Chapter 47
Chapter 47
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Bloodied (3)
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"Then, I'll head this way."
"Yes. And I'll go that way."
We bowed our heads slightly and parted ways with Jeil.
Once we reached the first floor, we continued searching for people.
I was looking for Adelheit, while Jeil was trying to rescue the wounded.
For dozens of minutes, we cut down monsters lunging at the injured and asked around about where the princess had gone.
Finally, I learned Adelheit's whereabouts.
'She went to the elevator.'
The wounded said she'd been going around helping others who were hurt.
But suddenly, she stopped in her tracks and headed straight for the elevator.
I had no idea why, but that meant I needed to head there too.
That's why I parted ways with Jeil, who was still trying to help other wounded people.
"Let's go."
In search of Adelheit.
The elevator was a bit farther from here.
Gripping my sword, I pressed forward, my footsteps squelching through the sticky fluids.
No monsters in sight yet.
I could just head straight for the elevator like this, but—
'Come to think of it, I don't even know which floor she went to.'
I only heard she went to the elevator—no specifics on where.
Couldn't just guess blindly.
As I pondered, feeling a bit stuck, a scream echoed from afar.
"Ugh, ughh. D-don't come closer! H-heek!"
What was that? That pathetic wail.
A familiar voice.
The timid menhera girl with purple hair and purple eyes.
Lady Elysia.
"Gotta go."
I immediately kicked off and dashed toward the scream.
Saving Elysia didn't take long.
She'd already damaged the monster somewhat with her magic.
I just finished it off, but she didn't even notice me amid her sobbing.
"H-huhh... S-save me, please save me. I'm not tasty. H-heeng."
Was she always such a crybaby?
I placed a hand on Elysia's shoulder as she sat on the floor, sniffling.
"Calm down now. You're safe."
I'd meant it as casual reassurance.
But Elysia looked up at me, then flinched in shock, making even more of a fuss.
"K-K-Kline, Young Master Kline?! Why, why are you here?!"
"Who do you think just saved you? Didn't you see me?"
"N-no, I didn't... I thought I was done for..."
"That's hurtful. I go out of my way to help, and this is the thanks I get? I'm disappointed."
"Y-yes? N-no! Th-that's not what I meant. Of course I'm grateful!"
Elysia flailed her hands frantically.
Once she calmed down, she slumped her shoulders and sighed.
"Haa... I have no idea how this happened. I was just staying put in my room."
"Weren't you with the other nobles?"
"Huh? Y-yes, of course. I didn't want to go out anyway... The official events ended with the ball, right?"
"You're the ultimate shut-in."
"Sh-shut-in? What's that?"
"It's a thing."
I see.
From the looks of it, Elysia had been lounging in her room when she got swept up in the Blood Temple mess.
"Must've been disorienting. Suddenly pulled into this world, fighting monsters and all."
"Y-yes, it was... But more than that, I saw everyone else hurt. S-so I thought I should step up."
"Oh? So you've been helping the other nobles this whole time?"
"N-nooo. D-don't say it so bluntly, it's embarrassing... Ehehe. W-well, yeah."
Interesting.
So the monster she was fighting just now wasn't some chance encounter from hiding.
She'd gone out intentionally to help the injured nobles.
'She's a unique one.'
She seemed more timid and lacking in confidence than anyone, yet she couldn't ignore the wounded.
Though, from how she treated me last time, it felt less like pure kindness and more like a personal quirk.
But who cares about motives? What matters is she's out there helping the hurt on her own two feet.
'Even though the other nobles don't like her.'
At the ball, they'd mocked her openly.
She had to know that.
Yet here she was, ignoring it to heal them. That spoke volumes about her character.
Yeah.
This girl's got something special.
"S-so, Young Master Kline. Want to come with me? I-I mean, it's scary going alone. Together, we could save more people."
"Tempting offer, but sorry. Can't do it."
"Huh? Why not?"
"Looking for someone."
"..."
Elysia blinked at me.
Then, as if it just hit her, she asked.
"Oh, I forgot to ask... How'd you end up here, Young Master? Weren't you helping the wounded?"
"Did that here and there, but not the main goal. Told you—I'm looking for someone."
"Wh-who?"
"Her Highness Adelheit."
"Heek!"
Elysia suddenly clapped both hands over her mouth.
Her eyes darted away from me.
Hm?
Does she know something?
"Lady Elysia."
"N-no! I don't know anything! Really!"
"I haven't even asked yet."
"E-even so, I don't know! I have no idea where Her Highness went, ehet. Absolutely not! Uhuhu."
Trying to play it off with a goofy laugh.
So I decided to cut to the chase.
Chin—
"Heek?!"
I placed my hands on both her shoulders.
And looked her straight in the eye, seriously.
"Just tell me. I need to find her quick."
"Uh, uheek..."
Elysia stopped trembling bit by bit.
Then, timidly asked.
"...Y-you won't blame me?"
"No. No idea why you're worried, but I swear."
"I-if that's the case..."
Elysia rolled her purple eyes before speaking haltingly.
"...Sh-she said she was going to the top floor."
"Top floor? Why?"
"Sh-she said someone called her there. Didn't say who."
"Hmm..."
Has to be Bloodied.
This space is Bloodied's magic creation.
Not weird if it can whisper to specific people.
"I-I told her not to go... But she insisted. Said she'd let me know separately. In case she doesn't come back."
"I see. And that guilt made you hide it?"
"U-ugh... B-but Her Highness went herself. As her subject, how could I just let her? If she comes back safe, she won't let me off easy... Heek."
So that's what she's scared of.
Makes sense from her view—failing to stop royalty from walking into danger.
Fear of punishment later.
But pointless worry.
'Adelheit wouldn't do that.'
Not her style to be petty.
What surprises me is why she went to Bloodied willingly.
Whatever the whisper was.
Threat to kill everyone if she doesn't come?
Temptation to spare only her if she does?
Probably the threat. Bloodied's after her. No mercy otherwise.
So Adelheit knew the risk and went anyway.
Unexpected.
'Didn't peg her as sacrificial.'
Thought she'd say, "Why should I sacrifice for others?"
Didn't expect her to march into hell for them.
"I-I'm innocent...! I couldn't stop her. Heek. H-how could I? I couldn't follow either..."
While I was lost in thought, Elysia shivered, defending herself.
Both cute and pitiful.
"Don't worry too much. Not blaming you."
"R-really...? You don't think it's weird? Won't call me a coward...?"
"No. What do you take me for?"
I gripped my sword, preparing to leave.
The elevator was close from here.
As I started walking, Elysia scurried after me.
"W-wait...! Wh-where are you going?"
"Told you. To Her Highness Adelheit."
"I-isn't that dangerous...? Stay with me! Th-then you won't get hurt... Heeng."
Even as she pleaded, guilt laced her unsure tone.
She's telling me not to go to Adelheit.
Just ignore it.
Whatever the reason, forget it and hide somewhere safe.
As a noble, that's taboo.
Overheard, perfect ammo for political attacks.
But I won't call her out.
I know her personality—guts like that are rare for her.
Bonus: She's offering to heal me.
Flattering, since she'd prioritize anyone hurt, but specifying me means something.
I'm that precious to her.
"Still can't."
I smiled softly, gently rebuking her.
At the elevator.
Bloodied must've left it untouched on purpose—no flesh stuck to it.
Probably to lure Adelheit.
"I have to go. It's the condition."
"Wh-what condition...?"
"Stake my life for the happy ending."
What if I ignore Bloodied now?
Crimson Blood Cult resurfaces eventually.
War inevitable.
World in peril, Ariel at risk.
Clash with them is fated.
Postponing 'cause it's tough now is just kicking the bomb down the road.
If it's gonna blow someday, defuse it here.
That's why I'm betting my life, arms and all.
"Gotta protect Her Highness. Save her if the enemy's there. Doesn't matter if it costs my life."
"Wh-why...? Why do something so reckless...?"
"It's my job."
I chuckled, reaching out.
Elysia huddled there, lacking confidence.
I placed my hand on her purple hair.
"...!"
She flinched but stayed still.
I stroked her head gently.
First time for a girl other than Ariel.
But she's younger than me, so fine.
"I-I couldn't do that... I can't be so decisive, principled like you, Young Master Kline. I'm a fool, a coward who just runs away."
Her sudden self-deprecation hinted at backstory.
Eyes squeezed shut, she said it.
Maybe scars from her past life bubbling up.
She's saying stay here.
Or—she lacks confidence to follow me to Adelheit.
"P-path...etic, right...? That's me. Scaredy-cat who loves ignoring duty. S-so..."
"It's fine."
I cut in softly.
No need for her to hurt herself more.
I get it.
Adelheit's headed to hell.
And I'm going too.
Not just anyone can.
Most would ignore like Elysia.
That's normal.
So no need for her to blame herself.
"You're not wrong, Elysia. Stay here, heal the others. That's plenty valuable."
"B-but..."
"No need for guilt. Feeling guilty proves you're not a bad person."
Her face crumpled like she might cry.
I comforted her and opened the elevator door.
It slid open silently.
"I think it's okay for you to be that way."
I closed the door.
Smiled at her reassuringly.
So she could relax.
"I like you that way."
And the doors shut.
Her last glimpse: tear-streaked face flushed red.
The elevator doors opened.
The top floor of the Swan Palace.
Originally the Third Imperial Princess's residence.
And there stood Adelheit.
Trembling faintly all over, yet striving not to look pathetic.
Gaze fixed straight ahead.
Before her, crimson tendrils.
Blood-red hands extended from Bloodied, standing far off, reaching for Adelheit's face.
Just one glance told me the goal.
Bloodied wanted her face—her beauty.
At this rate, she'd lose that radiant allure.
Thus.
Fierce Tiger Strike Sword
Third Form: Tiger Swift Slash
Serack!
I cleaved it away without hesitation.