Published at 21st of January 2026 6:27 am

Chapter 1435: Remaining Unseen

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Within the private chamber, hidden from prying eyes, the three planned the downfall of the Ignisra Kingdom.

But little did they know, the three of them had already become two...

Count Ward stood respectfully as Leila and Osbert sat on the couch and discussed the plan. He, after all, was merely a Mana Liquefaction Magus, while the others were Mana Vortex and Mana Core Magi, respectively.

"So, ideally, how much more time will you need?" Osbert asked, his voice low and unsettling.

Leila slipped into thought. Although the idea of her sleeping with the hateful Prince struck a nerve, this was something that she had to do anyway.

A few moments later, she looked at the necromancer and said with certainty, "At least, five more times, my lord."

"And by then, your magic will have taken complete root inside his mind?" Osbert asked.

"Without a doubt." Leila nodded, her blue eyes flashing with confidence. Her lips curled into a wicked smirk, and she added, "By then, he might even want to court me."

Beneath the hood’s shadows, Osbert’s eyes gleamed with a peculiar light. "Although making you the wife is difficult based on my understanding of the royal family, the station of a concubine isn’t out of the question..."

Leila’s giggles echoed in the chamber. The thought of having Marlow wrapped around her fingers truly made her feel delighted.

Right at that moment, Count Ward’s cough disturbed their conversation.

Leila immediately frowned. The necromancer, on the other hand, asked, "Something you’d like to add?"

Although Burne Ward was weak and, in theory, disposable, Osbert still valued his insights. After all, the man had been close to the Prince and had, over decades, carefully cultivated his trust. More importantly, Burne understood Marlow better than anyone else in the room.

"Yes, my lord." The count respectfully nodded.

Ignoring the Enchantress’s venomous gaze, he continued:

"The position of concubine is out of the question. Yes, the Prince indulges excessively in debauchery, but the fact remains, he deeply loves his wife. Besides, the practice of polygamy is prohibited within House Fireborne. That is why none of the previous rulers have taken more than one wife."

Leila’s eyes narrowed. "Why would any of that matter when Marlow rebels against the throne? The previous traditions can be discarded entirely when he becomes king."

Count Ward turned to look at the Enchantress, thinking of strangling her to death. But instead, he offered a polite smile and said:

"Lady Leila, it would appear you are allowing emotions to cloud your judgment. May I remind you, what we’re doing is for the Empire, and not your personal vendetta—"

BAM!

Count Burne saw the strike coming from a mile away.

But alas... what else could he do but take it head-on?

Oh, the woes of pretending to be a weakling...

The blow swept his legs from under him and sent him crashing into the wall. A resounding thud echoed through the room as cracks spiderwebbed across the wall, and he miserably fell to the floor.

With a grimace on his face, he tried to get back up.

But he never got the chance.

The Enchantress was already upon him. She planted her foot on his face and twisted, grinding his cheek hard against the floor.

"You

dare remind me that what we’re doing is for the Empire? You?" She snarled. "I was a faithful Magus of Haynam while you were still sucking on your mother’s teat! Know your place!"

Tears slid down the Count’s face as he winced in agony. "M-mercy... please... I didn’t mean to..."

"That’s enough." Osbert’s cold voice echoed in Leila’s ears.

She harrumphed in displeasure, then turned around and returned to her seat.

"He really has forgotten his place after playing at being Marlow’s friend," she sneered.

Osbert remained silent.

A few moments later, Count Ward rose to his feet like a wounded mutt and approached the two. He kept his head lowered, seemingly afraid to look Leila — or the necromancer — in the eye.

"We’ll cross that bridge when we get there," said the necromancer. "Until then..."

He gazed at Burne Ward and continued, "Facilitate the upcoming meetings with Marlow."

"...Yes, my lord." The Count bowed, still trembling in fright.

"And one more thing." Osbert’s words turned cold, causing Burne to shiver uncontrollably.

"Do not let your hostility towards Leila get in the way," he continued. "We’ve come too far to have everything ruined over a petty squabble."

He then turned to Leila and added, "And this is the last time you lay a hand on him. Get it through your thick skull, he is just as important to the plan as you are."

Leila couldn’t help but scoff. But she nodded nevertheless. "I understand, my lord."

"...T-thank you, my lord." Burne Ward humbly bowed, lowering his head as he hid the cold gleam in his eyes.

Inwardly, Adam thought to himself in glee:

Good. They don’t suspect me at all. Although I was confident in the alteration abilities of the Faceless Mask, I was afraid my behavior might alert them.

But it turns out... they’ve bought it.

Adam’s performance as Burne Ward was very critical today. For if Osbert and Leila began to suspect him, then all his planning would have crumbled before everything even began.

And for the rest of the duration of this game, he intended to stay hidden in the background. His time in Mabi had ingrained in him a deep appreciation for remaining unseen, letting others move the pieces while he quietly reaped the rewards in the end.

Of course, to him, the greatest benefit to be had was for House Fireborne to win.

And he would do everything in his power to make that possible.

***

The following day.

The royal carriage rolled through the streets in silence. Marlow stared outside, lost in thought, while Count Ward sat opposite him, composed and watchful.

"Is something on your mind, My Prince?" he asked.

Marlow snapped out of his thoughts and turned to his friend. He smiled faintly and shook his head.

"It’s nothing."

Of course, Burne Ward already knew what Marlow was thinking, thanks to the poisonous seed planted by the Enchantress.

"Are you not satisfied with Lady Leila?" He asked with a knowing smile. "If you want, I could find suitable replacements."

Marlow chuckled. "No, it’s not that. Leila’s great..."

His words suddenly trailed off, his pupils dilating.

Why?

Because a lotus pattern had suddenly bloomed in Burne Ward’s eyes!

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