Chapter 40: Chapter 39: A Poisonous Woman (4)

THUNK!

The arrow implanted itself in the ground, right where Lucius was standing just a few seconds ago.

Before they could figure out where it came from, the sound of another one heading their way reached his ears. Still, Lucius couldn’t react fast enough due to being on the floor. With no other choice, he was determined to use his ability.

Aurora noticed her breath turn into mist when she exhaled. She turned her head and saw Lucius’ eyes start to turn black.

She recalled her private conversation with Priest Abel. After the Priest told her about the Rizar family's curse, he talked to her after they reached the mansion.

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"Do you remember the black sword Lucius' used during his fight with the beasts?" Priest Abel said with his voice lowered, afraid someone else would hear.

Aurora recalled that Lucius had two swords with him when he saved her. She remembered the black sword turning completely white as the ice enveloped it. "Yes, I remember."

"That sword is created using special materials. It is a sort of...stabilizer for his mana. Only him, his Father, me and Dorsen knows this." The Priest put his hand on her shoulder and looked at her in desperation. "No matter what, never let him use his ice abilities without that sword. Listen, he will die without a doubt if he does."

Aurora confusedly stared at the Priest. "Why tell me? I haven't known him for long, and eventually we'll have nothing to do with each other. I'm only a guest."

The Priest smiled at her puzzled expression. "It's a hunch."

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Priest Abel told her that the black sword he used was a sort of stabilizer for his mana. If he used his ability without it, what will happen?

“Stop! Don’t…!!”

Lucius, who became distracted by her words, stopped. Fie was too busy fighting the other men and couldn't catch up in time.

Even though he was able to use his rune to put up a barrier around him, the arrow still pierced Lucius’ left shoulder, and he slumped to the ground.

At that critical time, someone from behind Aurora pulled her back and turned to escape with her under his arm.

“Master!!” Fie didn’t bother about the kidnapped Aurora. Instead, the shadow Knight quickly finished off their last opponent and ran towards the Duke. Lucius came to as the Shadow Knight helped him sit up. Fie didn’t want to move him too much in fear that the arrow would pierce deeper.

He clenched his fist so hard that the joints cracked and with his voice cold, he asked his Shadow Knight. “Where is she?”

Fie trembled and dropped to one knee, with their head lowered. “I-I apologize…I wasn’t able to s-save her.”

Flames of fury danced in the depths of his eyes. Lucius himself didn’t even realize how angry he was, to the point where he was unable to collect himself.

He let his guard down.

Those men were probably mercenaries. They were only a diversion to draw his attention away from their true target.

From the very beginning, they weren’t after him, but her!

Lucius spat out a mouthful of black blood from the poison that had already seeped into his system.

“Master!” Seeing this, Fie was greatly alarmed and ran to his side.

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Aurora was caught tight in her kidnapper's clutches.

No matter how much she struggled, the man didn't stir.

Really, she didn't understand what was going on at all. It seemed like those men didn't target them randomly. Rather, they were familiar with the Duke, but in the end, their aim was her. For what reason?

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They were using her to kill the Duke.

Besides this reason, Aurora couldn’t think of any other purpose.

If so, how silly.

What use would she be? Her death at the Duke’s hands was inevitable. Still, Aurora was a person who cherished her life. She’ll only allow one man to take it.

Besides, she was certain this man wouldn’t kill her for now. He wouldn’t have captured her if that was what he or the person behind him wanted. Since she was safe for now, she’d be obedient. And when her foresight gave her a chance to escape, she’d take it.

One glanced at the young girl who was no longer struggling in his arm. He thought she might be up to something, but what can this tiny thing do against a full-fledged adult male?

When they neared the West gate, he saw that they were starting to close it.

“Hah, they surely work fast.”

He put Aurora down and then gripped her arm. He leaned down towards her ear and pressed his sword at her side. “Don’t cause a scene or I’ll kill you right here.”

Aurora didn’t say anything. She was docile as he pulled her along with him.

He took off his cape, revealing short brown hair and eyes with both ears pierced. 

One wrapped his bow and arrows in the cape and strung it over his back.

"How long are you going to make us wait?!" A young woman at the gate yelled at one of the guards.

"That's right! My little brother is sick and I have to bring him this medicine!" A male next to the woman spoke up.

The gathering people at the gate were all angry and frustrated that they suddenly refused to allow anyone to leave.

"Please calm down." A guard with a sword at his hip stood in front of the displeased crowd. "A wanted criminal was spotted in the City, and we're just taking precautions until he'd caught."

When One and Aurora walked in front, that same guard tried to hold them back. "You can't go any furt- "

"It's fine. He's a friend." A middle-aged man put a hand on the guard's shoulder. "Deal with this mess until I return."

“Yes, Captain!” The guard saluted and left to calm the people once again.

The Captain guard led One and Aurora out of the City through a door the guards used. “Give the Duke my greetings.” He said to One before he closed the door.

Duke? Were these two people working for one of the other three Dukes?

Aurora was surprised.

From long ago, the Epheria Empire had four Dukes. Each Duke are important pillars that support the Empire. Even though the Noble system now focuses more on power than bloodline, this still hasn’t changed. 

Aurora was well aware of the four dukedoms in the Empire.

The Blaise Dukedom of the West with political power, the Argyros Dukedom of the South with knowledge in medicine, the Dion Dukedom of the East with economic power and the Kronos Dukedom of the North with military power. It wasn't until after she read the history of the Rizar household that she realized it was actually the Kronos Dukedom.

Although the Kronos Dukedom also used to focus on military power, they were lenient with their children's futures. None of the books stated the reason, but they put in a request to the Emperor at that time to change their family name. This sort of request was very rare and took time to process. Eventually, the Emperor gave his approval on account of their achievements.

The reason the four Dukes kept the balance between each other was because of the founding Emperor.

It was believed that every Emperor after the first, had Goddess Alafia's blessing. And no one was dumb enough to against divinity. Because of this, the First Emperor's proclamation that declared the four pillars of the Empire must not go against each other, seek external powers, or bring harm to the Empire, was still kept to this day.

And yet, there was actually an idiot who wanted to break the long-lasting balance between the four pillars of the Empire?

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