Ch.158158. The Women

That evening.

The conversation progressed quite smoothly.

Both families agreed to support Deus Verdi and help find Dante’s Black Mages hiding within the kingdom.

If it had been simply a matter of cooperating with Deus, both sides might have shown reluctance, but the moment he revealed his plan to eliminate the Black Mages, their hesitation vanished.

Not only did they harbor animosity toward Black Mages, but eradicating them would also earn them strong support from the kingdom’s citizens.

The royal family would select the Zeronia and Bright families to hunt down the Black Mages who committed evil deeds.

The Zeronia family for swordsmanship and the Bright family for magic—a perfect combination.

In the end, Deia was disappointed that the weaknesses she had gathered ended up unused and tucked away in a corner.

‘Well, resolving things without drawing a sword is always best.’

She knew that persuasion was the best approach, but she still felt disappointed after working so hard to collect information.

While Deus Verdi, Ellan the head of the Bright family, and Giltea the head of the Zeronia family were in the banquet hall with bottles of alcohol discussing the future.

Deia slipped out and walked through the corridor. There were many clear differences from their mansion in Norsweden.

Unlike in Norsweden, where windows were thick to block the cold, gaps were obsessively sealed, and animal skin carpets retained heat.

Being in the hottest southern part of the kingdom, everything was the opposite.

The windows were thin, gaps were deliberately created to let heat escape, and the carpets and decorations were well-ventilated to avoid exposure to humidity and heat.

“Miss Deia.”

Hearing someone call her name from behind, Deia glanced back.

It was Edwon Bright, the second son of the Bright family whom she had met in the garden that morning.

She had been deliberately ignoring his advances, but now he seemed to have purposely followed her out of the banquet hall.

“What is it?”

Despite her curt response, Edwon raised the corner of his mouth as if finding her attitude cute.

In contrast, Deia’s lips turned downward, making no effort to hide her displeasure.

“If you’re feeling intoxicated, I’d be happy to escort you to your room.”

“…”

How ridiculous.

Since she was very young, Deia had been sensitive to human desires, especially male sexual desire.

That was because her crazy brother had constantly sexually harassed her and even tried to have relations with her.

Having felt his lustful gaze on her body rather than his food during countless meals.

‘This son of a…’

She barely managed to hold back the curse that threatened to escape her lips. Right now, Edwon’s eyes were filled with greed and desire.

She had spoken rudely during their first meeting to establish dominance, but there was no need to create conflict between members of families that had just agreed to cooperate.

Still, Deia wanted to pull out the magical gun hidden in her bosom and put a few holes in his head.

Just then.

“Excuse me, brother.”

Another voice came from behind, causing both of them to turn around simultaneously.

There stood Erika Bright, who had been absent from today’s banquet, in a respectful posture.

“I already made an appointment with my future sister-in-law. I have many things I’d like to know before married life.”

“You didn’t even attend the banquet, yet you have the nerve to… ahem.”

Edwon was about to harshly scold her but checked himself after glancing at Deia. Having been warned by Deus that morning in the garden not to treat Erika lightly, he was being extra cautious.

“Shall we go, Miss Deia?”

“…Yes.”

Though they hadn’t actually made any appointment, Deia decided to go along with it. She didn’t want to spend any more time with that man anyway.

After entering Erika’s room, Deia leaned against the closed door. She didn’t want to go any further inside.

“It seems a bit early to talk about married life.”

Despite Deia’s sarcastic remark, Erika responded without any emotional fluctuation.

“Yes, I know.”

She took it rather lightly.

That made Deia feel even more annoyed.

“I guess you’re not that deeply attached.”

As Deia threw out another jab, Erika stopped what she was preparing and stared at her.

The intensity of her gaze was so strong that Deia unconsciously shrank back a little.

“…Why, why are you looking at me like that?”

“I don’t know what you think, but my love for Deus is genuine.”

“Don’t call me sister-in-law.”

Deia snapped, knowing Erika had deliberately changed the way she addressed her, but Erika continued.

“That’s why I want him to be happy. Don’t you find Deus acting strange lately?”

“He’s always been strange, so…”

Deia shrugged and tried to change the subject, but Erika’s gaze wouldn’t let her go.

Finally, with a deep sigh, Deia gave the correct answer.

“It’s because of Findenai, isn’t it?”

From the invisible to the unspoken.

It must be because Findenai had disappeared, and she clearly had a significant impact on Deus.

“Yes. I can no longer bear to watch him pretend to be fine while he’s actually falling apart inside.”

“…She’s your fiancé.”

Deia sensed something off about Erika’s words. She had just openly expressed her affection for Deus, yet now she seemed to be supporting his relationship with another woman.

“Are you giving up?”

“I’m not giving up. No, I probably couldn’t.”

Erika answered calmly, though with a bitter smile.

“But it’s okay. I suppose this is just another kind of love.”

Most people wouldn’t call that love.

They’d call it giving up.

But strangely, Deia found herself empathizing with Erika’s feelings.

The idea of giving up because you love someone resonated with her in an odd way.

‘Because we’re family…’

Deia clenched her fist and asked.

“Is there anything I can help you with?”

“Hmm?”

Erika was a bit surprised by Deia’s sudden offer to help, but after thinking for a moment, she tentatively asked.

“I think I need help from your family without Deus knowing. I was going to do it alone, but I lack the resources.”

“Ah!”

The moment she heard this, Deia nodded with a smirk.

“That’s my specialty.”

Deia was pleased that she would finally be able to use the dirt she had on the Bright family, which had been gathering dust until now.

* * *

“Hoo.”

Cold breath escaped her lips, maintaining a subtle tension.

Before she knew it, Findenai had put a cigarette from her pocket to her mouth, and despite thinking it was a waste, she finally took out her lighter.

Pop.

Chiiik.

Though Deus disliked it, Findenai quite enjoyed the popping sound of opening the lighter.

When she told him this, Deus dismissed it, saying she didn’t like the sound itself but rather associated it with smoking.

‘What did he say again?’

Something about how it’s similar to ringing a bell before feeding a dog, making the dog expect food just from hearing the bell.

At the time, she had given him the middle finger with both hands because it was so annoying, but now it had become a fond memory.

“Hoo.”

Exhaling cigarette smoke, she shoved the lighter deep into her coat pocket.

Now she was wearing her old outfit from when she was the leader of the junkyard, rather than the revealing maid uniform.

Comparatively, she had worn this outfit much longer, yet it felt strangely awkward now.

Well, she’d get used to it again soon enough.

“Five left.”

Counting her remaining cigarettes out of habit, Findenai noticed a subtle hesitation in her fingertips.

She had smoked so much since coming back that the number had decreased significantly.

“Maybe I should quit.”

Even as she said this, Findenai took a long drag of her cigarette, feeling it not just with her nose and mouth but with her skin.

When she closed her eyes gently, she could recall when he had given her this cigarette.

Back when she had barely returned alive after crossing into the Republic of Clark.

The warmth of his embrace, though artificial, was unexpectedly comforting.

“Damn it.”

Take it easy, Findenai.

Scolding herself, she was about to throw the cigarette on the ground.

But since it was still long enough to be considered a half-smoked cigarette, she savored it to the end, inhaling deeply.

Watching the cigarette burn down, she felt as if her memories with him were disappearing too.

Her destination came into view.

A sign that read “Water Bottle Orphanage.”

When she had asked why it was named “Water Bottle,” her friend’s bright smile came to mind as she explained it was because she was an Aquarius.

The young female director of this place had a connection with Findenai, so before leaving for Griffin, she had entrusted the children from the junkyard to her care.

“…”

She remembered the orphanage being quite beautifully decorated when she last visited, but now it seemed to be shrouded in gray—perhaps because of the cloudy sky.

The lingering scent of blood that stung Findenai’s sensitive nose.

Not old blood, but blood that was flowing right now. Realizing this, Findenai tightened her grip on her axe and rushed inside.

Bang!

Findenai kicked the door open, her ragged coat fluttering. The children’s drawings that had decorated the entrance and corridors were stained with blood.

At the end of the corridor lay the body of a small child she knew.

“What the—?”

A man peeked his head out into the corridor. Though not a member of the Relief Corps, his uniform identified him as a soldier of the Republic.

Thwack!

He probably never thought those words would be his last.

The axe that left Findenai’s hand split the man’s forehead precisely, cutting his brain in half.

Hearing the commotion from inside, Findenai pulled out another axe hidden behind her waist.

“Right.”

She felt anger rising at seeing her friend’s orphanage destroyed like this.

Her body trembled with rage as she looked at the body of the little one who had once called her pretty.

Yet Findenai finally realized.

“This is my life.”

A life that’s cursed to be miserable.

Life is struggle.

And struggle is tragedy.

The woman fighting for freedom charged forward once more, gripping her axe.

* * *

Splash, splash.

With each step, blood puddles made sticky sounds. She passed through piles of uniformed corpses and entered the room where they had gathered.

“…You came?”

A woman greeted her from one corner of the room.

Though she appeared to have been tortured, she was completely naked, yet her skin was so covered in blood and wounds that it was barely visible.

“Muse.”

The young director of this orphanage and Findenai’s friend. She had been secretly helping the junkyard and thought she was well-hidden, but somehow she had been discovered.

Many questions arose, but there wasn’t enough time to ask them.

“Those, bastards. You killed them well. They were worse than animals.”

“…”

“I, didn’t… didn’t say anything. Where else can you find such an amazing woman?”

“I know.”

With each word, Muse’s breathing became more labored and she seemed to be collapsing, but she wouldn’t stop talking, and Findenai didn’t try to stop her.

“Sorry… I wanted to protect the children, but I couldn’t.”

“I’ll rescue them, so don’t worry.”

Coughing several times and spitting blood, Muse raised the corner of her mouth in a grin.

“Camp No. 1. They said they’re taking the children to that hell. I heard everything.”

“…”

“I stayed alive… just to tell you this…”

Giggling and laughing, Muse exhaled deeply. It seemed difficult for her to inhale again.

Slowly placing her hand on Muse’s shoulder, Findenai expressed gratitude for her determination, but Muse looked back at Findenai and asked.

“Was Griffin… good?”

“Yeah, the sun, the wind, the clouds, the grass. Everything was nice.”

“Hehe, hehehe! I’m jealous. What did you do there?”

“…”

She hesitated at that question. But soon, with a bitter smile, she revealed her secret to her friend on her final journey.

“I fell in love.”

Muse’s eyes widened at the unexpected answer.

“Cough! Cough! Oh damn it!”

Criticizing her own condition with disbelief, Muse exhaled deeply.

“Why are you bringing up such an interesting topic now, you idiot?”

“I don’t know. What can I do about the timing?”

“Ah, damn… I was ready to die, but now because of you, I want to live.”

Findenai’s love story made Muse want to live again out of curiosity, but her breathing was gradually becoming fainter.

Her rough breathing slowly diminished to a gentle whisper.

“Let me meet that man too… to check if he’s… a good person…”

“No way. He’s so awesome you’d fall for him too.”

“I was planning to steal him… but you caught me.”

The two laughed incredulously. Muse slowly raised her hand and placed it on top of Findenai’s hand that rested on her shoulder.

“I’m going to… sleep for a bit. Prepare your… story.”

“Okay.”

“Findenai…”

Her fading voice contained tears for the first and last time.

“Please, take care of the children.”

As Muse’s touch gently slipped away, Findenai watched silently before slowly nodding with closed eyes.

“Yes, sleep well.”

Findenai took out a cigarette from her pocket. She had just thought about cutting back, but now she felt she couldn’t endure without smoking.

The thick cigarette smoke naturally enveloped Findenai and Muse.

It felt as if.

Deus Verdi was giving peace to Muse’s death, which made Findenai feel inexplicably lighter.

“Hoo.”

Now only four left.

But this one wasn’t a waste at all.

After staring blankly at her friend, Findenai suddenly stood up and grabbed her two axes.

Commotion from outside.

“Class 1 fugitive, terrorist Findenai! You’re surrounded, surrender peacefully!”

At the absurd warning, Findenai walked slowly outside with only a sneer on her lips.

The dogs of the Republic of Clark had rushed in and surrounded the orphanage.

Peace is a long, long sleep, they say.

Her friend had just closed her eyes, and with all this noise, she wouldn’t be able to sleep even if she tried.

Crunch.

She tightened her grip on the axes.

Through the transparent shields the enemies were holding, she could see her reflection.

White hair stained with blood and bloodstains on her cheeks.

And the Blood Tide gloves on her hands.

Gloves gifted by her master who knew her trait well—becoming stronger the longer a battle lasted.

Perhaps because of them.

Her body was still hot.

No, it had been like this all along.

Since crossing the Norsweden mountains and returning to the Republic of Clark.

Findenai felt as if her body heat hadn’t subsided, as if she had been constantly fighting.

Maybe that’s why.

Even seeing numbers that would normally make her flee, she exuded confidence.

“Have I ever fought this long before?”

Questioning herself, Findenai bit her lip and charged forward again, raising her axe high.

Life is struggle.

And Findenai grows stronger the longer the battle continues.

The barrage of bullets that came without warning couldn’t reach her, swept away by her storm of mana.

It was a technique she had learned in the Griffin Kingdom.

Making a great leap and landing in the center of the enemy, a whirlwind raged around Findenai.

“Surround her and beat her to death!”

“She’s a Class 1 fugitive! Just shoot to kill!”

“Whoever catches her gets a promotion!”

Findenai’s axes began to sink like teeth into the soldiers who charged forward without retreating.

How many hours had passed?

Findenai’s entire body was so covered in blood that she could barely see her surroundings.

Staggering through piles of corpses, Findenai walked down the blood-soaked path.

In the distance, she could see members of the junkyard she had left behind urgently approaching.

Exhaling hot breath but refusing to collapse, Findenai said:

“We’re going to Camp No. 1.”