I Became the Emperor’s Sleeping Pill - Chapter 66

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But, fearing she might strike the invisible Lysei with her sword, she made the mistake of aiming slightly away from Lysei’s actual position. The dark magic, already propelling Lysei backward, didn’t even touch her. Lysei was flung deep into the heart of the forest.

As she flew, Lysei saw Trey swinging his sword where she had been standing just moments before, and cried out his name. But the dark magic swallowed even her voice.

Lysei’s face paled as the unseen force carried her deeper into the woods. Not only was this different from what they had anticipated, but the experience itself was terrifying, making her tremble uncontrollably. Perhaps it was even more frightening because she had already faced death once at the hands of Seiren.

As fear threatened to overwhelm her, Lysei bit down hard on the inside of her cheek, a desperate attempt to regain control. Suddenly, the oppressive dark magic that had enveloped her vanished. She broke into a run.

It was a purely instinctive reaction to the danger, but an unseen force quickly bound her feet, sending her sprawling. As she looked up, her eyes met those of the heretic, the wielder of the dark magic. He wore a thick gray cloak and his eyes glowed red.

Instinctively, Lysei reached for her sword, but she had already dropped it. With no other choice, she swung her fist. The red-eyed heretic effortlessly dodged the blow and, with a flick of his wrist, used dark magic to seize her hand, lifting her into the air.

The heretic slowly raised his hand toward Lysei’s throat in a choking gesture. She felt the dark magic tighten around her neck.

Lysei clawed at the invisible yet tangible force, struggling to tear it away, but it was no use. Although she could feel it in her grasp, it was too powerful to break. Her vision blurred as her throat constricted.

The heretic, momentarily surprised that Lysei could grasp the dark magic, remembered his orders: bring Luigia back alive, kill Lysei. He tightened his grip.

“Aagh!”

A scream ripped through her fading consciousness, and her eyes flew open. The dark magic vanished.

“Cough! Cough! Cough!”

Gasping for air, she coughed painfully as the heretic’s severed head rolled to a stop at her feet.

“Oh!”

Lysei scrambled to her feet and stumbled backward, only to be caught by a strong arm around her waist. She turned to see a man with dazzling blond hair and eyes like jewels.

“Ed…in…?”

Whether from the lingering effects of near-strangulation or the wave of relief that washed over her at the sight of Edin, Lysei lost consciousness.

“Sei!”

She thought she heard Edin cry out, but then she fell into a deep, dark abyss.

***

Her eyelids fluttered open. Luigia and Trey, who had been watching over her, immediately sprang to their feet.

“Lady Lysei!”

“Sister!”

Luisia’s eyes shimmered with tears. Trey’s were filled with worry. Lysei tried to reassure them, to tell them she was alright, but no sound came out. Or rather, the attempt sent a searing pain through her throat.

“You mustn’t speak yet.”

Trey shook his head, his expression worried. Judging by the stiffness in her neck, it was bandaged again.

“Your throat is injured, Sister.”

Oh, for crying out loud.

Why always my throat?

This was the second time her throat had been nearly destroyed since she arrived in this world.

Lysei considered adopting the fashion of some remote tribe known for elaborate neck rings, perhaps even commissioning a custom-made throat protector.

A wry laugh escaped her as she thought about the absurdity of it. Suddenly, the image of Edin, her rescuer, flashed through her mind.

Edin…?

Unable to speak, she mouthed his name. Trey, instantly understanding, recounted the events that had transpired.

“…So, His Majesty the Emperor used his own blood to find you.”

Lysei’s eyes widened in disbelief. He had what? Cut himself again to save her? He had already drawn his own blood to protect her, Trey, and Luigia before the hunt, smearing it on their weapons and her skin. Even then, she had questioned whether it was necessary. This, however, was too much. But she knew that without Edin, she would be dead.

Despite all their careful planning and preparation, they had been caught off guard. Her swordsmanship, the protective bracelet Edin had given her—none of it had mattered.

A shiver ran down Lysei’s spine. What a cursed fate she had. Ever since she’d been transported into this dying character, she had faced death twice already.