| Author: Tensei Mikami | Original Source: Syosetu | Word Count: 2269 characters |
| Translator: Jiro | English Source: Re:Library | Word Count: 1091 words |
| Editor(s): Robinxen | ||
The two strong soldiers struggled against her awakening power.
“Imitia, calm down. I don’t want to stir up anything between us.”
“Then tell me! Do you want Orthus to live or die?!”
“Orthus is my precious knight, as well as my dear friend. I would never think about letting him die.”
“You… damn b̲a̲s̲t̲a̲r̲d̲!!!”
Imitia, in the throes of her Bestial Metamorphosis threw the two soldiers to the ground in a fit of rage. She bared her fangs and was about to pounce on Gadius when-
“… agrh…!”
Her consciousness went blank.
The sudden surprise attack left her helpless as her mind raced. Imitia was struck hard on the back of the neck, her brain rattled so severely that she had no choice but to lose consciousness.
The last thing she saw was the young soldier who had ambushed her, looking at her in astonishment.
“Your Majesty, are you alright? This wolf… She’s a Beastian, no?”
“I’m fine. Thank you, Loggins.”
“I-It’s nothing. I rushed in when I heard the commotion and clashing swords, but I suppose it’s fortunate I arrived.”
“More importantly. Loggins, did you overhear my conversation with this lady earlier?”
“What? No, I didn’t hear anything.”
“I see. That’s fine then. Place her in a comfortable bed. And please keep the Belbed Caravan entertained while she recovers.”
“You want me to entertain the assailants… No, it’s fine. I will take care of it.”
With Imitia in his arms, Loggins bowed stiffly and left the throne room.
“……”
The silence that followed was deafening. Gadius hung his head, not bothering to conceal his exhaustion.
“I’m sorry, Imitia… I’m sorry, Orthus… I- I…”
The king’s words, strained and filled with bitterness and tragedy, seemed to be squeezed from deep within him.
◆ ◆ ◆ ◆ ◆
It was only after thirty hours that Imitia finally awoke.
When she did, the sensation of the bed gently cradling her back felt oddly uncomfortable. She rolled out of bed and stood up, only to be greeted by an unpleasant headache and drowsiness.
Just how long was I asleep for…
Imitia stumbled as she made her way through the guest room door. The maid waiting outside let out a scream, but Imitia paid no attention.
Orthus… Orthus..!
Imitia ran out barefoot.
The world seemed hazy as she swayed from side to side, colliding with the walls repeatedly as she made her way toward the throne room.
She kicked away the guards who tried to stop her and accidentally ran into a cart carried by a waiter, splattering food everywhere. However, a dark determination gleamed in her eyes.
If there’s a curse, then he must still be alive! There’s still something I can do! There must be!
Finally arriving at the throne room, Imitia forcefully pushed the gatekeeper aside and kicked the door down.
“Gadius!!!”
Imitia, screaming like a beast, saw Gadius seated on the throne as he had been before.
Gadius turned his gaze weakly toward Imitia, and his shoulders trembled slightly, as if he were frightened. He appeared drained, with gray hair showing and a pale complexion.
His figure seemed one size smaller than the one she’d seen before. However, none of this registered with Imitia, whose mind was racing.
“What happened to Orthus!!!”
Two strong soldiers once again attempted to restrain Imitia, who was on the verge of attacking.
Due to her body just having awoken from a drugged state, Imitia couldn’t use Bestial Metamorphosis. It didn’t take long for her to be pinned down by the two soldiers.
“Gadius!!! Answer me!!!”
Facing the raging Imitia, Gadius rose from his throne like a ghost. There was no vitality left in his appearance.
Gadius spoke softly, his lips parched.
“Orthus’ funeral has already passed. His burial site is the Hill of Promise. It’s known as the most beautiful place in the capital.”
“Just what are you-”
Tears welled up in Gadius’ eyes. They were genuine, bona fide tears. The reality of Orthus’ death had finally taken its toll on him.
“Please try to understand Imitia. Orthus is dead. It was a noble sacrifice for the sake of the Elugor Disaster.”
“No!!! Orthus was killed!!! He was killed by you, Gadius!!! Why did you not try to save him when he could still be saved?!!! Why didn’t you let me examine him?! Why?!!! Answer me, Gadius, damn it!!!”
The soldiers desperately held onto the highly agitated Imitia. Her eyes were also filled with tears, however, her tears were not ones from sadness, but rather from frustration.
Frustration at being kept away from a loved one’s life that might have been saved.
She had trusted Gadius. It was maddening her to think that Gadius, who Orthus had blindly trusted, might have betrayed him. Rage mixed with her tears.
Gadius spoke slowly but firmly,
“You two, please release Imitia.”
The two soldiers were taken aback by the king’s command. They didn’t fully understand what was happening, but they knew that letting go of the highly agitated Imitia meant.
Despite this, “It’s okay.” Gadius repeated once more in a calm tone.
With a defeated sigh, Imitia shook off the soldier’s hold when her hand was reluctantly released.
“Imitia. I understand exactly what you’re feeling. But I do not have the answers to the questions you ask1. So, go ahead. Hit me.”
“You…”
“I’m sorry Imitia.”
“You…”
“……”
“You bastaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaard!!!!!!!”
Imitia’s slender arm clenched around Gadius’ chest with a frighteningly strong grip. She may have had the appearance of a young girl, but the Wolfen blood in her veins was nothing to scoff at. If she decided to hit him, she could do some real damage.
Despite knowing this, Imitia still intended to hit Gadius. If she didn’t, her anger would have nowhere else to go. Yet…
“I’m sorry.” Gadius finally spoke, his jade-green eyes filled with sorrow and compassion. The very same jade-green eyes that Orthus had wished to protect above all else.
Orthus… Just what am I supposed to do…
Her raised fist wilted without making contact.
She couldn’t bring herself to strike the one her loved-one had defended with the price of his life. Imitia released her grip on Gadius’ chest roughly and glared at him with an intensity that could pierce through walls.
Orthus was gone. There was nothing else left for her to cling to. Everything else seemed to have lost its significance. With a heavy heart filled with anger and sadness, Imitia stormed out of the throne room.
From that day forward, she never set foot in the Kingdom of Elugor2 again.
