How to Live as the Terminally Ill Younger Sister of the Villain - Chapter 14
Angelina quickly added before Haley could make any more strange misunderstandings.
“It’s not magic I’m interested in, it’s you, Haley.”
“Me?”
“After all, you’re my magician. It wouldn’t look good if I knew too little about the Magic Tower or magic.”
Since it was an excuse, Angelina just said whatever came to mind. After saying it, it sounded quite plausible.
“Ah, miss… Hehe.”
As expected, Haley laughed, twisting her body. From that reaction, Angelina could tell that her flimsy excuse had worked.
“I understand what you’re worried about. But it’s okay. We’ll manage somehow.”
So she changed the subject before Haley could think more deeply. It would be troublesome if questions like ‘How did you find out’ came up here.
Lies were best when they ended cleanly to avoid getting caught in the tail.
“I’m sorry, I wish I could have been more helpful.”
Not knowing Angelina’s purpose, Haley mumbled with drooping shoulders.
“When I heard you were going to the Magic Tower, I contacted my seniors. But they said they couldn’t help with the gates, as expected.”
“Of course. That’s the rule.”
“I hope you won’t have made this trip in vain…”
“It’s fine.”
Angelina spoke lightly, turning her attention to the beef dish that had just arrived.
In fact, even the division of gates was just for show. In the end, entry to the Magic Tower was at the Tower Master’s discretion.
That was the main reason why people didn’t visit recklessly like Angelina.
Even if you came to meet a magician you knew, you couldn’t enter without the Tower Master’s permission.
“But…”
Seeing Haley unable to shake off her gloomy expression despite knowing this, Angelina briefly patted her head.
“If it comes to that, we’ll just consider it an outing. It’s been a while since I’ve had beef and pepper stir-fry, it’s nice.”
Angelina, popping a piece of beef into her mouth, showed no sign of regret.
At this, Haley sighed in relief, saying that was fortunate, but Laura’s eyes, standing a few steps away, darkened.
To others, Angelina’s ‘if it doesn’t work out, oh well’ attitude seemed generous, overflowing with peace of mind.
But Laura knew the hidden truth behind it. It was a trait formed from Angelina’s upbringing.
A time when she couldn’t and wasn’t allowed to want anything.
Having learned to give up at too young an age, she became someone who gave up first instead of harboring wishes or being stubborn.
‘Why on earth does she want to go to the Magic Tower?’
How important could it be for her to consider entering the Dark Forest herself?
It wouldn’t be strange if her trauma was triggered, causing seizures or nightmares.
‘I hope she’s okay.’
Despite serving her for a long time, her expressions were still often hard to read. She was too skilled at hiding her emotions.
Or rather, should I say she was accustomed to killing her emotions?
Laura checked the dagger in her sleeve, suppressing a sigh that threatened to escape.
Anyway, all she could do was to protect her mistress to the best of her ability. Not just her safety, but her heart as well.
“Miss. Would you like more warm water?”
“Warm water would be nice.”
Unaware of Laura’s resolve, Angelina was simply enjoying her dinner leisurely.
━━━━༻❁༺━━━━
The world was pitch black.
Kraaaa—!
Keeaak! Keeak!
Kirruk. Kirruruk. Kirkirruk.
A cacophony of monster sounds assaulted her ears. With each approach and retreat, her heart clenched and relaxed repeatedly.
The cold wind piercing her entire body chilled her to the bone, and the thorny bushes covering her body kept digging into her skin.
She didn’t know how many days it had been since she’d eaten, and her body ached from trying not to move a finger. Blood kept flowing from her skin.
But more painful than these torn wounds was her ankle caught between rocks. It seemed to be broken.
She had crawled under the rock to hide, but it was a wrong choice. Who would have thought a passing monster would strike and shatter it?
It hurt, but she couldn’t moan.
If any sound escaped, it would be disastrous.
If her position was discovered, she would die.
In this forest of only darkness, the little girl remained still, holding her breath.
But because of the raging fever, it was becoming difficult to endure. Her consciousness was gradually fading.
She was slowly losing her will to live.
Was there any reason to hold on?
It’s not like she could return alive even if she hid like this.
Wouldn’t it just be easier to die?
Would it not hurt if she died?
Was there anything good about being alive?
One wrong word and she was locked in a cold room. Even if she begged for forgiveness, all that returned was neglect.
All the times she shivered and starved.
How was that different from now?
The child relaxed her body. The cold of the gravel rose sharply, and the thorns dug deeper into her tender skin.
But the child who had chosen to give up felt neither the cold nor the pain.
She closed her eyes.
Yes, just close your eyes.
Just sleep. Then everything will be over.
When I wake up…
“Lina!”
Ah.
The child opened her eyes again.
That’s right. Brother.
I have a brother.
A brother who always comes to get me no matter what, as long as I wait.
This time too, if I endure.
If I somehow wait.
Then maybe my brother will come again.
That was the only strength that had allowed her to survive until now without dying.
A tiny hope, just in case.
Brother will come to save me again.
As he always did, this time too…
Of course, even that hope was gradually fading with the eerie sounds of monsters…
That’s when it happened.
Kwagwang—!!
An explosion sound that couldn’t have been made by a monster was heard.
━━━━༻❁༺━━━━
“Gasp!”
Angelina opened her eyes, hastily forcing air into her lungs. She saw a wooden ceiling.
“Haa, haa.”
She sat up in bed, breathing heavily. It took a moment to remember that she was in an inn.
Her body was drenched in sweat, and she felt stiff as if she had a fever while sleeping.
“Phew…”
Angelina let out a long sigh and rubbed her face dry. Her hands were moistened by the sweat on her face.
Feeling the need for cool air, Angelina got up and went to the window. When she opened it, the night breeze greeted her.
She could see the entrance to the Dark Forest.
Keee—!
As she gazed at the Dark Forest with narrowed eyes, she faintly heard the sound of monsters.
The sound of monsters asserting themselves somewhere beyond the border didn’t suit the silence of the quiet night.
But the villagers seemed used to it, continuing their night without much reaction. It probably meant that while the sounds could be heard, the creatures didn’t come down to the village.
Angelina sat on the windowsill, hugging one leg. Then, as if out of habit, she fiddled with the anklet on her ankle.
The anklet, made of braided strings in a plain color, had a simple design that somehow didn’t match Flaubert, said to be the wealthiest man in the empire.
Though the color had faded from long wear, it had somehow managed not to break and was holding up well.
After fiddling with it for a while, Angelina muttered softly.
“How annoying.”
Why do such trivial memories bother people for so long?
It was frustrating that while she was fine all along, it would visit her as a nightmare on the night before entering the Dark Forest.
“…Inconvenient.”
If this happened, Laura and her brother would swallow their worries again. I’m really fine, but this makes it seem like I’m not.
It was unpleasant that a nightmare she knew nothing about would make her precious people worry.
“Tsk.”
Angelina clicked her tongue in annoyance and turned her steps towards the bathroom. She intended to wash up quickly before Laura woke up.
━━━━༻❁༺━━━━
Thud! Thud! Thud! Keeeee—!
A monster larger than two adults stacked together came running, shaking the ground with its four legs. It swung its six arms randomly.
Facing it was a group of men.
The most noticeable among them was a tall man with black hair, who lightly dodged a club as big as a carriage wheel flying towards him, then swung the sword he was holding.
Swish.
The monster’s arm was cut off in one stroke.
Keee-! Thwack.
Before the monster could finish its scream, its neck was also severed.
There was no time to rejoice over the kill. Numerous bat monsters were swarming in.
Zzzzt-!! Zzzt-!
As big as eagles and with two beaks each, they were mutated harpy eagle bat monsters.
While the black-haired man was dealing with the six-armed monster, other men were facing these.
“Damn it, what is the skin of these things made of?! It’s tougher than regular harpy eagle bats!”
The one complaining was Mason.
