Wicked Notion

Roxus smiled. She has a good impression of Caprice. Even though he is young, because of his good social skills, he can read situations well and knows how to act. He never crosses the line and respects everyone as an individual. Because of that, the relationship between Caprice and Ernacht makes Roxus satisfied.

Moreover, in the future, when Roxus and Ernacht overthrew Bertia and built Croiso, Caprice would also provide the most assistance. After Cecilia's death, the Sorose family was pushed over the edge of a cliff. They were about to be crushed only if their military strength seemed to weaken. For eight years, after trying to gather strength in the shadows little by little, they decided to help Roxus and Ernacht.

"Greetings to Young Master Caprice," Roxus let Caprice kiss the back of her left hand.

"What a wonderful magic shield, Lady Croix. I've never seen a shield this strong and big before," said Caprice, praising Roxus sincerely.

"This is not a shield. This is the Protective Wall."

Roxus shifted her gaze lazily towards one of the pillars on the side of the capital gate. "These are impregnable pillars that are connected, forming a wall that surrounds the capital."

Roxus looked disinterested as if this was nothing amazing to her.

"Amazing. Is there anything we should pay attention to?" asked Caprice.

"Nothing, other than you can only go out and enter the capital through the gate," Roxus replied.

Caprice fell silent. "We really can't enter or leave except through the gate?" asked Caprice.

"Right. The people of the capital have been informed, so there is no problem. This wall is like an ordinary wall. It won't hurt you if you just touch it, but this wall won't break as long as I'm alive, or maybe as long as someone stronger than me doesn't appear," Roxus explained. "Of course, if Cece—I mean Her Highness Crown Princess Cecilia orders to deactivate it, I can create a mechanism to allow whoever holds the key to activate or deactivate it."

Ernacht seemed to be deep in thought, while Caprice felt that Roxus was completely mad. He wondered if all Archmages were as strong as Roxus? Protecting the entire capital city, which is inhabited by more than one billion inhabitants?

"And... who could possibly destroy this wall?" asked Caprice quietly.

"Hmm, maybe if a few dragons appeared, then there would be a slight shock. But everything will be fine," Roxus explained, and Caprice froze.

Does that mean some dragon won't even be able to break through this defence?

"Is Sir Lucius able to break through this defence that Ayunda made?" asked Ernacht.

Ernacht's question made Caprice turn to the young man. Sir Lucius? Who? There was someone who might be able to break through defences on this scale?

"Of course he can," Roxus replied, covering her face with a fan and yawning. She looks tired.

"What?!" Caprice became confused. "Some dragons can't break through these defences, but someone named Sir Lucius can?" asked Caprice to Ernacht.

"Sir Lucius is my future brother-in-law," explained Ernacht with a flat face and voice.

"Why did you call that man your future brother-in-law?" Roxus asked irritably.

"Because Sir Lucius has formally talked to Father about his proposal. Right now he is going to hunt the Calamity Dragon, but let's say he will come home with a dowry to marry Ayunda," replied Ernacht.

"So you think your sister can be bought with two or three Calamity Dragon's Hearts?" for some reason, Roxus sounded annoyed.

"Of course," Ernacht shook his head. "About the dowry, shouldn't our family have to give some to Sir Lucius? Ayunda, whether it's Father, Mother, or I can't get the heart of a Calamity Dragon, so it seems like Ayunda herself has to find a dowry to give to Sir Lucius."

Caprice was rooted to the spot. The words of the two siblings in front of him made him no longer able to react.

Roxus sighed. "That man doesn't need a dowry," Roxus said quietly.

"Ayunda said Sir Lucius needed something on the battlefield, right? Does he want a title?" asked Ernacht.

Roxus looked at her younger brother, waiting for the young man to continue his explanation.

"Why not ask for the title from Her Majesty Crown Princess Cecilia?" asked Ernacht then.

Roxus closed her eyes, thinking. She then shook her head. "He will reject it."

"But if he married Ayunda, wouldn't he sooner or later get the title?" continued Ernacht.

"But since the beginning, our marriage was never the plan. There is a reason why he has to go to the battlefield, and it is not simply to prove his strength or to get a title," Lucifer had to disappear. At least, that's what Roxus thought. But considering the change of plans Lucifer made, Roxus hesitated. Is Lucifer planning to become a Demigod as "Lucius", or is Lucifer planning to become a Demigod as an anonymous person.

It's just that Lucifer's identity as her bodyguard and now, as her future husband, also makes his figure much talked about. Moreover, Ernacht now knows about Lucifer's goal to become a Demigod, although Ernacht doesn't know why.

But if Lucifer wanted to continue living as 'Lucius', who ended up marrying Roxus the Archmage and becoming a Demigod, then without a doubt, the Croix Family would be involved. Lucifer's revenge will affect the Roxus family. Roxus knew Lucifer would not do that as long as Roxus was alive, and that's why she still hadn't taken any action at this time.

"Is your business already over in here now, Nacht?" Roxus asked.

Ernacht nodded. "His Majesty Imperial Prince Samael has just ordered all of us to return to the palace. He wanted to ask a few questions," said Ernacht.

"And why are you just saying it now, my dear brother?" Roxus asked with a terrible smile.

Caprice cleared his throat. "I'm sorry, it seems because of me we are stuck here. Let us return to the palace in the horse-drawn carriage I have prepared, Lady and Young Lord Croix," said Caprice later, having managed to regain his composure.

The Red Moon will come on the evening of the wedding of Princess Cecilia and Imperial Prince Samael which will take place in three days. Somehow, Ernacht felt a bad feeling.

"Cough!" Roxus felt an intense pain in her chest. Blood dripped down from the corners of her lips, and it grew heavier because of the coughing.

Ernacht quickly embraced Roxus's body. The light on the pillars connecting the walls surrounding the capital slowly dimmed and flickered.

"Ayunda! What happened—"

"Lady Roxus?!"

Everyone around them got messed up. Panic spread as Roxus's white dress started to turn red from the blood she was vomiting. In the crowd, Roxus could see a young woman who was trying to get out of the capital through the main gate. The young woman with her long blonde hair hidden under her robe.

While still coughing and vomiting blood, Roxus smiled faintly. Again that woman, she thought. Roxus raised her trembling hand, then pointed at the sky with her fingers. "My Purple Fire Bird..." she whispered.

Instantly, the capital's protective wall stabilized again—and at the same time, Roxus's consciousness disappeared.