You say that because you want to disappear?

A brief silence fell. Then Adrian said, glancing slyly,

Actually, Im a bit sick and tired of this.

Really?

Yeah. In fact, I thought itd be comfortable to have two Adrians, but I dont think it is. Are you feeling uncomfortable?

Is that even possible?

Adrians lips twisted.

I feel really disgusting. Ive been doing this crap for the past few years, and Im afraid itll all collapse like a sandcastle.

Hmmmm.

The power to revive Eleonora is rushing right in front of that hallway. Im so pathetic that Im going crazy. I shouldve sunken that ship in the sea to stop the imprint.

A slew of curse words flew out of his mouth.

The end goal of stage 3 of the replica project was the completion of Eleonoras clone. And since he had decided to use the method of soul division in the process, Adrian had decided to cut off all of his weak parts and then destroy them. Because he could completely reverse the relationship after creating Eleonoras clone; a genius witch who had been reborn from his hands after defeating his grand goal. It was certainly a fascinating study. The end of the project was finally in sight.

With a part of himself now detached, what was left was emptiness and lethargy on one side and madness on the other. Its better to be motivated by opening up the possibility of the projects final success to see who was real.

Besides, if one of them was missing, the power they shared will be combined again. Maybe he can shake the barrier for a moment and escape.

Adrian laughed.

Then Ive decided on who will remain.

Hearing that, Adrian pulled something from his shirt pocket.

His hands were constrained and his movements slowed, but soon he managed to pull out a small chip half the size of a fingernail. Standing up with that in his hand, he began to walk toward himself, one slow step at a time.

When the bandage on his shoulder was loosened, a bloody wound was revealed. He placed the chip into it without hesitating. Adrian grumbled.

Be gentle. You know it hurts.

Ill live.

As soon as the specially coated nanochip was planted into his body, it immediately became entangled with his muscle tissue. It is a self-destructing chip that explodes immediately if anything taboo is uttered. This was Eleonoras invention. Adrian let Adrians arm go and stepped back.

Go. Your goal is right in front of you, you loser.

Adrian gazed at his dithering face. There was one word that set off the suicide bomb chip. His lips became dry.

Eleonora, I

But Adrians words couldnt come together in the end because of a slight rumble outside the room. The ground shook like hundreds of bison were sprinting at full speed, and a black cloud poured in through the crack in the door.

At the moment Adrian looked back, tearing down his impression, he met eyes with a pair of dark red flashing eyes.

Before he knew it, a young dragon was standing in front of the opened door.

What are you doing?

The air in the room turn ice-cold the moment those words were uttered.

With his eyes shifting side to side at the two men, like earlier, Muell curled his lips and smiled. The look in his eyes though was not amused.

Do you want to die? How do you want it?

A murderous intent glistened in the young dragons eyes. But then he recalled what Kyle had asked for:

Do whatever you want, Muell, but do not kill him.

There were so many ways to interpret those words, but Muell succeeded in interpreting exactly as Kyle intended. Kyle didnt care what he did, as long as he didnt kill Adrian.

Right. You I saw You put your hands on Noah earlier, right?

The scene of investigators interrogating a criminal in the Protection Bureaus basement appeared in Muells mind. What do I do if a criminal rebels against me?

Beat him until he confesses.

Muell looked down at his tiny hands. They were too small. No matter how much he was to wave his tiny fists, theyd only feel like fluffy bats.

He smiled broadly as he felt a resonance with Noah, who opened up without any obstacles.

I guess its time for me to become big.

Soon, the last smile on Muells lips appeared completely.

***

After leaving the dining room, Noah and Kyle went upstairs with some of the militants from the Tauren Protection Bureau. For the investigation to proceed smoothly, because there were barriers everywhere in the building, Noah had to release the spell in the lab and the replica process.

She sighed for a long time, recounting Lenias statement that Muell had sent.

Oh, pitiful Lenia. When we arrive in the capital, please post a report saying that Lenia acted as a helper from time to time. She has been through a lot these past two years, so she should at least get a reward.

I was going to do that. If I do that, Lenia Valtalere wont be labeled as the criminal who stole the egg, so she will receive no punishment.

That was a relief. On top of that, thanks to Lenia, Noah was able to meet Muell, and because of that, she was able to find her body and use the power of the dragon to her hearts content, so she thought that it ended well. Its just that the process was a bit curved.

Noah later vowed to hand over a few mining shares to Lenia. Her thought stretched further, to the replica project.