Chapter 39
But where's that useful spirit, and why's she slashing away herself? Doesn't she have something like Wind Cutter? Of course, I didn't mean for her to use it on us.
“Am I abandoned?”
Is she talking about being abandoned by the spirit? Well, even I'd ditch a contractor who's a human trafficker and bolt.
“Yes. You didn't meet the criteria.”
In novels, spirits are so pure and picky.
“So stop now.”
Realizing she'd been abandoned by the spirit too and escape was blocked, the Director finally burst into tears. The kids Daisy had been protecting peeked out and took Troy back from her.
“Kanna, you look after that kid and the children.”
Mary, was it? Kanna took the kid's hand and headed to the corner. Best for Kanna to go, since I might cause a fit.
Jelly tended to its friend too. So I just take the Director? Won't I get stabbed?
Then Daisy approached. Right, I have Daisy. Sharing the load with her halves my stabbing odds. But Daisy said something else entirely.
“Why didn't you save Troy?”
What're you asking? That kid Mary came out and pulled aggro! You got pulled too.
I felt a bit hurt, but Daisy's gut must be in knots right now, so I let it slide. Doesn't erase the sting, though.
“It wasn't in our promise.”
Of course, personal and business are separate. Worried Daisy might demand payback for not saving Troy, I brazenly acted like protecting him wasn't specified.
“Want to save him?”
“Yes. I want to save him.”
“Fortunately, I have Holy Water. Just one bottle, though.”
Heading out with Kanna, I brought one bottle as emergency supply in case of trouble. Yeah, just one. Problem is two patients here.
Ideally split it half-half, but no idea what settings Holy Water has—apparently can't. One bottle per person only.
So only one between Troy and Jelly's friend. What is this life-or-death choice! Too heavy!
I can't decide.
“Daisy, you choose. Between Troy and that man, who gets the Holy Water?”
Tossing it to Daisy, she shot me a glare like 'that's your question?'
“Kidding.”
Tearing up, I retracted. Right. I'm the villainess, so whatever, I'll choose.
Daisy'd pick Troy, obviously? Yeah. Between super-regenerative beastkin and near-death guy, latter's worse off.
Fed the cherished Holy Water from my bosom to Troy. Bleeding stopped instantly. Few hours, flesh regrows, wound perfect. Holy Water performance is insane. No wonder so pricey.
And poor unpicked Melek—treat later for sure.
“Can't treat right away, okay?”
Just in case, informed him. Honestly, rescued already—grateful enough?
“...Yes. It's fine.”
Jelly's friend answered meekly. Stings my conscience.
“In exchange, may I follow you?”
“Nowhere to go?”
Jelly's friend nodded. No home? Tragic backstory floods my mind. Slave traders ravaged homeland, family scattered. Don't pry rudely.
“Fine by me.”
Jelly's friend looked satisfied. But bringing blindfolded burly adult man—won't spark weird rumors? Removing blindfold scary, though. Untreated wounds plus blindness—guilt might kill me.
“Melek, you're hurt…?”
Aggro kid approached, saying that—conscience shredded. No more dallying, take him quick and treat.
Found severed ropes on floor, bound Director with them.
“Dark, careful!”
Supporting two injured, watching kids, escaped basement. Director offered to guide, but untrustworthy—declined. Jelly sniffed path instead. Found stairs quick, no wandering.
“How'd this break…?”
Director muttered blankly at exposed secret passage. Just pushed? Rotten wood?
“We're out….”
“Waaah, so scary.”
Kids, locked underground so long, burst into relieved tears surfacing. Daisy, soothing them not to cry, teared up too.
Ignoring cries, scanned room. Kid baking bread over Summoning Circle—where'd it go?
“Pudding?”
Kids' sobs and cat meows indistinguishable—can't find Pudding. Can't tell crying kids to stop amid感動. Cries trouble only me. Told it wait here—where'd it vanish?
At least not stray—beastkin cat understands well.
‘Meow—.’
Cat sound beyond door. Pudding! Joyfully opened—eye contact.
Grown so much quick? Eye-level now…. Wait, no. Pudding in someone's arms. Glanced up—familiar face.
“Sir Gabriel?”
“Good evening, Lady Rohanson.”
Huh? What's this? Why's he holding our house cat? Another familiar face behind sudden Gabriel.
“Hena?”
What's going on?
Never suspected, yet Gabriel explained verbosely like caught cheating. So….
“You came looking for me?”
Summary simple. Gabriel came for some reason.
“Deeply sorry for visiting late without prior notice.”
But I was out. Met Hena then. Hena heard Kanna say 'be right back' but worried at lateness, waiting outside. Kanna, how late we were—you said quick trip….
Goals aligned. Evangeline (Kanna) search party formed.
Asked Butler destination, rode temple carriage here—but orphanage empty, disconcerted.
“If not for Sir Pudding, we'd have left.”
Ah, why Pudding's held. Gabriel-held Pudding looked exhausted. Our baby, can't talk yet—poured all into nonverbal, drained. Good kitty.
Took Pudding; Gabriel's gaze sharpened.
“So, Lady, can you explain the situation?”
That… long story….
Where start? From seeking Daisy? Suspicious hunting ex-employee. Can't say probing what she told you.
“Better hear from Daisy. Came here on her request anyway.”
Kanna pitched in again. Spot-on, impressive. World, our heroine's sharp as tack.
Daisy bowed behind Kanna. Hmm, they closer now? Hallucination?
“We meet again.”
“Indeed.”
“May I ask for an explanation?”
Daisy eyed me, then spoke.
Director trafficked kids since childhood; Troy's orphanage loan collateral forced her to lock kids in basement to cover full sum.
Submitted trafficking records from office as proof.
Daisy omitted spirit entirely. Keeping secret out of loyalty since linked to me? But pointless—blatant on floor.
“And this drawing….”
“Probably copied from temple painting. Check access logs.”
If not found, poor investigation. Nice handling.
“What of Director Merai?”
“We'll detain until trial. Linked to drawing too.”
Gabriel handling—reassuring.
“Uriel, transport Merai Miller first.”
Oh, things to ask Director.
Uriel took her to carriage; asked if brief chat okay pre-handover. Uriel permitted freely.
Expected desperate plea, but Director serene, resigned.
“What happens to me?”
“Punishment.”
Heart raced. Ask summoning method! Spirit, right?
“You know what you summoned, right?”
Director eyed Uriel, vague answer.
“...The worst headache that ignores me entirely.”
Wind spirit confirmed. Free-spirited trait.
“How'd you summon?”
“Remember vividly.”
Director clammed up after. Why not tell? Why only you remember?
Feels like friend says has eraser when asked—lend it! Unspoken rule? Worldview difference?
Wanted to grab collar, force mouth open—but too many eyes. Holy knights, kids…. Slip undoes villainess-reform efforts.
No helping it.
