My Illusion Is Survival - Chapter 61

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 61

 

The clock hands pointed to the exact hour.

 

As a pure white carriage entered the path leading to the imperial palace, people who recognized the carriage’s owner hurriedly turned away.

 

“How did that matter I asked you to investigate turn out?”

 

The Golden Lion, McLion.

 

For those who knew the man’s identity, it was a natural reaction.

 

“According to what I found out, the Holy Maiden has been holed up in the prayer room ever since the northern expedition.”

 

“The prayer room? Why there all of a sudden?”

 

“The exact reason is unclear, but she’s been reciting prayers day and night without even eating. There’s been no contact with the outside world.”

 

“And Bellode just let that happen?”

 

“Lord Christian is currently on leave and staying secluded at his residence.”

 

“That makes even less sense.”

 

The handsome man riding in the carriage soon frowned.

 

“Everything’s suspicious.”

 

Unlike his nickname of Golden Lion, displeasure crossed his soft features. As his particularly red lips twisted viciously, the man’s peculiar aura grew thicker.

 

“Shall I investigate Lord Christian further?”

 

“Forget it. I don’t care what happens to that boring bastard. Just keep a proper watch on Yulia’s movements.”

 

However, the subordinate familiar with all this loyally bowed his head.

 

“There’s quite a commotion everywhere.”

 

“Is His Highness the Crown Prince summoning you for the same reason again?”

 

“He’s making a fuss telling me to find that woman quickly by any means. What can I do? His noble Highness the Crown Prince says it’s difficult for him to go out, so a hunting dog like me has to run around until my feet sweat.”

 

The familiar sarcasm was aimed at the Crown Prince, whose mania had worsened recently.

 

“The bell sounds have started again. They’ve gotten louder than before.”

 

“I’ll call a healing priest.”

 

“That kind of thing is useless.”

 

“However, Your Highness.”

 

“I said it’s useless! Elpis, I need my savior. Bring her before me.”

 

“Those damn bell sounds. I have no idea what sounds he’s hearing.”

 

The Crown Prince had summoned the man for one reason.

 

Elpis.

 

To bring the woman he met on the northern expedition to him.

 

It wasn’t just the man. All those who could be called the Crown Prince’s hands and feet would have received the same order, so it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say the entire Empire was searching for that woman.

 

“At this point, I’m curious. What on earth happened there for everyone to return in such a state?”

 

“More than that, they say that woman is Azel Viotz’s woman—could that be true?”

 

“That’s what makes it even more interesting. That wax doll-like man having a lover—can you believe it?”

 

While recalling the woman’s portrait received from the Imperial Court, the man’s fingertips tapped the handle.

 

Tap, tap-tap, tap.

 

Soon his fingers stopped and the man drew a deep smile.

 

“Well, she was a striking beauty. She looked like she’d be fun to make cry.”

 

Though his words sounded light like a joke, the man’s subordinate knew that wasn’t a joke.

 

“We’ve arrived. Will you go directly to His Highness?”

 

“I have to. He’s waiting for me so eagerly.”

 

The man straightened up from the backrest. The faint interest in his eyes had already disappeared.

 

“You stay here and watch the carriage. I’m thinking of stopping by the auction house on the way back, so prepare in advance.”

 

“Understood. Is there a particular item you have in mind?”

 

“Arachne’s Thread. Thread that weaves fate—it would make a nice gift for Yulia.”

 

Soon as the man got out of the carriage, his subordinate hurriedly bowed toward him.

 

“Have a safe trip, Lord Shane.”

 

Shane McLion.

 

The man’s name followed long after his departing back.

 

*

 

‘I wondered why there was a sudden gathering, but it was because of this after all.’

 

Milrak, former tomb robber and current head chef, quietly thought as he looked at the four people gathered before him.

 

That he definitely didn’t want to join that conversation.

 

“The master personally said he felt hurt? Eh! Don’t lie! No matter what, who would believe that?”

 

“Does this look like a lie to you right now?”

 

“Of course not, miss. There’s no way you would tell lies. In that spirit, what kind of speech habit is that, Dekan? Do you want to die?”

 

“Look, miss! Lady Mary is threatening to kill me again!”

 

At the familiar start like any other day, Milrak ignored them and picked up a madeleine placed in front of him.

 

Because if he joined that stupid conversation, he felt like he would become stupid too.

 

“Mary, we agreed not to casually talk about killing.”

 

“I apologize. Would you like your entire body separated into six parts, Dekan?”

 

“That’s much better.”

 

“What’s better! That’s more horrifying!”

 

Ron, who was quietly sipping tea on one side, was probably thinking the same thing.

 

“Still, I honestly can’t believe it. That the master was jealous of Lord Simoer. I’d sooner believe the world would end tomorrow.”

 

“I didn’t say jealous! There’s no way Azel would be jealous over something like that.”

 

“Exactly. But then why is he acting that way?”

 

“That’s what I want to know too.”

 

The topic of this gathering was always like this.

 

Elpis would report on Azel’s strange behavior, and the others would ponder the motive behind that behavior together.

 

However, when you actually listened, the problem was that instead of pondering, everyone could only say “Has he gone crazy?”

 

“I really think he’s gone crazy.”

 

That’s how strange Azel had been lately.

 

“Miss.”

 

“…Yes?”

 

Then Ron put down his teacup and spoke up.

 

“Have you mastered all the basics I taught you last time?”

 

This was also when Milrak’s hand, which had been consistently picking at madeleines, stopped for the first time.

 

“Ah! I’ve been practicing that continuously. The posture was harder than I thought.”

 

“Basic skills are most important in learning swordsmanship, so even if it’s difficult, it’s best to keep repeating.”

 

“I know. I’ll work hard.”

 

“…Are you learning swordsmanship, miss?”

 

He had no choice but to ask.

 

Since there had been orders to report everything related to Elpis, even trivial matters, it was difficult to pretend he hadn’t heard.

 

“It’s not that, I’m just building up my stamina first.”

 

Meanwhile, Ron just smiled pretending not to know, making Milrak’s glare even fiercer.

 

“Are you worried about whether you should report this or not?”

 

Though even that secretive gaze faltered due to the voice that brushed past his ear.

 

“N-no. It’s just,”

 

“It’s okay. I already know well that Azel has been monitoring my every move lately.”

 

Milrak wasn’t the only one flustered by the words that followed so casually. Dekan asked with an urgent face.

 

“You knew?!”

 

“How could I not know? Of course I knew.”

 

“I’m, I’m sorry.”

 

“It’s fine. It’s just gotten worse lately, but I was already being watched before anyway, so whatever.”

 

Milrak had thought Elpis was a bit oblivious as she questioned Azel’s eccentric behavior.

 

He hadn’t expected her to notice the surveillance, so the atmosphere suddenly became awkward.

 

“If you’re going to allow it anyway, it would be nice if you’d also let me run in the training grounds.”

 

“Considering the coughing up blood last time, it’s understandable that he’d be worried. I’m against that too.”

 

“Do you think that was the cause too, Linoa?”

 

Only Elpis remained calm.

 

“Are you okay with being watched?”

 

“It’s uncomfortable. But considering the reason, I guess it can’t be helped, so I just let it go.”

 

“The reason?”

 

“At first, he probably had no choice but to watch me because I was suspicious, and now it seems like he’s trying to keep me from going outside.”

 

“…!”

 

She was quite accurate.

 

Then Elpis’s voice continued again.

 

“But I don’t understand that.”

 

“What?”

 

“The reason for keeping me from going out. If we want to finish what we promised quickly, it would be better for me to go out and come back soon. Could it be that he’s worried I might break my promise and just run away now?”

 

Was she really asking because she didn’t know?

 

Her face, genuinely confused about the reason, honestly made me feel frustrated.

 

“Well….”

 

Just as I was about to speak the truth without realizing it, Dekan’s oblivious voice interjected between them.

 

“Then it must be that after all.”

 

“What? Do you have an idea?”

 

“The master likes you, miss.”

 

Silence immediately fell over the surroundings.

 

Thud, roll roll-

 

Even though the madeleine in Milrak’s hand fell to the floor, everyone’s gaze remained fixed on Dekan.

 

“Did I say something wrong…?”

 

…That crazy bastard finally did it.

 

If Milrak could, he wanted to shut Dekan’s mouth.

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