Chapter 296

Chapter 296

Since Dalia had also survived time magic, she had the unique ability to render time magic ineffective, making her even more threatening.

‘Damn it…’

Asta’s hands trembled as he tore the scroll apart.

It wasn’t because his arms and legs were pierced and painful but because of the tremendous mana he sensed from her.

A suffocating magical power that seemed to suppress the very air he breathed, even reaching his lungs, controlling the atmosphere.

Mana that makes fear palpable—something Asta hadn’t felt since Princess Exchetra. It wasn’t a matter of quantity but the weight of her magical power.

For the first time, Asta felt fear, and he knew he would have met his end just a moment ago if it hadn’t been for her mercy.

How would he convey this story to Princess Exchetra?

Asta closed his eyes as he felt the terrifying screams echoing through the corridor.

In any case, the largest hiding place for Momalhaut in Heulin was destroyed now, that much was certain.

* * *

“Thank you… for waiting.”

I lowered my head in a daze as I heard Kaichen’s words.

My body, covered in blood, felt uncomfortable. It was somewhat embarrassing to be embraced by Kaichen in this state.

I felt my shoulder soaking in moisture. Kaichen was crying for me.

Instead of apologizing for not coming to rescue me earlier, he thanked me for escaping by myself.

It was surprisingly warm.

I wondered if he could feel my heart pounding, but his heart seemed to pound even more intensely than mine, making me smile lightly.

“Master, I killed that person.”

“…I’m sure you had a reason to do so.”

“I… I made up my mind not to hurt people again.”

“I see.”

“But, if I didn’t kill him… I would have died.”

“Okay.”

“If I die, you’ll be sad, Master.”

“…”

“So there was nothing I could do.”

“Thank you…”

“Is it too much like an excuse?”

I felt a bit embarrassed. Then Kaichen, who had buried his face in my shoulder, held my shoulders and lifted my head.

“If you hadn’t killed him, I would have.”

“…Master, do you also kill people?”

“Haa.” Kaichen looked at my blood-stained face and carefully wiped my face with his sleeve. “I’m not a sage,” he replied.

“…Well, I guess you’re right.”

“I’m not kind enough to spare those who harm me.”

“I’m glad you didn’t kill me just because I caused trouble.”

“…”

“Have you ever killed someone for such reasons…?”

“…”

At Kaichen’s silence, I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

Liar. Kaichen doesn’t just kill people for such reasons. If he were that kind of person, the golden magic enveloping me wouldn’t be so warm.

I exhaled a breath. I told him I wandered through the underground, killing every remnant of the Momalhaut.

“This place is… bigger than I thought. After I captured one of them and questioned them, I found out it’s Momalhaut’s largest hideout in Heulin. In case it might be useful to you, I spared a few lives over there…”

As I mumbled on, Kaichen brushed her wet hair without responding

Because of the bloodstains, I wanted to wash up right away, but I couldn’t tell him to stop as he continued to caress my cheeks and hair.

Due to the tears, Kaichen’s eyes were red.

Blinking my eyes, I gazed blankly at Kaichen. “Master, you mustn’t hate me,” I pleaded.

“…I won’t,” he said.

“You mustn’t be scared of me.”

“I won’t.”

“You like me, right?”

“Yes.”

“You’ll keep liking me, right?”

“Yes.”

“I was wrong. Even if you can’t understand, please continue to be with me.”

“…Don’t worry.”

I burst into laughter at his automatic reply.

I had so much to say. I had to tell Kaichen everything.

The truth is that I’m not Dalia, whom you’ve watched with love and hate for a long time. The truth is that I’m a soul from another world and this world is from a book I read.

Even if I said all of that, his heart wouldn’t change. His shaking golden eyes were telling me so.

I was afraid I might crumble, so I held his shoulders. He was as scared as I was, just like I feared his death the most.

“Master, I want to rest for a while,” I said. Everything was becoming light.

“Rest,” he said.

“Hold me, please.”

“Sure.”

Holding onto his warm and broad chest, I closed my eyes as if waking up from a long, long nightmare.

Although only a few days had passed, it felt like centuries.

I waited so long for you. I’ve waited more desperately these past few days than when I was trapped inside the time magic.

I missed you. I wanted to see you.

I can’t survive a single day without seeing you.

I must tell you these thoughts, too.

I smiled and let go of all inhibitions. A dizzying pain rushed over me like a tide, and I blacked out.

* * *

I had a long nightmare and couldn’t sleep well while I was in captivity.

Maybe that’s why I slept without any dreams, and when I opened my eyes, surprisingly, 15 days had passed.

I heard about it from Yanghwa, who had been panicking, scolding me for not waking up and making her worry.

I stared blankly at the ceiling. Unconsciously, I traced the familiar pattern on my bedroom ceiling and sat up to clear my parched throat.

As I raised the glass on the nightstand to drink, I felt a sensation of clarity wash over me.

The first thing I noticed was that my body was perfectly fine. I thought one of my legs might be forever crippled, but they told me that they had poured mana into my damaged body with the utmost care for a whole week.