Heading toward the hut, Lellia recalled memories from her childhood.
'They said many new buildings were constructed in the southwest of the imperial palace grounds.'
This area was no different from before.
Lellia tightly gripped several magic potion bottles she had brought in case of danger as she walked along the dark path.
While passing through a small forest, she spotted some soldiers on patrol and quietly hid herself.
After they passed and some time went by, Lellia started walking again.
Perhaps because the final banquet was being held at the main palace, this place was quiet.
'Even back then, on the day of the banquet, I went to the hut...'
She had found nothing at the hut and returned to the tower.
And the moment she entered, she faced Cedric, Damian, and Uriana.
'I hurt Uriana and apologized for it.'
Remembering that day, her mood sank.
At that time, Lellia was driven out of the tower and went back to the hut, forcing herself to endure the sorrow.
Telling herself it was okay, that she had friends, so it would be okay.
In any case (though they didn't seem to help at all), she had now truly returned to this place with the help of Romeo and Calix.
That fact alone was a great comfort and gave her courage.
Lellia walked diligently toward the hut.
Then it happened.
'Wait, what is that?'
On the way to the hut.
Lellia stopped near where the tower she lived in as a child was located.
'I knew they built new buildings because of what Romeo said...'
But she didn't know they had built such a large and splendid building.
'...Impressive.'
Lellia turned away without hesitation, a bitter expression on her face.
It was surely something the Emperor or the twin brothers had created for Uriana.
Before long, she arrived near the hut.
The hut was still the same. Lellia felt as if time had turned back to her childhood.
'This isn't the time to be lost in sentiment.'
Lellia checked her surroundings and slowly pulled open the door of the darkened hut.
And the moment she took a step inside.
For some reason, the cold air made her stop breathing.
"……!"
Inside the hut with not a single candle lit, moonlight was streaming through the window.
Lellia met eyes with someone sitting in a chair.
It was Emperor Perseus.
Time seemed to stop for a moment.
"...El, Elizabeth...?"
Emperor Perseus frowned and slowly murmured. His low voice was slightly slurred, suggesting he had been drinking.
The wine bottle on the table finally caught her eye.
"...Elizabeth, my goodness... you're..."
"......"
Lellia looked at Emperor Perseus with an expressionless face.
Unlike the expressionless Lellia, tears were flowing from his eyes. Apparently drunk, he seemed to be mistaking Lellia for Elizabeth.
She resembled her mother so much that even Duke Superion and the Duchess had mistaken her, so it was no wonder Emperor Perseus reacted this way.
He slowly rose to his feet.
He seemed to have drunk a lot, swaying unsteadily.
Lellia, whose eyes had been wavering for a moment, steeled her gaze.
The hesitation was brief.
Splash!
Lellia opened the lid of the potion bottle she was holding in her right hand and sprayed it directly at Emperor Perseus.
"Why of all times..."
She muttered as if resenting the Emperor.
Thud.
"......"
Emperor Perseus, who had been trying to approach Lellia, collapsed to the floor.
It was an anesthetic potion that would render the target unconscious.
'Why today of all days, and alone without guards...'
Lellia frowned.
Then again, in the past, Emperor Perseus used to visit this place without guards.
'Because of that, I've failed more than once or twice.'
Lellia looked down at Emperor Perseus who had fallen unconscious.
Even though nine years had passed, he still looked as young and handsome as before.
'...This isn't the time.'
Lellia kept turning her head back toward Emperor Perseus but forced herself to look away and fumbled for her necklace.
When she touched the gem, the form of an alchemy tool appeared in the air.
Lellia opened the special materials window and pressed the search button. Soon, an illustration of a dragon flying appeared.
[~~Yay~! (ง˙∇˙)ว~(ว˙∇˙)ง Searching for special materials~~]
After that message, the numbers on the gauge started to rise.
The material Lellia needed to find was called 'Crystal of Memories.'
It was one of the materials needed to cure her grandmother's illness, but this material had been impossible to find no matter what they tried.
Lellia was certain she could find that material here.
'It must be because something containing memories of Mom and Grandma is here.'
[75%]
'Hurry up and fill...'
Lellia gazed at the numbers with desperate hope. When the gauge reached 79%...
"......!!!"
Suddenly she felt a strong hand gripping her ankle.
Lellia let out a small involuntary groan.
Looking down, she saw Emperor Perseus groaning in pain.
"El... Elizabeth..."
Just then.
Knock knock.
"Your Majesty, are you alright?"
Along with the sound of knocking on the hut door, someone's voice was heard.
Lellia bit her lip hard.
Emperor Perseus wobbled and fell back into slumber.
"Your Majesty, may I come in?"
The voice came from outside the door once more.
[80%]
'No time.'
Lellia gripped the potion bottle.
"I'm coming in, Your Majesty."
Creak.
And the moment the door opened.
Splash!
She sprayed the magic potion once again on the face of the knight who had opened the door and entered.
The knight, without even noticing Lellia, collapsed and fell asleep.
'...What do I do?'
Of all places to fall...
The knight had fallen right in front of the entrance door. To close the front door, she would have to move that heavy knight and close the door again.
[87%]
"Hurry... hurry!"
Lellia stomped her feet anxiously, waiting for the gauge to fill. Her gaze was fixed on the open doorway.
'What's that sound?'
Just then, a commotion seemed to be heard from afar.
'More people are coming!'
Peeking her head out the front door, she indeed saw lights in the distance.
The Emperor's attendants and several knights were coming this way with lanterns.
[95%]
Lellia had no choice but to quickly flee the hut.
'Why did Emperor Perseus have to be here today of all days...!'
Resentment toward him rose in her heart.
Lellia ran quickly toward the northeast castle gate where Calix would be waiting. Anxiety washed over her, and she ran desperately until her lungs were full of breath.
"Huh? You're back already? Did you succeed?"
Calix, spotting Lellia from afar, waved his hand largely.
Lellia ran to him, glancing back nervously.
Calix was kicking the armor of the knight he had knocked down earlier. It seemed he had tried to wear it but failed.
Lellia grabbed his arm and panted for breath.
"No, quickly... escape... hah..."
"What? Were you caught?"
"Yes, we'll be chased soon. Quickly, quickly, we need to escape! Quickly!"
The Emperor and the knight had been seen collapsed, so there would be chaos. As Lellia said, loud sounds seemed to be coming from afar.
Calix stared at the exhausted, worn-out Lellia.
"Just a moment."
"Yes?"
"You said we need to go quickly."
At Calix's subsequent actions, Lellia let out a silent scream.
Calix suddenly grabbed Lellia's waist and lifted her up.
Like carrying a small child, he secured Lellia with one arm.
"Hold on tight."
As he said, Lellia unconsciously gripped Calix's firm nape. At the same time, he started running like lightning.