Chapter 117
Cheshire was completely engulfed by the pouring black darkness.
It wasn’t that she deliberately allowed herself to be hit.
She simply couldn’t react at all.
Her mind was a complete blank.
Splat—a sticky fragment of the monster struck her cheek and passed by.
But she didn’t even register the pain.
She just stood there dazed, passively taking the onslaught of darkness rushing toward her.
The fragrance vanished from the dress that had been subtly emitting a sweet floral scent.
It had been overwhelmed by the toxic aura emanating from the monsters.
Just before being fully devoured by the black darkness.
Cold chains wrapped around Cheshire’s body.
The chains bound her tightly and forcibly yanked her out from within the darkness.
“…!”
Cheshire gasped sharply.
The tingling divine power transmitted from the Chains of Condemnation jolted her senses awake.
If Hailon hadn’t pulled her out, she would have been buried alive in the monsters.
Having barely regained her composure, Cheshire belatedly surveyed her surroundings.
They had somehow emerged from the underground cave used as a wine cellar and were now outside.
The cold night air brushed against her skin, raising faint goosebumps.
Cheshire took a deep breath in and out.
Floating in the night sky, she looked down below.
Monsters were endlessly pouring out from the entrance to the wine cellar.
The white marble floor, which had been softly gleaming under the moonlight, was now covered in pitch-black monsters.
The sight of the Holy Empire of Hilderd—the most sacred place on earth—being stained black felt utterly unreal.
And in front of the monsters surging like a flooding river.
A man with silver hair fluttering stood tall and resolute.
“Hailon…!”
Cheshire hurriedly tried to summon her fairy powers.
But she stopped when Hailon looked up at her precisely.
He sent her a warning glance.
Meaning she shouldn’t use her power in the Holy Empire.
Hailon drew his holy sword.
Hum—a strange sound resonated from the holy sword, pushed to its limits with divine power.
The holy sword slashed horizontally through the air in a wide arc.
White light shot out, tracing a half-moon trajectory.
The immense divine power tore the monsters to shreds.
The monsters let out horrific screams as they were rent apart, soon purified and vanishing into nothingness.
However, the empty spaces left by the vanished monsters were immediately filled by others.
The endless flood of monsters seemed poised to dye the entire Holy Empire black at any moment.
‘Wait. What about Kierne and the others?’
They would all be caught off guard by the monster attack, unaware of anything.
Of course, the Basilians knew more about monsters than anyone and would handle it skillfully.
‘But it’s still dangerous.’
If Kierne accidentally used black magic while fighting the monsters, it would be a disaster.
Her face paled even further amid the surging worries.
Suddenly, a strange sensation stirred within her.
It was a familiar tickle, like the prelude to a sneeze, teetering on the edge.
‘No…!’
Of all times, her body was about to transform back into a child’s form right now.
Clink—the chains moved.
Cheshire, who had been suspended in midair, was suddenly positioned face-to-face with Hailon.
The chains binding Cheshire’s body unraveled.
At the same time, they reshaped into a large net-like form, restraining the monsters’ movements.
The monsters thrashed about, emitting dreadful noises as they tried to escape the net spread by the chains.
With that grotesque spectacle at his back, Hailon gazed at Cheshire.
Then he glanced behind her.
He was gauging the presence of the holy knights and priests rushing over, having sensed the commotion.
Hailon, subtly furrowing his brows, extended his hand toward Cheshire.
And he plucked a small flower from her dress.
The flower, taken by his gloved hand, disappeared into his uniform.
Having indifferently pocketed the flower, Hailon looked down at Cheshire and said.
“Run away.”
She blinked in disbelief at his words.
“It’s not yet time to lock you away.”
If the people of the Holy Empire spotted the demoness, things would get complicated from then on.
The moment she was seen by others, Hailon, as an inquisitor, would have no choice but to apprehend her.
In the past, that would have been exactly what Hailon desired most.
But now, having lost trust in the Holy Empire, it was different.
“This is the first and last time I’ll let you go with my own hands.”
His blue eyes held Cheshire steadily.
In that moment of meeting his gaze, Cheshire realized just how much he had been holding back for her sake.
Because even now, Hailon…
Still longed to wrap her in the Chains of Condemnation right away and bind her to himself.
The itching sensation inside her body was growing stronger.
She had to escape while Hailon was letting her go.
Cheshire summoned her power.
Flowers and butterflies bloomed, enveloping her.
Just before vanishing between the flower petals.
Hailon whispered a low warning.
“Don’t get caught by anyone but me, Lichesia.”
With that quiet murmur, Cheshire’s vision was completely covered in flowers.
“Kyaa!”
Thump.
Amid scattering flower petals, Cheshire appeared in midair and fell onto the bed.
Her small body settled onto the soft pillow.
Cheshire quickly checked her hands first.
Tiny hands wiggled.
She had transformed into a child just in time, right at the moment of translocation.
Fortunately, the strange dress had also reverted to her original clothes.
‘Back to the baby body again…’
It was certain that the crown had turned her back into an adult, but she couldn’t figure out why she had suddenly reverted to a child.
Maybe it was only temporary, lasting for a certain period.
Anyway, now wasn’t the time to puzzle over complicated situations.
Cheshire quickly sprang up from her spot.
She needed to inform the Basilians about this crisis.
But there was no need.
Flash—a brilliant white light illuminated the outside.
It was an abrupt brightness, like a lightning strike.
Followed by a massive wave of divine power surging through.
Hailon was unleashing his power in earnest.
With this much uproar, not just the Basilians, but the entire Holy Empire would become aware of the situation.
“Lady Lichesia!”
Hata, who had been sleeping as if unconscious, jolted awake and rushed over.
The little puppy darted like an arrow and burrowed into Cheshire’s arms.
Just as she embraced the puppy, bang—the door flew open.
Karha and Ishuel crossed the room in an instant and approached.
Ishuel scooped Cheshire up as if snatching her.
The thought that if they had been a bit later, they would have found an empty bedroom, sent a chill down her spine.
“You woke up from the fright.”
Unlike the fierce momentum with which they had charged in, Ishuel soothed Cheshire in a calm voice.
Having confirmed Cheshire’s safety, Karha nodded toward Ishuel.
“Let’s get out of here quickly. It looks like it’ll reach this far.”
“Yeah.”
The twins moved without delay.
Outside the bedroom, it was quiet.
Originally, a few knights had been guarding it, but they all seemed to have followed Kierne.
Surely Kierne had gone with Belzeon to stop the monsters.
“Where are Daddy and Brother Belzeon?”
Cheshire asked, even though she knew the situation.
“It seems something happened, so Father and Brother went to check it out.”
“They didn’t go alone; the knights went with them, and they’ll handle it well, so we just need to go to a safe place.”
The twins answered smoothly, as if they had rehearsed it.
Then they smiled brightly, as if it were no big deal.
Just looking at those faces, anyone unaware might be fooled into thinking it really was nothing.
‘How do I convince these guys?’
She was pondering what to do.
“There you are!”
Theo came running in a panic.
“Right now, monsters from the Black Forest are in the Holy Empire…!”
He clamped his mouth shut with a gasp mid-shout.
Because the twins were glaring at him murderously.
Thanks to the oblivious bear, Cheshire could naturally urge the twins.
“I want to go to Daddy and Belzeon.”
“It’s dangerous, little sister.”
“Yeah. Babies don’t go to places like that.”
“But…”
Cheshire had to go.
She had followed the fairy’s traces, and monsters had burst out.
It wasn’t intentional, but ultimately, it was Cheshire who had unleashed the monsters to rampage in the Holy Empire.
Kierne, Belzeon, and Hailon were cleaning up her mess.
‘What if they get hurt?’
She needed to investigate what connection there was between monsters and fairies, but.
If they got injured because of her mistake, she didn’t think she could bear it.
Even knowing they were among the continent’s top powerhouses, with no real need for worry.
At the very least, she wanted to confirm their safety with her own eyes.
Cheshire drooped the corners of her mouth and muttered.
“How can we just run away by ourselves…? I’m a Basilian too…”
The twins, who had been hurrying along, came to a complete stop.
Cheshire scrunched up her chin and looked up at the twins, then delivered the final blow.
“We’re family…”
