INS Chapter 44

Chapter 44

I looked around the underground hall. The underground auction house wasn’t very big; after all, it had originally been built as a shelter.

As I glanced around, my gaze stopped at one spot.

There…

It was pitch black, with not a trace of light, the deepest part of the hall.

That’s where Hoyeon was imprisoned.

It was both the most dangerous and the safest place.

If it had been used to confine a beastkin, it meant the walls were incredibly strong, and naturally, a place strong enough to hold such a powerful being was also dangerous.

That’s it!

So this is what they mean by “the darkest place is under the lamp.” I had been wandering aimlessly with the escape route right in front of me.

“This way.”

I led the people toward the room where Hoyeon had once been trapped. Frowning at the corpses scattered around, I covered a child’s eyes with a piece of cloth before carefully searching the room.

If you press the one stone that sticks out from the wall…

Just then, my fingertips caught on a brick that jutted out more than the others. Without hesitation, I pushed it in with all my strength.

Rumble!

With a thunderous sound, the wall began to shift.

Soon, stairs leading downward appeared, and the people around me stirred.

“There’s no time to waste. I’ll go first—follow me.”

I stared at the pitch-black staircase descending into the depths.

Just standing there, I felt as if the darkness might swallow me whole. But as I said, we had no time to hesitate.

They must have heard the wall opening even from above ground.

I was just about to step onto the stairs when—

“Wait. I’ll go first.”

Hoyeon stretched her arm out to block me. Startled, I looked at her, and she said in a casual tone:

“We don’t know what’s waiting ahead.”

“Uh… are you worried about me?”

“…”

I blinked at her, and she quickly turned her head away—but the flush spreading across her face gave her away.

Instead of answering, she strode down the stairs. I quickly gathered the people and followed after her.

The underground stairways twisted like a maze. Without light, any ordinary person would probably never escape once they entered.

But thanks to the information I had from the book, though we wandered a little, we eventually made it out safely.

The exit led to an alleyway far from the casino, deep in the city’s backstreets.

What a relief. At this distance, without Vincente, they wouldn’t be able to pursue us through the tunnels.

The sky outside was already brightening with dawn. The moment I saw it, my knees nearly gave out.

Even with the book’s knowledge, this plan had been incredibly dangerous. If Duke Crayman had seen me, he would have scolded me severely.

“From here, everyone should split up. You can go home, but don’t go to the city guard. They might be connected to Khan. If you’ve nowhere to go, I’ll tell you about relief agencies that can help—try heading there.”

Since we didn’t know when pursuers might arrive, it was best to disperse quickly.

I told them about the aid organizations I knew, knowledge I’d gathered while supporting the orphanage.

Once everyone had gone, I was preparing to leave myself when the first child who had been put up for auction approached me.

“Um, Miss.”

“Yes?”

I tilted my head in surprise. The child hesitated, then bowed deeply.

“Thank you for saving us!”

“Thank you!”

The others followed the child’s lead, offering their thanks. Feeling embarrassed, I simply nodded.

“You may carry scars from this, but I hope you’ll all stay strong and live well.”

“Yes! Let’s go now.”

When the children left, only Hoyeon and I remained in the alley.

Adjusting the worn-out bag on my shoulder, I looked at her.

“Hoyeon, what will you do now?”

“…My tribe has already fled our settlement. If I return, I could expose their trail.”

“Then come with me.”

She looked at me steadily.

“Before that, I have something to ask.”

“Go ahead.”

“When you said you wanted my help… what exactly did you mean?”

I studied her face. Was she worried I might ask something terrible of her?

Smiling softly, I answered:

“I’d like you to protect my children. Basically… a guard for the orphanage, and maybe help with odd jobs. Of course, I’ll pay you. Not much, but something.”

“…A guard for the orphanage…?”

“Yep. That’s all.”

Hoyeon looked dumbfounded.

I suppose it would sound ridiculous—risking life and limb to save her, just to ask her to become an orphanage guard.

But it was true.

Guard or not, what I really wanted was…

“If danger comes, I want you to protect the children. You’re the only one who can.”

To shield them from the Emperor’s reach, should he ever threaten them.

If danger struck suddenly, I wouldn’t be able to react in time. That’s why I needed Hoyeon’s strength.

A normal guard just wouldn’t do.

I fixed my gaze on her. Even if she refused, I couldn’t give up on her.

Her eyes wavered, and after a moment, she parted her lips.

“For my people, a promise is a binding oath. Since I’ve agreed, I will follow it. From this moment on, you are my master. Your name…?”

I stared at her in shock. I hadn’t expected her to acknowledge me as her master.

For a brief moment, I wondered if this was right. But in the end, I accepted.

“Ciela. Ciela Feyrunte.”

“Ciela Feyrunte. From now on, I pledge myself to you as my master.”

She lifted my hand and brushed her lips against the back of it. For an instant, silver light glimmered before fading.

As I watched in amazement, she explained:

“It’s the mark that you are my master.”

“Hmm, your way of speaking changed.”

“You are my master now. It’s only right I treat you as such.”

“Haha…”

Hearing myself called “master” left me dazed, but I soon nodded.

“Think of it more as an employer than a master. Let’s work well together.”

I held out my hand. Hoyeon stared at it for a moment before clasping it.

“Yes.”

The morning sun rose fully, and with a new protector at my side, I returned to the orphanage.

We decided to walk rather than take a carriage, in case we were followed. But then, Hoyeon suddenly scooped me up in her arms.

“Ho-Hoyeon? What are you—!” I flailed in shock.

“It’ll be much faster than walking.”

“But I’m heavy!”

“You’re not heavy at all. Lighter than a feather.”

“That’s not the point…”

Honestly, it felt wrong—being carried by someone smaller than me.

But Hoyeon seemed unbothered, leaping up walls and racing across rooftops. Startled, I instinctively clung to her neck.

“Show me the way, Master.”

“Ugh…”

She was stubborn. In the end, I just pointed out the route with my finger. Since the orphanage’s location was easy to figure out from the palace, it wasn’t hard to guide her.

She truly lived up to her feline bloodline—fast and agile, showing no sign of fatigue despite carrying me. That eased my worry a little.

Before long, we arrived at the orphanage. Stepping down from her arms, I gazed at the familiar sight with a longing smile.

It had only been a day, yet it felt as if I’d been gone for months.

One day felt as long as a month.

So much had happened in that single day. Thinking about it, a deep weariness overcame me.

“Let’s go in. The kids must be awake by now, I should say hello…”

But I stopped. Hoyeon’s clothes and face were splattered with blood. Mine too, here and there.

If we walk in like this, the children will probably burst into tears…

And for Hoyeon’s first impression, this would be disastrous.

I quickly pulled my robe off and draped it over her. Thankfully, since it was black, the bloodstains didn’t show.

Then I wiped her face clean with a handkerchief. She closed her eyes quietly while I did so.

This should be fine.

Now presentable, I nodded and finally stepped inside with her.

We passed through the sturdy front gate and opened the entrance door.

Ding.

The pleasant sound of the bell rang just as the dining hall doors burst open.

“Headmistress! Welcome back!”

Roddy was the first to run out, throwing himself into my waist and rubbing his cheek against me. Luckily, the robe covered my dress, which was still clean.

Ren and Edie followed behind.

“Welcome back.”

“Mm, was everything all right through the night?”

“Yes, it was fine.”

“That’s good to hear.”

I hugged them both, then looked toward the back.

Chloe, who had been standing awkwardly, flinched when our eyes met.

I chuckled.

“Chloe, aren’t you going to greet me?”

“…”

“Hmm, I guess you’re not happy to see me. That’s strange—I missed you all night.”

“Tch, I missed you too! Okay?”