The Monster's Room - Chapter 70
The situation had taken an unexpected turn.
The child saw the iron spikes that had pierced through her own body. They were emanating from a weapon of a knight on horseback—painful in reality but not in dreams. Despite the fact that this was just a dream and physical harm wouldn’t affect her, escaping the spikes seemed impossible.
“Th-this can’t be happening!”
Even though it was supposed to be otherwise, the child was unable to free herself from the iron spikes piercing through her body.
The power of the monster, which had desired death, influenced even the child who was a nightmare. The nightmare twisted her body, clutching the iron spikes that impaled her chest and abdomen.
The feeling of being restrained was horrible. The nightmare, having exhausted her strength to break Marie’s heart, scraped together all the remaining power. Despite the blood spilling from her eyes, it was still holding on.
The child, who was on the verge of doing something more, suddenly found herself restrained.
<Shh.>
A gloved hand pressed firmly on the nightmare‘s shoulder. The child looked up in surprise to see the face of a man with a grotesque, stitched mouth beneath a large hat.
The Marionette Troupe Leader.
<Good children should stay still, shouldn’t they?>
Creak. Creak.
Rustle.
Faceless marionettes emerged endlessly from the door behind the troupe leader.
The first arriving marionette was the tailor who used a measuring tape to bind the child’s left ankle, while the next was the makeup artist who grabbed the right ankle. More marionettes grabbed the child’s forearms and clothing, overwhelming the nightmare in their grasp.
“Let go! Let go!”
Why was she target of the monsters?
The child couldn’t understand why she had become the focus of the monsters’ rage. The nightmare removed one of her eyes, intending to use it to control the monsters. But just as it was about to insert the floating eye into the monsters to manipulate them—
Thud.
“Ack!”
The iron spikes pierced through the floating eye. Although there was no pain, part of the power and vision were limited. Enraged, the child glared at the closest marionette, but he was not looking at her.
“Why…?”
At the end of that gaze was Marie.
She was sitting on the floor, crying, her face hidden in her hands. A transparent monster surrounded her.
Each ripple that flowed through her seemed to cleanse Marie’s appearance. Her hair was glossy, her body smooth and unmarred. The scene seemed to reflect affection and care, leaving the nightmare at a loss for words.
By now, it was impossible not to notice.
“Why…?”
The woman was being loved.
By the monsters whose brainwashing had been undone.
New Case 5: Variable
Marie was puzzled by the absence of pain, despite waiting for it to come. Had she died without feeling any pain?
But this was a dream. As long as the nightmare wanted her to continue suffering without dying, there was no chance of relief.
Swish. She felt light and buoyant.
The soft, fluffy hair brushed against her forearm, providing a cool and gentle sensation that eased her discomfort each time.
Yet Marie couldn’t bring herself to believe it. It could be an illusion. This was a nightmare capable of cruelty. It could be deceiving her, showing her the most terrifying scenes while pretending everything was okay.
‘I’m scared.’
It was acceptable if the monsters attacked her.
After all, it was a dream, and the real Marie wouldn’t be hurt. Pain didn’t matter. She could endure it. She had a high tolerance for pain and was strong even against cruelty. But there was one thing.
‘They will hate me.’
The monsters might feel betrayed and reject her. That was what frightened Marie. Tears flowed endlessly from her eyes. She regretted it.
‘I shouldn’t have loved them.’
She had decided to love them because they loved her. Even if it wasn’t normal, she believed that love was genuine. She thought they would never leave her.
But it had all been an illusion.
The monsters had only been manipulated by her, not loving her. Now that the brainwashing was gone, they would leave her again, and she would be alone once more.
‘I shouldn’t have loved them…’
Her love should have been false as well.
“Ugh.”
But Marie knew. Even if she went back and knew that her ability was brainwashing.
“Ugh. Sob.”
She would still have loved the monsters again.
It was unavoidable.
Even if it was fake, it was fine. Their longing for her fulfilled her. Just having someone to share her daily life with warmed her heart. The happiness of waking up next to someone was precious.
Marie could not return to who she was before loving the monsters.
“…I love you.”
The hidden feelings slipped out of her mouth, almost like a mumble. I love you. I love you. I love you… Why does the phrase she endlessly shouted due to brainwashing only come out after losing something precious?
It felt like the tragic ending of a fairy tale given to the foolish.
<Yes.>
Has her hearing gone awry?
Amidst her sobs, Marie heard a distinct and clear sound like that of a gramophone near her ear.
<I love you too, Marie.>
Marie looked up at the voice and drew in a breath.
