My Body Has Been Possessed By Someone - Chapter 218

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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 218
* * *
After much deliberation, I made my decision.
“Raphael, I need to return to Adis.”
Crown Prince Argon is a Black Apostle. Only I and Alexandro Adis had witnessed this truth.
But why hadn’t Alexandro…?
‘Why didn’t he expose that Argon is a Black Apostle?’
I had naturally assumed he would reveal this fact and have him dealt with.
Yet Alexandro Adis did nothing. In fact, quite the opposite.
‘He transferred his title to Orsini.’
The succession of a title meant the transfer of power. It was tantamount to declaring his withdrawal from the front lines.
‘Something must have happened.’
There was no way he would step back while leaving Argon untouched otherwise.
‘Moreover, Orsini married Princess Lilienne.’
A month ago from now, the new Duke Adis took the Emperor’s daughter as his wife. In other words, he had formed a connection with the Imperial Family.
That wasn’t all. Silvien was also exchanging engagement talks with Ju-hwa.
‘I can’t let Ju-hwa bear a child.’
I had grasped Arzenian’s scheme.
In the past, Arzenian had forced his will upon Seon-hee and failed. So this time, he was being extremely careful and methodical.
To ensure no unexpected situations arose like with Seon-hee. This time, he was letting Ju-hwa choose of her own accord, while pretending to assist her.
‘And now Orsini has become the Imperial Family’s in-law.’
Moreover, the Imperial Family’s authority had reached its historical peak.
I heard that years ago, the Emperor undertook a national project funded by numerous nobles, and it was a tremendous success.
Thanks to that, the fortunes of the investing nobles had multiplied several times over, and their support for the Imperial Family had become extremely solid.
Even though rumors had spread that the Emperor and Empress were dependent on narcotics, the vast wealth brought by the Imperial Family had buried everything.
In such circumstances, if I appeared and claimed ‘Actually, Argon is a Black Apostle!’ the likelihood of being slandered in return was very high. After all, there was no evidence whatsoever.
Of course, the new Divine Spirit Raphael believed me, but the foundation of that belief rested solely on my testimony.
‘And right now, I’m seen as a fraud in the Empire. A fraud who feigned death and lived as Alexei’s mistress.’
Therefore, my testimony carried no weight.
Rather, there was a high likelihood I would be branded as a Black Apostle myself, or as a corrupted schemer trying to seduce and corrupt the new Divine Spirit to devour the Empire.
That’s why Alexandro Adis, the other witness, needed to come forward.
Alexandro must know this well, so why was he staying silent?
‘I need to meet him.’
“Raphael, I have a request.”
“Command me as you wish.”
“Could you eliminate the World Tree?”
I recalled Seon-hee’s knowledge.
That tree, black as darkness itself, its surface studded with black mana stones in a grotesque pattern…
It did not belong to this world.
The World Tree, which had existed since the Southern Continent was engulfed in Black Mist and perished, was likely the first foreign entity to breach the world’s boundaries and invade.
‘Now that I think about it, magic stones growing from trees was strange from the start.’
Not mushrooms—magic stones blooming from the branches themselves.
It was essentially a conduit drawing the power of another world into this one.
In other words, the World Tree was a plant that shattered the very boundaries between worlds.
‘Even Arzenian’s insane plan requires this World Tree.’
Therefore, it was an abomination that had to disappear.
“Destroying the World Tree is something I have attempted before.”
“Before? When?”
“When I returned to this place.”
He was referring to when the Divine Temple had been seized.
Raphael spoke quietly.
“I failed then, but I will attempt it again.”
“Thank you.”
Kanna Adis smiled, her gratitude evident.
“We won’t be able to meet for a while, then.”
“Right. But only for a while. We’ll see each other again soon, so don’t feel lonely.”
Raphael answered with serene composure.
“Do not worry. I can live my entire life sustained by the memory of just a few nights spent with you.”
He reached out and caught the ends of Kanna’s dark hair between his fingers. I could feel the warmth of his touch.
It was burning hot—just like those nights we had spent together, as he said.
Kanna gazed at the strands of hair wound around his fingers, then lifted her gaze.
Raphael’s eyes were fixed entirely upon her.
Kanna closed her eyes.
Once permission was granted, he bent down immediately.
* * *
Upon arriving at Adis, Kalen rushed out as if he had been waiting.
‘He’s coming.’
Kanna felt inwardly tense. The mad Kalen she had seen in the future had been far too intense.
“Welcome home, Sister.”
Fortunately, it seemed he was stable for now—about three months’ worth. The Kalen before her was a noble gentleman.
He embodied the image of ‘Kalen Adis’ that she demanded.
‘Thank goodness. He hasn’t lost his mind yet.’
Kalen bowed deeply and pressed his lips to the back of her hand.
“You’re late, aren’t you?”
“Yes, very late indeed.”
Kalen raised the corners of his mouth in reproach.
“I thought you had abandoned me.”
“As if that could happen.”
As she followed him into the estate, the servants stirred with excitement.
‘Still, this level of stability is manageable.’
It was a remarkably composed reaction for someone thought to be dead returning to life.
‘Of course, the rumors must have already spread far and wide.’
After all, more than a few people had seen her in Yalden.
“Alexandro… what of the previous Duke Adis?”
“I don’t know.”
“What?”
“This is classified information, but my father has been missing for quite some time.”
Kanna Adis’s footsteps halted.
“He sent a letter instructing me to inherit the dukedom, then disappeared.”
Kalen Adis chuckled as he watched her face.
“Surely you’re not worried about him? Worry about someone else instead. Not just anyone, but…”
“Orsini.”
Kanna Adis cut him off.
“I need to see Orsini.”
* * *
The moment I stepped into his study, I froze in surprise.
‘Orsini?’
It was Orsini wearing a cravat.
With his hair neatly combed back and his wrists perfectly adorned with cufflinks, an overwhelming sense of strangeness washed over me.
I had seen him like this once before, but it never ceased to astonish me. I simply couldn’t adjust to it.
He glanced up from the documents he was signing, his eyes meeting mine briefly before returning to the paperwork.
“You look well.”
“…What?”
“Your complexion is good. You seem to have been doing well?”
That much was true. Raphael had treated me wonderfully. But that wasn’t the issue.
‘Why isn’t he angry?’
“Will you come with me?”
I remembered it clearly. That day, what I had trampled upon within Orsini.
In that moment, he had staked his entire life on me.
I had torn that apart, humiliated it, and mocked it. It was as if I had killed a man and spat upon his corpse.
Even I thought it was rather cruel.
‘Yet he greets me as if nothing happened?’
It was suspicious, but this wasn’t the time to dwell on such things.
“Spare me a moment. There’s something I need to tell you. Something important.”
“Go ahead.”
He signed the documents once more and turned to the next page.
“This isn’t something you can listen to so carelessly.”
“I’m listening properly, so go ahead.”
I exhaled a sigh.
“Fine. Listen carefully to what I have to say.”
And so the story began.
The Ancient Deity’s purpose, Arzenian’s intentions. The tale of Kanna’s mother. What Arzenian sought to do to Kanna.
Finally, he concluded by saying that Prince Argon was a Black Apostle, and that the Imperial Family must be under the Black Apostles’ control.
“…Are you listening?”
“Yes.”
“And yet you maintain that attitude?”
I was utterly astounded.
The Ancient Deity had just declared that Prince Argon was a Black Apostle, and yet he continued reviewing documents?
Orsini was of House Adis. A descendant of the ancient Holy Knights, his bloodline had fought the Black Mist for generations. I had naturally assumed he would cooperate upon hearing this revelation.
‘No, it wasn’t merely cooperation I expected.’
I had thought he would naturally step forward and take command. It was the duty of the head of House Adis, after all.
“Kanna Adis. You are a fraud who deceived the entire Empire.”
With a flutter, Orsini turned the page.
“Who would believe the words of a madwoman who once staged her own death?”
Orsini asked as though genuinely curious.
“Do you truly believe any noble would lend you their ear?”
“…”
“I am being perfectly reasonable, you fool.”
I had to acknowledge that Orsini was right. That was precisely why I needed House Adis’s cooperation.
Kanna the liar, who had feigned death and lived as the Crown Prince’s mistress in Yalden—her words held no weight whatsoever.
“The previous Duke witnessed it as well.”
“But he is not here.”
“…Then I will find evidence. Will you believe me then?”
“It will not be easy.”
“What?”
“Prince Argon is my wife’s brother.”
Orsini signed the document with perfect composure.
“If you seek to slander him, I will stop you for my wife’s sake.”
“What are you saying right now?”
“That House Adis will stop you.”
He continued speaking gently, as though explaining to a child.
“That I will obstruct you with all my strength.”
“…”
“The truth matters not to me.”
Finally, he signed the last page. The fountain pen clicked softly as he set it down. Then he reclined leisurely against the plush leather chair’s backrest.
“So do your best. Whatever you attempt, House Adis will stand in your way.”
Accepting his words was no simple matter.
Regardless of what Orsini was to me, he was of House Adis. He had never forgotten his duty to his house.
And now he claimed he would obstruct the capture of a Black Apostle?
“Why are you like this? Have you lost your mind?”
“Perhaps.”
Orsini shrugged his shoulders.
“Since I’ve already lost my mind, I thought I’d change my approach from now on.”
Then he rose to his feet.
The moment his body straightened to its full height, I realized anew just how large a man Orsini was.
He approached with heavy, deliberate steps, wearing those gentlemen’s shoes he’d always despised. He stood before me and bent forward at the waist.
In that instant, as his face drew so close, I understood.
Orsini had changed.
It wasn’t merely a change in appearance.
The face now gazing down at me with such unwavering certainty—it was resolute. Like a man who had finally found his answer.
This wasn’t the Orsini I’d toyed with before. Not the man who surrendered to desires he couldn’t control, who raged at that surrender, yet craved it all the same.
It was as though everything else had shattered, leaving only one thing behind.
A man consumed by hunger for a woman. Nothing more.
“But don’t despair too much. My thoughts may yet change.”
“…What do you mean?”
“It depends on you.”
He fixed his gaze upon me.
“Give yourself to me.”
Flames flickered in those green eyes, then blazed forth in an instant.
“Because as you said, I’m a rutting beast.”
Orsini recited the very words that had once torn his soul asunder.
“What was it you called me? A creature consumed by lust?”
A soft laugh escaped him.
“Now that I think about it, you were right. Yes, I’m that kind of beast. But what can be done? You need the cooperation of this beast, don’t you?”
Orsini laughed. For the first time in ages, he felt truly alive.
“Give yourself to me. Then I’ll listen to what you ask. Even if you demand the Emperor’s head, I’ll do it.”
I should have done this from the start.
Orsini thought coldly.
After all, I’m a worthless villain in her eyes—unworthy of forgiveness, undeserving of even asking for it. I should have pushed like this from the beginning.
Just like now.
Abandoning a lifetime of conviction to obtain the woman I desire, coercing her like a contemptible worm.
“Trash.”
Kanna Adis gazed at me as always with those piercing eyes. Contempt. Revulsion. Seeing those emotions, a familiar ache pierced my chest. Now I welcomed even that sensation.
“You know well. It’s hardly strange for trash to behave like trash, is it?”
“Go to hell, you bastard.”
Hell?
Orsini lifted one corner of his mouth.
“Look at me properly, Kanna Adis.”
He tapped her cheek lightly with the tip of his index finger.
“I’m already in hell.”
From the moment he fell in love with a woman who despised him unto death, he had been burning in hellfire without cessation.
He could find no way to escape that exquisite torment. Or rather, he did not wish to.
Even now, like this right arm that ached as though being flayed alive.
He loved even this suffering.
He was loving it.

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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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