"Zorn and I have known each other since we were little. We were even classmates for twelve years!"

Joliya tilted her head up and quite naturally linked her arm with Zorn’s, speaking with pride and confidence.

The corner of Zorn’s eye twitched.

Although he often used the power of his Authority to strengthen the master-servant bond between them.

The more he did so, the more Joliya, being of the Rose Witch Sequence, craved punishment and discipline from her master.

Such was the innate nature of a Rose Witch, thriving on being "watered" with blood and pain.

In the words of an expert in Witch training, "A Rose Witch’s loyalty is directly proportional to the speed of your whip. As long as you whip her fast enough, her loyalty will break through the heavens!"

Watching Joliya nestle up to Zorn—who, for his part, didn’t seem to be resisting her advances—

Isabelle’s long eyelashes fluttered. Her expression stiffened, and an indescribable, strange emotion welled up in her heart, causing her breath to quicken.

...

As the banquet ended, twilight descended, heavy and deep.

The top experts from Ogrande City, the Sun Church, and Blood Shadow Rose descended deep underground to conspire over their next mysterious plan.

Zorn, however, was not yet qualified to participate.

But even though he wasn’t involved, he knew the general outline of the plan.

The Crying Blood Sun would rise soon.

When that time came, the Harvesters who had invaded Ogrande City, along with the numerous Transcendents from the Holy Fierce Sun Church, would all endure a terrifying scorching from the blazing sun.

Then, a massive war—and its declaration—would officially commence!

Although Zorn had not attended the meeting,

he was already one of the greatest beneficiaries of the Crying Blood Sun.

No one was more eager for the Crying Blood Sun to rise.

...

「Deep in the twilight.」

Joliya quietly led Zorn through a long corridor where the moonlight was sparse.

Then, after carefully looking both ways, she pulled Zorn into her private chambers.

However,

their secretive actions had been seen with perfect clarity by someone hidden in the shadows.

...

The moment she saw the two of them enter the room and shut the door,

CRACK!

By a window, under the cold, pale moonlight, Isabelle had crushed the porcelain cup in her hand.

She stared coldly at that corner.

An inexplicable feeling grew heavier in her heart.

She felt a faint, inexplicable connection to that Zorn Corick, a sense of déjà vu.

A sliver of admiration, a stir of affection—she had never told anyone.

’Perhaps...’

’One day...’

She would occasionally indulge in fantasies of a future that she kept hidden deep in her heart.

But today.

The man with whom she felt that fated connection, the man she even somewhat liked, had entered another woman’s private chambers.

And a despicable Witch, no less.

"She’s just a Witch who’s skilled at bewitching men’s hearts!"

Just then, from a nearby corner, the figure of Lady Sun slowly emerged.

"But it’s impossible for him to be bewitched. He’s doing this intentionally," Isabelle said coldly.

Lady Sun merely chuckled softly.

"He’s not doing it intentionally. He just truly doesn’t care about you."

"Isabelle, you must understand that the world doesn’t revolve around you. Not everything has to go your way."

"You... possess an incomparably powerful bloodline, and it is continuously awakening."

"Furthermore, you can communicate with the giants in the depths of the gray mist and even command the power of the Giant Realm."

"The Crying Blood Sun, which will soon rise, is even powered in part by you."

"When the engines of steam begin to roar in the Northern Border Region and a new Steam Realm is born, you will be the perfect choice for Empress."

"Myself and the other leaders of the Sun Church are fully supporting your ascension."

"We have also won over significant support in the Ogrande City council for this."

"In the future, you will wear the crown and take your place as Empress."

"It is Zorn Corick’s great loss to have missed out on you."

"He missed his chance to stand by your side. In the future, he will be the one groveling at your feet, kissing the very tips of your toes."

"No matter how skilled he may be, he is just a minor Baron. Within the Steam Empire, he is insignificant."

After a moment of scrutiny, Isabelle withdrew her gaze.

She lifted her head, the cold moonlight falling on her face. Her heart grew ever more frigid!

...

「In the depths of the dark, silent room.」

’Compared to Vanessa’s utter obedience, Joliya’s lively and adorable nature has its own unique charm.’

After their passion subsided, Zorn held Joliya, his mind silently turning over the day’s events.

’That faint, fated connection with Isabelle... has been torn to shreds.’

’I imagine that future Empress is quite furious right now!’

’Too bad... this Baron has no intention of groveling at the feet of you masterminds!’

’You have an Empress you’re backing, but if I’m not satisfied with her, she won’t be Empress!’

’After all,’

Zorn’s eyes narrowed.

’she’s not the only candidate for Empress!’

’Also...’

As his thoughts drifted, Zorn rubbed the space between his eyebrows and glanced down at Joliya, who was snuggled against his chest.

"Those higher-ups in your Blood Shadow Rose have already noticed that you seem to have... developed feelings for me."

"And they personally witnessed you leading me into your private chambers."

"Ah..."

Joliya blinked her dark lashes, her bright eyes shimmering faintly in the darkness.

"A Rose Witch must be ’watered’ with blood, pain, and hatred."

"Since you’ve given your heart to someone, killing the object of your affection would cause you to ’bloom’ and transform rapidly."

"I’m guessing... those higher-ups in your Blood Shadow Rose are probably mulling over whether to kill me, and how they’d go about doing it."

"But isn’t Blood Shadow Rose cooperating with Ogrande City?"

Zorn chuckled softly.

"Are those two things—cooperating with Ogrande City and killing me—mutually exclusive?"

"After all, I’m just an insignificant Level 5 Fighting Master."

Joliya froze for a moment at Zorn’s words.

"Then... then what should we do?"

She looked at Zorn, her expression worried.

"If I was willing to come here, it’s because I already have a solution."

Zorn gently brushed his finger down the bridge of her elegant nose.

"Weren’t you the one who told me that the secret Divine Kingdom Passage is about to be fully excavated?"

"Mhm!"

Joliya nodded seriously.

"Now that I’m here, I can feel it myself. It’s true... they’re about to break through."

"The pilgrimage to the Divine Kingdom is about to reach its destination."

"In that case... it’s time to close the net."

"In a few days, find the right time, execute the plan I gave you, and then sneak away."

"And then... we just have to wait for them to self-destruct!"

"After I escape, won’t they just keep causing trouble for you?"

Joliya asked, a hint of worry in her voice.

"On the contrary, I’ll be safer after you escape."

"Besides, they’d be wise not to target me."

"Otherwise..."

Zorn’s eyes narrowed, a cold glint surging in their depths.

"Blood Shadow Rose will be served up on a platter in Ogrande City—a delicious feast for the Evil Spirit Wizards!"