Chapter 17
A few days had passed since I was kidnapped by the necromancer. In that time, I hadn't done much of anything. Eat, sleep, shit. Shiver from boredom, get watched a bit, and at night...
"Ahhn, huah."
"Kuht, gonna cum soon."
Before bed, it had become routine to cum two or three times in Regina's hand. This was something else. How many days had it been since I'd skipped workouts? If Cheong-ah found out, she'd surely nag me in a way that wasn't like her usual self. She'd always stressed the importance of training my body to me, someone without mana.
...I miss Cheong-ah. Bella and Dina too.
"...Haa."
"What's wrong?"
"Huh? Nothing. I'll keep reading."
"Yes, thank you."
Stuck in this room together every day during my captivity, I'd grown somewhat close to this little beastkin girl, Jubi. She seemed to read books daily, but it turned out she was just looking at the pictures—she couldn't read a word. Regina couldn't speak, so she couldn't teach her, and Carol, who was supposedly Jubi's dedicated maid, hadn't bothered either.
For some reason, Jubi's childlike demeanor reminded me of Dina, so I'd taken the books and read them aloud. Thanks to that, we were on pretty good terms now. Though, thinking about it, I was just reading books to her while Regina was out, so was this really "close"? We barely talked when Regina was around anyway, and we didn't share personal stories.
It felt like Jubi just saw me as the guy who read books, and I saw her as the kid Regina protected. Still, compared to the beginning, we were much closer. And because of it, Regina had started trusting me more lately—she didn't get as guarded when I approached Jubi.
Like I'd shifted from "kinda dangerous" to "safe." Not that I'd ever been dangerous. I was the kidnappee, with no impressive skills. I'd cooperated from the start, never trying to escape, always following orders obediently.
...Because I knew it was pointless anyway. Plus, I'd heard lately that Behena was negotiating with that Soboro Count bastard, using my safety as leverage. So I figured I'd stay put even more obediently.
Just like now—reading to Jubi while waiting for someone to come rescue me.
"...So, the bear mama... Huh?"
Mid-reading, Jubi's reaction felt off. She'd been listening fine until just now, but her eyes went blank. She froze in place, not moving a muscle. Like a theme park ride puppet with its power cord yanked out.
"Hey, Jubi?"
"......"
"Jubi? You asleep?"
No response, even after calling her name repeatedly. This happened again. While reading to her, she'd seize up like this two or three times a day. Just standing there, stock-still. According to Carol, who looked after her, it was some rare disease. What was it called? Mana Stasis Syndrome or something? Her mana would solidify or whatever. The first time, I'd been freaked out. Even though she didn't talk much, she'd listen attentively while I read, then suddenly freeze like a corpse.
Thankfully, Carol showed up right after and fixed it... Man, I'd been scared.
This time, call Carol too, I thought, setting the book down and starting to stand. That's when—
"......"
Jubi began toppling forward in her frozen pose. Worried she'd smash her face on the floor, I lunged and caught her. That's when I sensed something wrong.
"Uh...?"
Her body was ice-cold. Not just chilled from winter wind or cold water—not that kind of cold. This was... eerie. Icy, like a corpse. Her face was deathly pale. No breath, no pulse.
I blankly pressed a hand to where her heart should be. Even if the pulse was faint, I'd feel the heartbeat. But I didn't. No, better to say her heart wasn't beating.
This was weird. Really weird.
"What the hell...?"
Some rare disease that turned her into a corpse? Did this world have bullshit like that? With mana around, maybe... But no breathing, no heartbeat, even if it was a disease... My head spun.
Then the door burst open, and Carol rushed in.
"Jubi's mana is fluctuating... Ah, damn."
Her eyes met mine as I held the falling Jubi. Instantly, her sleepy gaze sharpened, scanning me up and down slowly.
"Hey, Ian. Why are you holding Jubi like that?"
Suspicious eyes. A strange unease in her stare—like a con artist caught lying, pupils trembling.
For some reason, despite my growing doubts about Jubi's state, my gut screamed not to ask Carol. I forced a relaxed smile, awkward laugh and all, pretending ignorance.
"Ahaha, Jubi had a seizure out of nowhere... She was gonna fall flat like that, so I caught her in surprise. Not doing anything weird. I, uh, not into kids."
"...Oh? Good, then."
I tried playing it cool, but Carol's suspicious glare didn't waver. Not doubting my morals, but guarding something else.
...There is something here.
I played dumb anyway. "Anyway, she's seizing, so you gotta treat her quick, right? Bed okay?"
"Yes, please."
I laid Jubi on the bed, then backed off a few steps, turning away but peeking sideways to dodge suspicion. Flash—flash. Faint purple light flickered from Carol's hand, flowing into Jubi. Mana... right? Had to be.
"Th-that disease of Jubi's. Mind if I ask if you're treating it?"
"What good's knowing for you?"
Glare. Eek... I stopped peeking quick. "No, just... What if she seizes when you're not here? Someone else could treat her if they knew."
Of course, not me—I can't use mana. But maybe Regina could. That was the angle.
But Carol's reply was firm. "Won't happen, so don't worry. I never leave Jubi."
"Pardon?"
"Mind your own business."
"...Uh, yeah. Okay."
Soon after, Carol stood from the bed, treatment done. Jubi's body regained its vigor. Then—
She bolted upright. Carol loomed over, checking her.
"All good? Nothing hurts?"
"Yes, I'm fine. Thank you."
"Good. I'm out, then... Do whatever."
"Okay, bye."
With that, Carol left amid Jubi's send-off. Do whatever...?
"Hey, Jubi."
"Yes? What?"
Tilting her head. I asked the girl casually.
"Uh, about your illness."
"My illness?"
"...Yeah. What's it exactly? Why does it happen suddenly? Can you tell me?"
Her face stiffened at the question, then she shook her head coldly.
"No. I can't say."
"Wha? Why not?"
"Yes."
"But if I knew, I could help depending on the symptoms..."
"No. Carol said not to tell anyone."
"...Hmm."
Carol said not to tell anyone... What the hell was this illness that both hid it? Even Regina didn't seem to know fully.
Well, whatever. Not my business anyway. I was just a hostage.
"Fine, if you say so. Won't ask more."
"Thank you."
"Wanna finish the book, then?"
"Yes, please read."
I resumed reading to Jubi. Then the door slammed open, and two knights stormed in, pointing at me.
"Hey, get up."