Episode 48. The Survivors
Renisha slowly closed her eyes and opened them.
Knock.
A drop of sweat fell between Renisha's collarbone and rolled down.
Every time Renisha moved slowly, Kassius's hot breath burst out.
Kassius's heart pounded beneath Renisha's palm.
The sound seemed to resonate within Renisha. It was like the sound of drums from afar.
A large palm grabbed Renisha's waist.
Renisha let out a shrill cry.
"Renisha..."
More than anything, it was Kassius's voice calling her that excited Renisha.
Kassius's voice was usually low, but in this situation, it was even lower.
The gap between them made Renisha's lower abdomen tingle.
Renisha bit her lip.
Uncontrollable emotions surged.
Kassius's heat seemed to burn Renisha, too.
Kassius supported Renisha as she slipped.
Kassius held her with all his might as she collapsed forward, her strength fading.
Renisha gasped for breath.
Kassius pressed his lips to her cheek.
The heat, still lingering, raged within her.
Ten days had passed since Renisha and Kassius left.
This meant that Meteo had been away from Shamdir for a long time.
Now, the central nobles of Hientri were wondering if Meteo intended to settle down here.
They knew that Meteo, who often enjoyed social gatherings and kept his intentions low-key, was also rumored to be looking for a bride.
However, Meteo's intentions were not so pure.
Meteo picked up the lantern and took a deep breath.
His eyes darkened as he looked around.
He knew there couldn't be anyone here, yet he remained cautious.
Meteo raised his hand and knocked on the door.
“...I heard that the youngest Princess of Shamdir is getting married soon.”
A faint voice came from inside.
“It’s a Duke from Hientri,”
Meteo quickly replied.
Squeak. The door opened.
Meteo, who had entered through the gap, closed it again.
“Whew. Even though you’ve been doing this for months, my liver is shaking.”
“...I know you’re risking your life for us.”
The quiet voice smiled.
“It’s been a while. How have you been, Prince Meteor?”
“Thank goodness you seem to be okay, Brixton Lottera. And Heylin Nova Lottera.”
Meteor smiled gently.
The missing Brixton and Heylin were right before Meteo’s eyes.
This was the secret that Meteo of Shamdir was hiding.
He was taking the descendants of Lottera, who were said to be missing!
Shamdir repays enemies tenfold and favors a hundredfold.
He failed to properly repay the favor he received from Renisha.
The lives of these two were to be used to pay for the youngest Princess's life.
Upon learning that Lottera was finally on the brink of collapse, the King of Shamdir entrusted Meteo with this mission: rescue the Duke and Duchess, keep them safe, and, if circumstances warrant, arrange for them to meet with Renisha.
In fact, Meteo had secretly entered the country a year ago.
He had intended to observe Lottera's fate, which wavered like a candle in the wind, depending on Laxus's turbulent mood, and to save them.
And Meteo succeeded in rescuing them just in time, pulling them out just before Laxus's men could engulf them.
The only regret was that he failed to save Isabella.
"Did you find Isabella?"
Haylin asked urgently. Meteo shook his head with a heavy face.
“We haven’t been able to find anything since the trail ended, Madam.”
“Ah... We are grateful enough for saving us, Prince Meteo. But I beg you once more.”
“Of course. I came to repay the favor to Lottera, and if Isabella is alive, I will definitely bring her back to you two.”
Haylin nodded.
“Thank you, Prince.”
“You two will be heading to Hiloshine soon.”
“Are you coming with me, Prince?”
"Yes. I'll tell the Emperor that I intend to pay my respects to Lady Renisha before returning. I'm not particularly interested in Shamdir's affairs, so nothing will happen. And we'll pretend to return and track Isabella's movements from the shadows."
"Then we..."
"Yes, Hiloshine. I heard it's a place the Emperor's breath cannot reach."
"Because it's a wasteland. There was no reason to plant eyes in a place where there was nothing."
Brixton said gravely.
Brixton also knew the secret of that place.
Thanks to the black snake buried in the ground, even the grass struggled to grow properly.
To survive in Hiloshine, grain had to be imported from outside.
A territory that couldn't grow on its own was not welcomed by anyone.
"Renisha went there..."
Fate seemed to be diligently urging its pace.
While they were complacent,
"Very well, Prince. I will definitely, definitely repay you for all this. Even Lottera will never forget a favor."
Meteo laughed heartily.
"This is truly a virtuous cycle. Prepare yourselves. We will prepare to depart as soon as I have seen the Emperor."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Finally, they were leaving this stuffy place.
Brixton and Haylin hadn't left this small mansion since their lives were saved.
Meteo had provided them with food, and the Shamdir man he had brought with him had cared for them.
It was a life of deprivation they had never experienced before, but it was a much more comfortable life than when they had to live in silence, avoiding the razor-sharp gaze of Laxus.
The only things that lay like stones in their hearts were the Duke and Duchess of Lottera, who had met their end in exile, and the lost Isabella.
Meteo left, and Haylin grabbed Brixton's arm.
"She... I shouldn't have let her go like that."
"Haylin..."
"I can't sleep, worried that something might have really gone wrong with her."
Haylin's voice trembled slightly.
Brixton embraced Haylin.
"I'll pay you back for everything, Haylin. My parents never raised Lottera, me, nor Renisha to be weak. Renisha will be preparing for us and Lottera."
Haylin nodded.
Their sole purpose in surviving was to see Laxus get everything back.
Meteo went straight to the palace.
He heard there had been chaos in the palace recently.
The nobles had pressured the Emperor to hold a wedding, and Canary, humiliated by the situation, cried and cried, almost causing a miscarriage.
Canary used that as an excuse to lie down.
Despite the government's adorable antics, Laxus remained unmoved.
Canary would have a wedding worse than even the lower nobles of Hientri.
'If you swallow someone else's food, you'll inevitably suffer.'
Meteo laughed and said to the chamberlain.
"I've come to see His Majesty the Emperor."
"...Please wait."
The chamberlain asked Laxus's permission, and the heavy door swung open.
Meteo reluctantly stepped inside.
"Oh, Prince Meteo. It's been a while. I hear you've been enjoying Hientri, haven't you?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Thanks to Your Majesty's grace, I've been enjoying the bountiful sights of Hientri. I've seen and learned so much."
"That's fortunate. I heard you're looking for a bride?"
Laxus's eyes lit up.
"Good idea. Considering the friendly relations between Shamdir and Hientri, I suppose."
Meteo glanced at the incense burner beside Laxus.
A nauseating smell was emanating from it.
'You're drugged in broad daylight.'
Meteo regulated his breathing.
He'd thought Laxus's slurred speech was strange...
Meteo barely managed to hide his pity.
"Yes. However, I haven't found a young lady who shares my heart. Since my parents want to see me, I think I'll go back now."
"That's too bad. If you have the chance, tell me anytime, anytime. I'll give you any young lady."
Laxus laughed maniacally.
"I hope the journey back is comfortable."
A chill ran down his spine at that moment.
"Thank you for your concern. I'll see Lady Renisha on the way back."
"It'll be a long way back, won't it?"
"Still, I think it would be best to say goodbye before I go. If I go back like this, I'll get a big scolding from my father."
"Haha. It seems Renisha has set a good trap for Shamdir by saving the youngest Princess."
Laxus was fearless, making such insulting remarks without a care. He knew no one could harm him.
Absolute power.
Hientri had recently demonstrated his might by achieving an impossible victory against the Kingdom of Ferrisen.
Thanks to that, every nation was watching Laxus closely, so he would feel like everything was his.
Meteo smiled.
"Then I will take your permission."
"Ah. Since you said you were going to see Renisha... So, could you give her my gift as well?"
"A gift... You said?"
Laxus stood up.
His violet eyes flashed strangely.
Meteo couldn't decipher the emotions within.
An Emperor so mad and so unpredictable.
Laxus was definitely a dangerous man.
'I'll have to be careful not to have a tail following me.'
Laxus gestured, and a servant brought a box.
The servant opened it in front of Meteo.
Inside were blood-soaked clothes.
"This, this..."
"There are people Renisha is desperately searching for. This is the trace I found. If she'd lost this much blood, that little child would surely be dead. Isn't that right? Since she's looking, I have to find them. Isn't that the duty of a true husband!"
Laxus burst into laughter. Meteo swallowed hard.
It was definitely Isabella's clothes.
Meteo closed the box lid and bowed deeply.
"I'll... I'll get them to you."
"Oh, there are other things you need to take, so wait. I found some things Renisha used. She must have been cruel to me. She left behind all the gifts I gave her."
Two servants appeared carrying a large box.
Inside, neatly arranged, were the jewels that Renisha had once worn.
They glittered brilliantly on her body.
Renisha slowly closed her eyes and opened them.
Knock.
A drop of sweat fell between Renisha's collarbone and rolled down.
Every time Renisha moved slowly, Kassius's hot breath burst out.
Kassius's heart pounded beneath Renisha's palm.
The sound seemed to resonate within Renisha. It was like the sound of drums from afar.
A large palm grabbed Renisha's waist.
Renisha let out a shrill cry.
"Renisha..."
More than anything, it was Kassius's voice calling her that excited Renisha.
Kassius's voice was usually low, but in this situation, it was even lower.
The gap between them made Renisha's lower abdomen tingle.
Renisha bit her lip.
Uncontrollable emotions surged.
Kassius's heat seemed to burn Renisha, too.
Kassius supported Renisha as she slipped.
Kassius held her with all his might as she collapsed forward, her strength fading.
Renisha gasped for breath.
Kassius pressed his lips to her cheek.
The heat, still lingering, raged within her.
***
Ten days had passed since Renisha and Kassius left.
This meant that Meteo had been away from Shamdir for a long time.
Now, the central nobles of Hientri were wondering if Meteo intended to settle down here.
They knew that Meteo, who often enjoyed social gatherings and kept his intentions low-key, was also rumored to be looking for a bride.
However, Meteo's intentions were not so pure.
Meteo picked up the lantern and took a deep breath.
His eyes darkened as he looked around.
He knew there couldn't be anyone here, yet he remained cautious.
Meteo raised his hand and knocked on the door.
“...I heard that the youngest Princess of Shamdir is getting married soon.”
A faint voice came from inside.
“It’s a Duke from Hientri,”
Meteo quickly replied.
Squeak. The door opened.
Meteo, who had entered through the gap, closed it again.
“Whew. Even though you’ve been doing this for months, my liver is shaking.”
“...I know you’re risking your life for us.”
The quiet voice smiled.
“It’s been a while. How have you been, Prince Meteor?”
“Thank goodness you seem to be okay, Brixton Lottera. And Heylin Nova Lottera.”
Meteor smiled gently.
The missing Brixton and Heylin were right before Meteo’s eyes.
This was the secret that Meteo of Shamdir was hiding.
He was taking the descendants of Lottera, who were said to be missing!
Shamdir repays enemies tenfold and favors a hundredfold.
He failed to properly repay the favor he received from Renisha.
The lives of these two were to be used to pay for the youngest Princess's life.
Upon learning that Lottera was finally on the brink of collapse, the King of Shamdir entrusted Meteo with this mission: rescue the Duke and Duchess, keep them safe, and, if circumstances warrant, arrange for them to meet with Renisha.
In fact, Meteo had secretly entered the country a year ago.
He had intended to observe Lottera's fate, which wavered like a candle in the wind, depending on Laxus's turbulent mood, and to save them.
And Meteo succeeded in rescuing them just in time, pulling them out just before Laxus's men could engulf them.
The only regret was that he failed to save Isabella.
"Did you find Isabella?"
Haylin asked urgently. Meteo shook his head with a heavy face.
“We haven’t been able to find anything since the trail ended, Madam.”
“Ah... We are grateful enough for saving us, Prince Meteo. But I beg you once more.”
“Of course. I came to repay the favor to Lottera, and if Isabella is alive, I will definitely bring her back to you two.”
Haylin nodded.
“Thank you, Prince.”
“You two will be heading to Hiloshine soon.”
“Are you coming with me, Prince?”
"Yes. I'll tell the Emperor that I intend to pay my respects to Lady Renisha before returning. I'm not particularly interested in Shamdir's affairs, so nothing will happen. And we'll pretend to return and track Isabella's movements from the shadows."
"Then we..."
"Yes, Hiloshine. I heard it's a place the Emperor's breath cannot reach."
"Because it's a wasteland. There was no reason to plant eyes in a place where there was nothing."
Brixton said gravely.
Brixton also knew the secret of that place.
Thanks to the black snake buried in the ground, even the grass struggled to grow properly.
To survive in Hiloshine, grain had to be imported from outside.
A territory that couldn't grow on its own was not welcomed by anyone.
"Renisha went there..."
Fate seemed to be diligently urging its pace.
While they were complacent,
"Very well, Prince. I will definitely, definitely repay you for all this. Even Lottera will never forget a favor."
Meteo laughed heartily.
"This is truly a virtuous cycle. Prepare yourselves. We will prepare to depart as soon as I have seen the Emperor."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Finally, they were leaving this stuffy place.
Brixton and Haylin hadn't left this small mansion since their lives were saved.
Meteo had provided them with food, and the Shamdir man he had brought with him had cared for them.
It was a life of deprivation they had never experienced before, but it was a much more comfortable life than when they had to live in silence, avoiding the razor-sharp gaze of Laxus.
The only things that lay like stones in their hearts were the Duke and Duchess of Lottera, who had met their end in exile, and the lost Isabella.
Meteo left, and Haylin grabbed Brixton's arm.
"She... I shouldn't have let her go like that."
"Haylin..."
"I can't sleep, worried that something might have really gone wrong with her."
Haylin's voice trembled slightly.
Brixton embraced Haylin.
"I'll pay you back for everything, Haylin. My parents never raised Lottera, me, nor Renisha to be weak. Renisha will be preparing for us and Lottera."
Haylin nodded.
Their sole purpose in surviving was to see Laxus get everything back.
***
Meteo went straight to the palace.
He heard there had been chaos in the palace recently.
The nobles had pressured the Emperor to hold a wedding, and Canary, humiliated by the situation, cried and cried, almost causing a miscarriage.
Canary used that as an excuse to lie down.
Despite the government's adorable antics, Laxus remained unmoved.
Canary would have a wedding worse than even the lower nobles of Hientri.
'If you swallow someone else's food, you'll inevitably suffer.'
Meteo laughed and said to the chamberlain.
"I've come to see His Majesty the Emperor."
"...Please wait."
The chamberlain asked Laxus's permission, and the heavy door swung open.
Meteo reluctantly stepped inside.
"Oh, Prince Meteo. It's been a while. I hear you've been enjoying Hientri, haven't you?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Thanks to Your Majesty's grace, I've been enjoying the bountiful sights of Hientri. I've seen and learned so much."
"That's fortunate. I heard you're looking for a bride?"
Laxus's eyes lit up.
"Good idea. Considering the friendly relations between Shamdir and Hientri, I suppose."
Meteo glanced at the incense burner beside Laxus.
A nauseating smell was emanating from it.
'You're drugged in broad daylight.'
Meteo regulated his breathing.
He'd thought Laxus's slurred speech was strange...
Meteo barely managed to hide his pity.
"Yes. However, I haven't found a young lady who shares my heart. Since my parents want to see me, I think I'll go back now."
"That's too bad. If you have the chance, tell me anytime, anytime. I'll give you any young lady."
Laxus laughed maniacally.
"I hope the journey back is comfortable."
A chill ran down his spine at that moment.
"Thank you for your concern. I'll see Lady Renisha on the way back."
"It'll be a long way back, won't it?"
"Still, I think it would be best to say goodbye before I go. If I go back like this, I'll get a big scolding from my father."
"Haha. It seems Renisha has set a good trap for Shamdir by saving the youngest Princess."
Laxus was fearless, making such insulting remarks without a care. He knew no one could harm him.
Absolute power.
Hientri had recently demonstrated his might by achieving an impossible victory against the Kingdom of Ferrisen.
Thanks to that, every nation was watching Laxus closely, so he would feel like everything was his.
Meteo smiled.
"Then I will take your permission."
"Ah. Since you said you were going to see Renisha... So, could you give her my gift as well?"
"A gift... You said?"
Laxus stood up.
His violet eyes flashed strangely.
Meteo couldn't decipher the emotions within.
An Emperor so mad and so unpredictable.
Laxus was definitely a dangerous man.
'I'll have to be careful not to have a tail following me.'
Laxus gestured, and a servant brought a box.
The servant opened it in front of Meteo.
Inside were blood-soaked clothes.
"This, this..."
"There are people Renisha is desperately searching for. This is the trace I found. If she'd lost this much blood, that little child would surely be dead. Isn't that right? Since she's looking, I have to find them. Isn't that the duty of a true husband!"
Laxus burst into laughter. Meteo swallowed hard.
It was definitely Isabella's clothes.
Meteo closed the box lid and bowed deeply.
"I'll... I'll get them to you."
"Oh, there are other things you need to take, so wait. I found some things Renisha used. She must have been cruel to me. She left behind all the gifts I gave her."
Two servants appeared carrying a large box.
Inside, neatly arranged, were the jewels that Renisha had once worn.
They glittered brilliantly on her body.
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