Chapter 64: I Tried Embracing an Angel
《Serios’s Side》
The morning sun streamed through the thin curtains, and a pleasant warmth enveloped my body.
“…Nn?”
When I dazedly opened my eyes, familiar brown hair spread out right before me. A sweet scent tickled my nose, and there was a soft, warm sensation in my arms.
(…Eh?)
The moment I fully awoke, I grasped the situation, and my heart leaped violently.
(W-why is Liese in my arms!?)
She was snuggled close, her face buried in my chest, breathing peacefully. Her body heat seemed to spread throughout my entire body for some reason, making me strangely conscious of her.
(Calm down, calm down…)
My heart pounded, and my mind was in utter chaos, but it seemed she was still asleep. Her sleeping face was peaceful, exuding an almost child-like defenselessness.
(For now, I should move away. No, wait. If I move, I might wake her…)
Even as I pondered what to do, Liese shifted slightly, rubbing her face even closer against my chest.
“…Nn… Lord Serios…”
Those words, muttered in a small voice, made me freeze completely.
(Lord Serios… She called my name?)
Every time she called my name in her sleep, I felt a tightening sensation deep within my chest.
(This is bad… I can’t stay calm in this situation.)
“Liese.”
I called out to her, as quietly yet clearly as possible. However, she showed no sign of waking, instead hugging my chest even tighter.
(…She’s so damn cute, you idiot.)
I felt pathetic for involuntarily smiling in this situation. But, seeing her peaceful expression and hearing her soft voice, my chest strangely warmed.
“…Lord Serios?”
Suddenly, she called my name in a small voice. Her eyes slightly open, she looked up at me, her face still heavy with sleep.
“Liese… Good morning.”
Hiding my awkwardness, I greeted her. She looked blankly at me for a moment, but then, apparently realizing the situation, she turned bright red.
“L-Lord Serios!? W-why are you here!? No, I mean… why am I…”
The moment she hurriedly tried to sit up, she realized my arm was still holding her shoulder, and she panicked even more.
“Ah, sorry! No, I also don’t know how this happened…”
I hurriedly released my hand, and she sprang up, sitting on the edge of the bed. Then, her face flushed bright red, she kept glancing my way.
“I’m sorry, Lord Serios… I, um…”
“No, it’s my fault too. I was probably tired and fell asleep. Don’t worry about it.”
“Don’t worry about it… but…!”
The way she fidgeted and her gaze darted around was so adorable that I couldn’t help the corners of my mouth from turning up.
“What are you smiling about!?”
“No, it’s nothing… nothing at all.”
“It’s definitely not nothing!”
Seeing her puff out her cheeks, I had to desperately suppress the urge to laugh even more.
“I’m truly sorry. I, um… I’m very grateful to you, Lord Serios…”
She muttered shyly in a small voice. At her demeanor, the turmoil in my chest strangely subsided.
“It’s fine, Liese. I saved you because I myself wanted to. There’s no need to apologize.”
At my words, her eyes widened in surprise. Then, her expression gradually softened, and a smile bloomed on her face.
“…Thank you.”
That smile was so dazzling that I involuntarily averted my gaze. Every time I see her looking so happy, I realize just how much I cherish her.
(From now on, I will protect her.)
Vowing that in my heart, I turned back to face her.
“Come on, let’s go get some breakfast. Take it easy today. You don’t have to worry about anything anymore.”
“…Yes, Lord Serios!”
Watching her beaming smile, I quietly stood up.
♢
《Emma’s Side》
The cold night wind brushed against Uchi’s cheeks. Bathed in the moonlight, Uchi advanced through the Forest, listening intently to the rustling of the trees.
“…Where are ya hidin’, Kyl?”
Anger tinged Uchi’s voice. Kyl had betrayed Uchi’s organization. No, more than that, he’d dragged Uchi’s reputation through the mud. That alone, Uchi couldn’t forgive.
“Uchi can’t leave this to Lord Serios. This is Uchi’s problem.”
A traitor has to receive his just deserts.
As Uchi advanced through the Forest, relying on the moonlight, the scent of blood struck Uchi’s nose. Looking down, Uchi saw faint traces of blood on the ground.
“…This way, huh.”
The blood trail was intermittent, but they were clearly the tracks of someone fleeing. Holding Uchi’s breath and proceeding, Uchi soon spotted a small figure in the shade of a tree.
“Finally found ya, Kyl.”
When Uchi called out, the man leaning against the tree slowly raised his face. His pure white hair reflected the moonlight, and his eyes held a somewhat resigned Light.
“…Emma-neesan.”
“That’s right. Finally found ya, traitor.”
“Betrayal… huh. That’s right. I betrayed you all.”
There was no trace of regret or guilt in Kyl’s voice. He just sounded as if he were quietly accepting his actions.
“How d’ya plan to explain movin’ on your own without tellin’ Uchi anythin’?”
“There’s nothing to explain. I wanted to protect Liese. That’s all.”
Kyl’s gaze was fixed on something far away. His expression showed a flicker of uncertainty, something not seen in a person who merely follows orders.
“Are ya stupid? D’ya have any idea how much damage ya did to Uchi’s organization’s reputation because of you?”
“…I know.”
“Ya don’t know anythin’! Because of your selfish actions, d’ya know how much Uchi had to clean up your mess!?”
Uchi couldn’t suppress Uchi’s anger. Kyl had been an excellent pawn. No, more than that, he was a subordinate Uchi had trusted. For him to betray Uchi like this…
“…Even so, I don’t regret it.”
At Kyl’s words, Uchi narrowed her eyes.
“Why? What drove ya that far?”
Kyl remained silent, letting out only a faint sigh.
“I… just wanted to protect her. I, who had only ever killed, wanted to protect someone for the first time. If that guy Serios was a bad person, I wanted to take Liese and run. But Liese believed in Serios, and Serios also came to protect Liese.”
There stood a dejected and pathetic Kyl.
He’d always been an emotionless guy, but it was clear he couldn’t survive in the Dark Guild anymore.
“Betrayin’ to protect? D’ya think that’s right?”
Kyl didn’t answer Uchi’s question. He just closed his eyes and quietly hung his head.
“…Kyl, ya can’t run anymore. This is the last time Uchi’s chasin’ ya. We gotta end this here.”
Uchi readied her Dagger. The moonlight reflecting on its blade cast a faint Light within the Forest.
Kyl also readied his Dagger and stood up. His figure was battered, but a strong will still remained in his eyes.
Uchi sighed softly in Uchi’s heart. Kyl, you’re really a hopeless guy.
“This is the end, Kyl.”
Saying that, Uchi charged towards him.