Chapter 24

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter Title: Chapter 121

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As soon as the transparent liquid touched his skin, Yurta screamed and collapsed on the spot.

"...Hahk, sis."

He seemed to be in considerable pain as he clutched his body, writhing like a crushed insect.

For some strange reason, watching him like that brought a twisted sense of satisfaction.

Even though I'd never taken pleasure in seeing someone suffer before.

What a bizarre feeling.

Why do I despise you this much?

"...Why."

Yurta asked, sounding bewildered.

"Dillon writhed in pain just like you."

I had no idea why I was so furious over Dillon, someone I'd only met a handful of times.

Getting tangled up with these brothers always drives me to act so irrationally.

"You still have no intention of lifting the curse, do you?"

"..."

He didn't answer.

"You and Dillon are both so damn stubborn. In the worst way possible."

"...That damn Dillon."

Yurta muttered wearily, burying his face in his knees.

Soon, his body began to tremble faintly.

When he lifted his head, I realized it wasn't just the pain causing it.

Yurta's eyes were red-rimmed.

"What do you have to be so aggrieved about?"

You and I could never be victims.

"...If Dillon had cursed me instead, you wouldn't have gone this far for my sake, would you, sis?"

Why was he asking about something that hadn't happened?

What a pointless question.

I no longer wanted to continue talking to Yurta.

As I tried to pull away, he grabbed my ankle.

And stared up at me with blazing eyes.

"...Do you think I'd let you go that easily... ngh?"

Even as he gasped from the agony burning through his body, he gripped my ankle tighter, like he was binding me.

"Let go, Yurta."

"...You planned this from the start, didn't you, sis?"

"I'm sorry for using you. But I don't regret it."

I roughly yanked my ankle free from his grasp.

"It's only fair that you feel it too."

I turned my back on him without a shred of hesitation, his wounded expression like that of a beast.

You don't deserve to feel pain.

"You're being deceived, sis!"

At that moment, Yurta cried out desperately, like a last-ditch struggle.

"Do you think Dillon is as good as you believe?"

I stopped in my tracks.

"I've shown you my darkest side, at least. But you have no idea how wicked he really is."

Was he trying to drive a wedge between us?

But did he even realize how utterly vile he looked right now, slandering someone else even in this moment?

"Everyone has a dark side. Why wouldn't Dillon have his contradictions and hypocrisies?"

"...You're only seeing what you want to see, hearing what you want to hear."

"It's not that. I just can't trust the words of someone who cursed his own brother."

Yurta looked like he had more to say, but to me, it all seemed futile.

It was the limit of a relationship built solely on suspicion, without even a sliver of trust.

"You'll realize it someday."

Even on the brink of death, he forced strength into his voice.

"That Dillon is not someone you can trust."

Hmm. Is he though?

I sneered at Yurta.

I didn't bother listening to any more of his nonsense and kept walking.

After cursing his own brother and plunging him into burning agony.

And now telling me not to trust that powerless, cursed brother? It was just ridiculous.

I left Yurta behind and wandered through the forest.

I wanted to glance back to see how far I'd gotten from him, but I couldn't bring myself to do it, afraid he might still be in my sight.

I just walked on silently.

Judging by how he hadn't caught up yet, the drug's effects must have been potent and long-lasting.

"This should be about the spot."

The meeting place I'd arranged with the Count.

Once you enter the forest and run straight, you hit a fork.

The Count had told me to take the right path.

There was supposed to be a massive tree that stood out like it pierced the sky, where I'd meet his knights.

Rihart had staged that insane farce accusing me of being a Demon Worshipper, so I had to play along too.

'I'll just say I'm a victim as well.'

I'd been kidnapped by Demon Worshippers and tortured nearly to death.

That should work.

I'd even come up with a rough reason why they were targeting me.

The Evantes family had been loyal to the imperial family for generations, a pillar propping up the throne for ages.

The Demon Worshippers naturally despised the imperial family for shunning them.

So, claiming they targeted me, Arjen's fiancée, as a warning made for a pretty plausible story.

Besides, those cultists didn't exactly act rationally anyway.

'The Count's knights should be here to pick me up soon.'

<Please send knights you trust, Count. And have them testify that I was badly injured when they found me.>

That's what I'd asked him.

Time for me to put on my own little act.

What a hassle.

I brushed aside dry branches with my hand and scanned the surroundings. How much farther did I have to go?

At that moment, I heard a dull snap from behind as a branch broke underfoot.

Sensing a presence I'd never felt before, I whirled around in surprise.

Was it Yurta chasing me?

But when I looked, no one was there.

Only dry branches swayed eerily in the wind.

'Am I just too on edge and imagining things?'

Maybe.

I turned back and continued on my way.

Not long after, I heard the rustle of fabric brushing leaves behind me, followed by the sound of disturbed soil rolling underfoot.

Then snap. Another clear branch-cracking sound echoed through the forest.

'Not my imagination.'

Someone was following me.

Who?

I stealthily drew the dagger I'd hidden in my bosom for protection and turned around.

Sure enough. No one was there.

Then what the hell?

<The northern lands are cold and barren, and the forests are no different. There's nothing worth mining, so hardly anyone comes here.>

The Count had assured me I wouldn't run into anyone on the way to the meeting spot.

So who could it be...?

An ominous chill washed over me, urging me to run.

The instant I faced forward to bolt, a pale hand shot out from thin air.

"Agh!"

It happened so suddenly I couldn't resist at all and tumbled to the ground.

The assailant didn't miss the opening and lunged at me.

I tried to crawl away, but they seized my throat first.

I couldn't move an inch.

They wore a robe that shrouded their entire body, revealing only their lower face. I had no clue who it was.

"Urk... ngh... let go! Gah!"

As I screamed for them to release me, the attacker began throttling me viciously.

I clawed at their hands and thrashed to break free, but they didn't budge.

My vision whitened as my airway closed.

That's when I spotted the dagger that had fallen nearby.

I stretched desperately toward it.

The assailant leaned in, putting more force into cutting off my breath for good.

In that instant, I caught a glimpse of pink hair spilling from under the woman's hood.

'Pink...?'

The same color as mine.

Why?

Memories flashed of the Persen Territory doctor and nobles gasping in shock upon seeing me.

No way. My heart sank with dread. Clinging to my fading consciousness, I reached out with trembling hands and yanked off the woman's hood.

Flutter.

The hood fell back, moonlight illuminating her face. I froze, unable to even scream.

A face I knew all too well.

A face I could never forget was right here.

A face that shouldn't be here at all.

The shock was so profound I forgot I was on the verge of death.

Pure terror crawled up my spine.

"...Has my body served you well all this time?"

Her voice sent chills down my spine.

"Then die."

"She hasn't come?"

The knights nodded silently at the Count's grim words.

They'd waited hours at the rendezvous point, but Rozhi never showed.

Had something gone wrong?

"Wait a bit longer. Send out discreet search parties for now."

He hoped it was just a delay.

The Count prayed his wish would come true.

But a day passed, then two, and still no sign of Rozhi.

Anywhere.

And then trouble erupted elsewhere.

"My lord Count! The Demon Worshippers have attacked!"

Rihart grew anxious.

From the moment Rozhi fled, he'd sensed the plan going awry.

Even with the Demon Worshippers invading, she remained missing.

He had no idea what connection she had to them.

That uncertainty made him more restless.

Had they taken her?

A torrent of theories flooded his mind. In the end, Rihart left the castle.

To find Rozhi.

At that point, he never imagined he'd find her corpse.