ITTRAETML 47

~Chapter 47~

Deep in the valleys of the eastern inland lived those called demons. Long ago, they had hidden there, persecuted for following a twisted faith.

They refused to yield to the empire’s efforts at persuasion. And the harder the imperial knights searched, the deeper they hid.

Meanwhile, immigrants poured into the empire through its wide borders—hundreds a day. With so many races and cultures mixing, the empire’s multicultural officers were always busy. That left little attention for those who kept hidden and lived apart.

Taking advantage of this, the barbarians planted roots deep in the valleys and expanded their power. Once settled, they lured imperial citizens with sweet words.

The temples were visibly displeased, but they couldn’t call a holy war. Still, they pressed the imperial court in subtle ways.

Then came rumors of human sacrifice. Proof followed soon after: the barbarians had built altars, offering humans as sacrifices, and even eating their flesh.

“Disgusting.”

It was the perfect outlet for Larvihan’s bottled-up stress. He stepped into the valley.

They said about five hundred people lived here. Quite a nest they had made.

He drew his sword and tossed the scabbard aside. It was a common scabbard, nothing special.

People thought Larvihan used a holy sword, but it wasn’t true. He always carried cheap swords and replaced them often. After all, beheading dulled the blade. Buying new ones was faster and more efficient than repairing.

Larvihan thought: I need to finish this before the blade dulls.

Then he charged.

“Nothing will happen, Countess.”

Since reading Garui’s letter, Lovelace couldn’t sit still. She paced restlessly around her office.

Judith tried to calm her down while contacting Maxmuel, but Lovelace didn’t hear a word.

Garui had clearly written: He’s in danger.

But Larvihan is the strongest—how could he be in danger?

That hopeful thought vanished just as quickly.

Half of his power is with me.

The realization dropped her into despair.

“Can you contact Garui for me?”

She knew it was impossible, but the words slipped out anyway.

“We don’t have a link to Duke Hendrake’s house. Both sides must agree for a magic line to connect.”

Lovelace murmured in defeat, “That’s right…”

Judith clasped her hand and urged her to sit. “The Duke is remarkable. He wouldn’t fall for a simple trap.”

Of course, Lovelace knew that. In the novel, Larvihan had never lost. But in her memory, he always wore a sad smile.

“Not even once, they say.”

“No. He lost once…”

Some unknown enemies had taken his elemental power and trapped him in an ice prison.

At Lovelace’s words, Judith flinched. She couldn’t deny it—Larvihan had indeed been defeated then. So she fell silent.

Just then, the communication orb lit up.

—“This is Maxmuel.”

“Why are you answering?”

Lovelace shoved Judith aside in her rush. Realizing her rudeness, she whispered an apology, but her voice trembled with urgency.

—“Countess?”

Her impatience bled through the orb. She was polite to others in the mansion, but now she sounded like she was interrogating him.

“Why are you in his office, answering the orb?”

The question was an accusation.

—“I don’t know where the Duke went. He only said he had something to do, then left.”

Lovelace swayed, and Judith caught her arm.

—“Why, what’s happened?”

“I got a message from Lady Garui. Larvihan walked into a trap.”

Maxmuel couldn’t deny it. Only someone like Arwen could set such a trap—and this mission had come from her. Would she set a trap after asking him for help? Unlikely. But then again, she had once imprisoned him, costing Maxmuel four years of his life.

—“I’ll gather the knights and leave at once.”

“Do you even know where he went?”

Maxmuel hesitated.

“Tell me. Now.”

But Larvihan had left even Maxmuel behind for a reason. He didn’t want others to see him in mass slaughter. He killed without hesitation when needed, but he didn’t show it unless forced.

—“I cannot sa—Countess! Countess!”

Maxmuel’s anxious face vanished from the orb. Judith stared in shock. Both she and Maxmuel wore the same horrified expression.

Lovelace’s head was full of Larvihan. No matter what Judith or Maxmuel said, unease kept bubbling up.

I have to go to him.

The thought surged through her like instinct. Whether it was her heart or something deeper, she couldn’t tell. She just wanted to be by his side—even if she could do nothing.

The moment she wished it desperately, the floor and ceiling flipped. Pain slammed her skull like a hammer, and she collapsed.

When she opened her eyes, her head throbbed painfully. Pressing her temples, she realized she had teleported for the second time.

The stench of blood. Corpses in rags. And in the distance, a man—black, no, red, bestial.

“Larvihan…”

Her voice cracked like a crumbling stone. She stepped forward.

Splash, splash.

She squeezed her eyes shut. She knew all too well it wasn’t water—it was blood.

Still, relief filled her at the sight of him alive, and she recoiled from herself. I’m not normal.

Larvihan sat on a rock, sword tossed aside. His bowed head hid his face. From afar, he looked exhausted.

Am I too late?

Fear clutched her. She hurried, stumbling through the corpses.

“Waaah!”

A baby’s cry split the air. The sound in this land of death felt like an omen.

Larvihan stood, gripping his sword.

“Could it be… Larvihan has a baby?”

If he killed it, if she saw him kill with her own eyes—she wouldn’t be able to face him again.

She ran. I must stop him before he does something irreparable.

Then lightning split the sky.

“Waaah!”

The thunderbolt struck where the cry came from. As if the baby’s voice summoned it.

Dark clouds smothered the sky, and yellow lightning rained down.

The thunder seemed to speak:

Try to stop me, if you can.

“Larvihan! Don’t!”

He glanced at her, then leapt without hesitation, shielding the infant with his body.

The bolt slammed into his back.

CRACK—BOOM!

Not once, but again, and again, until smoke curled from his body.

“Larvihan! Larvihan!”

She hugged his scorched frame. Electricity tingled against her fingers. His arm still stretched firmly to guard the child.

But then—one arm collapsed, limp.

“No… this was the trap.”

And the baby? It was gone.

She bit her lip hard, torn between blaming herself for doubting him and blaming him for falling into such a trap.

Lightning roared again. Lovelace cupped his face, tears streaming.

“Wake up. Don’t die. I’m scared!”

He didn’t move. He was still breathing, faintly.

“Is it because you have no strength? I’ll give it back. I’ll return it to you.”

She rubbed her tear-streaked face against his neck.

“Like this… isn’t it enough? Tell me how… please, Larvihan.”

But no one could answer her. The only way she knew was through touch.

Please, let him come back.

She pressed her lips to his, tears salty on her tongue. Like he had once done, she slid her tongue inside, kissing him desperately as if giving him breath.

Please, please.

Her heart’s plea poured into him.

Maybe it isn’t working…

As she pulled back, sobbing, a hand touched the back of her head.

Her eyes flew open. Black eyes met green.

The kiss grew rougher, stealing her strength, blurring her consciousness.

Larvihan… you’re alive? This isn’t a dream, is it?

But before she could hear an answer, Lovelace fainted in his arms.