[ Chapter 35 ]
As mentioned before, in the 『The Shackles on My Hands』 universe, all living beings possess magic. Depending on their capacity, those with fewer magical properties may not sense magic at all, appearing ordinary. On the other hand, individuals with an above-average amount of magic often exhibit talents in magic or alchemy.
However, among them, there were a few individuals in whom magic did not exist at all. This rare case, scarce enough to be counted on one’s fingers in each empire, was hailed as a pure being without magic and referred to as a saint. In reality, they possessed divine power to heal the wounds of people.
So, that’s why the seemingly unscathed nobleman, who was a watcher, didn’t know how to handle a weapon. As a saint, he was naturally more accustomed to healing others than killing.
By the way, it’s fascinating how all these unique individuals have gathered in this place. A saint, demi-god, shinsu, and even a lady suffering from pain insensitivity.
“Princess.”
“Yes?”
The watcher’s apology cut off the consciousness.
“Anyway, I’m really sorry and grateful for that. In that situation, anyone would have wanted to escape, but you took the shot for me. Looking back, I feel even more remorseful and sorry.”
“I don’t know how to handle guns anyway. Besides, I have congenital insensitivity to pain, so if someone had to be bitten, it’s better if it’s me.”
If both could survive, it’s better for the person who doesn’t feel pain to get bitten.
“…Princess.”
However, the watcher seemed genuinely surprised, his mouth hanging open.
“Are you the Princess Lemony Cristina I knew?”
I accidentally met eyes with Deon, who had paused at those words. I’m not sure why we locked eyes, but leaning against a tree, he seemed uninterested in avoiding my gaze. It was as if he were waiting for my response.
“You are Lemony Christina. Even if you quit being an officer and become a regular noble, to me you are no more or less than an officer.”
I averted my gaze.
At first, I denied being Lemony because the situation was frightening, but to the onlookers, I undoubtedly appeared to be Lemony.
“Then who else could I be? Of course, I’m Princess Lemony.”
“That’s right, isn’t it? It seemed like a very strange question for me to ask.”
“I’m glad you know.”
The forced smile on my lips stiffens. The persistent gaze from those red eyes seems to have noticed my awkward change, but there’s no mention of it.
“By the way, why did you come to such a shabby prison when you are a saint?”
In such situations, it was best to change the subject quickly. However, was it a foolish question? The watcher shrugged.
“Even the noble family members imprisoned in Building C and Princess Lemony, a lady from the influential family in the Southern Empire, are here. Of course, in case of emergencies, having a healer like a saint would be necessary.”
Ah. I asked a pointless question. Lemony is also a high-ranking noble.
After chatting with the watcher about various things, it seemed like I could move now. After taking a break for about 10 minutes, we resumed our journey.
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“Really, did Lemony do that?”
“Yes. When she was young, she was unparalleled in social circles. In the beginning, many gentlemen were captivated by the lady’s appearance and asked her to dance, but each time, she intentionally stepped on the gentlemen’s feet with her sharp heels or…”
“Why did she do that?”
The woman didn’t respond. Ian and the watcher thought she was too embarrassed to answer, but Deon didn’t think so. When a person is embarrassed, they usually turn the conversation or turn away. However, she hid her expression with a slightly surprised look, raising the corners of her mouth in a faint smile. It meant she herself wasn’t aware of it.
“The rumor has it that a man who wouldn’t flinch even if stepped on with high heels was the Princess’ preference. They said she was drawn to that side because she couldn’t feel pain.”
“Wow, that’s me.”
“But things have changed now.”
Upon hearing Ian’s cheeky remark, Lemony finally spoke. It was true that the woman’s personality had changed upon reflection.
“Are you the Princess Lemony Cristina I knew?”
At first, I thought she was just acting crazy to survive. However, sacrificing her own life to save someone she wasn’t even close to—could that really be just an act? Thinking back, it was true that the woman had become gentler since we met outside the prison bars.
Her way of speaking and the unique expressions she made had changed as well.
The original woman had a habit of concluding conversations by asking, “Why do you think that way?” It wasn’t likely that she was genuinely curious. She probably just wanted to find some excuse to hand it over to the torture chamber.
Deon stared at the back of the woman who was engaging in conversation with the watcher and Ian.
Naturally positioned in the center, she would turn her head every time one of the two men spoke to her, unintentionally revealing her profile. Sometimes nodding along, other times, when the watcher made a serious comment, she would quietly smile.
He watched her for a moment, then realized he had been staring and furrowed his brow.
“Officer.”
“Yes?”
However, despite his intentions, his mouth was already calling out to the woman. Turning his head completely to look behind, the woman returned his gaze.
“Why?”
The violet eyes, densely packed like ceramic dolls, were looking up at him. Sensing a slight stiffness in his neck as he looked down at her, Deon couldn’t help but let out a weary laugh. She had certainly changed. The question was whether it was the woman who had changed or if it was him. Considering the lower part of his body got hard whenever he met eyes with Lemony, maybe both had changed.
“It seems like it would be a good idea to split up the team for a moment and take a look around.”
At that moment, the watcher who was at the forefront in front of Building D suggested.
“Shall we look around in pairs and gather here again?”
The violet gaze that had been directed at Deon vanished once again. As her face disappeared between the curtain-like golden hair, Deon felt strangely uneasy and furrowed his brow. Come to think of it, when they were alone, her gaze was always focused on him.
The image of Lemony turning into a monster suddenly flashed in Deon’s mind, and he felt a peculiar twist in his gut. If he missed it again, would she transform into a monster once more?
The woman’s shooting skills were mediocre, and she possessed no divine power like the watcher.
“Right. I think that’s efficient too.”
“Okay. Then, how should we pair up? In my opinion, Ian and Deon can handle monsters, and since the watcher here knows how to use divine power…”
“With neither divine power nor shooting skills, I’ll take the prison officer with me.”
Deon, who suddenly intervened in the conversation, grabbed Lemony’s wrist and led her away, and the bewildered woman followed obediently. Even when he held her with one hand, her wrist, which seemed fragile enough to break at a touch, still had plenty of room. No wonder she can’t put up a fight.
“Yeah? Why is the conversation going that way?”
“I’m going to save you from useless things. See what you see at the end of each other path and come back.”
At the enthusiastic suggestion, the watcher nodded involuntarily, while Ian pursed his lips, apparently displeased. It didn’t matter. Whether the vampire was angry or not, the fact remained that Deon was here for this woman.
Building D was a pyramid-shaped structure surrounded by wilderness. It was originally where a group of monkeys lived, but with the introduction of the prison, it naturally became Building D.
Sunlight streamed through holes in the ceiling. Here, it seemed like there were no bars. There were no weaklings; only the strong survived. Rumor had it that there was only one first-class prison officer as a supervisor in this building.
“Wait a minute.”
For a while, the woman who had been walking as if being led by him hesitated and slipped out of the grip of his hand.
“Is it uncomfortable for you to be with me?”
He looked down at the woman as he explored the inside of Building D.
“It must be you who are uncomfortable.”
“So, do you think it’s better for us to be together?”
“Isn’t a woman with a smooth face better than a man?”
“You haven’t changed from your usual self since you turned into a monster.”
“Why would it.”
Once again, mischief twisted Deon’s lips as he stopped walking, and the bewildered look on the woman’s face was quite a sight.
“Are you going to help me again during my heat?”
As he said that, the woman’s face turned red, and her eyebrows gradually arched. It seemed like her angry expression was more charming than a crying one.
“You seem capable enough even when sober.”
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Thank you for reading!
