Chapter 117: That Smell
qxTAfter Perda received the witch’s invitation, all the castle workers returned to their duties.bOS81Gx
5sQ8UZEveryone except one person.brN
Bmm4oRuri Silverwind.sN9Zl
6HhShe alone remained staring at the place where Perda had disappeared after accepting the invitation.lL4W2uW
4AZEqcNBy now, she should have been cleaning, but at that moment she could not focus on anything.SEHc
tJBYG6A complicated mix of emotions kept swirling through her mind, tormenting her.xT3lKc
cix‘Why did he make that decision?’MEdXzv
QtoShe could not read Perda’s true intentions, and that made her constantly imagine the worst.ZNlR
noWGyIt was something that would have shaken even a saint.djMY
GXHdWhen she remembered everything Perda had done, she could not help it.t6Gs
OUDqBHe had allowed a witch and a demon into the castle.kbm
HGmbHJHe had negotiated with a Great Demon.qnVLw
xyT8ZDJAnd now he had accepted an invitation from the leader of the witches.lam2rpP
X1oAHe was a man who did absolutely everything he was told not to do.cqZO
wAD‘If it were ordinary humans, what would I have done?’lQoWc
kX10onWhat would she have done?2GAlaJg
anaKAAny one of those things alone would have been enough for her to throw them out without hesitation.v7w3R
VATVJxBut in Perda’s case, there was not just one reason.hW2Ne7
9ngVmglThere were many.mGX2
oUPzevThat alone was enough to justify an execution.4zxQ0G
yuTThe reason she did not do it to Perda was simple.waMXr
Uy8‘Because I can trust him.’UfI0Gyb
S2k0Perda was someone capable of doing anything for her lady.msKKM
gmwlb2In fact, even when serious problems arose, he responded flexibly, and so far he had not caused a single disaster.srcUOGg
9Fykr6This invitation might also be something she could perhaps trust.PZ3z6
R9KHowever, the situation had changed.8GgJj
2mHRuri had seen Perda’s weakness.edgO
5c31YOnce she realized that he was also a ridiculously fragile human being, she could no longer see him the same way.NF9
v3jUfHe was just like every other fragile human.rRA
xp9O6And if a human with the potential to become a threat appeared—NKmR
QqpY9Zv‘I must kill him.’XaM5S7
9Fwkk0ERuri looked at her own hands.abx
z02She remembered the promise she had made to Perda.7iTW
8CF34WG“I will kill him with these hands.”kS6
2kORuri thought.wRIpMF
CGoZV‘If he tries to harm my lady, will I really be able to kill him?’z1x
QS1IShe was a Dragon Spawn.yHC2Nl
RxgIkaKilling humans was not something that made her hesitate.JyKgE
7GtxxWWShe was the one who had killed the Third Prince’s subordinates when they tried to use Valdrova as nothing more than a stepping stone to power.vQYmnHs
iSCqAgShe was also the one who had tried to kill Perda during their first meeting.iVZTH
Ygas2tBut her heart was no longer the same as it had been back then.njEz6
G5xjEven if Perda were to be hated by Valdrova, even if it led to their engagement being broken and gave her more than enough justification, could she kill him?oGB0
xXXShe was not even sure of that.TdlVbqS
VEfpzC‘I too…’AfhwJz
R5ELnrQWhat those hands wanted to hold was not Perda’s neck.maHw
We0e9N0‘I wish I could rely on that man without worrying about anything…’igd
XfX0Just as her lady, Valdrova, did.W7fx
F3QE4She wanted to watch his actions without overthinking them.NEfcMjF
GKvwkyShe wanted to see humans gather in that barren land and make it prosper.7baJdGO
s7DoFNAt first, she had reasons not to trust him.7c7W
MLVShe believed Perda was no different from the Third Prince.Ew4
iexVVcHer task had been to look for any excuse in his actions to drive him away.BBJ
uJ3MEHowever, even now that all those misunderstandings had been resolved, Ruri still could not do it.9nB
pii‘Perda is human.’50nfK
17d2RpOHumans are mortal.zYXUZ
oGJThey are destined to die someday.qtol
4D62aAnd the closer they come to death, the more unstable they become.GgJ
4wDEhWPerda could not escape that.jDR0aeo
Upk6The image of his fragility continued to linger faintly before Ruri’s eyes.FkLz
hsJnSomeone had to remain vigilant.Y4wYX
ifaSuFAnd that someone had to be Ruri.KY8N5D
s3zlShe had to remain cautious and search for any trace of malice in his actions.jfw
Q7RNot only for Valdrova.lhSGtaM
NbX‘I must protect him.’63qg
2eXShe had to protect the man who wanted to protect her lady.NcAdMq
AmPShe had to protect him from all the things that constantly tested him.o8M
orxF9YAs she continued staring at that place without moving, she felt a wave of mana from within the castle.j39
C0Lxo2jRuri immediately knew where it had originated.O7LOv5e
hB1ZVAnd once she knew that, she also knew who had returned.STV
PapWNa‘Lord Perda.’m9O
d9mJgsrRuri ran there with the speed characteristic of Silverwind blood.rYn2
vHYI8In the place where only Morida should have been, Echidna was standing.oepMjsn
RuiveShe looked at Ruri with a confused expression.1ogMr
HbENTV“I-It seems quite a commotion broke out…”mPK0
VRE1QShe tried to ease the situation with an awkward smile and nervous gestures, but Ruri walked straight toward her.vUSo1ho
JmrjiThe moment Echidna saw Ruri’s expression, her face turned pale.C7voG
8RXYI9D“Chief Researcher.”gtWE
0C79GV“Y-Yes?”bbtL0
uJ8hl“Tell me the truth.”DJj
gjYK0ZhEchidna shrank under Ruri’s pressure.cyJQCkt
RYZ4h2O“Where did you leave Lord Perda? Why did you return alone?”HUQhbfc
Mji“W-Well… Big Sister wanted to see Lord Regent…”0XBiS
T1K08f“What did they do to Perda?”11CM
2ytAg1Ruri’s pressure intensified even further when she heard Big Sister’s name.A18I45
acfxpAt last, Echidna began speaking hurriedly, on the verge of tears.V145W
GimQfI“H-He’s safe! Lord Regent told me not to worry and asked me to deliver a message…!”AGX
aXcvAuwBoom!5YGhhba
mkcCA brutal force exploded right beside Echidna’s head.V6Dihj
YNlNDRuri’s leg had slammed violently into the library floor.ILCH
DskThe impact caused several books to fall from the shelves.T34pK
vPlA“Can you guarantee those words?”1qSgRXK
MAoki“Y-Yes?”EaWIJu
Wsgu“Can you guarantee that Lord Perda is safe, just as you returned unharmed?”nEh6
3am0ax“Th-That is…”fh2
vrJ0qHe’s fine.zSByvv
rOI6UHe’ll return safely.wYXsIZ
JJi1LxIt was a situation that could have been resolved simply by saying that.kNDARax
ZxlQB“I-I don’t really know either…”1w7ge
80CcYBut Echidna could not do it.UiYU
Sej2qKPrecisely because she had once been a Philiaz witch, she knew the nature of witches well.qZSX9Uv
Dc5OSCWhat she did not know were the true intentions of Big Sister Lucy Philiaz.xijd
VxjSAjkIt was far too dangerous a place to guarantee that everything would be fine.X1cu
VZG705uAnd she could not read Lucy’s intentions either.YAdi
UYzWhen she heard that, Ruri’s expression tightened.Kw3qzTD
n8nShe looked angry, but what she actually felt was confusion.dMt1q
IDG7SShe had not asked that question seeking simple reassurance.Dv8v0g
GAKhdoBut hearing that even Echidna did not know only increased her anxiety.ryC98H
ClV‘I can’t leave him there alone.’HHNd
bTYShe remembered what had happened between Perda and Abel.6fNCpW
A0PDF4If he found himself in such a helpless situation again, Ruri would not be able to help him.GZXvKH0
4dy“Chief Researcher. You used to be a witch as well, correct?”ORBS
vMiI“O-Of course…”K45
Uqw“Can you take me to the Garden of Witches?”tgaj7t
Ojgo“T-To the Garden? Even if I wanted to go…”REvzjF
Wwx“Can you or can you not?”7ybNop
boR4DRuri demanded an answer.deGeGk
salNEchidna replied.M02WO
a2VbST“I-I can’t… Even if I try to go, entering that place depends on Big Sister. If Big Sister does not allow it, reaching it is impossible. If I try to force it, I could die, or worse, become a wandering specter trapped in Limbo forever.”Duleu8
55b9Z5Mages who misuse teleportation magic end up becoming ghosts trapped between time and space.PVM
Qqa6ylPerhaps it was a fate even crueler than death.EYxSoza
waeThat meant she could not simply force Echidna to do the impossible.Edo40vV
bGp9‘And above all, if someone must do something, it has to be me.’7RO
4ua3eWhat could she do?7dyl
Yx2nVShe, who only knew how to use force.TAlmx
LDnKWhat exactly could she do…?j4XSsw
nfSXd3n“Huh?”FnKZUgn
9x2zUAt that moment, a sensation passed through Echidna’s mind.NBx9d
wSQ6EAs if she had been waiting for that exact moment, she looked at Ruri and spoke.r3RpNW
LUg99“L-Lord P-Perda has returned!”FGK
Oo0TM“!!”ZHO
wzBq6dpThe moment she heard that, Ruri also withdrew the foot she had been using to pin Echidna in place.t5Jx
9jmpNAs though afraid of missing the opportunity, she immediately ran toward the spot where he had disappeared.1PCSFC
TUHQJust as Echidna had said, Perda was there.FN7Fvy
VRcSo completely unharmed that it made all her worries seem ridiculous.uOMi3oO
7R7Z24Black suit.KITeEd
H0tGray hair.7m14EGo
59v0PAnd deep blue eyes like a lake.tXtNBH
DcHBxRuri’s agitated heart calmed when she confirmed that figure.mIt
9mzThen her gaze hardened, and she walked toward him.PE2BW
Z1p“Lord Perda.”PWSoZoY
wvQdHowever, she could not hide the tremor in her voice.VEN
irHTrying to appear calm, she asked.ty5adAE
vhZ“What did that witch do to you?”Suzz
fThnkBsPerda replied.o2N
16gGF“Nothing happened.”M0c
eP7ptI“I cannot believe you went all the way to the Garden of Witches and nothing happened. Besides, they said Big Sister spent quite a long time with you.”scr
oAbs0zoPerda nodded as though he agreed and answered again.9Eg09
jMvI“We only talked.”8ilVQzl
Rr8I“And what exactly did you talk about?”Wtr
Uxy“About something that you and I had not been able to solve.”ADFT
KMYvUyThat meant the witch had seen Perda’s weakness.AlWL5Q
CK3w9The hands Ruri had politely clasped together tightened.NpBayuh
33obIp“Don’t tell me you made a deal with that witch…?”wAx
mgN8Z“I did not make any deal.”NDke
sRi3qIf he had stopped there, perhaps Ruri would have felt some relief.vPqoXM
3Jil“But she did help me.”CPKba
sSF46And because of that, she could not.Dp3
kkOCkajBig Sister, Lucy Philiaz.a6zhly
0JHnHfShe was a witch who was difficult to encounter, but Ruri had met her before.c96
Bq7“That woman said she wanted to help Lady Valdrova?”clFO78s
Cwt“Yes.”aNiM
Xbw“Then she also talked about me.”UBfVop
k8T“Yes.”5uMD
VTV3Her expression hardened.gSt3O
jqHe“Do you know why I ignored her when she said she wanted to help Lady Valdrova?”76qWd
f8CsW“……”674
XnUJ“Because witches are a group that sees everyone who is not one of them as either enemies or toys. They are wretches who use other people’s vengeance for their own amusement. The descendants of Silverwind were also victims of that entertainment. Do you know what Lucy Philiaz said when we demanded accountability for that?”PwQ5
F6aOMR“……”V0ZOg8
QL7“She said she could not control the Philiaz over something so insignificant.”6Rdae2
sLvcRuri was a Dragon Spawn.VBi
MLvPAnd among them, a descendant of Silverwind, the bloodline with the strongest family bonds.Je3i4S
9lQMh5It was easy to imagine how much someone who despised family ties would anger her.j7uP
LXn“For that damned woman, you are also nothing more than a small, insignificant piece. Those things know no compassion. They will slowly ensnare you and eventually turn you into one of their toys.”8Uj
jihXJiRuri’s anger had a certain logic to it.z8dN
HtJTalking with a witch was like carrying a bomb that could explode at any moment.fEV9t
9ww5nBThat was the common perception.9N6sXB
OlbCommon sense.HesME
b6CF“Do you suspect that I might betray her?”Egt1vE
TWj7At Perda’s question, Ruri clenched her fists.st3
uIVCJ“Yes.”2co
fSnBut in truth, that was not it.rnijIW
vt7E“I’m worried that you’ll end up hurting my lady.”3Wd
YscpGShe simply did not want to see him turned into a witch’s toy.mZg
eCsLlI8Her sharp words pierced Perda once again.sLN
sNwzSm“That’s a relief.”otVZoT
vDCT“……What?”EFc
FrDQdRuri raised her head.cC46Oi
pdL“What do you mean? How can that possibly be a relief?”G7YF
odP“Because if you think that way, I won’t have to lie to myself.”hIO
SJhxa“……”eMX
XV2nnPbPerda looked at her with a deep gaze.TYrUmr4
Uh2PkN“As you said, someday I might end up hurting her. I might convince myself it’s for her own good and end up walking the wrong path. If you keep that vigilance alive, then there will be a chance to correct me if I stray.”bxO5YM
Yo8EUQ“That sounds like you’re leaving that responsibility to me.”SDh
zs3V“In part, I am.”ixaOMbp
goSHD“That’s irresponsible.”LAhHo9h
gQ3“I can’t help it. You’re the person I trust the most.”u4lLexK
rrjTrust.0L25
dmMiO“I trust you enough to show you this weakness of mine.”268D
aijNVUpon hearing those words, something Ruri could not control arose within her chest.JtN
WdoU‘Again.’pJZj
9bmeJust like that day, a faint smell of ashes crossed her mind.MYJp
c9jAnd Perda’s face began to overlap with someone else’s.kyo
wxaSilverwind.Eb9Zd
3xNHe did not resemble the person who had taken her in when she was empty at all.48E
Na4And yet, she ended up confusing them.Iwzb9
mYOFPThe cold, steel-like heart of the soldier began to soften.i8F
GMtTrying to hide that feeling, she moved her lips and lowered her head.07ELLp
HLbPerda had no way of understanding what she was feeling.aYudx
JeduGD3Instead, he placed a hand on her head.ekJPSS
KDEj“My judgment may become clouded someday, but for now, trust me. I won’t become that witch’s toy.”99DEM
FcpO4pHe gently patted her head without asking permission.wdFWZo9
p8r54ORuri’s confusion grew stronger.fyEOzb
mfNAnd the smell drew closer as well.2uJ2
oTsebpThat smell of ashes from that day.5HT
BfweCaWait.nE0t3fa
xpSzThis isn’t the smell of ashes.F4mQQEx
r7nrpM“……A smell.”Xhtml
1S5ZqVe“Hm?”SIM577
1wKNRuri sniffed several times before raising her head.w6OvRXQ
lhgKjnX“It smells like tobacco…”1Mxv4YO
kk4Her expression turned terrible.dOt
JUN“Why do you smell so strongly of tobacco, Lord Perda?”CTYy
kMUywk“That’s…”yzCgCqJ
X6paCtfPerda recalled Lucy Philiaz’s actions.9QXg
WfQeioHow many times had she blown smoke directly into his face?vuF
tgfnxA‘Don’t tell me…’uHkBDHf
Sh2TIA3No.MxADO
r5zIt was not a guess.IFBTp4X
t7flMUHe was certain.VtDk3
oZrNlLucy Philiaz had smoked so excessively precisely to create a situation like this.JAbwB8L
NAoE‘So she decided to mess with me this way.’5VeAjRh
wrNThey said that once you got involved with a witch, you would never have another peaceful day.kizEXJ8
7vda3k“…First, you’ll need to take a bath.”13Xf
lI4vPRuri pulled out a green towel.UFhZZlp
N0VSnigPerda replied with the spirit of an ox being led to slaughter.S1GqgXA
zyPgoOH“…Be gentle.”KmWrgv
XRCAFBut the word mercy did not exist in Ruri’s dictionary.fokOiNU
xcSdHdp***m9o
5qSPerda recalled Big Sister Lucy’s words.TohS
hfa5H“The boundaries between emotions…”mBmZ4F
ncuLucy Philiaz had told him to draw a line between his two emotions.jHh9
KGHWKFHe did not know how to do it, but she had left him a clue.TU15mt
Ezj‘The mana circulation technique, Shape of Shadow.’mWgv0Fx
wIzj5ARThe phrase said.Dgz
9OqUQ8‘I become the shadow, and the shadow becomes me.’Ouoe
QCXAccording to Lucy, the key to controlling the two emotions he possessed lay there.VSL9ASm
Kijx“If the shadow can truly become me, then wouldn’t anything be possible…?”OxPMyt
y24S2dMuttering those words, Perda raised a Shadow Hand.kOl
xI7wThis was a hand.RDBgWVr
YT7yuo‘But at the same time, it isn’t a hand.’d9AL7
25aSince it was not a real hand, it was not strange for the fingers to bend beyond normal limits.e8A
TDJPIn fact, by deliberately breaking the orientation of the fingers, he could freely reverse the front and the back.7ygDs
zlrDrHe could also alter its shape to imitate a foot.3pB41p
rACOr even crudely transform it into a beast’s paw.Tlq
N88‘Therefore, this is a hand and at the same time not a hand.’ZSv
yZf2ShAlternating his gaze between the hand formed from black mana and his real hand, he pondered deeply.tyjI9VL
pODHPerda stopped trying to control it and allowed his thoughts to flow.lQXV6O4
Zw0LCThe Shadow Hand is a hand and, at the same time, not a hand.kWBpYDn
YmU‘Then this shadow is also my body and at the same time not my body.’FH6m11
jyMIn that case—oHua
kRC‘Wouldn’t it be possible to create something that is my Circle and, at the same time, not a Circle?’RWPi
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Haimiya_cutie.
Body IntegrationRuri will clean him throughly.
Haimiya_cutie.
Body IntegrationLooks like perda having rough bath.