The guard who rushed in announced news that struck like a heavy hammer, pounding into the hearts of everyone in the Imperial Palace Main Hall.
“What’s going on! Explain clearly!”
The King of the Capital’s expression changed drastically; the amiable face he had shown Moya moments ago instantly turned stern.
“The Court Mage had been following the procedure to swap the two bodies…”
The guard who had run over was still out of breath, panting heavily as he answered His Majesty’s question.
“But when it came to the part where they were asked if they were willing to swap bodies, that fake Sierfu Family Head suddenly shouted, ‘I am not willing!’…”
“Then the crystal ball suddenly erupted with a huge flash of light, so bright we couldn’t open our eyes.”
“After the light faded, those two had vanished! The crystal ball along with them!”
The guard’s report was like a thunderclap, exploding through the entire Imperial Palace Main Hall.
The attendants and officials exchanged glances, all shocked and disoriented by this heavy news.
Aide’s eyebrow arched, clearly not expecting things to be exactly as Moya had feared, heading in an even more troublesome direction.
He looked toward Moya, expecting her to wear that dead-fish-eyed expression of ‘This is such a hassle, can’t you just not make me do this?’
But contrary to Aide’s expectations, after hearing the news, Moya did not show obvious signs of irritation or impatience.
Instead, she wore a contemplative look, and Aide could even see a hint of gloom in her eyes.
This seemed to be the first time Aide had seen Moya with such a gloomy expression.
He felt that this girl was usually so carefree, but unexpectedly, at a time like this, she actively put on a serious thinking face.
Was there something that had stirred her emotions?
“Silence!”
The King of the Capital barked angrily at the noisy officials, suppressing their restlessness, then took a deep breath and resumed his usual serious administrative demeanor as he asked the guard:
“What does the Court Mage say?”
“The Lord Court Mage believes they may have been transferred to the spirit world. He ordered me to report this to Your Majesty immediately, and he will try to track the crystal ball and those two.”
“The spirit world?”
The King of the Capital, who had been listening intently, couldn’t help but show a puzzled expression.
“Isn’t the spirit world entered through the depths of the subconscious by consciousness alone? How could their physical bodies vanish as well?”
“This subordinate is not sure. I am merely relaying the Lord Court Mage’s opinion. As for anything else he didn’t mention, I know nothing.”
The guard shook his head and replied with a cupped fist salute.
“Fine then, I was too hasty.”
The King of the Capital sighed lightly and waved his hand:
“Withdraw.”
The guard accepted the order and quickly retreated, leaving the hall in silence.
“Hero, Angel Miss, I apologize for our lack of supervision. Could I trouble the two of you to follow up on this incident once more?”
The King of the Capital lightly rubbed his temples, as if trying to smooth the newly added wrinkles from his days and nights of hard work.
Then he shifted his gaze to Aide and Moya.
“Don’t worry, the reward won’t be small.”
The moment he heard ‘the reward won’t be small,’ Aide saw Moya’s feathered ears perk up instantly, and the gloom in her eyes vanished completely.
The underlying code activated.
“Your Majesty, rest assured. Since this matter is related to our commission, it is only natural that we pursue it to the end.”
Aide nodded slightly, his expression calm as still water.
“Good, good.” The King of the Capital said repeatedly, the wrinkles on his face seeming to relax a bit. “The chit-chat can wait until after the incident is resolved. If you two need any assistance, just ask. I will also have the Court Mage cooperate fully.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Aide stood up, bowed to the King of the Capital, then turned and left with Moya, whose mood had improved.
—
“You looked pretty upset just now.”
After leaving the Imperial Palace Main Hall, Aide slowed his pace, waiting for Moya to catch up and walk side by side.
“What’s wrong?”
“Which of your eyes saw me upset? Right now I’m dying to finish the mission and get my money!”
Moya raised her right hand, proudly flaunting her slightly plump arm.
“Stop pretending. I’m talking about before the king mentioned the reward. I’ve known you for so long, but that’s the first time I’ve seen you make that expression.”
“Haven’t we only known each other for less than two weeks?”
Moya rolled her eyes and scoffed at Aide’s words:
“Trying to coax me with such a clumsy lie? You’re drooling a bit.”
“If you say so, then it is.”
Aide laughed out loud, not refuting Moya’s doubt.
From Moya’s perspective, Aide was indeed just a loan shark hero she had known for less than two weeks, but to Aide, Moya was the angelic figure of his dreams night and day.
“So why were you in a bad mood?”
“Wow, you’re still asking!”
Moya was a bit uncomfortable with Aide’s sudden concern.
She fiddled with the ends of her golden hair, considering how to answer.
“I was just thinking about the Fake Lord.”
“It’s rare to see you care so much about someone. If you normally spared a fraction of that concern for others, the sun would rise from the west.”
Aide walked alongside Moya on the way to the Court Mage’s tower, his tone slightly teasing.
“…Just a bit of sentimental resonance.”
Moya paused, though her expression remained nonchalant, but her fingers didn’t stop playing with her hair.
She still didn’t tell Aide her thoughts.
“Aide, what do you think? Regarding the Fake Lord, I want to hear your opinion.”
Aide stopped in his tracks, stroking his chin as he began to think.
He could tell that whether Moya would share her thoughts depended entirely on his answer.
The first step for cautious people before opening their hearts is usually a careful probe.
Aide watched Moya’s expression that seemed to say ‘nothing matters,’ then nodded lightly, catching her light, offhand question.
“Alright.”
“As you feared, it’s normal for the Fake Lord to do something like this. His origin is that of a beggar from the streets, desperate to seize the opportunity to change his fate. For him, this body swap is an undeniable manifestation of that opportunity. That’s why he has been so diligent in learning noble etiquette and knowledge. Correspondingly, he will regard this body swap as the reward for his efforts and hardships—a miracle worthy of his efforts and hardships.”
“So he will never allow anyone to hinder this miracle, and he will use every means to achieve it. Everything he’s doing now is just defending the ‘miracle’ in his eyes.”
Aide’s voice echoed through the palace corridor.
Moya stared intently at Aide’s gentle face, finally putting away her nonchalant expression.
“That’s not what I’m asking.”
“I’m asking about your opinion of him.”
“And the reason you chose to threaten the Fake Lord into agreeing at Sierfu Mansion.”