Rufilmo supervised the transportation of Calspelliver, but the plan wasn’t executed because of that. The royal guards had already completed all the preparations.

The personnel involved in the operation dressed inconspicuously, abandoning the distinctive royal guard uniforms and wearing black active wear. They also covered their faces with masks to completely conceal their identities.

With the prepared royal guards, Askan headed towards the first procession transporting Calspelliver, holding the bracelet modified by Tanashia.

The Imperial Guard and the Manoko family were seen walking together, guarding a solid box.

Woo-woo-woo–

Askan tried calling Calspelliver using the modified bracelet, but there was no sound coming from the box.

Askan had excellent hearing compared to others. Immediately, he realized that the first procession had an empty box.

He signaled to the royal guards to step back and quietly said, “Let’s go elsewhere.”

Thus, they promptly arrived at the location of the second procession.

Just like the first one, Askan attempted to use the modified bracelet, but there was no movement felt inside the box.

It was when Askan signaled to retreat with a gesture.

Approaching with a suspicious expression, Bill spoke, “Brother, could it be that there’s something wrong with Brellope’s bracelet?”

“There’s no way.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“I’ve seen the magic engineering weapons created by Brellope in the Arwen Empire.”

At that time, he was quite surprised inwardly. He hadn’t expected such outstanding magical engineering weapons to be installed in the research lab.

“But…”

Although Bill tried to object, Askan cut him off without listening.

“Bill, I’m warning you. Don’t try to use Brellope again for your schemes.”

Initially, Bill subtly suggested redirecting Rufilmo’s attention to Tanashia. Despite Askan’s opposition, he explained his plan to steal Calspelliver from her.

It was only because it was Bill that Askan tolerated this much.

Looking at Askan with an expression of incomprehension, Bill said, “Brother, are you willing to deviate from our grand plan just for a woman?”

“I’ve told you, just steal Calspelliver next time.”

“Your behavior is so unfamiliar, Brother. If I hadn’t stepped in, you wouldn’t even have that bracelet. Could it be that you’re in love with that woman?”

At the mention of love, Askan couldn’t help but chuckle.

He didn’t know what love was. He had never received it, nor had he given it to anyone. He couldn’t understand how the emotion, which he had never experienced, would manifest.
The emotions that Askan had only seen in the words of a book were unimportant to him.

Askan desired Tanashia. He hoped she wouldn’t get hurt, and he couldn’t bear the anger that surged when she was touched.

In his childhood, under the pretext of experimenting with limits, there was a time when he went without a sip of water or food for three days.

His longing for Tanashia surpassed the hunger he experienced back then. That was all.

“Bill, are you asking me such a question about love when you don’t even know what it is?”

“…….”

Bill couldn’t answer Askan’s question.

Raised in a laboratory, as they claimed, they didn’t know the emotion called love.

They had no parents, siblings, or friends. They had survived all this time only by themselves, Askan and Bill, and there were no leisurely times to feel the emotion of love for someone.

They hadn’t lived; they had endured for a long time.

“Bill, if you’re curious about my feelings, I’ll tell you. I want that woman. I won’t tolerate anyone else touching her.”

Bill was included in Askan’s statement of not forgiving.

Bill understood the meaning. He nodded with an expression that couldn’t object.

“I understand what you mean.”

Askan wordlessly grasped Bill’s shoulder. Although they didn’t exchange many words, trust was felt in that action. They had a strong bond.

Thus, Askan, Bill, and the royal guards arrived at the location of the last procession.

As before, Askan used the modified bracelet. Then, as if lying, a faint sound was heard from inside the box.

Thunk─

Askan’s golden eyes sparkled for a moment.

Calspelliver was indeed in the last procession.

Askan pointed to the third procession with his hand, signaling. The expressions of the royal guards who understood the meaning also became fierce.

Now, all that was left was to switch Calspelliver with the replica.

The fortunate part was that Rufilmo wasn’t visible in the third procession, and the unfortunate part was that they didn’t have much time because they would soon arrive at their destination.

Askan and the royal guards hurriedly entered the prepared tunnel.

They didn’t know where to store the real Calspelliver among the three locations, but the path they would take during transportation had already been calculated.

When the box passed a predetermined path, they planned to drill a hole from below and switch it.

Soon, they approached the place prepared by the procession. Askan, who had been counting the timing internally, spoke in a subdued voice.

“Shall we start soon?”