Chapter 182………………………………………….
“Let’s get to a safe place.”
When I gestured with that intent, Luelian nodded.
We quickly walked down the long corridor of the palace with Grace in our arms.
As expected, the sight of the two of us holding a child passed by the other people without raising any suspicion.
In fact, it even seemed to neutralize the distinct appearance of the eccentric Count and Countess Caliente, making them look more ordinary and familiar. It made them appear almost domestic.
“Good.”
If things went as planned, we could leave the palace without interference, return to the mansion we had prepared in advance, and talk to Grace.
That was the ideal scenario… but…
“…Hmm.”
Not long after leaving the corridor, Grace suddenly squirmed. It seemed she was regaining consciousness.
“Already?”
A look of surprise flashed across Luelian’s eyes.
Normally, it wasn’t yet time for her to wake up, but it seemed Grace was trying her best to pull herself together.
Soon, she began to thrash violently, letting out muffled “ugh! ugh!” sounds.
A few passersby glanced at her.
At this rate, there was no way we could get her safely out of the palace.
We had no choice but to change plans and head for the palace’s secret garden, a place we had used several times before for private conversations. After entering through a cleverly hidden revolving wall behind a potted plant, Luelian placed Grace on the ground.
“…!”
Grace glared at us and waved her hands.
She seemed to fully understand why she had been kidnapped. Even though I was disguised, the only person who could take Grace away was Princess Aristina.
“Ugh! Ugh!”
Through Grace’s lips came low, animal-like murmurs. It was a plea for us to let her go.
“You might think that since you can’t speak, this forced conversation is pointless…”
Luelian looked down at Grace, summoning holy power in one hand.
“I don’t think that at all. As I said before, this is also to save your life, so please cooperate.”
As he spoke, he placed his hand on Grace’s neck, and a dark energy began to rise from that spot.
Before long, the mark on Luelian’s chest absorbed all of it.
I had heard that high-ranking clerics who know healing magic can transfer another person’s disease or injury into their own body. Though they don’t get sick themselves.
Luelian used that ability to take Grace’s nerve damage into his own body and immediately heal her.
“…!”
Grace’s face turned to shock as she felt her body rapidly recover.
She let out a scream and struggled violently. I grabbed the frail arms of the old woman.
“Calm down. Knowing the secret that the murderer is hiding, you can’t be safe otherwise. We’re the only ones who can protect you.”
“….”
Finally, the healing was complete.
Grace silently dropped her hands.
It seemed she realized there was nothing she could do to stop us.
Instead of defiance, her wrinkled face showed resignation. It was a look of utter despair.
“After all, it came to this.”
A sigh escaped her lips.
“Poor young ones. To be so desperate at such a young age… trying to take your own lives…”
“…?”
Luelian and I exchanged puzzled glances.
Something was off.
There was pity in Grace’s eyes. She seemed genuinely sorry for us, sorrowful that she couldn’t stop this, yet also burdened with self-reproach for failing.
Her clouded eyes turned toward me.
“The moment I heard that the princess had summoned the maids who testified about that incident, I guessed it. It was only a matter of time before I’d be questioned. But speaking would mean death. I had sealed my tongue to prevent anyone else from dying…”
What?
I couldn’t believe my ears.
Grace was saying something I never expected.
She had intentionally taken the medicine that made her unable to speak—not to hide the truth, but to save me?
“What do you mean by that?”
Luelian asked, raising his eyes.
“You said that if your mouth opens, it means death. Is it some kind of curse?”
“Yes. A curse.”
Grace said flatly.
“The culprit tried to kill everyone involved in the incident, but could not bring himself to harm me. The Empress considered me family. Even right before her passing, she pleaded that I not be harmed again…”
She continued calmly.
“Instead, he cursed me. If anyone discovers that this old woman knows the truth and tries to question me… the ancient and powerful curse will activate, devouring the person immediately upon speaking a single word.”
Suddenly, the sky darkened.
No, that’s not quite right.
The sky itself vanished. The secret garden, which had been perfectly intact moments ago, disappeared in an instant.
Darkness began to fill the space.
As if pouring black paint over every color, trying to erase Luelian and me from the world.
Grace spoke with a bitter expression.
“This wicked ancient curse will not attack me as long as I follow the Empress’s wishes. I could have avoided it… but now, this old woman will let go of all regrets and go to the Empress. Together with you innocent young ones…”
Then she sat down and closed her eyes.
At the same time, darkness surged like a tidal wave.
“An ancient curse… difficult to counter with just that information…”
Luelian said, drawing his whip.
From the look of it, it wasn’t going to be easy to stop this bizarre phenomenon. Darkness hit the whip, scattered, but quickly gathered again.
When one strand lunged at Luelian…
Bam!
With a powerful impact, the mass of darkness shattered into pieces.
“…?”
Luelian looked at me in surprise. I waved the fan I was holding.
It was the same fan Zikren had given me right before escaping. He had charged it with magic, and its power was incredible.
“Perhaps because it contains the dragon’s power, it’s more effective against the ancient curse.”
My confidence was short-lived.
Against the endlessly rising darkness, it was of little use. It bought us only a little time.
Everything went black.
I’ve struggled to survive every crisis so far… but this time, something might really go wrong.
As that thought crossed my mind, I moved forward instinctively, toward Luelian who was struggling to block the densest area of darkness.
He looked at me in surprise.
“Why are you here? You should try to avoid this as much as possible.”
“….”
I stood by his side instead of answering.
I just wanted to.
If worst came to worst and we really died, I didn’t want to die alone in misery like last time.
At least holding Luelian’s hand as I breathed my last would give me some comfort.
I think I finally understood what this feeling was, without needing to define it.
Thinking that made my chest tighten.
“….”
Even without words, perhaps Luelian felt it too. He solemnly reached out a hand and held mine while struggling against the spreading darkness.
Warmth and firmness radiated from him.
Even if our attempt failed, I felt like I could face death calmly…
…No, wait.
Holding his hand, a sudden surge of emotion erupted in me.
I want to live! I want to live more! I want to enjoy these moments! Go to cafés, go on dates, live happily!
I shouted without thinking.
“I don’t want to die!”
Luelian, standing next to me, was startled by the booming volume of my voice.
I felt my mind snap awake, turning quickly for one last time.
In the chaos, a certain object suddenly came to mind.
Right! That’s it!
Earlier, Shion had given me the World Tree fragment along with the contract rings, as instructed by my grandaunt.
My grandaunt had decades of experience as a contractor. Based on that, she judged this item would be useful for my escape.
Yes! This mysterious tree fragment can alter space!
When I had gone with Zikren to collect the “Lullaby of the World Tree,” activating the fragment summoned a magic circle that changed the space.
It didn’t have to be in a mining area.
Even during the interview in the palace guest hall, the World Tree’s power caused vibrations like an earthquake and altered space.
Anyway, doing something is better than just standing here!
I hurriedly fished the fragment from the pocket of my dress and shouted.
“I’m a contractor! Save us!”
In the space already swallowed by darkness, a magic-circle-like shape appeared.
A soft, gentle light burst from it, and someone popped out.
An old man with disheveled hair and swollen eyes, clearly dragged out of sleep.
It was the Great Spirit.
“Great Spirit!”
I shouted, both surprised and relieved.
“Please save us!”
