Chapter 23
By sunset, the familiar suburbs of the eastern lands came into view.
What should I tell Grandfather?
That the very Count Mond, whom he had so wished to tie me to, kidnapped me, and that if my client hadn’t saved me, I would never have made it back here?
If I said that, Grandfather would be terribly shaken.
“Sir Client…?”
“I’m listening.”
The man’s voice, heavy and clouded, responded with a rasp.
Was he sick? Why did his voice sound like that?
Hearing the strangely strained tone, Luna tilted her head but quickly dismissed the thought. There was no way a man who had cut through those assailants so effortlessly could suddenly fall ill.
“Is it really all right to just leave Count Mond like that?”
She couldn’t bring herself to ask whether he also needed to clean up the corpses he had left behind. The memory of the restaurant incident, and the Count’s crumpled face, made her shake her head.
The more she thought about it, the more uneasy she became.
If he were still alive, couldn’t he come after them at any time? The thought of Count Mond setting foot in their home after the Crow had already done so was horrifying.
“It’s fine. The subordinates trailing behind will take care of everything.”
Khalid, sensing her worry, answered simply and slowed his horse’s pace.
“But what if Count Mond comes to retaliate?”
“As long as I’m by your side, that won’t happen. Don’t trouble yourself.”
“Ah… yes.”
Luna scratched her cheek awkwardly.
Even if he was skilled in swordsmanship and had loyal men under his command, the enemy was still a Count.
Wasn’t he being overconfident? And besides, there was no guarantee he would stay by her side every single day!
Wouldn’t it be safer to run away with Grandfather to somewhere secure for a while…?
“We should hurry.”
“…Pardon?”
Just as her lips began to pout, a heavily fatigued voice pressed down on her back.
Unsteady groans of suppressed pain followed, and Luna’s eyes widened in alarm.
She flinched and turned, only for something heavy to slump onto her shoulder. It was scorching hot, as though a furnace had been placed on her, and she nearly let go of the reins.
“Are you all right?”
Her client was burning like molten steel. He could no longer even answer, simply leaning his massive body onto her.
Luna quickly realized why. Trapped in his embrace, she could see the tainted aura surging and writhing.
The corrupted aura spilled from his body in dazzling, chaotic waves that blurred her vision.
Thankfully, it caused her no pain—but for him, the bearer of the curse, it was agony. Cold sweat poured down his face as he struggled for breath.
What is this! Didn’t they say that purification worked last time?
Luna’s thoughts spun wildly. Clearly, purification was urgent.
But how could she do it on horseback? Should she stop and try? What if, like last time, she collapsed before finishing?
Even as she hesitated, the man beside her clenched his teeth and swayed, refusing to lose consciousness.
“Just hold on a little longer! We’re almost there! Don’t let go!”
“…”
Luna pulled his hand firmly around her waist, taking control of the reins herself. His fevered breath pressed against her nape, making her heart flutter, but she bit her lip hard and forced herself to focus.
“Stay with me! Don’t faint! Don’t let the curse swallow you!”
She kept shouting into his ear as his full weight leaned against her, making her body tremble with strain, but she endured and spurred the horse on.
“Luna!”
“Grandfather!”
“What on earth is happening? This aura…!”
“I’ll explain later! Right now he’s more urgent! Please help me!”
Fortunately, Baron Alonzo was waiting at the manor gates. When she hadn’t returned by evening, he had come outside—and was now utterly aghast at the sight before him.
He rushed to support both his granddaughter and the stranger, but immediately tried to pull her away from the man.
“Why are your clothes in such a state? Did this man do this to you? Where is Count Mond?”
Luna’s dress was in tatters, her cloak smeared with blood. The Baron’s face went pale. And the stranger she was propping up was even worse, his garments soaked in gore.
“That wretched Count kidnapped me! This man saved me! We need to purify him right now. The curse is only on him, so please—help me carry him!”
Moving a man built like a boulder on her own was impossible. Seeing him writhing in pain, Luna snapped at her grandfather, her voice rising in desperation.
Her eyes blazed like fire.
She hadn’t wanted to resent him, but watching him hesitate now stoked her frustration. He always claimed to care for her, yet rarely truly considered her feelings. And now of all times? It was unbearable.
Baron Alonzo’s lips parted slightly. His gentle, obedient granddaughter was shouting at him, and it wounded him. The Count’s vile act also left his scalp prickling with rage.
He shook his head and finally helped her. If Luna was this insistent, she must have her reasons.
“Take him to my chambers.”
“It’s too far. My room is closer—we’ll put him there.”
“…Very well. Let’s do that.”
The vast Adaret manor had long since been stripped of most of its furnishings. Luna’s room was the nearest place with a proper bed.
The Baron wanted to object, but if the man truly was her savior, then he deserved hospitality. He nodded reluctantly.
“I’ll bring cloth and clean garments. If you feel even the slightest pain, you must stop immediately. Promise me that, child.”
“Of course. Don’t worry.”
Luna’s heart softened at her grandfather’s concern, but she couldn’t afford to dwell on it. Saving her client came first.
She gave him a faint smile and ushered him out, closing the door behind him. Then she seized the man’s blackened hand.
“Please, please, please… Oh Lord, let this work. Let the purification succeed, even if it hurts me.”
She took several deep breaths, then carefully let her mana flow into him, praying only that he would not suffer.
Perhaps it was because she had rested enough—thankfully, the pain wasn’t as searing as before. It hurt no more than when purifying an appraisal stone.
That much, she could endure. Her fear of collapsing again eased, and with it came courage.
As her mana spread, the black aura began to shift, filtering into white.
“Thank goodness… it’s working after all!”
It was her first time watching someone else be purified. At first she doubted whether she could manage such a heavy taint, but seeing the aura lighten convinced her she might succeed.
His pallor faded, color returning to his face. His sharp features relaxed, losing their tormented tension.
Determined, Luna poured out more mana, sweat dotting her brow, her head spinning—but she did not stop.
She wanted to repay her savior with a flawless purification, no matter the toll.
“Urghhh!”
“Sir Client?”
Just when it seemed to be working, he groaned violently. The calm aura flared back into a frenzy, clawing at him again.
What kind of curse is this? Even with this much mana, it still won’t hold… Should I take him to the temple instead?
Her dry eyes locked on him.
Just because it was her only magic didn’t mean she was the best at it. She had been arrogant—thinking that bringing him home and purifying him herself would be enough.
The aura that had turned white was now reverting, blackening once more.
“What do I do…?”
The color drained from her face. All she could do was cling to his hand.
If holding hands wasn’t enough…
Her gaze roved over his body, her eyes suddenly brightening. The stronger the contact, the better the purification worked. She still had one option left.
“Just this once! You’d better pay me extra for this later!”
She shouted at the man who couldn’t even hear her, then boldly climbed onto his chest, wrapping her arms around his neck.
It was only meant to be an embrace, but since he was lying down, the position was rather compromising.
Her clear cheeks flushed crimson with embarrassment.
