Chapter 17 Part 6
Surely Mattio hadn’t done something to Entrie? Being a man without blood or tears, he wouldn’t have any compassion for animals.
“Haah…”
Barely letting out a labored breath, I leaned against the wall and slowly slid down, collapsing to the floor.
It didn’t seem like the time for me to worry about others.
By now, I didn’t even have the energy to stand still.
The pain around my heart was so intense that it was difficult to maintain balance.
I could feel with my entire body that if I used black magic one more time, my life would certainly be in danger.
It seemed I could no longer summon even Raphla.
It was already late, but before it got any later, I needed to complete the purification of the dark power in my heart…
“Caligo.”
The only option left to me was Caligo.
With the door blocked and Mattio’s magic completely engulfing the basement, escape on my own was impossible.
“…Caligo?”
Yet for some reason, despite my call, Caligo did not appear at all.
By now, it meant he was deliberately not coming…
But why?
I couldn’t comprehend the reason. It wasn’t like he was sulking as before, as there hadn’t been any trigger for that.
Of course, I knew there was nothing more meaningless than questioning reason or validity from a demon… but still, Caligo had often been benevolent towards me.
Moreover, recently, when I asked him to summon a first-class magical beast to divert Mattio and Fergio’s attention, he had readily agreed…
I knew Hyle was waiting at the villa, but I couldn’t leave like this.
If the official announcement of the Holy Maiden was made soon, then… he wouldn’t stop at just confining me like this.
He would certainly try to kill me. Mattio wasn’t the type to stand by and watch a Laté bloodline become the Holy Maiden.
For now, without an official announcement and with only Xenoph’s word, he lacked certainty, which was why he had imprisoned me here.
Although I knew all the circumstances and was fully aware of the impending danger, unfortunately, I couldn’t confront Mattio in my current state.
I hadn’t awakened the power of the Holy Maiden, nor did I have strong magic like before; I was just ambiguously stuck in between.
If I could purify my heart a bit more, I might be able to neutralize magic with the Holy Maiden’s power…
Sadly, hoping for such a miracle in this state was unrealistic.
“Sigh… if I had known it would be like this, I would have embraced Hyle at least once more before coming…”
No matter how much I expressed regret, nothing would change.
The helplessness, which I had never felt in my entire life, was simply painful.
The reality of having to vaguely rely on others because I couldn’t resolve the crisis myself was quite unbearable.
Having lived a life handling superior power for so long, I could only crumble quickly in the face of weakness.
Bang!
Yes, like that tremendous destructive sound, my heart was also shatter— Wait, destructive sound?
Crash!
As I was tilting my ear in confusion, another loud boom resonated.
W-wait a minute. I thought I was hearing things because I was in despair, but was I not?
It really sounds like something is being smashed…?
Substantial noise from somewhere painfully struck my ears.
The savage sound of something being broken continued incessantly.
“Caligo… wouldn’t come making such a commotion. Who could it be?”
Of course, I had often mentioned how noisy the Laté mansion was in general, but that was all referring to the cries of magical beasts or the sounds of Mattio and Fergio throwing tantrums.
This level of destruction sounds was truly a first in Laté!
Suddenly, a crashing sound was heard once more.
The smaller noises that continued afterwards were all unbearably savage.
It sounded like someone had invaded the mansion and was smashing everything in sight.
Soon, the noise gradually approached where I was.
As it did, I could feel the entire basement shaking and trembling madly.
For a specially built basement to shake this much meant that whoever was making that noise was quite powerful.
As I vacantly stared at the space, tracing the center of the approaching destructive sound, suddenly the solid iron door crashed with a loud bang and crumpled like paper, collapsing instantly.
While I was staring in astonishment at the door that had fallen so pitifully in an instant, an even more unbelievable voice was heard.
“Rosiel, are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?”
“…Oh my God.”
A foolish exclamation escaped between my teeth.
Hyle, someone who shouldn’t be here, was right before my eyes.
Even though I was looking at him, I couldn’t believe it, leaving me speechless.
Am I seeing things? Have I gone momentarily insane from too much despair…?
“Focus, Rosiel. Look at me.”
Quickly approaching, Hyle looked down at the dazed me, grabbed my shoulders, and bent his waist.
In the suddenly close eye level, I could see myself reflected in his calm green eyes.
“…Hyle? Is it really you?”
“Yes, it’s me.”
As I slowly uttered his name, Hyle finally curved his lips gently.
He seemed relieved that I was safe.
“How did you… I mean, how did you know I was here…?”
“Entrie came to the villa alone and kept pecking at me furiously. So I thought something must have happened to you.”
No wonder Entrie wasn’t in my arms; it seemed he had managed to escape while I was being taken down by Mattio.
And to even go to Hyle and alert him of my situation… I really did well raising that bird.
“But to come here alone? And even to smash everything…”
Now that I understood the situation, worry about what had already happened began to creep in.
It felt like my vision was darkening again, just like before.
“There was no time to bring the knights.”
“What are you… what are you planning to do?”
Coming here alone was impressive enough, but the aftermath was problematic.
Mattio alone was sufficiently challenging, but if Fergio joined in, it would be quite disadvantageous.
Especially since I, in my current state, couldn’t provide any help to Hyle, which was quite troubling.
“First, come here. We need to get out of this place first.”
Then he stood in front of me and spread his arms.
Normally, I would have felt his boring consideration in not touching me arbitrarily without permission, but not now.
Though I desperately wanted to nestle into Hyle’s arms, I simply couldn’t muster any strength in my body.
“I’m sorry… I can’t move. Mattio treated me a bit roughly.”
At this, Hyle’s brow narrowed fiercely. One of his furrowed eyebrows was incredibly intimidating.
“Isn’t he your own blood?”
“Haha, as if Laté would care about such things.”
Letting out a small bitter laugh, I quietly leaned into his touch.
Silently, Hyle lifted me gently into his arms and stepped toward the outside where light was pouring in.
When his green gaze, which had been directed at me, moved upward and away, I somehow felt uneasy.
Suddenly, I felt the urge to meet that calm gaze again. Preferably up very close.
“Hyle, I know it’s urgent, but there’s something I really want to do.”
At my casually thrown words, his head bowed down toward me.
Putting strength into my hand holding the back of his neck, he willingly came closer to me.
Soon, our lips met, and it was hot.
In this urgent moment where death was imminent, it was an irresistibly enchanting waste of time.
I no longer had any meager pride left.
Hyle was my only savior, who had rescued me from the fear of death that came with every moment.
He was the one and only powerful salvation.
