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"…I am Constantine, a rank 2 mystic. I used to live on planet Proxima station but my family was destroyed because of drugs. I was picked up by a rank 4 powerhouse, my master, from a destroyed Province of Centaurus." Varian said in a solemn voice and began to insert some details.
Due to the war 500 years ago, there were indeed several destroyed provinces. And it's common for rank 4s to live longer than 500 years. So, Akira didn't doubt his initial setting.
"I don't know anything about him except that he once fought against a race called Abyssals and Zions. At my request, he took action and destroyed the Havoc Ancestor. But it also caused him irreversible injuries. If he fights again, he might die."
As he reached that part, tears began to swirl in Varian's eyes and his voice choked. "E-Even then, he might not survive for another year! D-Dammit! I-I shouldn't have asked him to help with my stupid revenge at all! It's my fault! All my fault!"
Watching him sob and yell hysterically, Akira's lips curled up. As someone with a lot of experience, she could tell his grief was real. This was a broken man and broken men were much easier to use. As long as he wasn't killed, his master wouldn't come to his rescue. It's pretty safe to use him for her plan.
So, she showed an expression of 'pity' and said in a soothing voice. "I wouldn't have done this if I had no choice. But trust me when I say I'll leave you alone once this is done. And…"
Akira leaned forward and smiled graciously. "If it's in my power, I'll heal your master."
"R-Really?" Varian wiped off his tears and looked at her with sparkling eyes.
"Yes," Akira said and her face once again returned to indifference. "But you must obey."
Varian clenched his fists so tight that his nails dug into his palm and blood spilled out. "I-I will."
Akira nodded in satisfaction and began.
"Mr. Constantine—that'd be your name, The Duke is a man who had seen the glory of Centaurus. He had seen it go from glory to decay. From one of the strongest Duchies to one of the weakest.
It's his lifelong wish to revive Centaurus. Princess Catherine's Marriage to the Prince of Barix Province is critical to achieving his dream.
Under such a situation, you, an unknown powerhouse made an appearance. No one knows your background, motive, and alignment. But you just happened to save the Princess when she went missing and ended up attacked by Havocs. Not before, not after—just right then.
As suspicious as he is, the Duke will not treat you well. He'd treat everything you've done as a ploy to get close to the Princess and sabotage her marriage and ultimately, the Duchy's revival."
"T-Then what should I do?"
Akira's expression didn't change a bit but her mind relaxed. Varian, who commanded the power of Spirit, could perceive this change easily.
"I can create an identity for you—a man who lost his family to drugs and pursued a path of medicine."
"What would that even do?"
"That changes everything. The Duke is old and has wounds from battles from his younger years.
I'll show him that the powerhouse who took action against the Havocs is someone you saved long ago. Of course, that powerhouse is dead.
And since you already have the identity of someone responsible for destroying the drug mafia, I'll provide enough evidence to make you the saint who gave away the precious medicine to treat the drug addiction."
"W-What about saving the Princess? Appearing at the right time and the right place?"
"I've already found you on the way here and learned your situation. You were nearby, so I asked you to reach the Princess to protect her. But the Princess herself was kept in the dark because you didn't want her to know that I know her location and reveal my arrival to the Havocs under panic."
Varian opened his mouth in surprise.
This woman…really planned everything.
With her producing the so-called evidence, he had an almost perfect identity. But why?
"So, W-What should I do?"
Akira's lips curled into a charming smile. But Varian only saw malice in her beauty.
"Doctor Constantine, it's our fortune to have someone like you in Centaurus." An old man in red silk satin robes shifted in his throne and said with a big smile.
The ministers seated on either side of the throne room and the thousands of officials seated on the upper floors watched on with curiosity.
"The fortune is mine." Varian bowed humbly.
Beside him, Akira in a hood and black robes, just placed her hand on her heart in greeting. Through some treasure, she was faking her rank and appearing as a rank 3. Since there were quite a few rank 3s in the throne hall, Akira herself didn't receive any special respect.
On the other hand, the Princess who did a simple curtsey received cheers from the crowd.
The Duke raised his wrinkled hand and the noise stopped in an instant. His gaze shifted to his daughter and a heavy pressure fell on her.
Catherine sighed softly and said in an apologetic tone. "I apologize for leaving abruptly."
The Duke nodded with a solemn expression and turned to Varian. His face broke into a smile and he said enthusiastically. "No matter, your own benefactor sacrificed his life to get rid of the Havoc menace. You risked your own life to save the Princess. And you spread the recipe to cure the drug addiction."
"I just…"
"No need to deny your own merits. All of it has been verified, thanks to our Intelligence Chief. You've done a great service."
Akira bowed lightly and said. "I'm only following his majesty's will of rewarding merits and punishing crime."
Duke Cassius' lips went up at her praise but he waved his hand dismissing her words. "Merit is rewarded, no matter by whom. Akira will have her training resources doubled for next year. And lad Constantine…"
Everyone held their breaths as they anticipated the reward.
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