That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 107

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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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That’s not what kissing means!
Episode 107

Evelyn remained by Theo’s side while he composed himself.
Rage and confusion threatened to overwhelm him.
After a moment, Theo looked down at her leaning against his shoulder.
“Thank you.”
His blue eyes met hers steadily.
“Because of you, I’ve learned the truth.”
“Are you alright?”
Theo nodded.
“I’m an upright and strong child, after all.”
The moment I repeated my mother’s words, Evelyn laughed aloud.
I offered a playful smile in return.
Yet my genuine smile was reserved for Evelyn alone.
Hatred for the Envoy and thirst for vengeance against Lionel ignited a blaze within my chest.
I wanted to tear them apart immediately and inflict every ounce of suffering I could muster.
Moreover, the Envoy’s ambitions didn’t end with Father.
Hadn’t he tried to draw me in through Lionel as well?
To swallow the Emperor and House of Ashford themselves….
The audacity of seeking eternal life and power alike drew a hollow laugh from me.
“Evelyn, Mother always wished for me to maintain an upright heart, but….”
One corner of my mouth twisted desolately.
“I want to repay them. So much that death would seem preferable.”
“Of course. We must return to them several times over what they’ve done.”
Now I could see that Evelyn burned with equal fury.
I continued.
“Soon the Envoy or his associates will visit Ashford Estate. They’ll begin their strange fire ritual.”
“They intend to gather the souls of the victims. Along with the boxes inscribed with the ritual circle.”
I could not allow innocent sacrifices to be made again.
Evelyn recalled the third prophecy.

‘O vessel of evil, you shall be consumed by the void that forever remains unfilled.’

What did the Envoy’s emptiness signify? A preexisting void?
Perhaps it was an unfulfilled desire.
“Theo, our plan remains unchanged, doesn’t it?”
Theo answered Evelyn’s question.
“We’ve fabricated a false prophecy, so we need to make him believe it.”
The Northern Lands would split asunder, and the crimson calamity buried for so long would emerge.
The crimson calamity in the false prophecy referred to Calimedes. The plan was to deceive the Envoy as if the god of death had appeared, ensnaring him in a trap.
When the misdeeds they had so carefully cultivated crumbled, despair would consume them.

* * *

As afternoon arrived, Evelyn and Theo headed toward the Technicians’ Village.
The carriage brought them to the Magitech Research Institute located at the village’s center.
Upon entering the Institute, the Knights standing guard hurried to greet them.
“Duke Ashford, welcome.”
“We received advance notice from the Chief Mage. Allow me to guide you.”
One of the Knights took the lead after hearing Helena’s words.
Evelyn gazed around the Institute’s interior with curiosity.
Though I had felt it the previous night, the scale was extraordinary. Observing the research facilities filling the space, I could discern the considerable support House Ashford provided.
The Knight guided us to a Conference Room on the second floor.
The Mages belonging to House Ashford, including Helena, greeted us. Their eyes sparkled as they looked at Evelyn, clearly having heard something from her.
“Welcome, Evelyn.”
“We’ve heard much about you. We’ve been eager to meet you.”
What conversation could have transpired in such a brief time?
Once Theo and Evelyn took their seats at the long table, everyone else sat down.
Vast quantities of materials were stacked upon the table.
“First, we gathered only a select few materials related to the ritual circle. We’ve filtered out what we need.”
For something supposedly condensed, it was quite substantial.
“Most of it came from the Ancient Texts Archive. We’re truly grateful that Evelyn helped us interpret the ancient language.”
Helena smiled with relief.
Theo spoke to the Mages.
“You already know this, but this ritual circle isn’t a simple magical formation. It’s insane—summoning gods and gathering the souls of the dead.”
“The worst form of dark magic.”
Those listening couldn’t hide their displeasure.
“The Envoy will visit the Ashford Estate soon. More precisely, this village.”
At Theo’s words, everyone’s anger flared.
This place was their precious home. It wasn’t meant to vanish because of hollow greed.
“Have you found a way to nullify the ritual circle?”
Helena answered his question.
“We haven’t found anything concrete yet. The ritual circle is far too complex and intricate.”
Theo nodded at Helena’s promise to do her best. It was a testament to his faith in her.
Just then, Evelyn’s voice rang out clearly.
“Is it possible to release sealed souls?”
The suffering of the souls she had witnessed in the Underground still haunted her mind.
Their anguished screams and sorrowful wails carved deep into her heart.
To think they were being exploited by the Envoy even in death….
If it were possible, she wanted to grant them freedom as well.
Helena adjusted her glasses and answered.
“I will research a soul liberation circle….”
“Thank you, Helena.”
After that, research continued for some time.
As Evelyn interpreted the ancient texts, Helena and the other mages created magical circles to counteract them.
To activate the magical circle, they needed to inscribe patterns onto sturdy metal, a task Donovan undertook.
Whenever powerful mana was required, Theo channeled the mana from within his body.
The work that had begun in the afternoon stretched into the night without conclusion.
Helena repeatedly constructed and modified the magical circle, drawing upon every scrap of knowledge she possessed, yet could find no solution.
“I apologize, Duke Ashford. I can weaken the seal circle, but it appears impossible to eliminate it completely.”
Helena’s expression was deeply troubled, disappointed by her own limitations.
Theo spoke to the dejected mage.
“I knew it wouldn’t be easy. If House Ashford’s chief mage cannot solve it, others will struggle as well.”
He did not reproach Helena. Instead, he praised her abilities and assured her it was acceptable.
As the atmosphere grew heavy, Theo suggested everyone take a rest.
Evelyn deliberately asked Helena in a bright voice.
“You said this seal circle is a combination of several dark magics, correct?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Then could we determine which magics were combined?”
“That shouldn’t be difficult.”
Helena retrieved several documents and handed them to Evelyn. They were the magical circles the Envoy had referenced when creating his own.
Everyone slumped in their chairs, exhaustion evident on their faces.
Evelyn continued interpreting the accumulated documents, determined to be of whatever help she could.
‘There’s no way to prevent the summoning of a god.’
The symbols representing divinity were absolute. It was impossible not only to alter them but also to weaken their power.
Evelyn decided to delve deeper into the dark magic related to souls.
“Evelyn, why don’t you rest a bit as well.”
Theo patted her shoulder with concern, but Evelyn merely smiled.
“It’s fine. I’m energized knowing I can help everyone with my specialty.”
At that moment, delicate desserts entered the Conference Room.
The exhausted group opened their eyes wide and sprang from their seats.
It was a special treat prepared by the Duke’s Mansion Chef on Theo’s orders.
Evelyn too brightened considerably, taking a generous bite of the fruit tart.
Eating something sweet seemed to sharpen my thoughts somehow.
I was examining the next document while savoring the tart.

[When depicting the Soul Separation Technique, there must not be a single mistake. The moment one falters even slightly, it is not the target’s soul that becomes separated, but the caster’s own.]

Evelyn’s eyes widened as she interpreted the ancient text. She continued reading the next passage.

[The caster is like a shepherd.]

In ancient times, “shepherd” meant….
Lightning struck through her mind.
If I do this right, I can get revenge.
A way to fulfill Theo’s vengeance and stop the Envoy’s wickedness had come to me.

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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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