Chapter 272
Chapter 272
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 272
Chapter Title: Abduction (1)
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"My name is Abel. I'm the leader of Nebula Clazier."
"...Nebula Clazier?"
"That's right. Have you heard of us?"
Abel asked. Iril didn't answer. She slowly backed away. With each step, her heels splashed through the pooled blood.
"By the way, this is surprising. Who would've thought that boring man would meet a woman and even have a child. And from the looks of it, he found himself an incredible beauty."
Abel spoke in an admiring tone. His gaze was fixed on Iril's face. Even after living through countless long years, her beauty stood unparalleled.
Thud. Iril's back hit the wall. There was nowhere left to retreat. She barely regained her composure and opened her mouth.
"Ah, I know about you. Nebula Clazier."
"Hm?"
"You're bad people. They say you want to destroy the Empire and the world..."
Iril trailed off. Even if she'd lived peacefully all her life, she knew that much. Ronan and Schlieffen had always warned her about their danger.
It was because of those villains that her beloved little brother hardly came home anymore. Abel scratched his head.
"Bad people... Well, that's not wrong."
Abel stopped following her and stood in place. The fact that he could commit such a massacre in the heart of the capital and remain so calm spoke volumes about his skill. He picked up food from the table and continued.
"To be precise, it's not destruction—it's a step up for evolution. Like a bird breaking out of its egg to fly. Your foolish father never understood until the end."
"...What relation do you have to my dad?"
Suddenly, Iril's eyes met his face. No matter how many times she looked, they were too similar. He clearly had some connection to her father. Abel fiddled with his silver-white hair as he spoke.
"No need to hide it now. I'm Kain's twin brother."
"Twin...?"
"Yes. So, in human family terms... I'd be your uncle."
"Uncle? That can't be..."
Iril's face hardened. She'd never dreamed any relatives might still be alive.
"What's your goal? Why on earth are you doing this?"
Her legs still trembled, but now she could meet his eyes. She quickly scanned her surroundings between questions, but nothing useful caught her eye. After a brief pause, Abel spoke.
"To take you with me, of course. The story's getting long— we'll talk details on the way."
"Take... me?"
"Yes. I'm truly glad I found you now. That brat Ronan is unusual too, but the most dangerous of your brother's abilities seems to be the one you inherited."
"...Ability?"
It made no sense. Abel's expression suddenly turned serious. He lifted the robe covering his body, revealing the sword at his waist.
"Your power is dangerous, Iril. Just the fact that I only now realized your siblings' identities proves it. If I'd known sooner, I would've nipped it in the bud ten years ago."
"That's..."
Iril flinched at the threatening tone. Throughout his words, Abel toyed with his sword hilt as if ready to draw it any second. The elegant scabbard gleamed pure white, like ivory carved from elephant tusk. He turned and approached her.
"Then let's go. It won't take long."
"D-don't come closer...!"
Iril shook her head frantically. But Abel didn't stop. Just as he reached out with a stride—
Iril, breathing raggedly, cried out desperately.
"Aaaah! Get away!!"
"......!"
It was a desperate yet clear voice. An invisible wave burst out from her. Abel's advancing motion halted abruptly. He murmured her shout softly.
"Get... away."
"...Huh?"
Iril's eyes widened. Abel froze mid-reach. Aside from his quivering eyelids, he looked like a wax doll.
"I-I have to run..."
She didn't understand, but it was a golden opportunity. Iril slipped under his rigid arm.
"Is anyone there?! Help!"
Iril shouted. But no reply came from the silent street. Dodging corpses, she reached for the front door handle—then Abel's hazy eyes refocused.
"...Damn this wretched girl!"
"Kyaaak!"
Abel grabbed her hair and yanked, slapping her hard across the face. Smack! She flew back, crashing into a pool of blood.
"Ow!"
The blow snapped her head back, leaving her dazed. Clutching her face, Iril looked up. Delayed pain stung fiercely.
A drop of crimson blood trickled from her split lip. Behind her, something squishy gave way. Turning, she realized she sat amid headless corpses.
"S-sorry...!"
Iril scrambled up. Abel breathed heavily, alternating glances between his palm and her face. He brushed back his bangs and spoke.
"Hoo... Sorry about that. I lost control."
His tone conveyed genuine surprise. Iril glared silently. It was the first time anyone had ever struck her.
"Even after being so careful, I almost fell for it again. Your power really is too dangerous."
"Power...? I-I don't know anything about that."
Iril backed toward the kitchen again. The white dress Ronan gifted her was staining red.
"Of course. If you could control it, I'd never have found you siblings. Haven't you ever wondered? With such beauty, why has no one ever touched you until now? Why have your peaceful days continued as if they were natural?"
"Th-that's because... people are kind..."
"Don't make me laugh. Humanity's nature isn't that noble. The reason you siblings lived in peace is because you thought living among those worms was beautiful."
Abel said. A hint of inexplicable madness laced his agitated tone. Composing himself, he stepped forward again.
"Enough chatter. Now, let's go."
"N-no...!"
Iril reflexively grabbed the kitchen knife on the cutting board. Her hands shook violently around the handle. Abel scoffed at the sight.
"Don't do something pointless. What do you think you're doing with those trembling hands?"
Ignoring her, Abel reached out. Iril squeezed her eyes shut and swung the knife.
"D-don't come!"
It was too feeble to call an attack. Natural for a girl who'd only ever farmed. Abel sighed softly and circled behind her. Thwack! With a chop of his hand, he struck her nape lightly.
"Guh...!"
Iril collapsed forward. Abel caught her falling body. Even unconscious, her delicate hand still gripped the knife.
"My word. Blood of our kin, after all."
Abel chuckled wryly. Diluted or not, blood couldn't lie.
Still, carrying it around risked getting stabbed. As he pried the knife from her hand—
Whoosh! In an instant, the knife accelerated and vanished from sight.
"Hm?"
Abel tilted his head. A red line appeared on his cheek. Slash! The wound opened, blood spraying.
"What...!"
Pain arrived late as a warning. Before he could speak, another attack flew. He jerked his head reflexively. Whoosh! The sharp knife grazed his nose bridge by a hair.
In that instant, his grip on Iril loosened. She curled away and escaped his hold.
"Well, now."
Abel realized too late, but Iril was already free. Three steps away, she regripped the knife one-handed. No openings this time.
"...Sharp. Were you hiding your skill?"
Abel asked. It had been centuries since he last saw his own blood.
No answer came. Iril's eyes were unfocused. Her long, lush hair draped like willow leaves, veiling her face.
"Sheesh."
Abel scratched his head. Her sunset-beautiful eyes stared at nothing. Unquestionably unconscious.
'Unconscious potential manifestation... something like that?'
He had no idea what happened. But his task remained. Hand on his hilt, Abel muttered.
"I wanted to take you without spilling blood if possible."
Tsking his tongue, he drew his sword. Sparkling mana swirled around him like a gale. Flash! Abel and the limp Iril vanished from sight.
"Sis. I'm home."
Knock knock. Ronan spoke as he knocked. The capital streets bustled more than usual, thanks to the merchant caravan influx.
"Wh-what's that? A dragon?"
"Whoa. Cool."
Pedestrians' eyes locked on Sita. Sitting under the blue sky amid the city, she evoked a giant tree sprouting downtown.
Her fluffy fur and lingering cuteness prevented screams of "Monster!" and flight. Excited to see Iril, Sita beamed and cried.
"Pew!"
"Sorry I'm late. Something came up to wrap suddenly. But I hurried as fast as I could."
The entryway lay silent. Feeling oddly guilty, Ronan apologized. He'd finished business in the Pelgrand Mountains, arriving twenty minutes past noon.
In his hand, a bouquet of Iril's favorite cornflowers—for apology, and to see her joyful face after so long without flowers. No answer? He knocked again. Still nothing.
"Did you step out? I'm coming in."
Ronan opened the door. Unlocked as always. The tidy interior looked normal.
"Sis?"
Thud. Closing the door cut outside noise sharply. No one home. A delicious aroma drew his gaze to the laden table.
Iril's birthday spread, no doubt. Potato stew in the center confirmed it. Scanning the kitchen, Ronan furrowed his brow.
"Something's off..."
An inexplicable unease nagged him. Our house, minus sis—but something felt wrong. His eyes landed on the kitchen knife in the corner.
"Hm?"
Blood drops beaded on it. Seeing them, Ronan's face hardened. The eerie crimson wasn't livestock.
"No way."
He knew the source of his unease. Reflexively drawing his sword—Clang! Swinging at empty air, the interior shattered like broken glass.
"Pewaa?!"
A masterful illusion spell. Sita, peering from the window, cried in shock. The house's true form emerged. Ronan's eyes widened in horror.
"What the fuck is this?"