That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 111

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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 111

Several days had passed since then.
Lily, one of the mages belonging to House of Ashford, gazed once more at the empty seat where Helena had been.
Whatever was happening, Helena, the chief mage, continued her secretive meetings with Donovan and Duke Ashford in a separate room.
‘It seems the higher-ups have something to discuss among themselves.’
Lily dismissed it without much concern.
These days, she and her colleagues were researching the Sarun flower.
Helena had suddenly advised them to stop their research on consciousness circles and instead showed everyone materials about poison flowers.

‘I need to find a way to weaken brainwashing magic. I must discover purification magic.’

Everyone was bewildered by the sudden change in direction, but they soon followed the chief mage’s orders.
Today as well, they were diligently researching how to purify the power of the Sarun flower.
Fortunately, the woman Duke Ashford had brought was fluent in ancient languages and visited occasionally to help everyone.
“The future Duchess, isn’t she remarkable? How does she know so much about ancient languages?”
“She doesn’t just translate—she even discovers hidden meanings. It’s amazing.”
The mages had begun calling Evelyn the “future Duchess.”
This was hardly surprising, given how affection dripped from Duke Ashford’s gaze and demeanor whenever he looked at her.
Of course, Helena’s enthusiasm had played a part as well.
The mages were naturally curious, and they eagerly expressed their curiosity about the “future Duchess.”
Boom!
A tremendous explosion echoed through the air, accompanied by vibrations so intense that everyone was startled.
“What, what was that!”
“Was there an accident?”
Lily and her colleagues hurried to peer out the window. Smoke was rising from the clearing enclosed by walls.
It was a place rarely used except when conducting experiments with powerful magic.
The mages quickly left the conference room. The corridors were filled with people from various research labs, murmuring anxiously.
At that moment, Duke Ashford, who had been in a nearby room, looked around at the startled crowd.
“It appears there’s been an accident in the clearing.”
The guards stationed at the Research Institute rushed toward him.
“We’ll go check it out right away!”
“No, come with me. Isn’t that where magic experiments are conducted? Perhaps residual mana reacted with something.”
If that were the case, Duke Ashford, who could control mana, was needed.
Yet the Duke’s expression seemed oddly composed, as if he already knew something.
‘No, it must be a misunderstanding.’
Lily observed him without realizing it.
“You two there! Just in case, come along with us. The rest of you, guard the Research Institute.”
Helena pointed to Lily and a colleague standing beside her.
The Clearing wasn’t far from the Research Institute. Thanks to the sturdy walls, there was no damage to the surrounding area.
An arched passageway existed in one section of the wall. The frightened Estate residents were gathered, trying to locate the source of the noise.
“What is happening?”
“Has there been an accident?”
As Duke Ashford reassured the anxious people, the Knights entered the Clearing. They immediately assessed whether there were any dangerous elements.
Shortly after, they reported what they had seen to Duke Ashford.
“There doesn’t appear to be anything else that will explode. However….”
“However?”
“There is a peculiar pattern. It appears to be made from burnt ash….”
“A pattern?”
The future Duchess entered the Clearing alongside Duke Ashford.
Even in this serious moment, Lily felt curiosity stirring. Her innate instinct was irresistible.
Duke Ashford did not stop them from following, and eventually the Estate residents also confirmed the pattern together.
“What is that?”
“It looks like a magical circle?”
Lily drew in a sharp breath. It was identical to the symbolic pattern of Calimedes she had seen days ago.
Beneath it, ancient script was written in small letters.
Only the future Duchess could decipher this.
She traced the characters with her finger and read quietly.
“….”
Everyone held their breath and watched her intently.
A moment of silence passed, and the future Duchess’s expression hardened.
“I can provide a direct translation, but… finding the hidden meaning will require more time. It’s a proclamation announcing the arrival of the God of Death.”
The God of Death?
Lily looked at Helena in alarm. This was quite a serious matter.
Her expression had grown rigid.

* * *

The two Mages who had followed Helena into the Conference Room immediately began recounting everything they had witnessed.
“Remember that ritual we saw last time? There was a symbol representing the God of Death in it!”
“Well, apparently that exact symbol was carved into the Clearing? Like burnt ash, you know?”
According to Evelyn’s account, they could even determine where it would appear next, and everyone was astonished.
Moreover, Calimedes’ symbol was fire. The ash powder hadn’t appeared for nothing, they all agreed with growing excitement.
“So it’s really going to appear at the Ashford Estate?”
“Let me see it too. The God of Death.”
“Will it be wearing red clothes?”
“Probably. It would match the image it has of itself.”
Their conversation was driven more by curiosity than fear.
Those who had been chattering noisily fell silent.
Helena, the Chief Mage, had arrived.
“Why are you idling about? Have you learned anything about the Sarun flower?”
At her words, everyone became solemn.
Helena deliberately let out a heavy sigh.
“You’ve heard, haven’t you? The God of Death will appear here before long.”
At that revelation, their eyes gleamed with interest.
“According to Evelyn, it’s the Northern Lords’ Tombs.”
She continued, warning them that security there would be tightened and they should refrain from entering if possible.
“As if anyone would have nothing better to do than visit a tomb?”
The Mages responded with exasperation.
Helena explained while wearing a worried expression, but she had to observe the faces before her carefully.
Who could the spy be? Was there really one among them?
The fact that she had to suspect those she cherished was unbearably painful.
By now, Donovan would also be following Theo’s orders.
He would seek out the suspect and indirectly hint at Calimedes’ appearance.
Not to the Northern Lords’ Tombs, but to the Eastern Forest.
This was a plan to expose the spy.
To stage the incident that had unfolded today, Donovan had drawn the symbol in the Clearing since dawn.
The powder he had invented possessed the property of turning pitch black and exploding when exposed to sunlight for a certain duration.
Thanks to this, he had deceived everyone flawlessly.
Now all that remained was to wait for the spy to leak the information.

* * *

The Envoy was only just finding stability.
I had received Sacred Artifacts from a foreign nobleman brainwashed through a “miracle.”
Though they didn’t possess particularly strong sacred power, it was sufficient to diminish the scars on my face and restore my vigor.
I sat in the midst of the Central Courtyard, brimming with Sarun flowers, absorbing the sacred power.
As my mind grew at ease, the surrounding landscape came into focus.
The lovely flowers that had granted me strength as well.
Then, I sensed a presence from behind.
Few were permitted to enter the Central Courtyard without the Envoy’s consent.
“I greet you, Envoy.”
The composed and rational tone belonged to Lionel.
Without turning around, I responded to him.
“What is the matter?”
“Word has arrived from Ashford Estate. Traces of Calimedes have been discovered.”
“…!”
I rose swiftly from my seat.
Turning toward Lionel, I asked urgently.
“Tell me at once!”
“An explosion was heard in a corner of the Technicians’ Village. Black powder resembling ash, accompanied by a burnt smell, revealed Calimedes’ insignia.”
“You said a portion of Calimedes was certainly buried in the Technicians’ Village.”
“Indeed.”
“Then Duke Ashford’s prophecy was genuine?”
“The estate residents witnessed it as well. The Duke had no way to conceal it.”
Lionel continued.
“He foretold the next location of appearance in ancient tongue.”
“Where is that?”
Lionel answered.
“The Eastern Forest.”

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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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