In fact, continuous abductions occurred, and many soldiers lost their lives. It had been a long battle. To fend off Carlos Arthur Ingram and sustain an empire without an emperor for 430 years, Dragonlord was no pushover.

“Well, this is a known story, Your Majesty.”

Melpheus’ pumpkin-colored eyes had been fixed on Ru since earlier. Ru finally caught on and realized it. For a moment, she had forgotten that gaze, contemplating the weight of the blood on her hands. A gaze that could pierce and overpower.

“Are you really going to catch two rabbits?”

“Isn’t that what I should do? And stop staring; it makes her nervous.”

“What did I do to—no, are you restraining me?”

Melpheus, in the midst of responding, stared at Hayden as if it was absurd. Me? This old Dragonlord?

“People who are dragged here without knowing anything need compassion and understanding.”

Yet Hayden casually shrugged it off, even against a Dragonlord.

“That’s right, Melpheus. Stop it. This isn’t the place to discuss this anyway.”

Despite Ophelia’s objection, Melpheus shook his head.

“From the moment Your Majesty opened the barrier, Carlos Arthur Ingram, that schemer, has planted his eyes and ears all over the kingdom. There’s no place quieter and safer than here.”

He seemed absolutely tense in facing the Caleta Emperor. Almost like an obsessive-compulsive, thoroughly fortifying and guarding his surroundings.

“So, Your Majesty also convened this meeting here for that reason.”

Upon receiving Melpheus’ gaze, Hayden lightly nodded.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

A meeting? Ru was a bit confused. What kind of meeting right after a funeral?

Ah, if it’s a gathering of the sages and the emperor, it makes sense. A secretive assembly where top-secret national matters are discussed so that no one can eavesdrop.

But why was she involved? Was it because of the curse? Was the Dragonlord going to partially lift the curse? That’s the only thing that makes sense. However, the curse on her was not top-secret.

“Would the Lord consider relieving the curse cast upon her?”

As expected, Hayden gestured toward Ru and suggested to Melpheus.

“If she doesn’t mind.”

Eagerly, the Dragonlord stepped forward. So it was about the curse after all.

“I’m fine with it.”
An emerald curse instantly manifested over the black dress as soon as she replied. Unlike Ophelia’s curse, which was thickly and doubly bound, slender knots adhered closely to Lu’s body, creating a dense web. Melpheus furrowed his brows deeply upon seeing it.

Lu looked down at the curse ascending from her calves to the rest of her body. The curse was neatly disentangled, contrasting starkly with her clean lower legs.

“It’s become much more intricate and annoying. You’ve become quite adept at wielding the stolen power.”

Dragonlord clicked his tongue as if it pained his head.

“Though it’s stolen power, I’ve had it for over 400 years, so I handle it as naturally as my inherent abilities.”

Ophelia responded.

“The problem is you handle it like your personality. Sorceress, your curse has evolved to be far more malicious and cruel than the one I had placed on you.”

He looked at the seamless curse and then at Lu’s eyes.

“May I touch the curse, Your Grace?”

She had thought that an age-old Dragonlord would naturally condescend to her or at least behave as if dealing with a child.

However, the sages she had met so far were quite the opposite, surprising Lu.

“Yes, please do.”

She eagerly nodded her head. Just as Ophelia had slightly loosened her curse, it seemed Dragonlord was going to do the same. There was no reason to refuse.

Melpheus didn’t lay his hands on Lu directly, unlike Hayden. A flash of golden light converged towards Lu and soon after, a strong shock struck her.

“Ugh…!”

Initially, she tried to withstand it. Lu was a person prone to ‘enduring,’ especially when it came to pain. She had been prepared to bear it and was even confident, but she collapsed in less than 5 seconds.

When Lu’s knees buckled, there was a faint cracking sound. Melpheus immediately caught her before she fell.

“It really doesn’t work, does it? Are you in much pain?”

“No.”

Lu shook her head. The brief shock disappeared instantly. She could stand on her own again.

But the curse remained the same, not a single slender knot was undone.

“I am fine.”

Melpheus let out a deep sigh.

“I can’t do anything about both of your curses, Your Majesty.”

“Isn’t it as we expected? But it did make a dent.”

Hayden stepped closer, naturally supporting Lu as he spoke.

“Weakening it is what matters, Lord.”

Yet Melpheus looked dissatisfied.

“I couldn’t even stop him, nor could I undo the curse.”

“It’s natural for him to fear you, Lord. You are the only thing he’s been afraid of for 430 years. He originally hid behind barriers out of that fear.”

Hayden gently spoke, lifting Lu up.

“Are you alright, Your Grace? Not hurting?”

“Yes, not hurting, nor do I feel anything.”

Lu shook her head, saying she was fine. She was slightly disappointed. She had vaguely thought that if Dragonlord could ease Ophelia’s curse, which had been cast after her power was stolen, he would do much more for her. But it only made a slight dent, and it wasn’t even clear where.

However, upon seeing Dragonlord Melpheus’s expression, her slight disappointment vanished as well. He genuinely seemed regretful, pitiful, and at a loss.

“Every time I design a curse, I assume I won’t be able to break it. Coward. If only I could undo Sorceress’s curse at least, we wouldn’t be in this situation.”

It seemed Melpheus had always kept Ophelia’s curse in mind.

And he must have tried to undo Ophelia’s curse. Though opposing Emperor Caleta, he would have put effort into aiding Ophelia, a fellow sage. But having failed, Ophelia’s curse remained intact.
Struggling within the collapsing tower, Melpheus appeared a bit worn out, having fought alone while abandoning a colleague who couldn’t do anything.

“What are you talking about, Melpheus? At this point, I’m more joyful, happy, and lively than ever.”

Ophelia laughed broadly as if to question what he was saying.

“Never thought I’d see the downfall of Carlos Arthur Ingram with my own eyes, but it’s actually happening, isn’t it? Don’t blame yourself too much. Just holding onto this empire alone when I had let go means you’ve already fulfilled your duty.”

“The Lord has grabbed the nape of the empire and pulled it up.”

Hayden succinctly summarized Melpheus’s contribution and nodded. Lu respectfully bowed her head as soon as she met his furrowed golden eyes.

“Thank you for looking into my curse.”

Even the effort to lift it was deeply appreciated. In truth, Dragonlord and she had nothing to do with each other. Still, he had tried to lift the curse, and she was grateful for his genuine disappointment when he couldn’t.

“Don’t mention it. I’m sorry I couldn’t be of help.”

“No, it’s not like that. Thank you for your consideration.”

Lu shook her head vigorously and smiled. She had always been alone in Kaletta, but in Perseta, many sincerely tried to help and were concerned about her.

“Well, it can’t be helped. Your Highness, could you excuse us for a moment?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Lu bowed politely to the sages once more and left the chamber. As the sound of her footsteps faded, Dragonlord Melpheus turned his head toward Hayden.

“So, what do you plan to do with Carlos’s successor?”

The Emperor responded with a chilling smile.