episode_0016

Bine began devising a strategy to overturn this disgraceful situation.

Unlike other fairy bloods who acted on childish instincts, Bine, born as a fairy princess, possessed a sharper mind than her compatriots.

To reign over all fairies and protect the rights of the fairy bloods.

“If I give power, the rope might break loose, but that rat is pinning me down so I can’t move. Same goes for my legs. That gun aiming straight at my head is annoying.”

Understanding the current situation was essential to form a perfect strategy.

“I can’t move my body to counterattack. In that case…”

“Cat! There’s a cat over there!”

“Since mice are scared of cats, if I lie that there’s a cat, they’ll be frightened!”

However, even with a brilliant mind, overcoming the childlike thinking and instincts of the fairy bloods was challenging.

“Ahh!”

Canteloupe, who had been gazing at Eliza with desire-filled eyes, jumped on Bine.

Taking advantage of the sudden opportunity, Bine rose up, using both arms to repeatedly strike Victor’s arm holding Bine’s leg with her fist.

“Argh!”

Unable to bear the pain, Victor released Bine’s leg. Freed, Bine got up, grabbing her head on the asphalt, alternately looking at Canteloupe, who was writhing like a beetle, and Eliza, who was staring blankly.

“What’s all this commotion about!”

Several militia members, belatedly brandishing their guns, burst out of the headquarters’ glass door. Nothing seemed amiss. It was typical for law enforcement to appear when everything was already over.

“Isn’t that Miss Canteloupe? What’s this new monster?”

A militia member, wearing a red scarf around his sweaty head, aimed a rifle at Bine, saying, “Rude. Humans as expected…”

“Fairy! She’s a fairy! No need to worry!”

Eliza interrupted Bine’s fairy superiority proclamation.

“…Seems like there’s no cat.”

As Canteloupe looked around, slowly rising up, although stray cats in Libreville were known to carry diseases and fleas to humans, there was no brave cat visible amidst the chaos.

“Miss Canteloupe! Are you alright!”

A militia member, wearing a worn-out bulletproof helmet, spoke up.

“Yes… I’m fine. Luckily, it seems there’s no cat.”

Embarrassed by Bine’s lie, Canteloupe blushed and responded to the militia member’s concern.

“Mice fear cats. It’s a natural truth you didn’t know?”

Glaring at Canteloupe with disdain, Bine crossed her arms.

“…I’m ashamed.”

Canteloupe weakly let her arms fall and looked down at the ground.

“Hey! The show’s over! Clear off!”

“Is the petite lady uninjured?”

“Victor? When did you return?”

The militia members dispersed the onlookers to handle the situation, some awkwardly watching the trio before losing interest and returning to their tasks.

“I’m fine, thank you for your concern.”

Eliza politely accepted the militia’s words and approached Canteloupe, who still had her head bowed.

“Miss Canteloupe.”

Bine took out a handkerchief from her pocket.

“I am Eliza Rusta, the proud son of Mireiyou Rusta.”

Canteloupe raised her head and faced Eliza.

“…Son?”

Perplexed, Canteloupe unfolded the handkerchief, revealing its contents to Eliza.

“I have brought a token that proves the bond you and your mother have built.”

The broken scalpel sparkled in the sunlight, asserting its presence.

“….”

Canteloupe silently gazed down at the scalpel.

“Canteloupe, could you please show me mercy? I am currently struggling in the swamp of misery. Despite my pride, I had to seek help as I couldn’t escape on my own.”

Canteloupe remembered the broken scalpel. It was one of the many scalpels used when dissecting Mirayu that day.

Before Mirayu left Libra, Canteloupe gifted her the broken scalpel.

“Remember our love.”

Mirayu smiled and promised to remember, taking the scalpel with her.

“I thought I was going crazy when you sent a letter saying you got married.”

Canteloupe held the scalpel, reminiscing with eyes clouded by memories.

“I hated it. I hated your mother for promising to remember and then betraying us.

But still, I couldn’t give up on your mother. I… ”

Canteloupe barely managed to hold back the words ‘I couldn’t let go of someone so beautiful inside out.’

“…I was a pitiful captive enslaved by love.”

“Mirayu… You are truly cruel. You abandoned me, betrayed me, yet you pass on the child I bore in pain. Is it acceptable to exploit a symbol of love like this?”

A single tear streamed down Canteloupe’s emotional eyes.

“It’s wrong. It’s bad…”

Canteloupe wiped away tears with delicate hands, eventually breaking into sobs. Tiny tears like glass beads rolled down their face, falling onto the collarbone.

Victor and the militia members watched Canteloupe silently shedding tears with complex emotions.

“Why is everything turning out like this? Did I do something wrong?”

Eliza tried to maintain a serious expression but internally screamed at her colossal mistake.

“Hehehe….”

A stifled laughter, brimming with suppressed joy, tormented Canteloupe’s ears.

“You still love her despite knowing you’ve been abandoned? It seems like even your ability to discern right from wrong has been paralyzed.”

Vine openly mocked Canteloupe’s lingering love.

“Oh? Wait, what? Oh, I-I’m sorry, Canteloupe! There are times when Vine… lacks empathy towards others’ emotions…”

Startled by Vine’s harsh words, Eliza forgot her previous support for Vine and instead defended her.

“No, she’s right.”

Canteloupe spoke with a voice squeezed by agony.

“I am a fool. A fool who couldn’t give up even after being betrayed.

Memories of my first love made me a fool.

But it doesn’t matter.”

Saying so, Canteloupe faintly smiled at Vine.

“I won’t let go until I die.”

However, the tear-stained azure eyes showed no hint of a smile.

Canteloupe spoke and scanned the audience. Everyone stared at Canteloupe as if they couldn’t understand the unfolding situation.

Only Vine’s expression was icy cold, leaving Canteloupe clueless about her thoughts.

“Oh? Vine?”

Soon enough, Vine’s intentions became clear.

“What are you doing! Watch from afar!”

Vine embraced Eliza as if protecting her from Canteloupe. Startled, Eliza dropped the handkerchief and scalpel she was holding.

“Don’t break Elsa. You’ll shatter her into pieces and leave the remnants.”

She glared at Canteloupe as if threatening, saying those words.

Upon hearing this, something snapped within Canteloupe.

Kantloupe silently raised the revolver he had been holding in his right hand and aimed it upwards at Vine.

“V-Vine! I can’t breathe! Let me go! Kantloupe, please calm down too!”

Eliza screamed with her face buried in Vine’s ample chest.

“Members of the militia, a peaceful civilian is being threatened by an outsider. Please respond.”

Upon hearing Kantloupe’s words, the militia aimed at her.

“…I don’t understand why you’re aiming at me.”

Kantloupe, in turn, shifted his gaze to Victor, who was also aiming at him.

“Victor, it’s surprising to see you doing this as well. After taking in an orphan with nowhere else to go, do you intend to repay kindness with enmity?”

“I simply want to ensure everyone’s safety.”

Victor replied, still aiming the rifle at Kantloupe.

“Mr. Kantloupe, we would appreciate it if you lower your weapon. We don’t want things to escalate.”

A militia member wearing a scarf spoke on behalf of everyone.

“….”

Finally, Kantloupe suppressed his anger, lowered the muzzle, and simultaneously shouted, “Move! Emergency patient!”

The main gate of the militia opened, and three militia members rushed out. The one at the front was carrying someone Eliza knew well.

“…Maysa?”

Victor noticed Maysa being carried unconscious.

All eyes were fixed on Maysa, and Eliza took advantage of the distraction to slip away from Vine’s embrace.

Vine tried to grab her again, but Eliza shouted, “Stop!”

Seeing Eliza shout, Vine hesitated.

“Just once… give me a chance…”

With a tearful plea and a sad expression, Eliza begged for mercy from Vine.

“…Do as you wish.”

Seeing Eliza’s face, Vine’s resolve softened slightly, and he took a step back.

“….”

Feeling Kantloupe’s silent gaze on her, Eliza picked up a handkerchief and a scalpel.

“Hey!”

She then dropped the scalpel into a sewer hole.

The dropped scalpel disappeared into the darkness below.

“We don’t need such things!”

Eliza put on a determined expression and addressed Kantloupe.

“Mr. Kantloupe, I apologize. If I had known there was such a backstory, I wouldn’t have touched upon your trauma. Please forgive me. I will accept any punishment. So, won’t you give me one more chance? Not in my mother’s name, but in mine, Eliza Rusta’s name, I humbly ask for your help, Mr. Kantloupe. I don’t deny committing the unforgivable act of defying my mother’s wishes. However, to me…”

It was an absurd statement.

To try to brush past past events like this and even request help as originally intended.

“I left behind my mother and all my family in my hometown of Amehain. My close friends and mentors have also left me. On my way to meet you in Libra, I met kind people and a fairy who cares about me in a rough way, but…”

“You may stop now.”

Kantloupe interrupted Eliza.

“I will listen to your tragic story later.”

Eliza looked momentarily puzzled.

“Oh? Does that mean…?”

Color returned to her face gradually.

“Yes. I will help you.”

Kantloupe said kindly, smiling.

This time, it wasn’t a fake smile.

“You are just like Mirayu. Boldly seeking forgiveness despite honestly and shamelessly admitting your mistakes.”

Kantloupe chuckled.

“I fell for that aspect of Mirayu.”

A person who thought of themselves as the center of the world, pushing their arguments relentlessly. Yet, they readily admitted their faults and sincerely sought forgiveness.

Kantloupe loved that Mirayu.

“Eliza, child of Mirayu.”

Perhaps the gods, pitying the betrayed Kantloupe, sent Eliza to him.

“Let’s go to my house first and talk.”

Cantelroop willingly accepted her mercy.

Eliza grasped Cantelroop’s outstretched right hand with both of hers.

“Thank you. May blessings be upon your mercy.”

She said, and Eliza, perhaps relieved, burst into tears.

“…Even the serious Elza seems fine. Yeah.”

Vine liked Eliza’s serious and confident demeanor.

This was the original appearance of Eliza before her ego was destroyed. The noble eldest son with manners and dignity.

“But I still prefer the cute Elza.”

Vine muttered under his breath.

Cantelroop felt the bones and muscles of Eliza’s fingers that held his hand, the twitching tendons and pulsing veins.

‘…It must be beautiful. Being the child of Mireyu. There’s no way it wouldn’t be.’

When Cantelroop realized that milk was coming out of Eliza’s chest, he didn’t show a face burning with desire like Vine did when he found out, but the dark desire simmering inside him was no different from Vine’s at that moment.

As Eliza cried, she thought everything would be fine now, oblivious to the dream where Cantelroop cut open her belly and buried his face in the blood-stained organs, believing that everything would work out well now.