In the midst of the Beast’s subjugation, it was not uncommon for participants to sustain injuries. There were established methods for dealing with such situations.

Firstly, an imperial troop would be dispatched to the site of the battle, and the wounded would be transported after being defeated. 

Depending on the severity of the injury, the treatment method would vary, and the decision of whether the participant would rejoin the subjugation or be disqualified would be determined by the imperial physician.

However, there had never been a declaration of suspension like this before.

The injured were the first prince of the empire and a member of one of the four major families, which made everyone cautious.

The announcement of suspension came after imperial troops were dispatched to the fallen participants.

The sight of the two still lying on the ground was clearly visible to the audience through the transmission device.

 “Why did both of them suddenly collapse, even though they weren’t attacked by the Beast?” some spectators whispered.

“They might have been attacked while we couldn’t see.”

“They should be fine, right…?”

Amidst the murmurings, I focused on the transmission device.

‘Thank god, they are still breathing.’

The chests of the fallen Carlot and Adenmir showed faint signs of rising and falling.

From a distance, Adenmir’s knight and Carlot’s Squire were seen examining the conditions of the two.

 When Jansi saw that Carlot was alive, he patted my back reassuringly.

However, Jansi’s subsequent words were not as comforting.

“Perhaps it was the Empress who intervened.”

“The Empress?”

“The second Prince, who likes to take action, didn’t participate in this subjugation. I wonder if he tried to eliminate the first Prince this time. Carlot might have been unlucky to get involved.”

Jansi’s speculation was not entirely baseless.

The empress had sufficient reason to eliminate Adenmir. However, her approach seemed uncharacteristic of her.

 ‘The Empress, who could take down the Emperor in a stealthy and leisurely manner with a poison that even the people right next to her wouldn’t notice, would do something so conspicuous? ‘

Engaging in activities during a Beast subjugation where many people were watching did not align with her personality.

Moreover, it wasn’t just any Beast; it was a peculiar one, where three merged into one. Wait, it wasn’t just a Beast.

‘Three merging into one strange Beast… Could it be?’

I suddenly lifted my head and searched for someone.

Finding that someone didn’t take long. He had been in the same spot I had been glancing at continuously. It was the moment our eyes met.

Gabe Jenade smiled, the corners of his mouth twitching upwards. 

 ‘You’re smiling?’

What could that smile mean? I was convinced that Gabe was behind the incident at Lady Montgomery’s ball. Back then, a beast emerged through a rift. So, could Gabe be involved this time as well?

There could be a rift where the transmission device didn’t reach.

However, there was still no evidence, just suspicions.

The suspicion was enough, though.

Our eyes met only for a moment.

Gabe casually turned his head, smirking, and left his position.

 The demon subjugation had already been stopped, so there was no reason for the Master of the Tower to stay.

 It felt uneasy to let him go like this, but there was insufficient justification for detaining him. While pondering, I suddenly remembered why I came here today.

 Leon’s head was turned in his direction, and he had a good enough angle to see his face. 

When I looked at Leon, he was already glaring through the crowd at Gabe’s retreating figure.

‘Did he see his face?’

After Gabe completely left, Leon looked in my direction.

Our eyes met, and he nodded slightly before turning his head again.

‘He saw.’

I breathed a sigh of relief. At least it wasn’t a complete waste of time. However, the real issue lay ahead.

***

Before long, Carlot and Adenmir were carried on stretchers to the secure area where the audience was located.

Although the beast subjugation had been abruptly halted, Gabe was the only one who had left first, so many eyes were watching the situation.

There were three Imperial physicians on standby.

  As observers and participants in the tournament returned, the most experienced imperial physician began to examine them.

 After examining the two unconscious men, the imperial physician broke out in a cold sweat and shook his head. 

 “It appears that both of these men have been poisoned by the beast. I suspect it’s the blue blood of the beast they’re covered in…….”

The voice of the Imperial physician was heavy with concern. It was as expected. They suddenly collapsed without any physical attack. The short-tempered chancellor snapped. 

“Then quickly detoxify them! What are you waiting for?”

“That… there is a problem.”

“What problem!”

The hesitant Imperial physician slowly raised his head. He couldn’t bring himself to look toward Jansi and struggled to speak.

“The antidote is not available.”

“What!”

 “The demonic beast that attacked the two is a new type of demonic beast that isn’t even registered in the book about demonic beasts…….. there is no way to handle it. I apologize.”

The imperial physician bowed his head again in defeat. As a doctor, he was saying that he would give up on the patients. They were both the first prince and a direct descendant of one of the four major families. 

The chancellor, who had a strong influence on the selection of the location for this subjugation, did not sit still even for a moment, perhaps because he was afraid that this would cause harm to him. 

 “Still, there must be another way. The rest of you should also take a look!”

To the Chancellor’s frustration, the two imperial physicians replied. 

 “My examination is the same, Your Grace.”

“We’ll try some medicines to help neutralize it first, but we can’t guarantee a cure.”

Hearing the alarming news about their lives being in jeopardy, all the spectators looked at me and Jansi, whispering in hushed voices.

 “If it is the Duchess of Perdia, she may know the solution, for there is no one more knowledgeable than her when it comes to poisons…….”

 “There is a very competent pharmacist in Perdia, isn’t there?”

“Yes, that’s right. It’s said that the antidote circulating not too long ago was the work of that pharmacist.”

“The detoxification effect was remarkable.”

Upon hearing the murmurs of the people around, the Chancellor urgently shouted.

“What are you doing! Quickly inform Perdia of the situation and send someone to bring Duchess Perdia! And that pharmacist too!”

As one of the imperial soldiers who had been ordered by the chancellor stepped forward, the imperial physician who had been pouring neutralizer into the mouths of the two men said. 

 “It’s useless, Your Grace. The toxicity is spreading rapidly; there’s not much time left.”

“Are you suggesting that we just stand by and do nothing!”

“But by the time someone reaches the Perdia Mansion, the two might not…”

It was then that Jansi, who had been silent the entire time, asked the imperial physician a question. 

 “How long do you think they can hold out?”

 “If I had to guess, I’d say they’ll last about an hour, and that’s only because they’re both descendants of heroes. If they were ordinary people, they would have already been dead by now.”

There’s no point in telling us that they’re descended from heroes. I had foreseen such a situation since I witnessed the two collapsing through the transmission magic tool.

‘There’s no other choice.’

 I sighed deeply and stepped closer.

 “An hour is plenty of time.”

I put on a smile, concealing my awkward feelings. The Chancellor, who had been nervously contemplating the situation of the two, narrowed his eyes and looked at me.

“Lady Elodie, I understand your concern for your brother, but it’s essential to differentiate when to intervene.”

I erased the smile from my face and stared at the Chancellor intently.

“If you prevent me, I can’t guarantee the safety of the First Prince.”

It doesn’t matter because I will save Carlot. However, if the Chancellor didn’t cooperate, detoxifying Ademir would be difficult. Still, I wanted to detoxify both of them at once.

‘I’ve decided to be friends with the First Prince again.’

I couldn’t let a friend die. In a confrontation with the Chancellor, Jansi approached me and whispered in my ear.

“Lili, are you okay?”

I understood what Jansi was worried about. If I stepped forward now, it would reveal my ability to others. Jansi, being perceptive, probably knew that I wanted to keep my power a secret. However, if I stepped forward in front of so many people, I could no longer hide it.

 “Of course.”

No secrets last forever. Eventually, everything would come to light.

My hopes for a quiet life had been ruined by the Saviour incident.

 I’d avoided the power test for fear of being found out by the Duke of Perdia, but I’d already told him everything. 

As Jansi and I whispered, the chancellor’s demeanor changed, sensing that we were on to something.

“How do you plan to save them?”

Facing the still skeptical gaze of the Chancellor, I smiled broadly.

“With my power.”

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***

Elodie Perdia and power. Two words that could not be more unrelated. Everyone in the audience was stirred by Elodie’s declaration.

 “Did you hear that? Clearly, Lady Elodie mentioned her power-.”

 “You mean Lady Elodie has manifested her power?”

The most surprised were Hyacinth and her group. Especially Lady Lindgreen’s face turned pensive.

“Lady Elodie, you don’t have any powers, right? Even though you’re from Perdia.”

Just a few hours ago, she had said that Elodie didn’t have any power.

‘If she had a power, why was she pretending not to? Could it be that she deliberately wanted to humiliate me!’

Whether Lady Lindgreen was having an excess of self-conscious thoughts or people were surprised or said anything, it was all beyond Elodie’s concern. Despite hearing Elodie’s words, the Chancellor, seemingly unimpressed, turned the conversation.

“I think it might be better to call the pharmacist from Perdia-.”

“That pharmacist is right here.”

“What?”

“It’s me. I am the pharmacist.”

Murmur. Following the manifestation of her power, she even made a shocking statement that she was Perdia’s pharmacist! Two bombshells at once, and the onlookers were stunned. The party itself remained nonchalant. 

“Lady Elodie. Are you joking right now?”

“Not at all.”

Jansi, who was behind Elodie’s back, affectionately clasped her shoulders. 

“I can vouch for her.”

“Well…”

The chancellor let out a stifled sigh. Then Jansi’s smile deepened. 

You’re free to believe my sister’s words or not, but if the first Prince were to suffer from this, Chancellor, I don’t think you could completely avoid responsibility.”

“That’s true.”

Elodie grinned and interjected a word. With Jansi joining in, the Chancellor couldn’t remain uncooperative any longer. Since the Imperial Physician had given up, there were no other options.

 “Very well, we’d better do something before it’s too late.”

Elodie, who everyone thought would confidently display her ability, chose not to do so. After scanning the gathered crowd, she turned to the Chancellor and made a request.

“First, could you move the two of them indoors? It would be better if fewer people saw it. I’m feeling a bit embarrassed.”

At the Chancellor’s command, the imperial soldiers began to move the two of them into the simple barracks. Elodie whispered to Jansi as she watched the scene.

 “You’ll defend me when I get in trouble with father and the duchess.”

Especially for using her powers without their permission. 

 “Of course. Lili, I told you I listen to you.”

Jansi smiled obediently.

Once the patients were moved, the two of them left. The remaining people stared blankly at the scene.

Gone was the damsel in distress of Perdia. What they saw was the true power of Perdia, who had an angelic face and controlled the chancellor with Jansi Perdia on her back.