Chapter 69
The rain that had been falling all evening ceased around daybreak. By then, the forest surrounding the mansion was shrouded in fog.
The damp air brushed past the cheeks of those on horseback.
“Your Highness, I think I know why!”
“What?”
Ruslan, riding along, spoke up loudly.
“To save the Young Master, we must go to a specific place, something like that!”
“…”
“If the Young Master fell ill because he was with Your Highness, then it makes sense why they left in a hurry.”
Ruslan’s cheeks bore a sharp cut, untreated and already bleeding due to hastily mounting the horse. Wiping the trickling blood with his arm, Ruslan, in the absence of a response from Aseph, turned to the butler.
“Isn’t that right, Butler?”
“It was indeed too urgent, leaving without any notice.”
“Exactly!”
“Given the gravity of the situation, there must have been much to prepare in the laboratory.”
“A fair point, Butler!”
Is this really the time for jokes?
…Not even such words came out.
Even while pursuing, Aseph did not want to accept the situation unfolding. The butler and Ruslan were making such remarks to slightly ease the tension.
At this moment, Aseph Vilkanos could not think rationally. Despite knowing something was off with Bea, he felt this way.
The fact that Bea left with the child and Myron Devesis was plunging Aseph into despair.
Perhaps, as Ruslan suggested, it was for Homun’s benefit.
Since it was right for Aseph and Homun to be apart.
But the reason for such a heavy heart was knowing all too well, despite trying to think positively, that an obvious truth awaited them. Yet, he still clenched his teeth and rode on, hoping to untangle it by seeing with his own eyes.
Finally, surrounded, Aseph quietly said,
“…Stop.”
As they halted, a tense silence filled the air, broken only by the wind.
Aseph dismounted from his horse.
Numerous thoughts swirled in his head, not meant for Myron Devesis, but for Bea. However, frustratingly, Bea hadn’t even glanced his way once.
In the end, Aseph’s subdued voice was directed at that teacher.
“The terms of our deal seem to have changed.”
“Pfft.”
With a snicker, Myron Devesis removed his hood, letting his long, rough red hair flow down. His snake-like, cold amber eyes scanned the late-night pursuers.
“Naive and arrogant noble, did you think I would negotiate quietly with the same Vilkanos that once killed me?”
“……”
Homun had been unconscious in that bastard’s arms the entire time. The child’s pale face did not seem to indicate an improvement in health.
Right. At the back of his mind, Aseph already anticipated this. From the beginning, there was no trust between the two of them, and it was obvious that the descendant of the man who had once killed him was no different from that same enemy. Trust would not be formed just because of a contract.
What Aseph had tried to believe in was Bea.
Perhaps, unable to treat Homun alone, she had sought help from a ‘Master’.
But as time passed, what consumed Aseph was doubt. No matter how much it might be better for the child to be away from him, he could not hand the child over to someone like Myron Devesis.
“Return him right now.”
“Take him if you want.”
Myron Devesis callously dropped Homun to the ground.
Aseph screamed and ran to Homun, who rolled weakly on the ground after hitting it. Only after he picked up Homun and confirmed that the child was still faintly breathing did Aseph raise his head.
Myron Devesis, having carelessly thrown the child as if discarding trash, dusted off his hands and moved forward.
“Deal with it.”
Homun, promised to be treated, was merely bait to buy time for this moment.
“Myron Devesis!”
Aseph shouted, rising to his feet. Even while holding the child, Aseph was blocked by an unexpected figure.
“Ugh…!”
Instinctively blocking with his arm against the sharp blade aimed at him.
Pain came the next moment.
It immediately became clear whom Myron’s last words were directed at.
Armed with military daggers, an expressionless face without tears or blood.
A combat alchemist enhanced with alchemy, using her small body for agile movements to slash at the opponent.
Zephyr.
Westwind.
Exactly as the butler had described, the one who once roamed the world beside Myron Devesis.
Judging that Aseph alone would face Bea, the butler and Ruslan chased after Myron.
Until they disappeared from sight, Bea did not move from blocking Aseph. No, it was more than just blocking. There was a murderous intent as if she would stab at any opening.
But what caught Aseph’s attention was not that, but the ear Bea had her hearing aid on. Pus was dripping down, mixed with blood.
She had already been overworked for days on end. She should have been resting, and the recent weather hadn’t been good either. Especially on such days when humidity is high, more caution was advised.
“Bea, please… Don’t do this. I don’t want to fight you.”
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