episode_0017

※Warning: Contains brutal scenes.※

Melian, The Emotionless Girl

“Wow… I can’t believe it came to this…” “Gasp… gasp… You little brat…!!”

Right… If life always went my way, would it be life at all? Absolutely not. My current state… I’m completely defeated by Artyun and lying on the ground. My greatsword is stuck in the floor next to me, and I’ve been cut across my abdomen, arms, and legs. They’re not severed, but… it still hurts so much because of the cuts… What’s more, Artyun was pressing his foot on my right arm, aiming his sword at me.

“You’re quite skilled… Where did you learn?” “Self-taught, mostly… So, you’re going to kill me in a final struggle?” “Hah… I wanted to hear at least one scream at the end, but you’re gutsy to the very last… So much so that it’s hard to believe two of my subordinates were cut down by you.”

As Artyun said, behind him lay two of his subordinates, brutally cut down and dead. I had managed to deal with them by drinking a potion of brute strength, but Artyun was seemingly a captain, so I couldn’t defeat him. It was, quite literally, a crushing defeat due to the difference in skill and experience.

“I apologize for calling you a pushover earlier. You certainly have experience… Though I’m not sure if you’re good at thinking.” “You insult me to the very end… The organization can be rebuilt! The slaves freed because of you? We can just cut them down! So now…!!”

The moment Artyun moved to strike me, something suddenly whizzed past his head. It was an arrow. Why an arrow, all of a sudden? I turned my head in the direction the arrow came from. Huh? That man?!

“Zeke! Are you alright!” “Rascal?! Weren’t you supposed to be escaping?!” “Tess is leading all the slaves! I came back because I was worried about you… What are you doing, acting so recklessly!”

You’re right. It seems Aria’s help wasn’t unnecessary after all… Rascal had found some clothes, it seemed, wearing black leather, and holding a crossbow in his hand… Wait. Artyun is distracted by Rascal, isn’t he?

“Hwaaahhp!!” “?!! You… you fiend!”

Now’s my chance, with Artyun distracted by Rascal! I quickly pushed my upper body up and stretched out my arm, successfully knocking Artyun’s sword out of his hand! And the moment Artyun’s gaze returned to me, Rascal threw his whole body into Artyun, pushing him away from me.

“Are you alright, Zeke!” “Yes… Ugh… It hurts… I should refrain from being so reckless next time… I guess I became arrogant…” “Your wounds aren’t deep, but there are many of them. We need to treat them quickly…” “Rascal! Beside you!!” “?!”

This is bad. Rascal was distracted by me and didn’t see Artyun rushing towards him at all. At my cry, Rascal saw Artyun charging furiously at him and blocked him with his whole body.

“Rascal… Didn’t you say you wouldn’t quietly become a slave… Why did you suddenly decide to escape…!!” “Boscah has fallen. I realized immediately upon hearing that news that I, who had lost my purpose for living, had a new one… This life… My new goal is to devote myself to them rather than atone as a slave, Artyun…!!” “Atonement? Hah! Do you think you have the right to say that when you hunted slaves?! You’re heartless, Rascal!”

Artyun struck Rascal’s face with his fist. Rascal reeled, covering his face with his hand, and Artyun continued to strike Rascal’s abdomen.

“Cough…!!” “If you thought I couldn’t handle a brawl, you were gravely mistaken! Do you think you can win just by ganging up on me!? You’d do well to abandon the idea of ruining Lobdom overnight, Rascal!!”

Artyun struck Rascal’s abdomen with his fist again. But at that moment, Rascal grabbed Artyun’s fist, which was close to his abdomen, with his right hand, and he, too, struck Artyun’s abdomen with his fist.

“Just because I use a crossbow doesn’t mean I can’t use my fists, Artyun!” *Damn it… It’s heartbreaking that I can’t do anything while those two are trading blows… Huff… It’s embarrassing, but… I have no choice, do I? Right, pride is useless in a life-or-death situation! Let’s do this!*

“Ariaaaa!!! Over here!!!” *I called out for Aria with all my might. But there was no other echo besides my own. What? Wasn’t Aria here? Just now, the Black Saintess…*

“Puhahahaha!!! You show off all that coolness, only to seek out the woman by your side at the end?! Asking a woman for help! How pathetic, little brat!!” “Agh…” “That Saintess can’t come here anyway! Because my loyal subordinate, the Fixer, will be dealing with her! So just give up heh-heheh-heck-heck?!”

*What was that? Artyun, who had been fighting Rascal, suddenly bounced away, slammed into the wall behind him, and passed out on the spot. What just happened? I don’t even have the strength to lift my upper body now, so I can’t possibly tell…*

“Heavens… Zeke-nim!” “Huh? You’re…?” *What is this? An angel? Beside me was a woman with long red hair and green clothes. She must be an angel. Because she had insect wings on her back. Now that I’m dying, I’m even seeing angels… Wait, insect wings?*

“Ugh… Could it be you, Riera…?” “Yes! I’m in human form, how did you… ” “Those wings… they didn’t disappear.” “Huh…? Oh.”

*Did you forget too? Riera realized she still had insect wings on her back and immediately made them disappear. But how is Riera in human form…? Noooooo!!*

“Brother! You’re alive! Waaahhh!!” “Aaaagh! Karina! It hurts! It hurts! Back up!” “Ah… Sorry…”

*Karina, truly worried about me, clung to my body, sobbing. Of course… it hurt because of my wounds! Once Karina got off me, I felt like I could breathe again. Huff… If Karina is here, it means Aria must be here too. But before that…*

“Karina. You said you were a girl.” “Wha… what? What are you talking about! I’m a boy!” “…I’ll hear that later. And why are you here, Riera?”

“I became a wandering bard… I happened to meet a Saintess who seemed to be in a broken state of mind, and I learned about the situation…” *So you were really twisted up knowing I was kidnapped, Aria… But why are you later than these two? While I was confronting Artyun, Aria was confronting Melian. Melian, who was blocking Melian’s swinging daggers with her gold staff, hadn’t noticed that the barrier at the entrance had been lifted. That’s why Karina and Riera were able to go search for Zeke while they were fighting.*

“That staff. Why is it so sturdy?” “I have no intention of telling you~ By the way, you’re fast, aren’t you?” “I am Artyun-nim’s Fixer. If I can’t move at this speed, I can never carry out Artyun-nim’s orders.”

“So what? As someone who adores Zeke-nim… I can never forgive a thief like you who kidnapped Zeke-nim.” *Aria charged at Melian, swinging her staff broadly. Melian then stuck a dagger into a crack in the nearby wall to dodge Aria’s attack. Aria then swung her staff again to attack Melian, and Melian quickly dodged to the side, pulling out another dagger from her pocket.*

“You are a cat, aren’t you~ A stubborn thieving cat needs to be beaten to death…” “I can’t gain Artyun-nim’s trust if I don’t deal with you.” “What you want is none of my business.”

*Aria swung her staff broadly again, attacking Melian. But Melian retreated, throwing a dagger at Aria to counterattack. Aria then swung her staff, deflecting the dagger Melian had thrown.*

“I don’t see any openings.” “Openings? There are plenty here?” *Aria swung her staff again, threatening Melian. Each time, Melian retreated, avoiding Aria’s attacks. Then, noticing something blocking her way behind her, she hastily looked back. Melian, unaware that Aria’s relentless attacks had driven her against a wall, quickly dodged to the side when she saw Aria trying to stab her with the tip of her staff.*

‘Gasp… gasp… Against the wall already…? Huh…?’ “Oh my… You truly are a thieving cat… Always dodging this way and that…” *Melian saw Aria’s staff effortlessly piercing the stone wall and embedding itself. Whether Melian saw it or not, Aria easily pulled her staff out of the wall with her right hand and looked at Melian.*

‘That Saintess… is extremely powerful. She effortlessly pierced holes in the walls of this hideout as if skewering meat. And she easily pulled out a staff that was firmly embedded. The only way to win is when she lets her guard down.’

“Hmm… I’ve been thinking about what kind of pain to give you while attacking. Well… I haven’t decided yet… but I think I can make you beg for your life.” “As I said before, I have no emotions. No matter what pain you inflict, you will never hear a scream from me.” “Hmm… You sound confident, don’t you? Good~ I’m really looking forward to seeing… how that face of yours will be broken…!”

*Aria smiled and began swinging her staff wildly again. Melian was a little perplexed by how Aria swung such a long staff so quickly, but since Aria had to make large movements with each swing, Melian, while dodging, began to see more and more openings.*

‘….Openings are starting to appear…. Next is… here!’ “Ugh?!” *Aria, who had been continuously swinging her staff, felt something graze her leg and looked down. The leg part of Aria’s long priestly robe was slightly torn, and blood was flowing from it. Melian had aimed for an opening and thrown a dagger at Aria’s leg. Aria trembled, seeing her priestly robe torn.*

“Ah… Aaaah…” “It only grazed you. Next time…” “Zeke… The clothes Zeke-nim personally mended…!!”

‘Suddenly there are many openings. I don’t know why she’s doing this, but now’s my chance…!!’ “How dare you tear the clothes Zeke-nim mended stitch by stitch!! How rude!!” *Aria, enraged, began swinging her staff faster and more powerfully at Melian. However, Aria’s attacks, swung without reason, were easy for Melian to see. Melian dodged Aria’s attacks while continuously throwing daggers at Aria. But due to Aria’s attacks, she couldn’t hit Aria accurately.*

‘It only grazes her. That fierce attack is deflecting some daggers. But it remains that the more wounds she has, the more advantageous it is for me.’ “Prepare yourself! No more…” “Ariaaaa!!! Over hereeee!!!” “!!!”

*Zeke’s cry from just moments ago barely echoed all the way here. The moment Aria heard Zeke’s cry, she looked towards where the cry had come from. Melian did not miss the moment Aria’s attention was diverted by Zeke’s cry.*

‘Now!’ *Melian plunged a dagger into Aria’s back, which had presented an opening. Feeling the dagger embed in Aria’s back, Melian pulled out the last remaining dagger from her pocket and prepared to stab it into Aria’s back again.*

‘Got it! It’s firmly stuck! Now if I stab her leg, she won’t be able to move…?’ “Zeke-nim… You were here… I missed you…” *The moment Melian was about to stab Aria’s leg with the dagger, Aria’s murmur reached her ears, and hearing its content, Melian paused. Aria’s murmur reminded the emotionless Melian of bewilderment.*

‘What just…?’ “I missed you. I missed you. I missed you. I missed you. I missed you. I missed you. I missed you. I missed you, Zeke-nim. You were here. I missed you. Haa… Hahaha…” *Aria’s somewhat deranged murmuring made Melian even more bewildered. Hearing Aria’s murmuring, Melian unconsciously stepped back. Then, noticing her hands trembling, Melian was greatly shocked.*

‘I’m trembling? Me, who had lost her emotions… am I afraid of that woman right now? And… what is this…? This feeling…? Am I flustered…? …!!’ *Melian, shocked that some of her emotions had returned due to Aria’s crazed murmuring, inadvertently looked at Aria. And at that moment, seeing Aria looking back at her, goosebumps rose on her arms.*

‘I… now I understand, being in this state… That woman… she was an opponent I should never have challenged…!’ “I want to see Zeke-nim quickly. So, I’ll fight without holding back now. Every minute is precious… I want to see Zeke-nim’s face soon… I want to see if Zeke-nim is safe…!!”

‘A j… joke…?’ *At those words, Melian froze on the spot. At that moment, seeing Aria effortlessly pull out the dagger embedded in her back and throw it to the floor, Melian’s fear slowly began to awaken. And then.*

“Oh, Omniscient and Omnipotent One in the heavens. Your follower, who follows you, seeks to borrow your power, so please lend your strength to me. With your power, I shall punish the sinner.” *Aria closed her eyes, held her staff in her left hand, and lightly brushed it with her right. Then Aria’s staff began to be enveloped in a yellow light, and seeing this, Melian definitively felt that Aria’s previous display had indeed been a joke.*

‘!!! It really was a joke… That hand-to-hand combat…!!’ “Oh, One in the heavens. With your power, I shall punish the sinner. Judgment upon the sinner!” “!!!”

*Suddenly, a beam of light burst forth from Aria’s staff towards Melian. The light struck Melian’s hand, causing her to drop her dagger. Melian, disoriented by the sudden light, was then, at some point, struck in the abdomen by Aria’s staff, which had approached her, and was sent flying into the nearby wall.*

“Cough…” “Now… then…” *Aria smiled, grabbed the head of Melian, who was too stunned by the immense blow to regain her senses, and dragged her to a certain room in that state. That room was where slaves were tortured. Melian, regaining her senses, looked at the room she was in and asked Aria.*

“Slave torture chamber…? Why am I here…” “Oh? Did you forget that I said I would never forgive you? After hearing Zeke-nim’s cry earlier, I thought about what kind of pain to inflict upon you.”

“What…?” “I thought, why not combine your methods with my own! The sensation of flesh piercing through… and all the pain from the tools here! Even your skin being peeled off, all of it!”

“….Then I’ll die…” “Did you forget that I’m a Saintess? I’ll make sure you don’t die. But the pain will remain in your body, won’t it?”

“…You just said you wanted to see that yellow-haired person quickly…” “Don’t worry about that either! Oh, Stern One in the heavens… I will severely punish your sinner, so please permit me to care for her soul…” *As Aria closed her eyes and prayed, Melian’s body began to glow. Melian then began to tremble more and more at Aria’s utterly unpredictable abilities.*

“Wh-what did you do?” “I bestowed upon you the blessing of pain so you can experience a lot of it! Hmm… One second will feel like a day. Unlike the rest of the world, you’ll experience pain for a whole day, not just one second!”

“…What…?” “Now… then…” *Aria continuously stabbed Melian with the pointed end of her staff. She also whipped Melian with nearby whips, and stomped on or punched Melian.*

“Aaaahhhhhh!!!” “Wow! You said you had no emotions! But you’re screaming! How amazing!” “Aaaahhhhhh!!!”

*Aria continued to beat and stab Melian. And she healed Melian’s injured areas through a blessing. After 15 seconds passed in this manner, Melian grabbed Aria’s leg with trembling hands.*

“P-please save me… I won’t do it again… Please save me… I was wrong… Sob…” “Hmm~ Has about 15 days passed? But… you tore the clothes Zeke-nim personally mended, and most importantly, you separated Zeke-nim from my side. Do you really think I will forgive you?”

*The dark smile visible on Aria’s blood-splattered face completely returned Melian’s fear. But this fear was greater than the fear Melian had felt before to the point of losing her emotions. Realizing that there was no more hope, Melian could not speak and only shed tears at Aria’s dark smile.*

“Ah… Ahhh…” “Shall we continue?” “Aaaahhhhhh!!” “Kyahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!”