Chapter 111

ranslator: Kell | Editor: Weasalopes

Lavia D . Morgstad’s Friend

The Count’s daughter — it had been a while since someone called her that . Lavia glanced at the direction where the voice came from and saw two men — one tall and one short — walking towards them, wearing tattered gray cloaks . She quickly hid Paula behind her .

「O’ Spirit, heed my call . A raging fire is what I desire . Fire to burn down all living things, all creation, even the laws of the―」

Lavia started casting her spell, but Paula’s shriek cut her chant off . Someone pulled the girl from behind her .

「Son of a bitch! Did you just try to cast that spell here?!」

The taller man didn’t try to hide his anger . A woman donning the same worn-out gray cloak restrained Paula, a sharp knife on her neck .

Lavia’s spell had already dispersed . The two men were now less than ten meters away . Paula was slowly being dragged to where the men were .

Who are these people? No, forget that . What will happen to Paula if I use my spell here? If she doesn’t die right away, her healing magic can… No . She needs to concentrate in order to use her magic .

The taller man spoke, noting Lavia’s hesitation . 「Forget it . If you don’t do anything stupid, we’ll let your friend live . Is she the first friend you made after stepping outside of the house, Lavia D . Morgstad?」

「………」

「Th-Th-The Morgstad family is no more . Sh-Sh-She’s just an ordinary girl now . 」the shorter man said .

「Whatever . 」

Lavia was surprised when they mentioned her family name . That meant they were after her . And there was only one person who wanted her .

「Is the King of Ponsonia looking for me?」she asked .

The tall man flashed a grin . 「Good, you’re quick on the uptake . Now come . You wouldn’t want your friend to die, would you?」

「………」

「If you cast a spell, we’ll carve a hole into your friend’s neck . Understand? We’re not gonna let you use spells with longer cast time either . 」

Lavia grit her teeth . 「Promise me you won’t do anything to Paula . 」

「A wise decision . You’ll save us some trouble if you just come quietly . 」

「Promise me!」

「All right, all right . I promise . But if you try anything funny…」the man approached Paula . Her body stiffened . He then pulled out a knife from his pocket and cut a bundle of her hair .

「Stop it!」

「I’m serious, little Lavia . Don’t you dare do anything stupid . 」

「Okay . I get it already!」Laiva shouted as the man was about to swing his knife once more . Tears ran down Paula’s face .

「I’m sorry for dragging you into this, Paula . 」

「No time for goodbyes . You two, take the lady . 」the taller guy ordered .

The woman shot him a glare .

「Go! Hurry! We need to get out of here before we draw any attention . We’ll leave the girl here, but someone has to watch her before the lady gets in the carriage . 」

「………」

「I said hurry!」

「………」

The woman pushed Paula towards the taller man .

「Don’t be rough on her!」Lavia said .

「Come . 」

「O-O-Over here . 」

The woman and the shorter guy secured Lavia from both sides and pushed her to start walking . Lavia shot a look of concern on Paula, and the latter looked back at her with teary eyes .

『I’ll be fine . 』

Paula thought she read Lavia’s lips .

「What are you two looking at?」

Lavia spit on the taller man’s forehead .

「You fucking bitch!」As Lavia passed by him, he kicked her in the back, causing her to fall forward .

「What are you doing?!」

「H-H-Hey!」

「That’s what she gets for getting cocky! You idiots better keep her in check!」

Lavia got up on her feet and shot an icy glare at the man . The other two then took her and they disappeared after turning a corner .

「Damn bitch . I’ll teach her a lesson later . 」the man vowed as he wiped the spit off .

「Wh-Who are you people?」Paula asked .

「Hmm, let’s see… I guess I can tell you . We’re soldiers of Ponsonia . 」

「What?」

Soldiers from the kingdom where she was born and raised . She couldn’t hide her shock . They clearly looked like thugs .

「We’re special forces that instill fear in the hearts of men . I suppose ordinary citizens don’t know about us . We’re a unit under the direct control of the King, hired solely for our strength . We do anything from kidnapping, robbery, to murder . 」

「Th-That can’t be true…」

「I wouldn’t lie to you . 」The man licked his lips, wearing a twisted smile . 「You’re gonna die here anyway . 」

Selica sensed something strange and turned her gaze at the sky .

「What’s wrong, Selica?」

「Look! There’s a magic circle up there!」

「I don’t see anything . 」

「What? Where?」

「It disappeared!」

A magic circle emerged in the sky for a split-second . It was the same magic circle that the Mage used . I’m sure of it! Selica thought . It seemed Selyse and Sarah didn’t see it, though .

「I’m going!」Selica started running .

「Wait!」

Something’s off . The circle disappeared right away . There’s no need to place it so high up either . It’ll only make it more difficult to create . The ones from yesterday weren’t even that high . In the first place, that spell is not something you use in the middle of town . If they wanted to hide, then all the more reason not to do that . It’s the same as saying “I’m right here”—

「I see! They’re disclosing their location!」

「Location?」

Selica was running at full speed, with Selyse and Sarah keeping up with her easily .

「They’re telling someone where they are! It’s a distress signal!」

「What?」

That was all Paula could say .

「Come on, now! Did you really think I would let live? Of course you need to die . You just witnessed a kidnapping!」

「B-But you promised…」

「I did . So what?」

Paula went pale . He never planned to spare her from the start . There was no way a kidnapper would keep their word .

「Bye! Don’t move, okay? If you do, it might not be a quick death and you will suffer . 」The man extended his hand and grabbed her collar .

She couldn’t say a word . Fear had her by the throat . She couldn’t shake free from his grip, and she was suffocating . The man grasped his knife tightly .

I’m gonna die here… Why…

Paula prayed . Not to the gods .

Help! Please! At least save Lavia!

She prayed to someone who was like a god to her .

Hikaru-sama!

A metallic sound rang out . The man’s knife flew in the air and plunged straight to the ground .

「Who’s there?!」

A stone struck the knife off the man’s hand . Paula had her eyes closed, so she didn’t see it . She opened it as soon as she realized that something happened . A silhouette suddenly appeared on the deserted alley . The figure was there, but it appeared to be blurry at first, and gradually came into focus .

「I see you’re on the verge of dying again, Paula . Are you sure you’re not cursed?」Hikaru said, exasperation in his voice .