13. A Brief Rest
The predawn sky was still dyed a deep indigo, the sun yet to rise. Click. After confirming once more that Selene had fully stabilized, I grabbed my cloak and gear and stepped out of the room. Just in case we got separated, we'd predetermined a rendezvous point: the communal graveyard on the village's west side, to check if Lumentar was waiting there. And if he wasn't...
To gauge the atmosphere inside the village—specifically, Igor and his gang's situation—and decide whether to bolt or not.
Given Lumentar's skills I saw yesterday, his survival odds are high, but still, better safe than sorry...
I pulled the hood of my cloak low over my face and followed the path skirting the village outskirts for about ten minutes. In the distance, amid the cluster of crucifixes, I spotted a familiar silhouette standing tall. Clutching what looked like a hefty leather pouch.
Relief washed over me as I wove through the graves toward him. Lumentar, sensing my approach, immediately asked after Selene.
"Selene—my sister—is she alright?"
"She's fine."
I nodded to his worry-laden question. Relief flooded his face unfiltered, and he exhaled deeply. Then, to me—a mere mercenary—he bowed his head so low his crown was exposed in thanks.
"That's... truly fortunate. My deepest gratitude, Eugene."
Dark elves were infamous for never bowing to other races. So this was Lumentar's utmost expression of thanks.
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Separate from Lumentar's heartfelt gratitude, I claimed the remaining 1 gold we'd agreed on beforehand. A man's gotta get paid—that's my creed.
"Mm..."
Lumentar handed over the coin, eyeing me with obvious reluctance. What can I say? Business is business, pal.
As I stared him down stone-faced, an awkward silence settled between us.
Wriggle wriggle.
"Gurgle—"
The pouch he'd set on the ground twitched slightly, and a phlegmy rattle emanated from inside. My gaze naturally drifted there, chasing the noise. As if he'd been waiting, Lumentar cracked open the pouch's mouth and explained in a somewhat flushed voice.
"Oh, right—I forgot to introduce what's inside. I've worked him over a bit, but can you still tell who it is?"
Peering into the leather pouch at his question, the first thing that caught my eye was a familiar face, thoroughly bloodstained. A half-blood ratkin with both ears sliced off and eyes gouged out.
"This... Ram?"
"You recognized him quick. I handled a bit of Selene's revenge overnight, but the bastard's vile mug is intact."
The creature inside—tongue and teeth all gone, reduced to a dark, toothless maw—gurgled from the void. Nailing his identity, Lumentar continued with a smile that bordered on eerie. He loosened the pouch further, revealing the state of Ram's torso hidden in shadow.
Just like the 'pigs' I'd seen in Igor's basement brothel last evening—limbs hacked off, victims left as limbless torsos. The sight conjured revenant in my mind, and I wondered if Lumentar was a few screws loose. Right then, the info I'd been curious about spilled from his lips.
"I wanted to do the same to Igor, but there wasn't time back then..."
"And Igor?"
"I took his head clean off. Far too merciful for scum who dared touch my sister."
"Got it... Let's move. Lingering in a graveyard feels off, and you need to check on your sister yourself."
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Back at the church, after confirming Selene—who'd stabilized but remained unconscious—Lumentar thanked me again. He stepped out, saying he had things to fetch before she woke.
Left alone with the sleeping Selene, a light knock sounded, and the door opened to reveal the nun with her usual sharp demeanor.
"Come out if you want breakfast."
Nice timing.
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The meal wasn't lavish, but it was hearty and warm. No sooner had we finished than the nun said she had words for me and led me outside.
Following her to the church's rear courtyard, I spotted Kell amid romping children, tail wagging furiously as they laughed.
"Kyahaha!"
"Woof woof!"
My lips curved into a smile at the sight—but only briefly.
"Over here."
The nun beckoned me to a corner out of the kids' sight. She pulled a cigarette from her habit, lit it with practiced ease, inhaled deeply—the tip glowing red—and exhaled a plume of white smoke as she spoke.
"Looks like that dark elf girl pulled through, thankfully."
"Yes. Thanks to you lending us the room yesterday, we detoxed her safely. Must've been a tough call in a house of God. Appreciate it."
"Well, saving lives comes first—that's Illiana's teaching..."
She glanced aside awkwardly, invoking her goddess after my flattery.
She's got a tsundere streak and folds under praise, huh.
As my view of her shifted, she puffed another drag and broached the future.
"Anyway, that dark elf... Selene, right?"
"Yes."
"Detoxed or not, she'll need bed rest a few days. Stay here and look after her till the fuss from last night dies down."
Huh? One bit of lip service and this hospitality?
"In exchange, tithe while you're here. Generously, if possible."
There it is... Was the earlier reaction just buildup for this?
Lulled by the rare peaceful vibe, idle thoughts swirled as I spotted a lone girl sitting apart from the playing kids and Kell. Lucia, the one I'd brought to the church days ago.
"Oh, about that girl I left with you last time."
"Ah, Teresa?"
"Teresa... Actually, I recalled her real name recently."
"Real name?"
"Yes. Teresa's true name is Lucia."
"Lucia... You sure?"
"Positive. Her dying mother looked at her and rasped it out with her last breath."
"Then it must be."
I cited her mother's dying words—though I'd actually learned it from the system window. The nun nodded in agreement.
"Just when 'Teresa' was sticking... But we can't discard the precious name her family left. Lucia. Pretty name."
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Two days since detoxing Selene. Through the nun, I learned Lucia's story—that is, even her hair had turned gray, and she still shunned other kids and stayed mute.
Scouting the village confirmed the red-light district incident swept under the rug.
Other gangs absorbed Igor's crew and cleaned up, or the village guard hushed it. Or both.
No need to sneak out anymore, but a new issue arose.
"When the hell's this dark elf coming back? Talked like it'd be in a day."
Lumentar, expected soon, was MIA two days running. Worry he was in trouble? Nah. After his display in the red-light district, nothing local could touch him—human or monster.
As my grumbling peaked—
"What the hell's keeping him—"
"I'm back!"
The door flew open, revealing a disheveled Lumentar laden with bundles. Speak of the devil...
But what's with all the gear?
"Thought you'd be quick, but you're late."
"Couldn't be helped. Hard to procure wedding goods here."
"Wedding? Who's tying the knot? Another dark elf in town?"
"Whose? Obviously my sister Selene and yours truly's, brother-in-law."
What the—Lumentar?
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About five minutes before Lumentar's return after two days.
"Nngh..."
Sunlight streamed through the window, bathing her eyelids. Selene finally stirred.
But she couldn't show she was awake. A strange man sat right by the bed.
Precisely: the man from her hazy, fragmented memories, the one she'd coupled with.
In other words: this nameless man was to be her husband.
By ancient dark elf tradition and law, a woman must wed the man who took her virginity—no exceptions. Even if coerced, against her will.
Selene had no choice but to accept this human as her husband.
Though the drug muddles my memories... it was definitely good.