Episode 112: The Worst Reunion #2
On the way to the temporary forward base, Francia moved alongside Cain, narrowing her eyes.
‘…I have to kill him here.’
If this man stayed alive, he could become an unpredictable variable. Just like before the regression, he would surely obsess over her excessively and interfere with her relationship with Yohan.
She had to take care of him first.
‘Can I do it?’
Francia lightly caressed the hilt of her sword, which faintly emanated magical energy. Since she had exhausted all her power during the Tenerope incident, her mana was insufficient.
Meanwhile, Archbishop Cain possessed power beyond even the highest ranks. He was the strongest archbishop of the Holy Kingdom and a leading candidate for the next cardinal.
‘My current mana isn’t enough…’
Should she wait for another opportunity?
But there would never be a more perfect chance than this. They were in a demonic lair where anything could happen without raising suspicion.
She would undoubtedly be suspected, but Francia was widely known as a healer with almost no combat abilities. That was true, in a way. It was safe to assume she wouldn’t be accused as the culprit.
‘…I’ll wait and see for now.’
Even though he wasn’t in the best condition, her artifact lacked enough mana to ensure a decisive kill. Since she couldn’t finish him off for sure, observing the situation was the best option.
“Special-class mage Fervache? Is he injured?”
Upon their arrival at the forward base, the stationed knights approached.
“Yes. This is Archbishop Cain. I’ve performed some first aid, but he’s severely injured and requires further treatment and rest.”
One of the knights glanced at Cain. He was indeed in poor condition-his face was pale, and one of his arms, though recently healed, looked weak and unstable.
“Understood. We’ll escort him inside.”
Following the knight’s guidance, they entered the forward base’s barracks. The interior was empty. No injured soldiers. That was convenient.
Francia led Cain to a vacant cot and began channeling the mana within her.
“I will begin the healing process.”
A soft white light bloomed at her fingertips.
Hwaaak!
A warm energy flowed into Cain, imbued with purification magic.
“Ah…”
Cain finally felt at peace. His body had been in constant pain, but whenever her magic enveloped him, it was as if nothing had ever been wrong.
“Special-Class Mage Fervache.”
“Yes?”
When he called her in a quiet voice, Francia met his gaze. Her expression immediately darkened. His eyes were disgusting. She wanted to gouge them out right then and there.
“Please… Will you help me?”
Cain quickly added,
“I can’t explain the details, but I need the power of purification. Only you possess that power. Please… Won’t you help me?”
His desperate plea.
Francia decided to listen for now.
“How exactly am I supposed to help you?”
“Spend the night with me.”
“What…?”
Her face twisted in disgust. She had expected something else, but his request was both revolting and offensive.
“The stronger the physical contact, the more purification energy is transferred.
That’s the only way to heal me…”
Cain’s shoulders slumped as he pleaded desperately.
“Please…! My entire body is in pain. My skin feels like it’s burning. I’ve gotten used to hiding my expression, but the pain only keeps growing…!”
His request was obviously absurd, but Cain didn’t realize it.
Blinded by hope that this terrible curse could be lifted, his judgment had become clouded.
Even though his plea was desperate, there was no need to hear more.
Francia’s expression turned cold as she sent him a look of utter contempt.
“You must be out of your mind, so I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”
“Please, Lady Fervache!”
Grab.
As Francia tried to rise from her seat, Cain seized her slender wrist.
He gripped her so tightly that her brows furrowed.
“What do you think you’re doing?! Let go of me!”
“Please! Only you can save me!”
A black mist began to rise from Cain’s shoulder. It was the power of the curse.
His grip on her wrist tightened even more.
Francia’s delicate features twisted in irritation.
“Is anyone there?! Someone, help me!”
She cried out urgently, but there was no response.
There should have been people nearby. Something was wrong.
“No one outside will hear us. I’ve isolated the sound…!”
Cain’s lips curled into a twisted smile. He was in a highly agitated state. This was his chance to rid himself of the curse that had tormented him for so long!
“…Is that so?”
In an instant, Francia’s eyes turned sharp.
Her crimson irises gleamed with deadly intent.
“That works out perfectly. Now I can dispose of you quietly.”
“…Huh? What are you talking about-“
“I’ll just say that a special-grade beast killed you and escaped.”
Smack!
Francia shook off Cain’s hand. Her wrist was stained red.
“You bastard. I’m glad you haven’t changed. Now I don’t have to feel guilty.”
A small dagger emerged from Francia’s grasp. The blade gleamed faintly, resonating with her emotions. It was Gladius Luminis, the very dagger that had killed the Crown Prince and Duke Aegis.
“That’s…!”
The dagger was shrouded in the light of judgment. It was a bad match for Cain.
Rather than dispelling curses with light, it provoked them, forcing them to surface.
“Graaah…!”
Cain clutched his entire body, writhing in agony. His skin burned, and pain surged through him like fire. He felt as though he would start foaming at the mouth and collapse at any moment. The torment was unbearable.
‘…What the hell?’
Even Francia hadn’t expected this outcome. She was just as bewildered. The moment the dagger's light was revealed, Cain had begun screaming in pain.
Francia stared at the dagger in disbelief.
It was shining even more brilliantly than usual.
‘Whatever.’
That didn’t matter right now.
This was the perfect chance to kill Cain Luhar completely.
“You lunatic! Go to hell!”
She reversed her grip on the dagger and drove it into Cain’s writhing body.
Thud!
The blade sank smoothly into his chest.
“Guh…!”
Cain, who had been stabbed precisely in the heart, looked up at Francia with eyes filled with disbelief. She gazed down at him with cold, emotionless eyes.
“What have you done…!”
“This was my plan from the start.”
Twist!
Francia twisted the dagger buried in Cain’s chest.
“Kugh!”
Blood spurted from Cain’s mouth, trickling down his lips. His trembling fingers grasped Francia’s wrist, and his eyes darted frantically.
But then-
“GRAAAAH!”
Cain let out a deafening roar. The writhing black energy around him suddenly exploded, engulfing his body.
“What is this…?”
Francia stiffened, taking a step back. The ominous aura sent chills down her spine, making her shoulders tremble.
“If only… if only you had helped me!”
The black energy surged wildly, and Cain’s skin began to crack apart. The whites of his eyes turned black, and his trembling green pupils flickered in agony. His entire body convulsed, muscles twisting as he lost his human form.
Francia, who had studied various healing spells, recognized the symptoms.
Beastification.
A dreadful curse that planted the seed of a beast within a human’s body, slowly consuming its host until it took over completely.
“GRAAAAH!”
The black energy swallowed Cain whole.
***
Meanwhile…
The rift in the demonic lair had finally been sealed.
Yohan sat down, drenched in sweat, letting out a deep breath.
“Phew…”
The rift had been massive, making it difficult to close, but pouring his magic into it had made it possible. His body was completely drained, but this much was nothing.
“A-Are you alright…?”
Eris offered him a handkerchief, her cheeks faintly flushed.
“Thank you, Special-Class Knight Highlander.”
“It’s nothing…”
Yohan took the handkerchief and wiped his forehead.
“Did any special-grade beasts appear?”
“Some did, but not too many.”
“I assume the reinforcements handled them?”
“Yes…”
Just as Yohan, who had been sitting, tried to stand-
Boom! Boom!
A series of signal flares erupted from the direction of the forward base.
Red.
It meant a special-grade beast had appeared.
But-
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The signals didn’t stop.
Yohan immediately stood up, his expression tense.
“No time to rest. Let’s go now.”
“Yes, sir!”
The urgency was clear. Without hesitation, Eris ran off to fetch the horses. Yohan raised his voice.
“The rift is sealed, but the forward base is under attack by special-grade demonic beasts! Everyone, regroup immediately! We head to the forward base!”
“Yes, sir!”
The gravity of the situation was evident, so Eris hurried to fetch the horses. Yohan raised his hand and shouted.
“The demonic lair has been sealed, but the forward base is under attack by special-grade demonic beasts! Everyone, prepare yourselves quickly! We are heading to the forward base!”
“Yes!”
A resounding response echoed from the warriors. The demonic beasts that had surrounded them just moments ago were now nothing more than cold corpses.
“Let’s depart!”
In the meantime, Eris had brought the horses. Yohan skillfully mounted his.
“Let’s go.”
As he pulled the reins, the horse surged forward. The remaining beasts attempted to attack, but with the purification mages present, they posed no threat.
Thud, thud, thud…!
Hooves pounded against the ground, kicking up dust in all directions. They had to hurry. If multiple special-grade demonic beasts had appeared, annihilation was a real possibility.
As Yohan and the warriors rode without pause, they saw smoke rising from the location of the forward base.
“Prepare for battle!”
Wooong!
At Yohan’s command, the knights activated their mana blades. The mages began drawing upon their magic, ready to engage in battle at any moment.
Boom! Boom!
-Krrrrraaagh!
-Kiiiiraaaack!
“Damn it! Fall back!”
“The special-class mage Fervache is still inside!”
“Reinforcements have arrived! Over here!”
The forward base was utter chaos. Flames blazed, and thick black smoke covered the sky. The demonic beasts continued their relentless assault, and the knights’ defenses looked on the verge of collapse.
But then…
“Francia is inside?”
Yohan’s eyes trembled. Why was she here? Wounded soldiers were usually attended to by priests, not her.
‘I’ll think about it later.’
The reason could wait. For now, rescuing her took priority.
“Where is the special-class mage Fervache?”
Yohan asked, and a knight quickly responded.
“she’s inside! We’re trying to rescue her, but the special-class demonic beasts are making it impossible!”
Yohan frowned.
“Damn it.”
There were five special-grade demonic beasts. Under normal circumstances, he could have dealt with them swiftly, but right now, he wasn’t in the best condition.
‘But I have to do it.’
Yohan gathered all the mana in his body.
Whooosh!
The immense energy surged forth, whipping up a violent gale around him.
“I’ll go in first.”
Just as he was about to pull on the reins—
“Aha-ha-ha! What a rare sight! So many special-grade demonic beasts! But I, Arbella, who am blessed by Lady Freyja, cannot back down!”
Arbella grinned boldly, clenching her fists.
“L-Lady Saintess…! It’s too dangerous! You should regroup with the others—”
A knight accompanying her tried to dissuade her.
“Follow me, everyone! I’ll clear the way! The best healing magic is making sure no one gets hurt in the first place! I, Arbella, won’t let you be harmed!”
But she didn’t listen.
Boom!
She slammed her fists together. A radiant holy aura enveloped her body, spiraling around her.
“With Lady Freyja’s blessing, I will guide you! Here I go!”
With a bright, confident smile, Arbella dashed forward.
Boom!
The ground cracked beneath her feet as she leapt, effortlessly matching the height of the special-grade demonic beasts.
“Aha-ha-ha!”
Boooom!
A small fist, imbued with dazzling divine power, struck a special-grade demonic beast in the face. A shockwave of pure white light exploded outward, snapping the creature’s neck.
For a moment, Yohan was speechless at the sight, but he quickly shook his head, regaining focus.
She seemed more like a battle-crazed warrior than a saintess, but that didn’t matter right now.
‘I’ll leave this to her and rescue Francia.’
Yohan pulled the reins.