Chapter 183: Shaela (2)
“That’s me,” Lucion said, instinctively recoiling.
“But now, who should be worried about whom? I should be concerned about you, not the other way around, alright?”
Lucion nodded with wide eyes.
Shaela softened her expression and gently touched Ratta’s nose as she growled.
“Okay. I was really worried. It’s been a long time since I last saw you, sister. And I didn’t think I would look like this because it wasn’t a blood festival.”
Shaela’s gaze turned increasingly icy.
“So… who did it?”
“What?”
“Who’s the person responsible for the wound in your stomach?”
‘Brother.’
Lucion almost blurted out the words but managed to hold them back.
“I don’t know.”
“You don’t know? You don’t know who caused a hole in your stomach?”
“I genuinely don’t know.”
“Alright. If you say you don’t know, then you truly don’t know.”
Shaela stepped back, disappointed.
“What about Heint? What should we do about him?”
“Why… what about Brother Heint?”
“He made you shine, so that reason alone should be enough. Should I rip his throat out?”
“No, no! It’s fine!”
“If you had just given the word, I would have sought revenge. Too bad.”
Shaela licked her lips.
And she meant it.
Fully aware of what she was capable of, Lucion swallowed hard.
Knock, knock.
There was a knock on the door.
“I said I understand, so leave!”
Shaela’s voice grew louder.
“Who… is it?”
[An imperial knight. Not from the Eighth Order of the Knights.]
Russell informed him.
‘Why would an imperial knight…?’
Lucion suddenly felt uneasy.
What kind of trouble could Shaela have caused while he was unconscious?
“I wanted to enjoy the festival with you, see the sights, and savor delicious food, but since you’re injured like this, it’s not possible. Even if you insist on going, I will stop you. No matter what.”
“Sis.”
“Yes?”
“Did… you kill someone?”
“Of course, I did.”
“But not an imperial knight, right?”
“I crushed them.”
Lucion glanced at Shaela with concern.
“Is that why the imperial knights are here now?”
“No, it’s for a different reason. And it’s clear that they were defeated. I was furious. They couldn’t even protect you, and they call themselves knights? Your butler, Hume, was more honorable. Good choice, I really like him.”
“Yes, Hume is my butler.”
Lucion smiled.
In response, a smile appeared on Shaela’s lips as well.
“Ah. Is Hume okay?”
Lucion looked around and noticed that Hume was not present, so he asked about his condition.
“He’s strong. Anyway, I killed a bunch of wizards hiding under the sea. Well, not all of them, though. I gave some to Heint, and I kept a few for myself.”
“You… took them?”
“Of course. I need to know who they are in order to eliminate them, right?”
Shaela lifted her crossed legs.
“By the way, I heard that Luminos, the self-proclaimed group of wizards, was recently wiped out. Now that the wizards have gone rogue, they’ll probably target the Magic Tower. Conveniently, I just came after grabbing one of the administrators by the neck. The smug faces of those aristocrats are quite pleasing to see.”
“It’s oka—”
Slap!
Once again, Lucion felt a sting on his forehead from Shaela’s firm touch.
Ratta hurriedly ran to Lucion’s side.
―No! Don’t hurt Lucion!
“Lucion, don’t you know who this sister is?” Shaela’s smile widened.
“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure it doesn’t affect Cronia. Our father… well, I’ll probably get an earful from him.”
She toyed with her hair and then reached out to touch Ratta with her other hand.
Bite.
Ratta bit down on Shaela’s finger and looked up in surprise.
―Hop! Oh no! Ratta bit her! What if it hurts?
“Has there been no contact from father?”
Lucion asked, and Shaela chuckled as she glanced at the bewildered black fox.
“Why wouldn’t there be? Our adorable youngest brother is in critical condition. I overheard him contacting Heint, and he was furious. Really furious. He probably gave His Majesty an earful. It must be difficult for him to contain his anger.”
Who in Cronia wouldn’t know that Novio cherished Lucion?
Until now, Novio had endured without showing any signs.
“I want to contact our father.”
Lucion reached out his hand, and Shaela placed the communication device in his palm.
“Here. I’ll be outside for a moment.”
“Why didn’t you contact him earlier using… this… communication device?”
“A letter is more elegant.”
Shaela nodded and left the room.
Lucion looked at her with bewilderment in his eyes.
It was only after the door closed that Lucion saw Bethel and Rusell.
[Just as Shaela said, the mages have been neutralized, they’re interrogating the survivors, and the festival is, well, under control.]
Russell spoke.
―The night came twice! Ratta was about to cry, but Hume told Ratta not to, so Ratta held back!
“Good girl, Ratta.”
Lucion stroked Ratta’s fur.
―Yes! Ratta is good!
Ratta wagged her tail happily as Lucion’s hand caressed her.
“Where did he go?”
[He’s being held at an inn near the festival grounds. The plan failed, and everyone who drew the lottery is now under suspicion, so there’s no point in trying to escape.]
“Perfect.”
Lucion’s lips curled upward.
Twilo had been captured.
Since he couldn’t easily escape in this situation, it was the perfect opportunity to put an end to him.
But there was something else that needed to be dealt with first.
A soldier who never dies.
In order to capture Twilo properly, he had to destroy the place where they were produced.
Lucion’s role was to put an end to him, but it was the Empire’s responsibility to apprehend him and uproot the organization.
His only interest was in extracting information from Twilo.
[Good? Lucion…? You’re injured.]
Russell couldn’t help but feel bewildered.
Whether it was because he couldn’t feel the sensation of bandages on his stomach or because he didn’t sense enough heat rising to make his face blush.
Russell’s expression quickly distorted.
“I know.”
Lucion nodded.
Whether injured or not, he needed to move while he still could.
Now it was his turn to hunt them down.
If he takes painkillers and gets possessed by Bethel, his movement will be less restricted.
“Ratta. Please call numbers 32, 33, and 34 and ask where the warlock gathered with the corpses.”
Ratta looked hesitant, her eyes wavering with concern.
She wanted to follow what Lucion said, but she didn’t feel good about it.
―Lucion. Ratta thinks it’s best if you stay still.
“Ratta, I know how my body feels. I probably shouldn’t move until today, or maybe even tomorrow.”
Lucion noticed a sadness in Ratta’s eyes, as if she didn’t want him to go.
[Tomorrow, huh? Looks like you’ll have to lie in bed for a whole week.]
Russell retorted.
[Enough. Stop talking nonsense and get some sleep now. Twilo won’t be able to come out for a while.]
[No.]
Bethel spoke up.
[If it were him, he would have surely thought this far. It’s been two days already. He must be planning his next move.]
[Why are you acting so unlike yourself?]
Russell frowned at Bethel’s words.
[I’m just stating the facts. I know him better than anyone here. I want to stop Lord Lucion, really, I want to shout and stop him, but I decided that if we lose him, the situation will become even more dangerous.]
The one who put Lucion in this state was none other than Twilo. freēwēbηovel.c૦m
Bethel, with a determined look, extended her hand towards Lucion.
[I will not run away this time. I will protect the Lord as I promised without feeling ashamed, I will endure it. So please trust me.]
“No. You did not run away, Bethel. It was an act of loyalty towards me.”
Lucion raised his hand and took Bethel’s hand.
Feeling the warmth of Lucion’s touch, Bethel was deeply moved.
―Then, Ratta will ask the ghost.
Ratta’s voice sounded weak, as if she was forcing herself to do it.
Lucion found it amusing and chuckled softly.
[Ha. It’s driving me crazy.]
Russell gripped his hair hard, unable to control himself.
[Call all the members of the organization. Call them and you talk.]
“I was planning to do just that. They must be preparing themselves already.”
First, Lucion held up a communication device to contact Novio and saw the clock hands drawn on the back of his hand move.
Negativity increased.
Perhaps it was because he was in contact with corruption.
Whatever it was, it was bitter.
He avoided it, but it grew.
“…Father.”
Lucion opened his mouth heavily.
<Lu, Lucion!>
Novio’s surprised voice was heard.
It seemed like he had been eagerly waiting for the call the entire time.
<Lucion, are you okay? Is the injured area fine? Are you in pain anywhere else? When did you wake up? Have you eaten? No, no. It shouldn’t be like this…>
“Father, I am okay,” Lucion reassured the worried Novio.
<Are you… in a lot of pain?> Novio asked, his concern evident in his voice.
“No, I’m fine.”
Lucion replied, then changed his mind as his forehead, where Shaela had slapped him, throbbed again.
“…Mmm. It hurts a little, just a little.”
<Thank you for being honest.>
Only then did Novio’s voice become brighter.
<Did you take the medicine?>
“I did, so it only hurts a little.”
<I want to go see you right away.>
Novio’s anxious heart was clearly conveyed.
<Lucion, you… I miss you so much.>
Even though it was nothing special, Lucion’s heart fluttered for no reason.
“… me too.”
Those few words.
The words didn’t come out easily.
“I miss you too, father.”
But he was glad he’d said it.
A tickling, warm feeling filled his chest.
* * *
Cling.
Lucion filled his hungry stomach with soup and had a meal with Shaela for the first time in a long time.
“What did you say?” Lucion’s eyes widened in surprise.
“I’ll see you at the Magic Tower. We’ll see each other… It opens in about two weeks. But since you’re my brother, you can come in before that,” Shaela said, pulling out a card-like object from her pocket.
“Is that possible?”
Lucion asked as he received the card.
“I’ll make it happen. I know crowded places can be scary for you,” Shaela replied with a smirk.
“…”
Suddenly, Lucion found himself at a loss for words in response to Shaela’s straightforward statement.
Perhaps only Russell and Shaela could speak so openly like this.
“You don’t need to pretend you’re okay when you’re not. It’s written all over your face,” Shaela said, handing Lucion a cup of water.
“I thought I was… hiding it well.”
“It’s not something that shows easily, at least not to someone who’s seeing you for the first time.”
[The opposite would be that it shows easily, right, Lucion?]
Russell interjected.
“Lucion, whatever happened in the Sea of Death, it wasn’t your fault. Don’t think that being targeted is just a matter of course. Get angry and fight back,” Shaela advised, her words seemingly connected to the Sea of Death incident and her own past.
But Lucion chose to act ignorant and asked, “Do you want me to seek revenge?”
“No, don’t burden yourself with the belief that it’s all your fault. It’s better to let it out than to let it fester inside you,” Shaela said, pointing her finger at Lucion’s chest.
Why wouldn’t there be any casualties in the Sea of Death incident?
“Are you still having nightmares?” Shaela cautiously inquired as she watched Lucion drink water.
“No, I’m not,” Lucion replied.
“Are you… taking your medication?” she asked further.
“I stopped taking it.”
“Why? Can you just abruptly stop like that?” Shaela questioned.
“I didn’t stop on my own. You know, while Father may overlook other things, he wouldn’t overlook this.”
“Do you feel your heart racing, your hands trembling, or having difficulty breathing…”
“Sister,” Lucion addressed Shaela, who still couldn’t detach herself from the past Lucion.
“I’m fine,” he reassured her.
Now, he was fine.
Shaela looked at Lucion intently.
“Did you overcome it?” she asked.
“I’m almost there,” Lucion replied.
“You did well. You did well, Lucion.”
Shaela’s voice was full of joy.
She lowered her hand that was holding the fork.
“To be honest, I was surprised when I heard the news about you. You know how hard it is to hear any news once you enter the Magic Tower, right? So, when I heard your story, I was halfway doubting if it was really true, even if it reached the Magic Tower. But it was true. It was really true!”
“Sister,” Lucion also briefly set down his spoon.
“Alright. Tell me,” Shaela urged.
“You can come back home now,” Lucion conveyed the words he had been wanting to say to Shaela.
The reason she hadn’t returned home was because of him.
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