I'm Trying to End This Possession

“…!”

 

What’s this?

 

Mark gasped for breath, feeling suffocated. Something, something with immense pressure, was gripping his head. And right now, at this very moment, that pressure was growing as if it would burst!

 

“Aaargh!”

 

Unable to bear it, Mark screamed. His grip loosened, and he let go of the girl he was holding hostage. Yet, the force gripping his head did not cease.

 

“Let go, let this go!”

 

In excruciating pain, as if my brain would explode, I gasped for breath. I barely managed to raise my head. And then I met those cold, blood-red eyes. This guy is…!

 

“Should I break it, Dana?” Rumie Windsor lifted the corners of his lips.

 

“Let go, let go of this, aargh!”

 

“Can I use violence now?”

 

“Aargh, aaargh!

 

“Ah. Too noisy.”

 

Rumie frowned and released Mark’s head. The moment he was free.

 

“Aargh!”

 

His arm was twisted back. Or was it dislocated? I couldn’t tell.

 

Mark blinked. He might have momentarily passed out, and now he found himself sitting down with one arm hanging limply like a jointed doll’s limb.

 

“See. I told you I should have broken one earlier.”

 

Crunch. Something broke, and a searing pain flashed before his eyes– And that was Mark’s last memory. However, Rumie didn’t let go of the unconscious Mark. He’s intent on finishing this off. Sensing his intent, I intervened.

 

“Don’t kill him.”

 

“Why? Because we need to solve this peacefully?” Rumie sarcastically responded. “Isn’t it a bit late for that, Dana?”

 

His gaze shifted to the men lying shot on the ground. “I didn’t know you were so good at shooting. Who taught you?”

 

I didn’t respond. My face looked calm, but my heart felt like it was about to burst. It was almost instinctive.  The pressure of being overpowered. The man in front of me was manipulating a human body like it was nothing more than a toy.

 

“It doesn’t matter. And that person, don’t kill him.”

 

“Why not?”

 

“Why do I think so?” I glared at Mark with contempt. “Such a death is too good for that trash.”

 

“Too good?”

 

“Yes. Just punish him accordingly, and then, you might kill him afterward.”

 

With that, I turned away and commanded. “Come here and help.”

 

“Aren’t you going to thank me?”

 

“Thank you. But now’s not the time.”

 

Luckily, Rumie didn’t play around this time and approached with an ax. Thud! Thud! Thud! Ridiculously, the grand tree trunk, which dozens of soldiers couldn’t budge, was now swaying with just a few strikes from Rumie.

 

It was the next moment. Thump!  The tree’s trunk collapsed to the ground, shaking the earth.

 

“Ah…”

 

And I finally saw it. Embedded in the center of the tree’s base – a black core pulsating darkly. At that moment, the black core writhed, emitting dense, gray mist.

 

“Get back!” I quickly shielded Rumie and stretched out my hands–

 

Ugh. I hastily blocked it. The surging gray mist reeked of decay.

 

Ah, this feeling. It’s been a while.  My stomach churned. It was a disgusting feeling as if handling something vile with my hands.

 

Dirty. It’s filthy, so it must be cleaned. Completely, purely white…

 

Light burst from her fingertips immediately. My hair fluttered wildly in the scattering light.

 

How long has it been? When I finally opened my eyelids, the black core had turned into a pure white orb.

 

It’s done.  I had purified it. Completely, perfectly.

 

Exhausted, I let my hands drop and looked up. “It’s done…”

 

And then I was startled. It was because Rumie was just quietly watching me.  “What?”

 

“…Just.” He smiled faintly. “So blinding to look at.”

 

* * *

Allice’s POV

“Quick, move the injured over here!”

 

“Start with this side! These injuries are more severe!”

 

What’s happening? I crouched in a corner of the banquet hall, trembling.

 

Moments ago, the hall was filled with laughter. Handsome soldiers toasted to me. Everyone was laughing, talking, eating, drinking, dancing.

 

“To Lady Allice, thank you for hosting this banquet!”

 

“To Lady Allice!”

 

“Toast!”

 

Contrary to Mark’s words, the people of the territory didn’t come. The banquet hall was filled only with the border guards I had invited. But what did it matter? Everyone was having such a good time.

 

“Lady Allice, would you dance with me?”

 

“No, it’s my turn now!”

 

But how did it turn to this? Suddenly, blood-soaked people from the territory burst in.

 

“The barbarians have invaded!”

 

And at that moment, all the soldiers rushed out of the banquet hall, leaving me alone. All that was left in the hall were me, the exquisite and delicious food, and the blood-soaked injured.

 

“Aaah! No, Kane! Stay with me!” A middle-aged woman clutched a bloodied boy, pouring out tears. “No, no, no, noooo!”

 

It was so noisy. I curled up in a corner, covering my ears with my hands. It was then.

 

“Ah!”

 

A strong force pulled her up.

 

“What is this?”

 

It was Count Kuruz. He clutched his ribs in pain, gasping.

 

“What have you done, cough!”

 

“C-Count? Are you hurt?”

 

“Lady Allice, answer me. What have you done?!” Coughing blood, Count Kuruz shouted. “Did you lure all the border guards to the banquet hall?”

 

“Wha-What are you talking about? I just―.”

 

That’s when I realized. Those stares. All eyes in the banquet hall were fixed on me.  The soldiers who had just returned were looking at me with distrust. Eyes that were once filled with affection were now cold.

 

“Are you saying that Lady Allice helped the barbarians invade?”

 

All the residents of the estate glared at her. Their eyes burned with anger, resentment, and hatred.

 

I was flustered and stammered. “T-That’s not it.”

 

Why are they looking at me like that?

 

“I prepared this banquet for everyone.”

 

Yes, only for them. I tried to make a pleasant day for all of them!

 

“Help the barbarians invade? I-I didn’t know anything about that.”

 

Overwhelmed by injustice, I burst into tears. “Y-You’re all struggling to live in this harsh land. That’s why, that’s why I threw the party for everyone!”

 

“This is the border.” Count Kuruz said with a completely exhausted face. His eyebrows twitched as if in pain. “A border to defend the land from the dirty barbarians who worship demons!”

 

“I-I know! That’s why everyone must be exhausted from guarding the border!”

 

“So you brought all the soldiers here?”

 

Count Kuruz grabbed my shoulders tightly. I trembled in shock.

 

“Because of Lady Allice, the border was left undefended! The barbarians took that chance to invade!”

 

“Why is that my fault!” I sobbed as I spoke. “I didn’t call the barbarians. How is this my fault…”

 

It was at that moment.

 

“Lady Danae!”

 

“Saintess!”

 

“Lady Danae!”

 

Cheers were heard. It felt like a bright light pouring out from the deep darkness.

 

I turned my head toward where the people were looking. Ah… I involuntarily groaned.

 

A completely fair woman, as if born from the first snow, was walking in. And then.

 

Smack! A hot pain struck my cheek. I clutched my turned face.

 

“Return to the capital immediately. Allice Windsor.”

 

Sister Dana threw a fierce warning and turned away as if that was the end of his business.

 

“Count Kuruz, are you alright?”

 

“Cough, cough, I’m fine, Lady Danae.”

 

“You were shot. Even if you were wearing armor underneath.”

 

“Actually, I think I broke a rib… Lady Danae!”

 

Count Kuruz was alarmed. Sister Dana, who had been walking steadily, suddenly collapsed.

 

“Lady Danae! Are you alright!”

 

“Get a hold of yourself!”

 

“Saintess! What are you doing! Get a doctor!”

 

I watched the scene in a daze. Sister Dana, seemingly unconscious, and the panicked residents surrounding her.

 

No one was looking at me.

 

No one.

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