Unrequited Love, Lost for the Better - Chapter 26

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※ This work contains depictions of coercive relationships, explicit language, and other graphic content. Reader discretion is advised.

The exploration squad members, realizing the situation late, gasped in surprise. Collette placed her hand on Valerian’s arm, which was still tightly around her waist.

“I’m sorry, Valen. You must have been really scared because of me.”

“What were you even thinking?”

“Well…”

She didn’t know. She had only been hoping Meliano was outside the Labyrinth, and then she came to her senses with Valerian holding her in front of the cave.

If I say I don’t know, he’ll get angrier…

Avoiding his gaze, Collette glanced at Valerian, who was looking down at her with a hard face. In that moment, she thought she saw something faintly glowing beyond the pitch-black cave. Squinting to be sure—it was still there.

What… is that?

The pale light grew clearer and flickered. Such light couldn’t naturally occur in that complete darkness.

“Wait. Let me go, Valen.”

“No. You’re staying right next to me.”

“No, I mean—over there, just now…!”

Thinking Collette was trying to wriggle free, Valerian wrapped one arm around her waist and tucked her under his arm. Then he turned his back to the cave entrance and moved toward the squad.

“Wait, wait, Valen! Wait…!”

Collette dangled and struggled. As she kept thrashing, Valerian’s jaw tightened.

Just then, one of the anxious squad members watching them pointed toward the cave.

“…Huh? Th-There’s a light over there…!”

Only then did Valerian turn his head and look inside the cave.

“…What.”

Pitch-black darkness. Yet from that place swarming with Shadow Puppeteers, a light was indeed visible.

Valerian immediately set Collette down behind him and gripped his sword hilt.

Even with the area brightly lit, the Shadow Puppeteers shouldn’t have been able to approach. If a beast was coming anyway, it was likely something the squad had never seen before.

The leather of Valerian’s glove creaked as he gripped the hilt. One by one, the squad members also adjusted their staffs.

Gulp. Someone’s dry swallow echoed in the silent space.

Collette peered from behind Valerian toward the cave. The faint light inside was growing larger. The silhouette approaching with the flickering flame wobbled side to side, like a praying mantis.

Shing— Valerian drew his sword. The blade, dulled for channeling mana, was instantly sharpened as it became wrapped in dark purple energy.

“…Valen, no!”

The moment Valerian swung his sword—

“I-It’s me! It’s me!”

The wobbling figure revealed itself fully. At the same time, Valerian’s mana-charged blade stopped near its neck.

“Somerset!”

Collette dashed toward Meliano Somerset. Holding a torch, he was trembling, clutching his neck.

“Se-Senior…?”

Meliano, filthy as if he’d rolled in mud, began to sniffle when he saw Collette.

“Senior Collette…”

“Where have you been? Were you alone? Was anyone else with you?”

Collette didn’t even notice Meliano calling her name so familiarly. His condition was that much of a mess.

“I really almost died… There were others, but something black…”

At his words, Collette’s expression hardened. He had been attacked by the Shadow Puppeteer.

“…Don’t cry. You’re safe now. Let’s go over there.”

Collette tried to lead the sniffling Meliano toward the group. But Meliano limped on one leg.

“Are you hurt?”

“Ah, Senior…”

Looking closer, there was a bruise like a handprint near Meliano’s ankle. He must have nearly been dragged away by the Shadow Puppeteer. Though his limping was pitiful, thankfully his life didn’t seem in danger. Collette sighed in relief.

“Don’t worry. You’ll be fine once you get treatment.”

“Yes…”

She had hoped he would be outside the Labyrinth, but at least he was alive—that was a relief.

“Let’s go over there. They’re preparing to return now.”

Collette helped support Meliano. But though not as tall as Valerian, the height difference made her body tilt.

A hand grabbed Meliano by the nape and pulled him away from Collette.

“Ugh…!”

“A junior should be assisting their senior. Where did you learn to lean on a woman half your size just because of a little injury?”

Without hiding his irritation, Valerian shoved Meliano toward Woodrow. Tossed aside like a sack, Meliano caught himself on Woodrow’s arm and glared at Valerian in disbelief. But Valerian’s gaze was already fixed on Collette.

“Hey, young man.”

Ronald Woodrow spoke to the bristling Meliano.

“Better follow along quietly. Yours isn’t the only injury here.”