episode_0018

※Warning: Contains cruel and shocking scenes.※

The Fallen Artyun, and

“Ugh… my wound stings… Ugh…”

“Aaah… Zeke Hyung! Just bear with it a little longer! Aria Noona will be here soon!”

As I kept groaning in pain, Karina and Riera quickly pressed a clean cloth onto the bleeding wound. Why does it hurt so much? I’ve been cut by a sword before, but it didn’t hurt this much. *gasp*…

“Right… but is she usually this late…?”

“Zeke, the Black Saintess you mentioned. She has healing abilities, right?”

“Yes, Raskal… But Riera. What did you do to Artyun earlier? And why are you in human form?”

“Fairies are a race that manipulates wind. I pushed him with wind released from my hands. The reason I can take human form is that Melodian fairies have long practiced how to transform into human form to live with humans. Now, all Melodian fairies know how to transform into humans. Of course, they have to learn it.”

Why didn’t Eli tell me about this? Now that I think about it, Eli probably didn’t tell me because I said it was enough. I should be more careful next time… Maybe it’s because it’s only been 10 days since I started my journey. I need to be more perceptive. And…

“Karina… you’re a girl, right? Earlier, I met your uncle, Tess. Now that I know everything, please tell me why.”

“…Tess Uncle? Why is Uncle here?!”

“Tess was captured by Artyun’s subordinates, who swarmed him during his Vanguard days. He was imprisoned with me, but Zeke saved us.”

As Raskal explained what had happened, Karina let out a deep sigh. Then she bowed her head and said nothing. Why is she suddenly like this?

“…Because…”

“Hm? What?”

“Because everyone ignored me…! Everyone ignored me because I was a girl! When I became a slave, there were human brats who tormented me just because I was a girl…! That’s why I had to become a man…! Do you think it’s just humans? Other races completely ignored me too, probably because I was a female beastkin!”

“…Karina… that… it’s probably because you were young that they ignored you…”

“…What?”

No one would have cared that Karina was a girl. In Bosca, there would have been vile humans who got pleasure from the screams of children. Karina is still a 14-year-old child. They probably ignored her because of that, not her gender.

“No! They ignored me because I’m a girl!”

“…What kind of disrespect did you face? Like being weak, or short… something like that?”

“Huh? Uh… how did you know?”

I see. Karina must have thought her age was sufficient. But unable to accept that, she ended up completely changing her mind, blaming her gender instead. I roughly understood why Riera was in human form and why Karina was hiding the fact that she was a girl. But… *gasp*…

“Ugh…”

“Huh?! Hyung! What’s wrong!?”

My vision blurred. Karina and Riera, who were pressing down on my wound, also began to look increasingly blurry. Furthermore, my headache was worsening. I clutched my head with my right hand due to the intensifying pain. Amidst Riera, Karina, and Raskal’s worried voices, I heard a sound and my eyes shot open.

“…!!”

“Zeke-niiiiiim!!”

When that voice, which I’d heard to exhaustion for 10 days, reached my ears, I unconsciously smiled. The three who had been worrying about me also turned their heads upon hearing that voice. She’s finally here, Aria… I’m glad she’s safe…?

“Get away from Zeke-nim!!”

“Wh-what?! Ugh!!”

Aria swung her golden staff widely, attacking Raskal! Raskal quickly blocked Aria’s staff with the crossbow he was holding. But when the iron crossbow began to bend against Aria’s staff, Raskal was greatly flustered. Of course, Riera and Karina, including myself, were also greatly flustered! Aria, please just…

“What?! An iron crossbow against a golden staff…”

“It was you! The one who ordered Zeke-nim’s abduction…”

“Aria!!! That person is my savior!! Stop it!!”

“Ordered… Huh? What?”

When my words registered, Aria released the power she was using to threaten Raskal and stared blankly at me. Then she turned her head to Raskal, frantically bowed, and apologized.

“Aaah… I’m sorry!”

“…Is this woman the Black Saintess, Zeke…”

“Yes, Raskal… Ugh…”

“Ah…! Zeke-nim! Everyone, step back! I’ll heal Zeke-nim…”

“…!! Behind Saintess-nim!!”

Riera urgently pointed behind Aria. What could be there?…!! Ah… it’s Artyun! Artyun, who had been knocked out after hitting the wall, was trying to swing his sword at Aria! I need to save her quick… Huh?

“Oh, so you’re the leader who ordered Zeke-nim’s abduction?”

“Wh-what…?”

Aria swung her golden staff backward, lightly blocked Artyun’s sword with a hole in the staff, and then deflected the sword to the right. Then she looked at Artyun with a deeply darkened expression.

“Are you the main culprit?”

“Ha… haha… So you’re the Black Saintess… I see. You wear black clothes despite being a Saintess. But that’s an act against God…”

“The reason I wear black clothes is because of Zeke-nim’s devotion. God has no need to interfere with that devotion. Anyway, you’re the main culprit, right?”

“Aria…! That man is Artyun, the human who ordered my abduction! He’s also the one who did this to me…”

“…What did you say? Are you sure you inflicted that wound on Zeke-nim?”

When Aria learned that Artyun had inflicted my wound, she spoke to him with a voice full of anger. Although her back was turned, it was clear. Aria was very angry. But what’s wrong with them?

“Aah…”

“Aaah… Zeke Hyung, she’s scary…”

Scary? Aria is indeed scary, and if she’s angry, she’s even scarier, that’s true. But to be trembling this much? Then… these kids must have already seen Aria angry…!!

“Do you think a woman can do anything to me…? My subordinates will be here soon! Then you will…”

“Your subordinates? Ah… the roughly 100 of them? You’ll find out when you go to the afterlife. How your subordinates died. And that gray cat burglar, who seemed to be your capable subordinate, won’t be able to save you either.”

“What…?”

Wait, what? 100 people? No way… Aria massacred that many people?! So, the reason Riera and Karina are trembling like this is… because she showed them the slaughter of that many people in front of them?! Raskal, too, seemed to share my disbelief, his eyes wide.

“It’s impossible… Lobdom, which I created, was an organization that ran a smuggling business for 20 years… But because we kidnapped one little kid… we’ve fallen like this?!”

“He’s not just any kid. He’s the wonderful Zeke-nim whom I admire. I’ll send you to join them soon. O Omnipotent One in Heaven. Your follower, who worships you, seeks to borrow your power, so please lend me your strength. With your power, I shall punish the sinner.”

What was that?! As Aria closed her eyes and prayed, a yellow light began to flow from her staff. Wait… what’s stuck on that staff? I didn’t notice it before, but now that light is coming from the staff, the stain is bothering me… That’s blood. Then, earlier, she really did… all 100 subordinates…

“Aaaahhh!! I don’t want to fall like this!!! Nooo…..”

Afterward, something horrifying happened. I wish I had closed my eyes like Riera and Karina… Aria began to repeatedly strike Artyun with her light-emitting staff. Not just once or twice, but numerous times. It felt like about 10 blows. The wall opposite me was drenched in Artyun’s blood. And Artyun’s corpse… it was simply unwatchable.

“…She’s truly the Black Saintess, Zeke. Unlike a sacred Saintess with a pure white appearance… she possesses a cruel and violent form… the Black Saintess.”

“Zeke-niiiiiim! I’ll heal you!”

“…”

She’s so nonchalant. Aria, who had just casually turned a person into a lump and then approached me as if nothing happened, now instilled fear in me too. Before, she was scary because of her obsession and power, but now she was even scarier because of her monstrous strength. As Aria healed my wound, I realized clearly. If I don’t stop Aria, others might end up like that too. Could there be anything more terrifying than this…?

“Zeke-nim, are you alright?”

…I need to pull myself together to stop Aria. If I get scared like Riera and Karina beside me, it’s clear that more people will die by Aria’s hand. And Aria will surely lose herself too. I must overcome this pressure.

“Yeah. Thanks, Aria. But for you to come with Riera and Karina…”

“Thanks to Riera, I was able to find Zeke-nim. Riera told me where Zeke-nim was through sound. Still, I’m the one who saved Zeke-nim!… Of course, others helped too, now that I think about it…”

“Still, if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have been able to heal this cut so quickly. Thank you, Aria.”

“…Zeke-nim… Ugh… Aaaahhhh!!”

Ugh… why is she suddenly like this?! Aria suddenly started crying and hugged me, who had collapsed, startling Riera and Karina, who were trembling beside me, and making them look at Aria. Raskal also just stood still, seemingly unable to comprehend the situation.

“A-Aria, what’s wrong?!”

“I didn’t even know Zeke-nim was kidnapped, and I couldn’t properly protect Zeke-nim, yet Zeke-nim praised me! To praise such an unworthy woman… it’s too much for me!!”

“Aaah… I-it’s okay, Aria! Thanks to you, the number of slave traders has decreased, which is a g-good thing for me! Plus, you drew the attention of Artyun’s subordinates, so the slaves could escape! You did well, so calm down!”

“Aaaahhh!! More praise… It’s too shameful… I must atone for my sins with death…”

“Stop that already!!”

She’s talking about atoning for her sins with death again! Stop it… huh? My eyes caught Raskal smiling as he watched me, with my weakened body, barely trying to stop Aria. Why is this person suddenly laughing…?

“She has a very willful personality. You must have it tough, Zeke.”

“Yes… yes… Anyway, Aria… did you also take care of Artyun’s subordinate, Melian? The gray-haired one…”

“Yes… Oh, Zeke-niiiiiim… I’m so sorry… This outfit that Zeke-nim personally mended for me…”

My clothes? Oh… there are certainly many holes. I see several tears from sharp blades. I can mend it again later. More importantly, that kid Melian… she seemed about 16… died so young. It seemed she had been a slave once too… How tragic.

“I’ll fix it for you again. By the way, that child died too. She seemed so young…”

“That kid was 17, as far as I know. Artyun founded Lobdom when he was 27, and it operated without issues for 20 years… You and the Black Saintess brought Lobdom down in an instant.”

“I guess so. 17… still young…”

“I didn’t kill that cat burglar.”

“What?”

Everyone was shocked by Aria’s words. It was completely unbelievable that Aria, who had effortlessly massacred Lobdom’s members, had spared only Melian. Aria, who was furious about my abduction, spared Melian? What kind of…

“Hehe… I forgot to show you, but you reminded me! Follow me! There’s something I really want to show Zeke-nim!”

“Show me what? What is it… ugh…?”

Aria said she had something to show me, so I tried to stand up… but it was strange. I couldn’t put strength into my body. Aria clearly restored my wounds and vitality with her blessing, so why can’t I put strength into my body? When I didn’t get up, Aria asked me,

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s strange. My body won’t move. No… I can’t put strength into it…”

“What?! O-oh no… I-I’ll fix it…”

“It’s fine, stop talking nonsense again. *gasp*… Someone needs to support me…”

“I’ll do it, Zeke. Just stay st… ”

“I know you’re Zeke-nim’s benefactor, but it’s alright. I’ll do it.”

“Hm?”

When Aria effortlessly lifted me, Raskal was greatly flustered. Then, seeing Artyun’s corpse, he seemed to recall Aria’s immense strength, and his mouth hung open, frozen in place. But this… shouldn’t it be the other way around…?

“I’m sorry I couldn’t make you comfortable, Zeke-nim…”

“It’s okay. So, what is it you want to show me?”

“Ah! I’ll take you there~”

What is it? Is it something good enough to hum about? Money? Treasure? Gold? No. It definitely wouldn’t be something like that. Did she find some good item? Everyone except Aria was curious about what Aria wanted to show. But this direction…

“This direction leads to the slave torture chamber. Doesn’t it, Raskal?”

“That’s right. And that’s the prison where we first met. It’s quiet, by the way. It seems there’s no one else in this hideout besides us now.”

“Right… The Saintess-nim killed plenty of them earlier.”

Riera sighed, recalling what had just happened. From Riera’s expression, I could tell how horrific that tragedy was. I don’t want to see it… The moment I thought that, Aria stopped. Had we arrived? But… the place Aria brought us to was…

“It’s the slave torture chamber.”

“Ta-da!!”

“Wha—!!!!”

“Eek!!”

“Cough…”

I was speechless at what slowly became visible through the opening door. Riera and Karina quickly turned their heads away, and Raskal, like me, was speechless, his mouth hanging open. What on earth happened? Is this why Aria’s clothes and face were covered in blood? The walls of the small solitary-confinement-sized slave torture chamber were all drenched in blood, and so was the floor. And in the corner was…

“Th-that, no way…”

“Yes~ It’s Melian!”

It was Melian. But her appearance was extremely strange. Her clothes were almost completely torn, and her skin was pale. Furthermore, her previously gray hair was now stark white, and her indigo eyes stared blankly into space. Yet, she wasn’t a corpse. I could clearly see her breathing. Wait… then the blood in this room… no way…

“What happened, Aria…?”

“I punished the cat burglar who kidnapped Zeke-nim! Look at this!”

Aria walked over lightly and kicked Melian in the abdomen. But Melian didn’t even scream… Although it was said she lost her emotions… could it be possible for her to not react at all like that…? And “punished” her…?

“She’s like a doll, isn’t she?! You can kick and hit her as much as you want, Zeke-nim, and she won’t react at all! Here! You can take out your anger on this doll!”

“…Is that really Melian?”

“Yes!~ Of course!”

“…What on earth did you do?”

“Hmm… First, I bestowed a blessing so that one second feels like a day. And then, for about a minute? I tortured her for about 100 seconds straight. Even if there was a bad guy who ordered Zeke-nim’s abduction, this cat burglar is the one who kidnapped Zeke-nim! And after the torture, she became like this doll! Now she’s yours, Zeke-nim!”

…I guess I truly didn’t know Aria. No, that’s not right. This is the Aria who tried to tear Riera limb from limb in Melodian before. Riera, imagining that she too could have ended up like that, couldn’t lift her head and collapsed right there, and young Karina was trying hard to avert her gaze from Melian. Raskal, too, was so shocked by something he’d never seen in his life that he couldn’t easily open his mouth. And I too… an unacceptable revulsion was about to erupt from my body.

“Come on, Zeke-nim! Hit the doll that won’t resist…”

“…No. Let’s stop, Aria.”

“What…? You’re going to forgive the cat burglar who kidnapped Zeke-nim?! Absolutely not! If she does it again…”

“Enough. It seems she can’t even think like that anymore… Besides her emotions… she’s lost everything else too.”

Melian, staring blankly into space, seemed more pitiful than anything. No. It’s always been like this. She became a slave, lost her emotions, and instinctively attached herself to Artyun to survive. This is severe enough… I don’t think she needs to suffer any worse.

“Aria. Please. Forgive Melian. I understand you’re angry. But… can you accept my opinion as the victim?”

“…Zeke-nim… Zeke-nim, you’re too kind, that’s the problem… But… I like such a Zeke-nim, so I’ll follow Zeke-nim’s words.”

“Right… Thanks… Ugh…?”

“Huh? Zeke-nim?”

What? Why am I suddenly so dizzy? It wasn’t just my imagination after all. Something was wrong. What on earth is the problem… Ah. The Potion of Super Strength. The side effects are appearing now… I couldn’t even stop Artyun after drinking that… Damn it… I lost consciousness in Aria’s arms.