Chapter 211: Fiona (2)
“—Why don’t you put down my fiancée right now?” Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
At the same moment, a sword severed Fiona’s arm, freeing me from her grip.
As her arm dissipated into pitch-black smoke, I fell to the ground, gasping for breath.
“—Cough!!” I managed to come to my senses, taking quick breaths.
“Lady Fiona, are you okay?!”
The person who rushed to my side was Eunice. I quickly took in the scene around me. The one who wielded the sword was Sigren.
“Sigren? Eunice? How did you get here?”
Eunice responded bravely.
“Reinforcements!”
It was thanks to Eunice’s power that Sigren’s sword had affected the Darkness.
“Hey, you.” Sigren positioned himself protectively between us and Fiona. “You always yell at Fiona like you’re angry at her, but the one you hate the most is me.”
What did that mean? I tried to comprehend what Sigren was saying while facing the Darkness.
“So if you have any complaint, why don’t you tell me directly?”
[….]
I cleared my throat, “Cough, Sigren, wait a minute.”
Sigren turned around to look at me for a moment, then unexpectedly took a slight step to the side. He seemed to know that I had something to say. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
“Fiona….”
I felt her gaze on me.
“What I said earlier wasn’t just about Eri.”
I whispered with all my heart, recalling Fiona’s life.
“I believe you can find your happiness too.”
I looked straight at her.
“I’m not asking for forgiveness. I just… want you to find your happiness too.”
[Late.]
There was a bewildered murmur, like that of a lost child.
[I am no longer Fiona or anything. I can’t be anything. I don’t have any value….]
She quietly looked up at the sky. Dark clouds were gathering.
[But, yeah, as you said, that child might still have a chance.]
Fiona then glared at Sigren and uttered words she had often muttered.
[Why only you?]
That was the last time.
The girl who had tried to kill me moments ago slowly disappeared. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
I stared blankly at the spot where Fiona had been.
It was not that she forgave me, but I could feel that she vaguely understood what I meant.
***
I went straight to Bill Curtis who was being held by Carl.
“Bill Curtis! Where is Eri?”
Bill flinched when he saw me.
“Huh, alive? That person?”
“The Darkness has left.”
He seemed not to understand the situation. “She abandoned me?”
I grabbed Bill Curtis by the collar to snap him up to his senses “She’s not a god. You’re deluding yourself.”
I looked at Carl, seeing that guy’s condition. “Carl, did Bill Curtis tell you where Eri is?”
“No, he didn’t tell.” Carl shook his head lightly. He glanced at Bill who seemed to have lost all his will instantly. “But it looks like he took a big blow.”
“I know. Carl. Do you have a dagger with you? I want to take the next step.” I scanned Bill Curtis. There were traces of some torture by Carl. As expected, Carl was not an easy guy. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
Sigren appeared from the sidelines. “Fiona. Let me do it.”
I shook my head. “No.”
I had a prior agreement with Bill. I took the dagger from Carl and pressed it to Bill’s wound. “Bill Curtis, you remember the promise I made earlier, right? So quickly tell me where Eri is.”
“Eughh…”
I looked at him with cold eyes.
“I apologize, but I tend to keep my word. You son of a bitch.”
***
Soon after, a research party on horseback arrived in the forest. They were soldiers from Heilon. Despite the inclement weather with heavy rain, they persevered, searching through the forest until they finally found what they were looking for. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
“Here, here she is!”
Upon hearing the soldier’s shout, Fiona quickly ran towards them.
“Get a shovel!”
It was fortunate it had rained as it had washed away the top layers of soil, making it easier to find their target. After digging a little, a chest large enough to fit a person was discovered.
“Open it quickly! Quickly!” Fiona exhaled roughly. Her bare hands got scratched in her haste, but she paid no mind.
Kiiik…. The large chest opened with an old creak. Inside lay a young girl curled up, her face pale. It was Eri.
“Bring the physician! The child is found!”
Fiona picked up the limp Eri while people around her were busy. The girl was unconscious. Had they found her too late? Was she already beyond help?
‘No, I can’t give up yet.’
Fiona bit her lip. Then she placed both hands on Eir’s chest and began CPR.
“Miss?”
Here, come here!!
Fiona pressed hard against Eri’s chest in the midst of the chaotic situation. A physician rushed through the rain from afar, and soldiers moved with urgency.
Once, twice, three times, four times….
“—huk, huk, huk!”
As if a miracle happened, Eri finally took a breath and opened her eyes. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
“Oh, the child is alive!”
“Eri!”
Fiona sighed in relief and removed her outer robe to cover the child.
Eri realized who gave her warmth even in the cold rain, and he burst into tears. “Sister, sister–”
Fiona hugged the clinging child and comforted her. “Shh.. don’t worry. No one will hurt you now. It will be fine….”
Raindrops hung from Fiona’s long silver eyelashes, falling steadily. It was a day of unexpected heavy rain. Read the translation on itsladygrey.com.
***
Check out my Patreon to read advanced chapters!
