Obsession... What's That? I Just Wish Someone Would Help Me Escape - Chapter 43
“Your Highness, how do you know about this?”
“Please just call me by my name. I’m no longer a prince or anything.”
“Okay, Enrique-nim.”
“Drop the ‘nim’ too. Anyway, a long time ago, there was someone like that among the royal family. They were called a human blessed and cursed at the same time. The royal family kept it a tightly guarded secret.”
I remembered how some people had referred to my illness as a blessing, while others saw it as a curse.
Could it be because I’m a dual-ability user?
“If it was top secret, is it okay to tell me this?”
At my cautious question, Enrique slowly shook his head.
“The royal family disappeared ages ago. But still, keep it to yourself.”
“And Johann?”
“He probably already knows. That’s why he’s interested.”
Enrique began to hum softly, twisting a lock of my hair around his finger.
“Unless you choose between holy power and magic, you’ll live like this, weak and frail, for the rest of your life.”
“What did that royal figure choose?”
“They didn’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because they didn’t need the help of either gods or demons. You were like that too, weren’t you? Until now?”
Aside from my illness, I had lacked for nothing in life.
I had servants who cared for me during my sickness and saw to my every need, and there had never been anything too strenuous to deal with.
I was about to ask more questions when Johann suddenly returned and shoved something in front of me.
Inside a carved wooden bowl, a foul-smelling liquid sloshed around.
“Drink.”
“Ugh…”
I grimaced and shook my head.
The stench was so overpowering it made me gag involuntarily.
“If I drink that, I’m pretty sure I’ll die. Did you even taste it?”
“Hmm, don’t want it? I don’t know any gentle way to make you drink it.”
Johann pinched my nose, a sly smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
Not wanting to be force-fed like some kind of execution, I quickly gulped it down in one go.
The fiery liquid burned as it went down, its sharp alcohol scent reminding me of something familiar from back home.
“Uh…? Does this taste like… makgeolli*?”
(T/N: [from wiki]: Makgeolli is a Korean alcoholic drink. It’s a milky, off-white, and lightly sparkling rice wine that has a slight viscosity. It tastes slightly sweet, tangy, bitter, and astringent.)
As Johann released my nose, a small pop sound followed.
“Who’s Mark Curly? Is he really that bad?”
“…No, it’s not that.”
Of course, in a world without makgeolli, he wouldn’t know what it is.
With a blank expression, he asked,
“Or is he another guy you promised to marry?”
“I said no.”
Whether it was a placebo effect or something else, I felt a bit of strength returning.
Johann grinned.
“My role as your caretaker ends here. From now on, you’ll have to survive on your own.”
All of a sudden? Is he planning to abandon me?
I widened my eyes at him in shock.
Feigning seriousness, he furrowed his brow.
“The top ten are required to go hunt the beasts.”
“Ah, I see. Why would they release beasts on such a small island?”
“Only those with our abilities can eliminate the beasts. When a demonic beast appears, they use a warp device to drop it on this island. It’s like we’re sent here specifically to deal with them.”
So this island is basically a disposal site.
In the process, the Inma Prisoners will naturally be culled. How very efficient. They’re using every last bit.
I looked at Johann with concern, and he lifted his chin arrogantly.
“Don’t worry, I’m strong.”
“I’m more worried about me being left alone. Anyway, have a safe trip.”
Why would I worry about you? I’ve got my own problems to deal with.
Being one of the weakest, having lived my whole life as a pampered noble, there was no way I could survive in the wild by myself.
And I didn’t know much about this island either.
Like the other prisoners who were banding together to survive, my best bet was to lean on others for support right now.
What came to mind were the connections I’d previously formed with Number 20 Leah and Number 21.
Since they wanted to get closer to Johann and Enrique, I could use that as an excuse to ask for help.
I lightly tugged on Johann’s sleeve and asked, “You do want me to stay alive, right?”
His emerald eyes seemed to darken.
His hand reached for my cheek.
Even though his palm barely grazed my skin, I could still feel the warmth radiating from him.
Then, a low and solemn voice resonated.
“If you die while I’m gone, you’ll wish you hadn’t. Wait and die in front of me.”
What the hell? This lunatic.
How steeped in darkness does someone have to be to express concern about not dying and wanting to witness my final moments in such a twisted way?
I cleared my throat and met Johann’s gaze.
“Do you know where Number 20 and Number 21 are? I’m planning to stick with my friends for the remaining time.”
Before Johann could answer, Enrique, who had been quietly standing by, spoke up instead.
“Number 20? They’re staying in the western cave. They looked like warriors from some ancient tribe.”
