Ch.5050. Return (2)

“Siabel was severely injured…?”

The news of Siabel’s serious injury from the servant’s mouth was hard to believe.

No, Sword Expert isn’t just some nickname for kids having sword fights in neighborhood streets.

Those who proudly fight while drawing out their Sword Aura, even called the symbol of knighthood, are precisely Sword Experts.

Moreover, she’s skilled enough to be ranked between mid-B and A-grade if compared to Hunters on Earth.

I certainly saw with my own eyes how Siabel smoothly sliced through an Orc’s unnecessarily thick arm.

‘At the very least, she’s not someone who would get beaten up anywhere.’

It’s absurd that someone like her couldn’t properly handle cult followers and ended up severely injured.

It’s obvious there must be more to this story.

While I was thinking this…

What about Sione, who seemed to value her family members?

I glanced sideways at Sione’s profile.

‘…Tsk.’

Sione’s expression had long since turned cold.

Considering the quest about Sione and Siabel’s relationship that had been broken before…

It seemed they had finally broken their long silence and started getting close again.

How long has it been since they started talking like before, only to receive such news?

It was pitiful to see her trying desperately to keep the corners of her mouth from turning downward.

Trembling.

Though her expression had cooled and become completely static,

Sione’s hands were trembling slightly from the shocking news.

…She seems to be trying to hide it, but it’s all too visible despite her awkward attempt.

Feeling sorry for her, I gently took her trembling hand.

“Ray?”

“I hope I haven’t offended you.”

Sione looked down at our joined hands for a moment, then gripped mine weakly but firmly.

It seemed the servant had also noticed Sione’s trembling hands,

as he slightly bowed his head to me as if approving.

As if not wanting to miss this opportunity, Sione interlocked her fingers with mine and said:

“…Thank you.”

“It’s nothing.”

After saying that, Sione composed her emotions and faced the servant again.

“Do you know how my sister came to be severely injured?”

“I don’t know the details… but they said several Demonkin appeared.”

“Demonkin—”

Sione’s expression turned serious.

And for good reason.

Not just some pathetic demon worshippers, but Demonkin.

Those who sold their souls to demons and, in exchange for various human sacrifices and rituals, eventually became able to receive Magia from demons—Demonkin.

Not only are they historic ruffians who fight boldly and viciously with no attachment to their lives if it serves their purpose,

but they also imitate demonic techniques by accepting Magia, a power more ferocious than Mana.

Even with a long weapon piercing their heart, as long as they don’t lose consciousness, they’ll sink their sharp teeth into their enemy’s neck until the very end.

In the case of Demonkin… I too tended to avoid fighting them whenever possible.

If those bastards, driven mad by demonic fanaticism, were determined to kill someone, I can understand how Siabel ended up severely injured.

After being lost in deep thought for a moment, Sione spoke again.

“When did you say Siabel will arrive here?”

“She has passed through the walls and is almost here. Currently, the high priest and various workers are preparing to quickly move and treat Siabel and several soldiers.”

Sione nodded at his words.

“I understand. I’m sorry for keeping you so long. You may go now.”

“…I’ll see you next time.”

The servant bowed his head once more before hurriedly walking away.

After he left, Sione turned to me and said:

“I think it would be better to visit the garden another time. I want to see with my own eyes that my sister is returning…”

Since I was equally curious about Siabel’s condition, I agreed with Sione’s words.

Then, still holding my hand tightly, she began walking quickly like the servants we had seen earlier.

She seems to have calmed down somewhat, but I wonder how long she’ll keep holding my hand.

I tried to subtly withdraw my hand from hers.

But it was no use.

Sione immediately noticed my attempt and tightened her grip.

Really, does she see the people around here as mere scenery?

What good would come from it being known that she’s walking around holding hands with a servant like me?

“I think it would be better if you let go of my hand now.”

“…Can’t I hold it just a little longer?”

“There are more and more people around us. Too many eyes are watching.”

“Hmm… alright.”

Only then did Sione release my hand.

I completely ignored how she stared at my profile with a reluctant expression, as if she really didn’t want to let go.

We arrived at the entrance of the mansion.

The entrance was filled not with ordinary servants, but with workers preparing to move and treat the severely injured.

Moreover, Bronte was standing alone among them, blankly waiting for the carriage to arrive.

He must have heard the news about Siabel as well.

“Let’s get a bit closer.”

We also stood among the crowd, waiting for the carriage.

And not long after, a procession of carriages entered the estate.

Soldiers began to disembark from the carriages that filled the entrance.

“…Sister Siabel.”

Siabel also emerged from the carriage, supported by Diolia.

They said she was severely injured.

Indeed, Siabel’s appearance was far from normal.

Her armor was stained with dark red blood, whether her own or her enemies’, it was hard to tell. The strong iron smell was noticeable even from this distance.

Additionally, though she was conscious, her complexion was so haggard that she looked like she could collapse at any moment.

And her right arm—what on earth happened? It hung limply, dangling with every movement of her body.

Barely standing with Diolia’s support, she dragged her feet as she walked, looking as if she might fall at any moment.

‘This is much worse than I thought.’

It was amazing that she hadn’t lost consciousness.

Without extraordinary mental strength, she would have collapsed immediately.

‘And Diolia too.’

Diolia, who was supporting Siabel, was in no better condition.

As if showing they had been through intense battle,

her neatly arranged brown hair was now disheveled and messy.

Her face was full of fatigue and concern for Siabel despite the situation.

As I was watching them…

On the side, servants were bowing their heads, and someone was walking through them.

“…Mother has arrived.”

Ainel, whose usually calm expression was gone, replaced by worry and anger seeping through.

When she took in the sight of the battered Siabel,

Hissss—

Ainel’s characteristically emotionless expression cracked, and the corners of her mouth twisted.

An extremely cold and heavy atmosphere began to flow around Ainel.

In this situation, Siabel finally walked up to Ainel with Diolia’s support.

“Siabel.”

“Mother.”

Ignoring Ainel’s worried words, Siabel—

Thud.

She lowered herself as if collapsing, kneeling on one knee.

Without even the strength to lift her head and look at her mother properly, she spoke:

“I, Siabel Sianella, report that I have successfully completed the mission to search and eliminate the cult followers as per your orders… and have returned safely.”

Thump.

After reporting her return with a cracking voice, Siabel collapsed helplessly.

“…Foolish child.”

Ainel whispered, suppressing various emotions.

She turned her gaze away from Siabel and said:

“What are you all doing? Don’t just stand there watching, hurry and move Siabel for treatment.”

At her words, workers and priests rushed forward to treat and move her.

Ainel, who had been watching Siabel until she disappeared from sight,

turned to Diolia, who was kneeling beside where Siabel had been.

“Diolia.”

“Yes, Head of the Family.”

“What happened to make Siabel end up like this?”

After taking a deep breath, she gave her explanation.

“During the search… we were attacked by Demonkin.”

“Even if it was an attack, you should have been able to protect Siabel from one or two Demonkin.”

“There were seven in total.”

“…Seven Demonkin?”

“Yes, despite the sudden attack, the knights and I managed to handle four of them, but… they targeted Siabel persistently with coordinated attacks…”

Diolia bowed her head even lower at Ainel’s rebuke.

“I have no excuse. Please punish me.”

“I will discuss the details with you separately when I call for you, not here.”

“I will comply.”

Ainel said something to the female attendant and secretary who had appeared behind her,

and after seeing her bow her head, Ainel helped Diolia to her feet.

“Rest well until I call for you.”

Ainel Sianella, having roughly assessed the situation,

had somehow turned her head and was quietly staring in this direction.

Why is she suddenly looking over here?

I thought maybe she had spotted Sione, but…

No matter how I looked at it, Ainel was definitely looking directly at me.

Step, step.

With an ominous atmosphere, Ainel walked toward me, staring straight at me.

Why is she looking at me like that…?

I haven’t done anything suspicious since coming to the House of Sianella.

As anxiety began to sprout from this inexplicable attention,

Ainel, who had already reached me, quietly spoke:

“I was just about to call for you, so this is fortunate. I have something to discuss with you, so follow me.”

“…Me?”

Ainel nodded.

“By discussion, what do you—”

“I examined the Arachne you supposedly caught. But there was something strange.”

Ainel brought her lips close to my ear and whispered:

“Unlike Sione’s testimony that you simply thrust and twisted a sword into it, inside the Arachne’s head—”

Ainel’s penetrating eyes began to glow sharply, trying to discern my true nature.

“For some reason, there were traces of something that had ignited, burning and melting its insides.”

“So, what trick did you use, and what are you hiding?”

Her cold gaze pierced through me.

“Shouldn’t we have a talk about that?”