Chapter 96: The Double Trap (1)
TL/Editor: Rungir
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On an observation deck on the outskirts of the Imperial City:
"Where's the other one?"
Utekan stood there, asking as he saw a woman in a monk's robe approaching alone. The usually emotionless man that accompanied her was nowhere to be seen.
"The Highness' children went to extract sothing like royal blood, but had to step away due to so issues."
"Is there a problem?"
"I'm not sure. We don’t share every plan."
Staring at her, Utekan shifted his question, "How is Prince Zion?"
She responded with a slight smile, "While I couldn't obtain direct information, the indirect data and circumstances suggest that Prince Zion Agnes made contact with the mysterious being."
Utekan remained silent, deep in thought.
Observing him, she added, "That doesn't an we can confirm anything abnormal with Prince Zion Agnes. Many who seek the mysterious being simply aim to enhance their bodies and beco stronger."
"No, I'm sure sothing is wrong with him."
Finally, Utekan nodded slowly,
"Having inherited Utekan Agnes' mories completely, I am well aware of how frail Prince Zion Agnes is. He can't even run properly, let alone perform basic exercises."
‘If such a Zion t the mysterious being, there can only be one reason.’
"I thought he had overco it given his recent display of exceptional martial prowess, but it seems I might have been wrong."
"Oh? If you're so certain... what do you plan to do now?"
She looked at Utekan, leaving the decision to him.
"It's obvious, isn't it? We need to find an opportunity to kill him."
Utekan's eyes glead coldly, "The mont the mysterious being heals Prince Zion Agnes will be our best chance. Even if not, just the fact that Prince Zion is outside the Imperial City makes him worth ambushing."
"Where is Zion now?"
"I don't know. We're constantly tracking him, but the signal seems to be intermittently jamd."
She suspected that this interference was probably the work of Prince Zion's shadow organization.
"In that case, it's best to wait near the mysterious being."
"I thought so too. I've already identified the location of the mysterious being. Unlike usual, he seems to be staying around the capital for quite a while. Probably made so sort of deal with Prince Zion."
It made locating him easier.
Of course, the mysterious being's acquaintance used to find him was already dead.
"We'll dispatch forces there imdiately."
Utekan replied with a determined look. It was better to act quickly, even with uncertainties, rather than miss an opportunity preparing.
Additionally, he was considering mobilizing even his direct subordinates this ti.
"Oh, you're unusually decisive today, aren't you? In that case, I'll dispatch my own people as well."
The woman remarked with a subtle grin.
Yet, lurking within her seemingly light-hearted smile was a profound murderous aura.
---
Raei Translations
---
"Ah... it feels like I've been paid without actually doing any work. We didn't even have to explore the dungeon, just left straight away."
On the way back to Hubris from the ruined Angelosh estate, the leader of the Rat rcenary Group, Rat, ntioned Zion who had left earlier.
"It's not like we did nothing! We almost died! Even thinking about that mont gives
chills."
Ember, who stood next to him, seed genuinely frightened, wrapping her arms around herself.
The events that had occurred inside the Angelosh estate were things she could never imagine happening in her lifeti. It was almost like a calamity too overwhelming to even dodge.
Frankly, it was surprising that no one died inside the estate.
'No, there were deaths.'
Every citizen within Angelosh. It was unclear how the entire estate ended up in such a state, and she didn't want to dwell on it. The employer, who had left earlier, had ntioned contacting the imperial security forces, so it was best not to worry further.
However, unlike her, Rat laughed and spoke.
"Aren't you curious?"
"Curious about what?"
Ember responded sarcastically, to which Rat replied,
"The true identity of our employer."
Honestly, by now, no one thought that Zion Hanes, the employer, was just a young noble fresh on an adventure. It was impossible for a re noble to survive that chaos and command nurous wizards. The na "Zion Hanes" was likely a pseudonym.
"Elysis, you were alone with him for a mont. Do you have any guesses?"
"...I don’t know."
Elysis responded after a mont of silence, shaking her head. Of course, she knew his identity. But she had no intention of sharing.
'Prince Zion Agnes...'
The image of Zion that surfaced in Elysis's mind. In her life, no one had ever left such a profound impression in such a short ti as he did. Perhaps no one ever would again. The anomalous darkness around him, his pristine laughter, and overwhelming power - every aspect of him was still vivid in her mind.
'I need to repay him...'
Regardless of her other intentions, it was a fact that Prince Zion saved her life. That's why she wanted to repay him, but his response was,
"I don't need anything from you right now. If you want to repay , you have to beco soone worthy of that."
Even after suggesting it, his answer was strange,
If I beco soone worthy in the future... will you accept my repaynt?
He just looked at her with his signature languid eyes and didn't reply.
Although every conversation she had with Prince Zion was morable, there was one particular statent that stood out the most in Elysis's mind.
"You are unique. Always keep that distinctiveness in mind."
Words Prince Zion had uttered just before his departure.
These words stirred mories within Elysis, reminding her of the phrase her late mother would frequently convey to her.
"Elysis, you are more unique than anyone else in this world."
Truly, it was a sentint she never imagined would co from his lips.
'Zion Agnes...'
As she internally whispered his na once again, a mysterious gleam shone in Elysis's eyes.
---
Raei Translations
---
“No, look at this, Master!”
-Chirp!
“Is this bird seriously disliking ?”
-Chirp Chirp!
Zion cast a disdainful look at Liushina, who was quarreling with an ice spirit beside him.
Would people know that this being, once called the thousand-year witch and the nesis of humanity, is acting like this?
“It dislikes you because you call it 'chirpy'."
With that, Zion increased his pace a little.
He had no desire to be caught up in that trivial spat.
The place where Zion and his party were located was a small adow near Hyubris. The very place where the mysterious shack stood.
“It sits on your shoulder but doesn’t even let
touch it.”
-Chirp!
The ice spirit responded to Liushina’s words with a firm chirp, shaking its head. Its gesture seed to say, ‘Definitely not you.’
‘I should have left her at the Grand Magic Tower.’
Ignoring Liushina's words, Zion thought to himself. Ordinarily, she should be confronting Ahmad at the Grand Magic Tower, just like other blood mages.
It was essential for improving the Detection Array.
Yet, there was a reason why Zion had brought Liushina along.
"Prince Zion, there’s been suspicious activity from the magical beasts lately."
It was sothing Thierry had ntioned during a brief visit to Huangcheng. Information obtained using the magical beasts from the shadow realm that had not been eliminated earlier. Of course, they didn’t know they were being used.
"They've been tracing both you and the mysterious healer. We’ve cut off their track on you, but they managed to trace the healer."
The mont Zion heard this from Thierry, a conclusion imdiately struck him.
‘They’ve realized I’m seeking treatnt from the mysterious healer.’
There was no other reason for them to be tracking both him and the healer simultaneously.
How did they find out?
‘If they've figured that out, they’d also suspect sothing’s wrong with .’
If Zion was on their radar, they wouldn’t miss this opportunity. They’d surely strike soon.
‘And they’ll choose the mont I'm most vulnerable.’
Precisely when he’s receiving treatnt from the mysterious healer. That’s why he hadn’t deterred the persistent Liushina from accompanying him. She might prove useful.
‘Or has she already?’
With that thought, a subtle smile played on Zion’s lips.
Truth be told, ever since they began their ascent on the adow, he had subtly spread the darkness of the Black Star all over the mountain. That very darkness whispered to Zion about uninvited guests.
"Master, when do we start?"
Liushina, having sensed it long ago, whispered softly to Zion. Her eyes sparkled with eagerness and anticipation, a gaze befitting the thousand-year-old witch.
“Wait a little longer.”
Zion replied calmly, his eyes tranquil, in stark contrast to Liushina’s fervor.
Zion was determined not to let any of those aiming for his life slip through his fingers.
This wasn't the right mont.
'I have to draw them in deeper.'
Ensuring they had no ans of escape.
Before he realized, Zion's eyes began to flicker with an uncanny light.
---
Raei Translations
---
"You really managed to get it."
Gui stared blankly at the object placed before her, murmuring to herself.
Angel's blood.
Apart from the few drops in the deepest layers of the Order of Light, it was believed to be nonexistent in this world.
Yet, here it was, half-filling a bottle right in front of her.
"This is the first ti I've seen so much of it," she remarked.
To so, this blood was even more precious than dragon's blood. A priceless treasure.
"... How on Earth did you obtain this?"
Gui asked, looking at Zion.
Disbelief shone in her eyes. To be honest, Gui never imagined that Zion would genuinely succeed.
She had extended the deadline to three weeks solely out of her curiosity and whim regarding Zion. However, Zion, contrary to her expectations, had brought the angel's blood even faster than the promised tifra.
"Can it be used for the treatnt?" Zion asked lazily, not really expecting an answer.
"Of course. I never claim to do sothing I can't," Gui replied with a sly smile.
She had assud Zion wouldn't be able to deliver, but that didn't an she had lied about her capabilities. After all, she was renowned as the pinnacle healer in body modification across the entire empire.
"First, I'll purify this angel's blood, then mix it with other dicines. The actual improvent treatnt will follow after that."
"How long will it take?"
"At best a day, at most about three days to set a basic structure. Naturally, there will be intense pain involved. Essentially, we'll be altering your body's very composition."
The man before her was an unusual case, even for Gui, who had treated countless patients over decades. He was definitely among the most severe cases she had encountered.
Thus, it was obvious the procedure would take ti.
"Alright, let's get started," she said, reaching out for the angel's blood.
"No."
Zion slowly shook his head, interrupting her.
"There's sothing we need to do first."
"What is it?" Gui asked, her eyes full of curiosity.
"A greeting."
Zion replied with a sly grin.
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