CHAPTER 643: CHAPTER 643

"... What do you know?" — Closing onto the bewildered Theressa who was already chained by handcuffs, Zeleskiaz’s red eyes demanded an answer.

"... T-the ring." — Opening her hand to show it to the man she trusted would make justice for her sister, Theressa did not waver and frowned just as decisively as the madman. — "It belongs to Lady Karina. It has a hidden needle in it."

"..."

"... I wore it for she asked me to keep it... Sister’s arm... The hand I wore the ring on was directly touching her affected limb... I noticed she flinched before collapsing."

"..."

"Y-your Grace! What is happening?! Why are you dragging me- Ah! My arm! You are hurting me- AH!!"

"Arrest her. She’s the one Lady Theressa pointed as a suspect." — Clemente, who had been out of sight suddenly returned with the sought culprit, the suspected owner of the ring. Giving her to the knights and inviting the eyes of the crown prince to turn, falling upon her; making visible the expression which portrays the bestial deity within his blood.

"... So you did it..." — The smile on his lips was that of Fenrir’s delight while meeting his victims, the prey he would eat while it suffer. It appeared to be slow, yet his pace, hunting for blood, quickly took him to stand before the caught woman... who somehow opposed him with brazen eyes, even while vulnerable.

"I don’t understand-uNH!!!?"

His hand graved Karina from the jaw. Lifting her, happy that now her vigour would suffer and beg for its end.

"Ack!? Y-Your Highness! Release!"

"Zeleskiaz! Stop!!" — His Father, the Emperor screamed. Feeling in himself the effects of an aura losing itself. Sensing the tremors it provoked in his own blood while he saw many of those locked in the hall lose consciousness at the indiscriminated onslaught Zeleskiaz’s rage summoned. — ’If he kills her there won’t be an end to this nightmare!! His bloodthirst has never been this- UGH!’

"I told you I would kill you."

"NGH!! L... let me... go!"

"Zeleskiaz, let Lady Karina go!" — Coming forward, the right hand yelled. Debating if it was wise to interfere when knowing well that he could also meet his end if not careful. — "Keep it together!! Lady Marianne is not dead!! If you go into a frenzy then-!!"

"Scream louder... You HAVE to suffer."

"Damn it!! He’s not listening!!"

Even as his voice made it to the crown prince’s ears, there was no will to listen. Clemente, who watched and just as the right hand Biel did, he was fixed to his spot trying to come up with a plan so the coming slaughter could be avoided. Keeping people at a safe distance... Those still conscious after Zeleskiaz’s aura heightened its reach even though there was no safe place to hide once Zeleskiaz lost his mind.

Nonetheless...

’It’s useless.’ — Clemente understood. Feeling the same despair Zeleskiaz must be going through although comprehending the abysmal difference between them which unconsciously had kept him from pursuing more from the lady covered in blood. — ’Even if he kills Lady Karina and us while we try to stop him... if Lady Marianne is not safe... if it is not herself who appeases him... There won’t be anything that will stop him.’

The aura projected by Zeleskiaz was full proof of such a conclusion. The earthquakes and painful air, the heaviness of being conscious; it was all because of the crown prince’s aura taking form as if a beastly deity itself.

’... how... does he even manage...’ — Overwhelmed by what his body could perceive, Clemente admired in slight fear and pitied the royal. Such spirit inherited in his blood... was a demon whose nature would erase people’s will with its mere presence and yet... Clemente became sorry for the man. — ’How is he able to live with a demon like that within himself...’

*******

The noise was not gone as my ears were buzzing. I was not able to see but my eyes were certainly open. An impressive pressure was crushing me... although it was not hurting me in the least... it seemed to be everywhere, covering the air, yet it wasn’t hurtful, at least not to me compared with what I felt inside. The power felt familiar... I was falling into a dull state, one I encountered myself at some point because the torturing effect the prick had in my body wasn’t painful. I felt no trouble, no doubts even while helpless, that my death was not going to occur tonight.

’Hehe... I don’t understand it myself... I am to die of something... certainly not from laughter yet in these circumstances... I would bet laughter would be more effective to kill me than anything the witch and Paul have tried.’ — Funny enough, although I had no power to do anything I felt better while thinking the witch’s attempts kept failing when it should not be that difficult considering my poor health. I recalled the many times I’ve been close to "the light at the end" and couldn’t help but mock her. It was a conceited thought... I know... Nevertheless, it is fair to be conceited once in a while. Especially when my murderer lacks the skills to take care of a defenceless mute lady so often.

’... I am not mute anymore..... my health is not as poor as well... She probably missed the only opportunity she had the moment I came back to life with myself as Elizabeth.’

My consciousness was quickly becoming clearer and the more I contemplated these matters, I wondered when I would be able to stand again to join the others on whatever chaos this was causing.

I did as best I could so Theressa could take off the ring. She would be the culprit if she were not clever enough to get herself out of the accusation but... I trust that she won’t stay shut...

’... she seemed scared...’

Is she scared of what could happen to her? Or is it truly... that she does not want me to die?

’... that would be nice... to be truly liked by my little sister...’

— Using thou accumulated power, not resorting to Izeneya’s ready aid. A brazen bet this was, Marianne, Ninth of my chosen. —

’... I had a feeling it would not be necessary.’

— Aenean’s and I. This power will need restoration... However, accurate your instinct was. Fenrir’s rage sucked most of the poisoned parasites. He enjoyed it greatly... The power in Aenean’s tear will not be emptied thanks to it. —

’I see... Calla... tell me. Who am I to defeat? Who is it that targets me like this...?’

— ... Our enemy, pure child. —

’Our enemy... Your enemy you mean...’

— Our enemy. You are my chosen for a reason. You are now aware that there is power building up within. Anything you want you can do. —

’Anything?’

— Anything... as long as you want to protect our wish. —

’...’

— Aenean’s tear will not resist if used this harshly again. Use Alis Abyssi if needed... at least until Fehuh is in the sky promising danger. —

’Fehuh... I don’t understand... Will you answer if called later?... Before, as much as I tried, you never replied...’

— I will at the right time... Keep as strong Marianne... do not let yourself be decieved... —