Chapter 17
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Light (6)
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I reflexively stumbled backward, bumping into the corner of a wooden crate, but I didn't even feel the pain.
"Why...?"
Why hadn't I realized it? Why hadn't I noticed sooner?
My mind went blank with confusion.
I need to get out of here.
I turned my body and grabbed hold of the entrance where light was streaming in.
Running away again?
My feet wouldn't move.
I gripped the blue cloth tightly.
The urge to run away right now clashed fiercely with the thought that I couldn't keep running forever.
This time, the fact that I hadn't felt anything gave me courage.
Unlike last time, I hadn't sensed a thing.
I had even completely forgotten that a Demon was being held captive inside Prion.
My father, Luwen, and so many people around me had worked hard to make me forget that fact, so I wouldn't be scared.
I bit my lip. Clutching the tent entrance firmly, I turned and peered into the darkness pooling inside the tent.
If things go south, I can bolt right out. There are knights and mages everywhere. Plenty of ways to call for help...
I repeated that to myself in my head several times.
My arms trembled, and my breath came in short gasps, but I resolved not to run.
"Better run away, little one."
The man's gruff voice felt like it was prying open my head and whispering directly inside.
I strained to make out his form.
In the darkness, the man sitting under the shadows beyond the iron bars was hard to see.
"I'm not running."
Taking deep breaths, I barely managed to control my mana. The mana swirling around me calmed my mind and steadied me.
It's okay. I can do this...
I whispered to my heart, which was pounding like it was about to burst.
"Why?"
There was no emotion in the man's voice. It felt like I was talking to something inhuman. Well, he wasn't human, after all.
"I have questions for you."
I steadied my breathing and sorted my thoughts. This could be an opportunity. Maybe the only one I'd ever get.
"...Why are you targeting me?"
The man gave no answer.
Instead, he moved.
He leaned forward, approaching the bars. I watched, clutching the tent flap tightly.
Just before touching the bars, thick gray hair, a face covered in scars, and glowing red eyes came into view.
I stepped back involuntarily.
"You possess what we desire most. If we could just have a fragment of your soul... we wouldn't need to take the lives of dozens, hundreds—we could exist eternally."
For a moment, the man's eyes gleamed like he was facing hope itself.
I could sense the longing deep in those red eyes.
The fate of existing against the world's natural order, forever harming and destroying others. And I was the one who had created that existence.
"So..."
The man gripped the bars hard with both hands.
Clang!
The bars shook violently, red eyes flashing through the gaps.
"Run. Before I tear you apart."
I gasped and shuddered, but somehow held my ground.
It was just a threat. The man's glowing red eyes settled calmly again.
I mustered more courage.
"You're not going to hurt me. I can tell you have no intention to. I don't sense that longing anymore either..."
It was completely different from last time, when I'd faced him in the White Guard's hall behind the bars.
There was no strong craving from him now.
That's why he hadn't reacted to my soul or mana here—hadn't resonated with it.
Unlike Selena, who had stolen my power to evolve herself rapidly.
The man released the bars and slowly returned to his seat, tacitly agreeing with my words.
"...That doesn't mean we can be friends, little one."
"Liberic."
The man glanced back at me.
"Liberic Eldrian. That's my name. What's yours?"
The man didn't answer.
I hadn't expected him to, but I wished we could talk more.
Opportunities to speak with a Demon were rare. I might learn something useful.
The man stared at me silently before speaking.
"You... won't live long."
His sudden words threw me off.
As I tried to think of a response, he continued.
"I smell blood. You're dying, little one."
"Not exactly the info I wanted."
I forced a casual smile.
I already knew that. I felt it in every part of my body.
"Besides, you all seem convinced this city is safe. Airan, the others—they're all letting their guard down."
"Worried about us?"
I asked brightly, and the man scowled. I no longer felt any fear from him.
What was the point in not being friends now?
I already had one Demon friend. Parting had been painful, though.
He stayed silent for a long while before murmuring softly.
"Go home now, little one."
"...Okay."
I nodded and bid him farewell lightly.
"But next time we meet, call me by name."
By the time I stepped out of the tent, my heart felt much lighter.
Father and Luwen were right. There was no need to worry about him at all.
All the terrifying things I'd been through had been etched into me so deeply that I'd gotten scared without realizing it.
Still, he was a dangerous being to stay wary of, but at least I could trust that he was cooperative with Prius.
It wasn't long before Airan caught me wandering aimlessly between the tents.
"Wow."
Stepping down from the carriage, I let out an exclamation at the sight of the garden.
I knew they were decorating the garden for my birthday party, but this was the first time seeing it in person.
Several tables covered in white cloth were set up on the wide lawn, along with ornate tents and sparkling lanterns.
A small fountain at the back bubbled gently, creating a little stream that wound through a grove and a garden bursting with autumn flowers.
Gardeners and workers bustled about, transplanting trees and flowers, trimming shrubs.
Luar gardens were filled with trees and flowers year-round, but especially on someone's birthday, they checked meticulously for any wilted leaves.
"Lib."
Mother, inspecting the tables under the party tent, greeted me warmly.
I ran straight to her.
"You did all this today?"
Mother smiled softly, placing a hand on my shoulder.
"Of course. Tomorrow's your birthday. We're holding the party in the garden all day."
Excitement for tomorrow bubbled up inside me.
Clemence and Wedin were coming early in the morning.
We'd eat in the garden, admire gifts, play all day, move inside when it got dark, and eventually crash from exhaustion.
A near-perfect birthday plan.
"Look at this. It's the Birthday Tree we'll plant tomorrow."
Mother pointed to a small sapling in one corner of the garden.
A white grapevine sapling about my height.
Its roots were thin but sturdy, and its white branches seemed ready to reach upward at any moment.
"It symbolizes health and luck. Think you can raise it well?"
"Yes."
I nodded, and Mother smiled, stroking my hair.
Like all Luar, we planted a Birthday Tree every birthday, following tradition.
We poured our wishes into it and nurtured it steadily. We believed the tree's growth mirrored our lives.
That's why Luar gardens always had so many trees, steadily increasing.
Not just our family's, but Shuren's, the head butler's, servants', and maids' trees were all here, making our garden expand and green wider each year.
"That one's a book, I bet."
I pointed to the broad, heavy package at the bottom of the pile.
"Nah, too big. What book is that huge?"
Shuren shook his head dismissively.
True, a book that big would be hard for me to read... So what could it be?
Shuren and I were analyzing the pile of gifts stacked in the entryway.
Somehow, boxes of all sizes had piled up like a mountain, each wrapped tightly in colorful paper, impossible to guess the contents.
I couldn't open them until tomorrow, my actual birthday.
I didn't know which era's cruel soul made that rule... but it was tradition.
Opening birthday gifts early supposedly let the sender's feelings leak out.
But with this many, one wouldn't hurt.
Personally, that's what I thought, but I couldn't defy tradition, so for days I'd been circling the pile, deep in deduction.
"What do you think this is?"
Shuren pulled out a small, long cloth-wrapped bundle from between the boxes.
"Ah."
I recalled a scene I'd glimpsed earlier.
The cloth bundle Shuren had brought. I'd clearly seen him quietly slip it into the pile.
"Super easy. It's from you, right?"
"No."
Shuren shook his head frantically in panic. I laughed. So predictable.
"It's a secret until tomorrow. Can't tell."
"I already know what's inside."
The outline was obvious on that sloppy wrapping, long and slender.
And Shuren was holding the bottom of the long rod expertly. No attempt to hide it, pure innocence.
"Might as well open it—it's a sword..."
"Gah!"
Shuren shrieked and clamped my mouth shut with lightning speed, desperate to stop me from saying the answer.
I burst out laughing and decided to play dumb.
"But I don't even know how to use one."
"Learn. Plenty of people here to teach you if you want."
"Hm... I'll think about it."
I smiled faintly, holding off my answer.
Learning swordsmanship would be good for protecting myself, but I doubted I could wield it properly.
Even lifting a sword would be tough. And the stamina to swing it...
Shuren must have worried about that too, preparing a much smaller, lighter sword than what knights usually used.
I sincerely hoped I could handle at least that much.
Father would be so relieved and happy.
That's when the front door opened, and Father and the head butler returned.