A second black sorcerer was found in Hautean.
Seeing Demian in her hideout, the black sorcerer immediately tried to blow up the basement, she sprayed her own blood and even chanted the demon’s name. But Demian was too fast, he rushed in, broke her arm, and destroyed the spell before the black sorcerer could finish it. The black sorcerer tried her best to break free, but as soon as she realized that all her attacks were useless against Demian, she drank the poison that she made and killed herself.
A great deal of evidence poured out of the hideout.
She took abandoned children with the promise to feed them, but she actually taught them black magic. She made potions using the demon’s mana and sold them to the priests. Not only were there traces of her doing business with poison and drugs, but there was also human trafficking. It seemed that she committed all kinds of crimes while hiding in Hautean.
Isadora gathered all the evidence and presented them to the King. The knights of the royal family were dispatched for fairness in the investigation. Needless to say, the Temple of Glory turned upside down as the names of the priests who had brought drugs from the black sorcerer began to be mentioned.
“How dare they!”
The King was furious.
All of Isadora’s reports turned out to be true according to the knights of the royal family.
The royal family issued an order to capture all those involved. Feeling anxious, Marquess of Bailey rushed to the Temple of Glory to ask for protection, but the temple decided that it was time to sever its relationship with him. A few young priests took the fall for the temple. At the behest of the higher rank priests, they pointed to Marquess of Bailey as their broker and the ball was later passed on to Prince Sidhar.
“We need to punish the Marquess.”
Instead of saving the Marquess of Bailey, the cunning Prince tried to show that he had nothing to do with the incident by condemning him louder than anyone else.
“Although the Marquess did not harm anyone directly, it is clear that he is an accomplice. We need to make an example of this incident and warn the nobles of Hautean not to lay a hand on such a dirty matter.”
The typical cutting tie.
∘₊✧──────✧₊∘
“It was because of that woman.”
Marquess of Bailey thought that all of these were traps set up by the cunning Isadora.
“I was stupid to give a noble name to a lowly commoner. How dare she? She didn’t even know who made her that rich.”
Isadora was able to expand her trading company because of her incredible skill. But the Marquess of Bailey attributed it all to the noble name he had granted her.
There was a lot of criticism against him outside. The loudest one was from the nobles who were close to him as political comrades.
“Filthy traitors. The foolish lot who neither know loyalty nor justice.”
On that day, the envoy of the royal family arrived in the Marquess’ manor.
“Taking into account the years of being a prestigious noble in Hautean, you are given an opportunity to plead guilty. Prostrate yourself before the King and confess. That is the only repentance you can make.”
The Marquess completely lost his rationality and soon began to vent his anger like a madman.
“Isadora!”
This was all because of that woman.
Isadora. That bloody woman. The woman who ignored and looked down on him throughout their marriage.
“Just wait and see. You and your daughter will never be safe.”
If his life was going to end here, their lives should too. That’s what a blood-related family was like.
His determined face was distorted like a demon.
∘₊✧──────✧₊∘
The next day, Lara was out at the shopping district to personally pick the curtains for the guest who had entered the annex and for the one who will come in soon.
“It’s great that the rain has stopped.”
Lara chose a curtain with a double layer of dark blue fabric and white lace.
As soon as she saw it, she was reminded of Demian’s blue eyes and didn’t even grab anything else.
Eunice and Ximena were also with Lara.
They said that shopping for autumn clothes was supposed to be done before autumn, so they brought Lara to order a riding suit.
“You look like you’re in a good mood.”
Eunice said teasingly.
Lara tilted her head and asked back.
“Me?”
“You just keep smiling all the time. Is it that good that the rain has stopped?”
Lara doubted Eunice and looked in the mirror. Strangely enough, the corner of her lips curved up.
Ximena approached Lara and said with a smile.
“Of course she would be in a good mood.”
“Do I really look like that?”
“To be honest, isn’t she lucky? I knew some information about the black sorcerer who sold the aphrodisiac, then I told Lara about that, and apparently, the aphrodisiac seller was the black sorcerer’s apprentice… It was excessive luck, rather than a coincidence.”
That was because she already knew some parts of the full story, but Lara just nodded.
“Yeah, I was lucky.”
“Lara.”
“Yeah?”
“Have you tried the aphrodisiac?”
“Why should I use that?”
“You have your stunning mighty warrior. If you add it in alcohol and drink it with him…”
“Ximena!”
When Lara shouted, the two people giggled as they enjoyed teasing Lara.
“Hey, if you aren’t using it, give it to me.”
“What are you talking about, Eunice? I was the one who told her about it. She should give it to me.”
“Is it effective? Did you not ask him about that?”
Flustered, Lara explained that she didn’t ask because she thought it was fake anyway.
“Isn’t that a waste? You bought it for 300 gold. Is the alchemist going to live in your house now? Can we meet him if we go there?”
“Why do you want to meet him?”
“Discount for employer’s friends…”
“Hey!”
When Lara shouted suddenly, Eunice and Ximena laughed louder.
“Just kidding.”
“We have picked everything, so let’s go out for something delicious. It’s on me.”
While the two people who had finished fitting changed their clothes, Lara prepared to go out, hand-fanned on her heated face.
“Bad bishes.”
When she went out to catch Valentine with Demian, she didn’t feel anything, even while talking about the aphrodisiac. But she didn’t know why she felt embarrassed after everything had ended.
“Please stop by again!”
After greeting the shopkeeper, the three laughed and chatted while moving to the carriage.
Rrrr.
The sound of rough carriage wheels could be heard.
Lara and her friends were deciding on the menu before leaving. They didn’t even care that a wagon was rushing nearby, as it was daytime and they were on a wide roadside. But that carriage came close and stopped as if it was waiting for them. Suddenly, four large men jumped out of it.
“…!”
The men were wearing thin armor under baggy work attire.
They had long swords around their waists, but they were holding a blunt dagger.
Whack!
“Aaarghhhh!”
Ximena collapsed on the road after being hit on the head and stomach. Eunice screamed as loud as possible.
“Hurry up. Grab her!”
“Eunice, come here!”
Lara grabbed Eunice and pushed her behind her back.
She instinctively realized that she was their aim.
“I will follow you, but instead let Eunice go.”
“Fine.”
One of the men smirked and nodded.
However, as soon as Lara tried to get on their carriage, they hit Eunice—who was clinging to Lara not to go—on the side of her head with iron gloves.
“Eunice!”
Lara struggled as though she had a fit.
Eunice’s head was bleeding.
Ximena was lying face down on the street and lost consciousness.
“Don’t blame us too much. We are just trying to make ends meet.”
“Let go! Let me go! You son of a gun…”
Lara kept screaming and making a fuss even after getting on the carriage. They put a gag in her mouth. Then, they tied her hands and feet together so she couldn’t rebel.
