Conquering My Enemy from My Past Life chapter 38

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“What proof do I need? I’m the one saying I’m a fake. It’s not like I’m trying to claim I’m the real one.”

“…….”

Ateol frowned, as if considering my words.

“Fine. Let’s say you are a fake. Then tell me—did it have to be me?”

For the third or fourth time, he was asking the same damn question.

It was clear that Ateol still had his doubts.

Without revealing the existence of the status window, there was no real way to justify why I chose him.

So, I shamelessly doubled down.

“Because I kissed you.”

Ateol froze.

“That’s the reason. Do you need more?”

“Ha….”

A dry chuckle escaped him.

Was he about to mock me for giving such an emotional excuse?

But then, something completely unexpected happened.

He suddenly stood up, closed the distance between us—

—And kissed me.

[Affection Level: Ateol

99%]

[A new stat has been added to the status window.]

[Special Affection

+30%]

“Seriously… What now? A special favorability stat? But I didn’t have time to dwell on the status window for long.”

I was pushed back, landing with a thud on the sofa.

Before I could react, Ateol straddled me, one knee propped against the cushions.

His hands cradled my head, and he kissed me deeply—so intensely that my lips tingled.

Only when I was breathless did he pull away, though he remained close enough that I could still feel his breath.

“Then… what would you like me to do?”

“Ugh—”

“As long as you can use magic, he won’t be able to do anything, right? Should I just kill him now?”

He’s insane.

His heart is cold as ice!

But… the fact that I didn’t completely hate hearing that probably meant I wasn’t in a position to judge.

“K-Kill him? Don’t be ridiculous!”

“Then what would you have me do?”

“There has to be a more… peaceful way. I just need to escape, that’s all.”

“Escape, huh?”

Ateol ran his fingers through my hair.

The touch tickled, making me instinctively scrunch my face.

Amused, he kissed me once more before rising to his feet.

“For now, we should ensure he doesn’t get anywhere near the Magic Tower. But while he remains in the Imperial Palace… it would be best to keep him close. I’ll invite him to my residence.”

“Your residence? You really think he’ll accept?”

“If he came here with an agenda, he will. Even if he didn’t, he has no real reason to refuse.”

“Then…”

Keeping him away from the Magic Tower was definitely a good idea.

The thought of the real Tower Master setting foot here unsettled me.

In my past life, the real Yuri had suddenly regained his magic out of nowhere.

But even after facing him directly this time, I hadn’t lost my powers.

That suggested some sort of ritual or time delay was required.

If Ateol was willing to keep an eye on him, I’d be grateful.

“Alright, I’ll leave it to you.”

“Understood.”

And just as Ateol predicted, Siwoo accepted the invitation.

Seated before an extravagant dining table, Siwoo hesitated, visibly struggling to adapt.

He even seemed a little overwhelmed by the lavish setting—clearly not someone accustomed to a life of luxury.

“I heard you’re the Duke’s adopted nephew.”

“Y-Yes, Your Highness, the Fourth Prince.”

“Is this your first time in the capital? The atmosphere must be quite different from the North.”

Siwoo quickly nodded.

“Yes. I was shocked by how warm it is. The same gods move the sun and moon, and yet the climate is so drastically different.”

“So you’ve never left the North before?”

Siwoo hesitated before answering, a troubled expression crossing his face.

“Actually… I lost my memory. I don’t remember anything from before waking up in Narksabel.”

“What?”

I blinked in surprise, blurting out my thoughts before I could stop myself.

Memory loss?

It was so abrupt that it almost seemed genuine.

I felt Ateol’s gaze flick toward me, assessing.

Siwoo shrank back slightly, lowering his head.

Even from the crown of his head, I could sense his unease.

He wasn’t lying.

“The only thing I remembered was my name—Siwoo. I didn’t even know my surname. But I was fortunate. His Grace the Duke found me and took me in as the adopted son of his younger brother, the Marquis.”

They even gave him the surname Roanes?

In this empire, noble titles came before territorial names, not family names.

Roanes was a name personally granted by the founding emperor to his younger brother, the first Grand Duke of Narksabel.

Since then, the bloodline had remained deeply intertwined with the imperial family.

And yet, they had bestowed such a prestigious name upon an unknown adoptee?

The Duke had always insisted he would never marry.

There was definitely something going on between him and Siwoo.

“Then… where did you come from?”

“I was dying in the streets during a rainstorm, apparently.”

I studied him intently.

No signs of deception.

My magic wasn’t reacting either.

I discreetly channeled a small pulse of energy through the ground—just enough to cause the teacups on the table to tremble slightly.

Siwoo hesitated, tilting his head in confusion.

Ateol was the only one who met my gaze.

If the tremor was faint enough, someone insensitive to magic wouldn’t even notice.

Siwoo seemed to fall into that category.

Only after spotting the rippling tea did he finally speak.

“Was that… an earthquake?”

“It’s nothing.”

“O-Oh. That’s a relief.”

I discreetly glanced at my status window.

[New target character detected! Name: Siwoo

Would you like to begin the Siwoo route?]

[Yes]
[No]

I hadn’t pressed ‘Yes’ yet.

What would happen if I did?

Successfully conquering Siwoo will grant you a special effect.

…So he wasn’t just a love interest—he was an extra route with some sort of bonus reward?

That made me feel a little guilty.

Feigning nonchalance, I subtly brushed my fingers over the [Yes] button.

[Event triggered!

Siwoo feels awkward in this setting. Why not strike up a friendly conversation?]

Was he really uncomfortable?

Was his memory loss genuine?

Either way, there was no harm in trying.

“Siwoo.”

“Y-Yes, Tower Master?”

He stiffened, eyes locked on me, visibly nervous.

Suddenly, I hesitated.

Would talking to him really make him feel at ease?

Or would it just make him even more anxious?

At this rate, he was going to choke on his snacks.

“How was life in the North?”

“Ah… well, since I don’t remember anything else, it was all I knew. I liked it. It was cold and dry outside, but always warm indoors.”

“How does it compare to the capital?”

“Honestly? The capital is far more extravagant—it feels like a whole new world.”

That made sense.

Compared to Narksabel’s frozen wastelands, the capital was paradise.

I was about to ask something else, but the words wouldn’t come.

I wasn’t exactly the most outgoing person. Keeping a conversation going like this was difficult.

After some thought, I finally managed another question.

“How’s the Duke?”

“He’s well. He tried to teach me swordsmanship but… he gave up.”

The moment the words left his mouth, Siwoo blushed, clearly regretting saying that last part.

Was that supposed to be embarrassing?

I mean, what use would a mage have for sword skills?

“If not the sword… how about magic?”

“That too… apparently, I have absolutely no talent for it.”

Siwoo’s face turned even redder.

He stole a glance at Ateol, who was staring at him, seemingly trying to determine whether his words were true.

Maybe Ateol had some idea, but I couldn’t quite grasp it.

Why had the Grand Duke gone so far as to make Siwoo his foster nephew and send him to the capital?

It was too much of a coincidence to be mere chance.

But putting aside all other possibilities, what if this man before me truly was Yuri, and it was just a coincidence?

Maybe he simply had some connection with the Grand Duke.

‘…….’

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