Chapter 320

Extra 1. After the Great War (14)

Kim Seon-Hyeoks expression hardened as he arrived at the Imperial Capital. He already knew that a large-scale battle had taken place in the capital because he heard it from the commander, but when he saw it with his own eyes, he realized that it was much worse than he had imagined.

Huge pits were scattered here and there as if a massive meteorite had fallen and sections of the city that had been swept up in the battle were gone without a trace.

The western section of the splendid capital of Adenstein,[1] which had prospered and thrived in recent years, had completely evaporated.

As soon as he saw the empty space that couldnt even be called a ruin, his worries about Ophelia interrogating him disappeared as if he had never worried about it. Anger took its place.

How dare they

He was truly furious at the Trancendentals dirty trick of infiltrating the capital in his absence.

And his anger peaked when he met Ophelia.

This

Her already pale face was as white as a sheet of paper. There wasnt a single bit of color in her complexion. It was as if she was suffering from a terrible disease.

[Its a sign of the curse. He said a skeleton made of gold was among the Transcendentals who attacked. It seems like Akrich, the Heaven-Defying Seeker of Tao, was also here.]

Ophelia wasnt the only one who was weakened by the curse. Held in his mothers arm, Victorius face was no different from his mothers.

[The Empress of the Empire has absorbed the Eternal Flower and her life force surpasses that of human beings. She will not be greatly affected by the curse right away, but it is not the same in the childs case. Had it not been for the dragons blood, he would have died immediately.]

No, in Victorius case, the situation was even worse. The appearance of the limp and motionless child showed that he was hanging by a thread.

Kim Seon-Hyeok felt like his head was spinning.

O, Ophelia.

He barely managed to catch his breath and called his beloved wifes name.

Im alright.

He felt like his entire world was collapsing at her voice, which was as weak as her complexion was sickly.

Tremble tremble.

His hand shook as he caressed his wifes cold cheek. Even though there were many people watching and protecting them, Ophelia didnt refuse his touch. For now, it seemed like she wanted to be true to her feelings as a wife rather than think about saving the dignity of a monarch.

Caressing her cheek as she leaned in his hand, Kim Seon-Hyeok looked at his child in her arms.

The cheerful child who would instantly, and scarily, recognize his fathers presence and jump out of bed to greet him wasnt there. He didnt open his eyes even when his most loved father was right in front of his eyes right now. He continued to breathe with much difficulty, his face so pale that it was looking bluish.

[Seeing how the curse is so strong, it seems like the Heaven-Defying Seeker of Tao is, contrary to rumors, not dead. Well, if its the cunning Seeker, he would have hidden the vessel of his life somewhere else. Even if we were to destroy his body, it would be pointless.]

As soon as he heard those words, Kim Seon-Hyeok stopped trembling. It was almost as if he had never trembled.

Ophelia.

His voice was soft but cold.

Wait a little longer.

Grand Duke!

Ophelias eyes widened at his sudden words.

The caster of the curse is still alive. As long as I dont deal with him, the curse wont go away.

I heard from the fortress commander that there was an incident you had to deal with as well.

Kim Seon-Hyeok took a step backward as he responded.

Ill give you a report on everything together once I return.

That is not what I mean. It would not be a lie to say you are going back and forth between opposite ends of the continent. Grand Duke, I simply meant that you also need a break.

He shook his head.

Theres no time. Even at this moment, the curse is eating away at you and Victor.

Scholars who are second to none, as well as the mages of the Empire, are searching for a solution. So

Rudely, Kim Seon-Hyeok turned around without listening to the Empress until the end.

I will happily take any reprimand after I return.

Grand Duke!

Ophelias voice could be heard behind him, but he left the Grand Hall as if he didnt hear anything.

Im sorry.

As he was walking out the door, he heard a familiar voice.

I dare not look at you, Grand Duke.[2]

It was the head of the Imperial Guard, Marquis Reinhardt.

Looking at how much older he had gotten in the past few months, it was clear to Kim Seon-Hyeok how much Marquis Reinhardt had blamed and pushed himself.

That was why Kim Seon-Hyeok couldnt bear any resentment towards the Marquis.

I heard that the Imperial Guards suffered a lot of damage.

He had heard from the commander that all the knights of the Imperial Guard who had responded first, had all been annihilated. Even knowing the fact they could not beat their enemies, they had gone out to buy time with their lives.

I heard that because the Imperial Guards bought time, the others were able to respond in a timely manner.

Kim Seon-Hyeok dipped his head. He was grateful to the old knight and the knights of the Imperial Guards for protecting his family.

I

The Marquis voice was full of shame. The fact that he hadnt been able to fully protect the Empress, nor the fact that he