That’s Not What Kissing Means! - Chapter 122

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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 122

A few days later, a Servant approached the Emperor as he attended to state affairs in his Office.
“Duke Ashford has arrived.”
At those words, the Emperor squeezed his eyes shut. He wanted to avoid the news the Duke had brought.
The fact that the Grand Cleric had deceived him all this time, and that his meetings with the Empress—whom he had trusted—might have been fabricated, was difficult to accept.
In that moment, a splitting headache washed over him again.
After Duke Ashford departed, the Princess summoned the Royal Mage to investigate the dark magic that had been implanted within the Emperor.
The Royal Mage spoke with a troubled expression.

‘The brainwashing has taken such deep root… pain will follow whenever that framework wavers.’

As the Emperor pressed his forehead in anguish, Princess Rosina at his side hastened to calm him.
“Father, please endure just a little longer. You will overcome this. House of Ashford is researching purification magic, after all.”
Witnessing her family’s suffering was unbearably painful.
The Princess felt guilt for having neglected her father all this time.
“Do not look at me that way.”
The Emperor, having barely composed himself, spoke to his daughter.
“You bear no fault whatsoever. I know well that you have studied diligently for the sake of the Empire.”
The Emperor spoke with sincerity. His words were true.
After the Duke’s visit, the Emperor had suffered such profound shock that even daily life became burdensome.
So the Princess volunteered to assist him, participating in state affairs. With the knowledge and experience she had accumulated, she rendered wise judgments—to a degree that even surprised the Emperor.
He could clearly see her sense of responsibility toward the Empire.
The more he observed her, the more she resembled the Empress.
At that moment, the Servant carefully asked again.
“Your Majesty, what shall we do…?”
“…”
The Emperor exhaled deeply. The Princess, watching him, took her father’s hand.
“We must face it. No matter how uncomfortable, it is the Emperor’s duty to know the truth and respond accordingly.”
After a brief silence, the Emperor finally nodded.
“Let him speak.”
Not long after, Theo and Evelyn entered the Office together.
Theo, having greeted them according to Imperial protocol, promptly produced a report.
“I have brought the results of the investigation into Oben Territory.”
The Emperor, with difficulty, reached out to examine it.
Trade records with the Holy Kingdom, hallucination flowers that induced delusions, even documentation of restoring the Saron flower….
The Duke was right. Clear evidence supported every single fact.
“That’s not all. They were conducting human experiments in Oben Territory.”
“What…?”
Dark magical toxins disguised as horticultural products followed, along with horrifying records of their testing.
“It appears the Territory Lord was complicit. That’s why it never reached public knowledge.”
At Theo’s words, the Princess erupted in fury.
“No, you absolute madman…!”
As curses spilled out in rapid succession, Evelyn glanced around cautiously.
The Emperor, meanwhile, spoke with a wistful expression.
“You truly are the spitting image of your mother….”
This hardly seemed the moment for sentimentality….
Evelyn stepped forward slowly.
“Your Majesty, as I mentioned before, many people have been brainwashed by the Envoy. Shouldn’t this be revealed?”
“…A few days ago, I received a letter from the Envoy. He asked me to trust him and help him.”
The Emperor spoke with a darkened expression.
“I wavered. I couldn’t completely deny the Envoy, and I wanted to meet him to confirm things. I wanted to unburden myself of the suffering that has befallen me.”
The Emperor wiped his face with a dry hand.
“Even in this situation, I sought out the Envoy. I was pathetic.”
The Princess comforted him at his candid confession.
“But you didn’t answer him. You didn’t help him.”
“Yet can I trust myself to make sound judgments hereafter? I, who have yielded endlessly to the Envoy?”
Then he looked toward Evelyn.
“You’re right. Everyone must learn of the Envoy’s crimes. But I cannot be the one to tell them.”
It was then that Evelyn spoke carefully.
“Your Majesty, I’ve heard that the Princess is as wise as Her Majesty the Empress.”
In truth, Evelyn knew little of what the Princess was actually like. She had merely gathered the Emperor’s own words.
The Emperor nodded at Evelyn’s words.
“Very well. I shall entrust this matter to the Princess.”
It was common for the Emperor to delegate Imperial duties to his successor.
For the successor, it was an opportunity to develop a sense of responsibility toward the Empire. For the Emperor, it was a chance to gauge his heir’s capabilities.
“I entrust authority over the investigation to Duke Ashford, and necessary support and Imperial authorization to the Princess.”
The Emperor spoke once more.
The Princess answered calmly to her first assignment.
“Understood. I shall do my utmost to protect the Empire.”
Theo spoke to the Princess without hesitation.
“First, Your Highness should review the list of those affected by the hallucination flowers and contact each nation.”
“Understood. Then I’ll leave capturing the Envoy to you, Duke Ashford.”
It was then that a Servant burst into the Office with an urgent voice.
“The Envoy has disappeared…!”

* * *

The Envoy arrived at Aila Territory in the Eastern Region.
He had come secretly through an Illegal Gate.
Since he had told no one of his arrival, he could only bring a few Holy Knights for protection and Colin with him.
Colin continued to tremble with anxiety, which made me doubt his reliability, but with everyone else gone, there was no choice.
Dressed in plain clothes rather than the pristine priestly vestments, I walked through the Town Square of the territory.
“Don’t you think something’s odd today?”
I heard the voice of a resident.
“You’re right. The security is awfully tight… Was there always this many guards?”
“Could something have happened without us knowing?”
“Don’t say such ominous things!”
Hearing their conversation, I sensed it immediately. I was being tracked.
‘I need to finish this quickly.’
My destination was the Hunting Grounds of Aila Territory.
Once used for hunting, it was now said to be an abandoned forest.
It was a secluded place perfect for conducting the immortality ritual.
The Eastern Region connected to the sea. Once the ritual was complete, I planned to escape by ship from the Dock.
This was possible because I had already made arrangements with a foreign marquis.
Since the Hunting Grounds lay on the outskirts of the territory, it required considerable walking.
Seeing a passing Knight, I pulled my hood down low.
Soon after, my party arrived at the Hunting Grounds and entered the forest.
Continuing deeper into the quiet woodland, I finally found a suitable location.
Perhaps someone had infiltrated this place as well to capture me.
If so, I needed to summon the God of Death swiftly. If I could only see his manifestation, there would be nothing left to fear.
“Bring out the box.”
Following my command, a Holy Knight placed the metal box he had carried onto a rock.
Without a moment’s hesitation, I began the immortality ritual.
Incantations to summon Calimedes poured from my lips.
With each gust of wind, the surroundings grew increasingly ominous.
Finally, having completed the dark magic, I gestured toward Colin.
Colin took out a potion that ignited fire and sprinkled it around the box.
Being fearful, he had never actually started a fire before. Watching his trembling hands, I clicked my tongue.
“Y-you must move away now! The flames will ignite soon…”
“…Are you certain you brought the right thing?”
At my cold voice, Colin looked up at me.
“What do you mean…”
“I know that wherever the potion touches, it should turn pitch black.”
At those words, Colin looked down at the ground. The grass remained verdant.
Colin quickly made an excuse.
“This shouldn’t be possible. I’m certain I brought it properly… and the magic shouldn’t have disappeared….”
That was when it happened.
Distinct footsteps echoed from a distance.
It was a confident movement, as if there was nothing to hide.
Theo emerged from the shadows, his languid eyes surveying the surroundings.
The Envoy and those nearby, and even the traces of the immortality ritual.
“How tedious—they’re all doing the same thing.”
At his gesture, the concealed Knights rushed toward the Envoy.

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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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