Chapter 24

Ambasha had feelings for Franklin.

She was like an older sister with whom she spent the most time, and someone who taught her everything from A to Z.

However, despite this closeness, there was always one unease lurking in Ambasha’s heart.

The more she got to know Franklin, the more certain she became of this fact.

Deep down in her heart…

She harbored feelings of ‘longing’ for that man.

It seemed most people were oblivious, but witnessing it up close made it painfully obvious.

Every time she saw him, her cheeks would slightly redden.

She would excessively delight in his small kindnesses.

And… even when she spent all night mixing cabbage with pepper for him, her face would beam with indescribable happiness.

Such moments stirred Ambasha’s heart in turmoil, yet she had tried hard to turn a blind eye to them until now.

It was a significant matter she couldn’t compromise on, yet her friendship with Franklin was also something valuable.

She didn’t want to create conflict with her beloved sister.

However, this discomfort that she had been avoiding did not completely vanish, instead leaving an unsettling residue in her heart.

One day, inevitably… she longed to transcend Franklin.

And now, in the midst of unexpected arguments…

In a situation where she found herself unintentionally opposing Franklin.

Ambasha’s feelings began to ignite.

“I won’t lose… not now… not ever…”

Though still young, she had her own desires.

She wanted to receive praise from her father… and to take one more step forward from there.

Amidst these desires and the ignition of her bottled-up emotions,

Ambasha strove to maintain her composure as best as she could, observing the situation…

Keeping an eye on the argument between Magellan and Elkana.

“Using Achroiel as you suggest might be more beneficial, but it’s better to avoid dangerous situations as much as possible. After all, our actions might just interfere with the Pirate King.”

“I don’t see the Pirate King being so easily shaken. And if we wall ourselves off, when will we ever rise to the ranks? If we want to succeed from within, we need to seize opportunities when they arise.”

“Umm…”

Though there were differing opinions, Magellan appeared to be slightly losing the verbal battle.

But no matter how much Elkana led the concession, the captain of this mission was undoubtedly Franklin.

Ultimately, it fell upon her to make the final decision.

Ambasha concluded that more than just simple public opinion would be needed to overturn this.

And, after much contemplation, she finally developed a solution…

“How about we do this? We can’t completely ignore the original mission, so let’s split the teams. It’s just that Franklin shouldn’t be too close to that woman, so please make some noise on the outside with Magellan as planned. Elkana and I will keep a low profile and quietly grab the treasure.”

“Oh, that sounds reasonable. Even if this is a trap set by Achroiel, they won’t dare make any rash moves against us just based on suspicion.”

“Umm… that’s certainly true, but…”

Magellan pondered this rather decent compromise.

Meanwhile, Franklin spoke cautiously, her face still filled with concern.

“That… it’s definitely better than rushing in together. But even so, I’m still worried. If something were to happen and Ambasha got hurt…”

“!…”

Franklin’s sincere worry hit home, making Ambasha feel a twinge of guilt.

Unlike her who was burning with competitive spirit due to emotional ignition, her older sister expressed pure concern for her.

Seeing that made her feel a pang of self-reproach, yet having come this far, Ambasha couldn’t back down.

“It’s okay, sister. Even if we’re found out, Elkana and I can just say we were forced together due to threats. No matter what, we can hold out until ‘that’ moment.”

“…That may be, but…”

“Don’t worry. No matter what happens, I’ll protect Ambasha.”

Elkana stated confidently.

Hesitant feelings swirled in Franklin, yet she ultimately accepted.

“…Alright. But you must never let your guard down. No matter how sweet her smile is, remember that Achroiel is an enemy.”

“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind, sister.”

Finally, Franklin granted permission.

Ambasha beamed with joy.

*

Early morning.

After a sleepless night, Auriel finally got out of bed.

The words of that man lingered in her mind, not leaving her.

No matter how she thought about it, they were simply unbelievable.

Yet the seeds of doubt birthed from that were steadily rooting in her heart.

“They’re all just tales of wicked demons… There’s no way something like that could happen…”

She tried multiple times to gather her strength, but in the end, unable to bear her suffocation, Auriel carefully opened the door and stepped into the hotel.

“It’s just a check… I don’t particularly suspect Bishop Judah, but if I stay like this, it might disrupt the performance…”

She admitted to herself that she was a dishonest person.

At the same time, she recognized her many doubts and her still insufficient faith.

According to the words of Lady Magdalene, faith is about believing in invisible truths.

It was truly pathetic and pitiful of her to need to verify such nonsensical tales with her own eyes, succumbing to the devil’s tricks…

As she slowly made her way forward, relying on her aura in the darkness.

-Duruduru

“!”

A small voice began to reach her ears.

At the sound echoing down the hallway, Auriel hurriedly concealed herself behind a large potted plant right next to her.

A part of her wondered why she was hiding, but she ignored it and focused on the dim light and growing voices approaching.

“Then, is Marquis Giovanni already over there?”

“Yes, indeed. He is eagerly awaiting the birth of the holy relic. We need to hurry.”

“Haha, of course, with so much money at stake.”

‘… Bishop…?’

The Bishop was behaving in a way that was completely different from usual.

Always wearing a gentle smile, but in this moment, the face illuminated by faint light was devoid of the Bishop’s usual warmth.

An expression filled with deep joy and greed.

As Auriel observed the unfamiliar side of the Bishop she thought she knew, she felt the doubt in her heart growing stronger and carefully followed behind.

Using her aura to suppress her presence,

They were completely unaware Auriel was following them, continuing their excited conversation.

“Who else is coming beside you?”

“Marquis Rayt and Count Mister, about twenty or so. It seems almost all the famous nobles of Benessa are gathered here.”

“Of course, right? Where else would we find such a wonderful opportunity? Though it’s for the creation of the holy relic, it’s the first and last chance to do as we please with Auriel.”

“!…”

Even though she heard it with her own ears, it was utterly unbelievable.

She began to feel dizzy.


The world around her darkened, and her breath quickened.

The pain of doubt morphing into certainty was far more horrifying than she had imagined.

The sensation of everything she thought she knew crumbling around her.

Struggling even to take one step forward in the merciless reality,

Auriel felt herself sinking down to the ground in disbelief.

“Yet, it’s a bit regrettable. That woman has brought in a lot of money so far… thanks to that, didn’t you just purchase a new villa?”

“Thinking about what we could gain from this, that’s nothing… huh?”

At that moment,

The priest abruptly froze.

“What’s wrong?”

“…Who the hell are you?!”

“!”

Due to the earlier shock, her aura had inadvertently weakened.

Recognizing her presence, the priest reacted,

Feeling a chill run down her spine, Auriel turned and sprinted away.

“Damn it! Go and catch her! Don’t let her make strange sounds to Auriel!”

“Yes!”

In the darkness, the priest seemed to be still unclear on who she was, running after her with a sword in hand.

Seeing him, who was usually so gentle, now charging towards her to kill, Auriel was engulfed in utter chaos and despair.

“How… How can this happen… This has to be a nightmare… There’s no way this is reality…”

In sheer despair, Auriel denied her reality and fled from the hotel.

Wandering the night streets, straying from where she even was, she simply kept running forward.

At that moment…

“Cough!!!”

Sudden, excruciating pain.

A dagger embedded in her ankle caused Auriel’s body to tumble to the ground.

And…

Towards the fallen Auriel,


The priest slowly approached, heavy footsteps echoing.