Chapter 249: Lainella's Fate is Decided by Lainella (42)
Chapter 249: Lainella's Fate is Decided by Lainella (42)
Before encountering the missing persons in the forest, I rummaged through my pocket.
It was the Spatial Expansion Pouch the Princess had gifted me a while back.
Even a basic model with slightly increased capacity would fetch hundreds of gold. The pouch the Princess gave me was a high-end luxury item among them, likely worth at least several thousand gold.
It might even exceed 10,000 gold.
The thought that this single pouch was worth as much as Emma’s life made my sense of monetary value feel warped.
Furthermore, the pouch wasn't just made of pure white leather; it was even embroidered with the Imperial Seal in gold thread.
Considering that, its practical value could be even higher.
Of course, now that it was in my hands, it was nothing more than a functional tool.
Naturally, the pouch the Princess gave me lived up to its price tag.
Even after packing dozens of bottles of potions, emergency rations, and water, there was still empty space left.
And among those many stored items, there was one thing in particular I was focusing on.
It was the potions Emma had given me as a gift.
The various potions each had their own unique effects. Emma’s new models were especially useful as they possessed two effects simultaneously.
And among them, there was one more thing I had specifically requested from Emma.
As I spent a long time fiddling with the medicine bottles, I turned my gaze at the presence I felt nearby. A fresh scent, reminiscent of spring, wafted from the woman who had approached my side.
Unable to discern her intent, I had to look at her with suspicious eyes.
No, forget her intent—even the woman’s name was unknown.
I had heard before that she had discarded her name from her days as an orphan on the day she was chosen as the Saintess. The reason for that was also unknown.
Whether it was to hide her humble origins or a way to prepare for a new beginning.
Even now, she was an opponent whose heart I couldn't see through. Trying to fathom things from so long ago was a futile effort.
However, wondering if she had some important business, I asked a question.
"…Why?"
"Hmm, just because? I wanted to get into the mood of taking a stroll."
"Ha," I let out a hollow laugh, dumbfounded.
There was no telling what kind of monsters lurked in this forest. The Magic Corps of the Lainella Family were conducting their search separately from us.
In other words, if we encountered an enemy, we would have to fight our way through with just our own strength for the time being.
Although we had means to contact them immediately upon discovering an enemy, it didn't change the fact that our lives might be in danger.
To talk about a 'stroll' in such a grave situation.
But the Saintess only made a coy expression at my exasperated reaction.
She stood on her tiptoes and breathed a heated whisper into my ear.
"…After teasing a virgin's body, you won't even let me enjoy the mood of a stroll?"
"No, that was…!"
That was partly your fault too.
Those words rose to my throat, but the weight of chastity for a man and a woman was not equal. Naturally, if I tried to blame her like that, I would be the only one who ended up looking like trash.
It was a situation where I could never win, no matter what reason I gave.
In the end, I had no choice but to let out a deep sigh.
"…Do as you wish."
Only then did the Saintess give a satisfied smile and link her arm with mine.
I felt a soft, elastic sensation against my arm. As always, it wasn't a bad feeling.
Feeling triumphant, the Saintess whispered to me again.
"If you're a good boy, I'll let you touch me again next time."
Is she a Saintess or a slut?
Ever since we crossed the line last time, the Saintess had been particularly lacking in boundaries with me. Now, everyone was at the point of doubting the nature of our relationship.
Even my mother, a devout believer in the Heavenly God Religion, was casting suspicious glances, so that said it all.
Just as I was agonizing over the unnecessary misunderstandings, the girl famous for her foul mouth came to my rescue.
"…Hey, Busty. Why don't you back off already?"
Her snapping voice was full of displeasure.
It was a small sound, but if one listened closely, the content could be discerned. Startled, I looked back at Senior Elsie.
No matter how powerful the Lainella Family was, they couldn't openly insult the Saintess.
The Saintess was practically the symbol of the Heavenly God Religion. If she started framing things as 'blasphemy,' there were few things the Saintess couldn't do.
Yet, to insult the Saintess in such a public place.
Even considering Senior Elsie’s prickly temperament, it was an imprudent move. The only saving grace was the fact that the only ones who heard it were me and the Saintess.
Of course, the Saintess couldn't hold back and flared up.
"Can't a pet dog just act like a pet dog? Right now, I am having a conversation with Ian as human to human…"
"Woof, woof."
Senior Elsie mimicked a dog barking mockingly, then wore a cold smile.
"Master, run away. This woman is totally bad news… Her tits are big, but her mind is narrow. Plus, she's devious—a lewd bitch who only knows how to seduce with her body."
"…The barking is particularly grating today, isn't it, Ian? Your pet dog needs more training."
The Saintess’s tone as she spoke through gritted teeth was also incredibly chilling.
Since the last incident, the relationship between the two was spiraling toward disaster. Naturally, this wasn't the kind of relationship comrades who had to watch each other's backs should aim for.
Especially when we were facing a battle, weren't we?
Just as I was about to say something with a sigh.
"…Ian Oppa."
Celine’s single sentence pulled my attention.
It wasn't just me. Everyone looked at Celine and then followed her gaze.
Because her stiff, tense voice was signaling danger.
The Saintess and Senior Elsie also stopped talking and looked straight ahead.
There, dozens of people stood like ghosts.
They didn't move an inch. Not even a trace of life could be felt, creating the illusion that human-shaped tombstones were standing there.
"Villagers?"
That was the impression the Saintess muttered as she tilted her head.
Shabby clothes, ordinary appearances—they were 'villagers' you could see anywhere. However, there was a reason why Celine’s face turned pale upon seeing them.
It was because she also had memories of roaming the Percus Territory with me during our childhood.
"…Doris? Mari?"
At Celine’s murmur, the dozens of humans slowly lifted their heads.
Their eyes were dull or simple. As if the calling of their names had breathed life into them, emotions flickered across the faces of the men and women.
The two looked around with dazed expressions.
"Yo-Young Master? Lady Celine? What on earth is going on…"
"Hieek, who are these people!"
I found myself at a loss for words.
They were the Doris and Mari in my memories.
Doris, who used to cause so much trouble that he made Aunt Yona worry; Mari, who loved apples so much she asked if we could make an orchard in a corner of the estate.
However, it was clear that the two were not normal.
Aside from the fact that they had been standing there blankly in the first place, the deciding factor was that Mari was already dead.
By Seria’s hand.
The Mari before me now was the second one. I slowly raised my hand.
It was right to give the order.
I had to kill them. That was the only salvation for them.
And yet, the words wouldn't come out.
The two were stumbling, backing away toward me with terrified expressions. They kept glancing at me, pleading.
"Yo-Young Master! Who are those people?! Why am I in a place like this…"
"I-I was definitely on my way home!"
The group was waiting for my word.
In all likelihood, it was a trap. They were Mitram’s test subjects and would attack us.
It was a sick joke.
What if those two weren't test subjects?
Even if Mitram had left the original versions intact and thrust them before me, there was only one conclusion I could reach.
"…Everyone, prepare for battle!"
Blades revealed themselves, each making their own distinct sound.
The Saintess and Senior Elsie naturally moved to the center, while Seria and I stood in the vanguard, forming a tight defensive formation. Celine guarded the rear against any potential surprise attacks.
As the blades pointed toward them, Doris and Mari screamed in shock.
"Kya, kyaaaaak!"
"Yo-Young Master… why are you doing this! It's me, Doris!"
I was the last one to draw my sword.
And as I wondered what I should say.
In the end, I could only bite my lip.
"…Mari, Doris."
I exhaled a pained breath and pointed the sword's point toward them.
"It's my fault."
What could a noble who failed to protect his people possibly say?
The faces of Mari and Doris turned so pale they couldn't possibly lose any more color.
Just as the two were about to plead for something.
"Yo-Young Master! What do you mea- mea- mea- meeeeeeeek?! Ugh, kkeuuuub?!"
With a sharp crack of their spines, the bodies of the man and woman began to move grotesquely.
Their arms snapped into reverse-jointed positions, and blood began to leak out. Their tattered bodies gradually heated up, staining a deep red.
"It hu-hurts! It hurts, it hurts, it hurts! Save me! Save me, Young Masteeeeeer!"
"Khek, gueeeek… Young Masteeeeeer… ple-pleaaaaase!"
Crunch. Their neck bones snapped of their own accord, and the heads of the two dangled and fell.
Blood dripped from the heads that were barely hanging on by skin and flesh.
They were tears of blood.
Blood was streaming down from the eyes of Mari and Doris.
"I'll… curse you…"
"I won't forgive you, I won't forgive you…"
And with the sound of joints clicking into place, dozens of human bodies began to move with mechanical precision.
As if it were contagious, the eyes of the test subjects turned red. From their mouths flowed the characteristic cries of monsters that had lost their reason.
I took a long, deep breath, swallowing my bitter feelings.
"…That piece of shit, quite the performance."
The beasts howled and lunged.
I pulled a hand axe from my waist and threw it.
Thwack, thwack. The heads of two test subjects exploded, spraying bits of flesh and bone everywhere. As the hand axe bounced upward, I spun and charged forward, kicking off the ground.
"Let the light overflow!"
At Senior Elsie’s command, the mana in the atmosphere instantly seethed.
Pure white electrical charges covered the earth, making a crackling noise.
My vision flickered.
In the incandescent world, my sword drew a sharp straight line.
A test subject, pierced through the center of its chest without even a hint of resistance, let out a shriek. But I immediately twisted the blade and connected the sword path into a horizontal slash.
Thump. An impact wave swept across the flank.
Blood sprayed out, adding color to the pure white vision. As the light faded, that vivid red light felt even more intense.
One of those sprays must have been the blood shed by Mari or Doris.
The test subject, its chest half-severed, tilted to the other side, unable to withstand the rebound force. Since the test subjects I had faced before had a self-destruct function, I didn't forget to blow its head off.
Breaking them and killing them is so simple.
So why is it so difficult to protect them?
Gritting my teeth, I pulled out a piece of parchment I had prepared in my coat.
It was a scroll inscribed with communication magic. If I just tore it, the Magic Corps of the Lainella Family would rush here immediately.
And just before I finished off the surrounding enemies and tore the scroll.
Smack. Something thrown at me forcibly crumpled the scroll.
Blood was forming a path. Following that trail of blood, I realized what had been thrown at me.
It was an arm.
One of the test subjects had forcibly ripped off its own arm and thrown it at me.
That test subject had the appearance of Doris.
Along with the excitement of battle, my brain burned hot.
Doris wore a mocking smile and let out a grotesque voice that sounded like it was scraping his vocal cords.
"…We meet again, Ian Percus."
Yuren was right.
The Dark Priest was here.
Doris’s body collapsed like a puppet with its strings cut, and the figure wearing a black hood who had been standing behind him revealed themselves.
Their face was hidden by shadows and couldn't be seen. However, jet-black hair caught my eye.
And those lips curved into a twisted smile.
I was about to rush at him immediately, but I couldn't help but falter.
It was because I saw the color of the eyes burning inside the hood.
They were golden.
"As promised, your fate has arrived."
Even at the woman’s voice thrown with a snicker, I could only stand there blankly.
Black hair and golden eyes.
That was the hue Mitram possessed in this world.