Chapter 74

Aivert clenched his fist.

He wanted to reprimand the steward of the main house who managed all matters related to the personal servant.

In truth, he wanted to do more than just that—but there wasn’t time.

“Master, the only silver lining is that Lady Syveric disguised herself as a maid.”

At that moment, Aivert’s uncle, Baron Vinrad, spoke.

“As long as they don’t know her identity, they won’t touch her so easily. So, let’s ease up a little.”

In the suffocating atmosphere where no one dared to speak, the fact that Vinrad addressed Aivert directly showed his considerable courage.

Still, his words did ease the murderous energy emanating from Aivert just a bit.

As others quietly let out short breaths during the brief pause, another report came in.

“However, the carriage headed west, and the sleeping incense used is commonly found in the western region. Also, it appears that only young women were taken.”

The speaker wore a troubled expression.

“Given the circumstances, it’s highly likely the work of a cult group called ‘Valkarion,’ who offer women as sacrifices to summon a god.”

Because the people gathered were from different regions and ranks, the fragmented information quickly formed a clearer picture.

The problem was—

“There’s been evidence of recent contact between them and the Red Knights.”

CRACK.

Aivert clenched his fist again at those words.

“Since Dame Rodella Syveric disguised herself as a maid in the slums, it seems she hasn’t been recognized yet…”

Had she been recognized, the report wouldn’t have been framed as a kidnapping—everyone was thinking the same.

At those words, Aivert felt like he was bouncing between the poles of an arctic wasteland and the summit of a volcano.

It was the noble faction that had always seen her as a thorn in their side since their academy days.

After she joined the Azure Knights and began inspiring change, they wanted her gone even more.

They’d even sent assassins after her.

“…”

Was it because he was struggling to control his power? Everything around him began to tremble.

Objects nearby shook, as did even the idle ropes on the ceiling.

“…!”

Everyone held their breath at the sight.

But Aivert couldn’t stop thinking.

If the Red Knights recognize Rodella, now that she’s outside the protection of the Azure Knights…

If the noble faction learns of it… what are the chances they’d let her live?

His vision turned white.

He was furious—not just at those who failed to protect her, but at himself for not keeping her safe in the first place.

‘Even when you were right beside me, I felt like I was going mad. But now that you’re gone, I feel like I can’t endure it at all, Rodella.’

He managed to take a shaky breath.

“Of all things…”

Of all things, her face was widely recognized.

She’d done countless public service visits. And spent so much time with him.

Even if her face wasn’t known in the western region yet, how long would that last?

What if someone recognized her?

Countless scenarios boiled up and vanished in his mind.

“Find her—immediately. Use everything we have.”

That was all Aivert could say.

Only one thing filled his thoughts now: Rodella’s terrified face.

It was the face she had when they were still at the academy.

He remembered the noble faction’s cronies dragging people to cliffs as a “prank,” with sacks thrown over their heads.

He couldn’t even remember what had happened to those families now.

Too many of them had already been eradicated.

But one thing was clear—she would be just as scared now as she was back then.

He remembered her trembling violently, crying uncontrollably, unable to sleep with the lights off for days.

He had done everything he could each morning to make her smile again, hoping the overwhelming, terrifying memories would be drowned by chaos and laughter.

It had taken a long time for that to happen, so Aivert thought—

‘I hope, this time, she isn’t afraid.’

He clenched his fist again.

***

CLUNK!

Before Rodella even opened her eyes, she felt the lurch.

And as she slowly lifted her eyelids, total darkness greeted her.

“…!”

Rodella flinched—and nearly screamed at the soft, fleshy feeling beside her.

It was unmistakably a person. Unmoving.

…!

She silently screamed inside for a long while.

Only after she felt the warmth of that person’s body did she start to calm down—it seemed they were unconscious, not dead, and still breathing.

But even before she could feel relieved, her own breath caught in her throat.

CLUNK.

The place wasn’t shaking on its own—it was the space she was in. And it was dark.

Still, as she turned her head a bit—

“…!”

Through a gap in the worn-down wood, she could see outside.

She was in a very old carriage, and the view of the passing scenery confirmed it was moving fast.

’So I’m not trapped somewhere underground.’

She finally let out a breath.

But the fear hadn’t left her yet.

As she managed to move her head further, she saw it—countless young women, collapsed and thrown about like luggage.

And rising around them was—

“…!”

She held her breath instead of gasping.

She inhaled through the small opening to the outside as best she could.

It was a sleeping drug—some sort of incense.

She couldn’t tell if her vision was blurry or if the carriage was just filled with smoke, but the scent was overwhelming.

‘What happened?’

Her mind wasn’t working right.

She thought there was something she realized right before inhaling this incense…

“For the glory of Valkarion.”

Ah. Now she remembered.

She’d heard of them—a cult that offers women as sacrifices. It all made sense now.

That suspicious woman feigning labor—was it all to gather people?

Of course—claiming to be in labor would attract only women.

She now realized they had been deceiving the people of the slums for a long time. All for this.

But what good was understanding it now? The event had already happened.

Hopefully, her guard Rodin had informed Royden.

But the fact that he failed to stop it probably meant he hadn’t noticed in time.

Her head was spinning too fast to think clearly when—

The carriage jolted, then stopped.

Voices came from outside.

“…but the distance from here is…”

“It’s still stable enough…”

Rodella tried to breathe in as much outside air as she could while focusing on the voices.

Thankfully, with everyone else asleep, it was easier to concentrate.

“As long as we don’t cross the Kalmaron Mountains, we’re fine.”

“Understood.”

‘Kalmaron Mountains? Why would they avoid that?’

Her first thought was jurisdiction—the boundary between the Red and Azure Knights’ territories.

But what significance would that have to a cult?

“It’s cargo for the island, so make sure it’s well-packed so it won’t spoil in the sea breeze.”

“Thank you.”

“The ship leaves at 8 PM tomorrow. Black-flagged ship.”

‘An island?’

CLUNK!

The carriage shook violently.

It seemed to have a separate cargo compartment in the back.

Given they talked about spoilage, it must have been food—possibly a large quantity.

If she was being taken by people who rarely left the island…

“…”

The idea that she might be dragged to an island without anyone ever knowing chilled her to the bone.

Still—she would be okay as long as she didn’t pass out again.

She focused on breathing in the fresh air.

Her heart pounded wildly, but she tried to calm it with deep, measured breaths.

Meanwhile—

“Then…”

“Farewell.”

The voices outside faded.

The men who sounded like merchants were gone.

They were likely part of the same group—begging them would’ve done no good anyway.

Not that she had the strength for that.

Rodella exhaled a shallow breath.

Then, to figure out where she was, she peered through the cracks in the wooden wall.

The light that occasionally filtered in through the darkness helped keep her grounded.

Upon closer inspection, she realized it was a door crack.

She had lucked out being near the door—it allowed in slightly fresher air.

The bottom of the door shook with every jolt, letting in puffs of dust. 

“…!”

A gust of dusty wind entered and hit her throat.

A sneeze was coming.

She hurriedly covered her mouth—

CLUNK!

Another jolt of the carriage.

She squeezed her eyes shut against the dust.

When she opened them again—

“…?”

The crack that had let in light moments before was now dark.

‘Something’s blocking it?’

She instinctively tilted her head to peer out the hole.

And through that narrow gap—

“Oh? You’re awake.”

A bloodshot eye suddenly appeared, staring right at her.