That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 108

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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 108

Theo asked, observing Evelyn’s animated expression.
“Did you discover something?”
She nodded vigorously.
Then she spoke clearly for everyone to hear.
“When drawing a soul separation ritual, even the slightest error causes the caster’s soul to be severed instead of the target’s.”
“That’s right. The reason dark magic circles are so dangerous is that even minor mistakes rebound upon the caster themselves.”
Evelyn continued, watching Helena’s grave expression.
“But there’s one more phrase written here. It says the caster is like a shepherd.”
“A shepherd?”
Why would that suddenly appear?
Everyone stared at Evelyn with bewildered faces.
“In ancient times, shepherd wasn’t merely used as an occupation. It was also used as a metaphor for a guide or one who indicates direction.”
She wasn’t merely skilled in interpreting ancient languages.
One had to learn the metaphors and symbols written in ancient texts to achieve a natural interpretation.
“It means the direction the caster is standing in is crucial to the soul separation technique. The direction of the dark magic is determined by where he is looking.”
Theo burst into laughter, having grasped Evelyn’s intention. Simultaneously, he directed pure admiration toward her.
“This method would be faster than nullifying the ritual circle.”
Helena covered her mouth with both hands in shock.
“You’re saying we should sever the caster’s soul!”
“Yes, they’ll experience exactly what they’ve inflicted.”
The innocent victims had to endure the same suffering they caused.
“Is it possible?”
Helena answered Evelyn’s question swiftly.
“Of course! While unraveling complex ritual circles is difficult, adjusting the direction is simple enough!”
“It would be best to deceive their eyes. Make them believe the direction they face is correct.”
The one performing the ritual would receive an unexpected attack.
Whether it was the Grand Cleric or Lionel.
I wondered who would have their soul severed and consumed by Calimedes.
Theo’s eyes narrowed as he contemplated who would fall to their own wickedness.
“I find myself quite eager to see it.”

* * *

Meanwhile, in the Holy Kingdom….
“The Sacred Artifacts! What are you doing without bringing the Sacred Artifacts!”
“But Grand Cleric… there are no more Sacred Artifacts with divine power left.”
At Colin’s words, the Grand Cleric hurled a decorative object from his desk.
Half of his face remained grotesquely disfigured.
When he had threatened Evelyn in the Underground, a potion had splattered and melted his skin.
Despite countless treatments and pouring divine power into it afterward, his face could never return to its original state.
In the past, his own divine power would have been more than enough to heal such a wound.
He could feel all too keenly how his strength had diminished.
Realizing his abilities as Grand Cleric were waning, anxiety crept in—the dread that time was running out.
As his divine power depleted, controlling his emotions became harder, and his temperament grew increasingly savage.
If he collapsed before achieving his grand design…!
Just then, Lionel entered the Office.
“You may leave now, Colin.”
“Y-yes… I trust only you, Lionel.”
Colin departed with trembling breath.
Lionel fixed his gaze directly upon the Grand Cleric and opened his mouth.
“Your divine power has weakened considerably. Even the Sacred Artifacts cannot solve this now.”
At those words, the Grand Cleric’s eyes blazed with fury.
He looked ready to strangle someone on the spot.
“Have you come to mock me?”
“Not at all. I’m suggesting we face reality for the sake of our grand design.”
At the mention of the “grand design,” the Grand Cleric’s ragged breathing steadied.
“What are you saying?”
“We must accelerate the plan. If we continue as we are, we won’t even manage the ceremony, and everything we’ve built will crumble.”
“You’re asking me to abandon a perfect ceremony.”
The Grand Cleric fell into thought.
Duke Ashford would reveal what happened in the Underground to the world.
Though he had secured the allegiance of the continent’s powerful figures, how long would they truly support him….
For now, they were mesmerized by “miracles” and brainwashed into obedience. But power shifts in an instant.
If others seized the opportunity to take their positions….
He could not be assured of what lay ahead.
What troubled him most was his own condition.
How much longer could this body endure….
He might collapse before even completing the full ceremony.
“Time is running short. We must perform the immortality ceremony at once. Calimedes is our last hope, after all.”
At Lionel’s resolute voice, the Grand Cleric’s expression grew calm.
He exhaled deeply and reconsidered Lionel’s words.
“Very well. Let us accelerate the plan.”
“A wise decision.”
“Calimedes’ soul was torn into four pieces and buried in different directions. Rage in the south, strength in the west, the will to commit evil in the north, and wisdom in the east.”
“That is correct. We are in the process of recovering them.”
The Envoy touched his own face—skin melted and wrinkled beyond recognition.
“The next target is the Ashford Estate… am I correct?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“Duke Ashford must have strengthened his security. I worry we might bungle this operation.”
“I have already secured an insider.”
Lionel’s thoroughness in preparation never ceased to impress.
It was precisely why the Envoy trusted him above all others.
“Since when have you had this insider? From when you were close friends with the previous Duke Ashford?”
“….”
“How curious. I had heard you two were the closest of companions.”
For the first time, the Envoy felt a spark of curiosity.
Why had Lionel betrayed his own friend?
Was it merely greed for eternal life?
But the curiosity vanished as quickly as it had come. Now, only his grand design consumed his thoughts.
“Bring it to me. The will to commit evil.”
I pray it burns with the fiercest flames possible.
He smiled—a smile both sinister and unsettling.

* * *

The morning after Evelyn finished her late-night research, she woke early.
Rather than closing her eyes again, she decided to take a walk through the Garden.
‘It’s impressive no matter how many times I see it….’
The Garden was vast enough to warrant the word “expansive.”
A cool breeze swept across her shoulders, and Evelyn adjusted the shawl draped over them.
As I strolled along the straight path, breathing in the fresh scent of grass.
Someone was walking toward me from a distance at a steady pace.
At first, I thought it was a Knight guarding the Duke’s Mansion, but his build was too unimpressive for that.
As the distance closed and I saw the man’s stern expression, I could finally call out warmly.
“Julian, it’s been so long!”
I didn’t particularly consider us close, but seeing him brought back memories from the Duke’s Mansion.
Despite my warm greeting, Julian maintained his stiff posture.
“I hope you’ve been well, Evelyn.”
He greeted me with an expression that showed no genuine curiosity.
“Did you come from the Capital? So early?”
“Yes, I have urgent matters to report to the Duke. You should hear this as well, Evelyn.”
I walked alongside him, heading back toward the Duke’s Mansion.
“….”
“….”
There was nothing to say…!
Though I had welcomed him at first, only silence followed afterward.
I had forgotten that I only ever had formal conversations with Julian.
“Oh my, who is this!”
Just then, a bright voice rang out. It was Vanessa, returning from her training.
‘Vanessa, I’m really grateful!’
I expressed my gratitude to her for breaking the awkwardness.
Unlike me, who smiled brightly, Julian’s expression immediately darkened.
“Lady Vanessa, I must see the Duke now.”
He brushed past Vanessa without even a brief farewell. But then Vanessa called him back.
“I have something to tell you too.”
“What is it?”
He asked with an expression that showed little anticipation.
“The Lord’s business venture I mentioned—it succeeded.”
“…Really?”
“Yes, thanks to you for staying completely silent about it!”
At her words, Julian’s jaw clenched even tighter.
Evelyn looked at them both with a bewildered expression.
Unaware that the business venture Vanessa mentioned was Theo’s romantic endeavor.

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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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