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What is this?Mark gasped, unable to breathe. Something with immense, crushing pressure was gripping his skull. And right now, at this very moment, the pressure kept growing, as though his head would burst at any second.
Unable to bear it, Mark screamed. His grip loosened, and the girl he had taken hostage slipped from his arms.
“Let go, let this go!”
Mark panted desperately, feeling as if his brain would explode. Somehow, he managed to lift his head. What he met was a pair of cold, blood-red eyes.This guy…!
“Should I break it, Dana?” Rumie Windsor lifted the corners of his lips.
“Let go, let go of thissss!”
“Can I use violence now?”
“So noisy.” Rumie frowned and released Mark’s head.
The moment Mark was free—
His arm was twisted back. Or was it dislocated? He couldn’t tell.
Mark blinked. For a moment, he must have blacked out, because suddenly he was sitting on the ground. Only one of his arms was hanging limply, like the joint of a broken doll.
“See. I told you we should’ve just ripped one off from the start.”
Crunch. Something broke, and a searing pain flashed before his eyes. That was Mark’s last memory.
Rumie didn’t let go of Mark’s unconscious body. He clearly intended to finish him off. But Dana, sensing it, stepped forward.
“Don’t kill him.”
“Why? Because resolving things peacefully is your mission?” Rumie sarcastically responded. “Haven’t we come too far to talk about peace now?” His gaze shifted to the men lying shot on the ground. “I didn’t know you were so good at shooting. Who taught you?”
Dana didn’t answer. Her expression was calm, but her heart felt like it was about to burst. It was almost instinctive, given the oppressive aura crushing her. That came from the man before her, who could bend a human body like a twig with just one hand.
“It doesn’t matter. And that person, don’t kill him.”
“Why do you think?” Dana glared at Mark with deep contempt. “A death like that is far too merciful for that trash.”
“Yes. He should receive proper punishment first, then you may kill him afterward.” With that, Dana turned away. Then she commanded. “Come help me.”
“Aren’t you going to thank me for the help first?”
“Thank you. But now’s not the time.”
Luckily, Rumie didn’t play around this time and approached with an axe.Thud! Thud! Thud!Ridiculously, the massive tree that dozens of soldiers couldn’t make budge earlier began to lean after only a few of Rumie’s strikes.
It was the next moment.Thump!The tree’s trunk collapsed to the ground, shaking the earth.
And Dana finally saw it. Embedded in the center of the stump, a pitch-black, swirling core. At that moment, the black core wriggled and spewed out a thick, dark haze.
“Get back!” Dana quickly shielded Rumie and stretched out her hands.Ugh. She managed to block it.
What was rising was gray miasma, the foul, rotten stench of its energy.
Ah, it’s been a while.Her stomach churned. It felt like catching something hideous and disgusting with her bare hands.
Dirty. It’s filthy, so it must be cleaned. Completely, purely white…The moment she wished it, light burst from her fingertips. Her hair fluttered wildly in the scattering brilliance. She didn’t know how long it lasted. But when she finally opened her eyes, the black core had turned into a pure white orb.
It’s done.Dana had purified it completely, perfectly. Exhausted in an instant, she lowered her hands and lifted her head. “All done…”
Dana then flinched. It was because Rumie was staring straight at her.
“…Nothing.” He gave her a faint smile. “It’s just too blinding.”
“Move the wounded over here!”
“This side first! These injuries are worse!”
What’s happening?Allice curled up in a corner of the banquet hall, trembling.
Moments ago, the hall was filled with laughter. Handsome soldiers toasted in her honor, everyone talking, laughing, drinking, eating, dancing.
“Lady Allice, thank you for hosting this banquet!”
“To Lady Allice Windsor!”
Contrary to what Mark had said, the residents of the territory didn’t come. The banquet hall had been filled only with the border guards she had invited. But who cared? Everyone was having such a good time.
“Lady Allice, please dance with me too!”
“No, with me this time!”
But how did it turn into this? Suddenly, blood-soaked residents of the territory burst in.
“The barbarians have invaded!”
And at that moment, all the soldiers rushed out of the banquet hall, leaving Allice alone. Left behind were Allice, the tables full of exquisite food, and the wounded bleeding all over the floor.
“Aaah!No, Kane! Stay with me!” A middle-aged woman clutched a blood-covered boy, sobbing wildly. “No, no, noooo!”
It was so noisy. Allice crouched, covering her ears. And at that moment,
She was yanked to her feet by a strong force.
“What have you done?”
It was Count Kurs. He clutched his ribs in pain, gasping.
“What on earth, have you done,cough!”
“C-Count? Are you injured?”
“Lady Allice, answer me. What have you done!” Coughing blood, Count Kurs shouted. “Did you lure, all the border guards, to the banquet hall?”
“What? What are you talking about? I just―”
At that moment, Allice realized. Those stares. Everyone in the banquet hall was staring at her. Even the soldiers who had returned glared at her with distrust. They were the same soldiers whose eyes had once been full of warmth.
“You, Lady Allice, helped the barbarians invade!”
All the residents of the territory stared at her too, with anger, resentment, and blazing hatred.
Panicking, Allice stammered. “T-That’s not it.”
Why are they looking at me like that?
“I prepared this banquet for everyone.”
Yes, for them! I tried to make a happy day for all of them!
“Help the barbarians invade? I-I didn’t know anything about that.” Overwhelmed by injustice, Allice burst into tears. “Y-You’re all struggling to live in this harsh land. That’s why, that’s why I threw the party for everyone!”
“This is the border.” Count Kurs said with a completely exhausted face. His eyebrows twitched in pain. “The border we protect from the barbarians, those filthy northern tribes who worship demons!”
“I-I know! That’s why everyone must be exhausted from guarding the border!”
“So you brought all the soldiers into this banquet hall?!”
Count Kurs grabbed her shoulders tightly, making Allice flinch in terror.
“Because of Lady Allice, the border was left undefended! The barbarians took that chance to invade!”
“How is that my fault!” Allice cried out through her sobs. “I didn’t call the barbarians. So how is it my fault…”
It was at that moment.
“Lady Danae Windsor!”
Cheers were heard. It felt like a bright light pouring out from the deep darkness.
Allice turned her head toward where the people were looking.Ah…She involuntarily let out a groan.
A completely fair woman, as if born from the first snow, was walking in. And then,smack!A hot pain struck Allice’s cheek. Her head snapped to the side. Allice held her face, stunned.
“Return to the capital immediately, Allice Windsor.” Dana delivered her savage warning and turned away, as if that concluded everything.
“Count Kurs, are you alright?”
“Cough, cough,I’m fine, Lady Danae.”
“You were shot. Even if you were wearing armor underneath.”
“I think my ribs might actually be broken, but… Lady Danae!”
Count Kurs was startled. It was because Dana, who had been walking steadily, suddenly collapsed.
“Lady Danae! Are you alright!”
“Get a hold of yourself!”
“Saintess! W-What are you doing! Get a doctor now!”
Allice watched the scene blankly. The scene where Dana collapsed, and the panicked residents surrounding her.
No one was looking at Allice. Literally no one.