My Strange Savior - Chapter 142

Chapter 142

“Has he been seriously injured?”

“He happened to stop by Gregory’s lab and got caught in an explosion. There’s no harm to his life, but he’s currently unconscious, so we can’t meet yet. The royal doctor is taking care of him in the palace, so he’ll probably recover soon. Oh, well. That’s how it is.”

As the duke spoke, expressing determination almost to himself, Gia looked at Kalion with a face full of worry. Knowing that Kalion relies heavily on him, Gia couldn’t erase her concerns.

“By the way, did you have any success?”

“Yes.”

Unable to answer, Kalion, confused by the news that Oscar hadn’t regained consciousness, was replaced by Gia.

“We did manage to bring back a usable weapon right away, but… I’m not sure if it will be of much help in terms of firepower.”

The arsenal was already almost empty, so all Gia brought back was just one semi-automatic pistol and one magazine.

At Gia’s uncertain voice, the duke nodded.

“That will do.”

Before leaving for the shelter, Gia confessed to the duke that she was not a dimensional traveler but a person from the past. She also revealed that the world where Gia originally lived had collapsed, and the current state of humanity took its place.

The duke found it hard to believe at first but eventually accepted Gia and Kalion’s words. Despite the promise of the possibility of obtaining weapons, the harvest was less than expected. Gia felt conflicted because she didn’t go for the weapons alone.

Gia couldn’t shake the feeling of deceiving the duke who had found a place in her heart. Her gaze, serious and silent, fell on the duke, who clenched his jaw.

Even though Gia had agreed with Kalion to reveal only the fact that Morrison would soon go berserk, Gia’s lips weren’t easily loosened.

‘Again… lying.’

The more she tried to reveal the truth, the more she found herself having to deceive others. There were still secrets she couldn’t tell Kalion, and with the duke, she had to hide even more.

Thinking about deliberately deceiving someone triggered a wave of guilt inside Gia. Her eyes, filled with loneliness, met Kalion’s gaze.

As she thought about deceiving someone intentionally, a sense of guilt swelled up like a snowball within her. Kalion, taking over for the struggling Gia, regained his composure and continued the conversation.

“What happened to Morrison?”

“His whereabouts have become mysterious. It’s a fact that he reached the capital, according to the people planted by Viscount Shannon. But finding where he’s hiding won’t be easy.”

The duke’s forehead twisted as if he had a headache. Adding to that, the fact that he would soon go berserk had to be mentioned. Gia couldn’t lift her face in apology. Even though she didn’t bring Morrison into this world, guilt pressed down on her shoulders.

Gia stared intently at her hands neatly placed on her knees. To prevent herself from tearing at the calluses on her fingers, she had to clench them tightly.

It wasn’t easy to resist the habitual behavior that surfaced every time she felt anxious or when she tried to push herself forward. She wondered if Kalion could somehow notice this about her.

Surprisingly, without even realizing it, a large hand came over. A warm hand, intertwined with Gia’s fingers, appeared above her hand. When she raised her head, she saw affectionate eyes.

The fact that Kalion was always the priority, no matter who or where he was with, resonated on her skin as she held hands with him. The duke, who glanced casually at the joined hands of Gia and Kalion, spoke nonchalantly.

“No matter how vast the capital is, if he looks like that, his location should be quickly revealed. Strangely, no traces are showing up. It’s odd; people have gone missing in every place he visited, but there are no disappearances in the capital. Whether we missed something or he hid in an unreachable place.”

Knowing that it would be difficult to find Morrison deliberately hiding, Gia became anxious. Furthermore, the thought that he might go berserk soon gave her a headache. Could she harm Morrison before he goes berserk? Worry surged like a flood.

“Have you heard the news that the Emperor’s illness has been cured?”

“Yes… roughly.”

News had spread throughout the realm that there was an explosion and the Emperor was in good health. Whether it was intentionally leaked to announce his well-being, Gia found it displeasing and pursed her lips.

“Thanks to that, the court is more turbulent than ever. The movements of the first and second princes, who were gathering power to succeed to the throne, are suspicious. Blood might be shed in the palace soon.”

The duke’s heavy breath subsided. The prince he supported was also unable to grasp the situation and was currently examining the state of affairs.

If one dared to covet the throne, they would almost certainly be accused of treason. The duke, with a furrowed brow, continued speaking about the impact this turmoil had on him.

The duke’s words sank deep. He had to forcibly congratulate the recovered emperor, not knowing whom the rejuvenated emperor would target with his sword, as he was unwilling to share his imperial authority with anyone, even his children.

“He announced a celebration to honor the Spring Goddess, claiming it to be in celebration of the Emperor’s complete recovery.”

“A celebration?”

“The two-day event is more like a festival. Afterward, there will be a separate feast for the knights, Kalion, and Lady Gia.”

The duke said, extending a letter from the Emperor. Kalion received the letter, and soon after, an order for a temporary break was issued.

“You must have rushed here without rest. Go ahead and take a break for today.” 

The duke advised, and Kalion and Gia left the office. As they walked to their rooms hand in hand, there was no exchange of words between them.

‘How much more time do I have…’

As Gia counted the days until she could be with Kalion, her heart fluttered. Spring was slowly emerging, and the temperature was gradually rising. With each passing day, Gia’s heart felt heavier.

“Kalion.”

“Yes?”

“Are you okay?”

Since hearing the news of Oscar’s injury, Kalion hadn’t spoken. He must be worried. Knowing Kalion could understand her feelings without words, Gia cautiously held his calloused hand.

“I’ve worried you, I see.”

“Not at all.”

Gia forced a smile, hiding the quiver in the corners of her lips, and gently stroked Kalion’s hand with both of hers.

“It’s always okay to worry about you.”

“Thank you, actually, ever since I heard that Master was injured… my head has been white…….”

Kalion, who had been caressing Gia’s held hand, carefully revealed his feelings.

“I feel like I’m putting him through something he doesn’t have to go through because of me… I don’t feel comfortable.”

“I’m sure he doesn’t think so.”

Looking up at Kalion’s face, Gia softly expressed her thoughts.

“Yes… You’re right.”

How long could they maintain this calm facade between them?

Looking at Kalion bathed in moonlight, Gia blinked her eyes slowly. She stared at Kalion as if engraving his image forever. Her moving eyes captured every detail of Kalion.

A strand of disheveled hair stuck to his smooth forehead, the furrowed brow distorted by the mentor’s worries — every detail imprinted itself vividly in her mind whenever she closed her eyes.

Never forget.

Making a vow, Gia gently caressed Kalion’s cheek.

“Let’s worry about it later.”

“Alright.”

“He’ll recover soon.”

“Yes.”

Gia placed her hand on Kalion’s head, and he, in turn, bent his knee so that she could comfortably stroke his head.

As if petting a dog, Kalion leaned his head against Gia. Stroking his hair felt like all worries were disappearing. 

If only this moment could last forever.

At the end of spring, like petals scattering from fully bloomed flowers, Gia’s heart wavered. She knew it wasn’t the time for this, but she couldn’t stop herself. 

Holding Kalion in her arms, she endlessly caressed his soft hair.

* * *

Squelch. Squelch.

Morrison sat on the Emperor’s throne, chewing on the dragon’s heart he had brought. The sharp teeth ruthlessly tore apart the heart, only the size of a child’s skull.

“Hmm.”

Every time he opened his lips to savor, his bloodstained teeth shone brightly. Dripping blood fell down his palm. Not wanting to waste even that, Morrison licked his palm with his tongue.

The Emperor, sitting on the opposite sofa, slightly turned his head. It was difficult to see, and the Emperor hurriedly concealed his expression.

“How is the plan progressing?”

At Morrison’s casual question, the Emperor spoke.

“It is progressing as planned.”

“Oh?”

Morrison’s lips twisted strangely in satisfaction.

“The last day of the celebration is approaching.”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

Morrison’s grinning face was eerie.

“It would be wise not to entertain any other thoughts.”

Squelch.

Morrison’s eyes, holding the dragon’s heart, gleamed fiercely as he scrutinized the Emperor’s forehead.

“Are there… any hesitations?”

At Morrison’s gesture, the Emperor felt a churn in his stomach. With one flick of Morrison’s hand clutching the dragon’s heart, the Emperor knew his life hung in the balance.

“Ugh.”

With each moan of satisfaction, as Morrison enjoyed his meal, he felt the power returning to his body.

This is it.

He continued to devour the meal, and even though he didn’t know what kind of magic was at play, the energy from the dragon’s heart undoubtedly seeped into him. After consuming the heart, the lost strength returned.

Morrison’s lips curled up mischievously as he continued his meal. The glint in Morrison’s eyes as he gazed at the Emperor, head bowed, was sinister.

The Emperor felt a strange sensation as Morrison licked his palm, stained with blood. It seemed that despite the discomfort of not having a hand, Morrison was pleased to have the Emperor under his control.

Without a single trace, the dragon’s heart disappeared into Morrison’s stomach.

Morrison’s tongue, stained with blood, extended from his mouth. Licking around his mouth, his tongue was dark red.

Having no hands seemed trivial. 

Despite the inconvenience, Morrison believed it was a good decision to keep the Emperor under his control. 

Morrison, satisfied, used his tongue to clean the foreign substance stuck between his teeth.