TWFLLYM Ch 111

Ten Years Anyway

She glared at the Baroness.

[Roserikta] "You've lost your mind. Are you trying to do now what you failed to do then? It won't work. The situation is different. Do you think the Emperor will just stand by and watch this?"

[Neira] "My fiancé says he must. He says it is the path for everyone to suffer together. Isn't that right?"

The Baroness lifted Kalart's chin with a single finger.

[Neira] "Now, tell that little girl. Tell her you proposed to me. And tell her you did it with a clear mind."

[Kalart] "......"

Kalart tried to turn his head toward Roserikta. Noticing this, the Baroness gripped his chin harder, forcing him to stay still.

[Neira] "Hurry. Or I can summon the Servel Tiger again at any moment."

Kalart exhaled a short sigh. He kept his eyes fixed on the Baroness' red lips.

[Kalart] "It is true. I proposed to you with my own lips."

What? What did he say? What kind of nonsense joke is this?

Even if it is a joke, it's unpleasant. Don't ever say that again. I mean it.

This is offensive. It's absolutely horrific.

Normally, these words should have poured out of Roserikta like a waterfall, but she remained silent. Her lips felt frozen.

Why? Why can't I say anything? It's strange. I can't speak, and I can't move.

[Kalart] "......"

He sighed again. He didn't look away from the Baroness' mouth.

[Kalart] "But I didn't mean it. I lied to escape the situation."

[Roserikta] "......"

Roserikta bit her lip and simply stared at him.

[Neira] "My, that wasn't the deal."

The Baroness ground her teeth and shoved Kalart away. Before she could, he twisted his body and avoided her touch.

[Kalart] "I needed to buy time."

[Neira] "Time?"

The Baroness let out a mocking laugh.

[Neira] "Does buying time change anything? Oh dear. How did you end up with such a dream-like thought? How pathetic."

The Baroness clapped her hands together in the air. It was the movement she used to summon the Servel Tiger.

[Neira] "Appear here!"

Kalart's jaw tightened with tension. However, the Baroness was the one who looked confused.

[Neira] "......Why?"

The Servel Tiger didn't appear. She clapped again, but nothing happened.

[Roserikta] "That won't work anymore. I disinfected this book."

Thud!

Roserikta threw the book at the Baroness' feet. Her face twisted in rage.

[Neira] "You brat! Do you think that changes anything? I can make every human here hate you! I will make them nail you to a cross and burn you alive!"

She reached her hand into the empty air.

Ssss......

Black dust began to rise. But it lasted only a moment.

[Neira] "......Ack! Ugh!"

Instead, she clutched her own mouth.

[Neira] "Gah! Kack!"

Thud!

The Baroness collapsed to the floor. She covered her mouth with her hands and acted as if she were vomiting something up.

[Neira] "What...... Kack! What did you...... why!"

Kalart provided the answer.

[Kalart] "Life Water."

[Neira] "......What?"

[Kalart] "I applied it to the inside of my lips. I couldn't think of any other way."

The last part was genuinely meant for Roserikta. He awkwardly looked away and continued.

[Kalart] "I thought it would help in the worst-case scenario, so I thought I should use it however I could."

Kalart wore the locket containing the Life Water Roserikta had given him. While the Servel Tiger pinned him down, he had managed to pull out the Life Water with his left hand, hidden from the Black Witch's sight.

He regretted that it was the only method he could think of at the time. He couldn't bring himself to look at Roserikta.

Clobellina, who had moved to Roserikta's feet at some point, muttered.

[Clobell] "Wow. This is so ridiculous. Is he calling that an excuse? Can I tell him exactly what I felt when I saw that?"

Elona nodded beside her.

[Elona] "I feel like I shouldn't stay quiet either. So that was why. I understand it, yet I don't understand it at all......"

[Clobell] "Understand what? Understanding can freeze to death. How can anyone understand that?"

[Elona] "Is that so?"

The more they talked, the more Kalart's eyes wandered, unable to settle on one spot.

[Clobell] "So is the Black Witch dying now? Even if he fed her Life Water, could that have been more than a drop?"

The Black Witch was not dead yet.

[Neira] "No...... way...... so pointlessly...... no way...... Kack!"

The Baroness, who had been scratching the dirt in a struggle, suddenly stood up and lunged at Roserikta. It was a final, desperate act using the last of her strength.

[Kalart] "Roserikta! Get back!"

[Clobell] "Rosy!"

Kalart was faster than anyone. He grabbed Roserikta and shielded her with his entire body.

Meanwhile, Elona quickly picked up the biological encyclopedia from the floor and struck the Baroness on the back of the head.

Clobellina leaped as high as she could and scratched the Baroness' eyes.

[Neira] "Aaaah!"

The Baroness fell. The moment her eyelids closed weakly, her entire body began to turn black, starting from her fingernails. It was a bizarre and skin-crawling sight.

Elona shuddered.

[Elona] "Ugh...... why is she like that?"

Roserikta knew the answer.

[Roserikta] "Because she held black magic within her body."

A corpse touched by black magic couldn't remain whole. The original body of the Black Witch, which was somewhere else after the swap with the Baroness, would likely suffer the same fate.

[Clobell] "Is it finally over?"

As Clobellina spoke, Kalart, who was still holding Roserikta, suddenly slumped his head.

[Roserikta] "Your Highness?"

His body leaned weightlessly against her.

[Kalart] "Now that it's over, my tension has snapped."

[Roserikta] "......"

That wasn't all. Roserikta finally realized his true condition. Blood seeped through the cracked armor on his back. His right arm hung limp, unable to move.

[Roserikta] "Ah......"

Tears finally welled in her eyes. The reality finally hit her. She realized what he had fought against and what had truly ended.

She hugged him tightly.

[Roserikta] "Now...... please rest."

[Kalart] "Ah...... is that allowed?"

[Roserikta] "Yes."

[Kalart] "If you say so."

Kalart closed his eyes. His face turned pale as he fell into a terrifyingly deep sleep.

---

The chaos settled somewhat by the time midnight approached. During that time, the Royal Physician and Roserikta were frantically busy. There was an endless line of people injured in the senseless fighting. It felt like the aftermath of a war.

[Roserikta] "Phew......"

She finally caught her breath after the sky turned pitch black. She sat down next to the bed where Kalart slept and wiped away sweat with her sleeve.

Kalart didn't wake even when she moved beside him. It made sense, as she had given him plenty of painkillers and fever reducers.

Roserikta struggled to hold back tears while setting his broken wrist bone.

[Elona] "Lady Roserikta."

Elona called out softly from outside the door.

[Elona] "May I come in for a moment? I worry I might disturb your rest."

[Roserikta] "Oh, yes. It's fine."

A moment later, Elona entered carrying a large basket.

[Roserikta] "What is all this?"

[Elona] "You skipped meals all day. I brought some tea and food. I know it's late, but I thought you might stay awake."

[Roserikta] "Ah...... thank you."

Roserikta wasn't hungry, but she appreciated the kindness.

Elona's face had grown thin in just half a day. Arad, who was caught in the guards' fight, also suffered significant injuries. He was currently groaning after taking a large dose of painkillers.

Most people were in a similar state, but the Emperor was a bit different. Because Arad protected him so well, he was the only one without a single injury. However, he fainted on the spot after witnessing his lover's death. This nearly caused the Royal Physician to faint as well. Even Clobellina felt sorry for the physician's pale face.

Regardless, everyone was now sound asleep. Only a few remained awake.

[Elona] "How is His Highness?"

[Roserikta] "He is sleeping very soundly now. The painkillers seem to be working."

[Elona] "I see. Sir Arad is the same."

[Roserikta] "That's good."

Elona approached and suddenly hugged Roserikta tightly.

[Roserikta] "Oh."

Her eyes went wide in surprise, but she didn't push Elona away.

[Elona] "Please bear with me for a moment. As your friend, I've been dying to hug you. You worked so hard. What would have happened if you weren't here?"

[Roserikta] "Haha...... I can't say. I don't know myself. Thank you for the comfort. You worked hard too, Lady Elona."

[Elona] "The Black Witch was a terrifying and horrific being. My body froze just looking at her."

[Roserikta] "You say that, but you hit her very well. Right in the vital spot."

[Elona] "That's because I was so desperate that I couldn't see anything else."

After patting Roserikta's back and shoulders, Elona stepped away.

[Elona] "But the Black Witch is really dead, right? She won't come back again, will she?"

That was the problem.

[Roserikta] "I can't be certain since she swapped bodies with the Baroness. We will only know for sure once His Highness wakes up."

[Elona] "Hmm? Why is that?"

[Roserikta] "If the Black Witch is dead, the curse will have vanished."

[Elona] "Aha, I see!"

Elona smiled brightly.

[Elona] "I hope she's dead and the curse is gone. Then His Highness can see all the beautiful things just like everyone else. And he will finally see how lovely you are, Lady Roserikta."

Roserikta gave a small, shy smile.

[Roserikta] "I hope so too."

The mere thought of such a thing happening again made her feel frightened already.

[Elona] "Oh, by the way."

Elona glanced at the sleeping Kalart and lowered her voice.

[Elona] "Are you, well, okay?"

[Roserikta] "About what?"

[Elona] "I mean, the part where His Highness tricked the Black Witch into drinking the Life Water."

[Roserikta] "Ah......"

How could I be okay?

She glared at the sleeping Kalart despite herself.

I suppose I can accept it if there was no other way, but I had already arrived. Did he really need to do that?

I was there, Clobell was there, and Lady Elona was there. We had already gotten rid of the Servel Tiger. Why did he do it?

[Roserikta] "The fact that His Highness is safe matters more."

She carefully wrapped her rising anger in polite words.

[Elona] "Of course. But I don't think I could have endured it. If I imagine Sir Arad doing that...... ugh."

Elona stopped and shuddered.

[Elona] "I would take away all the painkillers you gave him and make him beg for forgiveness first. With my narrow mind, I can't even imagine forgiving him."

I had finally managed to forget it, so why is she starting the fire again?

Roserikta patted Elona's arm.

[Roserikta] "I'm glad Sir Arad didn't do such a thing. If you don't mind, I'd like to look after His Highness now."

[Elona] "Oh, right. I only meant to drop off the snacks and leave."

Elona hugged Roserikta tightly once more.

[Elona] "I am so thankful, and I'm glad you're safe. I'm just so happy. I hope His Highness recovers quickly. I wish you both a peaceful night."

[Roserikta] "Yes, Lady Elona. Thank you for saving my life."

[Elona] "Don't mention it. It is my joy and my pride. It was an honor to save your life."

Elona quietly left the bedroom.

[Roserikta] "Sigh......"

Feeling a bit down, she opened the basket Elona brought. The large basket was packed with various types of food and tea. Every dish looked delicious, but she had no appetite. She took out only the teapot and cup and closed the basket.

Holding the warm teacup helped calm her racing memories.

How on earth am I supposed to forget this? Should I just keep thinking that it couldn't be helped?

While she sipped her tea, a voice spoke.

[Kalart] "It makes me very happy that you think that way."

She whipped her head around.

[Roserikta] "Your Highness! You're awake?"

[Kalart] "Mmm. I feel hungry."

His chest and right arm were wrapped in thick bandages, but he smiled as usual. In that moment, the countless events of the day and her bone-deep exhaustion melted away like a lie.

Roserikta set down her teacup and ran to the bed. Since Kalart tried to sit up, she quickly pressed down on his shoulders.

[Roserikta] "Stay still. It isn't good to move yet. Once the painkillers wear off, your whole body will hurt."

[Kalart] "I still want to do at least this much."

He wrapped his left arm around her waist, just as he always did.