Translator: Missme
Editor: Missme
“……Caleb?”
I wasn’t sure if that person was Caleb, but I instinctively called Caleb’s name.
The backlight made it difficult to distinguish not only the face but also the shape of the body.
Still, the fact that there was a person in front of me, and the possibility that it was Caleb, made me take a step forward.
It was difficult to even move my legs until now, but they suddenly feel lighter, as if they gained strength from somewhere.
I hurried to the cave’s entrance.
As soon as I stepped outside, a bright light shone in my eyes.
I was able to confirm the identity of ‘the person’ by blinking with a frown for a while.
“I just came here in case.”
Her waist-length, dark pink blonde hair was the first thing that drew my attention.
“You really alive.”
Vivian’s eyes and voice were colder than ever as she looked at me.
“……Lady Vessel.”
I noticed a horse tied to a wooden pole behind Vivian.
I didn’t inquire as to why she was there. Because I didn’t have to ask.
The demonic beast who tore off and erected the handkerchief she gave me.
And Vivian was standing alone where even the knights couldn’t follow.
I wasn’t naive enough to dismiss this as a coincidence.
“It was you. You are the one who summoned the demonic beasts.”
“Yes, I did it.”
Vivian agreed without hesitation. It was on my side that was rather surprised by her words. I had no idea Vivian would admit it so easily.
“What is your reaction? You must have been surprised that I openly admitted. You’re also a little naive.”
It was my first time seeing Vivian’s expression like that. Her innocent face was marred by a cold sneer.
“How could this happen……”
“Does that matter now? If I were you, I’d be more concerned about your situation.”
Vivian gave a quiet smile.
Just like her sweet smile, which I’ve been admiring all along.
Unlike her sweet smile, a strange light shone in her light green eyes as she stared at me.
Her eyes were so enraged that the back of my neck had become cold.
My intuition has warned me. That Vivian is not ‘normal’.
‘I have to run away.’
It was, in fact, a ridiculous plan.
Blood was still oozing from the open wound, and drops of it soaked the ground. My arms went numb, and my consciousness became dizzy.
Unlike me, who was severely injured, Vivian was in perfect condition.
Even if I had tried to escape, Vivian would have apprehended me in no time.
I knew it was hopeless, but I moved away from Vivian anyway.
There is only one will to live.
“Where!”
“Argh!”
Before I could take a few steps, my hair was pulled.
That would normally be impossible for her to do. But my body that reached its limit was easily swayed by the weak force.
My body collapsed in an instant.
“Ugh… Argh…...”
I exclaimed and reached for my right arm. When I fell, the torn arm was the first thing that struck the ground.
“It would be better for me and you if the demonic beast killed you.”
Vivian untied the ribbon that had been wrapped around her neck. And she pressed her knees into my shoulders and arms.
Ugh- A groan of pain escaped me. But Vivian didn’t seem to mind and pressed my arms even harder. To prevent me from moving.
As I looked at Vivian, who was riding on top of me, I pursed my lips.
“Why are you doing this, ugh……?”
“Why am I doing this?”
Vivian muttered, a small smile on her face.
“Because I want to reverse it.
”Reverse? What?”
“I have nothing left, but you’ve always had everything. Family, man, wealth, what was supposed to be mine.”
The satin ribbon was wrapped around my neck by her.
The ribbon that was gently wrapped around my neck tightened quickly.
Cough, when I coughed, the ribbon tightened even more.
“If you die, I’ll be able to restart. I can reverse it.”
“Cough, cough, cough…...”
“You just need to die! Only you!”
I tried to move my hand, but Vivian’s arm refused to move.
All I could do was gasp and grab her skirt with my bloody hand.
“Ugh, cough……”
The tight breathing caused blood to rush to my head. My vision was hazy.
Her face, which seemed to be out of her mind, smeared like it was shaking.
Die, die, die! Hurry and die!
Vivian’s acrimonious voice was the only thing that could be clearly heard through the haze.
It was the point at which my consciousness started to fade.
The pressure that had been building up in my neck was abruptly released.
At the same time, the air that I couldn’t even breathe if I tried came deep into my lungs.
I was surprised to take a breath after coughing for a long time and reflexively covering my neck.
‘I can move my hand?’
It was a hand that had been immobilized by Vivian’s pressure until now……
Vivian, who was on top of me, had been thrown far away when I came into view belatedly.
A large hand hugged me around the shoulder.
In the horrible smell of blood, a faint but familiar scent was detected.
A low but infinitely caring voice then enters my ear.
“Forgive me for being late.”
“Ugh……”
“Elena.”
I couldn’t help but burst into tears and hugged in his wide, warm embrace. ⇺⇺⇺⇼⇻⇻⇻
Caleb sat on a folding chair next to the bed, gazing down at his lover.
Elena, who had closed her eyes with a calm expression, had fallen asleep after taking a sleeping pill prescribed by the therapist.
Her neck protruded from the blanket, as did her arms, which were holding her hands together and placed on her chest.
As soon as he found Elena, he poured in the holy water he and Edmund had brought with them, brought her to the duke’s residence, and immediately summoned a therapist and a priest to treat her.
Caleb, on the other hand, couldn’t seem to calm down. It was because of the scene that came to mind, even though he didn’t want to think about it.
“Die! Die! Hurry and die!”
Vivian, who yelled in a deranged voice while strangling Elena, was obviously not normal.
Even Edmund, who had accompanied him, was speechless.
He took Vivian off as soon as he saw it and managed to save Elena.
She was, however, seriously injured. It had gotten to the point where Caleb could find her wounded body easier than the intact one.
Her body was covered in scratches, her right arm was ripped to tatters, and the wound was so deep that the white bones were clearly visible.
There were also thick purple bruises along the lines of the string Vivian had strung around her neck.
The emotions and feelings he was experiencing at the time were so complex that even he couldn’t define them, and they were so disastrous that he never wanted to go through them again.
He said that he would protect her, not to put her in danger, and even bring her to his mansion, but to think that thing like this happened today.
Caleb’s face broke into a rare bitter smile.
When he came out so that Elena could sleep comfortably, the butler hinted that the Archduke and his wife were there.
Caleb went to greet the Archduke and his wife, who arrived earlier than expected.
⇺⇺⇺⇼⇻⇻⇻
In the parlor room, the Archduke and his wife could not hide their nervousness throughout.
Among them, the Archduchess was particularly traumatized. She’s been sobbing uncontrollably since she saw Elena being kidnapped by the demonic beast.
The Archduke was the one who calmed her down by singing “My Daughter” in a husky voice and escorting her to the Duke’s residence.
In fact, the Archduke was befuddled and distressed as well.
He went hunting with an old friend when the demonic beast appeared and attacked the temporary camp, but by the time he arrived, it was already a complete disaster.
The Archduke had to carry a sword himself to evacuate and protect the nobles and others at the hunting competition because most of the people were unable to use Auror.
He could only afford to find his wife and daughter after slaying the demonic beasts who rushed into the temporary camp.
Fortunately, the knights he had assigned to his wife performed their duties and evacuated her to a safe place. However, they were unable to protect his daughter.
What a shock it was when the Archduchess told him Elena had been kidnapped by the demonic beast.
He wanted to find his daughter right away, but no one knew where she was or had seen the demon.
Still, he felt compelled to act, and he was about to dispatch knights to track them down when a knight sent by Caleb delivered the news. That he had returned Elena to the Duke’s mansion.
The Archduke and his wife went straight to the duke’s residence to look for Elena. However, he was waiting in the drawing room at the butler’s request because Elena was receiving treatment at the time.
As a result, the Archduke and his wife jumped up as soon as Caleb entered the room and began looking for Elena.
“How is my daughter doing? Is she all right? Or is she seriously injured?”
“There is no problem, so you can rest assured. The therapist assured me that there would be no sequelae, and that she would recover quickly.”
Caleb told the Archduke couple exactly what he had heard from the therapist. With a sigh of relief, the Archduke and his wife inquired.
“Is the child now awake? I was wondering if she was frightened.”
“She just fell asleep after taking the medicine prescribed by the therapist.”
“Is that so?”
After a brief pause, the Archduke opened his mouth.
“Come to think of it, I forgot to thank you. Thank you so much for saving my child. What would have happened if it hadn’t been for you……”
“No, it was my responsibility. Naturally, I would have done it.”
Caleb added, his eyes lowering. As if he were a sinner.
“That’s why I have no face to see both of you, including Elena. I’m sorry I put Elena in such danger.”
“No, never think that way. The child was able to live because of you.”
“Yes, you did a good job.”
The Archduchess spoke in husky tones, sweeping down her arms.
“On the contrary, it is on my side that I have no face. Because I couldn’t do anything despite being with the child. When I think about what happened to her after I was blocked by the knights…… uh, sob sob.”
“Don’t blame yourself. It was the same for me in that I was unable to protect the child.”
“But, uh, you were trying to evacuate the others. It was unavoidable, sob sob.”
“As you said, it was unavoidable.”
Caleb said quietly as he watched the Archduke and his wife console each other.
“If you want to see Elena, I’ll take you there.”
“No, it’s fine. I don’t want to wake her up because she has just fallen asleep. Still, I’d like to see her when she finally wakes up. So, may I remain here until then?”
“Yes, of course. You are welcome to stay as long as you like.”
“Thank you. Thank you very much.”
Caleb was repeatedly thanked by the Archduke by holding his hand.
“But how did you find our daughter?”
Translator: Missme
Editor: Missme
“……Caleb?”
I wasn’t sure if that person was Caleb, but I instinctively called Caleb’s name.
The backlight made it difficult to distinguish not only the face but also the shape of the body.
Still, the fact that there was a person in front of me, and the possibility that it was Caleb, made me take a step forward.
It was difficult to even move my legs until now, but they suddenly feel lighter, as if they gained strength from somewhere.
I hurried to the cave’s entrance.
As soon as I stepped outside, a bright light shone in my eyes.
I was able to confirm the identity of ‘the person’ by blinking with a frown for a while.
“I just came here in case.”
Her waist-length, dark pink blonde hair was the first thing that drew my attention.
“You really alive.”
Vivian’s eyes and voice were colder than ever as she looked at me.
“……Lady Vessel.”
I noticed a horse tied to a wooden pole behind Vivian.
I didn’t inquire as to why she was there. Because I didn’t have to ask.
The demonic beast who tore off and erected the handkerchief she gave me.
And Vivian was standing alone where even the knights couldn’t follow.
I wasn’t naive enough to dismiss this as a coincidence.
“It was you. You are the one who summoned the demonic beasts.”
“Yes, I did it.”
Vivian agreed without hesitation. It was on my side that was rather surprised by her words. I had no idea Vivian would admit it so easily.
“What is your reaction? You must have been surprised that I openly admitted. You’re also a little naive.”
It was my first time seeing Vivian’s expression like that. Her innocent face was marred by a cold sneer.
“How could this happen……”
“Does that matter now? If I were you, I’d be more concerned about your situation.”
Vivian gave a quiet smile.
Just like her sweet smile, which I’ve been admiring all along.
Unlike her sweet smile, a strange light shone in her light green eyes as she stared at me.
Her eyes were so enraged that the back of my neck had become cold.
My intuition has warned me. That Vivian is not ‘normal’.
‘I have to run away.’
It was, in fact, a ridiculous plan.
Blood was still oozing from the open wound, and drops of it soaked the ground. My arms went numb, and my consciousness became dizzy.
Unlike me, who was severely injured, Vivian was in perfect condition.
Even if I had tried to escape, Vivian would have apprehended me in no time.
I knew it was hopeless, but I moved away from Vivian anyway.
There is only one will to live.
“Where!”
“Argh!”
Before I could take a few steps, my hair was pulled.
That would normally be impossible for her to do. But my body that reached its limit was easily swayed by the weak force.
My body collapsed in an instant.
“Ugh… Argh…...”
I exclaimed and reached for my right arm. When I fell, the torn arm was the first thing that struck the ground.
“It would be better for me and you if the demonic beast killed you.”
Vivian untied the ribbon that had been wrapped around her neck. And she pressed her knees into my shoulders and arms.
Ugh- A groan of pain escaped me. But Vivian didn’t seem to mind and pressed my arms even harder. To prevent me from moving.
As I looked at Vivian, who was riding on top of me, I pursed my lips.
“Why are you doing this, ugh……?”
“Why am I doing this?”
Vivian muttered, a small smile on her face.
“Because I want to reverse it.
”Reverse? What?”
“I have nothing left, but you’ve always had everything. Family, man, wealth, what was supposed to be mine.”
The satin ribbon was wrapped around my neck by her.
The ribbon that was gently wrapped around my neck tightened quickly.
Cough, when I coughed, the ribbon tightened even more.
“If you die, I’ll be able to restart. I can reverse it.”
“Cough, cough, cough…...”
“You just need to die! Only you!”
I tried to move my hand, but Vivian’s arm refused to move.
All I could do was gasp and grab her skirt with my bloody hand.
“Ugh, cough……”
The tight breathing caused blood to rush to my head. My vision was hazy.
Her face, which seemed to be out of her mind, smeared like it was shaking.
Die, die, die! Hurry and die!
Vivian’s acrimonious voice was the only thing that could be clearly heard through the haze.
It was the point at which my consciousness started to fade.
The pressure that had been building up in my neck was abruptly released.
At the same time, the air that I couldn’t even breathe if I tried came deep into my lungs.
I was surprised to take a breath after coughing for a long time and reflexively covering my neck.
‘I can move my hand?’
It was a hand that had been immobilized by Vivian’s pressure until now……
Vivian, who was on top of me, had been thrown far away when I came into view belatedly.
A large hand hugged me around the shoulder.
In the horrible smell of blood, a faint but familiar scent was detected.
A low but infinitely caring voice then enters my ear.
“Forgive me for being late.”
“Ugh……”
“Elena.”
I couldn’t help but burst into tears and hugged in his wide, warm embrace. ⇺⇺⇺⇼⇻⇻⇻
Caleb sat on a folding chair next to the bed, gazing down at his lover.
Elena, who had closed her eyes with a calm expression, had fallen asleep after taking a sleeping pill prescribed by the therapist.
Her neck protruded from the blanket, as did her arms, which were holding her hands together and placed on her chest.
As soon as he found Elena, he poured in the holy water he and Edmund had brought with them, brought her to the duke’s residence, and immediately summoned a therapist and a priest to treat her.
Caleb, on the other hand, couldn’t seem to calm down. It was because of the scene that came to mind, even though he didn’t want to think about it.
“Die! Die! Hurry and die!”
Vivian, who yelled in a deranged voice while strangling Elena, was obviously not normal.
Even Edmund, who had accompanied him, was speechless.
He took Vivian off as soon as he saw it and managed to save Elena.
She was, however, seriously injured. It had gotten to the point where Caleb could find her wounded body easier than the intact one.
Her body was covered in scratches, her right arm was ripped to tatters, and the wound was so deep that the white bones were clearly visible.
There were also thick purple bruises along the lines of the string Vivian had strung around her neck.
The emotions and feelings he was experiencing at the time were so complex that even he couldn’t define them, and they were so disastrous that he never wanted to go through them again.
He said that he would protect her, not to put her in danger, and even bring her to his mansion, but to think that thing like this happened today.
Caleb’s face broke into a rare bitter smile.
When he came out so that Elena could sleep comfortably, the butler hinted that the Archduke and his wife were there.
Caleb went to greet the Archduke and his wife, who arrived earlier than expected.
⇺⇺⇺⇼⇻⇻⇻
In the parlor room, the Archduke and his wife could not hide their nervousness throughout.
Among them, the Archduchess was particularly traumatized. She’s been sobbing uncontrollably since she saw Elena being kidnapped by the demonic beast.
The Archduke was the one who calmed her down by singing “My Daughter” in a husky voice and escorting her to the Duke’s residence.
In fact, the Archduke was befuddled and distressed as well.
He went hunting with an old friend when the demonic beast appeared and attacked the temporary camp, but by the time he arrived, it was already a complete disaster.
The Archduke had to carry a sword himself to evacuate and protect the nobles and others at the hunting competition because most of the people were unable to use Auror.
He could only afford to find his wife and daughter after slaying the demonic beasts who rushed into the temporary camp.
Fortunately, the knights he had assigned to his wife performed their duties and evacuated her to a safe place. However, they were unable to protect his daughter.
What a shock it was when the Archduchess told him Elena had been kidnapped by the demonic beast.
He wanted to find his daughter right away, but no one knew where she was or had seen the demon.
Still, he felt compelled to act, and he was about to dispatch knights to track them down when a knight sent by Caleb delivered the news. That he had returned Elena to the Duke’s mansion.
The Archduke and his wife went straight to the duke’s residence to look for Elena. However, he was waiting in the drawing room at the butler’s request because Elena was receiving treatment at the time.
As a result, the Archduke and his wife jumped up as soon as Caleb entered the room and began looking for Elena.
“How is my daughter doing? Is she all right? Or is she seriously injured?”
“There is no problem, so you can rest assured. The therapist assured me that there would be no sequelae, and that she would recover quickly.”
Caleb told the Archduke couple exactly what he had heard from the therapist. With a sigh of relief, the Archduke and his wife inquired.
“Is the child now awake? I was wondering if she was frightened.”
“She just fell asleep after taking the medicine prescribed by the therapist.”
“Is that so?”
After a brief pause, the Archduke opened his mouth.
“Come to think of it, I forgot to thank you. Thank you so much for saving my child. What would have happened if it hadn’t been for you……”
“No, it was my responsibility. Naturally, I would have done it.”
Caleb added, his eyes lowering. As if he were a sinner.
“That’s why I have no face to see both of you, including Elena. I’m sorry I put Elena in such danger.”
“No, never think that way. The child was able to live because of you.”
“Yes, you did a good job.”
The Archduchess spoke in husky tones, sweeping down her arms.
“On the contrary, it is on my side that I have no face. Because I couldn’t do anything despite being with the child. When I think about what happened to her after I was blocked by the knights…… uh, sob sob.”
“Don’t blame yourself. It was the same for me in that I was unable to protect the child.”
“But, uh, you were trying to evacuate the others. It was unavoidable, sob sob.”
“As you said, it was unavoidable.”
Caleb said quietly as he watched the Archduke and his wife console each other.
“If you want to see Elena, I’ll take you there.”
“No, it’s fine. I don’t want to wake her up because she has just fallen asleep. Still, I’d like to see her when she finally wakes up. So, may I remain here until then?”
“Yes, of course. You are welcome to stay as long as you like.”
“Thank you. Thank you very much.”
Caleb was repeatedly thanked by the Archduke by holding his hand.
“But how did you find our daughter?”
