Translator: Nox
Chapter: 25
“Shh, over there.”
Claude and I peeked through the crack in the door to watch Felix.
A man with deep navy-blue hair and amber eyes stood expressionless like a doll. His military-short hair and otherwise plain features were marred by three deep scars slashing diagonally across his face, giving him a fearsome look.
As I stared at him, [Insight] automatically activated.
· Felix (Slave)
Damaged state. Affiliated with Icarus.
Just like the description said, his posture was subtly off. Even his high-collared clothes couldn't fully hide the hideous scars underneath.
Felix had once been a promising blood knight.
But after fathering a child without his master’s permission, he incurred their wrath and had his powers stripped away.
He was later punished for smuggling his daughter to safety—thrown into a den of wolves with only a sword to defend himself.
Though he barely survived and was sold into slavery, he eventually rose up against his master, leading a rebellion with other slaves.
This man, who would eventually help bring down the Empire with the protagonist, was now in front of me.
‘The Empire really is insane. No human rights whatsoever.’
Not even allowed to have children without permission… and punished for trying to protect his daughter. It made sense why the Empire was destined to fall.
As I swallowed my bitterness, I suddenly realized Felix was staring right back at me.
‘Crap, what do I do now?’
That’s when Xion pushed the door wide open and spoke clearly.
“Princess, please come in.”
I awkwardly cleared my throat and entered with as much dignity as I could muster.
Felix immediately dropped to his knees and bowed his head to the floor.
The perfect display of submission surprised me.
“A-As you were. Please, stand up.”
Felix lifted his head slightly and looked at me in confusion.
Realizing I’d slipped, I corrected myself quickly.
“Stand up and sit over there.”
As soon as I pointed to a chair, Felix sprang to his feet and sat on the very edge of it, head still bowed low.
‘Ugh! What do I do?!’
While I sat across from him, my mind raced.
Sending Felix back would be a death sentence. But keeping this dangerous man with me was just as risky.
‘That’s it. I’ll free him. Send him far away!’
I quickly formed a plan in my head.
Starting carefully, I asked, “You were sent by the Draugr, weren’t you?”
But the moment I said that, Felix moved.
Without hesitation, he drew a dagger from his sleeve and aimed it at his own throat—as if he'd been ordered to commit suicide if exposed.
I shouted instinctively.
“Xion!”
Clang! The dagger shattered. At the same time, a web shot out and tightly bound Felix’s body.
“You bastard, a spy?!” Claude snarled, kicking Felix.
I wanted to stop him, but my voice caught in my throat.
My breathing grew ragged, and the room spun. Sweat dripped from my forehead.
‘He almost died because of me…’
Just one careless word, and he nearly killed himself. Nausea rose in my throat.
“Princess?”
Xion noticed something was wrong and came over.
But I couldn’t reply.
The next thing I knew, Claude had lifted me up and held me tightly.
“There, there. It’s okay. Don’t be scared,” he murmured gently.
His large hand patted my back, and the warmth began to calm my trembling body.
When I finally let out a deep breath, Claude chuckled.
“Aw, look at our little princess. You’re all blotchy like a kitten.”
He scrubbed my face with a handkerchief, wiping away the sweat and tears, leaving me horribly embarrassed.
“Put me down!”
He finally set me down on a chair, laughing the whole while.
Once I regained my composure, I turned to Xion.
“Xion, can you sit Felix up?”
Xion, still glaring at Claude, flicked his hand, and the web-bound Felix was placed upright in the chair.
My body trembled again, but I forced myself to speak.
“I’m not here to interrogate you. If you’re going to die, at least wait until after you’ve heard me out.”
“……”
Felix couldn’t reply—his mouth was still webbed shut.
“I know the Draugr are holding your daughter hostage.”
Felix’s amber eyes flickered. I pressed on.
“Truth is, she’s a fake. The real Celia was already smuggled out and is living beyond the Empire.”
In the original story, Felix didn’t know that. He was manipulated by the Draugr, only realizing the truth too late and starting a rebellion out of grief.
The protagonist later reunited him with the real Celia outside the Empire.
But I believed reunions should happen sooner.
“She’s in a port city called Larima. Do you know it?”
“……”
“I’ll free you. I’ll give you money and a way to get there. Go find your daughter and live happily.”
Having said everything I wanted, I let out a long sigh.
Felix moved his lips, and Xion released the web over his mouth.
“…How do I know you’re telling the truth?”
His voice was rough and broken like a growl. His throat had clearly been damaged.
“…What? How dare you, you filthy slave!”
Claude slapped him hard across the face.
Startled by the loud crack, I flinched.
“C-Claude. I think I’m going to faint again.”
Feigning weakness, I reached out, and Claude rushed over and held my hand tightly.
“Are you okay? I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that in front of you.”
“As long as you keep holding my hand, I’ll be fine.”
With Claude subdued, I caught Xion’s sharp gaze and gave him a meaningful look. 'I'll explain later.'
‘Ugh, this is exhausting. I need to get Felix out of here fast.’
Time to talk my way through this.
“Of course you wouldn’t believe me. So I’ll give you two options.”
I held up two fingers.
“First, take my orders, go to Larima, and find your daughter. If you do, don’t come back. If you don’t find her, come back and work for me.”
“……”
“Second, send someone you trust to get your daughter. Stay here and pretend to cooperate with the Draugr. Once she arrives, confirm it’s her, and you both leave.”
I folded my fingers and stared him down.
“Which do you prefer?”
Felix’s eyes wavered. He looked at me like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“…Why would you do all this for someone like me?”
I smiled bitterly.
“Your face—vampires did that to you, right? I’m half vampire. Consider this my way of making amends for what my kind did.”
It was a lie. A convenient excuse to ease my guilt and ensure my own safety.
Lowering my eyes, I added quietly:
“And maybe… just maybe, I want to see a father reunite with his daughter. I never had a father growing up.”
“……”
“So think it over and tell me your decision later.”
I stood up, ready to walk away.
Felix’s broken voice called out.
“…I’m sorry for scaring you earlier.”
I looked back. His golden eyes were steady, fixed on me.
For some reason, it reminded me of Dante, and I couldn’t help but smile.
“No… I’m the one who should apologize for scaring you.”
