Chapter 69
I quickly pulled my knees up and glared at Deon, but he was already engaged in conversation with others.
“The Khan Alliance headquarters is surrounded by mountains, so a surprise attack won’t be easy. And on the Western Empire’s side, they’ve already done quite a bit of the monstrosification process.”
“How far have they gone?”
At the elf’s question, the dwarf wiped his face with his palm as if in despair.
“They’re moving the monsters from Drace Prison by ship, like dumping trash. I don’t know what they’re thinking, but given the nature of vampires, being bitten by a monster doesn’t lead to infection because there’s no suitable blood. Looks like they just want to make it completely their world.”
“But aren’t there humans in the Western Empire?”
“How could I possibly know what those people are thinking?”
Was this why they called me here?
“…Are you okay, Princess?”
At that moment, Tritan, sitting beside me, gave a concerned look. He seemed to think my face had turned red from being so tense around the massive monsters.
“I’m fine.”
I forced a smile and answered, but my gaze remained fixed on Deon. I was more irritated because I couldn’t tell what he was thinking.
“By the way, I’ve never seen a monstrosified being, and here we have three survivors, right? Two of them women. You’re also a survivor from Drace Prison?”
It happened then. I was just staring at Deon, when the orc beside him suddenly looked at me and asked. Me? Was he really asking me? Stunned by the sudden question, I quickly gathered myself and replied:
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“How are the monsters? In bad shape?”
The orc’s expression was serious. Probably because his own leader had been monstrosified, he would naturally be very interested in monsters compared to any other race. Since this might be the last time this world is affected, I, resting my chin on my hand, answered as thoroughly as I could.
“Once monstrosification begins, they lose reason. Most become violent, though some act according to certain desires. But coercion is the same for all. They commit violence indiscriminately, seemingly unaware of pain. If consciousness were a candle, the flame would be completely extinguished.”
“So they’re basically dead?”
“Then wouldn’t that make it easier to fight them? Just kill the beast left with only instinct.”
“That’s only possible if you kill them without being bitten. If a monster bites you, monstrosification progresses. That’s why saints are involved in this war.”
The atmosphere was steadily becoming more serious. When the knights from the Southern Empire joined the conversation, the strategy discussion became official, leaving no room for me to interfere.
“Then we’ll gather around the Khan Alliance and gradually narrow their range of movement to encircle them. The dwarves and orcs will cover the north; the Southern Empire and divine beasts will cover the south; and the elves and centaurs will block the Western Empire from the west. If we move simultaneously, we have a chance. So it would be good if the Southern Empire sends saints.”
“We’ll send a message to the temple. But given the gravity of the situation, the temple won’t refuse.”
“I see. Then…”
Deon, running his black hair back, turned his red eyes toward me.
“Take a short break.”
At his words, as if on cue, we both stood up at the same time and stepped outside.
“Why did you call me?”
“The injured part… Last time, it looked like your knee was scraped.”
“I asked why you called me.”
I had no intention of making small talk with him. Heading toward the stairs to the outdoor garden, Deon naturally sat down on a bench. I hadn’t realized in the conference room because of the chaos, but only now did I notice that Deon was wearing casual clothes, not prison or guard uniforms.
His outfit was a sharply tailored uniform similar to what nobles wore, with one or two buttons of the shirt collar undone.
“Sit for now.”
When he crossed his arms, the stiff fabric creased along his muscles. Sitting with his long legs slightly crossed, he exuded such authority that from a distance, he could look like the master of this castle. Of course, that impression only worked for someone who hadn’t seen his grim side.
“I have no reason to sit. I’ll only answer the questions I’m asked.”
Speaking irritably, the man briefly closed his mouth. He seemed to be waiting for something, but when I refused to sit beside him, he let out a faint sigh and stood up, just like me.
“Did you really issue the order thinking it was the last?”
His low voice resonated in my ears. There was an unusual mix of curiosity and anxiety in his red eyes that I hadn’t seen in the conference room.
It was the first time I’d seen Deon not angry. Or rather, the first time I’d seen him waiting for my answer with a sober expression. I was momentarily stunned by this unfamiliar side, and clenched and unclenched my fists to regain composure. This face wasn’t going to matter anymore.
“Yes. I really thought it was the last.”
“Then don’t think that way. I’ll call on you periodically.”
“Training someone like a mutt?”
“Before, I was in that position. Now, it’s fun to reverse the roles.”
“You really—”
“I apologize for what I just said.”
Seeing my flushed face, the corner of his mouth lifted slightly.
“I’ll come periodically, so you just wait. Is that fine?”
“…You called me just to say this?”
“It’s rare for a divine beast to volunteer for mutt training. Isn’t that kind of fun?”
“It’s not fun.”
A faint breeze ruffled his black hair. His red eyes glanced at me, and still with his arms crossed, he leaned slightly closer and whispered:
“Then what would make it fun for you?”
It was a soft, sweet tone that made me tremble without realizing it. The man used to be so cold, it was almost unbelievable. I turned my head, and his indifferent face remained. High nose, and red eyes deep under his brows.
“I’m having a blast right now.”
When our eyes met, his lips curved in satisfaction. As always, Deon had the ability to leave anyone staring blankly. He seemed to notice my expressions changing over time, and a rare crooked smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
“…I’m going home.”
So I closed my eyes and said it. I didn’t want to get drawn into emotions again over his appearance.
“…What?”
“I’m going home. I came here to tell you this. Lemony really discovered how to change souls. Once this conversation is over, I’ll really be going back.”
Should I get angry again? Or stop her? I predicted dozens of possibilities as I slightly opened my eyes. He was still leaning toward me, studying my face.
“Fine.”
“…Excuse me?”
“If you can, go.”
It wasn’t the answer I expected. Showing surprise here would be losing, but the completely unexpected answer made my slightly open eyes tremble.
“Miss.”
Suddenly, a leather glove came between Deon and me, causing me to step back. Someone supported my back. It was Kaise. He looked at me, seemingly ignoring Deon, frowning slightly.
“There seems to be a problem.”
“What problem?”
Swallowing dryly, I asked. After a brief hesitation, Kaise frowned.
“Miss Leilia has disappeared.”
“…What?”
Over Kaise’s shoulder, Deon’s expression relaxed. Something was off. There was no reason for him to be happy in this situation. Could it be…? Could it be Deon? Clenching my teeth, I shoved Kaise aside and glared at Deon.
“Deon. You didn’t… take Leilia, did you?”
“Yes.”
“‘Yes’? Now? Are you insane?”
“Why not? At the prison, they made such a fuss threatening you. Now that I know the truth, I’m going after the real target.”
A rare playful glint appeared on his handsome face. Deon, still wearing a crooked smile, gently brushed my tangled blonde hair behind my ear.
“If you can, go. But know this.”
He leaned closer again. Kaise, realizing the situation late, tried to stop Deon, but Deon didn’t even glance at him and twisted Kaise’s wrist with one hand while staring at me.
“I won’t let you go twice.”
The cold warning echoed in my ears.
“So choose, Kim Eunji. Either keep running, or come back to me willingly before I lose my mind.”
“…What did you say?”
I gasped softly, covering my mouth. But with his other hand, Deon gently lowered my wrist and tilted his head to whisper in my ear:
“I can do anything in a yard filled with these ignorant monsters.”
This was no apology. It was a clear threat.
