Survival 154

Prev I TOC I Next

‘…I expected this, but it’s even more pathetic.’

Bathory’s eyes slightly distorted.

The radiant eyes that once showed victory over her were clearly different now.

Though she didn’t intend to admit it.

Now, despite Bathory’s wretched state, the descendant of the warrior was a knight and the daughter of a prestigious noble family.

However, her current appearance was starkly different.

Drooping eyes, lifeless pupils.

From just that, it was clear how much emotional turmoil the warrior’s descendant had gone through.

‘Truly… you are like a devil, Frost Mane.’

The taste in her mouth turned bitter.

If she were in the same situation, she wouldn’t be much different.

“Sigh, calm down and listen. Hans is fine.”

“…Is that true?”

“I always live in Hans’s shadow. If he had died, I wouldn’t have survived either.”

Her eyes, which had earlier resembled dead fish, regained some vitality.

Seeing this, Bathory added with a blank face, “If you don’t believe me, send a telepathic message. He’ll reluctantly respond.”

“…Got it.”

Luciana’s expression was peculiar.

Since she had assumed he was dead, she hadn’t thought to send a telepathic message.

‘Well, Frost Mane will handle it.’

Even though Frost Mane feared having his identity exposed, if the warrior’s descendant contacted him directly, he’d respond with a bitter smile.

He had a surprisingly soft spot for her.

Sure enough, “……!”

Her complexion brightened gradually with her eyes closed.

It wasn’t hard to deduce that he had responded to her message.

“Did you hear from him?”

“Doubtful of the alliance between the beastmen and elves, he went to investigate alone. Really… I wish he had at least sent a message.”

Her now radiant face showed no anger or resentment for faking his death.

Frost Mane, skilled in persuasion, must have worked hard to console the one he cherished so much with his words.

‘…Hmph. How special is the warrior’s descendant anyway?’

It would be a lie to say she wasn’t jealous.

There was a clear difference in how he treated others, including herself, compared to the warrior’s descendant.

Yet, she couldn’t help but assist her.

Sympathy? Of course, there was a part of that.

But there was a more important issue.

“First of all, thank you honestly. I owe you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“However, I do wonder. Why did you consider me? We have… a bad history.”

At her uncharacteristically cautious behavior, she let out a self-deprecating chuckle.

In truth, it wasn’t consideration at all.

All of this was for herself.

Frost Mane.

Someone who, before she knew it, occupied a significant part of her heart.

After spending a long time with him, she realized something.

About how he forms relationships.

Utility.

Every relationship she observed from the shadows was like that.

Even Riu Caspera, the saint, and herself and Oparn, both demons, were no exceptions.

He measured the other’s status, position, abilities… and adjusted things to his advantage.

If something has value, keep it close.

If it doesn’t, act as if it doesn’t exist.

For the sake of using it.

That was essentially the only reason he formed relationships.

The only exception was… the warrior’s descendant standing before her.

-What’s your relationship with her?

-It’s my turn to ask questions, but fine, I’ll answer since my previous one was insincere. She’s someone who can perfect my ultimate culinary delight.

Bathory smiled bitterly as she recalled.

From the first time she met him, their conversations had always been like this.

Ultimate delicacy.

Frost Mane often called her that, claiming to be her servant.

He never asked for anything in return.

Just as she herself did for Frost Mane.

‘I’m envious. So envious that I want to crush her in the demon’s way and steal all his attention.’

It’s just ‘delicacy.’ Even if it’s ruined, Frost Mane might get angry, but he’d soon lose interest.

He’s the kind who doesn’t look back at things that no longer interest him.

But.

At the same time, Bathory would also be abandoned.

For stealing his interest, obstructing him, and ruining things.

She barely managed to control the flames of jealousy burning in her heart.

It wasn’t that she gave up.

She just felt disillusioned with the demon’s way.

‘The method of taking everything from the other by force ultimately won’t win Frost Mane’s heart.’

Even if she forcibly took away his freedom, Frost Mane wouldn’t be one to be bound by it.

-Ha ha, you got me. To think I’d be betrayed by someone I trusted, Lady Bathory. Well, that’s probably why you lost to the Demon King as well. There was no one who truly helped you.

Laughing like that.

Mocking her.

In the image, she naturally drew of being forcibly held but not giving up a single thing he wanted.

Therefore, the conclusion she reached was singular.

“…As a maid, I simply do what the servant desires.”

If he judged people based on utility, then she just needed to suit his taste.

She would teach him magic.

She would guard him.

She would sometimes act as his messenger in difficult times.

Until the point where her absence would bring slight inconvenience.

Starting with him, until he becomes a familiar and indispensable presence.

She literally decided to look out for Frost Mane’s convenience.

‘Who knows. When he grows tired of this woman, he might seek the closest one first.’

So this wasn’t just helping.

It was a process to become even closer with Frost Mane.

‘In any case, I seem to be deeply influenced by him. To be scheming like this.’

Though uncertain and time-consuming, it was better than nothing.

After all, building a castle starts with a single stone.

“Well, I’ve delivered my message. I too have to join in Hans’s plan.”

“…Wait a moment.”

Suddenly, her steps stopped.

Luciana had stopped her.

‘…Could it be, she’s figured out my plan?’

No, it’s possible.

In fact, as someone who dislikes demons, it wouldn’t be strange for the warrior’s descendant to forcefully intervene.

With that rationalization, Bathory tried to move again.

Thinking she could just ignore her rebuke, which lacked evidence, thrown at her back.

“I never thought I would feel grateful to you, but I must thank you for this, Bathory.”

Is this what it feels like to have a guilty conscience?

As a noble vampire, she felt a shudder, as if she were a stray cat.

‘Isn’t this the first time I’ve been called by my name?’

No, had she ever been called by her name by a human before?

While she stood there in a daze, forgetting to go to Frost Mane, Luciana lightly placed a hand on her shoulder.

“If a subordinate has achieved something, it is only right for the superior to reward them. We’ll discuss this later.”

“…No. As I said earlier, I only did what a maid should do.”

“Hehe, I see. I understand well.”

Luciana gestured towards the outside, indicating she should leave.

The dark expression she had when she first entered the room was nowhere to be seen.

“By the way, I heard that the beastmen are similar to Levain, so they must be quite a formidable opponent. Make sure to guard him well.”

Instead of turning the maid’s body away, she stepped forward, her blue eyes looking straight ahead.

Was it an illusion?

The look in her eyes wasn’t much different from the one she saw in the mirror.

‘Tsk. Why……’

Bathory’s eyes trembled slightly.

The position of a princess.

The engagement with the crown prince.

For now, she couldn’t help but be grateful for the warrior’s descendant’s situation.

If it weren’t for those obstacles……

‘Get a grip. I just need to do my job well.’

Always prioritize Frost Mane,

And, if possible, avoid thinking about the warrior’s descendant at all.

Although a familiar belongs to their contractor, Bathory had long since realized that she was already entangled with Frost Mane.

Therefore,

Burying her foolish heart,

Or perhaps, as a maid she had become accustomed to being,

And hiding her audacious insubordination deep in her chest,

Bathory slowly blended into the shadows.

***

“Humans have quite the poor taste.”

Freesia’s face was heavily frowned.

Well, it was understandable.

This was a place where the most primal human desires were blatantly displayed.

It was a stronghold of slave hunters.

‘No one would enjoy seeing their kind locked in cages.’

Even I found it disgusting; how would she feel?

As she freed the slaves with a determined face, I shrugged my shoulders.

“Humans are inherently like this.”

“…Aren’t you human too? How are you so different?”

“Hehe, I am no different from them.”

“What do you mean?”

“It means I am true to my desires.”

At that moment, a few elves approached me.

No, it wasn’t just elves.

Among them were also beastmen with various animal ears standing up on their heads.

“Th-thank you for saving us.”

“If we had been captured like this, who knows what would have happened…”

“Ah, ugh…”

As Freesia’s tense expression softened and she didn’t know what to do,

I stood behind, grinning slyly.

My mouth watered.

The feeling of being revered by others!

Of course, as the daughter of that divine archer, she must have been treated with great respect.

This type of favor must be a first for her.

As evidence, even the ears sticking out from her white hair showed an honest reaction.

“No. We are all residents blessed by the World Tree, aren’t we? Helping like this is only natural…”

“Ahem.”

‘But I can’t tolerate kicking away a pumpkin that rolled in.’

Interrupting her kind response, I stepped forward in front of them.

“Nice to meet you, everyone.”

“Ugh, a human…?”

Did they recall the hunters who captured them?

They stepped back with their ears drooping.

“This is a disappointing reaction. Even though I’m the benefactor who saved you from becoming slaves.”

“…Thank you.”

Unlike with Freesia a moment ago, they bowed in gratitude.

Well, that’s fine.

As long as they didn’t see me as an ‘enemy.’

“Hehe, very good. I too feel a sense of fulfillment receiving thanks from the elves and beastmen.”

After surveying the faces of the audience one by one, I spoke again.

“However, if you could give me a small cooperation, I would feel even more rewarded.”

Flinch.

Whether beastmen or elf, they all looked at me with wary eyes, as if seeing a slave trader.

But it didn’t matter.

“Frost Mane, how could you… asking newly rescued people…”

“Freesia, do I do business by eating dirt? The funds, time, and manpower invested here… I need compensation to be motivated for the next rescue operation, don’t I?”

I skillfully put on a smiling mask.

Of course, I didn’t spend any actual funds.

Time was something I gave willingly.

Manpower was provided voluntarily by the followers of our Disaster Cult.

In any case, one should claim credit when they can, to gain any benefits.

Upon hearing my words, their faces instantly darkened.

“If there is anything we can do, we will. So please…”

“Ah, don’t worry. I’m not going to make any excessive demands of you. It’s just a small cooperation.”

Quickly, just like with Freesia, I scribbled on a piece of paper with a quill.

[Disaster Cult Constantly Recruiting Followers]

[Welcome even if you already serve another deity]

“That’s… Phew. I wondered what it was.”

After confirming the contents, Freesia let out a sigh of relief.

It was indeed not an excessive demand, even in her view.

‘After all, to her, it’s just a piece of paper.’

But that’s because Freesia, with her firm beliefs, was worthy of being a hero.

These people were different.

Even a seemingly trivial piece of paper could have great significance to them.

Therefore,

“Disaster Cult…?”

“Yes. A religion called by the World Tree to save you.”

I slowly moistened my dry lips.

Starting with the elves,

“It’s okay to continue believing in the World Tree. But when you were caught helplessly, did the World Tree save you?”

“…That.”

“Why is that? You had unwavering faith in your god, yet not even a small miracle happened.”

I turned my head once again.

This time, towards the beastmen.

“Poor warriors who were captured while trying to save the Mother Tree. Tell me, if a god is supposed to save their followers, how can it be that the followers are the ones needing to be saved?”

Of course, it was nonsense as always.

Faith, in essence, transcends reality.

The moment it requires tangible rewards, it loses its value as a religion.

“Why did the World Tree abandon us…”

“Has the Mother Tree forsaken us?”

But how could people not harbor such blasphemous thoughts?

Everyone seeks salvation.

And their god, the World Tree, did not respond to their calls.

Planting seeds of doubt in this gap was as easy as pie.

“But the Disaster Cult is different.”

I smiled slyly and held out the contract.

“If you just sign here, the Disaster Cult will actively assist you.”

“Disaster Cult….”

“That’s right. Very good. Just sign here….”

Having already experienced life as slaves, they likely had some degree of mistrust.

Seeing them cooperate so easily, the corners of my mouth almost reached my cheeks—

—Thud!

—The paper they were about to sign was suddenly pierced by an arrow.

“Eek!”

“Ah!”

The elf holding the pen had their ears shoot up in the air.

The arrow, which narrowly missed them, lodged itself in the ground among the escapees.

“I hear you have been speaking quite disrespectfully about the World Tree.”

A voice I had never heard before.

But it sounded a bit like someone standing next to me.

“Eek!”

Sure enough, Freesia’s ears flapped as she looked for a place to hide.

She wasn’t the only one.

The elf who was about to sign also turned visibly pale upon hearing the voice.

“Please, could you also tell me about this Disaster Cult?”

A silver-haired elf emerged from the trees, making me swallow hard.

[Boss]

[Divine Archer]

[Primrose Evergreen]

The status window above her head showed a name I knew very well.

“…I didn’t expect the Divine Archer herself to come here.”

The grand protector of the World Tree.

The Divine Archer was glaring at me with unmistakable hostility.

Prev I TOC I Next