90
The ear-splitting scream didn't come from my mouth.
"M-Miss Luarel! Oh no, the burns are seve-, wait…?"
Mr. Hans, who had rushed over, suddenly stopped in his tracks.
Because I was tightly held in brother Mikard's arms, I couldn't see what was happening, but one thing was certain.
'Podong headbutted the pot!'
At the moment when the pot tilted dangerously, a fist-sized white bird shot out of my arms in an instant.
Then, with incredible force, it flipped the pot in the opposite direction.
[The Spirit King of Air, Shaparsi, lets out a hearty laugh.]
[Didn't I tell you? That I'd protect you at least once. Now, this little one has returned to Eden with all his remaining strength.]
No-! I didn't even get to say goodbye properly!
But that wasn't the most important thing right now.
'Just now… her skin changed!'
Wriggling around, I barely managed to poke my head out from brother Mikard's embrace, and I saw it.
Luarel's skin, which had turned red and blotchy from the splattered sugar water, suddenly… sank in, and then transformed into something else!
"But she definitely got burned… didn't she?"
Mr. Hans stuttered in confusion. The monstrous Luarel snapped back sharply.
"It didn't splatter. It almost did."
"Ah, r-right…?"
"Yep. It didn't splatter."
The monster-like Luarel firmly insisted again. Brother Mikard chuckled at the sight.
"Well, I'm just glad no one got hurt."
"Uh, yeah…"
"Yes, Hans. No one got hurt."
Still carrying me at his side like a bag, Brother Mikard walked over and patted Mr. Hans on the shoulder.
"But just in case, it's better if Luarel sees the physician."
"I'm a bit scared… Can't you come with me?"
Just before leaving the kitchen, Luarel pleaded like that.
But Brother Mikard simply shook his head with a gentle smile.
"Brother has to go to training now. If you were injured, it'd be a different story, but since you're fine, you'll be able to go alone."
"Okay…"
"And Shupetty, you should head back with Lina too."
But… are we really saying she didn't get hurt?
No way. She did get hurt.
"Lina, did you see it too?"
I held Lina's hand and looked up at her quietly. But Lina just fumed in silence, her face showing how upset she was.
"That was definitely on purpose! On purpose! The kind of pot you use on a table like that doesn't have a thick bottom. It could've easily been knocked over, and it was! I saw it all happen right next to me!"
Lina's face turned red, then pale, then red again.
Then she suddenly dropped to her knees and hugged me.
"If that had spilled on our young miss's head… if Young Master Mikard hadn't been there… I-I don't deserve to live. Even if someone ordered it, I should've ignored them and stayed by your side no matter what!"
"Lina… no wrong."
"No, it was my fault… truly. From now on, I won't take even a single step away from you, my lady. I swear on my life."
[The Spirit King of Emotion '■■■', says that a loyal maid will be rewarded for her devotion.]
[The Spirit King of Fire '■■■■■', says the sound of the war horn echoes.]
[The Spirit King of Water '■■■■', sheds tears of relief.]
[I'm just so glad you're not hurt, my baby……]
But really, I am okay.
Podong protected me. Brother Mikard protected me too.
And Brother Mikard saw what happened clearly just now. Even Mr. Hans thought something was odd.
As I nuzzled against Lina's embrace, I suddenly opened my eyes with determination.
"Lina, we're not going back to the room yet. Let's go to Grandpa."
"To the family head? That's a great idea. Even if it costs me my life, I need to report what just happened!"
"No, I will tell him."
I have a witness now!
And I've got evidence too.
Isn't this enough to bring down that monster?
Resolved, I turned toward the floor where the family head's office was.
And while I was at it, I'd give him this red ginseng-flavored jewel ring candy too!
***
'What do I do? What do I do? I just got caught. I'm sure I was caught!'
Clutching the bag of handmade candy to her chest, Luarel was practically kicked out of the kitchen. Now outside, she bit her fingernails like mad.
Forget the doctor!
There was no need to see one.
Because the moment she was burned, her body had automatically responded and regenerated a new layer of skin.
'Shit, no. No, this can't happen. Not like this…'
Mikard.
She had clearly seen the change in his expression.
He had definitely seen the moment her skin transformed.
'I deliberately waited for a time when Mikard wouldn't be in the mansion, so how did he show up?'
No, no, no!
That's not the most urgent issue right now.
'I have to make him eat it. That's the only option.'
The candy she held in her arms… was poisoned.
She had succeeded so far, all that was left was to give it to the family head.
Then she'd have to beg for her life, saying she only did what Velarion instructed her to.
'The family head's office. Where is it?'
They were supposed to meet tomorrow, but there was no time now.
She had to get there before Mikard did!
"Miss, is something the matter?"
"Please tell Grandpa that Luarel has come. I have a gift, I want to give him a present."
"The family head isn't someone you can see so casually, but… Understood. I'll inform him."
The attendant standing outside the office knocked on the door and went inside.
While waiting, Luarel took a deep breath and tried to calm herself.
'I mustn't look suspicious.'
I haven't been exposed yet.
I haven't been exposed yet.
Chanting that to herself, Luarel slowly closed her eyes and counted in her mind.
"You're in luck, the family head is having tea and said you may enter."
"Hooo…"
Exhaling deeply, Luarel quickly composed her expression.
Bright and cheerful.
After all, outwardly she was just a nine-year-old. As long as she didn't act suspiciously out of guilt, she wouldn't be doubted.
"Grandpa!"
"Come in, dear."
For now, they were alone in the office.
Most family heads were usually accompanied by someone, but for some reason, no one else was present.
She didn't know why, but that worked in her favor.
"What did my granddaughter bring today?"
"Candy! I made it with Shupetty. Brother Mikard helped too. Oh, and there was a maid named Lina."
In case she was cast out by Velarion, she would need to remain in Pashayen.
To do that, she needed to create other potential suspects besides herself.
Even now, Luarel was calculating rapidly. And at the same time, she felt pity for herself, for having to go this far just to survive.
What a wretched existence.
Some people gained power just by being born!
"Please try one."
"Candy, huh… It's been a long time since I've eaten anything like this."
But what if he doesn't eat it?
The elderly man, bathed in sunlight from behind, was already intimidating enough just by his size.
But the calm and dignified aura radiating from him made him even more overwhelming.
'If only I could consume an Awakened one too…'
But she was far too weak for that.
In front of an Awakened, she was nothing but prey.
'I've never tried it, but I know instinctively, I can't consume an Awakened. I mustn't.'
Why?
Suddenly, a loud question echoed from deep within Luarel.
'Who' said that to me?
'Who was it again…?'
There had been someone who smiled at her when she was just born, but she couldn't remember who it was.
Still, even now, look, her body was trembling all on its own.
She couldn't even meet his eyes.
"Why don't you eat some too?"
"I wanted to give it to you first, Grandpa. I have plenty of candy for myself!"
"You should have one too. I can't be the only one eating, can I?"
Damn old geezer!
Why can't he just shut up and eat it already!?
Luarel forced a smile as she averted her eyes slightly. And then, finally, the moment Galizard popped the candy into his mouth.
'Yes!'
Luarel's eyes sparkled with elation.
'Now all I have to do is get away. He'll die within 48 hours. I just need to find a way to contact Velarion in that time…!'
But then it happened.
"Guh… Kuh-heok…!"
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
.jpeg)
0 Comments