Chapter 266

〈Chapter 266〉Part 1, Chapter 12

As we pondered ways to kidnap the bride without provoking Suborof and Russia, we came up with an absolutely brilliant plan.

“What about kidnapping only the bride’s spirit?”

Though someone might ask if that’s even possible, fortunately we had plenty of talented individuals at our disposal.

First, Maamryong, who stands at the pinnacle of dealing with souls. Maamryong personally enters Rusalka’s body to persuade her. Unlike me, as spirits sharing a past, they can have a more sincere conversation.

Second, creating a doppelgänger through the technique of “Divided Spirit.”


We’ve got Yuha, the Puppet Master, who specializes in splitting personalities, and Hikari who can research the manifestation mechanism of this special ability.

And finally, securing a vessel for the doppelgänger.


After much deliberation, luckily Light Blade had an appropriate medium.

Xroid.


A 1:1 scale figure secretly ordered out of longing for Rusalka. Originally intended for housekeeping support, Light Blade had been privately keeping this Xroid with Rusalka’s exact figure out of love.

One side will continue as Anastasha, the Russian Round Table special abilities user <Undine>, while the other will be either the original or the double but still be <Rusalka> alongside Light Blade.

Although this Xroid Rusalka is probably just a simple mechanical doll devoid of magic power, there should be no issues with mental communication with Light Blade.

And I know a way to bring all these fragmented conditions together into reality.

The Cube.


I planned to use the Cube to replicate the abilities of the Puppet Master and imbue them into Rusalka.

* * *

“Good. It seems actually possible.”

Upon hearing my plan, Rusalka began seriously contemplating the possibility of creating a double through divided spirit.

“It might be a bit uncomfortable at first because it’s a machine body. But with enough research, we might be able to create a bio-android too?”

“Who?”

“Himeji Hikari. We have a professor who can make anything given time and budget.”

A universal genius who could advance human civilization single-handedly when reaching the myth level, laying the foundation for humanity’s journey into outer space.

“If you want both lives as Anastasha and Rusalka, I’ll give you both. It’s called ‘Homunculus.'”

“…Alright. I understand up to that point. Using the Cube to replicate Yuhwa’s special ability and allowing me to exist as two in the world.”

Precisely, it will be a situation of splitting the personality into two, but neither side will cease to be Rusalka.

Just as Yuhwa sealed his reckless nature into his seventh puppet, if Rusalka pours her overwhelming lust into her other personality, such problems won’t occur again.

“But that’s not the ultimate solution. I’ll keep getting fiancés, and father will keep trying to marry me off.”

“Yes. So we’ll cut off Rasputin’s…”


“My goodness, why did the story suddenly go there?”

Rusalka stroked the head of Maamryong sleeping in her arms. Maamryong, having said to deal with it himself, detached from Rusalka’s body and merged with the bed.

“Are you planning to turn all my fiancés into perverts?”

“No. Only Rasputin. We can’t sever the lineage of unfortunate noble families. We’re only targeting Rasputin.”

I briefly explained Rasputin’s special ability.

When Rusalka learned that anyone who lets Rasputin near their body becomes his mind-controlled slave, she genuinely started to loathe Rasputin.

“Should I cut it off?”

“What if you get pregnant just by looking? Are you that desperate?”

“…Then who will do it? You’re technically female too.”

“That’s true.”

Since every spirit conveniently has a female form, none of us could do it. Thus, I brought someone stronger than Rasputin.

“Light Blade will do it.”

“My lord…?”

“Yes. He must personally execute the one who touched his wife, right?”

Though I didn’t actually say those exact words, Rusalka chuckled and lowered her head.

“My lord really…”

“And Light Blade cutting male parts ends here. After sacrificing Rasputin, I plan to immediately marry you to him.”

“What?”

At my statement about bringing Light Blade to the forefront, Rusalka’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Are you going to advertise that Light Blade is alive?”

“No. Anyway, no one knows what Light Blade looks like now, right? Light Blade was a nobody in his youth.”

S-level fame came during the time when he lost Rusalka and looked significantly older. In fact, he used to grow a beard and neglect self-care, so not many would recognize Young Master Heo Yun-hwan.

“I’ll transform Light Blade into a new identity. People think Light Blade’s trademark is wildly emitting light swords, but he’s actually a swordsmanship expert, isn’t he?”

“Our lord does have quite remarkable sword skills.”

“…Yes. Therefore, I’ll transform him into an SS-level special abilities user skilled in sword energy. Someone who lived hidden in the Busan area, never registered with the association, fell in love at first sight with you. Got it?”

“…Can we make the first meeting happen on the Sokcho beach?”

“Tch.”

Rusalka impressively tried to mix some truth into the external propaganda.

“Do you like Hyun-wan that much? To the point where you can’t live without him?”

“…Once, no, twice I let go of something I couldn’t regain. I won’t lose my lord this time. Even if it means becoming your enemy.”

“There’s no need for such metaphors since I don’t plan to fight you. I understand your resolve, so that’s fine.”

The commotion outside hasn’t subsided yet. Members of the Vladimir family are rushing to the tower, knocking on the door, but thanks to the reinforced barrier set up by Rusalka, no one can enter.

“Miss! Are you alright?!”

“Princess!!”

“…Sorry about that.”

Rusalka gave a bitter smile to the maids worriedly knocking on the barrier.

“Still, it can’t be helped. Since I have to hand over Light Blade to Suborof.”

“About that monster Phoenix…”

Because of my stubbornness that the first person to witness us must be “Suborof,” Rusalka resealed the surroundings despite the barrier breaking once already.

“Light Blade isn’t just an ordinary existence either, Suborof needs to realize that. If we bring in an SS-level son-in-law from another organization, wouldn’t we then favor the Vladimir family more? They’d receive even crumbs.”

“Aren’t you saying something similar to what our dad would?”

“To Suborof?”

“Yeah. What dad said when he decided to marry me off to Lord.”

“…What?”

What exactly is Rusalka talking about? I dumbly asked back, and Rusalka turned her head awkwardly as she recounted Suborof’s plan.

“So you’re acting Juliet? Pretending there’s no parent-child relationship?”

“Everyone needs a convincing process, right? …Your plan isn’t bad, but doesn’t it seem extremely villainous?”

“Um…”

It was confusion due to differing information. Nonetheless, if Suborof has such thoughts, this operation can conclude without major issues.

“We just need to cut off Rasputin.”

“While you’re at it, persuade our dad too. I just want to get married to Lord immediately. I want to hold onto Lord in Red Square and have a parade.”

“…I planned the wedding at Gwanghwamun Square.”

Our gazes met in mid-air.

“Why am I having a wedding in Korea when I’m Russian?”

“Do spirits have nationalities?”

“You made a Korean ID card for convenience.”

“For operational convenience… Tsk, fine. I admit that.”

I quickly changed the topic of the conversation.

“Don’t you think the husband’s country is the proper place for the first wedding?”

“Are you incredibly patriarchal? Considering the situation, wouldn’t it be better to have the wedding in Russia? Frankly speaking, since villains are trying to steal the princess of Russia, how do you think people of this country would feel?”

“They’d call it a nation of thieves. Tsk. Fine. I admit that too.”

I played my final card.

“How about having the wedding in the country with a daughter?”

“…”

Rusalka couldn’t say anything. Naturally, the sore point for this couple was their daughter Seok Harang, and Rusalka also feared directly facing her daughter.

“You need to reconcile with your daughter. Even if you can’t sit at the family seats, surely you wouldn’t prevent her from sitting at the guest seats? Aren’t you scared to see Seok Harang?”

“…”

Rusalka hesitated to respond. Although I saw less resistance in Rusalka compared to before, I didn’t press further. Unfortunately, there was another mouth besides mine.

“Sister’s daughter is pretty. Though, because she’s sister’s daughter, flat chest, hi-ying.”

Rusalka stretched Phoenix’s cheeks.

“This guy talks too much. Lord likes my chest anyway, so it’s fine.”

“The size of the Xroid chest can be modified.”

“Even if we do that, I’ll get Lord’s permission. Whose body is this anyway?”

“Hee Yun-hwan’s?”

“Of course.”

Rusalka tapped her chest with her hand and mocked me. Every time they displayed marital affection, my heart ached seeing their modest chests and concerns about their daughter.

“Got it. Whether you share the love of reunion again or endure until the honeymoon, it’s up to you. Just don’t cause trouble like this time.”

“…You.”

Rusalka rolled her eyes left and right and sighed deeply.

“…If you go to India and awaken fully to the stream of light, can I ask for one favor?”

“What is it?”

I pretended to know but asked anyway. Rusalka seemed to be waiting for me to ask back.

“…Talk to Lord, and if Lord agrees, I want to meet Harang once.”

Rusalka finally gathered her courage.

“What kind of change in perspective happened?”

“…Since becoming human, I’ve never fought with dad.”

Rusalka lowered her head and began revealing her true feelings in a trembling voice.

“Dad always thought of me first, cared for me, and cherished me. …Maybe it’s because I died and came back to life? It was the first love I ever felt, so I didn’t want to lose this relationship.”

Rusalka’s voice started shaking more and more.

“But after fighting this time, I noticed… Dad became really annoying… On the other hand, I kept rationalizing that he was doing it for me… That’s how it went.”

Rusalka lifted her head. Her eyes were brimming with tears.

“My daughter never received that kind of love, right…?”

“Alone…”

Without realizing it, a curt remark slipped out of my mouth.

“As you know, Seok Harang spent nearly 12 years in an orphanage, unaware of having parents. Although Light Blade took her in in 2012, they never interacted as father and daughter. He was merely a sponsor.”

“…Yeah. We failed to become a family. Rather, you’re closer to Harang now, aren’t you? …Isn’t that right, Phoenix?”

“…Tsk.”

I flicked my tongue at Phoenix, who subtly averted his gaze and hid behind Rusalka.

“Probably, you know more about Harang than I do as her mother. …Since you’re truly her future husband, right? Son-in-law?”

“…I’m not your son-in-law now, so stop calling me strangely.”

“Even so, as a former son-in-law, won’t you help arrange a chance for reconciliation between your in-laws and wife?”

“…”

In the original story, they never met each other. By the time Seok Harang forgave them, they were already deceased.

But now, they’re gathering the courage to reach out first. I suddenly felt a lump in my throat and turned toward the window.

“…Why are these uncles so late?”

Suborof needs to come quickly so we can proceed to the next plan. Why hasn’t Light Blade released his ultimate move yet? If Rasputin comes now…

“…..!!”

An alien magical aura pierced my skin. Rusalka and Phoenix also prepared for battle against the magical force seeping through the barrier.

“This is…!”

“Ahzidahaka’s…?”

I felt Azidahaka’s magical power from the main palace. I rushed to the window, wrapped my eyes with magical power to enhance my vision.

“Damn.”

And I saw it.

An S-rank dark attribute monster created by Azidahaka.

Based on an S-rank special abilities user.

“Turned Rasputin into a monster?”

“Then there’s no hindrance to killing him, right?”

I sincerely thanked Azidahaka.