TWFLLYM Ch 61

You Are My Destiny

[Clobell] "Ack! What is it!"

Clobellina jumped, tears and snot clinging to her face.

[Roserikta] "It's just me. I’m back."

[Clobell] "Waaaaah! Rosie!"

She dashed forward and leaped onto the window frame.

[Roserikta] "Wait! Careful, Clobell."

The inner window frame offered no space for a cat's backside. Roserikta quickly caught Clobellina in her arms.

[Clobell] "Rosie! Rosie!"

Clobellina clung to her, acting like a spoiled child and ignoring her own weight.

[Roserikta] "Oh, Clobell. Are you crying?"

[Clobell] "Do you have any idea how scared I was?! Do you even know what happened after you left?!"

[Roserikta] "Yes. I saw it. I flew here on a broom the moment I knew."

[Clobell] "You should have come sooner! What took you so long! Did you forget all about me!"

[Roserikta] "I hurried as fast as I could. Look at my messy hair. I flew straight here."

[Clobell] "Waaaaah!"

She patted Clobellina's back.

[Roserikta] "You were scared. You did well."

[Clobell] "Don't even start. I nearly died."

[Roserikta] "Yes, yes. I know. You were so scared you even promised to eat your vegetables."

[Clobell] "That was...... I lost my mind for a moment because I panicked."

[Roserikta] "People grow up during a crisis. You’ve finally become a mature adult cat, Clobell."

[Clobell] "No, I’m already mature. I’m already three years old."

[Roserikta] "Age and maturity are different things. Regardless, I’m glad you grew up."

When Roserikta patted her a bit harder, Clobellina hissed and escaped her arms.

[Clobell] "Look at you being mean. I almost died, and you immediately bring up vegetables? That isn't how a witch treats a friend."

Roserikta rested her chin on the window frame and smiled.

[Roserikta] "I’m glad you’re safe."

[Clobell] "Don’t try to act cute. You’re being very cold."

[Roserikta] "Hey, I’m saying this for your own good. Why don't you come out of that room? I have a guess, but I need the facts from you. What happened to the Count? Is he in a wooden box?"

[Clobell] "I don’t know. The Count died, and the guards mentioned a coffin, but then everyone went crazy. I don't know what happened after that."

[Roserikta] "Oh dear."

She rubbed her nose, her expression turning serious.

[Roserikta] "The Count's body simply vanished, then. The Black Witch must have hidden it."

[Clobell] "I think so too. But did you come alone? What about the Crown Prince?"

At the mention of Kalart, Roserikta's expression shifted. A flash of pain crossed her face, but it vanished so quickly that Clobellina didn't notice.

[Roserikta] "I told you. I flew here."

[Clobell] "Ah, did you leave him behind and take the broom because of me?"

She just gave a small smile instead of answering.

[Roserikta] "The biggest problem is the Black Witch controlling the Royal Guards, right? We need to fix that first. Come here, Clobell. Give me a hand."

Clobellina approached her again.

[Clobell] "Do you have a plan? How will you face the Black Witch?"

[Roserikta] "I can't guarantee anything. But I think I can try."

[Clobell] "What? Try what?"

Roserikta gave a mischievous grin and pulled something from the ball of hair, touching her shoulder.

[Roserikta] "Meet Mung, Clobell."

[Clobell] "Ack!"

Clobellina locked eyes with the round ball of hair, jumped in surprise, and hit the floor with a thud.

[Roserikta] "Oh no...... Are you okay, Clobell?"

[Clobell] "I am not okay! I think I cracked my tailbone! Wait, before that! What on earth is that thing!"

[Roserikta] "Ah, this is......"

[Mung] "Kyoo."

Mung stepped forward hesitantly. His fur trembled; he looked incredibly shy.

[Roserikta] "He is a being born outside of causality. He will be the key to facing black magic."

[Clobell] "What?"

Clobellina's eyes widened.

---

The trio, now including Mung, moved to the lower floor.

Roserikta had already used Axaca powder to track the guards' locations. The most important task involved luring the guards away one by one.

Even if they were mind-controlled, they couldn't physically fight several strong knights at once.

They decided Clobellina would act as bait. As they moved, Clobellina couldn't stop staring at Mung.

[Clobell] "Sniff, sniff. His scent is familiar."

[Roserikta] "He should smell familiar. Mung was originally Sir Eaton's hair."

[Clobell] "Ah, he came from that guy? I guess Sir Eaton wasn't a total villain. The thing that came from his body isn't evil at all. He seems a bit dim, but I suppose that can't be helped."

[Roserikta] "Mung was just born."

[Clobell] "Cats are smart the moment they are born. Maybe I should make one from my fur...... no, wait. When did you even cut his hair?"

She didn't know the Black Witch had forced Eaton awake and sent him to Roserikta. When Roserikta explained the situation, her fur stood on end.

[Clobell] "Whoa, is the Black Witch trying to kill everyone without any mercy?"

[Roserikta] "Exactly. It feels like she stopped caring about being caught. Before, she tried to invade dreams. That leaves no evidence in reality. But this time, she sent Sir Eaton directly. The risk of discovery is huge."

[Clobell] "You're right. It was the same here. Why make the guards act like idiots and order them to kill me? Everything will turn into a mess the moment the Crown Prince arrives."

[Roserikta] "That's my point. It feels strange, as if she isn't thinking about the consequences. It makes me uneasy."

[Clobell] "You mean she's going all out?"

[Roserikta] "Exactly. People in that state usually stop at nothing. I'm afraid she will do exactly that."

[Clobell] "Ack!"

[Mung] "Kyeee."

When Clobellina gasped, Mung mimicked her.

[Clobell] "What is wrong with him? He looked like a dust monster at first, but he's actually quite cute."

[Roserikta] "I thought so too. I think Mung is growing."

[Clobell] "Maybe he’ll start talking soon."

[Roserikta] "Perhaps...... Shh, quiet."

Roserikta stopped. A guard was nearby.

[Roserikta] "He's just ahead, Clobell."

She lowered her voice. Clobellina understood and nodded.

[Clobell] "Got it. Leave it to me."

Clobellina walked forward with silent, light steps. A moment later.

[Clobell] "Now!"

Clobellina sprinted back, shouting. A Royal Guard followed her, arms flailing as he tried to catch her.

Thwack!

Roserikta swung the thick wooden door bar.

[Roserikta] "Five."

[Clobell] "That's five."

[Mung] "Kyoo-kyoo-kyoo!"

Thud!

The fifth knight collapsed. Roserikta had targeted the base of his skull with perfect accuracy, knocking him out instantly. She rolled her stiff shoulders.

[Roserikta] "Ah, I’m getting tired. This is hard work."

[Clobell] "Beating people up shouldn't be easy."

[Roserikta] "True."

Roserikta knelt and checked the back of the knight's head. She needed to ensure he wasn't seriously hurt.

[Clobell] "Why bother checking? You hit him perfectly. Look, no bump at all. He doesn't even need medicine. He’ll wake up after a good nap."

[Roserikta] "Yes, it looks that way. Still, I feel a bit guilty. I feel like a great villain. If only I had enough Axaca powder, I could have used magic to put them to sleep."

[Clobell] "Why feel guilty? These guys should feel guilty toward me. I’m the victim."

[Roserikta] "That was because of the Black Witch. Anyway, give me the rope. I need to tie him up."

[Clobell] "Here."

Clobellina brought the rope in her mouth. Roserikta tied the unconscious knight tightly.

[Roserikta] "How many are left?"

[Clobell] "We have to do as many as we’ve already done."

[Roserikta] "Phew. We need to move fast."

[Clobell] "Agreed."

Roserikta reached into her shoulder bag and pulled out a bottle of the Water of Life.

[Roserikta] "Careful, Clobell. Don’t let this touch you. Another Mung might grow on your body."

[Clobell] "Ack! What is that!"

Her fur bristled as she backed away.

[Roserikta] "I hope this works."

Roserikta tilted the bottle, careful not to let it touch her own hair. The Water of Life dripped onto the knight's lips. Like a man dying of thirst, the knight's lips moved on their own to swallow the liquid.

[Clobell] "Do we have to wait for him to wake up to know if it worked?"

[Roserikta] "Yes. But he absorbed all of it. That means it went where it was needed. I don't think it will be useless."

[Clobell] "I hope so. I am sick and tired of black magic."

Roserikta closed the bottle and stood up.

[Roserikta] "Alright, let's go. Time to treat the next knight."

[Clobell] "Let's go."

[Mung] "Kyoo."

Roserikta gripped the wooden bar like a heavy club and moved toward the next guard.

---

[Knight] "Uh, um...... Is this the right estate?"

The escort knight stammered, his face filled with doubt.

[Knight] "It...... it didn't look like this when we left......"

Something was wrong. Even though it was late, the estate looked too dark. Only two spots in the massive castle had lights on.

[Knight] "Did they turn off the lights to mourn the Count?"

That might make sense, but darkness wasn't the only issue. The Gibero estate felt as gloomy as a castle abandoned for a century. The luxury and wealth they saw upon arrival had vanished.

[Kalart] "I doubt that's the reason."

Kalart stared at the massive castle with sharp eyes. It felt eerie, as if built from black bricks. Given how calmly the Countess reacted to the Count's death, he didn't expect her to do anything grand for mourning.

[Knight] "It feels strangely cold, Your Highness. There isn't even a breeze, so why is it like this?"

The knight shivered and steered his horse toward the gate. The closer they got, the more shocked he became. Not a single guard patrolled the massive castle.

[Knight] "I'm worried no one will even open the door, Your Highness."

The knight grumbled as he dismounted to knock on the gate.

[Knight] "Is anyone there! If loyal subjects of the Kriyen Empire live here, come out and greet the Crown Prince! His Highness is currently...... Huh?"

Creak!

As he raised his voice, the door slid open.

[Knight] "The gate was open?"

The knight clicked his tongue at the total lack of security. Kalart approached as the door opened.

[Kalart] "It looks empty."

[Knight] "Yes, indeed. I don't know how this is possible. How can a gate have zero guards......"

[Kalart] "No, I mean the entire castle."

[Knight] "Pardon?"

The knight froze in shock, then shook his head.

[Knight] "No, what do you mean? A castle this size can't be empty. You need at least fifty men just for guard duty."

[Kalart] "That is why it's strange."

Kalart tapped his horse with his boots. The smart horse obeyed but blinked its eyes as if it didn't want to go inside.

[Kalart] "Hurry. I need to check on the men I left behind."

[Knight] "Yes, Your Highness."

The knight scrambled back onto his horse and followed him.

---

[Countess] "Wait...... just a moment!"

The Countess remained in her position, absorbing the black energy swirling around her. Life force stolen from humans through black magic looked like dark, thick fog. It gathered slowly until it formed a clump visible to the naked eye. That was the moment she swallowed it.

She swallowed a clump again. Recently, a subtle blue light had started to mix into the mass, but she was too focused on the absorption to notice. However, the moment it entered her body.

[Countess] "What is this?"

Her brow furrowed deeply. Something felt wrong. It felt like insects crawling under her skin. The life force refused to settle; instead, it slowly gnawed at her body.

[Countess] "What is...... ugh...... ACK!"

The itch was tiny, but the sensation of it inside her body was unbearable. It felt like dozens of ants were crawling inside her stomach and organs.

[Countess] "Ugh...... BLEGH!"

She vomited the life force she had just swallowed. The energy spread back into the air like mist. She glared at it.

[Countess] "What is this!"

Blue lights sparkled here and there within the thin fog. It looked like gold dust mixed with sand, reflecting sunlight. The clear, bright blue light—shimmering like crushed gems—looked entirely out of place within the black magic. It was as if it came from a completely different source.

[Countess] "Is this...... the Water of Life?"