LIGHTNOVELWORLD Ch. 45 - Asil Returns
Finally, Al spoke quietly.
“Lord Karas, Miss Yuriana, I’m really sorry, but Lupedos and I need to go out and take care of that enemy. I’ll be back as soon as I complete the spell, and Lupedos will run to the lord. Keep your eyes closed and count two hundred sheep.”
“… I’ll protect Yuriana no matter what happens.”
The nine-year-old boy tightly gripped the dagger at his waist.
Al smiled warmly.
“A man of the empire should be like that. I’ll be back in the blink of an eye. Even if the enemy comes or a fire starts, do not leave the magic barrier. This is the safest place.”
“Yes.”
Karas trusted Al.
“Then.”
Thud.
As soon as the door closed, the sound of Al and Lupedos running fiercely quickly faded.
Now, there were no adults.
It was a moonless night, and cold air would probably flow in through the broken windows.
If any enemies remained, they might come too.
However, Al’s magic was firmly protecting them.
Karas began to soothe Yuriana, who had buried her face in his shoulder.
“Yuriana. You can sleep.”
“Huh, what…?”
“Sheep are animals you count before sleeping. You know that, right? Sheep have very curly and soft wool. Have you ever touched one?”
Karas’ tone was as gentle as could be.
“…”
“If you keep counting sheep, one, two, three, it will be difficult for the shepherd to work. I like both white sheep and brown sheep. Close your eyes and imagine! What kind of sheep do you like?”
Karas… he was talking more than usual because he was scared too, wasn’t he?
Yuriana fiddled with the blanket, wrapping it around Karas’ cold back, and whispered.
“I’m not okay, but it’s okay. I’ll try to endure the fear.”
“Yes.”
She knew.
This world was originally brutal, and it wasn’t strange for things to turn out like this at any time. Even knowing that, it was she who shouted that she would live as Asil’s daughter.
Having escaped the slave hunters and entered Dark House. It was her responsibility to handle it all.
She…
‘I won’t imagine Asil, my father, being in danger. Asil is the male protagonist no matter what anyone says. The protagonist of this world standing shoulder to shoulder with Alice!’
Yuriana tried to trust Asil. His promise, his abilities, the fact that he was the great male protagonist.
“So Karas… let’s keep our eyes closed too. I’ll close my eyes and wait until Mr. Al returns.”
‘I shouldn’t sleep.’
Even though he believed in Al’s abilities, Karas was determined to protect Yuriana somehow. Therefore, he gripped the dagger tightly and didn’t let go.
The boy pretended to close his eyes, then slightly opened them and murmured.
“Okay.”
Yuriana spoke in a trembling voice.
“Actually, I want to go find Levina. She must be somewhere in the annex, right?”
“…”
Sorry. That’s not possible. If you try to go outside the magic barrier, I’ll hold you tightly.
Even if you cry and scream, I won’t let go.
Even if Levina is a good person, you are more precious to me. I’m really sorry…
The boy apologized in his heart in advance.
But an unexpectedly mature statement came from Yuriana’s mouth.
“But I won’t. Al told us not to. Levina is also staying put to heal her wounds because she trusts Al’s words. Levina must miss me too!”
“… yes.”
Karas’ throat tightened with relief and a bit of sadness.
How worried she must be?
Yuriana said she didn’t have a mother.
Even though Lord Litus was her father, it was clear that Levina had raised her with great care. She was suppressing her urge to break through the magic to find Levina.
If his mother… were injured by a sword, he would risk his life to go to her too. Yes. He was sure he would.
So, he understood.
You and I have a lot in common, Yuriana. That’s why I like you more and more.
To me, you look like a wounded fawn.
I want to hug you.
With tears welling up, Karas comforted Yuriana.
“I was there when we found Levina. She was injured above her ankle and couldn’t move. The bleeding had stopped, but if she moved recklessly, the wound would open. So, it was better to stay still.”
“Huh… Karas, you must be scared too, but thank you for telling me.”
It was her leg. It wasn’t her abdomen or chest. Though thigh injuries were also dangerous.
Just hearing that reassured Yuriana, and her tears welled up again.
From under the blanket, she pulled out a bandage that Heidel had given her.
When everything was over, Al returned, and it was okay to move, she would go to Levina first.
Then she would wrap the injured Levina in this bandage and make her heal quickly.
Roll.
Karas’ eyes followed the slightly greenish bandage.
“Ah. Did you take that out to give it to Levina?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll roll it up and put it on the floor. That star gave you another gift from the elves?”
Karas carefully folded the bandage.
“Yes.”
Having lied twice in one night, Yuriana cried and then laughed.
Karas. You are so pure, kind, and… hmm, you are like my star…
Thump.
The tired girl’s head fell onto the boy’s shoulder amid the fading fear.
Karas noticed the sapphire bracelet on her wrist, which made his throat tighten again.
This girl was truly precious to him.
‘Now it’s my turn to protect her.’
The eyes of the star that protected Yuriana appeared suddenly from somewhere.
* * *
Flash.
“Ahhh!”
Yuriana, who had lost consciousness, screamed and jumped up.
Where was she? When did she fall asleep? I was with Karas… Dad? Levina? Lupedos… the others…!
“Meow.”
“Lu… Lulu?”
As always, Lulu was beside the anxious Yuriana.
Lulu deliberately made a sound and jumped down!
The place Lulu had been, was an unfamiliar, shabby cat tower made from a roughly folded box attached to a crude pillar.
And Lulu’s expression wasn’t good at all.
The food bowl was full of food, but it seemed barely touched.
Lulu refusing food?
“… what?”
Another dream? Deja vu? She couldn’t make sense of it.
“You’re awake!”
Someone shouted from outside, and the door burst open.
“Hm.”
“Dad?!”
Asil!
The person coming in was Asil, perfectly intact.
With tears welling up, Yuriana quickly got up to get out of bed, but he stopped her.
“It’s okay. Everything’s okay. You can stay lying down. Yuriana… you must have been very worried?”
“Wh-what happened? Dad. Lulu, no, Lupedos came back? Umm… we were at Dark House, and scary people chased us…!”
Yuriana, still half-asleep, babbled incoherently.
“Leave us.”
“Yes.”
After dismissing the maid, Asil showed something from his bosom.
Two Mirrors of Origin.
The terrible events before she fell asleep replayed in her mind.
{{Mirror of Origin (★★★★★): A mystical mirror that shows the true form of those transformed by magic, curses, or transformation spells.}}
{{Mirror of Origin (★★★★★): A mystical mirror that shows the true form of those transformed by magic, curses, or transformation spells. A replica obtained while Asil was distracted.}}
‘Ah…!’
It wasn’t a dream.
Asil patted Yuriana’s back, soothing her.
“To put it simply, Dark House will need to be reorganized soon. So, we took you out of there. The empire’s guests were also sent back before dawn. This is a note left for you by the young lord Ifrit.”
“What?”
[Yuriana. It’s me. I wish I could stay by your side until you wake up, but I’m sorry. His Majesty the Emperor ordered us to return immediately after hearing Al’s report. Al and I are His Majesty’s subjects, so we cannot refuse. Your father is very strong and not hurt at all. I’ll come to visit again. Stay healthy, okay? I’ll definitely come again. – Karas]
They left.
She couldn’t even count two hundred sheep; she fell asleep after counting just five. Yuriana drooped her shoulders.
It was a relief that Karas, who emphasized twice that he would come back to the kingdom, was safe.
She wanted to write a note to him, but she didn’t get to write a single line.
“Weren’t you scared?”
It was not the time to feel sad about Karas’ absence!
Yuriana looked up abruptly and asked.
“Are you unhurt, Dad?”
Even knowing from the note, one must always ask about the other’s well-being to not seem ungrateful!
Aside from that, she was really worried about Asil.
“Yes. Levina has been sent elsewhere to recuperate for a few more days. If she’s near you, she’ll keep moving, so it’s better for her to fully heal before meeting.”
Levina’s injury wasn’t severe.
Because of the location, Asil sent her to the kingdom for treatment to avoid any aftereffects.
“… thank you. Dad, and also, Lulu… Lupedos, the magnificent black-haired wizard… he had lost a lot of weight as a human! Why is our Lulu back to being a chubby cat? Is there another curse?”
When Yuriana asked with a tearful face, Asil burst into laughter.
“Hahaha!”
“Kyah—!”
Lulu transformed into a beast out of anger!
Ignoring the enraged Lulu, Asil kept laughing.
“Yuriana. You really are… haha, yes, while claiming it’s a star’s gift, you made a second mirror out of mine. Here, take it. Which one is yours?”
Yuriana quickly picked the mirror with the description of a replica.
Asil’s eyebrows were raised.
“You got it right immediately.”