Chapter 74
Now, the spirit wanted only one thing—to have her all to himself, the woman crushed under the weight of a king’s duty.
<Do you want me to blind the army’s eyes?>
“Please. I’m begging you.”
The spirit stepped toward Ravie, who was sobbing as she sat collapsed on the ground. He reached to stroke her tear-streaked cheek—but of course, he couldn’t feel anything.
Her eyes, shimmering with tears, were breathtaking. How wonderful it would be if she would cry under him like she had that night in the cave. He pulled his hand back. His clenched fist trembled violently.
With a gentle smile, the spirit leaned in and whispered a proposal to Ravie.
***
Meanwhile, Ril had set out to stop the approaching army and encountered the king leading it. It was a tearful reunion though one-sided. Ril remembered nothing, but they rejoiced to see the youngest prince, whom they thought dead, alive again.
Their longing, their relief to their prince none of it mattered to Ril. All that mattered was whether this reunion could help him fulfill her request.
“Please call off the army. These people protected and saved me.”
Though he had no memory of his family, Ril pleaded with a trembling voice and eyes full of tears. It was for her. And he knew, if the army attacked, it would be Ravie, the werebeast king, who would bear the first responsibility. Right or wrong didn’t matter to him, her position would.
“My son, I’m grateful they saved your life. But as a king, it is also my duty to answer the cries of my people.”
The king refused his son’s plea with a pained expression. Ril immediately understood that this war had never been just about revenge for one ruined village.
The pretext of vengeance was convenient. In truth, this was a war of conquest, stirred up by the nobles who had visited Mount Heilig.
Ril realized no amount of begging would stop it.
“Then at least spare the werebeast king. If I can persuade her to surrender, you’ll be able to take their land with fewer losses. And she’ll be useful in governance.”
Ril had no illusions. He wasn’t someone who clung to emotions. He calculated quickly.
Ravie loved all her people.
But Ril—did not.
If he couldn’t save them all, then at least… he had to save her.
Father and son were alike. The king saw the lethal resolve in his son’s eyes. While not moved enough to halt the war entirely, he was willing to offer a rabbit girl with no power as a token of goodwill.
“Very well. If the werebeast king surrenders, her life will be spared.”
With the king’s promise, Ril turned back toward the island. Whether the army followed or not no longer mattered.
After all, this entire disaster began with those damned predators—fools who scorned Ravie and couldn’t keep their greed in check. If dozens or even hundreds of them died, Ril felt nothing. It was regrettable that innocent werebeasts would also suffer, but to him, that was simply… unfortunate.
With bloodshot eyes, Ril desperately searched for Ravie. He had to find her. Convince her to surrender. No, he didn’t even need her to surrender. He just had to get her away and hide her somewhere safe.
As flames devoured the villages, he climbed the mountain in search of her.
“Ravie!”
He finally found her on the mountainside.
Down below, hell was unfolding where Ravie stood, it was eerily silent. It felt like another world. Ril tried to run to her but as he drew closer, Ravie stepped back. His heart turned cold.
“Ravie. Let’s leave. Just the two of us.”
“You know… I can’t do that.”
It was the same thing Ril had whispered to her over and over. And her heart had wavered before. But she loved this land. She loved her people. She loved the spirits.
And as much as she loved Ril, she couldn’t abandon the rest.
Her lips trembled as she forced a smile. She couldn’t see his face clearly through the tears and she was grateful for that. If she did, her resolve might break.
The dagger in her hand trembled. She’d never held a weapon before. She hated herself for letting this once-peaceful land fall into ruin.
The screams of the werebeasts rang clearly in her ears. Surely, the spirit in the sanctuary could hear them too. If she drove that blade into Ril’s chest now, he would fulfill his promise: he would hide the werebeasts from human eyes.
“Ravie. Please listen to me. You promised we’d stay together. Please…”
Ril’s voice was desperate. And Ravie felt it all. She knew how deeply he loved her. She, too, had once wanted to run away and leave everything behind… just with him.
‘Save me!’
‘KRAAAH!’
More screams. Ril couldn’t hear them, but she could. Voices dying in agony. And beyond them—the silent torment of a spirit’s soul as it decayed.
Everyone was suffering.
“You know… I’m really glad we made that vow.”
“What…?”
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