The Search for the Duchess’s Husband - Chapter 175

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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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In Search of the Duke’s Husband – Episode 175

On a night when the moon shone brightly, Killian von Orpheus fastened a bracelet around Artia’s wrist and spoke.
“I’ve cast a protective spell upon you. When danger arrives, recite the incantation.”
“Since I will always be by your side, the day you need to use the bracelet will never come.”
But you, who said such things, are now trying to kill me—what will happen if I speak the incantation?
Will nothing occur at all?
Or will you break free from the spell and lower your sword?
Artia spoke with trembling voice, desperately hoping for the latter.
“Help me, Killian von Orpheus.”
The moment the incantation left her lips, golden light erupted from the bracelet.
The intensity of the radiance was so overwhelming that not only Artia, but Killian von Orpheus and Arsen von Orpheus both squeezed their eyes shut.
When they opened their eyes again after the light faded, there was no one standing before Killian von Orpheus.
Arsen von Orpheus let out a distorted laugh, ha, ha.
So she managed to escape in such a manner.
“Killian von Orpheus, chase her down at once and kill her——.”
He could not finish his words.
A single tear was streaming down from Killian von Orpheus’s expressionless eyes.
Only then did Arsen von Orpheus realize it.
That the spell he had cast was not perfect.

* * *

Killian von Orpheus held the bracelet embedded with pink diamonds in his hand, his expression grave as he fell into contemplation.
What magic should I infuse into it?
I was skilled at transformation magic, but other spells proved far more challenging.
I couldn’t even be certain the magic would manifest properly.
After several hours of deliberation, I finally crystallized my intention.
“When Artia von Edenberg recites a specific incantation, she will be transported to my side.”
Yet my satisfied smile faded quickly as my brow furrowed.
I was confident I could protect Artia from anything.
But separate from that certainty, the world held countless variables.
For her safety, I needed to prepare flawlessly, leaving not a single gap.
In the end, I changed the destination of her teleportation.
“To the place Artia desires most.”
Over several days, I poured all my magical power into the bracelet.
With the desire to protect her woven into every thread of magic.

* * *

With a brilliant flash of light, Artia felt the strange sensation of her entire body becoming as fine as powder before reconstituting itself.
As the light faded and her eyes opened, what greeted her was….
“Why are you barging into someone else’s home without even an invitation?”
It was Charlotte, dressed in a baggy nightgown, crafting a plush doll that resembled Luka.
Before Artia could respond, crimson blood streamed from Bibi’s lips.
Catching the collapsing Bibi in her arms, Artia cried out.
“Please help us, Charlotte!”
Charlotte’s expression turned dumbfounded before she exhaled a long sigh. “Ugh…”

Charlotte was not a doctor, but her extensive reading had granted her vast medical knowledge.
After skillfully treating the wounds on Bibi’s back, she spoke.
“The cuts are deep, as if made by a massive bear’s claws.”
Had her muscles not been several times denser than those of an ordinary person, she would have met death in a single strike.
“You avoided a fatal blow, but her condition is grave. She needs to survive the night before we can breathe easy.”
Artia gazed at Bibi with reddened eyes.
Bibi had lost consciousness from the grievous wounds and the spatial displacement.
I barely held back the tears that threatened to spill onto Bibi’s pallid face.
‘This is not the time to weep.’
I bit my lip and bowed my head.
“Thank you, Charlotte.”
“Yes, you should. I don’t offer such aid to just anyone. Make sure you repay me.”
With those words, Charlotte handed me a bowl of water and a cloth.
“I’ve done my part. From here on, it’s your turn.”
I wiped Bibi’s fevered body with the water-soaked cloth.
The next day, when Charlotte entered the room at midday, she furrowed her brow upon seeing me.
“Have you been like this all night?”
“Bibi’s fever wouldn’t break. How is she now?”
Charlotte examined Bibi and spoke.
“The fever has dropped significantly. Her pulse is much more stable too. At this point, you needn’t worry about her dying.”
Only then did I release a sigh of relief.
“Thank goodness…”
As the tension drained away, my exhausted body swayed.
Yet I steadied myself by gripping the chair and asked.
“Could we speak?”
My hoarse voice carried deep fatigue, yet my rose-pink eyes shone with clarity.
‘No, I’m forcing myself to hold on.’
My body and mind had reached their limits—I would collapse at the slightest touch.
Seeing how Charlotte interpreted her furrowed brow, I spoke again.
“I’ll give you anything you want. Please, just listen to my story.”
How could I ignore eyes like that?
Charlotte sighed and dropped into a chair.
“What do you want to say?”
I met Charlotte’s gaze and spoke.
“Please tell me what happened to me yesterday.”
“I read it.”
I struggled to steady my trembling voice as I asked.
“How can the magic cast on His Majesty be broken?”
After a long silence, Charlotte finally spoke.
“Before I answer, there’s something I need to tell you. You know I met Arsen a few days ago, right?”
What could have possibly happened back then?
Charlotte continued speaking as she observed Artia’s hardened expression.
“I saw it while reading Arsen.”
“Saw what?”
Deep within Arsen’s innermost depths, there existed a man.
A beautiful man with hair as long as the night sky and golden eyes as fierce as a beast’s.
The man bearing a face identical to Killian von Orpheus was….
“Orpheus.”
Artia’s eyes widened as she failed to comprehend Charlotte’s words.
“What?”
“Orpheus! The one who founded the Empire five hundred years ago and died! He was inside Arsen!”
But that was not where it ended.
Orpheus gazed at Charlotte and offered an arrogant smile.
“Your tactless ability to read others’ souls remains unchanged, Charlotte. Under normal circumstances, I would not have tolerated this….”
Orpheus continued speaking as he observed Charlotte’s ashen face.
“After centuries, to finally meet someone who knows my true self—what a pleasant surprise. As a commemoration, I shall grant you the privilege of reading deeper: the secrets of Arsen von Orpheus.”
Orpheus’s golden eyes met Charlotte’s gaze.
Charlotte’s vision was forcibly drawn into the depths of his soul.

* * *

Five hundred years ago, there existed a man named Orpheus.
He lost his parents at birth. He possessed neither a distinguished house nor even a proper station.
Yet he was not unfortunate.
As though chosen by the divine, he possessed everything.
A robust physique, a beautiful countenance.
And overwhelming magical power.
Among countless mages, Orpheus was exceptional because he could manipulate the human mind.
I shattered the minds of those who dared oppose me, and made those I desired to recruit revere me.
Controlling humans proved easier than a child playing with toys.
Thus, at merely twenty years of age, Orpheus unified the continent that had descended into chaos.
“How simple.”
Orpheus gazed upon the vast land now his own, his long black hair billowing in the wind.
He had effortlessly achieved an accomplishment beyond ordinary human imagination, yet his eyes betrayed no hint of boredom.
They still burned with unmistakable brilliance.
There remained much he wished to accomplish.
“This land has suffered since my birth.”
Endless wars left people languishing in poverty and agony, meeting deaths as wretched as insects.
“Now that hell shall end. I shall create a new nation upon this land.”
A prosperous realm, beautiful cities, a paradise where all smile.
It was Orpheus’s dream, pure and untainted by even a speck of dust.

On a day when the sun blazed mercilessly from above, the coronation ceremony commenced.
Thousands of retainers who had aided Orpheus in founding the nation, including those from Edenberg, filled the vast Grand Chapel to its brim.
Their eyes gleamed with wonder and reverence for the young Emperor who would lead this new realm.
Orpheus made his appearance.
Clad in formal black attire, his figure was as sacred and beautiful as if divinity itself had returned to earth.
He advanced toward the dais with commanding, measured steps.
Upon the dais lay a crown, renowned for its precious and exquisite gems.
Since no one in the Empire possessed the standing to place a crown upon the Emperor’s head, Orpheus had resolved to crown himself.
As he drew closer to the crown, Orpheus’s emotions soared to their zenith.
Emperor.
Master of this vast land.
Truly, a title that pleased him immensely.
The moment Orpheus’s lips curved into a smile and he reached out his hand toward the crown….
“…!”
A searing pain, as though a blade had pierced his heart, seized him, and he collapsed to the floor.

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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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