“The sages raised the young sage very strongly.

‘Yes, that’s right. This is raising them very strongly.’

Haha. Lou took Ophelia’s hand and began to carefully examine the curse. I don’t know what they believe and expect from the young sage, but Ophelia was visibly excited, blushing like a child.

Of course, Lou understood the joy of being told that she would help. However, even if the young sage, who had only heard that she was now a Southern Sage, helped, how much could she really do?

“I’m not confident, but I’ll try.”

“You can do it.”

Ophelia encouraged her. However, Young was not confident. Lou made a very awkward face and tilted her head.

Perhaps worried that Ophelia might get hurt, she hesitated. Very cautiously, as if afraid that the curse might break if touched, Lou held Ophelia’s hand and gently explored the curse. The speed at which she probed the curse was too slow.

“Young Ae, Young Ae Genesis, look at me.”

In the end, Ophelia called Lou.

“I haven’t been able to break this curse at all. I’ve tried so far, but it seems impossible. Do you know why?”

The snake-like curse entwined around her from her waist to her neck twice. Including her arms, it was tied up entirely. Lou broke one curse thanks to the scepter she brought, but since then, she hadn’t made an effort to break the remaining curses.

“From now on, it’s a power that only a Southern Sage can solve. This curse is special in that way. You can force it off, but…”

Lou looked at Ophelia and then at Hayden.

“There is a limit to enduring it. It progresses slowly. Isn’t it better to do everything according to the rules? I think Young Ae will understand.”

It was a valid point. Lou vividly remembered how painful it was when Hayden gradually touched her toes and fingertips.

But removing the curse tied with the power of the Southern Sage, using the same power, was too easy for her. Hayden even warned her not to do it too much.

“Try feeling it once. Even if we don’t teach you, Young Ae will be able to understand. It’s okay not to know. Because you’re not there yet.”

A soft and dignified voice led and cheered Lou.

Lou closed her eyes, recalling the time when she confronted Delgau. The cool wind shook her brown hair.

The curse Carlos left on her body, with Keiing, and the sound of pearl earrings wriggling came to mind. Melipheus frowned at the tight knot on her body. It was a curse that made him feel uncomfortable just looking at it.

“Ah.”

She felt the warm golden power raging. Lou looked at Melipheus with a dazed expression. It was a huge and powerful force.
“However, she was kind and gentle. The power was right in front of her. A blue flame was tied to a familiar emerald-colored curse, flickering hesitantly. The fire wasn’t particularly strong, but it was quietly burning. Lou felt the curse.

The blue flame, yes, it was a curse with a blue power that was too heavy and stubborn to withstand, just like Ophelia’s eye color.

“…Huh?”

Lou tilted her head.

“How is it?”

Ophelia asked.

“…? Is this curse different from the one cast on me?”

Lou stared blankly at the curse. The curse that Ophelia was pressing down with the flame that should be lifted up was less sophisticated than the one placed on Lou.

“Did you make this?”

Melipheus, who had been watching, turned his head with a strange sound.

“A whole knot…? No, just two knots, so twisted twice…? Oh, it was originally three times.”

It seems so. It was visible. From the basics to the completion of such a crude and old curse, every formula was drawn.

Compared to what was tied to Lou, it was a simple but powerful curse, pressed down with force. It was understandable that Ophelia couldn’t do anything about this curse just by being pressed by the flame. It was impressive that the flame hadn’t completely extinguished.

‘If it were me, I would never have endured.’

Lou was amazed at this brutish, heavy curse that pressed people down to suffocate. It would feel like a stone-built castle collapsing on her head. Even the curse that had been eased a bit made her want to clear it away somehow.

She glanced at Ophelia. Ophelia smiled gently and nodded.

“It’s okay.”

“I’ll try. I might hurt you, though.”

“I won’t.”

In an instant, a sharp sound rang out. The power of the young sage clashed strongly with the curse. Melipheus’ eyes flickered immediately. The curse was resisting.

“This little…!”

Melipheus ground his teeth. The truth was that the young sage was still dealing with a corrupted predecessor, a cunning and tricky magician. Even the young sage couldn’t escape from the curse.

The emerald-colored curse knots entwined around Lou became more vivid. The tightly tied knots on her body resonated with the curse tied to Ophelia, repelling Ophelia’s attempt.

Lou pushed one foot back and regained the balance of her shaking body. To prevent herself from being pushed back, she firmly pressed the soles of her feet down and clenched her lips.

Sweat formed on her forehead. The power that Lou had to endure was so great, ancient, and experienced that it couldn’t be measured.