Chapter 67 – Storm (1)

Chapter 67 – Storm (1)

[Translator – Peptobismol]

Chapter 67 – Storm (1)

Kyle Winfred.

Kyle.

My little brother.

“...Kyle.”

Luna muttered lowly in her sleep.

Her voice, completely hoarse and cracked from whatever had transpired overnight, seeped out.

“Don’t...”

She had a nightmare.

A terrible one at that.

She still couldn’t distinguish whether this was a dream or reality.

The fact that Kyle was not beside her, and that she would never see him again, all seemed so unreal.

She couldn’t fathom when Kyle had made the decision to take his own life.

Was it before they returned to the past?

Or perhaps after they had returned?

She had no way of knowing.

Upon reflection, it was strange.

Kyle had returned to the past.

And he retained all the memories of their previous life.

“...Why?”

Didn’t you have any lingering attachments?

That’s why you came back to the past, right?

Then why did you choose to end your life?

After fighting so desperately to find a way to live, why?

A faint, sweet voice echoed in the corner of her memory.

— Sister.

Surely, their relationship was improving.

I was truly ready to do anything for your happiness.

Is it really going to end like this?

So futilely?

“It can’t...”

Luna gasped several times, breathlessly.

The scorching heat passing through her throat was dizzying.

Kyle had taken his own life.

That meant Kyle had already been pushed to the edge.

Lost in a daze, Luna thought.

What did Kyle do right after returning to the past?

He officially broke off the engagement with Isabel and immediately left the Winfred estate.

As if trying to sever all ties with the past...

Cold sweat trickled down.

As beads of sweat flowed down her feverishly heated forehead, a slow realization suddenly dawned.

“Because of me...”

Ah, I see.

I cannot be free of responsibility either.

If only I hadn’t clung to Kyle.

If only I hadn’t held back Kyle, who was trying to live a new life.

If only I hadn’t brought Isabel to the coming-of-age ceremony.

No, if only I had killed Isabel without hesitation.

If only I hadn’t ruined Kyle’s life...

If only I had been honest from the start and sincerely apologized...

“Please...”

Yes, this is a nightmare.

Just a bad dream on a summer night.

Clatter—

The carriage jolted violently as it passed over a rough road.

Luna slowly lifted her eyelids.

Through her half-covered vision, she saw the short-haired female knight glaring at her.

“You’re awake.”

The cold voice scattered in her ears.

Then her hazy mind became clear.

“How much longer until we reach our destination?”

“We still have a full day of travel left.”

“...Is it still that far?”

Diana nodded slowly.

Their destination was none other than the Bihakan Territory in the Eastern Continent.

The reason they abruptly left the Winfred estate and headed to the Eastern Continent was simple.

To confirm Kyle’s death firsthand.

And to hold Isabel Yustia accountable as well.

An unvented rage simmered in a corner of her chest.

The fury was so intense that it felt like blood tears might spill out at any moment.

Her breath grew hot and coarse.

“That crazy bitch kidnapped my brother.”

Dragging her sword along the ground, Luna stepped forward.

The Pope, watching her, narrowed his eyes slightly.

“It’s quite a surprise to hear that the Saintess would kidnap your brother... Intriguing.”

“Then leave. Don’t just stand there babbling.”

The Pope raised the corner of his mouth as if in amazement.

At the same time, his amber eyes sparkled brightly in the sunlight.

“Sorry, but this mansion was officially acquired by the Papal See. So...”

The Pope sighed and lowered his voice.

And

“It means you are the outsider, not me, Lady Luna.”

A somewhat aggressive tone burst forth from his lips.

A devilish grin spread across Luna’s lips.

“Is that so?”

And she drew her sword.

“Then just stand there quietly.”

A thick murderous intent filled the air.

Luna walked slowly, almost imperceptibly.

And then.

The familiar sound of hooves echoed faintly in the distance.

In an instant, Luna’s head whipped around towards the direction of the sound.

“...”

What’s going on?

Did the Papal See send additional knights for support?

Luna turned her head back towards the Pope, but his expression mirrored her own confusion.

It wasn’t the Papal See.

Then who could it be? Who could possibly come to this remote countryside?

Luna’s steps slowed down, very slowly.

And she watched.

Quietly, she watched them all.

“...”

A heavy silence hung over them.

In the tranquil stillness, the sound of hooves gradually became clearer.

And then.

“...Huh.”

Dozens of carriages approached.

At the sight of the grand procession, which Luna had never seen before, she let out a sigh.

Standing still, Luna carefully scrutinized the carriage at the forefront.

And then she realized.

‘That emblem...’

It was unmistakable.

It was the emblem of the Royal Family.

Creak—

The fiercely charging carriage came to a stop in front of the mansion’s entrance.

And.

“...!”

Rudine Eckart.

The Imperial Princess took the coachman’s hand and cautiously stepped out of the carriage.

“What’s going on...?”

The Pope muttered blankly, his eyes wide with astonishment.

Watching the situation, Luna chuckled and watched Rudine approach.

“Hmm.”

Rudine smiled brightly and alternately glanced at Luna and the Pope.

And she snickered.

“Oh my, it seems I’ve arrived at a good time.”

Everyone present looked at Rudine.

And listened.

They just waited quietly for her to continue speaking.

“I assure you, I have no intention of interfering in your quarrel.”

Rudine reassured them with a voice as kind as it was menacing.

“There is only one reason I have come here for.”

Click—

Subsequently, from the arriving carriages, armed Imperial Knights began to descend one by one.

One... Ten... A hundred...

What’s going on?

Are they about to start a war?

“Isabel Yustia.”

Rudine’s bright yellow eyes gleamed like ghosts.

“Where is she now?”

[Translator – Peptobismol]