While Adrian was trying to comprehend the situation, his thoughts began racing through his mind, mixed with shock and unease:
"How strange… I'm certain it didn't take more than about twenty minutes… what in the name of the Creator of Hell happened?"
Elsewhere, the Lord of Magic sat amid the darkness, resting his head on his palm with a sly smile, watching Adrian through the circle drawn on the floor of the room.
He whispered to himself, "Just as I expected, this boy is interesting… I manipulated real time, yet he didn't realize it… which means his body is adapting to the changes despite his ignorance."
He let out a sinister laugh. "Hahahaha… you say you're just a human? I wonder, if I placed that girl beside you in the same situation, would she remain conscious?"
---
(Note to the reader: Time manipulation is a skill used by those who possess true magic. It allows them to disorient the target and cause them to lose consciousness. For example, the human mind may feel that a full hour has passed within a single minute, or that a minute has stretched into an hour. Attempting to comprehend this distortion can cause dizziness, loss of consciousness, and even madness if the person is weak.)
---
Lucia and Adrian waited until midnight, then carried the corpse and headed toward the cemetery.
Adrian threw the body into the open grave and knelt on one knee, saying coldly, "Enjoy immortality well… you ugly old hag."
Lucia was puzzled by his words and asked, "What do you mean by that? And why are you talking to a dead body?"
Lucia was unaware that the old woman's soul was trapped inside the decaying corpse. Adrian did not tell her the truth out of consideration for her feelings. He knew that despite her strength… she was gentle, and would not be able to endure such things.
Adrian replied with a calm smile, "I was just talking to myself. Let's close the grave now."
Lucia nodded, and they began covering the body with soil until the grave was completely sealed.
Lucia sighed in relief. "We've finally finished dealing with this problem… will you be leaving the district in the morning?"
Adrian answered, "Yes, but before that… there's something that must be done."
Lucia asked, placing her hands behind her back, "What is it?"
Adrian said, "The old woman's house… where the corpses lie beneath it, forbidden books fill the place, and magic circles are etched into every corner… we must burn it down."
Lucia's voice rose with concern. "But this will draw a lot of attention! What about telling people the truth and letting them deal with it themselves?"
Adrian turned and walked with decisive steps. "Humans are greedy… When they see books of magic, they won't feel pity—they'll simply repeat the tragedy. So… I have to end this myself."
Lucia followed Adrian in silence. When they reached the house, he stopped and looked at her. "I'll go in alone… wait for me here."
Lucia nodded in understanding. Adrian entered, while she remained outside, watching anxiously.
Adrian headed to the storage room, found some fuel, and began spraying it throughout the house. Then he went down beneath the house and splashed some of it carelessly over the corpses. He lit a piece of paper and threw it to the ground. The flames began to spread little by little, devouring the bodies and growing stronger.
He stood there, watching the scene with his own eyes until he was sure the fire was powerful enough to destroy everything. He climbed the stairs and left that desolate place, then headed toward the library. He set one of the books on fire with a small lighter and tossed it among the others. The flames began to consume the shelves and pages mercilessly.
He whispered inwardly: "If anyone were to obtain these books… they would surely lose their humanity. Burning them is the best choice… isn't it, Diana?"
He left the room and ignited the rest of the house, until it began to collapse under the intensity of the blaze. The flames devoured the place as if the house itself had been waiting for this moment for many long years.
When the fire covered everything, Adrian closed his eyes for a moment… then opened them and took a single step forward. Suddenly, a voice stopped him:
"Thank you… boy."
It was a warm voice, like that of an elderly woman. Adrian quickly turned toward the source—but found no one there. Even so, he understood perfectly. It was the lingering spirit that had been trapped in this house for years, waiting for someone to set her free.
He murmured in a low voice:
"May you all rest in peace… every one of you."
Then he stepped out through the blazing flames, leaving behind a story that had been sealed forever.
---
Lucia stood watching the house collapse and the fire spread, her worry growing as Adrian took too long to come out. The moment she caught sight of his silhouette emerging from between the tongues of flame, she ran toward him quickly.
She said with clear concern:
"Your Highness! I was really worried… why did you stay inside for so long?"
Adrian replied calmly:
"I had to make sure everything burned completely. Let's go now."
Lucia walked beside him and asked:
"Where are we heading now?"
He answered with slight irritation:
"Out of these strange districts."
Suddenly, a man's shout thundered from afar:
"Fiiire!! There's a fire!!"
Then he shouted at them:
"Hey, you two there! What are you doing outside at this hour of the night?!"
His face darkened for a moment before he yelled angrily:
"No way… you bastards! Are you the ones who started the fire?!"
People began gathering from every direction. Adrian glanced at Lucia and said in a low voice:
"You know the way out, don't you?"
Lucia nodded quickly:
"Yes."
Adrian said at once:
"Then let's run… now!"
Lucia gasped in surprise:
"H—Huh?!"
But Adrian had already taken off, and she shouted as she chased after him:
"Wait for me!!"
The two began running as the crowds behind them shouted and pursued them.
Adrian shouted in annoyance:
"Damn it! Why are they chasing us?!"
Lucia screamed without slowing down:
"Do you seriously not know why?!"
They kept running for a long distance until they finally managed to escape and leave the slums. Lucia leaned against a wall before sliding down to sit on the ground, panting and struggling to catch her breath, while Adrian also placed his hand against the wall, trying to steady his rapid breathing.
After a few moments, Adrian adjusted his stance and said coldly:
"So… now that we're done, we'll part ways."
Lucia stared at him in shock.
"Part ways?! — I mean… where are you going?"
Adrian looked at her with a suspicious tone.
"You're not… thinking of following me again, are you?"
Lucia quickly raised her hands, waving them in denial with a tense smile.
"Of course not! I'd never do that!"
Adrian narrowed his eyes, as if trying to uncover her lie, while Lucia maintained a foolish, meaningless smile.
Then he turned his head and closed his eyes for a few seconds, leaning against the wall.
At that moment, the sound of carriage wheels approaching echoed down the road. Adrian walked calmly toward the street, stopped it, and climbed inside.
Just as he was about to close the door, Lucia stopped him, a gentle smile forming on her face.
"In darkness like this… you'll leave me alone? Let's at least ride together."
Adrian frowned in annoyance, then looked away.
"Do as you like."
Lucia got in and sat across from him, and the carriage set off along the dark road.
After a few seconds of silence, she asked again:
"So, Your Highness… where are you going now?"
Adrian ignored her, but she continued insistently.
"Is it possible we're heading to the same destination?"
He remained silent, so Lucia kept talking.
"But… won't you return to the palace? Surely the Emperor is worried about you. You've been gone for sever—"
Adrian clenched his fist tightly and cut her off with a shout:
"Can you just be quiet?!"
Lucia turned her face away in annoyance.
"Fine… I'll be quiet."
Adrian sighed faintly in irritation, leaned his head against the seat, and slowly closed his eyes.
Only a few seconds passed before he drifted off peacefully.
Lucia gazed at his sleeping face thoughtfully and thought to herself:
"So he finally fell asleep… He's been awake for days without any rest."
She lowered her gaze and rested her head against the carriage window, watching the road in silence.
"Strange… He's definitely weaker than me, so why do I feel like I'm mistaken? I know he doesn't use magic, but that night… I was afraid of him. Something in his eyes made me realize he's stronger than me… no, perhaps I don't even deserve to face him. Still, it's just a feeling… in truth, he isn't strong at all."