Chapter 65 I Dare Not Crave It, I Truly Dare Not

Beiana ripped open a bag of freshly bought snacks, stuffed a handful into her mouth, and then stared in utter astonishment toward the school corridor, where a mysterious figure was carrying Headmistress Sharan's friend—the renowned fortune-teller Iris—fleeing like a common thief...

"Mmm... mm~ kidnapping! They're kidnapping someone!"

Beiana pointed at the corridor and anxiously tugged at the clothes of the person behind her. "Lorraine, the fortune-teller has been stolen!"

Lorraine, who was busy holding a small mirror and indulging in a moment of narcissism, didn't quite catch it at first. "What did you say was stolen? Is there a thief in the academy?"

"The fortune-teller! Iris, that charlatan, has been stolen!"

"Beiana, I was the one who bought you those snacks, so do you mind not playing such cold jokes? Iris is a real person, and an extremely, incredibly powerful one at that."

Lorraine put away her small mirror, grabbed Beiana's cheeks, and pinched them back and forth with a somewhat spiteful look in her eyes.

Before Beiana's arrival, she had always been the top student of the magic school, ranking number one in academic performance. However, ever since this red-haired loli—who wielded a spear as her weapon—appeared, the top spot began a frantic rotation between her and Beiana.

It was utterly infuriating. The girl clearly used some sort of "Chaser" technique, yet her talent for the four major elements was also shockingly good.

"Uhm, well, that's true..."

Beiana paused, remembering how during the very first Pandemonium Assembly, Iris had even defeated Nymue, the originator of the Chaser combat style.

Others might not know the full extent of Iris's strength, but how could she possibly be unaware?

The individuals capable of ambushing and knocking Iris unconscious on the Arad continent could be counted on one hand, and besides, wouldn't someone gifted with prophecy foresee themselves getting bludgeoned over the head?

"Then maybe I saw wrong. What were you saying just now, Lorraine?"

"Let's find some time to go to Hendon Myres. They sell these pretty clothes imbued with magic there, as well as desserts that restore vitality and mana. Let's go check it out."

"I don't have any money..."

"Huh? Didn't Headmistress Sharan just give you a scholarship?"

"I lost it all... A racecourse opened in Underspire, and I put all my money on Richard and lost it all..."

"How truly pathetic. Well then, I'll go buy pretty clothes, and you can just watch! Hahahahaha!"

——————

"Hey, hey! Weren't you supposed to be visiting as a guest and discussing matters? How did you end up kidnapping someone?"

At the gates of the magic school, Siela, who had rented a carriage and waited for him, wore a look of utter astonishment. Could it be that this beast found the woman pretty and finally couldn't suppress the restlessness in his heart, resorting to a sneak attack? Had he completely shattered his moral baseline?

"That person is an instructor at the magic academy, right? Although I know you have no morals, isn't this a bit too sinful?"

Yuna fought hard against the urge to smash his head open with a cross. Her thoughts were identical to Siela's: had Yelin truly cast aside his humanity?

"She is a puppet, a pitiful soul cursed by a certain entity."

"Are you trying to fool a ghost? You call this warm touch and even breathing a puppet?" Princess Of Fire said coldly.

"She isn't the kind of puppet made of wood. She is a living being crafted from mysterious substances by a powerful entity."

Yelin was extremely anxious. He handed Iris over to Princess Of Fire, dove headfirst into the carriage, and shouted, "Quick, let's go!"

"Still, this won't do. Stealing people away like this is wrong."

Siela and Yuna, who were driving the carriage, began once again to earnestly lecture him. Although you might lack morals, have sticky fingers, and a glib tongue, a person still needed a baseline. But kidnapping someone was something that could never be forgiven—it would ruin your entire life...

Even the usually well-behaved Mael, along with Milk Bread, nodded repeatedly.

Mermaid Princess was fast asleep and still snoring...

Yelin let out a bitter laugh, though he wasn't angry. They truly meant well; after all, anyone who saw someone enter the magic school for less than an hour and then sneak out carrying an unconscious person would naturally wonder if he had lost his humanity...

Yet at that very moment, the eyelashes of Iris, who lay in the corner of the carriage, twitched slightly. She slowly opened her eyes—she was actually waking up at this exact moment!

Disregarding any need to bicker with Siela, he immediately drew a long blade and held it directly against Iris's fair neck. The icy, blood-stained chill and killing intent unique to metal instantly filled the entire carriage cabin.

His heart thumped wildly, and cold sweat beaded on his forehead. This audacious plan truly seemed a bit rash in hindsight.

Iris was immensely powerful. She was capable of opening dimensional rifts, had defeated the battle mage pioneer Nymue, and was herself a creation of the Second Apostle!

"My mind feels like it's exploding, my soul is being torn in two..." Although Iris had opened her eyes, her gaze was dim and lifeless. Her once magnificent purple eyes lacked their usual sparkle, filled instead with an intense sense of agony.

"Take the sword away. I'll handle this."

Yuna put on her metal bracers, shedding her previous distrust and adopting a stern expression. She pushed Yelin's blade away, lifted Iris's upper body, and delivered a swift karate chop to the back of her neck.

Iris's body went limp, and she passed out once again. Her technique was somewhat practiced...

"Her condition closely resembles the initial symptoms of becoming an Imposter after contracting the Blood Curse. It seems as though two people are warring inside her head. Even if it's not the Blood Curse, it must be a very powerful magic. She is truly in immense agony."

After conducting a thorough inspection, Yuna reached her conclusion. As a member of the Priests' Order, she had fought countless battles against Imposters and held significant authority on the matter.

"Well? Didn't I tell you I wasn't kidnapping anyone? I genuinely wanted to help her!"

Yelin straightened his back immediately, casting a defiant look toward Siela while letting out a massive sigh of relief in his heart. Unnecessary tragedy had been averted.

Iris's own soul was pure, but bound by Hilder's [Curse of the Evil Spirit], she was like a marionette, forced to watch helplessly as she spread various "prophecies" in the name of "fate."

Prophecies that were entirely part of Hilder's master plan.

Siela curled her lips dismissively and asked, "What on earth are you bringing her back to Hendon Myres for?"

"Seria might be able to help her. If possible, I also hope to enlist the help of G.S.D and Cardinal Meister. This is a very difficult task."

The moment the [Curse of the Evil Spirit] was broken, it would awaken the binding force left behind by Hilder. Without a powerhouse to sever it, Iris's pure soul would be destroyed, and she would completely turn into a rigid puppet before disintegrating and vanishing.

From the very moment Hilder created Iris, she never intended for her to stay alive.

"My, going to such great lengths. Could it be you're lusting after her body? Or is there some other reason?"

"Ahem, she is a very important person. If we can lift her curse, it will be of immense benefit to our future adventures."

"I always feel like you're just changing the subject. Shameless!"

"She is a heavy hitter from a major faction, the kind who might be even stronger than Thana. I wouldn't dare lust after her, I really wouldn't..."

Fortunately, Iris had been wearing a cloak when she directed the empire's teleportation experiments, so Siela had never recognized this "prime culprit."

………………

After a period of rushing, they finally returned to Hendon Myres.

"I need to go back and report to Cardinal Meister first. You guys figure out a way to deal with the curse, and just come find me at Lemidia."

Yuna took a hurried leave. The matter of the Evil Eye had reached a barely acceptable conclusion, and news of the Lord of Light would likely spread rapidly across the Coast, Bel Myre, and eventually the entirety of Arad.