Chapter 65 – Part 2

He’s completely lost it.

“…Look here, Duke. Calm down for now. Have you forgotten who I am? I am—”

“The heir to the Delacroix family. I am aware.”

He knew, but he was still acting like this? He was really completely insane. Oh God. Zen was stunned and didn’t know what to do. He can’t really fight a duel with this guy…

‘That won’t do. Then things will get too serious.’

Both of them were elemental contractors, not ordinary people. If they were to fight, of course they would use their respective elementals’ powers. It was clear that the whole country would be turned upside down if the fact that the two spirit contractors had fought was known.

‘My father is going to make a fuss…’

Although he was blocking Theodore’s way, Zen didn’t actually hate him… He was a little dissatisfied and jealous, but that didn’t mean he loathed Theodore.

More than anything, he didn’t want Valentino and Delacroix to go against each other. The two families had to ally against a common enemy—Everett. In the past, they had to keep their head down because of Everett’s tyranny…

‘…But now, this man has gone completely insane… Ha, I’m going crazy. I can only persuade him through words.’

In the end, Zen had no choice but to hope that the barrier magic in the secret underground space would stay intact. May Theodore Valentino pass by without discovering it.

Anyway, he was on Lily’s side now… He wanted to help her. It seemed that Zen would never forget how she smiled and cried in front of A lantern amidst darkness .

It was the first time he had ever seen such a beautiful and sad thing.

“…….”

Zen sighed deeply and said.

“Ugh… Fine, do as you please. But I guarantee you, you won’t find anything. You know, I will remember this forever. One day, I will definitely file a claim against Valentino for damages.”

Then Theodore nodded his head as if he was happy. …It was still a crazy look.

…This guy is really crazy about her. But why is Lily trying to run away from him?

‘He’s so obsessed…?’

…It may be so, and there may be other circumstances. It was a private matter, and he didn’t want to dig into it until Lily herself would tell him. He wanted to help her, not to act like an unscrupulous person.

After thirty minutes, the search was over.

“…Really nothing?”

“Yes, Milord… We couldn’t find anything suspicious.”

He couldn’t believe it. Theodore clenched his fists tightly… No way. He was sure that Lily’s trail ended here.

‘…Seraphim, can’t you really find anything? Lily isn’t here? You said that her trail ended here.’

Answering his question, the fire spirit dwelling in him responded with. He could feel the spirit feeling a little apologetic… Theodore threw his hands down. If Seraphim scans it and nothing comes out… Lily is not really hiding here.

So, where the hell did she go?

Theodore was nervous and was going mad. He thought he must have found her, but she really… he thought he’d be able to meet her again here.

‘…By any chance.’

At that time, a certain assumption flashed in his mind.

The blue eyes that had been staring down were unusually bright.

‘…Is there a shielded space in this cabin?’

It was common for a cabin like this to have a cellar enchanted with a barrier. It is a kind of refuge in case of the unknown… So, maybe.

She’s underground.

“…….”

But Zen Delacroix said there was no such thing as a basement. Until he tells Theodore, he won’t be able to find the passage to the basement.

So, there was only one way.

Theodore awakened the spirit within him. Blue flames burned around his body. Zen Delacroix, startled, exclaimed.

“Are you crazy?!”

“…I think so.”

The next moment, Theodore’s attack rushed towards Zen. Zen spat out curse words and woke Ventus up.

The golden wind gently wrapped around Zen’s body, blocking the blue flames.

“Duke Valentino! Do you really want to fight me!”

“Because you won’t tell me the truth unless I do this.”

“Do you know that you’ve completely lost it now? Wake up! Even if you defeat me in a duel, I won’t tell you! I really don’t know anything!”

“That…”

Theodore created a huge spark. A blue flame began to engulf everything. It seemed that the parlor where the two were in had turned into purgatory in an instant. However, according to the owner’s will, none of the items were burned.

The flame has only one purpose. It was to subdue Zen Delacroix and his elemental.

“…I’ll know only when you’re subdued.”

Theodore Valentino’s eyes were also burning with blue flames… At this moment, Zen was truly afraid of this man.

——