<Episode 34>

“I swear, I never truly wanted the Lady to get hurt.”

Rubellite Croft said with a leisurely smile. Then, Eveline tightened her grip on the gun with a cold expression and spoke.

“Do you not realize that I could kill the duke here and say it was an accident?”

“I do. But I also know that the Lady isn’t the type to do that.”

“You’re being arrogant.”

Rubellite looked straight into her eyes, moving the gun from his chin to his forehead.

“The Lady must know there’s something strange about this island.”

“…….”

“It wasn’t my will to push the Lady.”

Rubellite lowered her hand and looked at her languidly.

Eveline began to feel a cold anger rising, seeing the ease in his expression.

“Stop spouting nonsense.”

“It’s true. I often change like that. That’s how I’ve survived on this island so far.”

“What do you mean by that…!”

“Be careful if my mouth turns pitch black.”

Eveline somehow didn’t think he was just lying.

When she fell, he didn’t look human.

And this island was strange in some way.

She couldn’t be sure if she, who was originally a Beta, had really become an Omega. Plus, the red man who gave her the gun—could he be related to the wizards?

“Every time I change like that, I end up killing something.”

“And you expect me to believe that?”

“Even if you don’t believe it, it’s the truth.”

He said in a soft voice. Eveline wanted to pull the trigger at his shamelessness. But a human life wasn’t that light.

“So, are you saying I should just accept it whenever you change?”

“No, treat me as you are now. I wouldn’t have any excuses even if I died.”

Eveline quietly lowered the gun from his head.

“Thank you.”

“There’s nothing to thank me for.”

“What do you… Argh!”

With a ‘bang,’ Eveline shot his hand.

“Argh!”

“I think you need to be a bit more cautious.”

As she turned to leave,

“Brother?”

“Should I kill that guy?”

“No.”

Eveline said that because she felt Abellard could actually kill him.

She sighed lightly and said,

“Treat him.”

“Isn’t he related to how you got hurt?”

“No. I slipped by accident, and the duke didn’t help.”

“And I have to treat him?”

“Yes.”

Abellard hesitated for a moment, his lips twitching, but he nodded, knowing that she would only look at him favorably if he followed her words.

After glaring coldly at Duke Rubellite Croft, who was clutching his hand and sitting on the floor, he sent holy power into him.

“Ugh…”

Four days remained.

Within four days, he had to kill Duke Rubellite Croft standing before him.

Abellard felt extremely displeased at having to treat his enemy, but if Eveline wished for it, he could do even more.

“Your blood smells rotten, so go wash up, Duke. It would be even better if you just went far away.”

With that, he headed toward the hut. <He = Abel>

* * *

When Abellard arrived at the hut, Eveline and Elkias were talking.

“Why are you still awake?”

“How could I sleep with all that noise?”

Abellard knew that Elkias was awake out of concern for her, just like him.

That’s why he disliked him. Elkias was also someone who had to die eventually.

* * *

[Penalty D-Day 10.]

Seeing the red note she received, Eveline realized that she absolutely must not lose her gun for the next ten days.

Fortunately, she had plenty of spare bullets.

However, if she lost the gun, it wouldn’t reappear in her hand like before.

She had to stay with them for ten days.

Moreover, because of the nightly rain, she needed to find a place to avoid the rain even if she parted from them.

The memory of getting soaked in the rain before still made her shiver.

What if she, who might be an Omega, got caught in the rain and attacked them first…?

By the time she regained her senses, she might have imprinted with one of them.

“That can’t happen.”

Thinking this, she shook her head.

They needed to be together. She absolutely did not want to get involved between the two.

Moreover, the thought of imprinting with someone she didn’t love was unbearable.

Imprinting is a significant event. It means looking at only one partner for the rest of your life.

Moreover, it’s not even certain if she’s become an Omega. Alphas need Omegas during their rut because only Omegas can handle their sexual drive.

A Beta involved with an Alpha could truly end up dead.

Dying from overexertion was not an option. No matter what.

She walked silently, thinking these thoughts.

“Eveline.”

“Yes.”

Since Abellard went to procure food while keeping an eye on Rubellite, Eveline had to stay with Elkias.

She casually crumpled the note in her hand and discarded it on the ground.

“Can you tell me what happened yesterday?”

“Is that why you paired us up like this?”

“Yes.”

Eveline almost let her guard down at his straightforwardness and instinctively tightened her grip on the gun.

The silencer made her feel more at ease than usual.

If she could escape quietly, she felt she could truly live in peace.

“There was an incident yesterday.”

“There was an incident, but it couldn’t have hurt you that much. And there’s no way you’d drag the duke into such a conversation.”

“…….”

“I understand that you don’t trust me enough to tell me the truth.”

She couldn’t refute his words.

Elkias turned back after leading the way, his expression somewhat sorrowful.

“It’s not that.”

She spoke without realizing it.

“Actually, Duke Croft pushed me off a cliff yesterday.”

“What?”

“But as I was falling, the duke’s face looked strange. It didn’t seem quite human.”

She hadn’t intended to be so honest, but his gaze made her spill everything. Realizing her mistake, she took a few steps back.

“I don’t think this island is naturally formed.”

“It’s certain that something deliberately trapped us here.”

“Exactly. I didn’t know what was true or whom to trust.”

Seeing his expression soften, she felt a bit relieved.

His jet-black hair swayed in the wind, spreading a deep, refreshing forest scent.

“And the duke said he thinks I’ve become an Omega.”

“I see.”

“You’re not surprised?”

Eveline thought it might be because he was an Alpha.

“Alphas and Omegas dislike their own kind. But they are also intensely attracted to each other.”

“Yes.”

“That’s how I feel right now. Eveline, your pheromones are making me think crazy thoughts.”

His honesty made her feel a sense of camaraderie she’d thought lost. He seemed to be speaking this way out of his own fear as well.

“I don’t know why I’m telling you this.”

He sighed and looked ahead again.

The sunlight filtering through his hair looked warm to Eveline. His ruby-like eyes, glancing back occasionally, left an impression like lingering afterimages.

“What do you think about telling Duke Croft to leave?”

“That’s also been on my mind. He seems like someone who would die if we just drove him away.”

“You almost died yesterday, Eveline.”

“…Yes. But if what he says is true, I want to keep an eye on him a bit longer. He might hold a clue about this island.”

His warning allowed Eveline to ease her troubled thoughts.

“Alright, we’ll follow your opinion on this.”

Suddenly, he stopped walking, and her face bumped into his back.

“Please, don’t let him get too close to you.”

“Okay.”

Elkias said that and began cutting through the vines with a knife, moving forward.

Eveline wanted to catch something that could serve as food and return quickly with him.

* * *

Thwip!

“Ugh…!”

Abellard began hunting.

“What are you doing?”

“There’s only three days left. Hurry up and die.”

Abellard pulled the string of a bow made from holy power, looking at him.

He knew he didn’t need to force a smile with Eveline not around.

“It will cause problems if you kill me.”

Rubellite laughed strangely, raising his arm. His arm turned pitch black and transformed into a sword.

“Why would it cause problems to kill a corrupted Omega?”

Abellard laughed boldly, pulling the bowstring tight.

Twang!

As the string was released, three arrows embedded themselves into Rubellite.

“Ugh…!”

“Trying to face a bow with a sword? You’re really dumb.”

Soon, Abellard’s bow transformed into a sword.

“Goodbye, scum.”

“Argh…!”

Without hesitation, he pierced Duke Croft’s chest with the sword made from holy power.

Seeing the pitch-black blood gush out, Abellard thought there was no need to finish him off; he would die on his own. He dispelled his weapon and turned his back.

“Die quietly.”

Then he picked up the yucca leaves he had spotted earlier, thinking Eveline would like them.

With light and brisk steps, he walked away confidently.