His Contractual Mistress

Chapter 515: The Chronomancer (One)

Hailee and Vincent sat inside the private lounge across from Levi, Madison, and Cassandra. Derek took the single couch close to Vincent and Levi.

Before Vincent began his narration, he and Hailee shared a loving look at each other. He told her, “I’ll start the story....”

“Alright. I will continue after you....” Hailee concurred.

Vincent nodded, then cleared his throat, glancing at the two computers where Shun and Lady Isabella connected with a video call.

“Let’s begin. Now, let’s go back four hundred years ago when Emperor Xing Shen and Empress Xing Ming lived.”

“During that time, I heard many tales about the DARK SHAMAN when I roamed the land during my state visit to different cities and provinces.”

“I went to the battlefield and fought in the borders with a reason. I want to investigate on my own. Words came to me about bizarre activities within the walls of the Wu Kingdom. I sent someone to gather information, and then I learned that the prince in the Wu Kingdom had committed many crimes, but few of the imperial officials seemed to turn a blind eye to it.”

.....

Vincent paused to breathe out as memories poured into his head. After sorting them out, he carried on.

“I think that was the sign that they were preparing to poison the emperor. Thus, when I inherited the crown and sat on the throne as the new emperor, I sent my trusted soldiers to apprehend the prince of Wu Kingdom.”

“As he resisted, a battle took place. While my soldiers were under attack by him and fought back, they realized he had an immortal body as his wounds healed on their own. Not only that, he had the power to lift things. Swords and spears are flying toward them, the cause of my soldier’s death. And the only person who escaped and came home alive is General Jiang Zhang, my dear Empress’s brother.”

Vincent glanced at Hailee and gave her a comforting smile. He went on, “After that incident, I spent ample time searching to learn more about this man’s power. Then, one of my most trusted spies reported to me. He found a hidden village in the mountains where the elders had already lived for over a hundred years. They were shamans who didn’t want to cross paths with the dark shaman, so they chose to live peacefully away from civilization. As people forget about them, that includes the possibility that they were holding some information about him. Soon I learned they called the dark shaman the Chronomancer. I don’t know why....”

“It says the Chronomancer had already walked this world for a thousand years. He mastered many abilities that no ordinary human can acquire during a short lifespan. One of these abilities is the forbidden ritual of how to turn someone immortal. After he perfects the ritual, he turns himself into an immortal, and with this new power, he seeks more. Good thing that few are not afraid to fight him. They could seal half of his soul five hundred years ago.”

“Who are they?” asked Derek.

“The people called them Sisters as they are truly siblings,” replied Vincent.

“Sisters? Then, they are also shamans?” Madison interjected and queried curiously. They thought they already knew all the stories from the past. It turns out there are so many mysteries that have yet to unfold. “Why didn’t we hear about them?”

Listen to Madison; Hailee and Vincent looked at each other with confusion shown in their eyes.

“You don’t know about the sisters?” Hailee returned a question instead. “The sisters are sorcerers. Aren’t any sorcerers you heard in the present?”

Cassandra, who was keen on listening, looked at Isabella and spoke. “Did you hear anything from the shaman?”

“No.” Isabella shook her head. “The shaman never mentioned them to me. I suspect they know neither.”

“How is this possible?” Cassandra muttered hopelessly. “We are missing something, it seems.”

“Ah! This is frustrating!” Levi, who tried to digest the story Vincent shared with them, could still not figure out anything. “So, if Vincent and Hailee did not regain their memories from their past life, then we do not know what our enemy is capable of until now. Nor do we not know his real identity.”

“Levi is correct.” Derek, who remained silent, finally spoke. “It seemed like we missed too much information about this man, whom even the shamans do not know about him.”

“Whereas the shamans are afraid of him because they are no match against him.” Shun chimed in. “I think Cassandra and I should switch souls with Dae-Yun and Hwa-Young to investigate the past. While the shamans are here in Italy, they can send us straight to the Joseon Dynasty. Maybe the history of K Country had hidden writings about the C Nation’s mysterious past that were erased in our present time.”

Hearing this, Cassandra’s eyes lit up. “It was a perfect idea!”

She immediately agreed. It was rare for her to time travel with Shun; thus, excitement rushed into her heart. Imagine having an adventure with her husband in the past, wearing the vibrant Hanbok. The clothes are exquisite, which is why she always wears one, even in the present.

But, of course, she wanted to help gather more information about the dark shaman. It saddened her to part with her children, especially Arabella, who was a few months old. However, she could not let this man continue messing up their lives at present.

After careful thought, Cassandra rephrased what Madison had queried a while ago. “Hailee, what are these sisters, to be exact?”

“The sisters are the ones who could time travel and foresee the future,” replied Hailee. “I tried to mull over my memories of why you don’t have any information about them. Maybe it replaced history as you keep changing the course of someone’s life.”

“How about if our memories are from a different timeline?” Vincent interjected Hailee. After he regained his past life memories, something was amiss.

Everyone fell silent and pondered what Hailee and Vincent had said. They agreed that their presumption made sense. Theoretically, their memories remained even after the reset life.

Hailee and Vincent’s past life memories are from the other timeline. They should have some records if the history sequence has not changed. Thus, only can be explained by this conclusion.

“That could be possible.” Vincent’s belief supported Isabella. She went on, “We have four timelines, one of which is where no one survives from the Imperial Xing family. But look at them now. We even foresee a glimpse of the future that the children will visit in the past life.”

“Wait a minute....” Listening to Isabella, an idea suddenly popped up in Hailee’s head. She looked at Madison, Cassandra, and Lady Isabella. She then asked, “Could it be possible that the three of you are his daughters?”

“What?” the three exclaimed at once, shocked and confused.

“Daughter of whom?” Levi, Derek, and Shun asked simultaneously, as well. They were curious to know and confused with more bombs dropping at them.

Hailee replied, “The dark shaman. The Sisters are his daughters, the ones who sealed him away.”

They were shocked to learn this piece of information. How is it possible? Three hundred years is not the first time they were born, but a very long time ago.

“Are you telling us that creepy, perverted man, who is a thousand years old, is my father?”

The one who was hysterical the most and reacted first was Madison. Digesting this new information, she could not stop herself from fuming with rage and protesting.

That man put his hands on Hailee. How dare he touch her? Even if it was through a dream, as he has the capability to corrupt one’s mind, that is counted as assault.

And why would she not be furious? He is a madman!

“There must be a mistake! I would never accept that he was once my father! I would rather die than imagine it! Papa Shun is the only one I would recognize as once my parent from my past life!” Madison stressed out.

(to be continued....)