Chapter 74
Seth acknowledged that he and Zair were similar. Both were cold and ruthless, willing to eliminate anything that obstructed their goals without hesitation. Moreover, they poured their full attention into whatever piqued their interest.
However, Seth’s interests never lasted long; they would quickly change. Zair, on the other hand, continued to accumulate and build upon a single ambition. He was someone who would do anything to obtain what fascinated him. That was why he had likely locked Seth in solitary confinement and was now imitating, in a similar way, what he had once done to Joo Yi-Gyeol.
It was a test of sorts.
Seth was imprisoned under suspicion of murdering the First Prince, Mendel. If the charges were confirmed, he would be stripped of his title as Crown Prince, causing Joo Yi-Gyeol’s body to vanish. Even if he were found innocent, the investigation would take time. Should the Emperor die in the meantime and another ascend the throne, the result would be the same.
Either way, the situation was undeniably precarious for Joo Yi-Gyeol. Zair had probably used this instability to coax him, speaking sweet words and urging him to take his side.
But, as Seth had expected, Joo Yi-Gyeol did not succumb to Zair. He had already received reports, but even without them, the desperate concern in Joo Yi-Gyeol’s voice as he called for him was proof enough.
Seth had never found anyone “cute” before, but with Joo Yi-Gyeol, he could understand the sentiment. His heart tingled pleasantly, and he felt an irresistible urge to reach out and claim him.
Come here.
Come here, Joo Yi-Gyeol.
Come to me.
There was no need to call out loud. The soul that had ensnared his interest—no, had utterly captivated him—was already moving toward him, as if enchanted once again.
“Seth!”
The affectionate nickname, reserved only for him, rang pleasantly in his mind.
“Seth, are you there?!”
Through the tiny window, all Joo Yi-Gyeol could likely see were his eyes, yet he flew toward him without hesitation, as if he could see his full form clearly. As the warmth of his presence neared, Seth’s chest tingled even more. The corners of his eyes crinkled, and his lips refused to lower from their upward curve. Had he always smiled this often?
The presence stopped before him, its voice trembling as if on the verge of tears.
“Are you okay? You’re not hurt, are you? You’re not in pain, right?”
Joo Yi-Gyeol had no physical form. To anyone else, he was nothing but a flickering presence, barely visible. Yet, to Seth, he appeared so vividly that he could almost see the worried expression on his face.
When Seth remained silent, merely watching, Joo Yi-Gyeol, frustrated, passed through the wall and entered the solitary cell. A place where no one could enter so easily—yet he slipped in as if it were nothing.
“Let me see. You’re really okay, right?”
Joo Yi-Gyeol circled him, carefully inspecting him before finally stopping in relief.
“It doesn’t look like you’re hurt… Are you really alright?”
“Yeah.”
“Thank goodness…”
His relieved voice felt exceptionally warm. Even the cold atmosphere of the cell seemed to shift.
“I’m with Zair right now. Some knights came and dragged me away, but…”
He hurriedly relayed what had happened since his capture. As Seth suspected, the topic of possession came up.
As he spoke, Joo Yi-Gyeol’s voice gradually grew resolute.
“I can recognize a possessed person. That will definitely help you.”
His confident tone made Seth unconsciously reach out toward him. He wanted to see the expression on his face at that moment.
“How unfortunate.”
He needed a body. A body that could fully capture Joo Yi-Gyeol’s thoughts and expressions.
And to ensure that—to keep Joo Yi-Gyeol by his side—Seth had to become Emperor.
The flickering presence did not avoid his outstretched hand. It remained still, as if waiting for his touch.
“Why don’t you ask?”
“Ask what?”
The sensation of warmth spread through his fingertips.
“Why don’t you ask if I really killed the First Prince?”
Joo Yi-Gyeol wouldn’t have had enough time to thoroughly investigate even that. Why hadn’t he even questioned it?
“Because it wasn’t you.”
Seth’s hand froze.
“You would never kill him. That’s why I didn’t ask.”
The certainty in his voice sent another shiver through Seth’s core.
It felt good.
Just a single, casual statement from Joo Yi-Gyeol was enough to drive him mad.
Anyone else would have abandoned him and chosen Zair. Regardless of any ulterior motives, Zair knew exactly how to handle Joo Yi-Gyeol and could even treat him more kindly than Seth could. With the First Prince dead and Seth reduced to this state as well, if one thought about it coldly, Zair was the one fit to ascend proudly to the throne.
Yet, Joo Yi-Gyeol had chosen Seth without the slightest hesitation.
“Joo Yi-Gyeol.”
“Yes?” He responded immediately, without a second’s delay.
Was this what it felt like to find someone you like?
It was a feeling Seth had never experienced before, but it wasn’t unpleasant. On the contrary, it made him relax in a way he never had before.
“How much do you trust me?”
“Completely.” A single word, yet it held undeniable trust and affection.
“I trust you completely.”
It was fortunate that Joo Yi-Gyeol’s soul was all that stood before him. If he had a physical form, Seth would have pinned him to the bed and released every desire he had been suppressing. Even if Joo Yi-Gyeol resisted, trembled in fear, and begged him to stop, he wouldn’t have let him go.
His racing heart made his breath feel heated. With each inhale, he recalled Joo Yi-Gyeol’s breath—he wanted it.
“Kiss me.”
“Huh?”
Joo Yi-Gyeol’s startled response was endearing. But Seth pressed on. “Kiss me, Joo Yi-Gyeol.”
“But right now, I…”
Even though he was just a soul, even though a kiss wouldn’t feel like anything, Seth still wanted it. Perhaps it would momentarily calm the burning desire within him.
Joo Yi-Gyeol hesitated but gradually drew closer. As his warm presence neared, something brushed against Seth’s lips. It was faint but unmistakable. Then, the warmth intensified, turning searing.
So this was the heat of Joo Yi-Gyeol’s soul.
It was hotter than he had imagined. The imprint-like kiss of Joo Yi-Gyeol’s soul branded itself onto his lips.
“Did you… feel it?” A bit embarrassed, Joo Yi-Gyeol pulled back and asked in a quiet voice.
Seth lowered his gaze, running his fingers over his lips. “This is nice, but kissing you in person would be better.” Because then, he could pin him down, hold him still, and kiss him until he was breathless.
“When you get out of here… we can… do it again.” Joo Yi-Gyeol’s voice was filled with shy hesitation. Even saying something so obvious seemed difficult for him—adorable.
Suddenly, Joo Yi-Gyeol shouted, as if remembering something important.
“I saw something important!” Trying to shake off his embarrassment, he darted pointlessly through the air before his expression turned serious.
“Zair was doing something suspicious.”
“Something suspicious?”
Yi-Gyeol carefully chose his words before explaining what he had seen. “There was one place in your castle that was different. At first glance, it seemed ordinary, but it had an eerie atmosphere. Zair seemed to receive reports there often. I didn’t see everything, but inside… he was doing something terrible.” Yi-Gyeol’s voice trembled slightly.
He then told him that Zair was planning to use Joo Yi-Gyeol’s soul to create a body and give it to someone else. In the depths of that room, people were hanging there while their blood was being collected. And in a huge glass tank filled with blood, there were countless soul butterflies.
Blood. And soul butterflies.
Whatever else it was, collecting fresh human blood and filling it with soul butterflies was no ordinary matter. He did not know exactly what it was for or what Zair wanted, but the circumstances made it clear that it was connected to Joo Yi-Gyeol.
Seth immediately thought of soul magic. The unknown ritual Zair was performing was likely connected to a form of soul magic even he was unaware of. His expression darkened, his usual smile vanishing.
“I need you to do something.”
“Anything. Just say the word.” Excitement mixed with nervous anticipation filled Joo Yi-Gyeol’s voice.
“You need to go to the Magic Tower. Tell Roa.”
“Master Roa… Got it!”
As Joo Yi-Gyeol prepared to leave, Seth stopped him.
“But you won’t be the one going.”
He had heard that, even in the Magic Tower, only Roa and his successor Eda could see souls, but since there were many who studied soul magic there, there might be others among them as well. More than that, he did not want to send Joo Yi-Gyeol into danger.
However, Seth’s interests never lasted long; they would quickly change. Zair, on the other hand, continued to accumulate and build upon a single ambition. He was someone who would do anything to obtain what fascinated him. That was why he had likely locked Seth in solitary confinement and was now imitating, in a similar way, what he had once done to Joo Yi-Gyeol.
It was a test of sorts.
Seth was imprisoned under suspicion of murdering the First Prince, Mendel. If the charges were confirmed, he would be stripped of his title as Crown Prince, causing Joo Yi-Gyeol’s body to vanish. Even if he were found innocent, the investigation would take time. Should the Emperor die in the meantime and another ascend the throne, the result would be the same.
Either way, the situation was undeniably precarious for Joo Yi-Gyeol. Zair had probably used this instability to coax him, speaking sweet words and urging him to take his side.
But, as Seth had expected, Joo Yi-Gyeol did not succumb to Zair. He had already received reports, but even without them, the desperate concern in Joo Yi-Gyeol’s voice as he called for him was proof enough.
Seth had never found anyone “cute” before, but with Joo Yi-Gyeol, he could understand the sentiment. His heart tingled pleasantly, and he felt an irresistible urge to reach out and claim him.
Come here.
Come here, Joo Yi-Gyeol.
Come to me.
There was no need to call out loud. The soul that had ensnared his interest—no, had utterly captivated him—was already moving toward him, as if enchanted once again.
“Seth!”
The affectionate nickname, reserved only for him, rang pleasantly in his mind.
“Seth, are you there?!”
Through the tiny window, all Joo Yi-Gyeol could likely see were his eyes, yet he flew toward him without hesitation, as if he could see his full form clearly. As the warmth of his presence neared, Seth’s chest tingled even more. The corners of his eyes crinkled, and his lips refused to lower from their upward curve. Had he always smiled this often?
The presence stopped before him, its voice trembling as if on the verge of tears.
“Are you okay? You’re not hurt, are you? You’re not in pain, right?”
Joo Yi-Gyeol had no physical form. To anyone else, he was nothing but a flickering presence, barely visible. Yet, to Seth, he appeared so vividly that he could almost see the worried expression on his face.
When Seth remained silent, merely watching, Joo Yi-Gyeol, frustrated, passed through the wall and entered the solitary cell. A place where no one could enter so easily—yet he slipped in as if it were nothing.
“Let me see. You’re really okay, right?”
Joo Yi-Gyeol circled him, carefully inspecting him before finally stopping in relief.
“It doesn’t look like you’re hurt… Are you really alright?”
“Yeah.”
“Thank goodness…”
His relieved voice felt exceptionally warm. Even the cold atmosphere of the cell seemed to shift.
“I’m with Zair right now. Some knights came and dragged me away, but…”
He hurriedly relayed what had happened since his capture. As Seth suspected, the topic of possession came up.
As he spoke, Joo Yi-Gyeol’s voice gradually grew resolute.
“I can recognize a possessed person. That will definitely help you.”
His confident tone made Seth unconsciously reach out toward him. He wanted to see the expression on his face at that moment.
“How unfortunate.”
He needed a body. A body that could fully capture Joo Yi-Gyeol’s thoughts and expressions.
And to ensure that—to keep Joo Yi-Gyeol by his side—Seth had to become Emperor.
The flickering presence did not avoid his outstretched hand. It remained still, as if waiting for his touch.
“Why don’t you ask?”
“Ask what?”
The sensation of warmth spread through his fingertips.
“Why don’t you ask if I really killed the First Prince?”
Joo Yi-Gyeol wouldn’t have had enough time to thoroughly investigate even that. Why hadn’t he even questioned it?
“Because it wasn’t you.”
Seth’s hand froze.
“You would never kill him. That’s why I didn’t ask.”
The certainty in his voice sent another shiver through Seth’s core.
It felt good.
Just a single, casual statement from Joo Yi-Gyeol was enough to drive him mad.
Anyone else would have abandoned him and chosen Zair. Regardless of any ulterior motives, Zair knew exactly how to handle Joo Yi-Gyeol and could even treat him more kindly than Seth could. With the First Prince dead and Seth reduced to this state as well, if one thought about it coldly, Zair was the one fit to ascend proudly to the throne.
Yet, Joo Yi-Gyeol had chosen Seth without the slightest hesitation.
“Joo Yi-Gyeol.”
“Yes?” He responded immediately, without a second’s delay.
Was this what it felt like to find someone you like?
It was a feeling Seth had never experienced before, but it wasn’t unpleasant. On the contrary, it made him relax in a way he never had before.
“How much do you trust me?”
“Completely.” A single word, yet it held undeniable trust and affection.
“I trust you completely.”
It was fortunate that Joo Yi-Gyeol’s soul was all that stood before him. If he had a physical form, Seth would have pinned him to the bed and released every desire he had been suppressing. Even if Joo Yi-Gyeol resisted, trembled in fear, and begged him to stop, he wouldn’t have let him go.
His racing heart made his breath feel heated. With each inhale, he recalled Joo Yi-Gyeol’s breath—he wanted it.
“Kiss me.”
“Huh?”
Joo Yi-Gyeol’s startled response was endearing. But Seth pressed on. “Kiss me, Joo Yi-Gyeol.”
“But right now, I…”
Even though he was just a soul, even though a kiss wouldn’t feel like anything, Seth still wanted it. Perhaps it would momentarily calm the burning desire within him.
Joo Yi-Gyeol hesitated but gradually drew closer. As his warm presence neared, something brushed against Seth’s lips. It was faint but unmistakable. Then, the warmth intensified, turning searing.
So this was the heat of Joo Yi-Gyeol’s soul.
It was hotter than he had imagined. The imprint-like kiss of Joo Yi-Gyeol’s soul branded itself onto his lips.
“Did you… feel it?” A bit embarrassed, Joo Yi-Gyeol pulled back and asked in a quiet voice.
Seth lowered his gaze, running his fingers over his lips. “This is nice, but kissing you in person would be better.” Because then, he could pin him down, hold him still, and kiss him until he was breathless.
“When you get out of here… we can… do it again.” Joo Yi-Gyeol’s voice was filled with shy hesitation. Even saying something so obvious seemed difficult for him—adorable.
Suddenly, Joo Yi-Gyeol shouted, as if remembering something important.
“I saw something important!” Trying to shake off his embarrassment, he darted pointlessly through the air before his expression turned serious.
“Zair was doing something suspicious.”
“Something suspicious?”
Yi-Gyeol carefully chose his words before explaining what he had seen. “There was one place in your castle that was different. At first glance, it seemed ordinary, but it had an eerie atmosphere. Zair seemed to receive reports there often. I didn’t see everything, but inside… he was doing something terrible.” Yi-Gyeol’s voice trembled slightly.
He then told him that Zair was planning to use Joo Yi-Gyeol’s soul to create a body and give it to someone else. In the depths of that room, people were hanging there while their blood was being collected. And in a huge glass tank filled with blood, there were countless soul butterflies.
Blood. And soul butterflies.
Whatever else it was, collecting fresh human blood and filling it with soul butterflies was no ordinary matter. He did not know exactly what it was for or what Zair wanted, but the circumstances made it clear that it was connected to Joo Yi-Gyeol.
Seth immediately thought of soul magic. The unknown ritual Zair was performing was likely connected to a form of soul magic even he was unaware of. His expression darkened, his usual smile vanishing.
“I need you to do something.”
“Anything. Just say the word.” Excitement mixed with nervous anticipation filled Joo Yi-Gyeol’s voice.
“You need to go to the Magic Tower. Tell Roa.”
“Master Roa… Got it!”
As Joo Yi-Gyeol prepared to leave, Seth stopped him.
“But you won’t be the one going.”
He had heard that, even in the Magic Tower, only Roa and his successor Eda could see souls, but since there were many who studied soul magic there, there might be others among them as well. More than that, he did not want to send Joo Yi-Gyeol into danger.
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