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Chapter 28
The Price of a Miracle
Far away from the capital…
Deep beneath the ruins of an abandoned cathedral, an enormous underground chamber glowed faintly with cold blue flames.
Strange runes were carved into the stone walls. At the center of the chamber stood a massive altar surrounded by several cloaked figures.
Each of them wore dark robes decorated with symbols that seemed to shift like living shadows.
Suddenly—
One of the cloaked figures stiffened.
"My lord…"
His voice trembled slightly.
"The string of Puppet Number Three… has been broken."
The room fell silent.
At the far end of the chamber sat a man on a throne carved from black stone.
He slowly lifted his head.
His face was hidden beneath a hood, but his presence alone made the air feel heavy.
"Broken?"
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
"How did this happen?"
Another cultist stepped forward nervously.
"The last report showed everything was progressing perfectly."
"But… about one hour ago…"
"The connection suddenly disappeared."
The hooded man tapped his fingers on the throne.
The temperature in the room suddenly dropped.
Breaking a Shadow Chain puppet was not easy.
Even high-ranking priests failed to detect such curses.
Yet someone had destroyed it.
Interesting.
After a moment of silence, he spoke again.
"Do not investigate for now."
The cultists looked surprised.
"My lord?"
"Our main mission is approaching its final stage."
"Nothing must interfere with it."
He slowly leaned back on his throne.
"Stay hidden."
"Observe the capital carefully."
The cultists bowed deeply.
"Glory to the Greater One!"
"Glory to the Greater One!"
Their voices echoed through the dark chamber as cold laughter slowly filled the room.
---
Back at the Blackthrone Mansion
Alex stood calmly in the destroyed waiting room.
Broken furniture scattered across the floor.
Elara lay unconscious nearby.
Dozens of knights surrounded him with swords drawn.
The Count Blackthrone's face was twisted with fury.
"You dare attack my daughter in my own house?"
Alex opened his mouth to speak—
But the Count had already raised his hand.
"Capture him."
The knights rushed forward.
Alex sighed.
"Seriously?"
Two knights lunged toward him at the same time.
Alex stepped aside smoothly.
The first knight's sword cut through empty air.
The second tried to tackle him.
Alex grabbed the man's wrist and flipped him onto the floor.
"Look," Alex said calmly while dodging another attack.
"Before this turns into a bigger misunderstanding—"
A spear thrust interrupted him.
Alex jumped back.
"—maybe we should talk first?"
But nobody listened.
More knights attacked.
Alex ducked beneath a sword swing,
grabbed a broken chair leg from earlier, and blocked another strike.
CLANG
"Why does nobody ever listen before attacking?" he muttered.
The knights pressed forward.
Even though Alex could handle them, fighting inside a noble mansion was not exactly ideal.
Just as the situation escalated—
A weak voice suddenly echoed behind them.
"Stop…"
Everyone froze.
"Stop!"
Elara Blackthrone slowly pushed herself up from the floor.
Her crimson eyes were wide.
"Everyone stop fighting!"
The knights hesitated.
The Count rushed toward her immediately.
"My child!"
"Are you hurt?"
Elara shook her head.
"No."
Then she pointed at Alex.
"He saved me."
The room fell silent.
The Count frowned.
"…Explain."
Elara slowly told them what had happened.
The shadow.
The curse.
The fight.
As she spoke, the expressions of the knights slowly changed from anger to shock
The Count turned toward Alex.
His expression was now extremely complicated.
"Well…"
He coughed awkwardly.
"It appears we misunderstood the situation."
Alex crossed his arms.
"You think?"
"You almost had me executed before I could explain."
The Count cleared his throat.
"Well… I was worried about my daughter."
Elara sighed softly.
"Father…"
Blackthrone Mansion
Inside the mansion, chaos had finally calmed down.
After Elara stopped the fight between Alex and the knights, the misunderstanding was resolved.
Now they sat in a quiet chamber.
A tea set rested on the table between them.
The Count Blackthrone looked at Alex carefully.
"My daughter said you discovered the curse placed upon her."
Alex nodded calmly.
"Yes."
The Count continued.
"And you also claimed you could remove it."
Alex smiled slightly.
"Yes."
The Count leaned forward.
"Then do it."
Elara sat silently beside him.
Her expression was calm, but inside she felt nervous.
For three years…
No healer had been able to help her.
What if this was another disappointment?
Alex closed his eyes for a moment.
System.
Yes, Host?
Open skill window.
A massive list of abilities appeared before his eyes.
There were combat skills.
Magic talents.
Special abilities.
Many were locked.
Others required special conditions.
Alex scrolled slowly until he found the one he wanted.
---
Skill: Holy Magic — Curse Breaker
Cost: 100,000 SC
A holy technique capable of purifying advanced curses.
---
Alex sighed softly.
Expensive… but worth it.
Purchase.
Golden light surged through his body.
Warm energy flowed through his veins.
The system spoke again.
Skill acquired successfully.
Alex stood up.
"Lady Elara."
She looked slightly startled.
"Yes?"
Alex walked toward her slowly.
She instinctively leaned back a little.
Her heart began beating faster.
"Don't worry," Alex said gently.
"I won't hurt you."
He raised his hand.
Golden light began glowing around his fingers.
Selena gasped softly.
"Your Highness… that light…"
Alex placed his hand near Elara's forehead.
"Relax."
Warm energy flowed into her body.
Suddenly—
Her skin turned red.
Black smoke began leaking from her body.
The Count jumped up in alarm.
"What is happening?!"
Alex remained calm.
"The curse is resisting."
The smoke thickened.
Elara clenched her fists.
Her body trembled.
"It burns…"
"I know," Alex said quietly.
"Just endure it a little longer."
Minutes passed.
Then suddenly—
CRACK
The curse shattered.
The black smoke vanished instantly.
Elara opened her eyes slowly.
She touched her face.
"…It's gone."
The unnatural pale color had disappeared.
Her skin looked healthy and radiant.
Tears slowly formed in her eyes.
"How…"
"How did you do this?"
The Count looked at his daughter in shock.
For three years he had watched her suffer.
Now she looked completely normal.
A servant nearby began crying.
Alex stepped back politely.
"I believe you two deserve some time together."
"Selena, let's wait outside."
---
Later
After some time, they were invited back inside.
The Count now looked much calmer.
He folded his hands on the table.
"You saved my daughter."
His voice carried deep sincerity.
"I owe you a great debt."
"Tell me what you want."
Alex glanced at Elara.
The system window appeared briefly again.
Talent: Trend Sovereign
If she promoted his business…
The entire empire's fashion trends could change.
Alex thought carefully.
Then he spoke.
"I want you to be mine."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Selena's eyes widened.
The Count froze.
Elara's brain stopped working.
Her face instantly turned red.
She quickly turned her head away.
"H-Huh?!"
Her heart began racing wildly.
What did he just say?!
Selena stared at Alex in disbelief.
"Y-Young master?!"
The Count slowly stood up.
His killing intent began leaking out.
"You dare—"
Alex suddenly panicked.
"WAIT!"
"I MISPHRASED THAT!"
Everyone froze.
Alex scratched his head awkwardly.
"I mean…"
"I want you to become my sponsor."
Silence again.
Elara blinked.
"S-Sponsor?"
Alex nodded quickly.
"You're the most famous beauty in the empire."
"If you support my business…"
"Everyone will want my products."
Elara slowly looked at him again.
Her cheeks were still red.
Her heart was still beating fast.
Why… was I disappointed for a moment…?
She coughed softly.
"Well…"
"I suppose I could support your business."
Selena stared at Alex.
"You nearly caused a war with that sentence."
Alex sighed.
"Yeah… I realized that."
The Count finally sat down again.
"If my daughter agrees…"
"Then I will also make a promise."
He looked directly at Alex.
"From today onward…"
"No one in this empire will dare interfere with your business."
Alex smiled.
"That's more than enough."
He stood up.
"Lady Elara."
"In one week I will hold a grand opening in the main district."
"There will be many new products."
"I would be honored if you attended."
Elara nodded shyly.
"I will come."
Then she quickly added—
"And I will promote it as well."
Alex bowed slightly.
"Thank you."
---
Later — In the Carriage
The carriage moved slowly through the capital streets.
Selena sat across from Alex.
She kept glancing at him with a strange expression.
Finally she spoke.
"My prince…"
Alex blinked.
"Hm?"
She hesitated.
Then asked quietly—
"Do you like older women?"
Alex stared at her.
"…What?"
"You seemed very interested in Lady Elara."
Her voice sounded slightly sad.
Alex suddenly laughed.
"Oh."
"That."
He leaned back comfortably.
"Don't worry."
"I'm not into older women."
Selena looked up quickly.
Alex smiled playfully.
"I prefer charming girls like you."
Selena froze.
Her face turned bright red.
"You—"
"You idiot!"
"You're such a shameless player!"
She turned her face away and crossed her arms.
But Alex noticed something.
She was smiling slightly.
Inside his mind—
System
Host, may I ask something?
Alex sighed.
"What now?"
Were you single in your previous life?
"…Yes."
That explains a lot.
Alex frowned.
"What does that mean?"
The system went silent.
Alex leaned back.
"…Why do I feel insulted?"
Selena quietly laughed beside him.
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