The Isolated Marchioness Just Wants to Make a Living - Chapter 170

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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 170

Alpheus looked at the Empress Dowager emanating pitch-black energy and recalled the Magic Tower Master’s words.

“They seem to be planning to create an army by ‘infecting’ others with the Half-Human, Half-Beast state.”

Alpheus now truly understood why the Magic Tower Master had been so disheartened. Indeed, such an army could devastate the continent with even small numbers.

“However, the method to infect others doesn’t seem to be perfected yet, which is probably why they covet Miss Brisa so much.”

The Magic Tower Master had said the Empress Dowager was likely cooperating with the Half-Human, Half-Beast experiments.

But even the Magic Tower Master hadn’t predicted that the Empress Dowager herself had participated in those experiments and already succeeded.

The Empress Dowager, who had bound their feet by emanating dark magic energy, flapped her wings again. She seemed to be trying to escape by breaking through the glass ceiling.

It seemed burdensome to face the Imperial Knights, Alpheus, and even werewolves all at once.

No matter how much she had transcended humanity, she was still an incomplete being. So that black smoke meant ‘Don’t come near, don’t block my escape.’

Brisa spoke slowly.

“There’s no choice. There’s nothing more we can do.”

The girl’s decision after assessing the situation was resolute.

The moment the Empress Dowager had thrown the ring earlier. Isabela, who was nearby, moved quickly.

The princess trained in assassination secretly secured the ring swiftly. In other words, their objective was achieved.

Brisa muttered with resignation.

“Let’s let her escape.”

But that was something Brisa could only say because she didn’t know the Magic Tower’s information.

Alpheus immediately shook his head.

“We can’t do that, Brisa.”

Brisa looked at him in surprise.

Alpheus said in a low voice.

“The Magic Tower Master said that Half-Human, Half-Beast can ‘infect’ others. So we can’t just let her go.”

“What?”

At that moment, Brisa’s pupils shook.

“Why… are you telling me this now?”

Because even if you had known beforehand, Brisa, it would have only tormented you.

That was an artificial Half-Human, Half-Beast created through experiments.

Since it wasn’t the ancient curse from 800 years ago related to the Queen of Riente, Brisa couldn’t call upon Jinmyeong to seal it.

The Empress Dowager flew up as she was. The Imperial Knights couldn’t move carelessly because of the black energy that wrapped around her defensively.

The Empress Dowager looked down at Brisa and opened her mouth.

“We will surely take you again, Brisa…”

No.

She said ‘we’ instead of ‘I’.

Alpheus immediately kicked off the ground and leaped up.

In front of all these people, if the Empress Dowager said ‘You are essential for completing our experiments’…

People paralyzed by fear might urge Brisa’s sacrifice.

Saying that without you, these experiments might not be completed.

There would surely be people questioning why the Empress Dowager specifically wanted to take Brisa.

Fortunately, so far they could dismiss it as ‘The Empress Dowager personally cherished Brisa and wanted to take her to Sebon.’

But if any more statements came from the Empress Dowager…

‘If she says the infection method will be completed through experiments using Brisa…’

Even the Emperor might order Brisa to be eliminated secretly for the Empire’s peace.

So he had to prevent the Empress Dowager from saying such things in a public place.

“Alpheus?”

Brisa cried out in surprise.

“Alpheus! No! You can’t!”

As Alpheus leaped and looked down briefly, his eyes met Isabela’s.

He had already asked Isabela to take care of Brisa before.

Isabela ran to Brisa, and Alpheus unleashed his sword aura, plunging his sword into the Empress Dowager’s heart.

Simultaneously, the pitch-black energy surrounding her body rushed toward him. A magic circle unfolded from Alpheus’s body and began absorbing that black energy.

“Alpheus! Alpheusss!”

Brisa’s voice could be heard faintly from below.

“We don’t know much about those experiments. So if we need to know how to respond to them, not only must we not let Miss Brisa be taken… we also need test subjects.”

“You mean we need to secure a Half-Human, Half-Beast? I’m not confident, but I’ll do my best. Is there anything that might help?”

“Just in case, I’ll inscribe a magic circle that can absorb and seal dark magic energy.”

The Magic Tower Master said that magic circle was the maximum he could do for him.

“If you happen to encounter dark magic energy, it will naturally flow to where your magic power is most concentrated, that is, your heart.”

“What’s the effect?”

“That energy will struggle against your magic power in your heart, and during that time you won’t be controlled by dark magic. However… the moment the two energies completely cancel each other out, your heart will lose its function. So…”

It was a one-time magic circle that could be inscribed because Alpheus had much more magic power than ordinary people.

And losing heart function ultimately meant death.

“Personally, I hope you never have to use this magic circle.”

The Magic Tower Master sighed apologetically.

“If you hand over that Half-Human, Half-Beast, I promise with everything I have. The Magic Tower will definitely produce results.”

Right now, he had to silence that Half-Human, Half-Beast to keep Brisa safe.

While at it, handing over that being to the Magic Tower would truly be doing his absolute best.

Alpheus was a man who had experienced war and had actually lost many comrades.

A happy ending without sacrifice was nothing but fantasy.

It was the only choice to protect Brisa and simultaneously the best move. So Alpheus had no regrets.

“Aaaaaaahhhhh!”

The Empress Dowager and Alpheus crashed to the floor together.

Feeling the black energy being absorbed into him, Alpheus barely opened his eyes.

His vision was impossibly blurred. His body was as heavy as waterlogged cotton.

‘Ah…’

Brisa’s crying echoed in his ears.

“Brother!”

Isabela was holding Brisa tightly, restraining her from running to him.

Brisa struggling caught in his dim vision.

“Brother! Brother!”

The one worry he had been suppressing since receiving the Magic Tower Master’s request filled his mind.

What about Brisa who will be left behind.

Brisa will lose family again.

How sad will she be. How much will she suffer.

We promised to get along well since it’s just the two of us left in this world…

But there was no choice.

I heard later that in the Northern Region, Paul tried to kill Brisa, saying ‘Eliminating you is how I help this world.’

He couldn’t let Brisa live in a world where such people would multiply.

Alpheus didn’t trust crowds paralyzed by fear.

“Please take care of Brisa, Magic Tower Master. I’ll somehow secure a test subject, so please prevent Brisa’s sacrifice.”

“Don’t worry. Securing a test subject means the Magic Tower can also respond. So I’ll stake everything to protect Miss Brisa. Even if I have to publish lies.”

Though they were speaking in roundabout ways, it was clearly a ‘deal’ between Alpheus and the Magic Tower Master.

Even when the magic circle was inscribed, he didn’t know the time to risk his life would come so quickly.

In war, strong enemies always move faster than expected, but if he had known this would happen, he would have smiled at Brisa at least once more.

“I heard you haven’t known Miss Brisa for long. But why do you cherish Miss Brisa so much? Because Miss Brisa is capable? Because she’s practically helpful to you? Because she’s kind and cute? Or just… because you pity her?”

“If I had to give a reason, I’d say it’s none of those four.”

As his consciousness began to fade, a memory surfaced.

The day he went to the Eastern and Western Regions and heard others say things like ‘Sears’s lowly blood.’

Brisa quietly took his hand.

“Get up. I’ll take you to your room.”

“What? What are you talking about? Why would a child escort an adult?”

“I think there was such etiquette written in some corner of some country’s courtesy book, so just get up quietly and follow me.”

Actually, he was really fine back then.

It wasn’t his fault that his mother was a maid, was it?

As long as it wasn’t a matter of life and death, it really didn’t matter.

But the comfort from that little girl who escorted him to his room without even saying ‘I thought you might be hurt’…

To be honest, it was the most useless thing he had ever received from Brisa.

But it was his most precious memory.

Because he felt like that moment would come to mind right before dying, and indeed, even now…

But he didn’t have time to be swept up in such thoughts any longer.

With the sword embedded in her heart, the Empress Dowager raised both hands to strangle his neck.

‘This is… doesn’t stabbing the heart work?’

Breathing heavily, Alpheus thought blankly.

‘Just what… just what weakness doesn’t she…’

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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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