Your and My Asylum

Book 4: Chapter 9

***

Minhee swept away all of the people who bullied me on the very exact day she transferred to our school. She then dragged me outside and got upset at me. Are you nuts? Youre doin things just because they tell you to? Do you have no shame? Will you be able to become a man at this rate? Thats what she said to me. When I, who was standing there vacantly and felt like his head was going to explode, heard those words.

I, I, I hit Minhees hand away.

I cried.

I got on my knees. I cried. Just because its me. Me. What exactly did I? Why me? I wept. Words began to pour out like an unclogged faucet spewing out water. Me. Why me, me exactly, why me exactly, why, me? For what, what reason? A lot of time was required before words that barely sounded like a language, that had a hint of logic in them could be spoken.

During that long period of time, Minhee didnt utter a single thing. That was why I was eventually able to talk.

Why, dont they consider me?

Why, dont they worry about me?

Even though they say that its for my sake, in truth, why, why dont they care about me.

There was a smell.

It was the same smell that would always welcome you whenever you entered this room. Vomit and internal organs that couldnt be wiped clean, flesh and blood hidden in places where rags couldnt reach, these terrible smells emanated from these things as they dried and dug their way into my nose. However, there was a different fragrance mixed in this time. It was the smell of leaves and stamens, the smell of trees and the sap on the trees.

I heard the sound of a door closing behind me.

I raised my head. At the same exact time, Sophna, who was confined within a steel cage, lifted her head as well.

What are you here for?

Sii hesitantly took a step back. That was how penetrating Sophnas eyes were. It felt as if her falling apart earlier was a lie. It felt like I could hear her denying it herself as well. That it never happened. That that was nothing more than a momentary illusion, Sophna Radgrinkle was soundlessly making that declaration.

That was something that had definitely happened. That memory remained in my mind as well. That was most likely engraved in your eyes as clear as the crack in your pupils.

I knew this, so I talked with an attitude that clearly displayed that I was aware.

Im here to interrogate you.

Sophna made a face that appeared as if she had heard a joke.

What?

I dragged a chair forward and sat down on it. I hung my beads around my wrist and took out a pen and notebook.

I received an order to cooperate with the guard in order to figure out who had carried out the assault within the castle while either acting as a part of the Gongshik or pretending to be one of them. The Earl didnt retract this order either. Roroa, the Vice-captain of the guard, transferred the task of interrogating the suspect over to me. Therefore, interrogating you, the prime suspect, would simply be following procedures and lawful as well.

Sophna let out a hah! sound and laughed.

Do you think this nonsense will work? Do you truly believe so? Are you that dim-witted? Mii is a bright child. Although there is a problem with her learning capabilities, how much do you think I have taught her? Do you believe that we are incapable of resolving a misunderstanding between us?

It will be difficult. The mask and dagger are quite the indisputable pieces of evidence. Theyre completely identical to what was discovered next to Alshi.

A trivial ploy like that! Were you not the one who had planted those!?

Did your magic not prove otherwise?

You most likely didnt plant them yourself! That sort of childish trickery!

Then who could have planted them?

It was probably Ariya! Or that Roroa girl could have done it! Or.

Sophna paused in the middle of her sentence. She stared at Sii, who was standing beside me, for a moment before speaking in a weak voice.

So it was you.

Sii didnt back off this time. She took in a deep breath.

Sophna glared at me as her body trembled.

There is truly no other ponce like you. How could you do such a cruel thing!? Do you know what sort of severe reprimanding Sii will receive once Mii learns of this!?

I know.

I spoke and wrapped my arm around Siis shoulder.

You obviously know as well. Thats why you wont be able to accuse anyone of having planted these pieces of evidence.

A smile which resembled a poisonous mushroom spread across Sophnas face.

Do you truly think that? How laughable. Do you think Ill keep my mouth shut for the sake of an illegitimate child?

Yup. Thats right.

Sii uttered.

Sophna paused. Sii continued to speak and didnt back down.

Miss Sophna, is a good person.

Silence.

Yup~~ w-when I learned Korean, when I adjusted my way of speaking in Korean to make a character, Miss Sophna helped me many times, she shed show me kindness. Thats why, thats why I, this narrow-minded and timid girl, kept judging Miss Sophna to be a good person. Because she cherished me.

Sii dropped her head and ended her words with a trembling voice.

Because I-I inherited my fathers blood.

The Head Vassal who had protected the Earls bloodline for over a century bared her teeth.

Thats a very generous interpretation. If that were the case, then,

I-I know.

What exactly do you know?

That Miss Sophna isnt a good person rather than that, youre a person whose priorities are clear. In other words, if you put me and Her Excellency the Earl on a scale, then Her Excellency would be first.

Sii and the Earl were similar in this regard. They were sensitive to the direction of the affection that was directed towards them.

I-In other words, even while knowing that I was being harassed, even though you could have easily done something about it, unlike Zia, yup, instead of doing that Be it the pre-established faction maids who follow Miss Sophna or anyone else, no one took my side. If anything, when my arm was going to be severed after being framed, they stood as witnesses.

Furthermore, Sii and the Earl were different in this regard. Whenever their emotions went rampant, the Earls eye rims would dry up, but the edges of Siis eyelids would become red. Along with her red pupils, it felt like I was looking at a desert sunset.

TheresTheres no way that something like that would have happened without Miss Sophnas approval. Since for Miss Sophna for Miss Sophna, rather than my arm, rather than something like my arm, Her Excellencys will had precedence.

Sophna averted her gaze as if she had been dyed in flames.

That time that is not the only reason why that had happened.

I could feel Sii tremble. I pulled her into a hug.

I stuck out a single finger while comforting her.

What goes around comes around. I believe that you wont cause a commotion for having been betrayed by a girl who had taken part in pressing false charges against you when you yourself had played a part in pressing false charges as well. An inflexible person who had lived for 187 years probably wouldnt display such shameful behavior. Thus, you can say that Sii was the only one who had the qualification to hide those pieces of evidence. This is one reason.

I extended another finger.

Just as Sii had said, theres a difference. If you compare Sii and the Earl, then the Earl would come first. As expected, youve probably given a higher priority to the Earl, the direct descendant, rather than an illegitimate child like Sii, right?

Sophna didnt answer.

Although I had a theory about this, I didnt bring it up. It wasnt the right time.

However, if youre more inclined towards the Earl and not Sii, then what would happen if you compared Siis safety with your own self-preservation? I dont believe that you, who had protected the Earls bloodline for the past 187 years, could possibly place Sii in a deadly situation just for the sake of your own self-protection. Thus, you can say that Sii was the only one who had the qualification to hide those pieces of evidence.

Believe what you want to believe. Let us see what happens when you try to confirm it.

Even though she had said those words provokingly, there was no strength in her voice. She must have realized this as well as she quickly supplemented her words.

Even if that were the case even if you were right, do you think that something as simple as that dagger and mask would be enough to be such decisive pieces of evidence? There is no reason for me to go out of my way in order to point at Sii. Anyone could have hidden those items in my office. All I have to do is say this. If I had done it, then why would I do something as foolish as placing such obvious pieces of evidence under my desk? Im saying this once more, but Mii is a bright child.

I also think that. The two of you will probably arrive at the truth. The two of you will most likely manage to work out this misunderstanding. All of this is similar to incidents that would normally happen in episodic drama series, so it will probably be resolved faster than what one might normally expect.

I adjusted my glasses and spoke sternly.

That is to say, if Im not at the Earls side.

Sophna froze.

I sat down comfortably with my legs crossed.

Ill tell you whats going to happen after this point, Miss Head Vassal.

I tilted my head and lowered my voice.

The Earl isnt going to come here.

As if I were whispering.

After tonight, even after shes become sober in the morning, she will not be coming here. Be it the next day, the day after, or even a week after, she wont come here to meet you. She wont summon you either.

Sophnas body shook.

Do you do you think that you can make that happen? Do you think that you can control Mii? Do you think that you have such an ability?

Those are quite the strange questions. If you consider the fact that you were thrown into this prison because I was able to do so.

You will not be able to do so!

Sophna shouted. I didnt mistake this as a refutation that came from anger.

I shouldnt be able to. Because you have to look after the central water source. Because there are maids who are loyal to you. Because the end of the month is approaching.

Since the city will be sent flying if she doesnt look after the central water source, she has to relieve it beforehand, since the pre-established faction maids loyal to Sophna will do anything in order to rescue her, and more than anything else, since the Earl was going to send me back to Korea for a day because her summoning limit was going to reset. Because of these reasons, no matter how much I attempted to act behind the scenes, there was a limit to keeping Sophna confined.

Normally this would be the case.

But you said it yourself, didnt you? That you had come up here after having taken measures so that you dont have to go down to the central water source for quite the long time. I can just obstruct the pre-established faction maids by utilizing the other maids and the guard. The other issue is the fact that I will be gone for a day to go on vacation, but that wont be an issue if I just dont go on my trip.

Are you saying that you wont go back to your original world!? If the proofs of summonings are renewed, then you will no longer be able to.

When I went back to Korea for the first time, I brought back a catalyst that belongs to a person I know. I just have to make the Earl summon him next month, grab onto something that can be summon canceled with him, and go back like that. Why are you saying that when you already know all of this?

Sophnas expression changed like dried firewood. I shifted my words into embers and continued.

I could do this. I could stand by the Earls side while kneeling, servicing, massaging her shoulders, and while being kicked and hit by her. By pushing her very slightly, by pulling her very slightly, Ill prevent you from reaching her by continuously altering her direction by incremental amounts. Until the day you have to go down to the central water source, Ill utilize all of that time. Then youll be lonely for quite a long period of time. Here. By yourself. Albeit, you supposedly enjoy shutting yourself in, so solitary itself should be enjoyable for you.

I spoke.

Youll probably feel uneasy.

Silence.

I was able to move Borg, a branch manager of the Black Dragon Street, within a short period of time. The guard are in my grasp. I wonder how far I could spread my roots while youre being held captive here. I wonder how much that uneasiness will eat away at you. Do you think that youll be able to endure it?

I will endure it.

Are you sure? If you were capable of that, then you wouldnt have tried to kill me so hastily. You would have been patient and waited longer. You overdid yourself in order to take care of the water source and come up for a long period of time just because you lacked that in the first place.

Firewood always made a sound whenever they burned. I continued to toss the embers known as words on top of Sophnas heavy breathing.

You should know. Its because you wanted to kill me, and because you did try to kill me that all of this was possible. In the end, its because your murderous intent was real, because that was an undeniable fact that all of these false charges were possible.

If she didnt, then it wouldnt have been possible to reach this far.

I wouldnt have tried to come this far either.

Its really late for self-introductions, but I actually dont like stimulating things. I wouldnt have gone this far if you didnt set a time limit.

I.

I know. You were probably nervous. Roroa was like that as well, but the fact that the fear of otherworlders had spread this much, although no matter how much I think about it, its probably because of that Ahyeon fellow since making sly remarks about someone I dont really know well about would be rude, I wont do that for the time being. So lets skip that part for now. No matter what your reasons were, that was something which you shouldnt have done. Youre your own biggest enemy since you were the one who had cornered yourself into this state.

Are you saying that I was narrow-minded?

Yup. There is a total of 4 different ways for people to deal with other people. Make an exchange with them, follow them, win them over, or get rid of them. You had no intention to make a deal with me. You obviously didnt plan to follow me. You didnt even intend to win me over. You simply tried to get rid of me. The issue is the fact that you werent able to do so.

I spoke.

Now its your time to pay the price.

A silence fell over us.

Sophna looked back and forth between me and Sii before closing her eyes. The Earls Head Vassal spoke with a voice that sounded like a dried leaf crumbling under a foot.

What do you want?

Im going to rehabilitate the Earl.

I rolled a bead.

That I have potential, that there is a possibility for me to achieve this, I believe that you already know all of this. You felt anxiety because you knew this, didnt you?

I rolled another bead.

Help me and Ill let you out of here immediately.

Sophna didnt show any response. Sii pleaded.

Miss Sophna, please believe in Yujin.

With a sincere voice, the Silver Lion Earls half-sister confessed.

I, I have a grudge towards Her Excellency the Earl. I still do. S-So. But I wont take her life. Although Ill probably do severe things to her, it wont be too severe. Yujin will stop me from doing so. Yujin is kind. Yujin, in the end, everything that Yujin does will all be beneficial for Her Excellency the Earl.

Sophna opened her mouth slowly.

Is that what you believe?

Yup, thats what I believe. Thats what I think. That Yujin will achieve it. I believe that Yujin will change Her Excellency the Earl completely. Miss Sophna thinks so as well, right?

I know Naturally, I am aware.

Sophna Radgrinkle spoke as if she were whispering.

However, I am also aware that it is dangerous.

There was a loud sound.

The noise had come from behind us.

Sii flinched and turned around. Her eyes opened widely. I stood up, pulled Sii into my arms, and followed her line of sight.

The sound was that of the iron door of the torture chamber breaking.

To be exact, it was the sound of the door being crushed completely.

Good day.

While stepping on the remains of the iron door which had changed into iron fragments, Yudia Batsand gave that greeting while wielding his spear which was wrapped in a purple glow.

You dont seem very surprised.

Yudia let out his signature guhuhu laugh and twirled his spear with his hand. Sii let out a shriek and shrunk back.

And I,

I knew it would be you.

And I put more strength in my arm that was wrapped around Sii.

Borg knew that Sophna intended to kill me before the end of this month.

The information must have flowed to him through Ashya. Thats why I was able to comprehend this flow of information.

The problem was that you knew as well. You, who didnt care about anyone and didnt come to the castle unless you wanted to charge the smartphone. There is no such thing as a causeless outcome. I thought about how, and through what route, you had found out about it.

How detestable. In other words, you had predicted my arrival.

Although I considered you coming here at this moment the worst-case scenario.

Guhuhu, as expected. Regardless, worst-case scenarios are destined to happen. I am here to kill you.

D-Do you think youll be able to get out unharmed!?

Sii, who had been trembling up to this point, exclaimed. He must have not been expecting that as Yudia raised a single brow.

Hmm? Well, would that not be the case? Yujin is not a citizen of this world. He has no civil rights and cannot receive any legal protection. Above all, this isnt me acting arbitrarily, but a request from Sophna.

Her Excellency the Earl would!

Additionally, even the Silver Lion Earls hatred would follow after. Yujins iPad and generator included. How could I refuse such a detestable proposition?

Sii froze up with a stifled look on her face. I slowly closed and opened my eyes after comforting her.

You most likely couldnt refuse.

I also dont believe that you had the ability to refuse.

You know me.

I know.

I seethen you will not get upset for some unknown reason if the arm of that maid over there were to fall off again. Since you know me, Mr. Yujin.

Yudia.

Guhuhu, that is quite the impressive gaze. This is why I say that ones true blaze is hiding within oneself.

Yudia Batsand.

Aah, truly amazingYujin. In truth, I am detestably sad. How amazing would you have become if I were to let another year pass!? How thrilling would the hate from you at that time be!? Aah, Yujin! I am sincerely excited! Is there,

After laughing as if he were intoxicated, he pointed his spear at me.

Is there nothing more!?

From his purple eyes, a sensuous glint emitted through his monocle.

As the Royal Courier of the Martial Origin, there are only 10 people in the world who are capable of beating me in a test of strength. As an ascended-being, I can change the composition of my body and nullify all physical attacks. As a creator of transcendent skills, from slashes to self-protection, I can use all sorts of transcendent skills. A person of this caliber is going to kill you right now. Utilizing every violent ability which I am capable of. Now then, how,

With a face dyed with anticipation, Yudia Batsand shouted.

How do you intend to stop me!?

.

You were making plans for after this month, were you not!? That means you are confident with your chances of survival! Do not tell me that you intended to browbeat Sophna and persuade her, win her over before I got here, and make her cancel the contract after having done so. Is this everything!? Oh, please. Do not say such detestable words! At this moment, I am truly expecting.

Yudia, who was being driven by his enthusiasm, closed his mouth.

Sii had stepped in front of me.

Is there a problem?

As if his enthusiasm had been dowsed, Yudia spoke in a low tone. Sii spread her arms out and clenched her teeth.

Haa, haa. Sii didnt stand down even though her shoulders were trembling while she was trying to steady her breath.

Sii.

You have been a hindrance since earlier. Get out of the way. I do not want to end up feeling bored as a result of killing you.

Miss Sophna!

Sii exclaimed.

I-If Yujin dies, then the false accusation on Miss Sophna would become true! Since Yujin would be dying because of your instigation! Even now, while youre being imprisoned, if that were to happen, then Her Excellency the Earl seriously wont!

No.

Thats not it, Sii. That logic wont work on them.

It would be great if it did, but it wont. Sophna is,

It does not matter.

Sophna Radgrinkle spoke.

It is just as this Yujin fellow had said earlier. In order to protect you, Sii, this lady will not say anything in regard to the pieces of evidence. As this is the case, even if Her Excellency the Earl comes to dislike this lady, despise this lady, I will be able to endure it. Any sort of harm that this lady receives is trivial.

Sii let out a sound.

But you were in pain!

Although I was in pain.

But you cried!!

Although I cried.

Sophna bit her lips.

I can endure it. This lady is really good at these sorts of things.

The Head Vassal of the earls household dropped her head. However, her voice was still as clear as day.

Thats right, Yujin I had abandoned Sii. Even though I knew that Sii was being harassed, I did not stop it. Not only did I remain as a spectator when Siis arm was severed, but I gave my approval as well. Sii resented me and I was able to endure it now. Mii will most likely resent and despise me, due to your death. I will also endure that. Mii will one day come to terms with the fact that I had done this for her sake.

Sii cried out.

Why!? Why do you hate Yujin that much!!

There was a smack.

Kahak!

Sii, after being hit, fell to the ground. Yudia brushed the handle of his spear with an irked look on his face.

I did not cut you. It would become troublesome, then. Just stay shriveled up over there.

No!

Sii pushed herself back up and clung to Yudia. Yudia let out a sigh, adjusted his monocle, and towards Sii, he,

Yudia Batsand.

I,

I spoke.

If you lay your hand on Sii one more time, then.

If he did,

If he did, then,

What will you do?

Tens of thousands of ideas brushed through my head. There was only one effective measure which I could carry out.

I wont do anything for you.

Silence.

I wont move anymore. I wont say another word. Of course, I wont hate you either. I will spend whatever time I have left saying farewell to Sii. You probably dont want that, Yudia Batsand. You were hoping for something, were you not?

Silence.

If you want to see me struggle for my life, then just stay there.

Yudia lowered his leg which he had pulled back in order to kick Sii.

How detestable. That is certainly a threat which you can carry out unquestionably while also being effective. You truly do know me now. However, Yujin, how do you intend to struggle?

I closed my eyes and opened them.

I came to a realization after watching you fight at the arena. In my current state, I cannot win against you no matter what personal connections I use and methods I utilize. Although I could avoid the problem for a moment if I were to hide behind the Earl, that wouldnt be a fundamental solution. Therefore, I only have one option left to choose.

Are you referring to what I said?

Yup. Nullifying the cause. What you said. Winning Sophna over whether it be by force or persuasion. After doing so, Ill make her cancel the contract.

A look of disappointment appeared on Yudias face.

As I expected. Then that means there is nothing more to,

Was the area not empty while you were on your way here?

Yudia tilted his head slightly.

Did you remove them yourself?

Yes.

Why? Did you think that I would violently kill everyone who was standing guard?

No way. I told you that I saw you fight in the arena. You dont kill people thoughtlessly. Only when there is enough pretext would you kill them.

Indeed, it would be detestable if something bothersome were to occur. If that is the case, then why did you get rid of them if you already knew that? If you blocked the entrance with a bunch of guards, then there is a chance that I could have delayed this by a day due to it being a hindrance.

Why do you think I did?

You didnt want to put forward fruitless strength? It could also be dealt with if I dont kill them but paralyze them all instead. In any case, did you think that it would be over if I appeared?

To be precise, its the exact opposite reason.

I rolled a bead.

I, dont trust Roroa completely yet.

Hmm?

This is the most important part. I cant leave a part like this to a person who I cant trust. If I order her to place some guards, then Roroa might comply with that order. However, there is a chance that she could get rid of the guards in order to betray me in this crucial moment. If this were to happen, then even I would be affected by it. I would end up using my head in order to deal with this as well. I wanted to prevent this. Thats why I told her to get rid of the guards. Regardless of whether the worst possible situation was to occur.

Yudia, even if you were to appear.

In order to soundly exhibit myself.

I,

I came here with the one and only person I trust.

Yujin.

Sii became teary. I pushed up my glasses and turned to face Sophna.

I wont give up.

Ill persuade you until the very end.

Yudia was looking at me while puckering his lips He spoke.

Do you believe that is going to be possible?

I only do the things which I am capable of.

Do you think that doing that would have any significance? Do you think I will stop if you manage to persuade her?

People like you, I spoke. Have a peculiar sense of aesthetics when it comes to things like this.

Yudia chuckled.

Aha, thats right. How impressive. Truly magnificent. However, since giving you an infinite amount of time would also be a detestable thing to do.

Yudia lifted Sii up. He was holding her in a bridal carry pose. Although the panicking Sii struggled, Yudia calmly received her flailing and tilted his head.

Let us say that this will be until I am standing before you.

Bead.

Processing start.

Processing end.

Sophna Radgrinkle.

Sophna was closing her mouth shut.

Step, the sound of a single footstep approached us.

If you want to kill me that much, then okay. However, I realized something after hearing what Sii said just now.

Sophna didnt respond.

Clang. I heard the sound of the end of a spear hitting the ground.

Your hatred is unnatural.

Sophna paused.

Grrrrk. The end of the spear drew closer as it scraped the floor.

You arent biased? You arent stereotyping? You looked at me in my entirety? You made your judgment after seeing me? Are you sure that was the conclusion that came up after a realistic assessment?

Sophna raised her head.

Another footstep.

If you saw me, then how did you end up seeing me? What was the reason behind why you paid attention to me in the first place?

Sophna furrowed her brow.

The sound of a spear hitting the floor resonated once more.

At first, I thought it was because you had a bad experience with Ahyeon. That you were overreacting because of that trauma. But there was something more than that. Its here right now. Think about it.

Sophna was looking at me.

Once more, the sound of the spear drawing closer as it scraped the floor.

Think.

Sophna was thinking.

Another footstep.

Around the end of last month, Abriya Mikatni had come to the castle. On that day, that fellow, Yudia said that he was going to go down to your research lab. Did you not hear something about me from him on that day?

Sophna jerked.

And then, silence.

Was it not since that moment on that you started to feel an unusual amount of threat from me? Similar to what I had done to the Earl, can you say that someone didnt lead your train of thought towards a specific direction? Through a couple of passing comments that felt unimportant but had their first impression and firm beliefs towards me.

Guhuhuhu.

I could hear the sound of laughing.

I raised my head. Yudia Batsand was laughing.

Aah, truly amazing!

I dont want to be praised by you.

If you consider the fact that I treated you like a good person around that time, I dont want to be praised by you even more.

You are truly amazing. Nevertheless, you are about to be out of time. Is there nothing more?

I held my beads tightly.

Sophna.

Even so!!

In the end, Sophna Radgrinkle exclaimed spasmodically.

Even if I was lead! Even if its prejudice! Still! You, you are dangerous!!

Sophna started to catch her breath while lowering her head.

This, this is for the best. This is the best way For Sii, Her Excellency the Earl, I One day, one day you two will also understand.

What are you saying is the best way!?

It was Sii.

Sophna gritted her teeth before grabbing the steel bars of the cage which was confining her.

Have you not seen it already!? Do you not know already!? Have you not witnessed that boy deceive people!? Have you not seen him plot things!? How could you trust that sort of fellow!? How could you believe in him!?

Miss Sophna, Miss Sophna did it first! Its because you were the one who tried to kill Yujin first!

That is not the case! In case something like this would happen, I, I tried to kill that boy! Because he couldnt be trusted!

Yujin, Yujin can be trusted!

What are you saying is trustworthy!? Sii, what do you know about this boy!? How long has it been since youve met him!? Ive, I have watched over you since the day you were born! From a distance! But, what are you saying that you know about a boy who youve only known for less than 2 months!? Do you know what trust is!? Do you know what belief is!? That sort of irresponsible blind faith! Blind belief! Youre simply being intoxicated by your own self that wants to believe in that boy! You should also know that thats nothing more than arrogance.

You already know!!

It felt like a thunderbolt had just struck.

Even Yudia, who was raising his spear, and Sophna, who was shouting heatedly, froze in place.

I paused as well.

Sii began to cry.

You already know that its arrogance.

Sii.

Yup~~ Miss Sophna how is that exactly for my, for Her Excellency the Earls sake? Something like that, thats just arrogance youre just satisfying yourself What exactly are you sacrificing? What do you mean by it doesnt matter if youre hated? Whos the one pretending to sacrifice things, but refuses to sacrifice a single thing that theyre trying to arrogantly hold? Yeah, Miss Sophna.

Sii Garno Mikatni.

Something like that, youre just drunk on yourself.

Sii,

Sii.

If you really care about me, if youve really been watching me since I was born, then at least once is fine, Miss Sophna, believe in me and Yujin.

You.

Sophna opened her mouth. She shut it.

She opened it once more.

Sii, if that belief turns out wrong, how do you intend to bear that shock?

Thats also, different.

Sii continued while sniffling.

Yujin, Yujin said so. Since this is the most important part, he came here with the person he trusts the most He trusts me that much But, but yup, Im different Im also different to what Miss Sophna had said I, I dont trust Yujin that blindly.

With eyes wet with tears, Sii turned to look at me.

Yup, in the end, Im that persons sibling.

Sii cleared her throat. It wasnt until after she sobbed a couple more times did she call out to me.

Yujin.

Yes.

Ah.

Dont betray me. Dont abandon me. Dont break, your promise with me. I-If you do.

Yes.

Aah.

If you do, then Ill tear you apart with my own hands.

Yes, Miss Sii. I will die by your hands.

Sii was great.

Truly great.

Yup, Yujin Yujin. Yujin.

When did she become this amazing?

No.

I most likely realized that she was this great of a child the instant I met her for the first time.

I have to admit that I underestimated you.

Yudia Batsand spoke.

Maid Sii. I thought that you were weak. But that does not seem to be the case. I thought that you did not have the right to possess hatred. But that seems to have been wrong. I thought that you were a piece of trash consumed by fear. But it is different. AahYou were actually a strong and marvelous person!

He grinned widely and raised his spear.

If I kill Yujin right now, then how much would you detest me!? How much would you grow for me!? You! The Earl! The half-siblings who detest one another would combine their strength and detest me! How would it feel to be detested by both sides like that!? Aah, Sii! As expected, you are.

Stop.

Yudia paused abruptly.

It was Sophna.

You can stop now.

Sophna kneeled.

She raised her head.

She looked up at me and Sii.

And then at Yudia.

Yudia Batsand you may leave.

Yudia let out a groan. He glared at Sophna while grabbing his chest as if he had been struck by a poisoned arrow. However, shortly after, he set Sii down and patted her head. Sii dodged his hand in disgust, but Yudia didnt seem to mind as he put his spear away. He then turned around.

I will see you next time.

Similar to when he had arrived, Yudia left the prison in an instant.

***

TL note: Thanks for reading the chapter. Im sorry for taking so long with this chapter. A lot of things sort of happened at the start of this month, so I couldnt really focus on translating. I know Ive been giving these kinds of excuses a lot for the past couple of chapters, but its honestly because I havent been really feeling that great. And I dont mean health-wise. I just need some time to sort my thoughts out. I guess Im sort of relapsing in a way.

In any case, Im fine now so you guys dont have to worry. I just need to get back into my groove. Ill see you guys in the next chapter. The last two chapters are fairly short.