I Will Protect You This Time

Episode 76

(Ezarruin)

"Are you going to enter or not?"

"Ah. I am coming."

I was amazed by the architecture for a moment. 

"Oh. You have to hold my hand in order to enter."

"Huh?"

I asked with a frown.

"Normally you have to take the Emperor's permission to enter."

I would rather hold his hand rather than seeing or talking with that person.

"I see. Let's go."

I said while grabbing Daniel's hand. 

Daniel flinched at my touch. He is just looking at me in a daze without saying anything.

Is he shocked that I touched him? Ah. I should have taken permission first.

"Ah. I apologize. I shouldn't have touched you without permission."

Saying that I was letting go of his hand. But before I could, he grabbed my wrist tightly with one hand.

Isabella: "Ah. What?" 

I looked at his face as I was surprised by his sudden action. But he looks more surprised than me.

"I-I am sorry. I didn't know what came to me all of a sudden."

Daniel said with a flustered face. 

But you are still holding my hand though.

"A-Anyways. Let's get in."

Saying that Daniel entered the Restricted Section while holding my hand. 

As soon as we entered, the door closed from behind by itself. At first, it was dark for a moment. But then suddenly-

Whoosh~

A huge chandelier of the ceiling lit up, brightening the entire room. 

Whoa~

It's beautiful. I can see the architecture more clearly now. It's truly breathtaking.

Although I can't see any windows, the room doesn't feel stuffy. Not in the least.

"Alright. You can try to find the book you want."

"Ah. Okay. But… That…"

"Huh?"

"I can't go if you keep holding my hand."

"Ah. Sorry."

Daniel apologized with a flustered face then let go of my hand.

Then without wasting a second, I started looking for the Magic Section.

Unlike the normal library, there aren't any unnecessary sections. But it's not any rare section either.

It wasn't hard to find the Magic Section after looking for a while.

As I was searching, a book caught my attention at first glance.

< Legendary Dark Items >

Without wasting a second, I took the book and started reading. And in the introduction, one name caught my eyes.

< The Dark Orb… Page 255 >

Huff* Huff*

No way… It can not be that one. 

The one that… No. Calm down. Let's read it first. I hurriedly turned on page 255.

And my suspicion was confirmed. It really is the orb Mathias was holding that night.

The Dark Orb… Ezarruin.

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<

Ezarruin… The Legendary Dark Orb is said to be created by the Lord Of Dark Magicians, Thalrenor Gladshore himself. 

Legend says all kinds of magic powers (like lightning, poison, fire, space and many more) are stored in it. It activates automatically at the time of need. Or can be used by specific spells. Such an orb can't be found anywhere.

And more than anything, the thing that makes it even more intriguing is that… It can summon dark monsters from the underworld. 

From low-level dark monsters such as Helldog. A dark stenchy four-legged monster with sharp teeth and pitch-black eyes.

To Mid-level Dark Monsters such as Night. The monster of darkness. A monster in the shape of a snake.

It is also said that Sauron, the soul of the Lord of Darkness is dormant in the orb. And that's the reason why the colour of the orb is darker than night itself.

Some people say that Sauron has the shape of a human. And it wears a dark cloak covering its face.

>

Thud*

The book fell from my hand.

Huff* Huff*

My hands are shaking. 

No. No way. 

The Monster that killed Ella… And the thing that killed Leonus…

It was this… This dark orb… Ezarruin.

Huff* 

I can't breathe. My head… It's blank. I can't think of anything else.

But I know one thing… I am angry… Terribly angry… So much so that I am having trouble breathing…

Mathias… I will kill you…

Suddenly the ground started shaking.

"Isabella! Are you okay?"

Daniel came running towards Isabella as the earthquake started. But he suddenly stopped. And looked at her with wide eyes.

"Y-You… Isabella…"

Daniel slowly walked towards me while forwarding his hand.

Slap*

"Don't touch me."

I slapped his hand and passed by him. I don't want to see anyone now. I have to get out of here.

The door was still closed. 

"Open up!"

As soon as I said that, the door suddenly slid open and I got out of the library.

"Isabella…"

Daniel slowly called out her name while looking at his hand Isabella just slapped. 

"Her voice… It wasn't normal. It was angelic but also resentful."

Daniel said in a daze. When Isabella forbade him to touch her, he flinched. 

"Her eyes… they were glowing! And that intense aura..."

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I hurriedly walked towards my room. Fortunately, there wasn't anyone on my way here or in my room.

Haa~

My mind also calmed down after walking for a while. I can think properly now.

It was good that I got out of my room… 

That time the only thing I could think of was killing Mathias. 

That earthquake… Was it because of me?

I looked at my hand. 

Was it because of my power?

"I need to control my emotions."

While saying that, I clenched my fist. 

That orb… Just thinking about that makes my whole body shiver…

"Haa~ Calm down."

I took a deep breath. 

I don't understand. Where did Mathias get that orb? And more than that, how did he enter the Fellmirr Empire with a dark object?

Any dark object is forbidden in Fellmirr. And I am quite sure that Every Aristocrat including the Royals of other Kingdoms or Empires had to go through a check-up before entering Fellmirr during the Hunting Festival.

So how? How did he get in with that orb? Just how? Why didn't anyone notice the dark orb? 

Unless… It wasn't him. Unless the dark object was sent to Fellmirr before the Hunting Festival even started.

I pondered for a while. Suddenly a thought struck me.

Anne…

Now I remember, Anne was there that night. In fact, she was the one who brought me to the Royal Tents of Loire.

But when did she bring that?

Was… Was it when I first went to Fellmirr after marrying Leonus? Now that I think about it, I didn't see her on my wedding day or before that day.

She disappeared after saying that she would accompany me to Fellmirr. And only appeared when it was time to go.

Huff* Huff*

I started breathing roughly. A horrible fact came to my mind.

T-Then since when? Since when did Mathias start planning all that? 

Was it when he decided to send me instead of Rubena? Was it at the Annual Meeting of Waldor? Or even before that?

Was he planning to kill Leonus from the beginning?

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A few days ago…

Rattle* Rattle*

A carriage is moving on a curvy road in the middle of a forest. 

It's night. Darkness is creeping up on the road. The lantern on the carriage is somehow saving the carriage from that darkness.

After a while, the carriage stopped in front of an old rundown mansion.

In front of the front door, a middle-aged aristocrat along with some servants and maids were standing. It's as if they are there to welcome someone.

Creak~

Suddenly the carriage door opened. And a middle-aged person with pale yellow hair got down from the carriage.

"Greetings, His Majesty the Emperor. I am glad you have arrived in time."

The Aristocrat bowed and greeted.

"Hmm. Get up, Lander."

Mathias said with a smirk. It's as if he is satisfied to see the man bowing before him.

"So did you really find it?"

Mathias asked with a smile.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Are you certain it's 'That'?"

"Yes. I am certain."

"Hahaha~"

Mathias laughed hysterically.

After a while, he stopped laughing like a madman and said with a smile,

"Good. Where is it? I want to see."

"That is still in that place, Your Majesty."

"What?"

"I thought that you should have the honour to first touch 'THAT'"

"Ah. I see. That's right. I should take that out by hand."

Mathias smirked while putting one hand on his chin.

"You are the most knowledgeable person. But you must be tired after that long journey. Please rest inside for the night."

"Yes. I think so too."

Saying that Mathias started walking inside the mansion.

"Anyways, Your Majesty, I heard that the Second Princess's birthday is in a week."

"Yes."

"Are you not going to attend her birthday?"

"Yes. I won't. It saddens my heart. That child might cry and throw a tantrum. But it is for a greater cause."

"I understand."

"Anyways after I confirm 'THAT' with my own eyes, prepare a meeting with the Royals of other Empires and Kingdoms of Waldor."

"Yes. Your Majesty."

"If we really found 'That' orb, it's high time to get rid of those disgusting beasts. Hahaha~"

Mathias said with an evil laughter that rang through the walls of the dark mansion.