Chapter 30
'W-what the hell is...'
Arian, who had descended underground, covered her mouth at the bizarre and horrific scene unfolding before her. Iron bars like those of a prison, and within them, grotesque creatures imprisoned. She'd heard that heretics committed unspeakable atrocities, but she never imagined it would be this bad. It was beyond imagination. It was hard to believe the ones responsible were even human.
Suppressing the nausea rising in her throat, she turned her head—and there was the saintess, just as Franz had described. The saintess knelt with her hands clasped before her chest, reciting a prayer. A brilliant golden holy power flowed from her body, and the monstrous beings inside the bars were gradually reverting to human form.
But it wasn't easy; beads of sweat dotted the saintess's forehead. Come to think of it, Arian wondered where Franz had left his overcoat—turns out the saintess had it. He'd probably noticed she was only in her nightgown. It was thin enough to be almost see-through, fluttering lightly.
'Wait, nightgown?'
Arian felt a brief pang of annoyance, but she shook her head to dismiss it. No matter what, she couldn't be jealous while the saintess was suffering like this. Besides, the saintess must have been mortified. Suddenly dragged away in her sleepwear. Especially since it was by a man she cared about. She'd probably kick the blankets for a week, wondering why she'd worn this nightgown of all days.
Anyway.
'Hope things are okay up there.'
Arian worried about Franz and the hero in the heretic chapel. The Istar Duke was clearly up to no good. A Magic Tower master and the hero should be fine... but a sliver of unease lingered in her heart.
Then—
Boom!
A massive explosion rocked the ground, shaking the earth. The mana stone lamps on the walls swung wildly before crashing to the floor, and dust rained down from the ceiling. Yet Justia continued her prayer undeterred. Not a speck of dirt on her clothes; she remained pristine. Thanks to Arian's timely transparent mana barrier protecting her.
'That scared me...'
Arian patted her chest, looking up. Something must have happened in the chapel. It better not be serious.... Her small anxiety began to swell.
How much time passed like that? A drop of sweat from Justia's chin splashed to the floor, her breaths coming in heavy gasps. When she finally stopped reciting the prayer—
The grotesque monsters in the bars had vanished, leaving only two red-haired women lying on the cold stone floor.
After such prolonged exposure to demonic energy, success had been uncertain—but Justia had done it.
"I-it's... all done."
As Justia tried to stand, her vision went black. She felt something hot trickle from her nose. She'd overused her holy power and stood too quickly, causing anemia.
"Oh, for... "
Arian rushed to support her, pulling out a handkerchief and handing it over. Justia steadied herself and wiped the nosebleed.
'Impressive.'
Setting aside personal feelings, Arian admired the saintess. How many people could sacrifice themselves like that for others? It made sense why she was called a saintess. Of course, that didn't mean she'd hand Franz over.
Soon, Arian sent a telepathic message to Franz.
It's done. Both women are safe.
* * * * *
This was before Justia rescued Yuna's mother and sister.
Kaboom!
Magic clashed against magic, unleashing a thunderous roar.
"Do you have any idea how much effort I've put into this day?! It's been seven years since the hero appeared! I've waited seven years for this moment—and you ruin it?!"
The Istar Duke spat his rage, firing off spells like a madman. What a pain. Franz wanted to kill him, but he couldn't—not yet. It was like an annoying fly buzzing in his face that he couldn't swat.
'This won't do.'
Franz decided on a hardline approach. Playing along wasn't making him quit; the guy's passion was insane.
Snap.
Franz flicked his fingers, and a massive magic circle appeared beneath the duke's feet. Chains erupted from it, binding the duke tight. An application of the sealing magic the duke had used.
There was a perfect line for this situation.
"Istar, your magic's pretty good."
Yeah, that was it.
"You think you'll get away with this?! I'll tear you limb from limb! Your secretary, the saintess, the hero, that pointy-eared bitch—all of you, I'll rip you to shreds...!"
Unable to ignore the insults, Franz teleported right in front of the duke. He raised a finger and slowly traced a circle. The duke's arm, bound by the chains, began twisting.
"S-stop! Argh—!"
Crack, snap.
Ligaments tore, muscles ripped, and skin split when it could stretch no more. Only when the arm was fully severed did Franz's finger stop.
He grabbed the duke's hair, yanking his head up to meet his eyes.
"Keep talking. I'll make it quick and painless if you want."
Gulp.
The Istar Duke swallowed hard, eyes wide with terror. Couldn't move, magic useless—what gave him the balls to act so tough? Was he just stupid? Well, if he were smart, he wouldn't ally with heretics or exploit the hero.
Franz released the duke's hair and turned to Yuna, similarly bound.
"Franz, release me right now."
Yuna's voice was calmer than ever—chillingly so. She'd reached the peak of fury and gone cold. If he unsealed her now, she'd probably end the world. Sorry, but no dice.
Instead, he had better news.
It's done. Both women are safe.
A message from Arian. She'd been unsure, but Justia pulled it off.
Franz inwardly cheered. Finally, an end to this damned branching point.
"Yuna, your mom and sister are safe."
He said it softly with a smile. Life returned to Yuna's eyes. She blinked, then widened them hugely.
"Really? Really?! Mom and sis—they're alive?!"
"Yeah. Justia worked hard. Thank her later."
"Where—where are they?! I wanna see them. Hurry...!"
At Yuna's urging, Franz immediately brought Arian, Justia, and the two red-haired women up from below.
Yuna's family was in bad shape. Gaunt and skeletal from starvation, skin pale. But definitely alive—faint breaths, chests rising and falling.
"M-Mom... Yuria...!"
Yuna wailed desperately. Her tear-choked voice tugged at Franz's nose for some reason.
"Franz, hurry—release me now."
"Got it."
Franz poured mana into the massive magic circle on the floor. Layer upon layer dissolved into the air, the chains around Yuna shrinking one by one.
After a bit, when only three chains remained—
Crack.
A fissure ran through them, and Yuna snapped them, standing up.
Pfft.
A laugh escaped Franz. Even weakened, she shouldn't have broken them herself. Guess her love for family was that strong.
'Lucky.'
Lucky for Yuna reuniting with family, and lucky for him not having to deal with her anymore.
"Mom... Yuria...."
Yuna embraced the two on the floor. Tears streamed down her cheeks, dripping from her chin.
Unfamiliar with such scenes, Franz turned away, scratching his nose awkwardly. Watching might make him catch the feels.
Anyway, Yuna's bad end branch was cleared. One thing left: dealing with the culprit, Istar Duke.
Yuna wiped her tears with the back of her hand, her eyes gleaming murderously.