Chapter 19
The reapers murmured among themselves.
They hadn’t anticipated my appearance. Some recoiled when they noticed the writhing rose vines at my side, startled by the sight.
It was well known among the reapers that the violet smoke emitted by the roses could bring death indiscriminately, whether to souls or other reapers.
To them, Rosina Winslet was a monstrous being who consistently ranked among the top during every festival.
I raised the corner of my lips as I looked at the space I had created in front of me.
“I thought so, but really, it’s just a bunch of small fry. Did the masters feel it was beneath them to go after a single child?”
“What?”
“Why? Am I wrong? I don’t recognize a single face here.”
Many reapers bristled at my words, but none dared to attack immediately.
They all knew Rosina Winslet’s strength and understood that even if they succeeded in attacking, they could not predict the consequences that would follow.
Although no one said it openly, they knew the eyes with which their leader viewed me. Some might even think I had come under Windsor’s orders.
A few reapers stepped back, assessing the situation.
But wherever you go, there’s always someone oblivious to danger.
“Coming late just to snatch him? What nonsense!”
One reaper at the center bared his teeth. His glimmering eyes fixed on Ricardo, who was pressed against the wall, determined to seize that half of him.
It wasn’t just because Windsor coveted him.
The untamed power surging from Ricardo was exhilarating, sending shivers down the spine just by watching.
Truly a delectable prey for any reaper.
They would surely want to quickly crush the clearly potent Celius power within him. As expected, that reaper shouted again:
“Even if it’s Winslet, follow the order!”
Several nearby reapers, sensing the situation, joined in, and the murmuring grew louder.
I looked at them calmly, then turned slightly. When my eyes met Ricardo’s, I smiled gently.
“They usually can’t even talk to me, yet when they’re in a group, they’re all chatter. Isn’t that right?”
Ricardo’s face reflected the thought clearly.
His fearful gaze at the reapers naturally shifted to me. The tremor in his small body had eased slightly.
I had been worried, but seeing him relieved, I smiled in satisfaction and turned my attention forward.
“Don’t waste your time. Go back and tend to your business—it’s better for everyone that way.”
As I moved my hand toward the floor, more vines with sharp thorns sprouted around me.
“Or you can stay here and play with my roses. I was just thinking about giving them a new prey anyway.”
The roses emitted violet smoke as they writhed, clearly signaling attack. The reapers braced themselves.
It was at that moment a voice called out:
“Please wait a moment.”
The soft voice dominated the space, freezing all the reapers in place. I glanced toward the source, letting out a small exclamation.
“Oh, you look familiar. Are you from the Central Order?”
“Yes, I am.”
A man stepped forward from among the reapers.
“I heard what was just said. I will apologize on behalf of the Central Order for any disrespect toward the heir of Winslet. We will take measures to ensure you are not troubled further.”
“Compensating me for a few words seems excessive. If there’s something you want, just say it.”
“I must take that child with me.”
“Even if your master told me to take him, would you dare try to snatch him?”
“No such words were given, but there was an order to retrieve him immediately upon discovery.”
The room fell silent instantly.
I glanced back and saw Ricardo flinch, fear returning to his face.
He surely understood the meaning behind the reaper’s words. Perhaps he thought I might give him up.
‘I can’t allow that.’
I had promised to protect him. I had promised to save him.
“So?”
I replied curtly, tilting my head.
“Anyway, you just need to take him to your master, right? There’s no reason to hand him over to you otherwise.”
“What do you mean?”
“I already said it earlier. He’s mine.”
I felt Ricardo’s gaze on my back. Somehow, it gave me strength.
“You can take him only after you get past me. Until then, I’ll never let you have him.”
Almost simultaneously, all the reapers’ eyes gleamed with a menacing light.
Attacking together would give them a chance. I assumed that was their thought.
By now, dozens of reapers had gathered around.
Although most were small fry, I wasn’t sure I could handle all of them.
Furthermore, my previous statement had essentially defied the master’s order, giving me more justification.
‘Moreover…’
I glanced at the Central Order reaper.
He muttered something under his breath, probably reporting the situation back to the Central Order.
There was no reason left for the reapers to hesitate.
All at once, they charged at me.
‘They’re coming all at once.’
I swung my hand broadly at the mass of reapers.
The rose vines shot out in all directions, tearing through floor, walls, and ceiling.
A massive wall of intertwining vines formed between me and the reapers. The densely layered wall resembled a prison at first glance.
Moving like the wind, the area was filled with the scent of roses, and red petals fluttered like snow.
“Ricardo, do you know any songs?”
I asked calmly, observing the reapers frantically trying to break through the thorny wall.
“Um… sort of. I’ve heard a few,” he stammered.
“Then go under the bed and sing any of them with your eyes closed. It won’t take long.”
“Are you really going to face all those reapers alone?”
Ricardo’s face drained of color.
The rose prison was stronger than iron bars. Their strength alone couldn’t cut through it.
No, they’d fall to the black magic of the roses before even attempting.
Several reapers had already fallen while I was speaking with Ricardo. Just brushing against a thorn had ended some of their lives.
Counting the remaining reapers, Ricardo hurriedly said:
“I-I’ll help too! Now that I’ve unlocked my ability, I can definitely help!”
“No, get under there first.”
I cut him off sharply.
“You’ll be useless if you get hurt.”
I summoned a smooth, thornless vine. It wrapped around Ricardo’s waist, lifting him into the air and quickly pulling him under the bed without giving him time to react.
The rose vine released him after safely placing him in a small cage I created under the bed.
“I told you, you don’t need to protect me.”
I tugged the corner of my lips and looked forward again.
By now, a corner of the vine wall that had been attacked was breached. One reaper tried to squeeze through, only for another rose to pierce it and emit violet smoke.
Nearby reapers froze in place, forming yet another wall. This cycle repeated several times.
After a while, most of the reapers had been dealt with. I felt relief, but dizziness suddenly hit me.
‘Ah, maybe I overdid it.’
My head spun momentarily. The full moon would rise soon. I had used too many roses.
I had built walls so tightly that the reapers couldn’t touch Ricardo, but many of the vines and roses were damaged.
I quietly wiped the blood climbing up my throat with my dress sleeve.
‘Now, keeping the walls is a waste.’
I quickly retracted the roses. As the vine connections fastening the walls and ceiling loosened, the vine walls collapsed toward the remaining reapers, crushing them.
Those who couldn’t escape were trapped, choking on the rose smoke, slowly dying—or pierced by thorns first.
Now, I only needed to deal with those lucky enough to slice through and escape.
I quickly surveyed the surroundings.
‘About three left…’
As I called the vines back, a figure sprang up among the fallen corpses.
It took me a moment to realize it was the Central Order reaper I had spoken to earlier.
I had been too exhausted to notice his approach.
He sprinted toward the bed, eyes fixed on Ricardo huddled beneath it.
‘Damn. Not enough time to gather the roses.’
I quickly made my decision.
By the time I regained my focus, my legs were already moving toward the bed. I leapt between Ricardo and the reaper.
Thud.
The sharp sound of something piercing flesh rang out.
