Act 35

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A piercing cold silence flowed through the mansion’s hallway like a needle. 

Having made my way through this corridor to the bedroom, I tossed the documents I had brought all the way here onto the table. 

Then, a small yet growing rage began to simmer within me. Not a fiery, volcanic anger, but a calm fury, like waves occasionally crashing in the sea. 

I had a rough idea why these feelings were beginning to sprout. It was because…

“I feel like I’m becoming completely you.” 

Actions, thoughts, memories. All of these are based on ‘Lee Si-hoo’. However, emotions. 

Delving deeper, the realm of ‘instinct’ seems to carry a bit more of ‘Julian’s’ color.

‘It doesn’t bother me at all.’ 

This suspicion became evident when I found out that Razlot was a spy for the Dawn Society, and especially when I threatened him. 

Holding onto his weakness, the calmness of my heart and mind while trying to subtly coerce him was too pronounced. As if it was natural to act this way. 

‘Given that Razlot is a spy for the Dawn Society, it’s clear he’s an indefensible criminal.’ 

Yet, the lack of hesitation in manipulating him by holding onto his weakness…

‘Lee Si-hoo’ wouldn’t have done this.’ 

“Now that I think about it…” 

I raised my head to look into the mirror, and upon seeing the villainous narrow eyes reflected back, a scoff escaped me. 

“I’ve been referring to myself in the third person.” 

It’s not like I’m in my adolescence, establishing my self-identity, yet here I am, pondering over my identity. 

What angered me more was that despite these thoughts on identity, my heart and mind remained as calm as a serene sea.

“What’s important now isn’t pondering over my identity, but what I need to do next.” 

A valid point. I found myself agreeing with my own mumble as I was about to hang up my clothes. 

Knock, knock─! 

At the sudden knock, I shifted my gaze. 

“Come in.” 

As I responded, one of the mansion’s maids entered. 

She greeted me politely with a slightly stiff face, then slowly raised her head and spoke. 

“A message has come from the main house.” 

The main house? 

I was puzzled by the maid’s words. For Julian, the ‘main house’ would refer to the Crypart House, one of the empire’s four prestigious families.

‘Given our branch status and the infamous reputation, our relationship with the main house isn’t exactly cordial.’ 

The relationship between ‘Julian’ and the Crypart family couldn’t exactly be called hostile, but it was certainly strained with unresolved bitterness. 

That much was common knowledge, not needing my articulation. 

A message from the Crypart family, of all things, what could it possibly be about?

“Miss Renia Crypart’s wedding is scheduled to take place. It would be appreciated if all members of the family could attend, the head of the family has conveyed.” 

Is that message for me as well? 

The thought nearly escaped my lips, but I assumed it was merely a formal gesture. 

Julian is a ‘Frasan’, but still a member of the Crypart family.

“Should I reply as before, citing a reason for not attending?” 

“Yes, if you could…” 

Before I finished, the concept of ‘Soul seating’ suddenly came to mind. 

This ‘demonic remnant’ that appears only among demons of three horns or more, incongruously takes the form of a jewel.

Its appearance was so exquisite that it wouldn’t be odd for nobles obsessed with nobility to use it as a luxury item. 

Therefore, in “Let’s Kill the Demon Lord,” players often obtained Soul Stones not only from demons but occasionally from humans as well. 

‘Didn’t the Crypart family have a Soul Stone?’ 

Considering the wealth and military power the Crypart family possesses, I wasn’t too worried about it being stolen by the Dawn Society, but one must always consider the possibilities. 

“Understood. Then I’ll contact the main house like this………….” 

“No, I’ve changed my mind.” 

“Pardon?” 

“I will attend the wedding. Could you relay that to the main house?” 

“Oh, ah………… Yes!” 

Knowing somewhat the situation, the maid seemed momentarily lost for words. 

She nodded and responded after a short while, though she couldn’t hide the unease in her eyes. 

“And on your way, could you take care of this for me?” 

I handed her a document related to ‘Genmel Orphanage’. 

These were items I had brought from the ‘Closed Eyes’ office to handle personally. 

“Please burn it.” 

“Understood.” 

After a polite farewell, similar to her entrance, I watched the servant leave and then moved towards the wardrobe. 

Regardless of my relationship with the main family, if I must attend a wedding banquet, I need to wear appropriate attire. 

That was the etiquette in noble society. 

“Hmm…………. I forgot.” 

Opening the wardrobe, the colourful clothes dazzled my eyes. 

I was once again frustrated by Julian’s experimental fashion sense. 

It’s not that there were no formal clothes. 

However, the colors of those supposedly formal clothes were enough to make anyone squint. 

“At least it’s not pink……………” 

I’ve rambled in front of the wardrobe like this before. 

The cobalt blue coat was the only piece within the realm of normalcy, yet it still didn’t appeal to me. 

‘Well, it doesn’t matter.’

Regardless of what I wear, if it’s known as ‘Julian’, people will accept it. 

That’s what I thought as I was about to close the wardrobe door. 

“……Isn’t this thought very ‘Julian-like’?” 

A philosophical point that briefly immersed me in contemplation earlier resurfaced. 

This body is ‘Julian’, but the subject is ‘Lee Si-hoo’. 

Now that my power has stabilized to a certain extent, I should be able to impose my own taste in clothing. 

Yes, that should be fine. 

After all. 

I don’t think my aesthetic sense is exceptionally outstanding, but it’s surely better than someone who hangs a pink suit in the wardrobe. 

*** 

“This concludes the basic lecture on the Fifth Element.” 

Announcing the end of the lecture with formal ceremony, Aileen gathered her books and left the classroom. 

Walking through the hallway, she sighed deeply once she noticed the absence of people around. 

“Sigh… So tired.” 

The exhaustion was evident on her face. 

Considering the high standards of Bayer Academy, just the preparation and review for classes were enough to drain one’s energy, but she hadn’t felt this tired before. 

The fatigue Aileen was feeling wasn’t from the academy but from the research on a mineral that became a topic of discussion in the tower. 

The research on ‘soul stone’ was to blame. 

‘To think there would come a day I’d be grateful for Julian mining the moonstone.’

This year, among the elemental mages dealing with the ‘Gold’ element, Aileen was the only one who hadn’t submitted her individual thesis. 

Due to Julian preoccupying the subject of her intended thesis, the moonstone, Aileen was in search of a new topic when she suddenly became intrigued by the royal commission on ‘Soul Stones’. 

The more she examined the ‘Soul Stone’, the more she felt it suitable for a new thesis topic. 

‘I don’t know who you are, but I’m incredibly grateful!’

Reducing her sleeping hours, she immersed herself in research. 

Moreover, she couldn’t neglect her academy classes, leading to faint dark circles under Aileen’s eyes. 

“You’ve been working hard, Miss Aileen. Are you planning to visit the tower today as well?” 

Upon reaching the elemental science department, one of the professors, who, like Aileen, taught elemental science at the academy, offered to carry her books and asked her cautiously. 

Although he wasn’t from one of the four great noble families, he was a scion of a notable magical family and had a friendly expression. 

Hiding her tired expression, Aileen smiled gratefully and nodded. 

“Then, would you like to go together? I can escort you. It wouldn’t be right to let a delicate lady carry such a heavy burden.” 

“Oh, really?” 

When Aileen showed a sign of agreement, the male professor’s face lit up with joy and he quickly continued. 

Surprised, Aileen’s eyes widened, but she smiled and responded. 

Her action was not born out of genuine friendliness but rather, to put it nicely, was a diplomatic skill expected of any woman; or less favorably, it was pretense. 

“Then, as you said…………… Ah!” 

Just as Aileen was about to go to the tower with the male professor, she remembered that she had to attend a banquet soon. 

The wedding of Renia Crypart, the third daughter of the Crypart family, one of the empire’s four great noble families. 

It was somewhat puzzling that she, a branch family member, was invited, but the Crypart family often liked to show off ‘nobility’s grace’, so she assumed that was the reason. 

“I’m sorry. I appreciate the offer, but I have other commitments today and won’t be able to go to the tower.” 

“Oh, is that so……?” 

After expressing her apologies to the disappointed professor, Aileen left Bayer Academy. 

Postponing her visit to the tower for Soul Stone research, she headed to the most renowned comprehensive clothing store in the empire. 

A massive clothing store created by a partnership between the Heinrich family, one of the four great noble families, and the golden merchant, Hakel. 

Named ‘Hundred Clothes Store’ because it boasts over a hundred brands regardless of category. 

‘So glamorous…………….’ 

Visiting for the first time, Aileen was astounded by the dazzling attire, high ceilings, and the immense size of the building. 

‘I just came to buy a few outfits for the banquet……………..’ 

From dresses to casual everyday wear, the sight of various brands gathered in one place was enough to spark an interest in shopping, even in Aileen, who initially intended to buy only banquet clothes. 

‘Since I’m here, maybe I’ll look around a bit?’ 

She moved further inside the Hundred Clothes Store. 

From small accessories like cufflinks and buttons to formal suits. 

The Hundred Clothes Store, true to its name, boasted a collection that confidently lived up to its claim of having a hundred types of clothes. 

“Hm?” 

While admiring the scale of the clothing store, Aileen caught sight of a familiar figure. 

Julian Crypart Frasan. 

Recent encounters had made him less uncomfortable than before, but he was still a difficult person to deal with. 

Beyond acknowledging each other, even greeting was awkward.

Aileen thought it best to pretend not to see and focus on her shopping instead. 

‘But why is he looking at normal clothes?’ 

Despite her resolve, Aileen couldn’t help but be intrigued. Julian, known for his flamboyant colors and bold fashion, was choosing subdued formal wear. 

‘Could it be, is he also attending Renia Crypart’s wedding like me?’ 

After all, despite any bad blood or being from a branch family, he was still part of the same family. It would make sense that he was invited. 

‘Wait a minute…….’ 

While she was pondering this, Julian was examining a black coat recommended by a staff member. Considering the usual attire Julian wore, this was remarkably normal. 

However, the emblem on the left chest of the clothing was something that should be avoided at all costs, considering the host of the banquet. 

‘The Febvrance’s Royalty.’ 

Also known as the symbol of nobility massacre. It was the emblem displayed by the royal knights who proclaimed charges of insult and executed nobles without orders in the past. Over time, the meaning has faded, and despite its original significance, its beautiful design has made it a popular choice among designers. 

But no matter how much time has passed, for ‘The Closed Eyes,’ who is a royal exclusive organization and executes nobles under royal command, to wear that emblem to a banquet hosted by the Crypart family was a bit risky. The Crypart family is one of the empire’s highest nobility, and ‘The Closed Eyes’ is known for executing nobles. 

Given Julian’s branch family status, his notorious reputation for killing nobles, children, and elders alike, appearing with the ‘Febvrance’s Royalty’ emblem? 

‘No way, even for Julian, openly provoking like that would be…’ 

Shaking her head, thinking it couldn’t be true, he seemed about to try on the formal wear the staff member handed him. 

Pushing her initial resolve to ignore him aside, Aileen ended up speaking to him. 

“Are you planning to declare war on the Crypart family by any chance?”

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