QTMWSFC Chapter 50

As soon as they returned to the palace, Lant hurriedly used the identification token Grady had given him to summon the best physician.

The physician examined Freya for a long time, growing more doubtful by the minute.

This…

Was she ill?

He could not diagnose any illness.

Yet her face was pale, she was unconscious, and her pulse was chaotic. All her symptoms pointed to sickness.

After much examination without finding a specific problem, the physician was confused, but he still tried his best to prescribe some medicine and advised Freya to rest quietly.

This fall of Freya’s was no small matter. Her health deteriorated day by day, and now she was even coughing up blood.

Grady was extremely anxious.

Could it be that she was about to die before awakening her holy power?

Could it be that Lant was no longer the Hero, and the Saintess had changed as well?

So he sat by her bedside, holding her hand and fussing over her. “My beloved concubine, how are you feeling now? Those quack doctors can’t even diagnose you! I will certainly hold them accountable!”

Freya subtly pulled her hand back from his grasp and covered her mouth with a light cough. “Your Highness, my health has always been like this. There’s no need to worry so much. I still have a bit of a cough, but… cough, cough, one gets used to it…”

With that, she broke into another violent fit of coughing. Her pale cheeks contrasted with the spots of bright red at the corners of her lips. It was truly a shocking sight.

Karina, standing nearby in her ‘maid’s’ attire, looked even more anxious than Rita or Freya herself. “Your Highness, this servant also knows a little medicine. I am well aware of my shallow knowledge and only understand the basics, but if the princess does not object, I could also examine her condition.”

“Then hurry and take a look!” Grady immediately agreed on Freya’s behalf.

Freya rolled her eyes inwardly. She probably wants to see how many more days I have left to live, right?

But Freya did not refuse. She calmly let Karina examine her.

Karina knew nothing of medicine. She only understood a little bit of magic. She used her magical power to probe Freya’s body, but inside it was like a dense fog. She could not detect anything. In the end, she had to give up.

“Please forgive me, Princess. This servant’s abilities are far too shallow. I truly cannot…” Karina put on an expression of fear and helplessness.

“Forget it. I don’t blame you. I know my own body best.” Freya just waved her hand weakly and didn’t blame her. “All right, I’m tired. I want to rest. Your Highness, do not worry too much. Given some time, I will naturally recover.”

Grady couldn’t help it either. Since she said she would recover, he could only hope so. She also survived in her previous life. Surely she would be fine in this one as well.

Grady comforted himself and left, taking Karina with him, whose face was full of ‘concern’ and ‘anxiety.’

After the two left, Lita immediately fetched a warm towel, wiped the fake blood from Freya’s face and hands, and helped her change into clean clothes.

Freya licked the corner of her lips, tasting the fake blood. She tilted her head and smacked her lips. “It’s… actually pretty sweet?”

Lita: “…”

“Princess, did you maybe cough up a bit too much?” Lita asked, eyeing the large patch of fake blood on the chest part of the discarded dress.

“It’s fine, more or less. After all, I’m a woman about to die soon.” Freya washed up and said she did not mind.

Freya had been in the palace for over half a year now. Due to her poor health, she had repeatedly declined invitations to tea parties. Recently, she had received another invitation, and this would be her first time attending.

If nothing went wrong, it would be held at a pavilion in the middle of a lake just like in her dream.

Now was the turning point between spring and summer. The surrounding flowers, trees, and grass were extremely lush, perfect for concealing one’s movements. It was an ideal opportunity to make her escape!

Dusk fell, and the sky gradually darkened. There was silence all around. Only the rhythmic footsteps of patrolling knights passing by could be heard.

Thud thud—

The window was tapped twice, and a dark figure slipped inside.

Lant: “Princess.”

“The things are ready.” With that, Lant took out a ‘person’ from his space.

The doll was extremely lifelike, identical to Freya in every way. Even Lita was startled.

“Lant, where did you get this?” Lita covered her mouth and asked in a small voice.

“A decoy doll made with magic,” Lant said, handing the doll “Freya” to Freya for inspection.

“This one has an original body, right?” Freya asked as she made a cut on her own hand and let a drop of blood fall onto the doll.

“Yes. I found a radish that looked somewhat like a person.” Lant took her hand. “I’m going to cast the spell. Close your eyes and relax.”

Lita watched in stunned silence.

A radish? A radish that looked like a person?

Even an amateur like Lita could tell that this spell was no ordinary one. If nothing else, because it took longer to cast.

The light of the magic circle beneath their feet gradually faded.

The “Freya,” who had been lying still with her eyes closed, slowly opened her eyes. “Greetings, Master.”

Freya touched her own decoy and was equally amazed. “It’s completely identical. This spell counts as a kind of dark magic, right?”

Lant thought for a moment. “I suppose… if you want to call it that…”

If it were just an ordinary decoy, it would only be puppet technique.

But this decoy was no ordinary thing.

“Dark magic?!” Lita stared wide-eyed at Lant. “Isn’t dark magic bad magic?”

Lant explained seriously, “Magic has no inherent good or evil. What matters is how it is used.”

Freya nodded in agreement, like a wife echoing her husband. “Lant is right. We’re not using it to do anything bad.”

Lita covered her eyes. “…”

Right. A couple in love. No point watching!

This “Freya” decoy was not simple. It contained Freya’s own blood essence. Even though it was a decoy, it had a certain vitality and could be controlled by Freya’s consciousness.

In other words, it was like Freya’s clone.

Of course, the most important thing was that its original body was a radish, so it could be stored in space.

However, because it was so lifelike, there was also a drawback.

If the decoy was harmed, Freya’s own spirit would also suffer some strain. According to the plan, Freya intended to have the decoy cremated. Leaving no body behind was the safest option, but that would certainly cause her some pain.

Lita hesitated at this. She could not bear the thought of her best friend suffering any harm.

But Freya simply smiled and comforted her. “Oh, come on. Lant has already agreed. Why don’t you agree?”

Lita: “…”

She felt a little reassured, but also as if she had just been force-fed dog food¹PDA.

“Kemi, Aiden, Yuna, Tila, are you all ready?” Lant used the transmission ring to contact the others.

“All ready!”

“I’m good here too!”

“I’m good as well!”

“I’ve already hidden in the stables!”

Lita wrinkled her nose in disgust. Hmm… that sounds… fragrant.

Everything was in place. Lant disappeared in an instant. Within seconds, all seven of them had gathered in the room.

“It’s so convenient having Lant around!”

“Hehe, teleportation magic is really useful!”

“Ah… I can still only shoot two little fireballs. I guess I don’t have much talent…”

After a brief moment of sighing, Lant set up a soundproofing spell, and the seven of them got down to business.

…

After some discussion.

“So, we’re taking the princess away first?” Kemi asked anxiously. “What about you, Lant?”

“Right. Wouldn’t it be strange if we all suddenly disappeared?” Lita was also puzzled.

“Don’t worry. You all have decoys. I’ll control them. Besides, I need to stay behind to handle the aftermath.” As he spoke, Lant displayed a row of decoys.

These decoys only needed to fool people, so they were more ordinary and would be controlled by him.

Lita thought to herself: Ah… so decoys can be bought wholesale…

“These are one-use teleportation magic items. Each can only be used once and can carry a maximum of three people. Aiden, aside from the princess, your magic is the best. I’m entrusting this mission to you and the princess. The routes are marked on the map. After you get out, prioritize the red line first, then the blue and green lines. Also, these are magical items that can change your appearance. Keep wearing them until you reach your destination, so no one recognizes you.”

“Please, protect the princess at all costs. I will join you all as soon as I can.”

Freya hugged Lant. “Don’t worry. I can protect myself. You protect yourself too.”

Lant gently patted her back. “I will.”

The other five single dogs: ଲଇଉକଲ

…

After a period of quiet recuperation, Freya’s health gradually improved. But compared to when she first entered the palace, she was still far from her former state.

Although Karina stayed by Grady’s side as a personal maid, the two quickly discovered and confessed to each other that they had both been reborn.

Overjoyed to learn that they had both returned, Karina and Grady promptly climbed into the same bed.

That night, after a bout of passion, Karina lay in Grady’s arms and said worriedly, “Your Highness, I always have a bad feeling. Lant is constantly by Freya’s side now. It won’t be so easy for us to succeed. And Freya’s health seems to be failing too…”

Grady kissed her and comforted her. “Don’t worry. She won’t die that easily. And I have good news for you. As far as I know, Lant still hasn’t gone to draw the Holy Sword. It must be that heaven wants us to be reborn so that I can become the true Hero! Who knows, maybe this time, the holy power is inside you.”

With that, Grady’s hands began to wander over Karina’s body again.

“Your Highness, you’re terrible~” Karina pretended to be reserved, refusing him before yielding. “Then I want to go with Your Highness to draw the Holy Sword. I want to witness Your Highness’s most glorious moment.”

“Of course you can,” Grady thought of the future. How he would become the savior, the one all would look up to. He could not suppress the wide smile at the corners of his mouth.

“Your Highness… there’s something I don’t know whether I should say…” Karina timidly traced circles on Grady’s chest.

Grady was aroused by her teasing. He grabbed her restless hand. “You’re my woman. Say whatever you want.”

Karina thought of Risa, and a barely perceptible hint of hatred flashed in her eyes. “Your Highness… I know my status is lowly and I’m not worthy of you… but… these past few days, Princess Risa, she…”

Karina hesitated to speak, looking especially aggrieved, pitiful, and heartbreaking.

In Grady’s eyes, his cousin, who had always been fixated on him and was completely unreasonable, was detestable beyond words. It was not enough that she had harmed Freya. Now she was going to harm the woman he loved as well. How despicable!

His expression instantly turned cold. “Karina, don’t worry. I will deal with her soon.”

Karina buried her face in Grady’s chest. “Thank you, Your Highness. I’m so sorry… for causing you trouble…”

Grady liked her consideration and kindness the most, and he felt thoroughly pleased. “Then you’ll have to repay me well.”

“Of course, Your Highness~” Karina said coquettishly.