"But…" Anubis paused for a moment. "Your wife should be able to find a solution."
"My wife?" Nathan was dumbfounded. Selena's body shook, while Flora tilted her head in confusion.
"Wife? You already have a wife?" Duke Coline smiled wryly, not knowing how to respond to this news.
"Come on. There's only one person who proclaims herself as your wife this whole time," Fenrir harrumphed.
"Ah!" Nathan gasped. "Fairy Queen Charlotte!"
"Fairy Queen? Don't tell me. That person who created the ancient library? The one who was said to know everything in this world?" It was Duke Coline's turn to be surprised. Even with his connection, they couldn't be compared to Charlotte.
No, he thought the ancient library was just a legend, so he never considered that option.
Duke Coline crossed his arms. "I think that's viable. The fairy queen might know the answer. If even someone like her is unable to find the answer, I don't know who has the answer in this world."
Anubis waved his paw. "No. I'm not talking about that. I say it's impossible for me to save him, but it doesn't mean I don't know a way to save him. It's just… I don't have the knowledge to do it. The only one I know who possesses that knowledge is her. I don't know if this kingdom has the record or not."
"Huh?!" Duke Coline was even more baffled. He had been searching for that answer, but he couldn't find it. Yet a beast actually knew that answer?
Anubis turned to Nathan. "She had even told you about the answer. Did you not remember it?"
"It's not that I don't remember it. I don't even know which one is the answer." Nathan shook his head.
"I'm talking about the summoning circle." Anubis sighed.
"!!!" Nathan dropped his jaw, not expecting that possibility.
"What are you talking about? Are you trying to sacrifice her father? This is unacceptable. How can you do that to your own woman's father?" Duke Coline protested.
Selena, on the other hand, knew Nathan wouldn't do something like that. There must be something hidden that she wasn't aware of.
Nathan raised one finger. "The current summoning circle won't be able to save him. However, what about the ancient summoning circle?"
"Ancient summoning circle?" All three of them muttered in a low tone. Duke Coline seemed to be thinking hard about it.
"What do you mean? Is there something in the ancient summoning circle? I know nothing about the ancient summoning circle, since the school has never taught us about it." Flora asked.
"According to Charlotte, the ancient summoning circle is much more complex. They continued to simplify the summoning circle to be more convenient to use, which resulted in the current generation of summoning circles.
"However, in the past, it was said that the summoning circle had various sections, such as the sacrifice, the contract, and so on.
"Anubis must be thinking that if we can pinpoint or lock only the crystal as the sacrifice, we don't have to destroy the crystal. Instead, we just remove it from your father. Of course, this means Selena is able to summon her fifth familiar at the same time. Killing two birds with one stone.
"Still, Anubis doesn't know if the kingdom possesses the record of this ancient summoning circle. On the other hand, Charlotte should have it in her head.
"So, I'm thinking about going there and bringing the crystal back with us and having Charlotte inspect it. If the summoning circle can be the answer, we will proceed with it."
Anubis nodded. Nathan had explained everything in his mind. "I just considered this possibility because of the bloodstone. Since it was an artifact, it could be considered a sacrificial material, so it should be able to be removed without breaking it.
"Of course, I should inspect him first to make sure that he's not dead yet and if his soul is fine. If everything has met the requirement, saving him shouldn't be a problem. Still, this solution is untested, so we don't know if it's a success or not. That's why the one who has to make that decision is…" Anubis looked at Selena.
As the closest relative and the sole reason her father ended up in that state, Selena should be the one making that decision.
Without hesitation, Selena said, "I will do it."
"Don't be too hasty." Anubis shook his head. "We can bring it back and have Charlotte inspect it. If it's not possible right now, we can ask her to research it. Even if the technology is not developed yet, we can return your father there and save him when it's possible."
Duke Coline smiled wryly. "To think that the summoning circle can be the solution. Well, if you need anything, tell me about it. I'm sure my son will be happy to help."
"Huh?" Nathan was confused.
"What? Did he not tell anyone about it? Even his daughter?" Duke Coline didn't expect Selena to be confused as well. "Your father is my son's childhood friend, the next Duke Tash."
"…" Nathan was speechless. It was no wonder why Duke Coline sounded as if he was very familiar with Selena's father.
"Hahahaha. I guess he didn't tell anyone about it. That boy, Nick, often sneaked out of his house to visit my mansion, you know?"
"There's something I'm curious about. After her father disappeared… I'm sorry if I sound rude, but why would your son allow Selena to be scrutinized by her family?"
"Huh?" Duke Coline tilted his head in confusion. "The report I got was different, though."
"Now that I think about it, you were shocked that she was still alive…" Nathan frowned.
"Yes. I got the report that the first wife committed a double suicide, bringing her daughter along with her. We both had even visited their graves nine years ago."
Both Nathan and Selena knew instantly. Her uncle was the culprit.
"So… that's how it is…" Duke Coline's expression darkened. "I'm going to the Ashton family after this. Let me exterminate all those pests who dare to lie to me. I will invoke my special right to start a territorial war and give that land to its rightful owner."