Chapter 321

Extra 1. After the Great War (15)

Naturally, the warning message that spread throughout the continent was relayed to Akrich and his proxy as well.

[Any castle in the Empire is fine! Find and inform them of the whereabouts of the Heaven-Defying Seeker of Tao and his Companion! That is the only option left for you!]

At the repeated warning, a woman, Ji Sang-Hee, snorted.

It wouldnt be enough even if he was begging us to lift the curse. What is he doing?

She didnt seem to be taking the warning very seriously.

[For him to have stepped forward at this point, it means that things in the West didnt work out as well as expected.]

Akrich thought differently.

[Either the Dragon and her Contractor are much stronger than we thought, or the other Transcendentals are far more incompetent than we thought. Neither is good for us.]

Who cares. Either way, the curse was successful and were the ones holding the sword.

Ji Sang-Hee said that no matter how great the Dragon Lord and her Contractor were, there was nothing they could do in front of his dying child and wife.

Its about time for the full effect of the curse to slowly show itself. I dont know about that Empress or whatever, but the child wont be able to withstand the curse for very long.

But her expectations were completely wrong.

The Empires Crown Prince, who she had been certain would be on the brink of death by now, had passed that hurdle to some extent.

***

Najima came as the representative of the Qeishas, who had entrusted themselves to the Empire. She was holding one of the Eternal Flowers, of which there were only two left in the world.

He said to deliver this to you, Your Imperial Majesty.

Having already seen the benefits of the Eternal Flower once, Ophelia knew how precious it was. That was why she first asked what price her husband had paid for it.

However, Najima didnt tell her what it was. She simply replied that he paid the appropriate price for it.

Then I will use it with the gravity it deserves.

Even after deliberating over it, her answer was ultimately decided from the beginning. First, she had to save Victorius from the brink of death.

Then, I will take my leave, Your Imperial Majesty.

Perhaps she was well aware of her plight of being hated by the Empress for unreasonably using the title of Companion, Najima tried to retreat as soon as her business was over.

Where is the Grand Duke?

His Grace knew that the Eternal Flower would not be the radical solution, so he decided to find the caster of the curse himself and break it. I may not know anything else, but I know that he will most likely not return until he is finished, Your Imperial Majesty.

Akrichs curse was a vicious one that continuously sapped away the cursed persons life force, and unless the hole was blocked, the persons life force would inevitably be depleted eventually.

Now, even I know this fact. He is not wandering around the world; the world is calling him.

Ophelia sighed at her husbands fate of having itchy feet and wandering the world.

Then, if you require nothing more

Thank you.

Najima was about to leave the Grand Hall when she turned her head at the voice she heard.

While I may not like you, I am not a ruthless monarch who does not know grace or how to repay a favor. Even if you say he paid the price, the fact that your clan has given me a precious treasure remains the same. So today, I am going to lift the Imperial ban and give you access to the Imperial Palace.

You mean

I mean that should you wish, you may come and see the Grand Duke.

Of all things, the man she shared a soul with was the husband of a monarch who united the continent. For her who had to live day by day with an empty soul, this lift of the ban was like a light in the darkness for her.

Thank you, thank you, Your Imperial Majesty.

However, that is all I have allowed. Be careful with anything else.

Prostrating on the floor, Najima shook her head. Tears flowed from her eyes as she expressed her gratitude over and over again.

Tsk.

Ophelia clicked her tongue and gestured with her hand as she saw the tears through her veil.

***

From afar, Kim Seon-Hyeok stared at the Imperial Palace before turning around.

Lets go.

[Will it really be alright? While you have bought some time with the Eternal Flower, I cannot guarantee how long it will take to capture the cunning Akrich. Even if we were to find him, as long as we do not remove his origin, Akrich will continue to live and the curse will not disappear.]

With a hard expression, he shook his head at Eddas considerate offer to go and at least see their faces.

For now, I have to avoid anything that might dull my anger and determination. Even if that should be meeting my beloved wife and child.

His eyes were completely different from before. His sharp eyes had no relaxation and the only thing that could be seen in them was poison.

What I will be doing from now on is not something I can do with a soft heart.

***

Ji Sang-Hee and Akrich believed that the proud Transcendentals and their Companions would not move to search for them just because of the warning.

That was a complete mistake.

In an unknown city where she stopped for supplies, Ji Sang-Hee unexpectedly met another proxy. Since she retreated quickly before the other person could sense her presence, she could not figure out that persons purpose.

She was unclear whether it had been a simple coincidence or if it was related to her.

But once became twice and three encounters became four. As she encountered the other proxies more and more, she realized that the other proxies purpose was her.

Do they have no pride? Are they really doing it just because they were told to?

Until then, she hadnt realized the seriousness of her situation.

Occasionally, she may have accidentally ran into the proxies, but as long as they didnt pick a fight with her, it was enough for her to run away.

That was until recently.

Are they crazy?

The proxies had only searched for her before, but at some point, they began to earnestly pressure her. There were even some who rushed at her with the intent to directly confront her.

And not long after, a fight truly broke out.

Although she ultimately managed to push him away at the end of a fight where no one had gained the upper hand, this still scared the daylights out of her when previously, she hadnt felt a sense of danger.

However, as time went on, the proxies began to get more aggressive. As if chasing a bounty, the proxies rushed at her with intense eyes.

While it was possible for her to either push back or escape from her opponent each time, it had now become difficult for her to even stop by remote villages for supplies.

Damn, Im annoyed. What the hell. Whys my situation like this because of those damn bastards?

As she ran away from the pursuit, she naturally ran back and forth between the mountains and fields where there were very few people. It only took an instant for her neat appearance to become untidy.

But still, it was endurable until then. Though it was a bit uncomfortable, it wasnt actually dangerous.

Even if a fight broke out, her pursuers werent risking their lives to chase after her. That was because none of them knew which of them would bleed if the fight were to become uncontrolled.

However, the situation changed again. One day, the proxies started putting their lives on the line to chase after her.

As if dealing with a deadly enemy, their attacks became more desperate and Ji Sang-Hee had to run away without even knowing the reason why.

But, some of the proxies chasing after her were contracted with beings stronger than Akrich and she was caught at the end of her escape.

Have you no pride?! Youre going to do it because you were ordered to?!

Akrichs skull was already broken and his entire body had been disassembled while Ji Sang-Hee had two broken legs and was unable to escape. All she could do was shout at them in a fit of rage.

I got this helmet with a lot of difficulties! Gah, so annoying.

The man who broke both her legs complained as he looked at his helmet that was half-melted by her magic. It looked like she didnt even register to him.

Why are you doing this to me?!

Ji Sang-Hee grinded her teeth. His attitude of ignoring her was annoying, but what made her even angrier was that unrelated people had b