IICSYIRD l CH 57

Chapter 14

“You’re really something. Take her away.”

“Yes, sir! Right away!”

Lora quickly lifted up Grey and rushed out of the room.

I wiped my face with both hands, then quickly straightened my posture when I remembered I was still in front of Schloitz.

He was staring at the spot where Lora and Grey had exited, as if deep in thought.

“Your adjutant seems to be in serious condition, Commander Blandea. I didn’t expect her to be that frail,” Agnes said, breaking the silence.

I had a sinking feeling that I wouldn’t be able to sleep from the embarrassment tonight.

“Commander Lefevre,” Schloitz called.

My cheeks were burning, and I was sure my face was red. But I couldn’t exactly scream and run away.

“Did you prepare the artifact like this because you were afraid it would be stolen?”

“…Yes, Lord Procyon.”

I added slowly, “The gemstone is fake.”

“Why are you carrying a fake jewel?”

“I asked Sir Agnes, and he got it for me.”

“You sure know how to make good use of people. Good job.”

I was a bit surprised.
I thought he’d say something like “You really go overboard,” but instead, he praised me.

Just to be sure, I asked, “Should I buy some more fake gemstones?”

“No need. Agnes?”

“Yes, Supreme Commander.”

“Bring me tomorrow morning’s schedule. I’ll take care of it now.”

“Ah—yes! Right away!”

Agnes dashed off, and before I knew it, Schloitz and I were alone in that huge room.

I didn’t even have a chance to say anything.

“You came to give me the blessing. Go ahead.”

Even as he spoke, he didn’t lower his head enough, so I had to gently hold his face with both hands to kiss his cheek.

After a few moments, I pulled away.

Schloitz pushed aside the fake gemstones hanging from the necklace and picked out the artifact.
He pricked his finger, smeared blood on the surface, and then said,

“Come on. I’ll walk you back to your room.”

“Huh? Thank you.”

At the time, I didn’t understand why Schloitz would bother walking me back when my room was just one floor above his.

****

‘…I’m thirsty.’

Late that night, I woke up with a dry throat.

At the commander’s quarters, I usually had a bottle of water by my bedside. But I hadn’t prepared one here.

There was a bell cord within reach, so I tugged it.

A moment later, I heard the door open quietly, and Grey came in.

“Commander, did you call?”

“…Grey? Why are you? Are you feeling okay?”

“I’m fine. I’m truly sorry for earlier, Commander. I’ll accept punishment as soon as we return to the base.”

“It’s not something worth punishing, but… you can’t stay on as adjutant.”

“Yes, I understand.”

She fainted right in front of the Supreme Commander—even if I’d intended to keep her, I’d have no choice but to replace her.

Still, I thought maybe I should offer her two monster corpses instead of one, just to ease my conscience. A small kindness to make me feel better.

“Bring me some water.”

“Yes, please wait a moment.”

Unlike noble houses, this place didn’t have water stations on every floor.

After all, it wasn’t a noble estate. Plus, placing water in random spots increased the risk of tampering, and it would be hard to trace if something happened.

So Grey must have headed down to the first-floor kitchen.

While I waited for her to return, I absentmindedly pulled back the curtain.

Bright, piercing moonlight poured in. The night sky beyond the wide window was full of stars.

To think I could see such a view just lying in bed—it made me admire the priests who designed this place.

If this crazy world ever found peace, we wouldn’t need buildings like this anymore. Maybe it could be turned into a hotel to make money.

“Commander?”

Grey returned soon after. I took the cup of water from her.

The moonlight cast soft shadows across her face.

It was the first time I’d seen her this close.

But something felt… off.

Do faces usually look like patchwork under moonlight?

That can’t be… right?

Then, like a sudden strike, the thought hit me: Something’s wrong with her eye.

Even with all this moonlight, her pupil didn’t reflect any light.
It looked like she had a smooth, doll-like fake eye in one socket.

A chill ran down my spine.

“Could you bring warm water instead? My throat’s a bit sore.”

“Oh, the air must be too dry. I’ll get it right away.”

Grey took the cup and left.
I heard the door close behind the screen.

With a calm face, I reached under my pillow and silently grabbed a dagger.
Then, I pulled the bell cord again and slowly got out of bed.

The hidden artifacts on me clinked softly.
Startled, I glanced toward the door. No movement.

I put on my slippers and moved quietly.

Was someone waiting outside?

Thankfully, the thick carpet absorbed most sounds.

Agnes and his adjutants were on this floor too.
If I could open two doors and shout loud enough, he would hear me.

Focused, I carefully walked to the door and placed my hand on the knob.

That’s when it happened.

A long arm shot out and grabbed my ankle.

“…!”

I froze and looked back.

Under the round table by the partition, covered in a white cloth—
Grey was crouching there, grinning maniacally.

What…?
She’d left earlier. Did she only pretend to open and close the door?

Before I could think, she yanked my ankle.
I fell and was dragged across the floor.

As I was being pulled, I swung the dagger.
I sliced her arm, blood splashing red—but that was all.

She grabbed the dagger.

Even though it had a short handle and I was holding it tightly, she gripped it.

The blade itself.

Her hand, clutching the sharp edge, bled heavily.
But she just kept smiling.

I gritted my teeth and tried not to let go, but she was just as strong—maybe stronger.

Actually, it was terrifying.
Despite looking so frail, she had inhuman strength.

The blade dug into both of our hands.
Blood from her palm poured out like a flood, soaking both my hand and arm.

Eventually, with a sickening sound, the bloody dagger flew out of my hand.

It happened so fast.

Grey shoved something like a thick cloth into my mouth.
The sharp scent filled my nose.
I tried to kick her off me, but all strength left my legs.

Then my waist, arms, hands… even my neck.
I collapsed, limp.

That’s when the door quietly opened.

And the one who entered—was none other than Jeremy.

“Je—…”

My lips barely moved, and I could only get out one syllable.

At the same time, any hope I had vanished.

Jeremy quickly closed the door and locked it with a click.

He walked past me and Grey, who was covered in blood, toward the bed.
Or at least I guessed he was walking—I couldn’t turn my head to look.

What are these two…?

Grey’s face, grinning down at me, looked like something from a nightmare.

It didn’t look like a face at all.
It was as if different pieces of skin had been stitched together like a patchwork quilt.

And that obviously fake eye…

Then a white cloth blocked my vision.
They were wrapping me up.

I just knew.
Grey and Jeremy were trying to kidnap me.

In <The Mad Beauty’s End>, there was a minor character—an adjutant with her eyes covered by a blindfold.
That wasn’t Lora. It must’ve been Grey.

Why weren’t they trying to poison me like in the story?
Why kidnap me instead?

What are they planning?

And… is she even human?

My mouth no longer worked.
It felt like a strong drug had entered my veins and numbed my whole body.

My head grew heavy.
My eyelids felt like someone was yanking them down.

Then—suddenly—the cloth covering my face was ripped away.

Was it because my senses were numb?

Everything felt like a dream.
Three beats too slow.

I realized—
The door had been broken open.
Grey’s wrists had been cleanly severed.

Loud noises rang in my ears, but I couldn’t understand them.

A strong arm wrapped around my back and waist—lifting me.

And then the most important part—

Schloitz was looking down at me, his face twisted with fury.

****

“…Ugh.”

My throat was so dry.

Somehow, someone knew—and poured lukewarm water into my mouth.

Once my throat felt somewhat better, a bitter liquid followed. Probably medicine.

I had no strength to move my mouth or tongue, so I just drank it.

More lukewarm water came again.

Slowly, my foggy mind began to clear.
My numb senses started to come back to life.