels: to fight villains, it helps to remember the original story, and bonus points are awarded for learning swordsmanship or magic.
I have no idea how intelligent and physically gifted the heroines of possession fantasies must have been in their past lives to pull off such overwhelming feats, but I was neither.
That’s why I’ve overcome every hardship through items and subordinates, and even now, everything adorning my body consists of magical artifacts.
I was methodically checking each item’s attachment in the Study’s full-length mirror when a voice drifted from the Window Frame.
“Your outfit is quite different from before?”
“You startled me!”
Somehow Leonard Blake had already perched himself on the Window Frame, adjusting his cloak that the wind had caught.
“Give some warning next time. Why do all you swordsmen move about like ghosts?”
“If we made noise moving about, we’d all be dead in the Blake Empire.”
Leonard Blake descended lightly from the Window Frame to the floor and approached me.
He has a history of kidnapping me. I instinctively assumed a combat stance, and Leonard Blake’s expression turned innocent.
“Why are you doing that?”
“I’m afraid you’ll kidnap me again.”
“I won’t do such things anymore. Besides, looking at all these items dangling from your body, it seems like even the slightest wrong move would result in immediate restraint.”
He pointed to the bracelet on my wrist—an item imbued with defensive and binding magic.
Beyond that, as the saying goes that the best defense is offense, my body was adorned with ornaments and weapons enchanted with offensive magic.
“You understand well then. So don’t even think about doing anything strange. Understood?”
“I absolutely won’t. If anything, I could even take your guardian knight with me.”
“If you do that, I’ll just have to make more excuses. Let’s just depart.”
Leonard Blake let out a deflated laugh.
“I like your straightforwardness.”
Then a teleportation magic circle suddenly blazed across the empty space, and a massive Corridor formed just like before.
No matter how many times I see it, it’s wondrous, and my face grew pouty with envy.
“Come close. Unless you want to decompose at the molecular level.”
“Eek.”
Frightened by his ominous words, I quickly pressed myself against Leonard Blake, and in the blink of an eye, we found ourselves within a dark Forest.
As dew-laden grass brushed against my ankles, I was grateful I’d worn boots.
As I ventured deeper into the Forest, I couldn’t help but hold my breath at the grotesque sight before me.
Withered vegetation and trees filled the landscape.
The earth and stones had turned pitch black, and the stench of decay permeated the air in places. The fragrance of life was nowhere to be found.
This was the mark of monsters.
“Where exactly is this place?”
“This is Flite Forest.”
“Flite Forest? That’s impossible. That’s the Forest in the Capital.”
“Isn’t that the Royal Palace over there?”
I followed the direction of Leonard Blake’s finger. The spire of the Royal Palace, with Sincester’s flag fluttering, came into view.
“But there’s no way monsters would be roaming Flite Forest like this. The Capital is protected by my Brother’s powerful barrier.”
“The Sincester Sovereign’s barrier is indeed formidable. However, someone has simply released monsters into the Forest using dark magic.”
“King Sincester’s barrier is excellent. However, someone has simply released a dark creature into the Forest using black magic.”
Witnessing this devastation firsthand, I finally understood why a Saint was so desperately needed.
But I don’t possess holy power—so why did he ask me to help?
“Leonard, I have no holy power. I’d be useless, wouldn’t I?”
“Didn’t I already explain this?”
Leonard slid the dagger he’d been holding into the sheath at his waist.
“Aurora is a crucial person who can block dark magic. However, we’ve also prepared high-ranking priests and Holy Knights to stand beside her in case she refuses.”
“So you were planning to kidnap someone that important. How utterly rude.”
As I glared at Leonard, he opened his mouth with an embarrassed expression.
“In any case, we were prepared. But my ultimate goal is to become Emperor. Once I’m Emperor, I can immediately imprison Demian and the entire Blueheart Family in a magical prison, so there’s no need to bother resisting dark magic.”
Just as I was about to praise such an ambitious goal for a transmigrator, an extremely ominous premonition crashed over me.
“In other words… when you asked for my help, you meant help with your final objective of becoming ‘Emperor’?”
At my words, Leonard rolled his eyes to the side, feigning innocence.
“I honestly thought you’d understand immediately when I said ‘help.'”
“Are you insane?!”
“That’s quite harsh language.”
“I’m being remarkably restrained!”
I clenched my fists and shouted.
“Blake is nearly the size of the United States, isn’t it? A hundred times larger than Korea! How am I supposed to help you unify all that territory and become Emperor?”
“But haven’t you already saved Sincester from crisis once before? You created a peaceful retirement for yourself, didn’t you?”
“That only required dealing with Knox Glaston and his subordinates. Besides, I transmigrated years before the original story even began, so it was easy. But your goal is imperial unification!”
My head spun so violently I nearly collapsed onto a rock.
He barely caught me, preventing my rear from being crushed against the jagged stone, but I felt no gratitude whatsoever.
“I absolutely cannot do this. You said yourself that for you to become Emperor, Sincester’s destruction must be prevented. Just handle it yourself as a bonus.”
“You’re being unreasonable.”
“I’m quite an unreasonable woman, actually.”
My face must have looked rather pale.
Leonard appeared flustered but soon nodded.
“Then it cannot be helped. Since I originally intended to ask the Saint about Sincester’s crisis, I’ll ask her again.”
“No, that won’t work either!”
This time, I panicked.
Aurora was in love with Erdan, after all. Though she seemed to be hiding it.
“You said high-ranking priests are already at her side, didn’t you? They can handle it together.”
“Sincester’s crisis is something the King must know about. Isn’t it natural that we discuss it?”
I grabbed Leonard’s sleeve, but he gently yet coldly removed my hand.
“It seems we’ve finished our business here, so let’s return now.”
“…That’s not even the way back, you directionally-challenged fool!”
* * *
Come to think of it, there was nothing particularly wrong with what Leonard said.
…Or so my rational mind could accept, but my heart rejected it entirely.
This wretched man. This despicable scoundrel!
I don’t know how many years have passed since the possession, but it’s clear that the Sixth Prince, having idled away his time as a prince, suddenly found himself in dire straits and is now coveting the Saint.
If he’s a Panso possession, shouldn’t he covet Panso characters? Why is he lusting after a Rofan character?
I had no choice but to spend the night wide awake, wrestling with this extraordinary situation before facing the next day.
“Princess? Princess!”
“Oh, yes?”
“Were you listening to what I was saying? You don’t seem to be concentrating at all.”
I was currently spending a promised tea time with some Hans prince or other.
Ever since Leonard mentioned he would meet with my Brother and Aurora this morning, I couldn’t focus on anything.
“Not at all! So, is your sister’s wedding preparation proceeding smoothly?”
“Yes. If possible, I would like to attend with the Princess next time, but…”
“My, that would be quite an honor indeed.”
It must be my imagination that I’ve been spouting the kind of nonsense a woman who plays men’s hearts would say ever since the Banquet Hall began.
As I continued to give perfunctory responses to his tedious remarks, Abigail approached from behind.
“Your Highness, forgive the intrusion, but His Majesty has summoned the Princess. It seems to be quite urgent… May I escort the Princess away?”
“Ah, of course. Princess, do go ahead.”
Perfect timing!
I rose from my seat and practically fled the gathering.
“Abigail, thank you so much!”
“You should thank His Majesty, not me. It seems he truly has urgent business to discuss with you.”
What could it be? I tilted my head in curiosity as I made my way toward Erdan’s Office.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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