Chapter 134: Future Plans?

*** Academy – Sanctum Medical District (Third Person POV)

Azrael walked through the crowded halls. The entire facility was filled with professors and students alike who had been seriously injured before they were even eliminated.

He hadn’t expected the Sanctum itself to be pressed into service.

They already had multiple other medical stations prepared for exactly this scenario, enough to rival the healthcare system of a small city. But the sheer amount of damage and destruction was beyond what he had accounted for.

“My lord, are we continuing the examination’s fourth and fifth days?”

“Yes. As I said, Arden and D’Arclight have already been withdrawn. There’s no reason to keep worrying,” Azrael replied, not even bothering to look at the academy staffer who was trailing after him for clarification.

“Just focus on Marcellus. If we make him look good, the royal family will compensate us generously for the damages from this Hunt.”

“Very well, Lord Azrael.”

The academy staff member saluted before walking off, nearly bumping into a stretcher carrying another student.

Azrael didn’t let himself be distracted. He had bigger problems to deal with.

[High-Priority Room]

Creak.

He opened the door. Inside, Corvus was sitting up on a medical bed, reading a dark magic book that had long been considered useless and undecipherable.

“You’re still bothering with that?”

Corvus closed the book the moment he heard Azrael’s voice, already knowing what was about to happen. He was about to get a stern talking-to after the stunt he’d pulled.

“Look, you’d have done the same in my situation.”

Corvus laughed, settling back against the headboard. His head was already fully healed from all the damage, yet he still wouldn’t get up. He was too lazy to move now that he was lying on a comfortable bed.

“What do you think about the Ardens?” Azrael asked, sitting on the edge of the bed.

“You mean the rising underdogs?” Corvus chuckled as he crossed his arms. “They’re blessed with dark magic, that’s all I can say.”

He shrugged. They already knew about the invasion of Highwood and the Ardens’ elevation to a marquisate. Both of them were high-ranking nobles in their own right, so it would have been strange if they hadn’t known. On top of that, they had seen the power of its heir firsthand.

It would be shocking if it didn’t come up in conversations between them.

“But why ask about them? Didn’t you come here to curse me out?”

“You wouldn’t listen anyway, you bastard,” Azrael shot back.

“You know me so well, Azzy.” Corvus laughed. “If you’re so concerned about the Ardens, I’d like to suggest something…”

“Do tell.”

*** Arden Estate

“Your father is a strange man.”

Evelina wasn’t sure if she should be impressed or offended. Not only had he ignored her important questions, but he’d also had the gall to tease her and talk to her casually.

Although… considering that man was my father, she just mentally noted it as some odd quirk from my bloodline.

“That’s way too generous of a description…”

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

Evelina picked up her transceiver, the thing looking like it had seen better days after everything that had happened.

But it still worked—that was all that really mattered.

“Now!? You have to be kidding…” Evelina frowned. She was clearly talking to her father, and considering what had just happened, this was no mere coincidence.

Vredemann had eyes everywhere, and while he couldn’t care less about what Evelina did in her spare time with another student, a run-in with the new marquis was a completely different matter entirely.

“Fine, but I expect this to be mutually beneficial.”

She talked to her father more like a business partner than an actual parent.

Vredemann wasn’t really the nurturing father type, according to the novel.

“I’m really sorry…” Evelina pocketed the transceiver, looking very annoyed after hearing the call. “Something came up.”

“It’s fine, don’t worry about it. I know how busy you can get.”

“You won’t become petty after I promised to clean you up and didn’t go through with it?” She smirked, clearly remembering—and hating—how I had teased her back in the emperor’s tomb.

“The circumstances were different back then. Besides…”

I grab and kiss the back of her hand.

“Who am I to stop you on your path to greatness?”

She smiled at my dramatic response, rolling her eyes playfully before giving a farewell kiss to my cheek.

“After I inevitably ascend as this nation’s monarch, be ready to rule with me, okay?”

Her tone was more playful than actually serious, but she fully meant what she said. She will rule this nation one day. Nothing will even stop her from achieving that goal.

[Photographic Memory]

Be it Julius, Marcellus, Lilian, or her originally fated insanity.

Nothing…

And I do mean nothing will get in her way.

“See you.”

[Dark Step]

“Will you look at that, it works now—”

She expressed surprise as the darkness consumed her, leaving her voice nothing more than just an echo as she left.

Getting eventually separated was definitely the worst part of hanging out with her.

Noble politics is bullshit. Is it so much to ask to just allow me to orbit her without scandals and issues coming up every second?

But…

“A marquis, huh?” I grinned.

Maybe it wouldn’t be as big a problem as it was before.

I now had the reputation, the rank, and even the power. No sane noble, not even Vredemann, would dare refuse someone like me as their daughter’s fiancé.

Maybe I should visit Vredemann sometime.

Although I’ll have to do it behind Evelina’s back.

But…

[Photographic Memory]

I couldn’t just rely on her to advance our relationship; this wasn’t my first day here anymore. It was time to keep up my proactive streak.

“A loyal dog is a good dog…” I laughed manically. “Oh, how far I’ve come.”

I can’t say I didn’t miss being treated like a pawn, though; being looked at with her sadistic and cruel eyes was definitely heaven.

Maybe I could get to see it again eventually?

“One thing at a time, Cael, one thing at a time.”

I closed the door to my estate; I might as well just stay for the night since I’m already here.

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