NOVEL WEB Chapter 111: Rivalry (1)
(Two Days After the Fight in the Holy City, Back at Central Academy)
Knock. Knock.
The soft knocking echoed through the office of the captain of the Golden Dawn, one of the top three factions in Central's higher institution.
The figure inside, flipping through documents, raised her eyes from the papers, tucked back a strand of her black hair, and spoke.
"Come in."
The door creaked open immediately, as if the person had planned to enter regardless of permission.
The captain of the Golden Dawn dropped the papers. "To what do I owe the visit?" she asked, straightening her posture. "Miss Ellie Reinhardt."
Ellie, who had been admiring the view from the office, turned to the beautiful black-haired woman with a smile. "Is that how you treat your junior sister, Senior Isabella?"
Isabella sighed, pressing her fingers to the bridge of her nose. "As far as I remember, we aren't blood-related, so how can I—"
Her words caught in her throat as Ellie turned to her with a small smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"So you want to play that game, big sis?"
Isabella's expression hardened at her sudden cold tone. "I don't understand what you mean."
Ellie took slow, deliberate steps forward, tracing her finger along the table as she moved beside her.
"Big Sis, how is it that both Senior Nathira and I, who aren't directly connected to Husband, regained our memories of him on our own—but you, whose soul is bound to his, didn't?"
Isabella tried to feign ignorance. "See, Ellie, I don't want to call security on you, so can you leave peacefully?"
Ellie stared at her. "I don't care about what you're planning, big sis. However," she continued, "if it hurts Husband even a little..."
She moved closer, raising her chin slightly. "I will kill you."
Isabella didn't move or respond.
Ellie's eyes were now devoid of light, like life had been drained from them. "But I know you won't hurt him. Still, don't forget—you aren't the only one who's married to Art. So there's no guarantee you won't become an afterthought. I even heard three extra witches seduced him."
Ellie turned around, but before she could step away from the table, Isabella called out. "Ellie..."
She turned her head as if expecting the call.
Isabella paused briefly before asking, "Where are you heading?"
Ellie let out a sly smile. "Want to come too?" Her eyes narrowed. "I heard he's in the Holy City of the South."
------
(Back in the Holy City)
After Arthur finished defeating the priests present in the Holy City, he had to quickly escape with Amelia, Elizabeth, Eira, and Karma.
He had learned from Abel that the boss of the Holy City—the archbishop—had an authority that allowed his followers to use Energy regardless of any debuffs, which, in Arthur's opinion, was a pretty convenient ability considering the city's situation.
Besides that, they had established a base underneath the city and started gathering information about Cassie's whereabouts.
After collecting enough intel, Arthur and Amelia were able to piece things together easily.
Elizabeth worked on brewing much-needed potions, while Eira remained their cheerful morale booster.
From what they had discovered, Cassie was currently being held in the highest building in the Holy City, which was their church and she was constantly under heavy guard.
If Arthur waited for the day of her coronation as the priestess to make a move, the chance of failure would be too high. A risk he wasn't willing to take.
That meant the best opportunity would be during her transfer from the cathedral to the coronation building.
Amelia slowly opened the door to Arthur's room in the shabby hideout they occupied.
She leaned against the frame, watching Arthur as he scribbled onto a large city map he had marked by hand.
His gaze was fixed, calculating scenarios, with shadows under his eyes.
After a minute or two of silence, Arthur finally noticed her.
As he glanced in her direction, she smiled. "Aren't you overworking yourself?"
Arthur exhaled and rubbed at his eyes. "Nah. A little caffeine and I'm good," he said with a tired smile.
Amelia walked closer and gently wrapped her arms around him from behind. "Are you sure?"
He pressed his lips together, as though struggling to keep himself steady.
"Yeah," he said again, his tone laced with both fatigue and guilt.
Even after his reassurance, she didn't let go. Instead, she hugged him tighter.
"I love you, Art, and I want you to rely on me. Cassie is my junior sister after all."
Arthur smiled, this time more sincerely. "I will. When the time comes."
He turned her around, drawing a soft gasp from her.
"Wait—"
Her words halted as Arthur's arm cradled the back of her head, pulling her against his chest.
She could hear his heartbeat—fast and uneven.
Her cheeks flushed. "What are you doing?"
Arthur lingered. "Recharging."
Amelia squeezed him tighter. "Me too."
After a few more seconds, he pulled away and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.
"I'm going to move alone tomorrow." Amelia didn't respond at first, so he continued. "Could you three try and contact either Sylvia or Nathira? Ravian's diary would do."
Amelia lowered her gaze, then gave a small nod. "Okay."
She turned immediately, cast him one last glance, and walked away.
Arthur exhaled, rubbed his temples, and after a pause, gave himself a light slap. "Can't show weakness now."
Cassie needed him, and he had to protect her.
However, unknown to Arthur, things were becoming far more complicated than he had initially imagined.
Because the real villain wasn't just a lust-driven man. No—he wasn't even a man to begin with.
But a woman deeply connected to Cassie.
-----
(Inside the Highest Building in the Holy City)
A beautiful young woman brushed the brown hair of an even more stunning girl who sat quietly in front of a mirror.
The woman smiled warmly, then leaned in.
"Smile for the crowds, Cass," she whispered, her reflection appearing beside Cassie's in the mirror.
She looked eerily similar to Cassie, except for her jet-black hair. "Dad's watching, okay?"
─── ✦ End of Chapter ✦ ───