For Romantic Superpowers - Chapter 56 - Why Does It Have To Be Like This?

#56. Why Does It Have To Be Like This?

On a night when everyone was asleep, someone was moving into the Hiver Castle.

“At last…”

The man chuckled softly. The time he had been waiting for had come. Despite being confined to an underground prison, there was no properly prepared prison in the Hiver region to seal the abilities of those with powers. The man’s name was Newt. He didn’t have an original name because he was abandoned at birth. The name he gave himself when he learned to speak. He committed various crimes through his teleportation ability. He didn’t even know that what he was doing was a crime. In the world he lived in, it was the law.

However, his teleportation ability had limitations. Due to his weak ability, he couldn’t use it continuously. After using it a few times in a row, his ability quickly depleted. Moreover, it became difficult for him to move his body. That was also why he took in the orphan, Shu-shu. When he claimed to be her father, the child quickly followed him. When he became too weak to move, he hid in a shack and received care from the child.

But he didn’t feel thankful to Shu-shu at all. Being an alcoholic, he sought alcohol every day. He even went as far as to harm the child when drunk. However, he thought that since he had picked up an orphan who was rolling on the streets, the child should be grateful to him.

“At last, fully recovered.”

He clenched and opened his hands, moving his body. He couldn’t hide his overwhelming emotions. After teleporting two men and women one by one, he had almost depleted a week’s worth of abilities. After coming to the prison, he had to lie down almost unconscious, waiting for his abilities to slowly recover. He worried that if he received torture and his physical abilities weakened, what would happen, but fortunately, Count Hiver did not touch him. He was postponing the punishment of the villagers and the man until the day Prince Alfonse left. Perhaps he was trying to show sympathy to the residents. However, even so, he couldn’t completely absolve himself of the kidnapping he had done.

Before moving, the man carefully considered the location. It was an unexpected accident that the basement where he had hidden was discovered. It had been abandoned for a very long time. He never imagined that someone would find that place. But since it was discovered and burned down, he had to hide somewhere else. The first thing that came to mind was the shack. Although it was falling apart, it was his home. He pretended to be sick and stayed still, and Shu-shu brought him food and alcohol. It was bitter to leave behind his comfortable life.

“Is there nowhere else?”

But anywhere would be better than an underground prison. For now, he decided to muster all his strength and leave as far away as possible. As long as his legs were intact.

“Huff!”

But no matter how hard he tried, when he closed and opened his eyes, he saw the same scenery. An underground prison made of rusty iron bars and chilly bricks. How could this be? He looked around in bewilderment.

“Do you intend to escape?”

A strange voice echoed along with footsteps approaching from the entrance. However, it was a voice he had heard somewhere before. Cold sweat trickled down his back.

“Who’s there?”

He opened his eyes to see, but the torch illuminating the corridor was extinguished. He couldn’t identify anyone in the darkness. However, it seemed like there was only one person by the sound. Newt tensed his body.

“You’re curious why you can’t use your teleportation ability, aren’t you?”

Although he hadn’t spoken, the owner of the voice in the darkness accurately understood his situation.

“H-How…?”

The moonlight reflected off glasses. At that moment, a menacing hand grabbed his face through the iron bars. Ah, this feeling. It was the same feeling as when he was coming out of the flames.

“It must be uncomfortable. Having limitations on your ability. Not being able to teleport far. Getting exhausted after using it too much? Yet, instead of using that ability elsewhere, you’ve lived your life stealing and kidnapping people?”

How did he know? He had never told anyone about his ability. There was no one to tell, no family or relatives around. Newt’s body began to tremble with fear.

“Mo-Monster…”

The man laughed mockingly at being called a monster without any fear. It was a word he had heard so often when he was very young. But that didn’t mean he felt happy or nostalgic about the word ‘monster’.

“You lost your courage? Do you even know what your sin is?”

“I-I spared her! I didn’t lay a hand on the girl!”

He desperately defended himself. To the man in front of him, it seemed like a worthless excuse. But he couldn’t bear it without saying anything.

“Hah. Didn’t lay a hand on her, you say.”

The man of unknown identity sighed deeply. It was a voice full of open contempt. It was when the captured man was about to try to escape if there was a chance.

“Ugh…!”

The grip of the hand holding his face tightened. It felt like it could crush his face with just its strength alone. Painful groans filled the alley.

“The man… you’re planning to keep him alive just to use him as a hostage. As for the girl… you, how should I put it… you would squeeze out her abilities as much as possible, and when her abilities were depleted… wouldn’t you try to use her elsewhere? Pretending to sell her off, teleporting her back with teleportation, and continuing… continuing to trade with the villagers?”

The owner of the voice spat out each word painfully. Yet the one suffering was himself, being cruelly held by the face. He couldn’t even ask how he knew the plan he hadn’t told anyone about, because he was being held too tightly.

“I didn’t particularly want to know either. But, now that I know…”

Finally, the man’s eyes met. There was nothing in his eyes. It was a glass-like gaze that transcended all emotions such as flesh, hatred, and more.

Bang!

Suddenly, the man threw Newt into the interior of the prison. Despite falling, Newt continued to stare at the man. The strength that came out of his strange-looking arms was tremendous.

“You won’t be able to get out of this prison. I specifically modified it for people like you.”

He revealed this through the bars and smirked. As brightly as he smiled, Newt’s face turned pale.

* * *

Finally, it was the day the group from the palace left. Count Hiver had a sleepless night. His recent headache was due to the events that had taken place in the past few days. He had pondered for a long time on how to deal with it. However, except for the perpetrators of the kidnapping, the others were ordinary villagers. Considering the backlash from the other residents, it seemed better to take diplomatic measures. 

He planned to release them as soon as the group left. He had received everything he needed from Prince Alfonse. That too would have been a move for his political benefit, so there was no loss for either party. The victim of the kidnapping also expressed a desire to help the locals directly, so there shouldn’t have been any problem.

Knock knock.

“What’s the matter?”

“Count, the Chief Aide of Prince Alfonse wishes to see you.”

This early in the morning? Fortunately, preparations for the prince’s farewell were already complete. He was just about to go down to the dining hall for breakfast.

“Hmm… Bring him to the study.”

“Yes, understood.”

If it was the Chief Aide of the First Prince, he was someone who had always been by the prince’s side. Naturally, his face came to mind. Although he was called a genius, he was outstanding enough to be considered one. If such a person came to meet him personally, it might be to represent the prince’s words. He couldn’t afford to be rude.

“Count, forgive me for disturbing you so early in the morning.”

“No, not at all. What is it?”

“I have something important to tell you.”

Of course. If it wasn’t something quite significant, there wouldn’t be a visit so early in the morning. The Count wasn’t in a good mood to be interrupted during breakfast. Whether he noticed or not, the Aide just smiled thinly.

“Have you decided on the level of punishment for the criminals?”

“…Isn’t that part entrusted to me by the prince?”

“That’s correct. However, I’m concerned about the insufficient measures.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m wondering if you’re considering declaring all the criminals innocent…”

“Even if that were the case, isn’t it something you shouldn’t interfere with?”

That is until Prince Alfonse left Hiver Castle. Since they were supposed to leave in the morning, there wasn’t much time left. By then, the small disturbance in the Hiver region could be easily resolved with a lie.

“I apologize for the digression. However, this visit to the Hiver region is important not only for the prince but also for His Majesty in the palace. It is to convey the palace’s intention to treat everyone fairly as citizens of Psychedelia, regardless of their affiliation with the region.”

The Count drank his tea without responding. This was why he disliked dealing with politicians. They would raise and lower people as if they were wielding a sword.

“The individuals sent by the palace have been kidnapped and even injured. Although they may be ordinary village residents, some attempted to buy them with money. Although it could be resolved with the small disturbance in the Hiver region… “

He deliberately trailed off. The Count’s pupils shook. It seemed like the man before him knew what was on his mind. He was not someone to be underestimated.

“If misunderstandings were to arise, it would be unfortunate. Ignoring the goodwill of the prince and His Majesty, suggesting that the criminals and Count Hiver are in cahoots.”

“What are you implying?”

Unable to hold back any longer, the Count finally showed his anger. The Aide’s intentions were clear. He intended to drive a wedge so that the Count couldn’t release those criminals.

“I apologize for making you uncomfortable, Count. It seems breakfast time is over. I’ll excuse myself first. The prince is waiting for me.”

Due to his ambiguous words, the Count was unsure if this was what the prince intended or not. But even if there was a slight chance, if this represent the prince’s will? He was just as much the future king. An outlying lord couldn’t defy him recklessly.

“You are truly remarkable.”

The Count said with pure amazement. To be able to control someone as powerful as the Cout with just the title of Aide. If Alfonse were to ascend the throne, power would inevitably fall into his hands.

“You flatter me. I believe you will show ample respect to the palace.”

His smile remained intact until the end. The Count resolved once again. He would never interfere in central affairs. It was prudent not to get entangled with such snake-like individuals.

* * *  

The group made efforts to pack their belongings efficiently. The Count provided them with ample provisions for the journey back. The return journey was once again a battle against the cold and homelessness. However, the expressions of the group were relatively bright. While the hospitality at Hiver Castle may have been lacking, returning to familiar places always uplifted their spirits. Of course, there were small incidents along the way.

“My lady, wouldn’t it be better for you to ride in the carriage this time?”

“I’m truly fine, thank you.”

“You’ve had a rough time this time. Please, ride instead of walking.”

“It’s not me who got hurt, it’s Mr. Kevin. If it’s alright, could you give him a ride?”

“I understand your sentiment well, my lady. Let’s depart now.”

Alfonse cleanly ignored Lia’s suggestion and boarded the carriage. He seemed particularly reluctant to ride with the men. Lia couldn’t help but smile at the sight of the prince, who still looked like a little child. The journey back felt much shorter than the way there. Now, it was uncertain when they would see so much snow again. Lia tried her best to capture the scenery along the way. She tried to remember only the good things from their time in the Hiver region.

“Lia? What are you looking at?”

At the edge of her vision, she saw a small shadow. It looked like a mountain animal, yet also like a child. After a brief moment of staring, Lia quickly turned her gaze forward.

“It’s nothing.”