16. Finding Karlson of the Red Evil Mercenaries, and Escaping the Underground Prison with Him
Bella didn't really want to cause a huge commotion when she found Karlson of the Red Evil Mercenaries and dragged him out of the underground prison. Of course, she wasn't scared of soldiers swarming in at the noise. Even if they all piled on, they'd just be a ragtag mob in front of her—nothing more. If she put her mind to it, she could probably take down the whole castle single-handedly, especially without that bitch Regina around.
But unfortunately, Karlson's condition was worse than she'd expected, making a big ruckus impossible.
"Hah, damn it. These bastards half-severed his Achilles tendon too."
One ear half-gone, gnawed off by teeth with clear bite marks. His femur shattered like it'd been hammered repeatedly. The tendons in his wrists were frayed and dangling. Blood trickled from thin slices carved across his body with a sharp blade, and scorch marks from branding irons marred him everywhere. The only silver lining? Aside from the mangled ear and a few missing toes, nothing was outright amputated or vanished.
At this level, potions and a priest's healing would get him back on his feet after some rest. As long as it wasn't some permanent loss of body parts, congenital defects, or magic-induced mutilation, most injuries could be fixed with potions—or holy magic from priests if it was severe.
Bella inwardly sighed in relief. But Karlson, looking utterly wretched for some reason, bowed his head to her like he was groveling.
"...I'm sorry, my liege."
"What the hell do you have to be sorry for? Tsk. This much can mostly be healed with potions anyway, so it's fine. Anything potions can't fix, we go to the church for. Priests can handle it, right?"
"But the priests..."
"Yeah, yeah, it'll cost a fortune. Those money-grubbing shits always gouge you in the name of their goddess. But hey, asshole, when have you ever seen me worry about cash when it comes to getting you lot treated? Shut up and heal. I'll handle the money."
"Thank you."
"Save the thanks for bullshit. That's my job—what's there to thank?"
Bella spat curses to hide her embarrassment, turning her gaze forward. Her ears flushed faintly pink. Karlson gave a weak smile at the familiar sight of his liege after months apart. She hadn't changed a bit.
Thud. Thud. Leaning on Bella's support, he shuffled along as best he could. How far had they gone? They'd just fully escaped the prison and stepped outside when—
"Hey, that's why, you idiots—that time I grabbed her waist like this...! Huh? And shook her like that, that bitch loved it, went wild... Kyaa. Fuck, you should've seen it. Her eyes rolled back like this, yeah?"
Voices approaching from afar. Four soldiers sauntering over, trading vulgar stories.
"Bullshit, you little-dicked punk. Think that popular whore was satisfied with your tiny prick?"
"For real, asshole? That whore bitch wrapped her legs around my waist like this! Huh?!"
"Nah, she just fakes it good—that's why she's popular... Huh? What the—?!"
They locked eyes right as Bella and Karlson emerged from the dungeon stairs. The soldiers glanced back and forth between Bella and the man she supported, eyes bulging. They thrust their spears forward with urgent shouts.
"Who the hell are you...?!"
"Who else, moron? That's the mercenary they caught recently next to that bitch! Gotta be his buddy!"
Bella had hoped to avoid a fight if possible, but of course things couldn't go smooth. Run into them right at the exit?
"Hah, fuck. For real."
Irritation dripped from Bella's curse. And damn it, four of them. She could've handled two quick, but four? Tricky. Alone, easy—but she had to watch out for the battered Karlson too.
"Karlson, sorry. Hang in there just a bit!"
"Yes?! Urk...!"
Bella surged mana through her body, hoisted Karlson over her shoulder, and bolted. The instant she turned, one soldier blew the emergency whistle—reeeeeeek!
"Intruders! Intruders in the underground prison!"
Swarms of soldiers would pour in soon, no doubt.
"Damn it, now what?!"
A moment's hesitation. Karlson spoke to her.
"My liege, if worst comes to worst, just leave me here and—"
"Oh, come on, asshole. I came to save you—ditch you and run, why the hell did I bother coming?!"
"...Ahem, fair point."
"Then shut up. I'm getting you out without another scratch, got it?!"
Every jolting step rattled his torn flesh against her clothes, sparking agony.
"Nngh...!"
"Shit...! Hey, you okay?!"
"I-I'm managing...! Ngh!"
Managing my ass! His voice sounded like he was about to cough blood. Bella's heart raced with urgency.
Then shouts from behind.
"Over there...!"
"Chase 'em! Lose that bitch and the count'll have our heads!"
"Can't screw up or it's three months' pay docked!"
"No docking! I gotta see my whore!"
A horde of soldiers chased Bella. And it didn't end there.
"Halt, intruder!"
Soldiers blocking the path ahead.
"Damn...!"
Thankfully, the castle corridors weren't straight. Bella veered sharply into another hall. This could turn real bad.
"M-my liege... Ngh, sorry for being dead weight..."
"Ugh, shut it!"
She silenced his guilty apology, sucking in a deep breath despite her heaving lungs from carrying him. Belly tight—hup!
"Hey, Ian! Cheong-ah!! Where are youuuu?! Iaaaaan!!! You bastard huuuusbaaand!!"
Her bellow echoed as she ran. How long? The chasing soldiers numbered nearly a hundred now. Some even loosed arrows from a point onward.
"Stop right there...!!"
"Ugh, like you'd stop, you fucks!"
Shwooo!
"Gyaaah! Heeeey...! Iaaan!! Cheong-ah!!! Help meee!!"
Dodging arrows barely, she screamed again—crash! A window shattering overhead.
"Waaah!!"
A familiar man's scream. Bella and Karlson looked up toward the sky whence it came.
Why's that guy...?
A face Karlson recognized. He knew Princess Aria had allowed Bella to adventure as one of their party as a condition—but why were they here? Before the question settled, Bella smirked at Cheong-ah and Ian spinning through the air to land.
"Hah, those idiots."
So damn flashy. The soldiers chasing her, mesmerized, all turned to the broken window.
"What the hell's that?"
"Wait, that's..."
"The count's bedroom!"
"Shit, surround 'em! Now's our chance!"
Soldiers shouted, closing in to encircle. Cheong-ah landed lightly before Bella, setting Ian down. She quietly drew her sword.
"...Honey."
"Yeah, go get 'em, Cheong-ah."
"Yes."
As Cheong-ah advanced sword drawn, Ian shook his dizzy head and approached Bella.
"Ugh, damn. Head's spinning."
"You good?"
"Yeah, me? Fine. So that's Karlson on your shoulder?"
Bella nodded at Ian's question.
"Yeah. Hey, Karlson—you alive?"
She glanced at him. Pain seemingly eased, he nodded and greeted Ian.
A face etched in memory: the guy who'd groaned in agony by the carriage during Bella and Cheong-ah's fight.
"Yes, my liege. I'm... ngh... fine."
"Good, glad to hear it. Anyway, this is Ian. Say hi."
"Hey, put the guy down first before making introductions."
Bella wrinkled her nose at Ian's needless nagging.
"Shut up. What're you, my mom? Just greet him."
Karlson smiled wryly—my liege hasn't changed—and bowed first.
"Karlson here. First time talking like this, but we've met before."
"Yeah, you were next to Bella back then, right? I remember. I'm Ian."
Ian nodded, recalling the face too, and greeted back. Awkward hellos exchanged, Bella set Karlson down and jutted her chin at Ian.
"Anyway, hubby—take him."
"Uh, huh? Oh, yeah. Hang on, Mr. Karlson."
Ian fumbled briefly, then supported Karlson. In that instant, Karlson wondered if he'd misheard.
His questioning gaze toward Bella.
"Pardon? My liege, what did you just say? I thought I heard... 'husband'?"
"Oops, right. Forgot to properly introduce. This guy's my husband. Ian."
She shrugged like it just hit her, pointing at him. Then lifted her black metallic right arm.
"The one who remade this arm."
"......"
Ah, my liege is as ever.