Chapter 67
The man hesitated, unable to continue.
As Kaiden suspected, there was more to the story.
“I was just scared…”
He seemed unwilling to confess easily. Rather than waste time, Kaiden decided to press harder.
He drew his sword, pointing it at the man’s throat.
“Eek!”
“Lie, and I’ll cut you down now.”
“I-I’ll tell the truth! Please spare me!”
Trembling, the man begged frantically.
As Kaiden lowered his sword, the man spoke rapidly.
“The petrified men have something in common.”
“What?”
“They… they were the ones who lured Jane into the forest that night.”
Kaiden frowned, struggling to grasp his meaning.
Then it hit him. “You mean they assaulted her?”
The man avoided his gaze. “I-I had no choice. It was Charles, Jane’s fiancé, who led it. He’s the next village chief, practically a law unto himself.”
Kaiden’s eyes burned with contempt.
Excuses or not, the man’s crime was no less heinous than Charles’s for harming an innocent woman.
Sensing Kaiden’s silence, the man, growing anxious, continued. “That’s why Charles died first! I saw them go somewhere through the window that night. I told my friends it was Jane, but no one believed me. Then they all turned to stone!”
Trembling, his bloodshot eyes radiated unbridled rage and fear.
“I’m the only one left! Jane killed them all! I attacked her before she could get me!”
His fervor suggested he’d lunge at Jane if she were there. The knight beside him sighed.
“He’s always been obsessed with conspiracy theories.”
The knight clearly didn’t believe him.
Just then, someone entered. The knight, recognizing her, looked startled. “Jane! Why are you here?”
“Sir…”
Jane, pale and unsteady, staggered in.
Despite being attacked, vivid bruises marked her neck, and smaller wounds made her painful to look at.
The man in the cell foamed at the mouth and collapsed upon seeing her.
Glancing at him, Jane continued, “Just let him go. He’s pitiful. I don’t want the village disturbed because of me.”
The knight looked at her with pity, assuming she’d come for her grandfather’s sake.
Kaiden cut in sharply. “No.”
“What?”
“I’m still questioning him. And I was about to talk to you—perfect timing.”
The knight, alarmed, stepped forward. “Your Grace, Jane’s still recovering from the attack. Perhaps question her later…”
“No, I’ll do it,” Jane said. “If it’s alright, could we talk at my house? This place is a bit scary.”
“Fine.”
With her agreement, the knight couldn’t object.
Kaiden entrusted the prisoner to him and followed Jane.
At the village chief’s house, a strange scent lingered.
“My grandfather needed calming, so I burned some incense,” Jane explained, offering tea.
Kaiden spoke softly. “Did you already deal with the chief?”
“…What?”
Her hand froze mid-pour, her eyes reddening. “You believe that man?”
Her trembling voice was pitiful, but Kaiden remained unmoved, asking an odd question.
“You have many wounds, especially on your wrist. Those look old.”
“This is…” Jane hid her wrist, flinching.
“I was told you were only choked. Were those scars from that night?”
That night. The phrase hardened her expression instantly.
“…When did you figure it out?” she asked, head bowed.
Her hair shimmered, taking the shape of snakes.
Kaiden closed his eyes, assuming a combat stance.
“Since I noticed the foul smell on you.”
“…”
“Did you think I wouldn’t recognize the sedative poison in that incense?”
“You walked into a trap?”
“More like I cornered you. Poison doesn’t affect me.”
Jane hurled the scalding teapot at him.
With his eyes closed, Kaiden deflected it effortlessly and struck her body with his scabbard.
“Kyaa!”
She crashed into the wall, screaming.
The impact would’ve broken a normal person’s bones, but Jane rose and charged. Kaiden smirked.
“Definitely a beast.”
He subdued her without killing, searching for the core, as Reina had instructed.
“Secure the Medusa’s core. Removing it saves the host. It’s troublesome, but don’t kill her—dark energy will engulf the village.”
Knowing the host was human, he had no choice.
Dark energy would overwhelm anyone not trained in aura like him.
Left with no option, Kaiden fought hand-to-hand.
At that moment, Reina and Michael entered with Celine.
“Reina?”
Kaiden glanced at her, startled. Seizing the chance, the Medusa’s snake-hair lunged at him.
Slash!
The snakes were severed, releasing a potent poison into the air.
Michael quickly covered his mouth with his sleeve, pulling Reina back.
Ritsi flapped its wings, blowing the poison out with a powerful gust despite its small size.
The Medusa charged at Reina, targeting the weakest-looking one.
Big mistake.
Clang!
A wall of aura blocked her path, protecting Reina from the start of the poison’s spread.
“Urgh!”
The Medusa bounced back like a ball. Kaiden swiftly restrained her, covering her eyes.
“Grr!”
Jane let out a beastly growl, thrashing.
Reina, fearless, approached, prompting Kaiden to shout, “Stay back!”
His voice was sharp, heightened by the tense situation.
Had he not used his aura, she could’ve been gravely injured.
Unfazed by his tone, Reina used Ritsi’s power and spoke. “The necklace. It’s the core.”
Kaiden yanked it off, and Jane’s挣扎 ceased.
The necklace transformed into a snake, lunging at him.
He grabbed its head, pinning it down.
Reina, ready, held out a beast restraint. “Don’t kill it—put it here!”
“What?”
“Hurry!”
She looked ready to grab it herself, astonishingly calm for someone just in danger.
Her insistence on collecting the core baffled him.
With a reluctant grimace, Kaiden placed it in the restraint.
