Chapter 80
“It Doesn’t Matter”
Calliere’s gaze, which had been focused on the orb, turned back to Lafer.
Lafer, noticing Calliere’s sharp gaze, thought it was actually a good thing. After all, Calliere had also mistaken Rebellia for Heidi, so if Calliere asked why he hadn’t said anything sooner, Lafer could just claim he didn’t know.
Of course, things could get complicated if Calliere started questioning every detail, but the most important thing right now was to redirect Calliere’s attention away from Rebellia.
It was better that Calliere didn’t find out if Rebellia had tricked him.
“Anyway, now you know…” Lafer started.
“It doesn’t matter,” Calliere’s voice cut in softly.
Lafer looked up at Calliere. He paused for a moment, then tilted his head.
“What?” Lafer asked.
“You’re right, Lafer Wizard,” Calliere said.
“…?”
“It doesn’t matter if that woman is Heidi or not.”
“Y-yeah, I suppose you’re right…” Lafer muttered, surprised.
“And it doesn’t matter who she is either.”
“…What?”
Lafer blinked, shocked by Calliere’s unexpected words.
Calliere, seeing Lafer’s confusion, asked again, “Now, tell me.”
“…”
“Where is that woman?”
The Next Scene
“She was lucky,” Crocan muttered to himself, looking out the window as he prepared to leave the last village before heading toward the Babylon Forest where Rebellia was.
Heidi Eliana.
Crocan had brought the foolish girl into this because, in case Delphian Xeros ever found out, he needed a way out. Delphian loved Heidi and wouldn’t bring this matter to light.
Crocan thought it was a perfect plan and not too difficult, but in the end, the foolish girl couldn’t even do the job given to her.
‘But who would have guessed that Lafer Wizard would be the one helping that girl?’
Crocan was stunned when he realized that Lafer, the eccentric wizard from the Mage Tower, was the one helping Heidi.
But after realizing this, Crocan started to question if Lafer had truly helped kill Rebellia Piace.
He immediately requested information from his contact.
“Check if Lafer Wizard has made any recent transactions. It doesn’t matter what—items, houses, mines, anything.”
His informant revealed that Lafer had recently made a transaction in the Babylon Forest, located in southeastern Hestonia.
Crocan sent mercenaries to check the place for anyone showing up.
He handed over a portrait of Rebellia Piace with golden hair.
“I thought she was much smarter than I gave her credit for. Too bad. If she had really been Piace, I would have raised her as my successor.”
Crocan smiled, looking away from the window. He thought it was ironic that Rebellia ended up so close to Raymond’s place.
It was a day he considered lucky, as despite his plans falling apart, Rebellia’s hideout was close enough to Raymond that he could still handle the situation.
“Maybe this is a chance the gods gave me, to take my daughter’s life myself.”
Crocan grinned, eyeing the Babylon Forest.
Then, a knock came on the door of his inn room.
“Who is it?”
“Sir, sorry to disturb you. It’s Demon.”
When Crocan gave the order to come in, Demon bowed deeply and spoke.
“Sorry to disturb you. We’ve received a letter from the hunting dog that infiltrated the Esperos territory.”
‘A letter?’
Crocan took the letter from Demon and gestured for him to leave.
As Crocan opened the letter and read it, his face twisted with confusion.
[The flower has disappeared from Esperos’ Grand Duchy. The Duke has gone to find the flower using his cane.]
“The Duke is looking for the flower? What does this mean?”
Crocan’s gaze shifted toward the Babylon Forest. He kept thinking about the letter’s contents.
“…”
His frown deepened as he reread the letter.
The flower from Esperos Grand Duchy was clearly Rebellia, pretending to be Heidi Eliana.
‘But this letter implies Calliere Esperos is falling for Rebellia…’
“Hahaha!”
Crocan laughed loudly, his shoulders shaking with amusement.
Who would have thought that girl had such ability?
“Anna, Anna Luivisha! So Rebellia really is your daughter.”
‘Who knew she could even charm the Duke of Esperos?’
Crocan grinned, his mind racing with thoughts of how to use this new development.
Back to Lafer and Calliere
Lafer, facing Calliere’s serious expression, smiled faintly.
After a moment of disbelief, Lafer hesitated and asked, “What do you mean, ‘it doesn’t matter,’ Calliere?”
“Exactly what it sounds like,” Calliere responded calmly.
“…”
“It doesn’t matter who she is anymore.”
Lafer paused for a moment. He wasn’t sure if Calliere was serious.
‘Could Calliere really have fallen for Rebellia? No, that’s impossible. It must be something else…’
After a moment, Lafer lowered his voice and said, “Calliere, if you’re asking about the woman’s whereabouts, then you need to explain your situation to me first.”
“What explanation is needed?”
“If you’re saying it doesn’t matter who she is, does that mean you plan to kill her once you find her?” Lafer asked, his voice cautious.
“What?” Calliere asked, his voice shaking with frustration.
Lafer quickly added, “I mean, if you’re looking for her to get revenge, I won’t help. You know that, right?”
“…”
“You know I have rules as the Tower Lord.”
“…”
“One of those rules is not using someone’s life as a transaction.”
Lafer said this firmly, nodding at Calliere, as if to suggest he should speak.
Calliere stared at Lafer for a while, then finally opened his mouth.
“I’ve changed my mind.”
“What do you mean?”
“I won’t take away the most important person from the one who took away mine,” Calliere said, his voice steady.
“…”
“I still hate Delphian Xeros, but I won’t use Heidi Eliana to get revenge on him anymore.”
Lafer stared at Calliere in disbelief. He had lived for revenge for so long, but now he was changing his course. It was hard to understand.
“And I like her,” Calliere added.
“Wait, you like… what?” Lafer blinked, not believing what he was hearing.
“I thought she was Heidi Eliana, and I thought she liked Delphian Xeros,” Calliere continued. “But if she’s not Heidi, then she’s not in love with him either.”
Lafer, still processing, stammered, “Well, she could still like him. After all, Delphian is quite popular…”
“She wouldn’t like someone like that,” Calliere snapped, sure of his words.
Lafer wanted to argue but forced a smile. He had never seen Calliere like this before.
“I see now why you’re looking for her, Calliere.”
“…”
“But what if she approached you just to use you?” Lafer asked, his voice probing.
“What?” Calliere asked, confused.
Lafer quickly added, “I’m not saying that’s the case, but if she’s been tricking you all along, is it worth getting involved with her again?”
Calliere chuckled softly at this and said, “Well, then it’s simple.”
“What do you mean?”
“If she used me, then I’ll use her until she’s no longer useful. If she’s been staying by my side to kill me, she’ll stay until she tries to kill me.”
“…”
“Let her try. If she wants to kill me, I’ll be happy to die by her hands.”
Lafer stared at his friend in disbelief, his mouth hanging open. Calliere looked at him and then asked again.
“So now, tell me.”
“…”
“Where is she, Lafer?”
