My Strange Savior - Chapter 118

Chapter 118

To leave minimal traces, Morrison, hunting solitary individuals, greedily swallowed the flowing blood with a gulp. 

Morrison consumed the dripping blood like someone who had endured prolonged thirst, savoring the taste. If someone were to witness this sight, they would be shocked to the point of astonishment. The once abundantly featured face was now unrecognizable.

Morrison, boldly smearing even the small pieces of flesh, underwent an immediate transformation with a satisfying clinking sound. The hunched back straightened, and the decaying flesh revived like fresh skin. It was as if Morrison’s body was undergoing a rejuvenation.

Taking a step back, Morrison, now standing tall, commented.

“I should change the frequency to once a day for a while.” 

Morrison’s mind, previously wandering like a madman, had now fully regained its composure. Consuming people led to an uncontrollable trembling of the body, akin to withdrawal symptoms, but witnessing the decaying body was even more agonizing. Morrison made a decision.

While stepping on rolling bones on the ground, Morrison completely regained his composure and stood upright. 

“Until I recover the strength stolen by the dragon, I have no choice but to expedite the cannibalistic cycle.”

There was no guilt or remorse in Morrison as he used his tongue to clean his teeth. Despite seeing a reflection of himself so detached from humanity, Morrison’s pupils sank even deeper, displaying no thoughts. The direction of the Emperor’s palace where the dragon was said to be became Morrison’s target. He was certain that once he regained his power, Gia would no longer be a suitable opponent.

Morrison, with an eerie twist of his neck, stared in the direction of the palace. When he regained that power, without hesitation, Gia’s life would be forfeited. Morrison straightened the grotesquely bent neck, and a resounding, bone-twisting sound was heard.

Sniff, sniff. The nose, twitching like a dog, caught the surrounding scents. No longer did the stench of decaying flesh emanate from Morrison’s body, now that he had consumed human flesh.

“Hu…”

With a clear direction for his anger, there was no time to delay. Morrison, now in a new flesh, began walking towards the direction of the palace, then soon started running. 

His crossing legs became a blur, and the trampled grass leaves showed no visible footprints but were stained with bright red blood.

* * *

“Phew…”

Gia sighed as she looked at herself in the mirror. Wearing a black combat uniform after dismissing the maids who offered to help with dressing, Gia gazed fixedly at her reflection in the mirror.

“This is it.”

Having experienced the lavish treatment as a guest in the Duke’s mansion, Gia exhaled deeply once more. The heavier and more humid her breath became, the more her mood sank to the bottom.

Today was the day of meeting the Emperor, so instead of glamorous dresses or jewelry, Gia chose a combat uniform. Although there were outfits prepared by the Duchess, Gia refused them and insisted on wearing what she had originally brought. She made it clear that she would face the Emperor in her own way.

This decision made Audrey and Ariana very disappointed. They had put a lot of effort into preparing dresses in the dressing room, and they tried to convince Gia until late last night to wear them.

Expressing her apologies, Gia, in her own way, politely conveyed her refusal. She felt that to capture the Emperor’s attention, she needed to stand out more and behave like an outsider. This way, perhaps the Emperor would be more intrigued by her.

When Gia expressed her opinion, the Duke and Derek, with a touch of positivity, sent their agreement. However, Kalion seemed uncomfortable with the decision, his expression tense throughout the evening. 

It seemed that Gia stepping forward and becoming a target did not sit well with him.

“Oh my, the hair.”

Attempting to wear a hairstyle she rarely used, the hairpin squeaked in protest, creating a bit of a hassle. Gia, who usually opted to break things if they didn’t go her way, instead gently brushed her face with her hand.

Considering how much she had to calm the agitated Kalion the night before, she had probably spent quite some time removing the wrinkles from the battle-ready uniform. His sulking appearance had been quite cute. 

Gia chuckled softly as she checked the combat uniform with its sharp angles.

“Oh, it’s difficult. So difficult.”

When the thought of facing the Emperor again crossed her mind, tension hung heavily on her shoulders. It felt as if all the gravity in the universe was pressing down on Gia. As if her legs were being impaled on a deep spike, making her question if it was not the gravity of the entire cosmos. 

Feeling the pressure, Gia took a deep breath, trying to lower the tension. She tapped her cheeks with her palm to lower the anxiety.

“Don’t be nervous, Yu Gia.”

Gia, who had been making a fierce expression, wondered what she was doing and disheveled her neatly arranged bangs.

“No… Why do I have to be so cautious?”

Not pleased with how she looked downcast, Gia blew into the air, causing her bangs to float up and then settle back down.

“Sheltering myself from the blame and scolding due to my father’s virus in the shelter didn’t make me back down. I endured it and became a hero in the shelter.”

Gia, who never faltered even when facing resentment and scolding from people due to her father’s virus, remained strong. She thought it was somewhat amusing that she, who could endure and persevere, was now nervous and tense.

However, the situation was what it was, and there was no other way. What if the family of the man she liked was endangered because of her? Unnecessary worries cast shadows, entwining Gia’s legs.

“That’s why…”

Living a life with something to protect was tiring.

“Right. I have to be cautious. Yes.”

If it was for Kalion, she could pretend to be submissive, maybe even kneel. Gia extended her lips, then retracted them, accepting the idea. It wasn’t as if her knees were going to wear out from kneeling. Fortunately, she wasn’t particularly sensitive about kneeling. Gia smiled and hit her palm with a fist.

“I won’t ask strange questions.”

Although Kalion had agreed to go together, Gia still couldn’t calm down. Despite her drawing the meeting with the Emperor as a play in her mind the night before, she was once again restless and turned around in front of the mirror.

“Lady… Do you not like it? Like, you’re acting all submissive because of Kalion’s family?”

Gia, who used to call the Emperor’s palace as if it were her own home, grumbled as she waved her hand in the air, and her bangs floated up and then settled back down.

“Ugh… It’s fine. It’ll be fine.”

However, her heart did not seem to calm down. What if something happened to Kalion’s family because of her? Anxious about the potential consequences, Gia nervously moistened her dry lips with her tongue.

Tap, tap.

“Gia, are you ready?”

Kalion’s voice was as composed as ever. Though younger than her, Kalion’s attitude was more stable. Despite that, Gia felt a bit awkward. Even as she fought alongside Kalion, she was now anxious about facing the Emperor again.

“Yeah… I’m ready. Let’s go.”

Resolutely shaking off her worries, Gia took a hesitant step forward. At that moment, the familiar sound of Walker scratching the wooden floor echoed.

Opening the door, Gia was met with Kalion, who, as always, looked handsome like a painting.

“Kalion…”

“What’s the matter?”

Appearing as if he hadn’t changed at all, Kalion stepped forward. Holding Gia’s lifeless face in his hands, he lifted it.

“I… I’m too nervous.”

“No need to be nervous. I’ll be there with you.”

“But still… What if I make a mistake?”

Kalion, who saw the awkward expression, reflected the adorable lover’s pout exactly.

“You can handle it.”

With reassurance, Gia, who had lowered her eyes, looked up at Kalion.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Gia, who had immediately straightened her body on the damp ground, took Kalion’s hand.

“I’ll trust only you.”

“Yes.”

Suddenly, Kalion’s lips traced a smile on Gia’s hand, which he had grasped. Concerned that Kalion, who didn’t expect Gia to be this anxious, was okay, she patted his hand on the back of her hand.

“Let’s go.”

“Yeah.”

Gia received the farewell of the aristocrats and got on the carriage with Kalion. They all seemed calm as if she were the only one feeling restless. Why is she the only one feeling so jittery? Gia stretched out her lips and tapped Kalion’s knee with her fingers, who were sitting across from her.

“Why?”

Even with a touch filled with pouting, Kalion’s eyes remained clear. Seeing the overly polite and upright Kalion, Gia, who had never seen him like this, supported her chin with her palm.

Tickle, tickle.

Even as the carriage moved, Gia’s hand didn’t stop. Everyone else seemed peaceful, and thinking she was the only one causing a fuss, Gia playfully tickled Kalion’s knee with her fingers.

“It tickles.”

“Hmph.”

“What’s with the sulking?”

Grabbing Gia’s index finger, which was scratching, Kalion lowered his large body to meet her eyes.

“Am I the only one like this? Doesn’t anyone else seem nervous?”

“That’s unlikely.”

“I don’t think so at all.”

“It just seems that they’re not showing it.”

In response to Kalion’s explanation, Gia glanced at him with innocent eyes. To ascertain the truth, her narrowed eyes scrutinized Kalion.

“Why do they all pretend to be so calm?”

“Maybe because they’ve lived as nobles for a long time.”

Sweat formed on Kalion’s palm as he answered calmly. Gia’s index finger moved stealthily, tickling his wet palm.

Kalion’s palm, trained for a long time to grip a sword, was full of calluses. It wasn’t ticklish at all; his hand, gripping the index finger tightly, felt rugged, and the veins stood out manfully.

“Ugh… It feels like I’m the only one showing my nerves. I guess I need to practice my expression too.”

“Now?”

“Yeah. Watch this. How is it? Do I look scary?”

Gia’s eyes, with eyebrows twisted, widened. Her forehead was heavily wrinkled, and her protruding lips made a formidable expression.

“Not at all.”

“Why? Doesn’t it look scary?”

Once again, Gia made a scary expression and pulled her chin up. It seemed like she was creating a rather threatening expression, but it didn’t appear that way at all in Kalion’s eyes.

“No, you look cute.”

“Oh, come on. Really.”

Interrupting the act she was putting on, Gia playfully tapped Kalion’s thick biceps with her hand, not hurting him.

Thanks to Kalion, Gia had somewhat eased her tension and shifted her gaze outside the carriage. As she observed the bustling people, the carriage arrived in front of the palace without her realizing it. After completing the entrance procedure, the carriage stopped, and the door opened.

Kalion, dressed in splendid attire, stepped out, and his hand extended. 

Despite the unfamiliarity of such gestures, Gia raised her hand onto Kalion’s palm without hesitation.