Chapter 112: From That Storm-Like Day
A day had passed since that storm-like day, and El, Alessandro, and I gathered at the temple once more.
"There's a reason it took me so long to get the information yesterday."
El spoke heavily, pressing a hand to his forehead as he held the documents. "I had to investigate over and over because something seemed off after I got it."
Alessandro and I exchanged uneasy glances, sensing something ominous.
"Where was Leisha's last known location?"
El stared at me intently before sighing, brushing back his sky-blue hair, which fluttered lightly under his large hand. "Shushu, do you happen to know this Leisha person?"
His sudden question made me blink. Alessandro turned to me with a startled expression.
I know of her, but we're not acquaintances...
It's not like I can call it knowing someone just because I remember my past life and learned about her unilaterally.
I shook my head firmly. "No."
"Then... is there anyone in Shushu's family who knew Leisha?"
"Not that I know of..."
I tilted my head at El's strange line of questioning. There might be some backstory I didn't know, but no one had ever mentioned Leisha to me.
"Then... what the hell is going on."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
El sighed deeply. As I narrowed my eyes at him for brooding without explanation, he thrust the documents toward me.
"This is the last place Leisha visited. You'll recognize it right away, Shushu."
I took the papers and began reading slowly. Then I froze solid.
"......What."
Alessandro's face turned serious as he watched my stiff expression. I read the address over and over, unable to believe it, then muttered in disbelief.
"This is... the house I used to live in."
The address on the document was the small home I'd lived in before becoming Kashmir Crisis.
"......This was your house?"
Alessandro stared at the place vacantly, his voice laced with dismay. I nodded silently.
Since moving to the Chrysis Ducal Residence, I hadn't maintained it at all, so the house looked utterly neglected on the outside. It had always been small and shabby, but now it seemed even more pitiful.
......It's been a while.
Memories of the days I'd spent here suddenly resurfaced.
This cramped house had once held three of us. Me, Aria, and Mother.
......My mother.
Her face was now a hazy blur, shrouded in fog like an indistinct memory.
Born near the red-light district, I'd moved to this ordinary neighborhood on the capital's outskirts around age six. I had no idea why we'd relocated so suddenly; I just followed Mother and settled here.
At least the people in this neighborhood were kind to me and Aria. Kind to a weird degree, actually.
When I'd wander around begging for food, they'd always give me something, out of pity. It stopped abruptly around age seven, but they were good people nonetheless.
"But... why the hell were Leisha's belongings in your house?"
Alessandro's sigh-laden words snapped me out of my reverie. I exhaled heavily.
"I have no idea."
This is frustrating.
I ruffled my hair in irritation. Leisha and I—two names with zero connection. I'd never met her, not even indirectly.
Does it have something to do with Aria? ...Nah, probably not.
Aria was always sick and stuck at home. I'd been busy earning money outside, so I couldn't swear she never left, but she'd never mentioned anyone named Leisha.
I'll ask Aria if she knows who Leisha is when I get home.
"Let's go inside first. I need to check things out."
I gathered my thoughts and headed for the house. Alessandro followed, his face twisted in frustration.
At least I still have the key.
Even after joining the Chrysis Ducal Residence, I'd kept the house key in my pocket. I'd thought I'd never return, so I could've tossed it, but some lingering attachment kept it with me.
Did I really have regrets about this place?
I let out a hollow chuckle at my own absurdity.
There are no good memories here anyway.
The only consolation had been seeing Aria when I came home, but that also meant she'd been sick the whole time we lived here. Now, it was just a place tied to nightmares.
I shook off the rising thoughts and reached for the key to unlock the door.
......Huh?
I froze mid-motion. The keyhole was already turned—the door was unlocked.
......I definitely locked it.
The last time I'd come was to pack before moving to the Chrysis Ducal Residence. I wasn't an idiot; I'd secured it properly.
A pro picked the lock.
I examined the keyhole, confirmed my conclusion, placed a hand on the door, and slowly read the mana flow. My face hardened.
"Leo. Suppress your presence."
"What? Out of nowhere—"
"Right now. Hurry."
Leo, who'd started to question my sudden order, caught on when I fully masked my presence and urged him in a low voice. He suppressed his own.
I whispered to his now-grave expression. "Someone's inside."
And it was a familiar presence. Praying my hunch was wrong, I blocked sound with mana and slowly opened the door.
What the—
My eyes widened at the sight. Behind me, Leo sucked in a sharp breath.
The house looked ransacked, like burglars had hit it. Everything was tossed, objects scattered across the floor. It screamed frantic search.
What were they looking for?
I scowled, trying to guess the intruder's goal, but got nowhere and gave up. There was nothing worth stealing in this poor home. Anything remotely useful I'd taken to the Chrysis Ducal Residence—this place was empty.
Over there.
Reading the mana flow, I silently moved toward the familiar presence.
......Mother's room.
It emanated from the farthest room, where my mother had lived.
Leo. Draw your sword.
I transmitted the alert, tense. He nodded, unsheathing silently. I did the same.
They noticed us too.
Movement inside stopped. A skilled opponent. If I'd sensed them, they'd sensed me.
I halted right before the door. They were on the other side.
A bizarre standoff across a single rickety wooden door. Whoever burst the taut balloon first would decide it all.
Bang!
They struck first. Blinding magic circle light shattered the door into shards that flew at me and Leo like attacks. The impact kicked up dust from the debris-strewn floor, clouding our vision.
Whoosh!
Mana winds rose as the opponent moved. I dodged the flying pieces while swiftly swinging my sword.
"Ngh."
A faint groan echoed—Leo's, unmistakably. In the instant the wood fell and dust settled, a standoff formed.
"So your new ally instead of me... is just this little shit."
A low voice scraped like it clawed the basement floor. I gritted my teeth at the seductive timbre that hooked my ears instantly. I'd suspected, but hoped otherwise.
"It's insulting. Satisfied with trash like this, Shushu?"
Even in the dim, unlit room, his beast-like purple eyes gleamed sharply. It was Zigmund.
Damn it.
Assessing the situation, I bit my lip hard. Rage boiled already. Calling me by that hated nickname was provocation enough—I wanted to beat him senseless like yesterday—but not now.
Zigmund's sword at Leo's throat; mine at his. A mutual hostage crisis.
Leo's in danger.
I had his windpipe too, but if I attacked, he'd strike Leo. Unlike magic swordsman Zigmund, Leo was just a Sword Expert. Combined magic and swordplay would injure him badly.
Blood trickled from Leo's throat where the blade pricked. I glared icily at Zigmund.
"......Guess getting turned to pulp yesterday wasn't enough. Showing up again today."
I tried to stay calm for Leo's sake, but it came out sharp. Just seeing Zigmund twisted my guts.
Zigmund smirked at my jab, observing Leo with emotionless eyes.
"Ah, yesterday was thrillingly rough. But I wouldn't say I showed up before you. I got here first—you came looking for me."
Something off in his casual words made me frown.
"You broke into my house, and you're calling that bullshit?"
Even if he'd arrived first, invading my home and claiming I sought him was nonsense.
I thought he came here targeting me...
I'd never given him this address, even as past friends. Until moments ago, I'd assumed he'd tracked my house to trash it and mess with me.
Apparently not.
"......This is your house?"
Zigmund looked slightly flustered, like he hadn't known.
Not targeting me, then.
I tried calmly reinterpreting, but my gut twisted.
What business does Zigmund have in this rundown shack?
I wasn't sure if he was lying, but he was a Kypress knight from a near-ducal count family—not broke. Why ransack like a thief?
"Why is this in your house... Damn. Should've checked the owner first."
Zigmund muttered in equal confusion, then sighed.
"Unexpected, but... I still need to take something from here."
"......You're saying you plan to steal right in front of the owner? Think I'll let you?"
I stared in disbelief. Even if it was toilet trash, I wouldn't give him squat.
"Steal? Between us? Call it borrowing."
"Oh, then can I borrow your organs? Lungs and heart. Sell 'em, return the cash. If you're still alive, that is."
I snarled, glaring fiercely. Tension crackled between us.
"Sorry, but mind filling me in on what 'us' means exactly?"
Leo's voice cut the sharp standoff. Distracted by Zigmund, I whipped around. Leo narrowed his eyes in confusion but instinctively wary.
"Ah, sorry. He's just trash. We'll settle quick and—"
"You're Shushu's ally?"
Zigmund interrupted, his cold purple eyes fixed on Leo. Leo's face hardened.
"None of your business."
"You keep a foul-tempered mutt, huh."
Leo's aura flared at Zigmund's sneer. He knew he couldn't win but wouldn't stay passive with that attitude.
"Curious about your skill, but I'm busy. Gotta grab it and go."
This psycho for real...
I wouldn't let him take whatever easily.
Whoosh!
I poured aura into my sword aimed at the brazen thief. Wild mana swirled, black obsidian aura savagely threatening his nape.
"Cut the crap and open your left hand."
He clutched something in his left. That had to be it.
"......Damn."
Zigmund sighed and opened his hand.
......A leather pouch?
A finely embroidered silver wolf adorned its surface. As I wondered if that's what he wanted and told him to open it—
Boom!
Explosive mana erupted. Startled, I turned to its source.
"Hand that over to me."
It was none other than Leo, eyes blazing like he'd lost all reason.