Chapter Text
What methods can we use to determine the external temperature?
Should we rely on a thermometer, observe the weather conditions, or simply pay attention to how it feels outside?
While all techniques are useful, the most straightforward approach to determining the temperature is to watch how the smoke flows as you breathe.
That's what the homeless man thought when he watched the smoke swirl directly in front of him.
Walking at a deliberate pace along the street, he held onto his threadbare coat, praying it would protect him from the cold gusts. For him, the coat wasn't warm enough, but it was definitely preferable to having no coat at all.
He sighed as he thought about how good he had felt just a little while ago.
He had found a cozy alley at first, but after a few minutes, it was already taken by other people. What made it even more heartbreaking was that, despite being fewer in number and not as physically strong as some of the young men, their fighting skills surpassed his in many areas.
Consequently, he found himself aimlessly wandering in the cold.
Nonetheless, he successfully pulled out two compact wallets that had a little money in them. As he walked, he counted them smugly.
They took this poor man’s sleeping place, so I should also take a few cash from them as a fee.
However, because of the increasing darkness and stronger winds, it forced him to stop his counting. Then, to his astonishment, he found that he had ventured far into the forest just in search of somewhere to spend the night.
Damn it!!!!! I should have paid attention to the road or should have been more careful. How could I possibly extricate myself from this dreadful circumstance now?
The man scrutinized his surroundings and explored every route he believed might help him escape the forest. Despite having walked for more than an hour, the surroundings remained unchanged, filled with countless trees in every direction.
It got even worse as the sky became darker. It seemed like the perfect opportunity for the frightening and dangerous creatures rumored to inhabit the region to seek out the prey, and the consequences of crossing paths with them could leave one uncertain.
Out of nowhere, the man was engulfed by a sense of terror upon remembering the tales or cases of those who had previously visited or wandered in this forest and mysteriously disappeared.
"Keep your composure," he reminded himself. "I'll look for the way out faster, and nothing will happen."
Muttering a few words to comfort himself. With each careful step, a surge of hope washed over him when he came across a substantial house.
—————————
Vita was astonished as she stepped into the lavish mansion, surrounded by stunning furnishings and impressive appliances.
However, it wasn't that she was surprised by the grandeur and wealth here, nor was it that she was surprised to realize that a person could possess these things. Actually, she had seen such luxury for many and many years, which is why it didn't really take her by surprise at first.
So, what caught her off guard? Where did the surprise come from?
Vita was surprised for this simple reason. Why would such a rich man allow his daughter to be left in such a desolate, remote, and solitary place? And the place where Seele resided contained no other people, exclusively inhabited by her maids and guards.
Should she seek a residential area, it would likely require her a few days to identify one nearby.
What would lead him to allow his daughter to live in a place that is far removed from optimal care instead of letting his daughter live here and get the best support?
Because of the war?
It's not entirely accurate. It's not entirely accurate. Had the war been the cause, she wouldn't have to be separated by such a long distance.
Because of health concerns?
Furthermore, even more than that. Should health issues arise, Seele ought to have been in proximity to a hospital or arranged for a personal doctor to be on standby. From what she had witnessed and the time she had spent there, there was no reason why she would not have seen a doctor by Seele's side, taking care of her medicine and examining her. Besides that, she even felt like Seele was acting more like a doctor for everyone instead of being a patient.
However, in the absence of Seele's involvement in medical matters or illness, the responsibility would fall to the servants or Uncle Franz, their long-serving butler.
A puzzling question filled with uncertainty made Vita frown. Regardless of the circumstances, Vita planned to revisit this matter later. Right now, she should not be directing her attention to less significant issues.
When talking about Uncle Franz, Vita viewed Uncle Franz as someone who remained steadfast in his beliefs and was hard to change. The conversation they had a few days back revealed that.
After her conversation with Egon, Vita has been looking for Uncle Franz to gather more information about Seele's illness and the absence of the medication. No matter the situation, Uncle Franz consistently expressed the same sentiment.
“This has nothing to do with you, Vita.”
It wasn’t that she didn’t trust that Uncle Franz would manage this situation effectively. In reality, she understood that he would do whatever it takes for Seele. Vita observed the way he cared for Seele as if she were his own child, even though they didn't share a biological connection.
It was just that there wasn't much time left for Seele. She didn't know how much more Seele could handle if it continued for an extended period. And she also didn’t want to have to use the very last choice unless she had no other options.
Let's not worry about that issue right now.
Also, because of some information she had heard earlier, Vita believed that Uncle Franz might look for Seele's father to talk about the missing medication.
Therefore, this was Vita's sole opportunity to take action.
However, since waiting for Uncle Franz to accompany her to the man's house would take too long, it would be faster for her to find her own way.
After all, she had already picked up on some information about Seele's dear father, especially his address from the conversation between Uncle Franz and someone on the other end of the line, before they wrapped up and she walked in.
The only thing Vita had yet to do and never wanted to do before leaving was to say goodbye to Seele, even if it was just for a little while.
But hasn't she already said goodbye and left?
Closing her eyes, she pushed aside the thoughts and memories of the past. Vita walked down a long corridor.
As she strolled for a few minutes, she caught the sound of engaging discussions emanating from an enclosed room.
"Hasn't Mr. Adalhard’s work been on a downward spiral for over a few months?"
"I’ve heard that the involvement of Lady Isabella's family has led to him having to halt his work."
“Aren't they married??!!!! What might have prompted them to behave in that way?”
“Keep it low, I’ll tell you. You might be familiar with the fact that Sir Adalhard began his journey as a humble noble but elevated his status with the help of Lady Isabella, correct?”
“It came to my attention that Sir Adalhard modified his last name to Stolz, adopting the surname of Lady Isabella.”
“Have you come across the news that Sir Adalhard had an affair and has a child with a different woman while still married? The truth was revealed when it became known that he was discovered to have spent a large sum of money to buy something for that illegitimate child. Who knows how long Sir Adalhard spent that money, but it likely contributed to a significant argument they experienced a few months back.”
“Wait a minute, if they discovered this a few months ago, wouldn’t relying on the Stolz family's influence lead to an immediate failure of Sir Adalhard's business? If that's the case, then how is his business still operating?”
“I’ve been told that Sir Adalhard sought to express his regrets to Lady Isabella, and it looks like he may have pulled it off. That's why we're still here working; if we weren't, we would all lose our jobs.”
“But leaving that aside, wasn’t there an announcement that a new person was coming to try out today?”
Illegitimate child?
Vita remembered that Seele had said that her mother had died, indicating that the Lady Isabella they were referring to was not the same person. Plus, given that he had taken his wife's surname, it was unusual that Seele's father was not referred to as Vollerei.
These specifics and the concise discussion indicated that there were greater anxieties lurking beneath the surface.
However, she quickly dismissed the thought since her purpose wasn’t to investigate the family background of someone named Adalhard, and she had no interest in Seele’s true identity either. She should set those concerns aside for now. What we need to focus on at this moment is finding the medicine or knowing what it's made of. Or at least, she needed to identify the disease Seele was suffering from.
Once more, as she was leaving, what Vita really needed was to locate the person responsible for that box having Seele’s supply.
From the information that Uncle Franz had said over the phone, she knew the name of the person in charge of that box.
Only then could she find or ask about the medicinal ingredient that made up the medicine. If the person knew more about the disease, it would be even more beneficial for her.
Finding him might prove to be quite exhausting, but if he were employed here, the process would be considerably simpler. Should she be unable to locate him, she can just ask everyone where the person in charge is.
—————————
Easier said than done.
With no particular destination and no one in sight, the location felt void of life as she strolled. All of a sudden, Vita began to question whether the estate was too spacious or if there simply weren't enough servants and security personnel.
"I've warned you. Either you embrace this life or you're prepared to accept the loss of everything."
However, the sound of a dispute coming from the adjacent room piqued Vita's attention and curiosity.
“I…you know… I choose…this family.”
“Then don’t ask any more questions. I’m ready to help you with the matter you discussed. Additionally, keep in mind that our son is always seeking his father's attention, so please replicate the approach you took last time. I hope you won’t let me down like that again."
As the door gradually swung open, it exposed a fatigued man seated in a chair, while the woman in the doorway wore an expression of anger.
The woman's eyes narrowed as soon as she caught sight of a figure standing in front of the door. Not clad in a servant's uniform and unfamiliar to her, she scowled and shut the door behind her.
"Who are you? What is your purpose here?"
Seeing that the person in front of her didn't say anything made her even angrier. As she thought about calling the soldiers to catch the intruder, he saw the bright magenta color, and a strong sense of fear hit her.
“You…”
“Emelie?!!!”
A frightened servant hurried over and bowed to the woman, trembling with fear. Her voice trembled as well.
“Please forgive this girl, my lady. This is a newly recruited employee who is working on a temporary assessment basis. Her name is Emelie.”
“What is she doing here?”
A meticulous glance encountered Vita's eyes.
“A few minutes ago, a guard was occupied and pointed her towards Arman rather than assisting her personally. The head servant, Dova, was worried that Emelie might get lost, so she asked me to go find her.”
“Hm.”
Isabella anxiously observed Vita for a while; for some reason, she felt a sense of discomfort from the vibrant pink hue. Although she was somewhat uneasy, the woman simply nodded and walked away in silence.
The maid breathed a sigh of relief and then turned to remind Vita that the individual before her was Lady Isabella. She advised Vita to greet her should Vita meet her in the future.
Since Vita did not respond, the maid resolved to bring it up to her attention again. Nevertheless, the person standing next to her gave a friendly smile and signaled yes with a nod.
The way Vita conducted herself was quite opposite to the tranquility surrounding them just a few seconds ago, causing the maid to feel a bit bewildered and unsure if she had misinterpreted things.
"I understand, so should we head to Arman now?"
"Hm, his place needs some help, so I'll take you there."
"How fortunate I am; I also have something to look for him for. Thank you very much."
This sentence left the maid feeling somewhat odd, but she chose not to voice her discomfort and instead led Vita away. As she walked, her eyes discreetly glanced at Vita's attire, a hint of curiosity lingering.
It was only after the girl had turned away that her eyes opened with a glimmer, seeming to find what she had been seeking or as if she had spotted her prey.
—————————
“Arman, I have a new friend for you.”
The maid gently knocked on the wooden door to inform others of her arrival. Yet, there was silence, as no one showed up to answer the door. The maid lingered and gave the door another knock. This time, a middle-aged man emerged, clearly frustrated.
“Can’t you open the door by yourself? Hn? Who is this?”
He cast his eyes from the maid to Vita and returned to the maid as if seeking clarity about what was going on.
“Emelie, she’s the new maid here.”
“If that's the case, why isn't she dressed like everyone else?”
Arman gestured towards Vita's outfit, visibly annoyed, as he glanced at the two women near the door, who looked suspicious.
“Sorry for interrupting, but I can provide an explanation.”
Standing behind the maid with a friendly smile, Vita captured the attention of both of them.
“As this is my initial experience at this workplace, I'm in the process of familiarizing myself with the guidelines and dress code. Besides, a few minutes ago, the head maid, Dova, handed me two work uniforms to try on. But one was too big, and the other was too tight, so I ended up wearing my own clothes instead. Of course, I will certainly be patient until someone gives me a uniform next time or I find a uniform that is a good fit for me.”
Arman looked at the maid next to him, not quite sure and hoping she would help him feel more confident about what Vita said. But what he wanted was not what he discovered when the maid next to him stopped for a moment and looked a bit confused. Upon realizing that Arman was watching her, the maid quickly composed herself.
“My job was just to find her and bring her to you. As for the reason she said I can’t confirm, but it could be true.”
Although Arman observed Vita's appearance, he opted to disregard it because she was still grinning joyfully and showed no signs of being troubled by anything that occurred. The man exhaled deeply and moved to the side so that Vita could pass through.
“Whatever, I have work for you anyway, Emelie.”
—————————
Upon entering the shadowy room, Vita noticed that the only illumination came from a lamp suspended above, which oscillated slightly.
From her viewpoint, the room looked quite messy, with heaps of scrap metal lying around and old wooden boxes that had lost their color stacked in a corner on the left. Wooden shelves were lined up against the wall, holding jars of herbs and different foods like jam and butter.
However, what truly caught Vita's attention was the large furnace at the end of the room, which was open and engulfed in a blazing fire, seemingly eager to receive whatever was placed inside.
Yet, at that point in time, Vita didn’t consider any of these aspects to be important. The shadows in the room enveloped everything, causing visibility issues for numerous objects. But unfortunately, to Vita, they were nothing under her vision.
“Hey young lady, can you bring the things in the box beside me?” Arman requested.
Arman picked up a few old books and tossed them into the fire, causing the flames to intensify. Simultaneously, he instructed Vita to take out more books inside the box.
Yet, despite the books he held now consumed by fire, Vita still hadn’t turned back to give the man what he needed.
"Can't she see?" Arman pondered.
As he turned, he caught sight of the young girl watching a small wooden box that was veiled in black fabric, resting in the corner of the room.
He lifted himself up and walked towards Vita, taking in the scene around him. In an instant, he had a flashback to something he had forgotten.
“Oh! So, they are here? I must have forgotten to put them here. As I've aged, my memory isn't as sharp as it once was.”
With a sense of curiosity, Vita raised her eyes to Arman.
“They? Are these medicine bottles? Are these what you're looking for?" she inquired.
“You have a keen sense of observation, young one. You can tell what these things are just by looking at them? How interesting! Have you ever had any prior education in the field of medicine?”
He bent down and held a bottle of medicine, took off the cap, and revealed it to Vita.
“"It's not as simple as that, but at the very least, if we were discussing the knowledge of healing or identifying certain illnesses, then…..these are all here.”
Vita's tone was a mix of humor and seriousness as she held a pill from that bottle in her hand, observing it for a moment before pointing her index finger at her head and smiling as she concluded her thought.
The look on Arman's face indicated that he was intrigued and taken aback by Vita's level of confidence. The sound of laughter spread through the atmosphere, presenting Vita with a fresh challenge.
“Then guess what’s in that pill? If you can answer, I’ll grant you something within my ability.”
As proof of accepting the challenge, Vita picked it up and sniffed it for a moment before preparing to put it in her mouth and swallow it. Still, she came to a halt when Arman held onto Vita's hand to stop her.
“It's not safe, Emelie. Consuming it may lead to issues, and in the worst-case scenario, it could be fatal.”
“Issues?”
Vita was curious, putting down the pill, looking extremely puzzled when Arman stopped her.
“If it was the one from a few months ago, I would have let you have it. However, these pills already contain a tiny amount of arsenic. If you still value your life, it's better to stay away from it."
“What is the reason for using arsenic in these pills?”
“…Emelie, please avoid asking questions or expressing curiosity during your time here.”
All Arman could do for Vita was to remind her. Then he grabbed a few pill bottles with the intention of tossing them into the fire but stopped in his tracks due to the words he had heard.
“Was that ingredient added by Sir Adalhard?”
A lengthy silence filled the air until it was shattered by the sound of glass shattering against the furnace's interior. Without saying a word, Arman concentrated on the work that he needed to complete. However, he was interrupted once more as a voice pierced through the quiet.
This time, it was what the sentence was about.
“Four ingredients. Petals from Sankayou, fish scales from the Meerjungfrau, and a Shud root. The Shud root needs to be collected at the most appropriate time, when the moon is at its peak. Of course, the final ingredient, as you mentioned earlier, Arman. Is a little bit of arsenic.”
Vita, glancing at the bottles lined up on the shelf, took her time to list each ingredient with care, her fingers gently picking up an old bottle that contained something resembling severed tentacles and placing it in the cabinet.
In stark contrast to Vita's calm demeanor, Arman's face had turned pale, his grip on the vial of medicine shaking uncontrollably, as if he were uncertain whether to discard it in the incinerator or not.
“W….why….do you know….those ingredients?”
Not intimidated by the man's trepidation, Vita, on the contrary, put on an act of confusion. With a grin, she showed Arman the vial, encouraging him to take a closer look.
“Why? Maybe you accidentally revealed one of the ingredients, or maybe you forgot that you had to throw it away.”
The magenta eyes shone and looked right into Arman's soul, making him feel a shiver down his back.
“Could it be that your reward is so attractive that it compels me to chase it?”
Vita emitted a quiet laugh, and as she looked at the man's fearful demeanor, she became aware that he had lost control of his bladder.
“My answer is correct, so I will claim my reward. Don’t worry, I’ll just ask a few questions. And then you can be free.”
—————————
After taking Emelie to Arman, the maid sighed with relief and left. Even though there were some strange details in Emelie's last answer, she didn't think about them much. However, because of reflecting on the conversation, the maid unintentionally brushed against a face that was unfamiliar to her.
The girl was outfitted in maid attire. Her hair was a mix of gray and brown; she was quite tall, and her face radiated kindness.
The young lady with grayish-brown hair noticed that she had bumped into someone. She glanced downward and apologized, sharing that she was not familiar with the surroundings and had accidentally become lost. She wished that person would forgive her for being careless.
“Where do you want to go?”
The maid looked puzzled but also felt something uneasy rising in her heart.
“The head maid Dova instructed me to go to Arman's place, but the soldier's earlier directions suggested I should have turned here and then could see Arman. However, it doesn't match the initial description of the room in the corner, which makes me think I've gotten lost.”
The discomfort intensified as the maid's trembling voice revealed her departure from her usual serious demeanor.
“Tell me… What’s your name?”
The maid with gray-brown hair looked a little confused but still answered.
“I’m Emelie, Emelie Fischer.”
—————————
Although they were not standing close to each other, it wasn't Vita who approached him and threatened him. Instead, the girl had turned away, leaving the bottle in her hand where it was, and looked at the remaining bottles without any interest or concern.
Despite that, he was overwhelmed with fear and anxiety, causing him to tremble and fret about the potential outcomes.
“What…what do you want to….. ask?”
“Let’s see. I already know the ingredients of the medicine, where to take it, and how to take it. So, what about this question?”
Vita picked up another bottle and opened it.
“Who ordered the arsenic to be put in the medicine?”
“It was…..Sir Adal…..Adalhard.”
Her expression became dejected, leaving the bottle back in its original position. Her hand moved to the next bottle and did the same action as before.
“I heard you were responsible for delivering the package with the medicine. Why not let it go where it should?”
“It was…it was Lady Isabella’s order.”
“Why did she do that?”
“….”
The extended stillness caught the attention of the magenta, which turned its gaze toward the panicking man in front of it.
Arman experienced a deep sense of dread from just one look, feeling as though his blood had frozen. He understood then that if he didn't say anything, he would end up in a situation that he couldn't even picture.
“The ingredients for this medicine are very hard to find and cost a lot. Despite spending a considerable amount of money, it might still prove inadequate to get them. Additionally, Sir Adalhard’s financial situation is struggling, making it difficult for him to care for the child, especially maintaining the supply of medicine. That’s why he ordered arsenic to be added to the medicine to make that child leave quickly.”
With her hand coming to a halt, Arman was once again filled with fear, prompting him to quickly finish what he was saying.
“But Sir Adalhard didn't tell his wife that he had put arsenic in the medicine. So, when I was about to send it, Lady Isabella stopped it because she believed he still cared about the child.”
“"Then, why was half of it missing the last time?”
The despondent tone made Arman afraid and not dare to ask any questions that were rising in his heart.
Curiosity killed the cat.
This lesson was imparted to him through his experience of living in this place. As long as he complied with orders and remained silent, he would lead a peaceful life.
It became apparent when both Lady Isabella and Sir Adalhard tasked him without clarifying the reasons behind their requests.
“Because the situation was so difficult, Sir Adalhard pretended that half of it was stolen during the delivery.”
Still, Arman was not merely a robotic figure that complied with orders without reflecting on or understanding his master's feelings.
"Did they put arsenic in the medicine last time?"
In other words, Arman was not a loyal servant but a person who knew how to survive. He was someone who knew when to give in and when to fight back.
“Only this time.”
Once again, laughter filled the air, making Arman not dare to lift his head to look at the eyes above him.
“They taught you well. Or was it only your longing for life that transformed you into the person you are today, Arman?”
“…”
“Thank you for your cooperation. It saved me time before I embarked on my planned endeavor.”
A gentle breeze stirred, causing Arman to shut his eyes in anxiety, fearing that something unpleasant was about to occur.
To his surprise, nothing happened. The surroundings were very quiet, except for the sound of the fire crackling in the furnace.
When Arman carefully opened his eyes, he noticed that he was alone and was trembling seated beside the furnace.
—————————
An abandoned house concealed from view? Deep within the forest?
The homeless man, fueled by curiosity, strolled over only to realize that was not abandoned as he had thought. The evidence was undeniable: both the walls and the paint looked immaculate, and the weeds and other nearby elements had been thoroughly cleared away.
With his hand feeling cold and unsteady, he brought it up and pounded firmly on the door ahead of him. However, many times he attempted it, no one ever appeared.
Using force to open the door also proved ineffective.
It was still cold outside, leaving the homeless man a deep sense of helplessness as he searched for an alternative entrance around the substantial house.
Fortunately, he noticed a window nearby.
At least even though it was locked, there was a way to open it, unlike that damned main door.
After spotting a hefty rock, he hurled it inside and then carefully used his hand to unlock the door through the broken window.
After successfully unlocking and crawling inside, away from the biting cold outside, the homeless man was surprised to find the room cleaner than he had anticipated.
The tables and chairs sparkled with cleanliness, while the cabinets held a variety of books, meticulously arranged on shelves that were too elevated for him to view. Besides that, the letters on the covers of a few books were also difficult to read or understand.
The idea of sifting through this room for something valuable suddenly crossed his mind.
However, he swiftly altered his decision upon realizing that the only valuable items in the room were books.
Feeling a bit down, he approached the front door, looking forward to uncovering the secrets of the spacious house.
—————————
What does it feel like to hope for something?
Is it excitement? Happiness? Eagerness? Anticipation?
Aren't these all positive emotions people have?
Not really. Hope can be experienced even amidst negative emotions such as fear, sadness, hatred, and many others.
Do you disagree?
Hn? You shouldn't feel confused. I've only come across a small number of people who share this perspective.
It's natural for people to have disagreements and conflicts, as that's part of being human.
Let's see, I'm not very good at explaining my thoughts. But what about an example?
Consider this: when you find yourself trapped in a story you can't escape, do you give up and accept to stay in that world, even if it's not perfect as your world?
In the face of that crisis, the first thing you think is to find a way to escape from that place and return to the real world, or do you just hope that it is just a dream and you will wake up and pretend that nothing happened?
Don't think about other things. That's just an example; it may not resonate with your perspective, but for some, it does.
Never mind. I'm talking about the possibility of hope existing even in negative emotions, not just in positive ones.
Just like Pandora's box, it not only contained greed, jealousy, hatred, suspicion, pain, anger, revenge, desire, and despair, but also hope.
Nevertheless, irrespective of the nature of these emotions, the key feeling was ultimately one of "expectation".
Expecting something to happen from that hope.
But it reminded me of something else I had heard.
"The more expectation, the more disappointment."
And it happened to me.
…….
That day was a rainy day when she returned from a long trip, filled with hope that she would reunite with her Seele.
The feeling of longing, the anticipation of seeing her smile and voice, the desire to feel the warmth she had left behind.
Even though she had said she would be away for only three weeks, the medications Seele needed were in her bag, which took longer to handle than she had planned.
She had hoped to return earlier than she had mentioned, but it simply wasn't possible.
At the very least, she guaranteed that she wouldn’t take longer than three weeks, and she fulfilled that assurance.
But what awaited her at the end of this arduous journey? What awaited her as she tried to fulfill her promise?
Did she merely witness from afar the person she loved teetering at the brink of a cliff, while the waves below seemed eager to pull her in?
Or were these creatures merely enjoying themselves at the expense of her soul's safety?
No matter what it was, it became a terrifying nightmare that she couldn't escape, despite her efforts to erase it from her mind. It made her feel powerless, unable to help her lover, who was falling and going deeper into the ocean.
With fierce winds and rumbling thunder, the torrential rain made it seem as if nature was expressing its anger. Amidst the towering ocean waves, she discovered Seele and successfully rescued her from the water, snatching her back from the ocean, from the father of the ocean.
But her “soul” was no longer there. The coldness that she was familiar with had now enveloped Seele’s body.
How would it feel when the pain echoed in her mind and body as she felt she had lost her Seele?
“Seele, I’m back.”
How would it feel to realize that she was no longer sane enough to accept this truth?
“Did we agree to promise each other?”
How would she cope with the heavy feelings that engulfed her when she came to terms with the fact that she would no longer hear that voice?
“You promised that you would wait for me. Why did you go back on your word and not fulfill your promise, Seele?”
A hand gently caressed her sleeping face, whispering words conveying a sense of anger, but all that resonated was sorrow.
“You failed to uphold your promise, yet you're asking me to fulfill mine. It seems like you can be somewhat egocentric.”
The only response they received was the crashing of waves against them, accompanied by the sky's thunderous cries as if it were yelling.
“But don't worry; even if you broke that promise first, I promise I will keep my word.”
The noise of the waves was forceful and vibrant, almost as though they were questioning why.
“Why? I told you, because you are the “soul” I have always been looking for. And I will become your “life.”
In the darkness, the magenta eyes shone intensely as thunder rumbled loudly.
—————————
This house was indeed as large as the man had anticipated. Not only that, the space was impeccably clean and dust-free, reflecting the owner’s effort to maintain a tidy environment.
However, the valuable things he sought turned out to be nothing more than some old paintings hanging on the walls and a few vases scattered around the room. Due to their bulkiness and heaviness, carrying them proved challenging, which made the man feel unhappy and disappointed about having to leave them behind.
When he got to the room located at the far end of the corridor, he turned the knob to unlock the door. Much to his astonishment, the door was unlocked, unlike the other rooms he had encountered.
Driven by curiosity, he wandered into the room and was shocked by the view before him.
A small museum?
The meticulously displayed items on the stands, accompanied by small notes, brought a sense of disappointment to the man. He desired to be able to read its language in order to grasp the meaning of the messages.
However, the objects here were not of great value to him. In their collection, they possessed an hourglass filled with a substance that wasn't sand, a feather from a peacock, a crimson jewel, and many other strange objects.
Now, if you asked why he didn't take the gem, was it because it wasn't real?
The answer is no.
The homeless man had planned to take it, but as he was about to touch it, he felt a searing heat radiating from within. Although the heat caused him to hesitate, his insatiable craving for more compelled him to overlook the overwhelming heat and continue to extend his hand to touch it.
Unfortunately, with one touch, he quickly pulled his hand back.
He was scared by what he felt.
The gem was soft and somewhat elastic, as though it were not of stone but of some otherworldly nature. Besides that, the substance from the gem that came into contact with him left his hand feeling gooey and tacky, prompting him to curse and abandon the thought of taking it.
Of course, there were several unusual objects located within. Nonetheless, he showed no interest and walked off, making his way directly to the floor above.
—————————
“Hey, I told you to lighten up. Get some rest early. Tomorrow will still be a long journey..."
Yet, an irritated voice interrupted the careless remarks made by his companion.
“Garit, shut up. We’ve already lost one person; just leave Mimoun alone.”
But in response, there was only mockery and laughter.
“It’s because he’s incompetent. He was exploited by those who lacked strength, experienced some pain, and ultimately passed away. He accomplished nothing. I've already said that this has been occurring for two days. You guys might as well let it go and not think about it anymore.”
Mimoun was seated silently in the chair, paying close attention to the words being spoken. His response was nothing more than a faint mumble.
“Initially, we made the choice to allow that girl to succumb to her illness. It's different than that.”
Upon hearing those words, the hefty person beside him swiftly abandoned his attempt to grab the beer. He slammed his hand on the table, producing a loud noise that captured everyone's focus.
“From the beginning, I warned you that Kaiser’s strategy of waiting for that child to die was ineffective, but you chose not to heed my advice. My concerns fell on deaf ears. Now look, we’ve been waiting for three weeks, but what was happening? That damn child was still breathing, and the old man had returned, forcing us to leave. Had we adhered to the plan laid out by our master from the beginning, we could have avoided wasting so many days in that dreadful place and the loss of our brother.”
A man leaned against the wall, looking tired and bored. With a sigh, he started speaking, and though his voice was soft, it had a menacing edge to it.
“Alright, Leopold. You’re right and I’m wrong, okay? Now, everyone, shut up and save your stamina for tomorrow.”
“I said….. Who are you?”
Just as Leopold was preparing to respond, he spotted a stranger seated in the corner of the room, eavesdropping on their conversation, as he glanced over at Kaiser.
At this moment, the question with a guarded tone rang out, and the surprise and confusion, as well as a bit of murderous intent from the rest of the group, appeared. They gazed at the strange newcomer, who was smiling at them as if nothing had happened.
“Come on, this story is a blast! Don’t stop. Just keep going.”
The magenta eyes opened, scanning each member of the room and sending a shiver of fear through everyone present. It felt as though an automatic caution had been set off, suggesting that a threat was imminent.
“Please continue; I'm really curious about what happened that night.”
Having spent more than ten years in combat and regularly risking his life, Kaiser finally encountered a moment where he truly feared for his life.
Who is she?
“I don’t know what you’re doing here and how you got here; now that you are, it seems like it's the end for you.”
Garit set aside his foolish fear and approached the girl, his eyes filed with lust as he observed her face and body.
“But I think you possess great beauty. How about one night in exchange for your life?”
The girl maintained her smile, yet her magenta eyes were not.
“Thanks, but I don’t need it.”
“Is that so? What a pity! But I do.”
In that instant, he attempted to touch the girl, only to have his hand cut off unexpectedly, leaving him in shock as blood gushed from the remaining stump. Garit howled in agony as the girl sprang to her feet, expertly dodging the blood that sprayed in all directions.
As the scene unfolded, everyone present began to freak out. A shiver traveled down their spines as they caught sight of the glowing pink eyes fixed on them.
If they did nothing, would they be the next victims?
Leopold approached and lifted his hands to demonstrate that he was unarmed.
“Listen, I'm uncertain about your needs, but we have an abundance of supplies here —cash, food, and drinks. You can take whatever you want from us. Even if you need this abandoned house, we’re willing to give it to you.”
Leopold took advantage of his height to obscure the girl’s vision ahead, ensuring that Kaiser and Mimoun could do something without her noticing them.
"Everything?"
The girl's cheerful expression vanished, leaving her with a surprised look. Instantly, it brightened with curiosity as she considered his offer.
"Yes, consider it our sincere intention to make amends if we've done anything to cause you unhappy."
"Oh? Then how about this? I'd like to see each of you make every effort to save yourselves."
The figure's magenta eyes met Leopold's with a strange combination of whimsy and chilliness, making him feel quite uneasy. However, when he caught a voice coming from behind, he understood that the moment had arrived.
"Leopold!!!!"
He quickly dodged his entire body away at the fastest speed possible as the sound of a gunshot rang out nearby. In a split second, the sound of a gunshot resounding closely behind. He rapidly dodged to the side, moving his whole body as quickly as possible.
Thankfully, the bullet did not hit him, and as he collapsed, Leopold could still hear the sound of another body striking the ground.
Good job!!!!
Yet, upon lifting his eyes to witness what had happened, he inhaled sharply in disbelief. A look of shock swept over his face as he caught sight of Garit, the person who had recently been shot by gunfire. Nearby, the girl observed with a mix of curiosity and pleasure as she noticed the frightened expressions on their faces.
“Never pull the trigger if your friend is positioned ahead of you. Is this an essential lesson that everyone should be aware of?”
“Wha….what the hell is going on? Kaiser, how dare you aim at Garit????!!!!!!”
Leopold's fury erupted upon realizing that Kaiser had targeted one of their own, specifically Garit's head. Blood oozed from the small hole in his head, while his eyes bulged with the pain that still lingered from the previous feeling.
“N…no… When the bullet flew out, she wasn’t there.”
Feeling increasingly anxious, Mimoun’s voice trembled when he saw that the magenta was fixedly gazing at him. Overwhelmed by fear, Mimoun spun around with the intent to escape. But the door refused to budge, exacerbating his inability to focus and allowing fear to consume his entire being. Until someone placed a hand on his, signaling him to cease his madness.
The terrified man slowly turned to face the ominous magenta, only to find the owner of those eyes smiling, whispering words of encouragement while handing him a small knife.
“Someone once said that a specific region of the brain is responsible for regulating fear responses. Do you know where it is?”
Holding the knife with a tight grip, Mimoun's fingers shook as he shook his head in fright.
“It’s located right in the hippocampus, right inside the temporal lobe.”
The girl with gray-brown hair joyfully indicated a place on her head while explaining something, and she ignored that Leopold was telling Mimoun to thrust a knife at her.
“To free yourself from the grip of fear or anxiety, you must tackle those feelings. It means that you need to take it out. Of course, I'm not going to force you. Just a quick note: the next few scenes are going to be somewhat more intense. If you can still endure those scenes, then just enjoy them at your own pace and don't feel compelled to do it.”
Although she edged back a bit, the girl's lively magenta eyes were still locked on Mimoun. Unable to withstand her stare any longer, the man gripped the small knife firmly. In a swift motion, the knife cut around his head, causing blood to begin flowing out. The excruciating pain caused his movements to become panicked. Moving swiftly and recklessly, Mimoun exacerbated the uneven cuts on his head, making them look worse.
Mimoun immediately used faster movements and without any precise points, causing the uneven cuts on the head to appear even more.
“Slow down; don’t rush. You're causing pain to yourself, Mimoun. Listen, put the knife back on that spot. That’s right, push down with greater force. Go ahead and shift it from the left to the right side. Exactly; just remember to press down firmly. Otherwise, you won’t be able to open your cranium.”
Leopold was horrified by Mimoun's obedience to the girl's instructions. What made the situation even more concerning was her lighthearted remark about the difficulty of opening the skull with that tool, especially after Mimoun had peeled away the skin from the head. and then she instructed him to use the drill that was presented on the table instead of the knife to do that.
Leopold now felt a desperate need to escape. Firstly, he was confused about when the drill had suddenly shown up. Secondly, Kaiser did nothing but stand there dumbfounded, watching the gruesome scene unfold. Thirdly, this room was filled with a number of strange happenings.
Leopold closed his eyes, unable to bear witness to the scene any longer.
He couldn’t tell how much time had passed, but when Mimoun finally opened the skull with the girl's guidance, Kaiser, who was watching intently, suddenly felt nauseous and vomited.
“That’s right, put your hand there. Can you feel how soft it is? Isn't it fascinating? Let's keep going; we’re almost done. Pick up the knife and set it down in this spot. No, no, slightly to the right. Be precise. However, from this point on, you have to do it by yourself, Mimoun. It’s only meaningful when you get your own fear out, right?”
The girl in front observed everything without averting her gaze, and her cheerful expression only intensified Leopold's fear.
The torment ended when Mimoun passed away while he was still not successfully taking out the thing that they called his “fear”.
The surroundings were serene and soundless, prompting Leopold to gaze silently at the girl before them. Much to his surprise, she seemed unhappy. On the contrary, there was only death from the magenta color that was covering the area.
Leopold suddenly remembered.
Oh? Then how about this? I'd like to see each of you make every effort to save yourselves.
Does she want them to struggle for their survival?
For what purpose?
To entertain her?
Or is there something more sinister at play?
Before he could understand, the voice interrupted once more, now speaking directly to Kaiser.
“I forgot, there are another two people here. Let’s see, Kaiser, you…”
Before she could finish talking, a shot was fired, and this time it was aimed straight at Kaiser’s head instead of anyone else.
Unfortunately, the bullet failed to kill him, instead only wounding Kaiser.
Could it be that his anxiety led him to fail in aiming his own head?
“How fortunate; I didn't expect you to take this action, Kaiser. I thought you were someone with a strong will to live, like Leopold.”
The magenta color swept towards Leopold, making him feel as though his turn was imminent. Sweat poured down his back, soaking him without him even noticing.
No matter how much he struggled, Leopold found himself unable to budge, with his legs feeling like they were composed of soft jelly.
The desire to escape, yet the inability to do so, left him feeling utterly helpless.
“I understand you're scared, so let's make things a bit easier. Think of this as a little gift for your great plan, Kaiser.”
The young girl took out a coin, held it in front of Kaiser, and spoke softly.
“It’s simple; if you answer correctly three times, you pass. With just one incorrect answer, death will spare you, but you'll be afflicted by insanity that stems from physical pain. It will consume your mind, leaving you unable to experience anything other than an intense desire to take your own life. Therefore, the recommendation is to be cautious about believing what you observe directly in front of you.”
She tossed the coin high into the air and caught it swiftly. The magenta color shone brightly in the night with a smile.
“Heads or Tails?”
“H…..no, it’s Tails.” With unsteady breaths and a shaky voice, Kaiser uttered.
With a melancholy sound, the hand slowly unfolded, exposing what had transpired.
“I regret to inform you that it's Heads. Let’s see, I only need one eye. Can you take it out, Kaiser?”
A piercing scream rang out as Kaiser clutched his trembling hand to his right eye and tore it from its socket, resulting in immense suffering. It was particularly distressing that the eye remained partially stuck instead of coming out entirely, intensifying the overall grossness of the situation. Blood gushed from the eye socket, and a portion of the eye protruded.
The scene left Leopold in shock, leading him to squeeze his eyes shut and quietly reassure himself that everything would be okay.
He couldn't understand why they were subjected to such torment.
Nevertheless, he had an inner awareness of what was going to occur. Once it's Kaiser’s turn, it will then be his.
Every painful shout from Kaiser intensified the feeling that the suffering would continue indefinitely.
And the end of that torture was the image of Kaiser's body no longer intact. He was missing an eye, an ear, a section of his heel, part of his left leg, and a hand, along with numerous other body parts.
Leopold realized that after losing for the tenth time, Kaiser was compelled to take off tiny pieces of his body each time he didn't win. Things shifted to a standstill the moment the girl revealed that Kaiser had triumphed three times.
But no matter what the result was, Kaiser's mind seemed unable to return to its normal state.
Perhaps the most fitting end for that man was death.
However, is there a possibility that he might die shortly, or will he need to endure this life for a while longer with that body?
That girl looked at Leopold with a smile on her face. But to Leopold, it seemed to convey something entirely different.
"Don't worry, I'm just asking some questions."
"What…do you…want to know?"
She placed her hand against one side of her cheek and observed Leopold's expression carefully, leaving him wondering what was going through the girl's mind.
“Who sent you here? All you have to do is tell the truth, and you can leave here safely.”
“…”
Laughter filled the air as his silence became his answer.
“It’s okay. If you don't want to talk, I can find out in other ways.”
A vacant look was cast in his direction, as if she were about to spring into action. But Leopold's unsteady voice halted her actions.
“It’s….Lady…..Isabella.”
“Huh?”
“We were ordered to come here and take her life. That’s all I know, plea….please spare me.” Leopold's words hung in the atmosphere, pleading for compassion.
The magenta eyes observed everything that unfolded exactly as it needed to, her tone soft and calming.
“Run. Run away from here, Leopold.”
He felt a weight lift off my shoulders once that girl said that. With great effort, Leopold attempted to stand and rushed out of the deserted house, each step heavy and labored. Even if he had no physical injuries, Leopold found it draining to witness his friends endure pain, which made it difficult for him to regain his spirits.
It was just a pity. Eager to break free, he didn’t pay attention to the words being spoken.
“Do you know what’s really exciting about letting your prey go? It's giving it the chance to think it has escaped and then taking away all its hope until the only thing that lingers is a feeling of despair. That’s right. Run away just like how you make her do it.”
The magenta eyes observed him sprinting rapidly into the night. Soon, a group of hungry wolves appeared out of nowhere and chased him, pushing him toward a steep cliff.
Stepping outside, the young girl sang a song that was incomprehensible to others, leaving behind a scene of horror and decay. She was unaware of how far she had walked until her steps faltered upon discovering a mutated corpse lying in her path. And then the young girl gazed at the towering cliff looming over her, filled with astonishment.
"No ocean in this area? It seems that a fall from this height would be quite painful, huh?"
The sky was shrouded in darkness and filled with the sound of thunder, as if it were signaling an approaching storm meant to wash away all the remaining dirt. However, for that girl, everything was far from over.
"What should we do next? Hmm, oh right, I should go see a few people.”
The girl chuckled softly as a few interesting ideas unexpectedly crossed her mind.
—————————
As he exited the peculiar room and headed straight upstairs, the homeless man found himself even more disinterested.
The upper floor had many rooms, yet they all had a similar appearance. In every room, there is a thick layer of dust on everything. This was in stark contrast to the level of cleanliness he had encountered previously. As a result, the man began to wonder if the occupants of the upper and lower floors were, in fact, the same person. Besides that, based on his assumption of the thick layer of dust, he surmised that these rooms hadn't been cleaned in ages.
Hundreds of years? That was just a funny comment. Who could possibly survive for such an extended period?
Nevertheless, apart from the dusty rooms, the upper hallway remained unexpectedly neat.
It seemed that a multi-room house might not be the ideal option for people who are not fond of cleaning.
As he approached the last room on his list, intending to open it, a noise emanated from downstairs, stirring both panic and curiosity within him.
What was that sound?
Curiously descending the stairs, he scanned the area but found no one. In a flash, he came to comprehend that the sound might be nothing more than an illusion created by his thoughts.
A sudden, booming clap of thunder from outside caught him off guard, yet he was not one to be easily frightened.
Thunder? Is it going to rain?
His expression was one of disinterest, signaling his boredom with the idea, yet he didn't let it occupy his thoughts. Just as he was about to ascend the stairs once more, the man's attention was immediately drawn to a book neatly arranged on a cabinet outside, one he had never noticed before.
He walked over and picked it up. It featured three large words and was decorated in blue. The man was unsure of what it was and unable to read it, so he placed it aside. At that point in time, a soft voice filled with song reached his ears from ahead. Driven by curiosity, he set aside his apprehension and approached the sound quietly, hoping not to attract anyone's attention.
He moved silently, taking care to avoid making any sounds. He kept at it until he uncovered a secret passageway. However, due to the lack of light on the path, he needed to depend on his other senses to guide him instead of his vision.
It was hard to tell how long it had taken, but the homeless man eventually arrived at the light at the secret passageway's end. He took a cautious glance inside and, just as he had anticipated, the homeowner was exactly where he thought she would be.
However, the unusual spectacle he was witnessing made it hard for him to get enough air. A giant white deer, which he estimated was two or three times the size of a typical deer, was on the ground and having difficulty breathing. Next to it was a young girl with gray-brown hair and a thoughtful demeanor. She just stared at the dying animal and did nothing, leaving him unsure of her thoughts.
In the next second, the girl calmly strolled over to the metal cabinet, opened it, and revealed several different test tubes inside, which made him not believe his eyes. It was unclear what the girl wanted to do, but as she turned around, she was seen holding a syringe, aiming it at a deer, and injecting a substance into the animal. A few moments later, the deer began to exhibit unusual symptoms, struggling to its death. However, the girl managed to hold it firmly, preventing it from rising and causing more trouble.
Yet, what caught the man's attention wasn't what was happening, but the surprising strength of the girl as she managed to restrain such a large deer, despite her seemingly vulnerable appearance. Furthermore, while the girl attempted to keep the animal under control, it was obvious she was injured, given the bloodstains that were visible on the floor. And upon closer inspection, he could notice a series of deep cuts on her attire, which was caused by that deer, even though it was only seen from afar.
Her blood continued to pour out, while the deer's body trembled uncontrollably. Time seemed to crawl until it appeared that the deer had come to a halt and was now lying motionless. Finally, the girl also retrieved another syringe from her blouse pocket and administered another injection to the creature to take some blood samples from the animal. Once she completed her work, she stood up and made her way to the white table on the opposite side.
Seeing the white deer lying still on the ground, the man felt uncertain about its condition. However, his main worry was centered on what the girl would do following that.
When his curious gaze turned to the person standing on the other side again, he experienced an unexpected shiver run through his blood. Indeed, he wasn't scared by what the girl did. Instead, he was taken aback by her striking magenta eyes that were fixed on him. They were filled with curiosity, excitement, and murderous intent. The man's fear and lack of safety compelled him to muster all his strength to turn his head and flee upward.
Using all his strength, he pushed through the narrow passage, emerging from the terrifying tunnel and heading towards the main door. Yet, despite his efforts, it remained stubbornly closed. Desperate to recall how he got here, he hurriedly returned to the initial path to find the room where the window had been broken. With feelings of anxiety and fear consuming him, he finally stumbled upon it, but much to his surprise, it was left completely inaccessible.
Why could it open before but is unable to do so now?
Infuriated by the door that wouldn’t budge, he found himself compelled to search for a place of safety. As he prepared to retreat back to the area behind him, he turned pale and abruptly changed direction after hearing the humming sound.
He ran up the stairs as fast as he could, not paying attention to what was going on around him. He opened a random, empty room with the intention of hiding there, but his plan was thwarted when the dust on the floor revealed the imprints of his shoes.
Cursing his own carelessness, he lost his sense of direction and began to frantically search for a hiding spot. Yet, no matter how hard he tried, the rooms he had previously opened were still deserted, covered in dust from years of neglect.
It wasn't until he rushed to the last room that the humming sound returned, its echo coming from the direction of the stairs. That single instance was enough to evoke fear within him. Because of that, he stepped through the doorway without acknowledging anything in his vicinity.
——————————
Adalhard stormed into the room, his emotions heightened by the distressing news that the home he had allowed Seele to reside in had been the site of a massacre. Up until this point, the whereabouts of those responsible were unknown, and there had been no updates regarding Seele's disappearance.
But, from what the survivors said, they saw that Seele was chased near a cliff. Considering her weakness and the awful weather that night, it seemed unlikely that she would pull through. There was no hope.
But what is the reason for choosing that particular place? Why does it have to be Seele?
In an unexpected moment, Adalhard thought back to his wife's statement from a few days ago, where she expressed her willingness to assist him with his troubles.
He exhaled slowly and reached out to toggle the light switch. As soon as he switched it on, the lights illuminated the room, revealing a person in a rotating chair. His expression reflected shock since he hadn't anticipated anyone would arrive here. The man focused his gaze on the young girl directly in front of him. His tone was both irritated and fatigued while he talked.
"Pardon me, young lady, but are you aware of your current location?"
Her tone was light, jovial, and playful, yet her eyes remained fixed on the documents spread out on the table. Her disregard action for him heightened his frustration even more.
“I know, I'm at the house of the Stolz family and taking a seat in the chair belonging to Mr. Adalhard.”
“Good, now get out of here. I have things to take care of.”
“In that case, there's no need for you to be concerned.”
In the midst of this, there were booming thunderclaps and bright lightning strikes, accompanied by heavy rain that created a lot of sound.
“Why?” Adalhard questioned assertively.
Ignoring Adalhard's question, she swept her hand across the stacks of papers on the table, inciting considerable anger in him. Witnessing the disrespectful behavior and the disregard for others, he opted to pursue a different method to resolve the issue. He stepped forward with his hands clenched. Unfortunately, after just a couple of steps, he heard a voice that caught him off guard, making him stop in his tracks.
“Once upon a time, in a faraway place, there was a girl belonging to a renowned and affluent family. In her teenage years, she carried a heavy load of responsibilities, notably extensive studying, which proved difficult for her to cope with. In an act of rebellion, she stealthily departed from home.”
The woman tossed aside each report without a second thought. She stared vacantly at her own actions while the man watched, bewildered.
“During her travels, she encountered a malicious group of thugs who planned to kidnap her. As in every tale, there comes a hero to rescue his princess. Indeed, the outcome was that she fell deeply in love with this hero, and together, they overcame every obstacle, much like in a fairy tale.”
“You…”
Adalhard's expression turned suspicious, intending to dismiss this absurd narrative, but the girl silently gestured for him to hush by placing her finger over her lips. Her eyes, a deep shade of magenta, narrowed with a predatory intensity, causing him to involuntarily step back in fear.
“Such a tale is reserved for romantic love stories, not this one. The entire scenario, from the antagonists to the hero swooping in to save the girl at the perfect moment, can only unfold with careful forethought and arrangement. Tell me, who orchestrated this?”
A bead of sweat trickled down the man ahead of him, yet the girl facing him appeared completely unfazed.
“It is understandable for people living in an area where they are undervalued and poorly treated to desire a better life, irrespective of the means they employ to achieve it. It's regrettable that the benefits of their marriage are enjoyed solely by one partner, and he also had deep feelings for a different woman.”
The light laughter interrupted the tale, and instead of providing Adalhard with relief, it deepened his sense of unease.
“A clandestine affair brought forth a child named Seele. For him, a person who embodied both power and love, it was a perfect outcome. Still, destiny took an unexpected turn. It recognized that this individual was unworthy of a happy conclusion, leading it to strip away the one he cherished the most, thereby disrupting the balance.”
The sound of the rain became quite intense. From her vantage point, the young girl could observe the white rain blanketing everything in the outside world.
“What is all that remains? Wealth and power. If he lost these, what would he be left with? Nothing. For that reason, he felt compelled to uphold his viewpoint and did something to keep them, just as he had done in the past, no matter the effort required. Regrettably, Seele fell ill with the same disease as her mother, making it increasingly difficult to uphold their existing way of life.”
Sitting up, the girl observed him enduring suffering, noting the fear that lingered on his face and in his gaze.
“Things took a turn for the worse many years later when the man's wife discovered the truth. And as a result, he was faced with two choices.”
The young girl approached Adalhard, causing him to stumble backward. He retreated slightly, trying to create space between himself and the girl standing in front of him. However, ignoring his action, the girl gently placed a pill on the ground to his right.
“One side represents a child born outside of marriage, his sweet child, his true family.”
Then she placed a ring with an S-shaped engraving on the left side.
“And the other side represents his ambition, which symbolizes wealth and power.”
The magenta eyes looked up at the man with a cold yet smiling expression.
“Choosing wealth and power means that child will no longer be present, and he’ll experience a sense of freedom. Everything will go back to how it was before.”
Adalhard, filled with fear, gazed at the magenta eyes, struggling to identify the person in front of him who had taken Isabella's ring.
“But if you opt for Seele, the child born from a forbidden marriage, then he need not fret over matters of power. His sole concern should be her well-being. However, considering her personality, being with the father she loves seems like a joyous thing, so her health becomes secondary."
With a loud thunder and a flash of lightning, the lights in the room flickered dimly. Thankfully, they quickly resumed their normal state.
"It's a shame; for the father she adores, the choice seems clear. He will invariably select his initial preference. Not a feeling that doesn't provide any valuable insights."
"What do you want?"
Filled with apprehension, Adalhard directed his attention towards the pill and Isabella's ring that were placed before him.
"I'm simply curious about which one Mr. Adalhard will choose. In front of Mr. Adalhard is the pill I made by myself, and we are unaware of any harm it may cause until it's actually taken. Also, it represents your life. And next to it, as you guessed, is the ring belonging to Lady Isabella. It represents her life.”
His hand trembled as he became aware of what she was saying, even though she hadn’t completed her sentence.
“It’s simple: taking the pill means accepting the loss of your own life, while opting for the ring means sacrificing Lady Isabella. Your life or your power? Which will you choose to eliminate?”
Adalhard stared at the two choices laid out before him and felt a sense of fear. He was not stupid because he recognized both choices would ultimately lead to negative results.
Moreover, he was aware that there was a third option: to do nothing. However, if he didn't pick either option, who could say what the person in front of him might do? He gritted his teeth and remembered what happened before.
Since Isabella always had her ring on, the chances of losing it or having it stolen were quite low. The only possibility was that Isabella fell into her hands.
It was a difficult decision: sacrificing Isabella's life meant that he would undoubtedly face the wrath of the Stolz family, who would undoubtedly suspect him of her murder. Their fractured relationship made it clear that forgiveness was unlikely. The consequences of this choice were uncertain yet unavoidable.
On the other hand, taking the pill could put his life in danger. Nevertheless, Adalhard couldn't shake off the inquiry that lingered in his mind: why did she mention both non-poisonous and poisonous substances?
Could she be trying to distract him from his suspicions? Was this a way for the Stolz family to test his faith after what happened?
Should he take the risk?
Adalhard held the pill in his hand, pondering whether it was a good idea to swallow it. Yet, with conviction in his selection, he inserted it into his mouth and swallowed.
“Is that everything you have?”
His question came out smoothly, but it was met with an uproarious laugh in answer.
"It seems to me that you're giving this too much thought," she commented, her voice tinged with amusement. “I can see where your thoughts are headed. To make things clear, I have nothing to do with the Stolz family or anything related to them."
He stared in disbelief, his eyes growing large at what she told him. Quickly, he raised his hand, planning to stick his finger down his throat to make himself vomit. But it was already too late. The moment those magenta eyes were fixed on him, revealing his intentions, would intensify his anguish if he ended up regurgitating that pill.
“Why did you do this? What were your expectations regarding this outcome?”
Adalhard began to experience a stinging pain within himself. The agony was so overwhelming that it seemed to be tearing him apart on the inside.
“Your daughter previously made an introduction for you to her new friend. Can you bring that to mind?”
Instead of a reply, the room was filled with piercing screams of torment.
“She saved that person’s life, took care of her, and opened her home to her, doing so without asking for anything in return.”
The magenta eyes observed everything around her with a flat expression, revealing no feelings.
The decomposition started internally and gradually extended outward. The toxin gradually decimated every cell, resulting in agonizing pain that was nearly intolerable.
“However, according to that person's viewpoint, take an eye for an eye and a life for a life. You took away her life; your daughter could let it go, but that person is unable to do so. Hence, that individual returned with the sole intention of seeking revenge on you and your family.”
She shut her eyes to escape from the painful memories. A short while passed as she calmed herself, then she opened her eyes to take in her surroundings.
“Let's set that aside; we have more to do.”
Joyful noises echoed throughout the room, yet he found it difficult to concentrate on the happenings around him and what she was saying.
“In return for the noble sacrifice of Mr. Adalhard, I will no longer pursue Lady Isabella or your bloodline. However, should your descendants approach me, I won't take responsibility for giving them a desire to end their lives. Fortunately, the only one capable of saving them is Seele. Remember, when it was raining like this and a blue butterfly flew past. It was her special gift to all of you.”
With the rain pounding harder, a deafening thunder struck, enveloping the surroundings in darkness.
—————————
The man, gasping for breath, attempted to lock the door but was unable to do so.
There was neither a lock nor a key available.
He turned around, his eyes scanning the room as if searching for something to block the door. It didn't take long to realize that this room was unlike any of the others. The room was tidy and cozy, a stark contrast to the other frigid and dusty rooms.
However, what truly surprised him, though it also made him feel a bit uneasy, was the presence of a figure in the room. Peacefully resting on the blue-and-white bedding was a girl with long, dark blue-black hair. It was as if nothing would disturb her peaceful sleep.
Although her complexion was slightly pallid, it didn't diminish the warmth that enveloped the man as he gazed upon her.
This breathtaking sight made his heart start beating rapidly all at once.
A pure soul devoid of all impurities of karma.
He felt an intense urge to reach out and touch that soul as he looked at her peacefully sleeping.
The intention is to protect her rather than to cause her harm.
Yet, just prior to his motion, an icy feeling enveloped his mind, causing him to freeze in place.
"It's disrespectful to enter a sleeping girl's room without her permission. I trust that you understand that."
The girl with gray-brown hair leaned against the door in the hallway, observing the scene before her. The magenta eyes did not hold back and radiated discomfort, causing him to move away from the girl sleeping on the bed. However, the girl with magenta eyes just strolled past the terrified man, settled on the opposite side of the bed, and observed the person who was dreaming peacefully. The homeless man noticed those eyes that were once filled with rage but had transformed into a gentle and warm gaze.
Nevertheless, his anxiety escalated again as he caught sight of the extensive split in her left sleeve. Blood streamed from the wound, signaling that it was a significant injury. Why is there no wound there now?
The lingering sensation that he was not in a dream wouldn't fade away, especially since the actual blood stains and the rips in the blouse and shirt suggested that it was not all just in his mind.
"Run."
Startled, the man instantly felt the looming presence of death as he met the gaze of the magenta hue.
"Run for your life; I don’t want any of your blood staining this room."
There was something in his gut that told him this was the only place he would be safe, yet the threat and the sense of impending death made him unable to trust his instincts. Realizing that survival was his top priority, he hurriedly escaped without considering if the door was closed.
“"Seele, do you wish to save his life, like you did with that girl?”
Choosing to ignore the impolite action that he left the door open, Vita gazed through the window at the falling white rain and the blue butterfly that had recently flown away. After that, she turned around and gently caressed each part of Seele’s face, demonstrating how much she cared.
“But unfortunately, that promise is only for those who share a blood relation with your father. There are no exceptions to anyone else.”
As thunder resonated and lightning illuminated the sky, the world fell silent, save for the delicate whisper of rain.
“Why don't you try to stop me? Wake up and stop me to prevent more innocent lives from being affected, Seele.”
The whisper, filled with pain, echoed, yet no sound returned as Vita had anticipated. Closing her eyes, she fought to suppress the overwhelming sorrow that threatened to consume her. This was not the first time, but she was determined not to give up until she could awaken her Seele.
With a gentle kiss upon her lip, Vita whispered her good-night wish before setting off on a hunt.
“Süßer Traum, meine Seele.” (Sweet dream, my Seele.)
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In the darkness, piercing magenta eyes sparkled as thunder rumbled overhead. Not to mention, her expression conveyed unwavering determination and stability, signifying her commitment to her statements.
“I made a promise, and I will stick to it. It might not be what you expected, but who can say for certain? I said I would keep a promise, yet I didn't say what that promise was. When you break our promise, that will be the moment I bring you back. Whether you want it or not, you have no choice, meine Seele.”
Her magenta eyes displayed desire as she looked at Seele's neck. Without any hesitation, Vita leaned down and took a bite.
The thunder roared powerfully, merging with the crashing waves, as though both were expressing their discontent with the situation.
Then she shifted away from Seele's neck, leaning in to give a kiss that blended their blood together. The blood from Seele herself and the blood from the bite in her mouth.
That should have been the moment life was brought back from the dead.
But the soul refused to awaken.
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Amidst the darkness of night, the sky growled with thunder, and the downpour intensified, as if intent on drowning everything in its path.
No one had any idea about what had occurred.
But just today, a miracle occurred.
The girl, lost in her dreams, finally opened her eyes.
She stared off into the horizon and called out a name.
"Vita."
End chapter 4.
— End part 1 –