Beguiling the Enemy’s Patriarch - Chapter 141

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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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Chapter 141
“No, there isn’t.”
It was Auredhian Belgot who answered. He seemed to have no intention of presenting me before Soleia Elad. I shuffled sideways to secure my line of sight and retorted.
[There is. It’s very important.]
“Don’t mix words with me, Yerenika.”
[This familiar overprotectiveness…]
“It’s justified interference.”
Auredhian Belgot was resolute. Behind us, Soleia Elad let out a scoff.
“I have nothing to discuss with you either, Your Majesty.”
“Good. Mutual convenience, then.”
His voice was glacial, dripping with such coldness it seemed to crystallize in the air. I swallowed a sigh inwardly. Both of them were radiating their displeasure so openly—how was I supposed to broach this subject?
“Schmart, restrain her.”
Auredhian Belgot issued the command with absolute finality. I watched as Diego Schmart sighed and began fastening restraints around Soleia Elad.
[Your Majesty, wait a moment…]
“Yerenika, show me your hand again.”
[Summary execution isn’t an option yet…]
“It’s far more unstable than I thought. Does it hurt?”
[I can’t feel anything, so it’s fine. …But that’s not what this is about!]
“You can’t feel anything and that’s fine? That doesn’t sound fine at all…”
I finally exhaled deeply. The path ahead seemed impossibly long. But truthfully, I couldn’t fault Auredhian Belgot’s reasoning. After centuries of this malevolent faction lurking in the shadows, finally grasping their tail—as the Empire’s sovereign, his fury was entirely justified.
Yet I couldn’t simply let Soleia Elad be disposed of. I spoke the first thing that came to mind.
[Pretty unnie.]
“…That strange title of yours isn’t going away, is it.”
I ignored Auredhian Belgot’s murmured sigh. I looked directly at Soleia Elad and continued.
[I couldn’t reach the Surface. Because you couldn’t hold on.]
“And?”
[Strictly speaking, you broke your promise. So I’m setting new terms instead.]
“Is that a threat?”
Soleia Elad’s eyes narrowed attractively. A sigh escaped me unbidden.
[A promise or cooperation—there are so many better words to use. Why resort to such frightening language?]
“Cooperation, then.”
A triumphant smile bloomed across Soleia Elad’s face. She turned to Auredhian Belgot and spoke.
“Didn’t I tell you, Your Majesty? Your Princess would need me.”
“Shut your mouth.”
Auredhian Belgot’s expression frosted over instantly. She was saying such things? I saw his hand twitch and quickly opened my mouth.
[Actually, threats are just as good a word! If you provoke me any further, I’m having you summarily executed—promises, cooperation, all of it!]
Of course, it was an empty threat. I still needed Soleia Elad. She was the human who knew most about what lay beneath Remordi and the absolute ruler of the Underground. She even traversed the depths beneath Remordi as naturally as breathing… And she was none other than Hades’ summoner.
Puzzle pieces shifted and writhed in my mind. The thought hadn’t fully crystallized yet, but I knew instinctively. I need Soleia Elad. Which meant I had an obligation to make this unlikely pairing work.
But keeping these two mismatched people in the same space proved far more difficult than anticipated. Yet, as I was already beginning to sense, these two shared considerable similarities…
“Absolutely not.”
“I don’t like it either. Why would I?”
[….]
The moment I opened my mouth, both of them gave me the same answer simultaneously—eerily identical. If things were already creaking at the seams like this from the start, what would happen next? I exhaled a deep sigh and spoke.
[Both of you, stop throwing accusations around so definitively. Aren’t you going to listen to what I have to say?]
“….”
Auredhian Belgot’s expression made it clear he was deeply displeased. He merely listened to my words without any sign of softening. Then again, cooperating with a woman who’d nearly killed him several times two years ago would be difficult for even the most magnanimous man.
I sighed and gently coaxed him.
[We need to find his body. How else are we supposed to know where Hades is? We can’t afford to waste time like this….]
“How can you trust that woman?”
His crimson eyes were filled with deep suspicion. Soleia Elad’s eyes held the same doubt.
“That’s what I want to know. How can I trust this man to help you, Princess?”
My head throbbed. I forced myself to smile broadly.
[You just have to trust me.]
I wasn’t hoping for those two to become allies bound by trust. They’d fought each other to the death two years ago, and since then, Auredhian Belgot had only thought of capturing Soleia Elad, while Soleia Elad had been stripped of her body by Hades ever since her encounter with him.
Reconciliation was impossible. I spoke with conviction.
[Do it for me. Promises, cooperation—all of it. I trust you both.]
“You trust. Of course you do.”
“The Princess trusts. With your body stolen, you wouldn’t lie.”
At least they both liked me, even if they despised each other. It was fortunate, but exhausting. The fatigue of being popular suddenly crashed over me. Raulus grumbled from below.
[Doesn’t seem like it.]
[Be quiet, Lari.]
There was no pairing more like oil and water than this. It was almost miraculous that they’d married in the original story. I clicked my tongue and continued.
[Soleia Elad, you’re Hades’ contractor. Can’t you track his traces?]
“….”
[I can sense Raulus’ presence. Of course, since it’s an incomplete summoning, it becomes difficult at a distance….]
Raulus slowly burrowed between my knees. I gently stroked Raulus while looking at Soleia Elad.
[I don’t think you’re so different. Isn’t that right, Lari?]
[Well, probably.]
Raulus answered.
[Hades originally lived above Udeta too. He was driven Underground, but either way, he’s the absolute ruler of this land. The summoning method should be similar.]
As I thought. I lifted my head and met Soleia Elad’s gaze.
[You can sense where he went and what state he’s in, right?]
“….”
[And… perhaps reverse summoning might be possible too.]
This was really what I’d wanted to say all along.
Reverse summoning. When a summoner sends their summoned being back to where it originally came from. In Raulus’ case, beyond Udeta, and in Hades’ case, presumably back beneath Remordi.
I stared directly at Soleia Elad.
[Is it possible?]
Soleia Elad didn’t answer. But I read the affirmative in her beautiful face. If reverse summoning was possible…. My mind raced quickly. The plan was beginning to fall into place.
I didn’t think further and spoke.
[Help me out, then.]
“If I help the Princess, what will you give me in return?”
[I have plenty I could offer you. …Probably.]
I glanced sideways at Auredhian Belgot. He was pressing his temples as if his head ached.
“I have a feeling I know what you’re about to say.”
[You certainly are perceptive…]
I laughed awkwardly.
[Well. Your Majesty.]
“….”
[Look, you can’t keep living like this, can you? Would you even be okay as a mere phantom?]
“It’s not okay, so don’t say such things.”
He let out a weak groan and reached his hand toward my cheek. But his hand passed right through my face, and fresh cracks appeared across his expression. Auredhian Belgot withdrew his hand and forced the corners of his mouth upward.
“Right. I understand what that woman is saying. You want autonomy for the Dark Mages, or perhaps a pardon—something along those lines.”
[No. Not autonomy.]
I spoke bluntly.
[Not a full pardon either. I’m simply asking that you spare them from summary execution.]
I had drawn Soleia Elad into this to defeat Hades, but I couldn’t grant too much. Dark Magic was a genuine crime. The Exhibition Halls overflowing with corpses and the massive Prison holding reserve test subjects flashed rapidly before my eyes.
I spoke with conviction.
[Sparing them from summary execution alone is already an enormous, enormous concession on my part. I’m not wrong about this, am I? Soleia Elad?]
“My, what an affectionate threat.”
Soleia Elad’s eyes curved attractively. Her face was seductive enough to momentarily cloud one’s mind. That smile was directed at me.
“Dear Princess. Do you think I would help you under such conditions?”
It was clear that not only Hades but Soleia Elad’s target had shifted as well—to me. Being popular really is exhausting… I awkwardly rolled my eyes and muttered.
[Even if you look at me like that, I won’t be charmed.]
“Oh, what a shame.”
[Stop changing the subject. Will you help or not?]
In truth, there was no reason for Soleia Elad to refuse this proposal. Because,
[I know you’ll help. You can’t abandon them, can you? Your disciples.]
“….”
[Nia told me. She said you were a kind master to your people.]
This was essentially coercion. Soleia Elad answered without resistance.
“It’s a matter of perspective. Think of it however you like.”
[….]
“But I don’t particularly like the word ‘help.’ Let’s call it a transaction instead.”
“I’m completely ignored, it seems.”
I heard Auredhian Belgot make a small, sarcastic remark.
“Ah, of course that wasn’t directed at you, Yerenika.”
I could hear the threads of Auredhian Belgot’s attention snapping one by one. I looked up at him quietly and said with a tap.
[I’ll give you a kiss.]
“Huh?”
[Once I find my body, how about we make a deal?]
“….”
[Ah, is a kiss alone not quite enough?]

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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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