Chapter 244: Where Is My Wife?
Hearing that sentence, Gwen froze in place.
'Just now, Henny… what did she say?'
Gwen's expression stiffened. A chill surged up from her spine, and the muscles on her face felt as hard as solid rock.
There was a sudden explosion in her mind, like a bolt from the blue, leaving her completely blank.
After a moment, Gwen finally came back to her senses and stared at Henny in front of her.
Henny's cheeks were slightly red, like ripe apples warmed by sunlight. Her clear eyes looked at Gwen seriously.
"Pro… Professor Viktor is a very good person!"
"I think that if Miss Gwen, you truly like him very much, then you must treasure him properly!"
Gwen found it hard to believe. She opened her mouth, and the hand resting on her longsword became uncertain and at a loss.
She looked at Henny and asked, "Henny, you… why would you say that?"
"Because I… I've felt that feeling too."
"The feeling of forgetting someone important."
Henny pressed a hand to her chest. A faint shimmer of tears appeared in her eyes, making her look pitiful and fragile.
"I think that if you've experienced something like that as well, it must be very painful."
Looking at Henny's endearing appearance, ripples stirred in Gwen's heart.
Like a fragile, beautiful crystal of ice she couldn't bear to shatter, she hesitated for a moment.
She stood there, conflicted, unable to say a single word.
Did she like Viktor?
If it was the Viktor of now, Gwen could say that yes, she did like him.
That calm and powerful man, gentle yet confident.
Gwen admired him deeply, to the point of reverence.
Henny looked at her and shook her head.
"That's not it."
"Miss Gwen, what I mean is another kind of liking."
It was an extremely sweet feeling, wanting to stay by the beloved's side at all times, wishing to completely merge with the other person.
The blazing heart was almost unable to bear such surging emotions, like spring water bursting forth with endless longing.
Listening to Henny say this, Gwen crossed her arms in front of her chest and fell into thought.
Was she as exaggerated as Henny described?
Naturally, no.
But deep inside, there truly was an extremely intense impulse surging.
After her lost memories had been restored, she really did want to find Viktor immediately, to personally confirm his existence.
Just as this thought flashed through her mind, Gwen suddenly realized something.
'Wait!'
Thinking back to earlier, when she was hurrying along the roads of Braeston, wsn't this exact feeling what she had then?
"Miss Gwen."
"If you truly like Professor Viktor, I hope you can be honest with him."
A beam of morning light cut through the clouds, passing through the colorful stained-glass windows of the Clavenna estate. Dappled light and shadow spilled over Henny's body.
It seemed to spread the faint fatigue clinging to her, extending onto Gwen's silver-white armor.
In Henny's lake-clear eyes, a gentle light flickered as she looked at Gwen with a trace of sadness.
"I don't want to see the professor forgotten by someone important to him ever again."
Gwen stood there in a daze, like a wooden sculpture, unable to respond for a long time.
And Henny continued, "Next, you'll need to go on your own. You can find the professor in the backyard, on the grassland not far away."
Gwen nodded instinctively. Her heart felt like a cabinet suddenly flung open, full of mixed, indescribable emotions.
All she could do was take a step forward, following Henny's guidance, moving toward the hazy light ahead.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The sound of Gwen's armor colliding with the wooden floor echoed through the silent estate, clear and crisp.
The sound quickly faded, and Gwen's white figure walked out of the estate into the morning light.
Henny stood where she was, gazing at Gwen's resolute back, lightly biting her lip.
A question couldn't help but arise in her heart, 'Mr. Crocodile, did I do the right thing?'
A deep, slightly hoarse voice fell silent for a moment before speaking, "As a demon, I must say, you're not qualified enough."
Henny wasn't surprised by the answer from the voice in her heart.
After all, this was the voice of the Demon of Wrath.
Demons were selfish, but Henny was different.
She wouldn't disregard others entirely for her own benefit.
Naturally, demons couldn't accept Henny's way of doing things either.
Within Henny's heart, Leighton snapped his mouth shut with a click and rolled over.
Its nostrils puffed as it exhaled heavily, and with a hint of helplessness, its swollen body deflated like a punctured balloon.
Even so, it began to realize that something very interesting was happening.
After Gwen had completely left, the loud bang of a door slamming shut startled the dazed Henny.
She slowly came back to her senses, raised her head, and looked blankly at the colorful windows of the Clavenna estate, at a loss.
Henny suddenly felt that this place no longer had room for her to stand.
An icy stream surged from nowhere, flowing through Henny's heart.
A sense of grievance instantly filled her mind. In a corner unseen by anyone, the corners of Henny's eyes grew damp.
She still couldn't do it.
She couldn't sacrifice another person's happiness to fulfill her own desires.
For Henny, this was still too difficult.
Or rather, completely impossible.
Sharp pain pierced her burning heart like needles, and a cold current took advantage of the opening.
That blazing, abundant warmth of emotion, even wrapped within a heart covered in wounds, had nowhere to be released.
Henny could only curl up in the corner, silently enduring the intense pain brought by the intertwining of cold and heat, constantly dousing the anxious fire in her heart.
Trying to use this method to let her own warmth soothe her wounds.
And in order to give up the person she loved, Henny had no choice but to do this.
She buried her head between her knees and cried bitterly.
The estate was deathly quiet. Only faint sobbing echoed slowly through the empty floors.
———
Gwen quickened her pace, running swiftly across the grassland.
After hearing Henny's words, Gwen's emotions had never burned so fiercely.
She wanted to find Viktor immediately, wanted to know immediately... his feelings.
At last, the sound of the wind gradually passed by Gwen's ears, and she came to a stop.
She saw it.
That enormous, radiant silver-white giant tree, its silver branches shimmering with starlike glimmers.
In the breeze, the branches swayed gently.
Gwen lifted her head and looked ahead.
That figure in a black windbreaker stood beneath the divine tree.
His hands were in his pockets, and the familiar crow perched on his shoulder.
The distance wasn't far, yet it felt completely out of reach to Gwen.
She stretched out one hand, wanting to call out his name.
"Vik..."
The sound stuck in her throat, and no matter what, she couldn't force it out.
She had spent an entire night running from the royal capital to Braeston.
All to confirm whether Viktor existed.
And now, she had actually seen Viktor.
Gwen should have felt at ease.
But then, why was this happening?
Her heart thumped violently.
Gwen had never been this nervous before.
Her upbringing had destined her to never really have such emotions, yet this calm heart of hers had revived because of Viktor.
Because of this person she had once hated the most?
'Like?'
After leaving Henny, at this moment, Gwen was finally able to calm down and think seriously about this thought.
She wanted to reach out to him.
She wanted to get closer to him.
She really, really wanted, wanted to see him every single day.
Was this a kind of liking?
Yet mixed into that joy was even more confusion and helplessness.
Like a child who had never learned how to swim, stepping on stones to test the water while crossing a river.
Everything ahead was unknown and uncertain.
Gwen's outstretched hand slowly fell back down.
No…
She was a knight.
Just like when she was lost and went to see the emperor.
Just as His Majesty had once said to her, ("As a knight, never doubt yourself.")
It was as if the clouds parted to reveal the sun. Gwen steeled her resolve.
No matter what lay ahead, she would still, try her best to get closer to the person before her.
Once again, she stretched out her hand and called out, "Viktor! I..."
Suddenly, she stopped herself.
As if something had forcibly cut her off.
Gwen could no longer say another word.
Pitch-black ink climbed up from deep within, surging along her consciousness straight into her mind.
She saw it clearly.
Within the sea of consciousness in her mind, she saw it all too clearly.
That golden scale that had always existed there, was smeared with a streak of pitch-black filth.
As if it had been contaminated.
Following the blackness, as though affected by some force.
Gwen's vision went dark, and she lost her final consciousness.
In the last moment as she collapsed to the ground, it seemed she saw, a figure in a windbreaker looking at her, with calm eyes tinged with gentleness.
And so, she finally closed her eyes.
———
"As expected."
"This was inevitable."
"How could It possibly give up such a perfect divine vessel so easily?"
———
"The plan has changed, Vega."
"I intend to..."
"Kill them all."
Chapter 245: Big Shot Beats Up the Newbie Village
The massive city gates stood wide open. Two lines of imposing knights were stationed on either side, solemnly checking the credentials of everyone entering and leaving.
"Please go ahead."
After carefully inspecting a merchant's papers, a knight respectfully returned them and gestured for the next carriage to enter the city.
A merchant caravan bearing the crest of the Clevenna family pulled a long line of cargo carts, kicking up dust as it passed along the sparse road and entered the royal capital.
When the knights saw the Clevenna family emblem on the cargo crates, their nerves instantly tightened to the extreme.
This family symbol was something they were all too familiar with.
The knights exchanged glances, subtly egging one another on, their steel armor lightly bumping together with dull, low sounds.
In the end, one knight was pushed out by his companions. He awkwardly glanced back at them, but since he had already stepped forward, he could only grit his teeth and carry out the routine inspection of the Clevenna caravan.
The caravan presented all the required documents.
After confirming that everything was in order, the inspection moved on to the goods.
The knight lifted the curtains covering each cart one by one. Seeing that the cargo fully met regulations, he gradually relaxed.
He checked each carriage skillfully and briskly, becoming more at ease with every step.
Until he stopped in front of the last carriage.
Before the knight could inspect it, the curtain of the carriage opened on its own.
The knight froze slightly and slowly raised his head.
Inside sat a man wearing a black coat.
His gaze lifted, meeting Viktor's eyes.
At that instant, the knight felt as if his heart had stopped beating.
Blood rushed violently to his head, and his limbs trembled uncontrollably.
Facing Viktor's icy gaze, he felt like a lamb waiting to be slaughtered.
The knight's body shook, and he hurriedly bowed to Viktor in respect.
"C-Count… Count Viktor."
"W-welcome… back."
Who in the entire royal capital didn't know Viktor?
A councilor of the Mage Council, the chief professor of the Royal Magic Academy, the imperial princess's personal tutor, the head of the Clevenna family.
And even the former commander of the knight order, Gwen Delin's fiance.
Viktor gave a faint nod, and the carriage curtain closed automatically once more.
Seeing no signal of anything abnormal, the knights at the front removed the barricade and let the carriage pass.
The knight who had conducted the inspection stood there in a daze, his eyes unfocused.
The one lying in Count Viktor's arms just now…
That seemed to be… Commander Gwen?
———
A carriage slowly made its way toward the Delin residence, the soft sound of wheels echoing through the quiet streets.
When the servants noticed a carriage bearing the Clevenna family crest approaching, they hurried back into the residence to report.
Moments later, Kefra gracefully walked out, pushed open the gate, and went to greet it.
However, she was surprised to see Viktor standing beside the carriage.
Before she could say anything, Viktor lightly tapped with his finger.
A green glow surged from his fingertip and flowed down into the ground beneath the carriage.
Several vines gradually sprouted from the earth, rising up and gently lifting Gwen, who lay unconscious inside the carriage, out into the open.
Seeing Gwen lying motionless atop the vines, Kefra was startled. She rushed forward and pulled her into her arms.
At that moment, Viktor's voice came from behind her, "She's been unconscious since yesterday. Take good care of her."
After saying this simply, Viktor boarded the carriage, which slowly drove away from the Delin residence.
Kefra carefully examined the unconscious Gwen.
Her expression was calm, and her complexion showed no obvious changes. It was almost impossible to tell if she was sick.
Yet her eyes were tightly shut, and she remained unconscious.
Kefra frowned, gently touching Gwen's forehead, and muttered worriedly to herself, "How did it end up like this?"
———
Viktor sat quietly inside the fleeting carriage, leaning against the window, gazing at the scenery flowing past outside.
He calmly listened to the sound of the wheels rolling over the stone-paved road.
A crow stood opposite him, picking up cherries from a plate and swallowing them down its beak.
As it enjoyed the sweetness of the cherries, it watched the silent Viktor and slowly spoke, "Are you ready?"
Viktor showed little reaction and simply replied, "Maybe."
From the very beginning, Viktor had been trying to change Gwen's impression of him.
He kept his distance from her while also working to make her rely on him more.
And now, he had almost succeeded.
Nearly every move Gwen made was within Viktor's sight.
However, he had misjudged one thing.
That was that Gwen had already been targeted.
[Believers of the Goddess]
The goddess they worshipped had no interest in personally arranging her followers.
But the followers themselves constantly longed for the goddess to descend upon the human world once more.
So they had to ensure that Gwen would not be corrupted.
"I didn't plan to deal with these things before, but now…"
An icy glint flickered in Viktor's eyes, like black obsidian.
"They should be wiped out."
Vega stretched its wings, brought one up to its beak, and yawned.
"You should think this through carefully. Even though the gods no longer care about the mortal world, still…"
"If you deal with those fanatical believers, you'll also attract that goddess's attention."
Viktor turned his head to look at Vega.
"Isn't that why you're here?"
"Me? Don't joke."
Vega flapped its wings and landed on Viktor's shoulder.
"I'm just an ordinary crow."
Viktor's expression remained calm.
"That's already enough."
This was a game.
And as a player, Viktor would not refuse any challenge.
The carriage crossed the dusty road, leaving behind two wheel tracks as it slowly headed deeper inside.
———
The Royal Magic Academy was exceptionally lively today.
In stark contrast to the previous holiday's emptiness, countless students and parents gathered here. All kinds of noble carriages were parked outside the academy, escorting their important children inside.
Today was the first day of the new term, and also the day of the freshman assessment.
The crowds surged forward, packed in front of every mage tower, waiting to enter the examination.
Professors stood atop the mage towers, continuously calling for candidates to enter.
Inside the mage towers, heavy and disorderly books filled the space. Only a few wide wooden desks stood before the professors.
White paper lay spread across the tabletops, with a pristine white quill placed beside each one, though the nibs were already stained with ink.
A professor held a roster, adjusted his glasses, and read out names.
"Bruce Cade."
"Pishir Mawson."
———
The students whose names were called showed confident expressions, lifted their heads, and walked into the teleportation gate.
The invigilating professor continued looking down the list, calling names casually, "Aurelian…"
"Hm?"
The professor adjusted his glasses and brought the list closer to his eyes. His brows shot up, and he froze on the spot.
"Aurelian So… Sol!?"
When he shouted out the name, even he found it hard to believe. The list in his hand trembled as his eyes widened.
The other students, upon hearing the name, also sat there blankly, wearing confused expressions.
Under the azure sky above the mage towers, countless students were scattered like pearls, anxiously waiting for the professors to call their names.
When they heard this name echo across the wide plaza, they too stared with wide eyes.
'Who?'
'Aurelian Sol!?'
Within the crowd, amid the surging mass of people, a girl with long silver hair cascading like a waterfall slowly stepped forward.
Her clothing was simple yet elegant, perfectly displaying her peerless beauty under the sunlight.
Aurelian gently reached behind her head and brushed aside her flowing hair.
An air of elegance and nobility instantly spread from her, from within outward.
She calmly stepped into the teleportation array and, under everyone's gaze, entered the mage tower.
The moment she entered and met the professor's eyes, she smiled faintly.
Carrying the refined and extraordinary noble aura of royalty, she gracefully bowed to the professor.
The other students stared at the elegant and extraordinary Aurelian, frozen in their seats, mouths agape, blankly gazing at this unique girl.
They quietly watched her take her seat, their hearts shaken to the core.
Her Highness the Princess was actually taking the same exam as them?
After all, Aurelian was an imperial princess.
If she wanted to enter the Royal Magic Academy, it would normally take nothing more than a single word from the royal family.
The academy headmaster would probably be eager to personally invite the princess to study here.
But shock aside, being a princess did not necessarily mean she was also a special genius.
Although Aurelian's real combat achievements had been loudly publicized, a written test was a written test, and it was completely different from actual combat.
This gave many students, even amid their shock, the courage to cheer themselves on.
They felt that they still had a chance to surpass this princess.
After a brief moment of astonishment, the professor lightly cleared his throat and continued calling in the remaining candidates.
Every student who stepped into the classroom would shudder the moment they caught sight of the princess.
But afterward, just like the others, they could only comfort themselves with the same reasoning and muster their resolve.
Soon, once every candidate was seated, the professor inverted an ancient hourglass and solemnly announced, "The exam begins. The time limit is two hours."
"The questions for each student are on the white paper on your desk. Use the provided quill to answer, but do not damage the quill."
"Also, the ink will not run out."
The professor raised his head, glanced at Aurelian, and continued, "You have ten minutes to read the questions."
With that, he leaned against the lectern. The magic array behind him glowed faintly as his gaze wandered around the room, resting on every student.
Not the slightest movement could escape his observation.
The students quickly immersed themselves in the exam papers, brows tightly furrowed.
Some sighed from time to time, some pressed their hands to their foreheads, trying to find clues to the answers.
Creaking metallic sounds came from the seats, and sighs and teeth-clicking noises rang out intermittently.
Seeing this, the professor raised his voice to remind them, "Quietly read the questions. No talking!"
Very quickly, the ten minutes slipped away, and at the bottom of the hourglass, only a small trail of sand grains remained.
At first, many students were still standing there in a daze, like statues, their pen tips hovering over blank exam papers, not knowing how to begin.
However, Aurelian was different.
She crossed her hands before her chest, her fingers moving lightly.
The quill in front of her seemed to come alive, automatically answering the questions according to her will.
Its speed far surpassed that of normal handwriting, almost perfectly synchronized with Aurelian's thoughts.
After only a short while, she gracefully raised her arm.
"I'm done."
"Huh?"
"Ah?"
"What the hell?"
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