3 bar menu

Chapter 87 Part 2 – What a Simple and Happy Dream

「…… Can you hear me? Rona. You have touched my heart. That is the fifth miracle. Receiving too much is not my thing. Make a wish in return.」

This time Alisa was the one who held Countess Rosenthal in her arms.
Alisa hurriedly urged her to respond before her flame of life goes out.

「…… In that case …… please protect Cornelia-san …… and the babies …… They won’t be able to hold on at this rate …… But if it’s you ……」

Alisa nodded deeply at Countess Rosenthal’s plea that she squeezed out while gasping.

「So you were also able to see that with the amplified power of the ‘evil eye’. Yes, that’s right. Having twins is too much of a burden on Cornelia. All three of them will lose their lives during the time of delivery. That damn ‘Time’ was too greedy to make a rival for me and Scarlet. This is what happens when people are measured by calculation alone. It’s funny that the result will be stillborn boys. …… Even if I didn’t lay a hand on her, a miracle like Flora will not happen ……」

Countess Rosenthal gasped silently, but before she could shed a tear of despair for the future that was certain to be doomed, Alisa looked up in exultation.

「…… Ahaha, now that I think about it, I’ve won against and killed every enemy I’ve ever had. It wouldn’t matter if the number of enemies increases by one or two now. If the twins come against me, then I can just crush them. If they can somewhat fight back, that’s also going to be fun. It would be more damaging to my name if I remain in debt to you.」

As if daring fate to take a swing at her, Alisa smiled with her lips in the shape of a crescent moon.

「Go in peace. I will save Cornelia and the twins. I’m not happy that I’m going to end up helping ‘Time’, but I also don’t like that stupid sad fate. I will break apart that future. I swear in my name.」

「…… What a …… relief ……」

Alisa wrapped her arms around Countess Rosenthal’s body as she collapsed with a peaceful expression on her face, then she respectfully placed her gently on the floor. When Alisa stood up, she looked toward the Ruby of the True Emperor that had returned to Scarlet. With a snap of her fingers, an invisible chain burst open

「Light Bat Tribe, I have released you. Prepare a way of death worthy of this woman I have recognized. I will not tolerate it if you do it half-heartedly.」

Hearing that, a phantom flame erupted from the ruby high into the ceiling, then it split into several rays and when it reached the ground, the flame took the form of ancient warriors. There was surprise, instead of anger, in their gazes that are locked onto Alisa. They had been listening to the conversation between Alisa and Countess Rosenthal.

「You …… Your real purpose …… could it be ……」

The emotions contained in the question directed at Alisa was not hostility like in the previous battle, but a kind of respect. These proud people felt sympathy toward Alisa. However, Alisa curtly rebuffed them.

「Don’t pry any further into this. You know what I can do. If you speak to Scarlet about anything unnecessary, that time I will make you disappear forever. Scarlet and I are irreconcilable enemies, that’s all. At best, I’ll be a good guide and focus on helping Scarlet grow up to be able to compete against me.」

They were not so insensitive as to reveal the reason for this.

「…… As you wish. I pay respect to the solitary soul that has been so lonely that it makes us shudder.」

Alisa smiled bitterly for just a moment. They said no more to each other. Even if a third party heard it, they wouldn’t be able to understand what they were talking about. That was enough.

Alisa suddenly turned away as if she had lost interest.

「…… How troublesome. I have to apologize to my grandmother. There’s no other choice I guess. As an apology, I should give her a few of my pawns. Solomon might be unwilling though. Ahahaha, I’m sure that would be more fun than a quiet revenge.」

Alisa laughed out loud.

「…… Grandmother, even if you retire and hide, I know your true feelings. Once you have strong pawns, you can’t help but test your own potential. Fearing her ambition and ability, the previous king even kept her at a distance. I’m sure Hydrangea …… no, the whole continent will be shaken up. After all, women only show their true potential when they go up on stage. I’d like to see a terrifying grandmother, not a kind grandmother ……」

Like a little girl engrossed in her favorite game, Alisa left the stage with dancing steps.

For a moment, her feet stopped.

「…… Goodbye, Countess Rosenthal. The winter rose that scattered not because she was defeated by the stage of adversity, but because she sacrificed herself for her convictions. A truly proud way of life will never lose its luster, no matter what lowly criticism you try to cover it up with. I will never forget your way of life.」

Alisa’s expression couldn’t be seen.

The spirits of the Light Bat Tribe, who had been falsely accused and wrongfully looked down upon for 500 years, firmly clenched their fists inside their heart after they heard Alisa’s quiet murmurs as she released her ‘Dark Illusion’ and left.

◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇

「…… Ouchh …… My body hurts. ……!! The dangerous presence has disappeared ……!! …… What happened?」

Pushing aside the wreckage of the couch, Bradd staggered up while rubbing his belly. He’s grumbling, but judging from the way he’s looking around, it looks like he’s taken damage but not seriously injured. Even though he was blown away with such tremendous force, I wonder what kind of body structure he has.

Sheesh, don’t make me so worried.

Seraphy and Arnold, who were slammed against the wall, are okay as well. When Seraphy was unconscious, Arnold jumped to a wrong conclusion and assumed that he was dead, as a result he covered Seraphy in his tears and snot. After regaining consciousness, Seraphy smiled bitterly. As always, they are such a boisterous and troublesome best friend duo ……

The invisible assailant was gone.

The only traces of the attack were toppled candlesticks and smoldering tablecloths throughout the hall. The servants did not come to extinguish the fire. They remained stationary. The barrier of ‘Dark Illusion’ done by the Ruby was still in place.

I couldn’t stop trembling.

Mr. Queer Witch taught me that the ‘Dark Illusion’ that obstructs cognition can only be torn apart by another ‘Dark Illusion’. When similar forces collide, the more advanced and stronger one is bound to win. And we couldn’t perceive the assailant at all.

This meant that the assailant used a higher level of ‘Dark Illusion’ than the Ruby. The danger level was far greater than that of Addis. Moreover, the assailant easily crushed the multiple traps I had set up.

This retreat could only be due to some circumstances on the part of the other party. It was a complete defeat.

「Father!! Mother!!」

I desperately called out as my vision was obscured by smoke and my eyes sting.
The inside of my nose hurts.

「Sca-chibi. If you shout that much, you’ll breathe in the smoke.」

Seeing that I had a coughing fit, Bradd stopped me and opened the windows and doors to ventilate the room. Seraphy and the others were working to extinguish the fire by slamming wet sheets on the source of fire.

The air and smoke replaced each other and my vision cleared.

Father and mother were safe.

However, Countess Rosenthal’s chest that the two of them were clinging to was completely dyed in red. It reminded me of a large red rose. I could tell at a glance that that amount of blood loss was caused by a fatal wound.

「…… Countess Rosenthal ……!! You protected me ……!!」

Mother’s shoulders were trembling as she cried. So is my father. We understood the situation. The assailant’s target was mother. Countess Rosenthal sacrificed herself to protect mother from that assassin.

「…… Really …… to think that …… I have to clean up your mess …… as soon as we become friends …… it must be true …… that my thinking and abilities have declined …… compared to when I was young ……」

Countess Rosenthal gave a wry smile and comforted mother, whose complexion had become ghastly pale and trembling so much that her teeth chattered.

「…… You’re such a fool. Don’t cry for someone like me …… who bullied you so much …… …… More importantly, make your baby …… laugh a lot. …… And make them happy …… If it’s you, I’m sure you’ll be the best mother ……」