Chapter 47
Chapter 47
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Curious?
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When they spotted the snake lurking beneath the underbrush, Lena and Lin were already surrounded. Realizing this, the two pressed their backs together, just as they had done over the past fortnight.
“Can you move?”
“Somewhat.”
“Then…”
Lena couldn’t finish her sentence. There was no time for well-wishes—the wraiths came charging in. Wraiths in the shapes of all manner of reptiles, with black scales and red eyes, bared their sharp venomous fangs as they rushed forward. For the injured Lin’s sake, Lena moved first. Her keen dagger sliced through the underside of a snake that shot toward them like an arrow. As the severed snake thrashed and writhed, others slithered in through the gap.
Wraiths were strong. They knew no fear and thus never retreated; envious of the living, they coveted their lives. They were existences that borrowed the form of death to overwhelm the vitality of the living.
But even their power was useless against these two. As snakes were chopped to pieces one after another by their hands, the wraiths halted their charge and began tangling among themselves. The snakes melted their outer skins and stuck together, soon changing form like pupae emerging as butterflies. At last, the thing rose to its feet and unfurled its membranous wings. Overwhelmed by its towering majesty, Lena and Lin quickly fell back.
“Its head’s too high.”
“Who’ll strike it?”
“Can you lift me up?”
Lin hesitated for a moment. His ribs were definitely cracked, so he couldn’t use his arms recklessly. But he had plenty of other useful parts besides his arms.
“With my right shoulder.”
“Then I’ll go.”
Just then, the dragon—now fully formed—roared and swung its head. With a thunderous boom, the ground caved in, sending dirt flying in all directions. Lena and Lin swiftly dodged and split to the dragon’s left and right. The dragon turned its head as if choosing its prey, then thrust its jaws down toward Lena, who had drawn closer. Boom! Its solid skull smashed into the ground once more. But it was another miss. After repeated swings at empty air, the dragon bellowed in rage. Then, as if preparing to spew something, its throat swelled grotesquely.
“Lin!”
Spotting the wraith about to vomit poison, Lena dashed toward Lin. Lin silently spread his legs and bent his upper body forward. His back formed a gentle slope, which Lena didn’t hesitate to step onto. Kicking off from Lin’s shoulder, Lena launched herself straight up to the dragon’s eye level and slashed hard at its nape before the beast could spew its filth. But the cut was a bit shallow. The dragon didn’t die instantly and writhed in agony. Lin, who had been watching, spun his sword and brought it down on the dragon’s head as it hit the ground. Lena, having landed, gave a soft smile at Lin’s follow-through.
Over the past fortnight fighting alongside Lin, Lena had discovered a new pleasure: the joy of battling together. Her battlefields had always been lonely ones, where fighting and protecting were always her burden alone. But fighting with Lin, she had entrusted her back to someone for the first time in her life. It was reassuring—and quite fun.
“More are coming.”
As Lena secretly swelled with pride, Lin spoke while gazing beyond the garden. Sure enough, snakes were tangling together once more. But this time, they didn’t charge right away. The writhing snakes gradually took on human form, and the completed figure spoke with red eyes.
—I’ve missed you. You, my bride.
The eerie voice carried a surprisingly sweet tone. At the sudden words, Lena sighed, while Lin’s eyes widened.
“That’s no way to greet someone.”
—I only wished to draw your attention.
“You won’t get it this way.”
Lin grew even more flustered at Lena’s nonchalant reply. From the situation, the voice’s owner was surely the King with Many Hearts—a wraith king. But the wraiths Lin knew were mere monsters crawling from graves. Exchanging words with such a being was something he’d never even imagined. Yet Lena conversed with it as if mocking his thoughts.
—Speak informally to me, as before. Scold me coldly, just like you used to. If you do that, I’ll want for nothing more.
The entity was even fawning over Lena in the strangest way. Lin stared at her in bewilderment. Lena noticed his gaze but had no time to explain—the thing continued on its own.
—I know you handed Cheleste’s heart to the Beheaded Woman.
Lin’s eyes widened again at the meaningful words. Lena, in her usual curt tone, pressed the king.
“So you’ve come for revenge?”
—I only worry for your well-being.
“Worry?”
—The Fanatics and the War Maniac are after you.
‘Fanatics’ was a slur for the King of Burning and Scorching, Hiems Grasha—the madman who burned his own people alive and claimed it was the god’s will. The moniker fit his atrocities perfectly. Lin thus assumed ‘War Maniac’ referred to another wraith king.
‘The wraith kings are targeting Lena?’
Stunned by the vague hypothesis at first, Lin soon realized it was entirely plausible. If this speaking, embodied being was truly a wraith king, and they possessed such intelligence and power, they would naturally target Lena Rubel first. No one would take kindly to a human who knew the tombs’ secrets declaring she’d conquer them. His thoughts reaching that point, Lin eyed the suspicious wraith with mixed feelings.
‘Does it like Lena?’
The “bride” title, the courting attitude, revealing the other kings’ plans—it was all brimming with goodwill. But Lena didn’t accept it as such.
“You attack out of nowhere, then claim to worry for my safety? That doesn’t add up.”
—That was…
The wraith faltered, as if at a loss for words in the face of Lena’s cold smile. Then it began to laugh sinisterly, revealing its true colors. Lena clicked her tongue briefly.
“As expected.”
Without another word, she grabbed Lin’s arm. The instant the two turned together, the wraith’s body tore apart, spreading a horrific stench. Poison.
…
Dodging the toxic fumes, the two halted beneath a massive tree.
“It’s the same spot again.”
“Yeah, seems we’re trapped.”
As Lin said, no matter how they pushed through the underbrush, the garden’s end never appeared. And they’d passed this large tree several times already. They were looping the same area.
“Let’s rest for now.”
Lena sighed and leaned back against the tree trunk before sitting. Lin slumped down nearby. Finally catching their breath, a flood of pent-up questions arose. It was no surprise anymore that Lena knew the tombs well. But being on speaking terms with wraiths was a whole different story. Curiosity burned, but Lin couldn’t ask. It was a basic condition of their alliance. Lost in his solitary thoughts, he suddenly saw Lena lie down, pressing her head to the flat ground.
“Lie down too, Lin.”
“No, I’m…”
“It’s uncomfortable alone.”
At her request, Lin reluctantly complied. Since Lena had placed her head toward him, he had no choice but to do the same toward her. In the end, they lay head-to-head.
“This situation might drag on a bit.”
“How long?”
“Feels like a day or two. Rest when you can.”
With that, Lena calmly closed her eyes. Lin stared at the face right beside him, then turned away in embarrassment. Lying under the tree, all he could see above was leaves—an unnecessarily peaceful sight. He closed his eyes like her. But rest was impossible. Doubts about the wraith king weren’t all; the prior incident resurfaced too.
He didn’t remember, but Lin knew what he’d done to Lena. The evidence was plain, impossible to ignore. In short, he’d kissed her. Recalling it made him wish he could die. A kiss—what if it was more? Some outrageous act? It probably was. Her torn clothes suggested he’d crossed that line. Kissing a non-mate was already a grave breach, but Lin was certain he’d gone further. And not even remembering it? Tormented by self-loathing, he looked at Lena again. Unlike him, she lay peacefully with eyes closed.
He thought they’d grown closer, yet Lena remained inscrutable. Sure, he could list descriptors easily: strong, resolute, pretty, kind. But those were just her outward self; her thoughts, feelings, state were always veiled. Lin was always curious. What she thought, felt, desired. Same now. She acted as if nothing happened—did she truly not mind? Did she understand? Dismiss it? Or was she suppressing disgust? What was it? So curious, painfully so.
“Curious?”
When Lena asked, his heart plummeted. She had opened her eyes and was looking at him. Barely a handspan away.
“About what that wraith said earlier?”
The question veered oddly. Lin paused before answering.
“…Yeah.”
“Since it’s come to this, I’ll explain.”
Whether deliberate or not, Lena smiled graciously. Lin had no choice but to nod along, burying his real curiosity.
“Where to start…”
“With your husband’s name…?”
Lena beamed at him. Stung by her barbed smile, Lin realized his blunder, and she sighed wearily, as if scolding him.
“‘Bride’ is just that thing’s delusion. And you didn’t guess the name?”
“King with Many Hearts.”
“Yes, the snake king that often appeared in the East.”
Lena spoke as if there was no need to hide anymore, leaving Lin’s mind more tangled as his guess hit the mark.
“Never thought you’d be that chummy with a wraith king.”
“Not chummy—just pure bad blood.”
Lin’s eyes asked why. Pondering, Lena replied.
“It’s a long story, but… you know about the Heretics, right?”
“Heretics?”
Lin echoed the unexpected word—not from ignorance, but surprise. Heretics: those who served or consorted with wraiths. Since the wraiths appeared a century ago, they’d been objects of imperial fear and enmity. But unconventional thinkers exist everywhere. Some were drawn to the wraiths’ strength, the altars’ existence, and the myth-like wraith kings. Thus arose those who privately exploited or worshipped wraiths, whom the empire branded Heretics for betraying the gods.
“I was caught by those Heretics as a kid.”
“What?”
Lin stared in shock, but Lena continued as if it were nothing.
“They summoned snakes, only to get captured instead.”
It was at age thirteen. Back from the tomb but knowing return to her father was hopeless, Lena had resolved to live a new life. She’d abandon the father who’d abandoned her repeatedly. But she failed. Because of the King with Many Hearts.
* * *
Five years ago, at thirteen, Lena fell into the tomb again.
—Back again.
“Quiet…”
—What is it this time?
Regina had come out to greet her for once, but Lena just scowled. She had no choice. Meeting Regina in the tomb meant she’d been cornered to the brink of death. So this encounter was far from welcome. Moreover, it was already her fifth time meeting Regina that year. The year she’d died the most.