Chapter 81
That day, when Carlton was still being experimented on, learning magic, and looking after the children, Bain seemed to be in an especially good mood. For the first time, he announced that he would be leaving the mansion for several days.
“I’ll be back in a week.”
With only that short remark, Bain left the mansion for the longest stretch of time yet.
Watching him go, Carlton attempted his first escape. He tried to use the ritual he had studied alongside Bain. The result was disastrous.
Without even managing a single step outside, Carlton ended up bound to the tree at the mansion’s front gate, praying day after day that Bain would not return.
After about three days of being tied there unconscious—
“Where is this…! Please send me home! Home!”
Carlton was roused by the wailing voice of a stranger.
“This is your home now.”
“No! My home is with the Marquis of Arpedi! Please, I beg you, send me back!”
The girl was dressed in a dazzling gown, her hair pinned with a dainty ribbon—clothes Carlton had never seen before, like something straight out of a fairytale in the temple library. She stood in front of Bain, crying her heart out.
Her glossy hair and plump, healthy cheeks did not suit this place at all.
“Stop crying.”
Though Bain smiled brightly, Carlton could tell he was more displeased than ever. Bain hated noise. Fearing that the spotless, innocent-looking child might be harmed, Carlton instinctively raised his voice.
“You’re here.”
It was a slip—words spoken in a daze.
“Ah.”
When the girl turned her head at his voice and their eyes met, Carlton inhaled sharply at her clear, untainted gaze. He quickly averted his eyes.
Only when he saw fear overlay her tear-streaked face did he realize how terrifying he himself must look.
“So. You wanted to breathe the outside air that badly.”
Bain approached him. Carlton braced himself for a blow, squeezing his eyes shut. Instead, he felt a soft touch on his face.
“Well done.”
“…What?”
Startled, Carlton opened his eyes. Bain’s gaze was filled with a kindly smile, as if his words had been sincere.
“It was hard, wasn’t it? The cost was greater than I expected. I thought it would go smoothly, but… well, thanks to you, it worked.”
“What…?”
“You helped me. You did well.”
“…What?”
Bain stroked the vines of the tree that had wound themselves around Carlton.
“Yes. This is thanks to you.”
With a single gesture, he severed the bindings. Red sap dripped heavily onto the ground.
“How could I have saved anything…?”
“The price for crossing space was heavier than I calculated. Everything here—this entire space—nearly collapsed. But you saved it. Because the tree seized you, the tree… no, the forest maintained this dimension.”
“…What?”
“You saved me, that child, and all the children who live here.”
Bain lifted Carlton to his feet.
“I’ll let it slide this time. I was displeased at your attempt to leave, but… at least my teaching bore fruit.”
“Ah…”
“But do you realize something?”
“…What?”
Bain bent close to him.
“If not for you, I could not have brought that child here. She is very important for my research. Her name is Velia.”
“Velia…?”
Carlton’s dazed eyes fell on the girl, still sobbing.
“Yes. The very child you sought. I struggled so much to bring her here, nearly failed at the last moment—but you made it possible.”
Carlton drew in a breath. In his eyes, Velia wept silently, shoulders trembling. Bain smiled, satisfied at Carlton’s own trembling shoulders.
“You will take responsibility for her. Lead her back to the mansion, just as you once guided the other children when you first arrived.”
Ruffling Carlton’s hair like he was proud of him, Bain departed.
The moment Bain’s presence receded, Velia broke into loud sobs. Carlton’s eyes shook violently as he watched her wail until she lost her voice. Clutching his head, he curled into himself in anguish.
It was only the second time since coming here that Carlton had cried. That was how he and Velia first met—both of them crying their hearts out.
Time passed swiftly again.
Velia eventually adapted to the mansion, and Carlton helped her as best he could. Though he was cold to everyone else, he was a little kinder to her.
Not long after she arrived, Carlton made several more escape attempts, all ending in failure. Each time, he was subjected to new experiments by Bain as punishment.
Even six months later, nothing had changed.
That day too, Bain stuck a syringe into the back of Carlton’s hand for another experiment.
“Ugh.”
“Does it hurt?”
He wasn’t asking out of concern.
“I see. So this isn’t the right mana response.”
As soon as he removed the syringe, Carlton collapsed. Coughing blood, he lay on the floor while Bain left the room as if nothing was wrong.
“I’ll be back in about a week. Guard the mansion until then.”
When the room grew quiet after Bain’s departure, small footsteps echoed.
“Carlton…? Are you okay?”
Her clear, bell-like voice was far too out of place in this dismal place. Velia hurried over, sat in front of him, and touched his arm.
“Just a moment…”
She pulled a vial from her bosom and sprinkled its contents onto his arm.
“Ahh—”
Like lungs starting to work again, Carlton gasped for breath.
“Better?”
Velia patted his back with a worried face.
“You… where did you get this medicine?”
“It’s nothing.”
She quickly hid the vial behind her back like it was a secret.
“Nothing? Give it to me.”
Carlton snatched it from her hand.
“You…!”
Velia averted her eyes from his accusing glare.
“Wait!”
Carlton grabbed her arm and rolled up her sleeve. Velia squeezed her eyes shut when she saw her arm, marred with fresh wounds.
“I told you not to make trades.”
The scars were appalling, even though they weren’t old. Just like the other children, Velia was growing accustomed to this cruel cycle—willing to barter her pain as payment.
“It’s nothing special. Just… lately they only want blood. So I just… gave more…”
“Don’t lie.”
“Ah!”
When he pressed her arm, she flinched and curled up.
“There’s no ‘just.’ Don’t you understand? The more you look after me, the more Bain will use you. Because you don’t resist—you’re easy to handle.”
“If I’m going to be used anyway, what’s the harm in—”
“Velia.”
“…Yes.”
“I told you. The more this repeats, the more reckless his demands will become. Don’t give him weaknesses he can exploit.”
“He’s already pushing me too far… what’s the difference if I give a little more…”
“Velia!”
Her shoulders slumped as she looked away, and Carlton’s heart twisted.
Even if Bain had chosen her, Carlton himself had played a role in bringing her here. He had obeyed Bain’s orders to find children born on December 19th, and it was he who had pinpointed Velia among them.
“You’re feeling better now, though, right?”
She smiled faintly. Carlton picked up the discarded vial, tapping out the last drops of liquid onto her arm.
“Don’t waste this on me. Use it on yourself.”
“I’m fine.”
“I’m not fine.”
The scant medicine barely had any effect. Carlton hesitated, then extended his hand, murmuring a chant. A sacred light glowed in his palm. At once, something surged from deep within him, making his stomach roil. He turned his head away, gritting his teeth to suppress it.
“You can use this kind of magic?”
Velia’s eyes went wide as she stared at her arm.
“This is the last time. I won’t use it again.”
Carlton clutched his aching stomach and forced a calm expression.
“I left the wounds visible on purpose. If they heal too fast, Bain will get suspicious.”
“Suspicious?”
“He might think your powers have awakened.”
“Oh… I see. Thank you.”
“Then don’t ever bring me something like this again. Bain only grants your requests because he finds it amusing.”
As Velia swung her arm around, looking lively again, Carlton’s gaze on her was filled with unspoken frustration.
