TEB Ch 82

So, what does that have to do with me?  

Human situations should be solved among themselves. If Sigrid hadn’t used Liev as a reason, he wouldn’t have bothered to join in on something as tedious as monster subjugating.  

But this time, even though there was nothing to worry about, he found himself feeling uneasy. It was clear that Liev wouldn’t be able to ignore this situation.  

“…….” 

He already figured out Liev’s behavior patterns. Whether it was crawling on all fours or flying in the sky, anything related to animals, he would prioritize it as if it were his own business, which honestly didn’t sit well with me. However, there were times when that compassion would be directed toward humans as well.

There were only two situations where Liev didn’t see humans as bothersome. It was when they seemed significantly weaker than him or those who were young. Even when Renard complained about how unnecessary it was to have such pointless sympathy and how obvious it was that everyone was just trying to use him, this part of him rarely changed.

“…….” 

Renard fell into deep thought for a moment. Of course, the young girl who had been constantly pestering him didn’t seem like someone Liev considered to be a pitiable being in such a dire situation that he had no choice but to help her. But the one standing before him now…

“Ugh…”  

Even at a glance, her frail body seemed dangerously fragile. Renard scoffed and leapt out the window. As he landed back on the window frame, he noticed Margret’s expression waver below. Whatever the circumstances, you need to sort it out among yourselves, Renard thought, swallowing a sigh.

“There’s nothing there.”  

“Huh…?”  

“Is it really a ghost?”  

Whether his colleagues believed him or not, Renard glared at Margret. You know you have something to explain, right? Without saying anything, the girl looked away for a moment before finally looking at Renard with a determined expression.  

At that moment, Liev tried to grab Margret and press her for answers. Renard stopped Liev for the time being. He didn’t know what her intentions were or why she had orchestrated this, but at the very least, he could listen to what she wanted and what she was asking for help. Renard decided to ignore Liev’s persistent grumbling, just for a moment.

Late at night, when everyone had fallen asleep, Renard confirmed that Liev was also asleep and quietly left the bedroom. Except for the minimal security personnel guarding the castle entrance, most of the servants were also asleep. There was still some time before the rooster’s cry at dawn, so as long as there was no loud commotion, no one would wake up. Renard stretched his stiff body and yawned, raising his arms lightly towards the ceiling.

“Also…..” 

An unpleasant gaze had been following Renard the whole time.  

If it bothers you that much, just come out and tell me to get lost.

Hmph, Renard scoffed at the ‘someone’ who was still watching him again. How can someone just keep watching without saying a word? Renard nonchalantly headed towards the source of the smell of death, deep in the underground of the castle. It was a space that not even Sigrid and the others had been shown to, as if it had nothing to do with the ghost commotion in the first place.  

“…….” 

How long had he been walking? As he felt like he was getting closer to the source, a locked metal door with a keyhole on both sides blocked his path at the end of a long staircase leading down.  

As expected, there must be something they’re hiding. Renard, with a nonchalant expression that showed he was not surprised, melted the joints of the door with a strong firepower that could turn anything into ash. The door melted in an instant, making a dull thud as it fell to the ground. Renard caught the fallen metal door with one hand and leaned it against the wall before stepping inside.  

“D-Did you just hear something?”

“It’s probably nothing. Don’t worry about it.”

“How can I not worry? If Mother finds out first…”

“That won’t happen. And even if she does find out, it’ll be fine. You know she’s been welcoming towards them staying in the castle for a long time, right?”

The sound of someone whispering continued to tickle Renard’s ears. It was at a distance that a normal human wouldn’t hear, but with a body that had senses far superior to a human’s, he couldn’t ignore it even if he wanted to. Having silenced his footsteps, Renard stood in front of the firmly closed door at the end of the corridor, his face full of irritation as he flung the door open.

“Maxim? It’s not yet time for Mother to wake up…”

Did she mistake him for a servant who had come to get her? A young girl who was sitting on a chair in front of a simple but elegant bed turned around to speak but was surprised and dropped the tray she was holding. Clang, the wooden tray that had snacks on it, rolled on the ground, making a loud noise.  

“H-How did you get in here?!”  

Facing the speechless girls, Renard’s expression was still a mix of slight annoyance and drowsiness. The other girl he had encountered on the tower a moment ago, who was wearing a mask, was now standing there with nothing covering her face. Her exposed face was twisted into an indescribable shape, with not a single part—eyes, nose, or mouth—left unscathed.

“So, this was it.”  

Renard recognized it immediately. He understood where the scent of death emanating from the girl was coming from. Her labored breathing, trembling voice, and emaciated limbs all pointed to the same source. The massive growth on her head seemed to be draining the life out of her, swelling as if it were siphoning all the energy from her body.

***  

Returning to reality, Renard finished his short flashback and glared at the furry dragon in front of him. Just as Lindgren was about to yell again, asking what the hell he was doing, Margret, with her eyes tightly shut, stood bravely in front of Renard’s path.  

“Sir Lindgren! P-Please save my sister!”  

Without a second thought, Margret stood in front of the monstrous creature that could easily crush her if he stretched out his feet at any moment. This brave act shocked not only the members of the knight party but also the Lord himself.  

“What is she doing…?! Why isn’t anyone stopping Margret!”  

The Lord, with a bewildered expression, ordered his servants, but for some reason, no one stepped forward. They all glanced at each other before timidly shaking their heads.  

“Can’t you understand what I’m saying?! Get my daughter out of there!”  

And at that moment, someone suddenly jumped out from between the servants. Although this person looked around the same age as Margret, they had their face covered with a veil and had a much thinner and frailer body. Liev quickly ran down the stairs and towards the outside. The person who left everyone in shock as she pushed Margret and bowed down in front of the dragon, who seemed confused for a moment as to what was going on.  

“I am sorry, I have worried you and caused trouble by my ignorant younger sister. It is all my fault, so please punish me and forgive my sister with mercy.”  

But Margret could not stay still. She stood in front of her sister again, not afraid of the angry dragon, and sacred Lindgren braced on her trembling legs and shouted.  

“You can take my life in return. Please just make my sister better! You can do it!”  

“No, don’t say that! I don’t want to be saved at the cost of sacrificing you!”  

What is going on? Before anyone could even comprehend the situation, a strong gust of wind blew again, and the veil of the girl who was called “sister” was blown away. Everyone held their breath at the sight of the pain that was revealed.  

Trembling hands and a voice even more shaky. Margret, who showed just how scary it was to face the dragon, pleaded once again.  

“You granted our ancestor’s wish! It shouldn’t be too difficult for someone as perfect as you, right? Can’t you help us, just a little bit?”  

Ah. Finally, Liev, who came out of the castle and joined the ranks of the servants, seemed to understand what was going on. With his role seemingly finished, Renard stood with his arms crossed and watched with a bored expression, and Sigrid looked at the dragon and two girls with interest. And the other colleagues seemed to know nothing about what was going on. It was the moment when Margret’s purpose, who had been following Renard, became clear.