DSMBL Chapter 99

Chapter 99 

Cassius’s quiet words echoed in Charlotte’s heart:
“Thank you, Charlotte.”

Even his gaze was vivid in her memory, filled with deep affection and so many emotions. She could still feel the firm grip of his hand holding hers.

Leaving Cassius behind, Charlotte gathered the noblewomen. Fortunately, some of them had been trapped with her in the collapsed bakery. Despite the recent trauma, they came as soon as she called.

The square was cracked and damaged. Not long ago, it had been full of children’s laughter. Now, Charlotte’s voice felt heavy.

“Thank you all for gathering here. As the Lady of Istheria and co-leader of the North, I’m grateful. Starting now, we will begin distributing aid and helping the victims. Istheria will donate over 80% of its grain reserves.”

“No, thank you, Duchess.”

An elderly noblewoman bowed to her.

“Thank you for stepping up despite how some of us looked down on you as an outsider. I apologize on behalf of those who disrespected you. From now on, we promise to fully support any future crises in the North.”

Charlotte gave a bitter smile.
Yes, even in the original story, people had rejected her—not only because of her intense personality but also because she was seen as an outsider. But now was not the time to worry about that.

“We’ll set up tents in the square. We’ll serve porridge and open a treatment center here. Are there any among you with experience treating the wounded? If not, can we ask for help from your family doctors?”

“I can gather at least five.”

“That will be enough.”

The meeting went smoothly. Everyone was united—for the North, and for all its people. They had gathered not for personal gain, but for the greater good.

The knights helping with rescue efforts were the same. Many of them had lost or were still searching for family, yet they stayed here to save others.

These nobles had enjoyed peace and privilege in the North. Now they were here to fulfill their duty and take responsibility for what they’d been given.

Their eyes were full of determination.

“Let’s move according to what we discussed.”
“Yes, Duchess!”

The noblewomen scattered to do their parts. Charlotte’s heart swelled.
The North was too precious to lose. She was determined to protect it.

***

Meanwhile, Janice was holding her breath. She didn’t dare make a sound.
She could feel the pursuers closing in. These were some of the best fighters in Istheria.

Cassius had started chasing her.

‘…Too smart for your own good.’

Janice bit her lip.
Lorencia had been arrested. Now Janice was on the run. The moment the incident began, Cassius had acted—meaning he had already suspected her.

She squeezed her eyes shut.

“Where is that little rat hiding?”
“She must be nearby. She’s not in great shape, so she couldn’t have gone far.”

Janice felt like she was already caught, her neck in the enemy’s jaws.
They were right. She had used all her tricks. Her magic required strict conditions—rituals, time, and energy. And Janice wasn’t even a strong sorceress.

She quickly moved her fingers, drawing a teleportation spell—the last spell she could use.

‘Just a little more…’

This hiding spot would soon be discovered.
She gripped what she was holding tightly to her chest.

‘Please, just a little longer…’

Just as she finished drawing the spell—

“Wait. There’s a mark here… Shhh.”

Janice froze.
She could hear their footsteps getting closer.
Her heart pounded. If they caught her, she wouldn’t be killed—she’d live a life worse than death.
Traitors who harmed the North were never treated kindly in Istherian history.

‘Please… please…!’

She could hear them breathing near her. She knew she was seconds from being caught.

She slowly looked up in tension.

“Found you, rat.”

Janice’s hand dropped. Their hands reached for her—

And at that moment, her spell lit up.
Janice vanished into thin air.

Only her pursuers were left behind.

***

When the pursuers returned to report, Cassius was with Giverny.
Cassius had been receiving a report about the gate when he stopped speaking.

“…There was a magic circle?”

“Yes. A teleportation circle.”

The knight handed over a drawing of the symbols they had copied from the ground.
Cassius studied it carefully.

Ancient sorcerers had used symbols like these.

He slowly read the markings and then handed the paper to Giverny.

“Take a look. See if it’s similar to the gate you saw in the forest.”

“Yes, sir.”

Giverny examined the paper just as Cassius had.
His eyes widened.

“It’s very similar! I didn’t see everything in the forest, so I can’t say it’s identical—but the language and structure are partially the same!”

“Ha…”

Cassius ran a hand through his hair and sighed.
The mood in the office became heavy.

No one dared speak until Cassius calmed himself and finally spoke:

“…So this was a disaster created by humans.”

“Sir…”

“Where did it come from? Why is it threatening humans? What went wrong?”

These were questions that had long haunted Istheria and the North.

No one knew why these beings kept attacking such a beautiful and fertile land.

They killed like it was their only purpose, and each attack brought northern bloodshed.

And now, it turned out, they were created by humans.

“It was humans… who killed other humans. Who sent children to die.”

Cassius clenched his teeth.

If only he had acted sooner…
If only he had realized who Janice was earlier…
Maybe he could have stopped all of this.

“…You’ve always done your best, sir.”

“Giverny.”

“And you’ve always led the North to victory. This time will be no different.”

Giverny gave a faint smile.

“All of the North are victims too. But at least now we know why the gates are opening. With that knowledge, we can figure out how to stop them.”

Cassius stared at Giverny coldly.

“Don’t worry, Giverny. I won’t stop… until I’ve slaughtered every last one of them.”

Humans caused it—
So humans must end it.

“Find Janice. No matter what.”

“Yes, sir!”

The knights who had failed once bowed deeply, fire burning in their eyes.
There would be no second mistake.