Chapter 168: The Scent of Death
Earlier that morning, Charli had worn a white dress, her silver curls making her look like a beautiful ragdoll cat. Now, after a day of study, she looked like a stray who’d rolled through a trash heap.
Covered in soot, her clothes and face smudged, her once-neat hair a tangled mess, her hands shook from exhaustion.
Compared to her, Yu Mo was in fine shape. Though his expression was as calm as ever, he seemed well-rested, his breathing easy, his energy restored.
Charli glanced at her brother once, then again, thinking even his black hair seemed to be glowing.
“What did Croft teach you today?”
“Teacher was doing a magic experiment, and I helped,” Charli sniffled. “At first, I couldn’t keep up and thought he’d throw me out.”
But he hadn’t. Her stern-faced teacher had only glared at her before explaining everything once more.
And…
“Brother, I saw Makin’s necklace in Teacher’s lab.” Charli thought of this, hesitating as she looked at her brother.
“Teacher noticed that I recognized that necklace and asked me some questions about Brother Makin.”
Charli was careful and spoke conservatively.
But after finding out that she knew the owner of the necklace, the teacher’s attitude toward her improved significantly.
His regard for that necklace made Charli speculate about his identity.
However, she cleverly hid her thoughts and simply chatted with him like a cute little fool.
“Brother, can I tell Teacher about Brother Makin?”
“Of course, you can answer whatever he asks, no problem.” Yu Mo had anticipated this and was prepared.
When he first contacted Cardinal Croft under the identity of Makin, he hadn’t intended to keep it hidden.
Because that wasn’t necessary, Makin’s best friend, Amos, was now his student.
With this, those two would stand on his side.
Besides, both of them got along well with Charli. Bringing Charli to spend time with them each week worked well.
The three of them developed a close bond during their intense studies, and in the future, that bond would only grow stronger.
Makin would serve as the best connection between Charli and her teacher, making that stubborn cardinal willingly and earnestly teach her.
“Charli, you could share more about your little friend with your teacher; he might enjoy hearing about it,” Yu Mo said.
Charli understood his meaning and hesitated, “Should I tell Brother Makin about this?”
Yu Mo noticed the dirt and sweat marks on her face and took out a handkerchief for her. “Charli, you can do as you wish.”
“I didn’t plan to control everything about you.”
Charli’s violet eyes sparkled as she lowered her head to hide her expression and replied with a nasal tone, “I understand.”
Yu Mo understood what she was thinking.
Because he, too, had once gone through a similar period.
Lost in endless uncertainty, he was suddenly accepted by an “older brother” who took good care of him.
Although they weren’t related by blood and the other person had many secrets, he was the only one who accepted him.
So, he wanted to become a more responsible family member, to do more for him, to show his useful side, and to hope for his approval.
“You can do whatever you want, as long as you don’t become a big troublemaker. For any mess you cause, I’ll handle it with you,” his elder brother had once told him.
So, Yu Mo said to Charli, “You can do whatever you like, and I’ll handle any trouble you get into.”
Charli was indeed relieved by his words.
She no longer needed her brother by her side, running to the temple every day and returning home dirty and exhausted, but her spirits lifted, and she became more lively.
Her relationship with Cardinal Croft gradually improved without her realizing it.
…
Yu Mo tasted the afternoon tea snacks she made and saw that she had prepared an extra portion to bring to her teacher.
She had also retrieved the necklace that Yu Mo had given to Cardinal Croft, saying she wanted to return it to Makin.
Because Makin valued that necklace his mother had left him.
When Yu Mo took Charli to the estate, he noticed her whispering secretly with Makin. The two thought he hadn’t noticed and then sneaked out of the estate to visit the royal capital.
Amos covered for them, and Yu Mo pretended not to notice.
Some time later, Cardinal Croft held a formal apprenticeship ceremony at the temple, officially accepting Charli as his disciple.
Few magicians had the opportunity to study under a cardinal, and even fewer had the status of an official disciple.
From then on, Charli, like her brother, suddenly became one of the most popular figures in the royal noble circle.
…
As the New Year approached, banquets in the capital became more frequent, keeping Yu Mo and Charli busy.
During the Festival of Light, the bishops and priests from the temple would go to the central plaza to offer New Year’s blessings to the people.
Of course, the nobles received special treatment and didn’t need to crowd into the central plaza; instead, they attended the Light Ceremony held in the royal palace.
In previous years, the ceremony had always been presided over by His Holiness the Pope, but this year, he did not appear.
There was much speculation among the public, and the long-ailing Emperor was troubled by this unusual circumstance. Leaning against his pillows in the bedchamber, he received two cardinals who had come to preside over the ceremony in the Pope’s place.
“How is His Holiness the Pope? I haven’t seen him since last year’s Light Ceremony,” the Emperor asked weakly. Ever since the death of the crown prince, he had been in poor health, shaken by the event.
“His Holiness is well. He couldn’t attend this year only because there are many areas along the border plagued by deadly diseases. The situation is quite serious, and His Holiness is occupied with protecting this land,” Cardinal Croft responded in a stern, serious manner.
“I see. His Holiness is truly burdened,” replied the Emperor.
Yet, the Emperor cared more about his own health than the distant, invisible threat of disease.
Unable to receive the Pope’s resurrection magic, he feared death and anxiously said, “Perhaps those areas affected by the plague could be left unattended for a day. Please, let His Holiness spare a day so that I might meet with him. You know, I am a devout follower of the Light.”
“Yes, we are well aware,” Peruth spoke gently, soothing the death-fearing man bedridden before them, as she presented a crystal bottle of magical elixir.
“Though His Holiness couldn’t come personally, he sent this elixir. Your Majesty’s health will surely improve.”
The Emperor’s expression finally relaxed as he struggled to sit up and eagerly drank the potion in one gulp.
Feeling his decaying organs gradually revitalizing, a sense of ease washed over him, and he let out a long sigh of relief.
After leaving the Emperor’s chamber, Peruth and Croft walked outside at a measured distance from each other.
One wore a smile, the other a cold expression—an obvious sign of their incompatibility. Yet recently, thanks to those siblings, there had been a slight easing of tensions.
Cardinal Croft cast a sidelong glance at Peruth, still unable to warm up to him.
On a subconscious level, he sensed that Peruth was dangerous; he could faintly detect an impurity and corruption lurking beneath Peruth’s aura of light, and he had always instinctively rejected him.
Peruth didn’t like Croft either—not because of his demeanor, but because Croft was a staunch supporter of the Pope.
Compared to him, the Pope trusted Croft more.
For years, Peruth had performed excellently, yet the Pope always remained wary of him. That ancient creature, alive for so long, was indeed sharp and vigilant.
As long as Croft was around, it would be difficult for him to interfere with the Pope’s affairs.
Should he… eliminate him?
The two appeared in the palace hall where the Light Ceremony was to be held, and though it had not yet begun, the hall was packed with nobles.
The arrival of the two cardinals captured everyone’s attention.
Both cardinals, however, immediately turned their gaze toward a particular corner.
In one corner of the banquet hall, Charli stood in a formal gown, looking uncomfortable as she faced a young man.
It was the second prince, Alden, a notorious, indulgent playboy rumored to have contracted an incurable transmissible illness, managed only by the frequent use of Light elixirs—yet he showed no signs of restraint.
With a mischievous grin, he leaned in close to Charli and said with enthusiasm, “Charli, you never attended these gatherings before. How did I not notice you until now? You’re truly stunning.”
“I heard you are still a magician at the temple? Just so happens, I’m not feeling well. How about you come to my place next time and take a look at my illness?”
“Sorry, I just started learning with my teacher and don’t know healing magic yet. I might not be able to help you,” Charli replied, struggling to suppress her rejection.
“How could that be? You’re so beautiful; you’re practically a healing spell yourself…” Alden was being overly charming when suddenly a hand draped over his shoulder.
A voice, gentler than his affected tone, said, “Is the second prince unwell? Perhaps I can help figure out what the problem is.”
Alden turned to see the kind face of Cardinal Peruth.
Alden’s expression shifted to one of shock, nearly causing him to jump out of his chair.
He had seen this gentle Cardinal Peruth casually turn his elder brother to ash, and ever since then, he had been plagued by nightmares. Just seeing that face now made him feel a chill run down his spine.
“N-No, it’s fine. No need to trouble Your Excellency, the Cardinal.”
In contrast to his fear, Charli felt delighted. She exclaimed, “Teacher! Cardinal Peruth!”
Cardinal Croft didn’t look pleased either. He motioned for Charli to follow him, and she hurriedly lifted her skirts to catch up.
Peruth placed a hand on the second prince’s shoulder, smiled at her, and waved her off, indicating she should leave.
As Charli followed her stern, critical teacher, the number of people coming to talk to her decreased significantly.
“The royal family is getting more and more ridiculous. People like that waste the temple’s precious potions every year! Stay away from that second prince.”
“I know, teacher,” Charli replied obediently, thinking that if it weren’t for the many people in this public setting, she would have been tempted to use her newly learned magic to stuff that guy under the table.
Croft turned to glance at his disciple. “After the New Year, I will teach you how to make magical potions.”
Charli’s eyes brightened. “Okay, Teacher!”
She had heard Amos say that her brother was teaching him how to make magical potions, and now she would be able to learn too!
It was said that recovery potions made by light magicians had the best effects, and she could prepare potions to give to Makin and Amos.
And her brother… although her brother had Cardinal Peruth, it seemed he wouldn’t need her potions.
…
Meanwhile, Yu Mo was sitting in the lounge, facing Marquis Morton.
The marquis, the late first prince’s uncle, had been deeply affected by the prince’s death, retreating back to his northern territory. He had returned to the capital this time for the New Year festival.
Compared to six months ago, he appeared much older, with deeper worry lines etched between his brows.
“Will Count Cecil be willing to help with this? If everything goes well, there will be even more and better gifts in return,” Marquis Morton said, pushing a box filled with jewels and gold bars toward Yu Mo.
Yu Mo didn’t even glance at it. “I’m just a small count. How could I possibly be of help to you?”
“I only hope Count Cecil can speak a few good words on my behalf in front of Cardinal Peruth,” Marquis Morton’s gaze was meaningful. “The Cardinal may not give others face, but he will certainly give Count Cecil some respect, won’t he?”
Yu Mo remained silent, and Marquis Morton continued, “Half of my territory has already been ravaged by disease. At this rate, my land will vanish completely!”
He had previously hoped that the first prince would find a way for him to exchange for another piece of land, but unfortunately, the prince had died in an accident, and the Emperor had no intention of helping him.
Changing territories was no easy task, so he could only turn his attention toward the temple.
The only ones capable of controlling the spread of the plague were the Pope and the two Cardinals. However, the cost of requesting their help was exorbitant.
Marquis Morton knew of cities that had been ravaged by the plague, where the inhabitants had nearly sold themselves just to gather enough money to request aid from the temple.
But for many others, plagued by poverty, they could not afford the price and ultimately became ghost towns.
This lucrative business allowed the temple to amass countless riches, and the beautiful, resplendent temples were now almost ubiquitous across the continent.
“Count Cecil, please think it over. Perhaps we can bypass the temple; I’m willing to prepare a generous reward for you and the Cardinal privately,” Morton said.
“I’ve heard that Count Cecil is still living in a cramped little house. I have a nice property in the inner city that I could gift to you…”
After sending off the young count, Marquis Morton watched his retreating figure disappear and his expression changed, muttering a curse under his breath.
A mere count, acting so high and mighty just because he was the lover of a cardinal. He had spoken so many good words and offered so many benefits, yet the count still refused to budge. What a greedy fellow!
Irritated, he walked to a nearby balcony, pushed the door open forcefully, and was met with a startled gasp.
Behind the door stood a lady in a green gown, who turned in surprise, revealing a stunningly beautiful face.
“You are…?” Marquis Morton recognized her.
“Ah, it’s Marquis Morton! What brings you here?” The lady covered her red lips with a fan.
Noticing the suggestive glint in her eyes, Morton felt a flicker of interest and closed the balcony door behind him.
*
Yu Mo walked toward the main hall, where the music from the banquet flowed out through the partially opened door, mingled with sounds of laughter. Yet the carpeted corridor felt eerily quiet.
He pondered the information Marquis Morton had disclosed.
The plague had already spread from neighboring countries to the Glory Empire. Everyone thought it was a natural disaster, but who could have guessed it was actually a “man-made” calamity?
However, this was just the beginning; no one could stop the Pope now.
Suddenly, Yu Mo stopped in his tracks as he saw a figure standing by the window.
Cardinal Peruth was at the curtain, seemingly gazing at the moon but perhaps waiting specifically for him.
“I looked all over the hall for you; where have you been, Eloren?”
“What do you want from me?”
“We haven’t seen each other for several days. Don’t you miss me, Eloren?”
Every time they met, the conversation was laden with ambiguity. After a few days apart, he seemed to forget how stiff and numb he had felt on the sofa last time.
“Then how about you keep me company tonight, Your Excellency?” Yu Mo said blandly, “If you truly miss me that much.”
As expected, the cardinal’s smile faltered.
Suddenly, he turned toward the window, his expression shifting slightly. “Blood… the scent of death.”
