CHAPTER 72: CH:72 WHERE IS FRAN?

Suddenly—

Dila’s eyes snapped open.

Her chest rose with a quiet breath.

The ceiling above was unfamiliar, adorned with silver vines engraved into elven marble.

She blinked, slowly.

She was laying in a bed... but not just any bed.

Soft. Velvet. Royal.

The covers shimmered slightly, enchanted with restoration magic. The sheets smelled faintly of white lilies and healing herbs.

Yet—there was no one else in the room.

Quiet. Still. Peaceful.

"Ugh... my head..."

Dila whispered, rubbing her right eye with her left hand.

She sat up slowly, the silky blanket slipping down her shoulder.

A soft swish of movement echoed.

☆ Master... I missed you... ☆

The familiar frail voice returned—Nari. Gentle.

Worried. Sincere.

Dila exhaled and muttered, "How long have I been sleeping...?"

☆ Congratulations, Master. You only slept for one day ☆

"W-What?" Dila blinked, surprised.

"One day only?"

☆ Yes! ☆

☆ I was... honestly prepared for you to sleep at least a whole month, Master. But it looks like... you’ve grown stronger ☆

"Stronger..."

She repeated, her voice quiet.

☆ Really ☆

☆ Your health is fully restored, and your mana too! Look—here it is: ☆

A soft blue shimmer glowed in the corner of her vision.

Mana Level: 2500 / 2500

Health Level: 25000 / 25000

Dila stared at it for a moment.

"...Good. Umm, good..."

She mumbled, still a bit disoriented, her voice trailing.

She looked down at her own hands—clean, healed, no more blood.

The last thing she remembered was darkness... and then... nothing.

Everything from the dream was gone.

But somehow...

Her heart felt lighter.

And Nari? She was still there.

Dila gave a small nod.

"Yeah... good."

She closed her eyes again, just for a moment

—

Finally... just resting. No pain. No chains.

Even if only for now.

Then Dila was thinking for some Reason there is something is wrong. Suddenly—

Dila’s eyes flew wide open.

"Wait a minute..."

Her voice trembled as she pressed her palm against her left ribs—the very spot where the axe had almost once torn into her.

But there was... nothing.

No pain. No bruise. Not even a scar.

It was warm, smooth... completely healed.

Her lips parted in shock.

She froze for a second.

And then—

It hit her.

Like a bolt to the chest.

"Fran..."

The name escaped her mouth as a whisper—then spiraled into panic.

"Fran...!"

Her thoughts surged in chaos.

Her hands clutched her head as terrifying images flashed in her mind.

What if she’s in chains?!

What if they tortured her?!

Or worse... what if they butchered her... fed her to beasts... dogs...

Her breath hitched.

"No—No—No!!"

She shouted as she bolted upright, heart pounding.

Still wearing the soft, flowing sleep dress the healers had clothed her in—its silk lingering around her legs like mist—Dila didn’t even care.

She burst through the giant door of her room, her voice echoing like thunder:

"FRAN!!"

The golden hallway outside was lit by morning light.

Her hair, still slightly tousled, danced wildly behind her as her bare feet padded against the marble.

Healers, servants, and even guards jolted in place as she ran past like a storm.

"Where is she? Where is she!?"

Dila screamed, her voice cracking.

Tears were already welling at the corners of her eyes.

Dila kept running.

Every turn led to another hallway—another corridor.

Left. Right. Left again.

She didn’t even know where she was going. The castle’s layout was a maze. Elegant, yes—but twisted and unfamiliar.

She passed by tall arched windows where the golden sunlight streamed in, bouncing off the polished marble floors. Each window had sheer white curtains, softly billowing as the wind danced through the cracks.

Along the corridors, startled maids gasped as Dila raced past them.

"Wha—?! P-Princess!?" one cried, nearly dropping the vase she held.

Another maid sweeping the floor stumbled backward, clutching her broom. "I-Is that... the Princess?"

"She’s running barefoot...?"

A third, who had just finished trimming a vase of white lilies, stared as Dila stormed past—her long nightgown trailing behind like a tattered flag of war.

But Dila didn’t care.

Her breath was ragged. Her heartbeat roared in her ears.

"Fran... where..."

She panted.

"Where are you..."

She skidded to a stop at a forked hallway—her eyes darted between left and right. Her fists clenched.

And then she shouted again, louder this time—

"FRAN!!"

Her voice echoed across the stone walls, startling even the castle guards in the distance.

But still—no answer.

Just the silence of marble, air, and drifting petals.

Then for some reason Dila froze.

Her breath caught as her ears twitched—almost instinctively.

A soft hum surged in her head.

「Passive Skill Activated: Eavesdrop」

A faint blue glow pulsed at the corners of her eyes.

And then—

Cling... clank... cling... clank...

The sound of metal boots echoed down the stone corridor.

Marching. Rhythmic. Heavy.

She caught a few words amidst the distant noise.

"...prepare the chamber—"

"—the Princess might be awake."

"Keep it quiet, no disturbance."

"His Majesty ordered—"

Dila’s eyes narrowed.

She misunderstood instantly.

"Tch... so they’re planning something.

That masked bastard probably warned them... Now they want to fight me head-on?"

Her fingers slowly curled into fists.

Magic stirred faintly around her fingertips.

She pressed her back against the wall near the hallway intersection, her breathing softening, her posture lowering like a hunter ready to pounce.

"I don’t know who you are," she whispered under her breath, "but if you think I’ll be dragged back into a cage... think again."

Yet behind the wall, the soldiers were calmly speaking:

"Make sure the flowers are in place. The cat girl requested it."

"Yes sir. We also prepared the special food. She’s not used to royal meals."

"She called the Princess her ’sister.’ Strange, but kind of sweet."

Still thinking they were threats, Dila whispered:

"...They’re mocking me. I knew it."

She stepped closer.

The hall echoed with the soft clang of armored boots. Dila pressed her body against the cold stone wall, every muscle tense.

Dila said in her mind. " Nari activate the partial unlock Berserk Fury skill. "

☆ Master... please reconsider... ☆

☆ Activating Berserk Fury now will cost your life force. ☆

"I don’t care," Dila growled in her mind. "Just do it, Nari."

☆ Understood... ☆

☆ Partial activation sequence: 50 seconds... ☆

Dila’s left fist trembled as blue sparks flickered, igniting into a small blaze. Her eyes narrowed, locked on the sound of the guard’s steps drawing closer and closer.

12%... 30%... 40%...

Her breathing deepened, fangs slightly clenched.

58%... 67%... 88%...

The aura around her hand became a flame of sheer power. Her silver-white hair shimmered against the corridor’s light. Her heartbeat pounded like war drums.

100%. Berserk Fury Partially Activated.

In a blur, she burst from the corner—

A comet of blue flame!

"RRRAGHHHH!"

Her fingers, like sharpened claws, rammed into the neck slot of the elder knight’s armor with unnatural precision. Metal buckled. The knight collapsed beneath her weight, choking in surprise.

"HELP!" he managed to rasp—

But she didn’t let go.

Her hand tightened, eyes glowing wildly with blazing blue fire. The rage of a locked memory, the desperation of the unknown, and the fear for her friend consumed her all at once.

"WHERE. IS. FRAN?!"

She snarled, her hair flowing from the surge of power.

☆ Warning: Life force now in use.

Power Output: 3%. Berserk Fury remains heavily nerfed.

Master, please... ☆

But she wasn’t listening.

Across the corridor, other guards had turned—but... not one of them drew their blades. Not even a whisper of hostility.

They just... stared.

As if this scene was expected.

As if they knew.

A younger knight stepped forward carefully, his hands raised.

"...Princess Dila," he said. His voice was light, uncertain. "Your friend—the cat girl—Fran... she’s safe. She’s in the castle."

Dila’s blazing aura flickered.

Another knight stepped beside him, older, firmer. "We were assigned to escort you to her after everything is sorted out but it looks like you need it now your Highness I’m sorry... we’re not here to fight. We swear it, Your Highness."

Dila didn’t release the knight under her grip yet. Her breath was ragged. Her power burned her skin. Her emotions were chaos wrapped in fire.

"...Then why were you marching?" she asked, her tone cold, filled with warning.

The young knight lowered his gaze. "To form an honor guard, Your Highness. We... we heard you awakened."

And then Nari’s voice, soft as a whisper, trembled in her thoughts.

☆ Master... they’re not lying...

Please... you’re burning up... I can feel your sanity is fading... I’m scared... ☆

Her gaze dropped. The knight below her whimpered—but she finally opened her hand.

The flames vanished.

Her knees shook.

Her vision blurred.

"I..." Dila panted, her voice trembling, "I thought... she was gone."

The older knight knelt down beside her slowly. "She’s not. She’s been crying beside your bed the entire night."

Dila’s heart clenched.

And in that moment, the rage vanished—leaving only exhaustion. And a bit of guilt.

Dila clenched her jaw, her voice low but firm.

"Now lead me there, Fronto."

The knights straightened with disciplined grace.

They bowed in unison. "Yes, Your Highness."

The elder knight—still on one knee after being struck—slowly stood, wincing slightly. He bowed deeply as well.

"My apologies, Princess... i mean, Your Highness."

The atmosphere shifted. Her title now echoed with weight.

But inside her mind, Nari’s soft voice trembled gently.

☆ Master... I must speak... your mind has been negatively affected by Berserk Fury. I don’t like where this is going... I can’t risk it. ☆

Dila’s eyes narrowed slightly as she walked.

"You’re saying I can’t use the skill?"

☆ No... not that. But for now, it’s extremely dangerous. That ability is unstable, uncontrollable—your body isn’t suited for it yet. If used again, it may lead to full mana poisoning. ☆

Dila’s steps slowed for a moment. Her voice echoed silently back in her thoughts.

"Mana poisoning? But I’m using my life force, not mana."

☆ Exactly... ☆ Nari’s voice lowered. ☆ That’s where it begins. The damage bleeds both ways.

Your life force acts as a sponge—but contaminated mana seeps into it, corrupting it. Like poisoned water poured into a pure well.

That’s why Berserk Fury is... volatile.☆

Dila took a breath. Her fingers twitched faintly.

"...Got it," she finally sighed. "Understood."

Her mind was still heavy, her emotions still swaying like flame—but clarity began to return. She closed her eyes briefly as they walked.

The knights, loyal and quiet now, guided her gently through the corridor—away from chaos. Each hall opened to something unfamiliar. Twisting paths, glass-like windows, elegant lamps hovering with faint magical light. Her bare feet on the marble floor whispered faintly. Yet this time, the unknown no longer felt like a threat.

It felt... warm. Like a door opening to something she had forgotten.

Something she once called home but not her own.