Chapter – 25
Chapter 8: Leash, Lifeline
Even Evren hadn’t thought it would go this far.
Was he a count from some kingdom?
Something like this was supposed to be merely a toy to play with.
No one pours all their effort and passion into tormenting an ant crawling on the ground.
But then blood appeared on Lirian’s face.
“Uh…?”
Seeing her whimper in surprise, something inside his head snapped.
Shall I play with the thing that caused blood on that face… to its limit…?
Just the thought sent a shiver of delight through him.
Until just a moment ago, he had been thoroughly enjoying this very moment.
Pink butterfly rain fell, and Lirian’s voice reached him, and with it, his anger flared.
“Your Highness, please… stop now.”
“…….”
“Your Highness? Are you in your right mind?”
Evren slowly looked down at Lirian.
Staring straight at her without blinking.
The ‘Mark’ is supposed to let the other hold the leash of the one who carries it.
He knew that logically, and he had said it out loud.
But he had never imagined it would feel like this. He had never experienced it before.
So much…
She can toy with me now…?
The sensation of having everything of his held hostage rendered him momentarily powerless.
His vision flushed red with rage.
Lirian Tillard was… intriguing.
Useful. Competent.
Her outward expression and inner emotions did not match.
When they had held hands in the workshop, the emotions that flowed from her had been entertaining.
An experience worth enjoying for about a year.
But to be above me like this…?
Ah, that wouldn’t do.
Absolutely not.
A surge of long-dormant impulse erupted.
He heard the voice of the annihilation ability goading him.
“You….”
Evren lifted Lirian’s chin.
His gold-tinged green eyes widened.
Breaking the mark now would also hurt him, of course.
With a leash like this, he would have to accept that.
No need to wait a whole year…
“Your Highness, does your hand… not function?”
But at that moment, Lirian cupped his cheeks with both hands.
“I understand. I’ll try it briefly on your divine eyes.”
“……!”
Evren froze.
It was as if a sticky, sweet essence had been planted directly into his brain. Shock reverberated through him.
The sensation spread from the crown of his head to his toes in less than a second.
It tore through his entire body with sweetness, making his heart race.
“Ugh.”
Ironically, he was the “heartless Tarandia.”
“…….”
Evren wiped his mouth a few times and gritted his teeth.
“This is maddening.”
“……? You seem fine.”
“Well, that makes me dizzy.”
His lungs filled with rapid breaths.
At the same time, the anger that had surged toward Lirian earlier drained away.
Lirian spoke firmly, emphasizing each word.
“No, it’s fine.”
“How do you know…?”
“You’ve calmed down now.”
Evren didn’t know how, but Lirian must have noticed that the terrifying spider-web pattern had disappeared.
Her face remained calm.
But Evren slowly covered his right hand as it touched his own face.
This time, a very familiar emotion flowed into him.
“……Are you scared?”
“Yes… a little, I think.”
“Honest, aren’t you?”
He liked that she wasn’t putting on a front.
With his mind slightly clearer, Evren examined Lirian.
Blood had collected from the temple to her eyelids.
Ah, that bleeding was truly annoying…
“Let’s head back. We should also summon a priest.”
“Yes, alright.”
Lirian turned to walk toward the group.
Following behind her, Evren bit his lip.
The mark… one year…
This is maddening.
He needed to have this lifted quickly.
This sweetness was more dangerous than he had expected.
Evren kicked the fallen bug once as he walked.
In a world with gifted individuals, there was one convenient thing.
Even if an accident happened, calling it a “rampage” explained almost everything.
The building half-destroyed? Someone rampaged.
A leg severed? Someone rampaged.
Thus, even the priests of Aeterna Temple were shocked by this incident, but they understood.
This was everyday life in Pernies.
The terrifying empire.
The count unconscious from pain.
And after confining the servants who had informed the princess of her destination, the princess repeatedly thanked Lirian in her quarters within the temple.
“Miss Lirian, thank you so much…!”
“It’s nothing, Your Highness.”
“But thanks to you, I survived… my ability, and my life as well.”
The video-recorded evidence would be given to the princess.
Monster cores were classified as level-1 dangerous materials in the empire, but the kingdom wasn’t as strict.
It’s already processed, so it’s fine anyway.
The princess felt bitter about the betrayal but spoke calmly.
“Since you were someone I trusted for so long… if not for you, I would have… honestly, I would’ve been dragged around.”
“…….”
“And truly… you’ve made all the artifacts Iris Tillard left behind.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
There, Lirian quickly responded.
She also took out the sketchbook she had brought and showed the preliminary designs.
“Truly remarkable… Once you awaken as a controller, you’ll be making more of these?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“……!”
The princess’s eyes sparkled.
At that moment, Lirian was certain.
This would block the 2nd prince and Iris’ side from borrowing Tenebrin’s power later.
And if done well…!
When she eventually moved to Tenebrin, it would be a great help.
While Lirian dreamed of a happy future, the princess glanced at her with a worried expression.
It was like looking at a living, ominous talisman.
“1st Prince… what is your relationship with Miss Lirian?”
It made sense that she would be puzzled since Lirian had been moving secretly without informing the empire’s royal family…
Moreover, Lirian had never introduced herself even once.
They think I’m on the villain’s side.
The shadows, including Sir Jeanne, seemed to have mistaken Tillard’s group as her escorts.
The villain answered calmly.
“We are engaged.”
“……!”
The princess’s expression of concern vanished instantly.
In its place was a serious, royal demeanor.
“So this can be considered an alliance between the Tarandia royal family and the Tillard family?”
What about Pavil?
“Well, think what you will. Just remember who saved you—that’s enough.”
Since they were the ones who helped, if Pavil sided with the other side, they wouldn’t let it slide.
“The Tenebrin royal family has a good memory. They never forget a favor received.”
Such unnecessary worry?
Completely unnecessary.
“Then I hope you keep this quiet, considering the kingdom’s mistake.”
“Understood.”
A proper give-and-take would be maintained.
Lirian nodded approvingly at their conversation.
For an ability user, this was civilized communication.
Very satisfying.
I’ve laid the groundwork for the original story’s beginning.
However, as Lirian nodded with satisfaction, a shadow fell over her.
Before she could react, her body floated into the air.
“Well then.”
“……!”
“My lifeline is injured, so we need to be alone for a while.”
Lirian was carried by the villain like a piece of luggage as she bid farewell to the princess.
