Salvation Through Delusion C54

Chapter 54

Rick frowned as if nothing came to mind.

“What could be the reason? I heard Rue hasn’t really changed. Didn’t I tell you before? They say Adeye Rue used to run around Sir Gumber’s villa playing tag with men.”

“……”

“Not only that. He slipped into the maze garden there. That place is notorious for blatant debauchery, isn’t it? People don’t change that easily.”

Rick relayed the gossip with relish, but Tyroc merely turned his gaze out the window without replying.

“He’s probably with some other man even now…”

“Do you have an interest in Rue?”

The interjection carried an edge that made Rick hastily deny it.

“No! I despise those disorderly, men-obsessed types.”

“Then mind your own business.”

Tyroc’s stare was so incisive that Rick couldn’t bring himself to argue.

Still—how could one not care about an enemy? He felt wronged; it stung like an accusation to be looked upon so coolly. But he dared not show it.

“Stop whining and tail Zab. He might go to Adeye Rue.”

Smack.

A sharp palm struck squarely across the left side of my face. The sound cracked; I collapsed, unable to resist. Because my hands were still bound behind me, I thrashed on the ground like a sluggish insect.

A thug roughly hauled me to a sitting position.

“Answer me again. Where did you hide Silian?”

“I asked if you’re Torida.”

Smack.

This one stung. I writhed and, through clenched teeth, demanded of Mo.

‘This is the Baron Ewik manor, right?’

[Based on the route and the structure from the underground cell to here, the probability that this is the Baron Ewik manor exceeds 90%.]

As expected. With the place identified, the situation made sense. What I could not fathom was why Torida treated me with such casual cruelty.

Adeye Rue is at least nominally a man of standing—kidnapping me over the search for a financier like Baron Ewik seemed reckless. Was there more pressing motive?

They hauled me to my feet again, and I sized them up. Torida squinted at my expression as if puzzled.

“I heard the rumors of a change, but you’ve really become calm. Like someone different…”

“Because I died and came back.”

I offered the habitual retort, and his expression brightened.

“So you did meet a monster at Ornod, then? At that resort?”

“Yes.”

“Where is Silian?”

“Why are you asking me where your partner is? Oh—did you consign her to the sanatorium bed, bind her tight so she couldn’t move, and now that she’s gone you’re upset because your cash cow disappeared?”

My words must have scraped a raw nerve; Torida’s brow twitched.

“Cash cow? I served beside Silian for over five years. That reward is mine.”

“Then you shouldn’t have left her to die.”

“What nonsense? Why would Silian die?”

“Why indeed.” I stared at him. “Baron Ewik was devoured by the monsters. Not a hair left—completely chewed up.”

“Nonsense.”

“I saw it with my own eyes.”

I fancied myself a convincing liar sometimes, but surprisingly he merely curled his lips.

“Silian is alive. Why?”

Another palm slapped my face.

Smack.

Lying on the floor, a laugh and an explanation reached my ear.

“If Silian were dead, the partner’s oath would have ended. She promised that monstrous spirit she wouldn’t let it harm me. See? Even though I locked Silian away, she’s still alive.”

Was that meant to be pride? I clicked my tongue in disgust and regarded him with contempt.

“So what then? Even if I’m a thorn in my sister’s side, if Lantua finds out she won’t just stand by. This is suicide, unless something more fearsome than my sister stands behind you.”

Torida’s laughter froze.

Of course—he hadn’t kidnapped me solely to reclaim a cash rival.

Few are more powerful than Lady Adeye Lantua; perhaps only the head of a Divine-Beast house. I thought of Tyroc, but the method of my capture didn’t fit him—no, he likely would not have stooped to mere kidnapping and rough play.

“Damn it.”

A memory of the maze garden made me curse under my breath. I had once owed my life to Tyroc there; I could have let it go. Why couldn’t I? Why did it gnaw at me? Not like me at all.

“Adeye Rue is supposed to be a fool,” Torida remarked, admiringly almost. “But he’s got more sense than folk gave him credit for.”

“He died and came back different.”

I muttered halfheartedly and tried to deduce why the head of a Divine-Beast house would covet Baron Ewik.

No need to overthink—Mo was efficient at supplying deductions.

[There is a high probability that the Ewik estate conceals an entrance to the Crimson Tide Forest. Therefore, the mastermind behind this abduction is likely Borhumi Zab, who desires the Sword of Serenity. Torida appears entangled with Zab’s maternal clan due to moneylending debts.]

Ah—money again. I scoffed and asked Mo.

‘Can you locate a secret room? It seems Torida seeks it.’

[Precise measurement is required. By comparing the floor plans to observed discrepancies, we can infer hidden spaces.]

“Fine. Try to recall with that sharp mind of yours—where is Silian?” Torida demanded.

I pretended to think, then ordered Mo.

‘Scan the surroundings thoroughly. Any tools or objects that could cut the wrist bonds?’

[At eleven o’clock, five meters ahead, there is a small table. On it lies a decorative plate.]

Relief and pain struck me simultaneously as a fresh smack landed.

Smack!

“Think less, act quick, yes?” Torida warned. The blow opened my lip; the metallic taste of blood flooded my mouth.

“I don’t know Baron Ewik’s whereabouts. No matter how you ask, I’ve nothing to say.”

“Someone saw you carrying Silian out of the resort. Where’s your lie?”

Damn—how can their eyesight be so sharp?

“Yes, I brought her out because she was tied up and miserable, but that’s all. I was running for my life from monsters. When I came back she was gone. It’s true.”

“You lack conviction.”

Torida eyed me, fist opening and closing—a threat now more tangible than a slap. Fine. A fist would be easier to bear than the sting of shame.

“Tell me again. Where is Silian?”

“How much is the debt? I’ll pay it off.”

Torida’s brow twitched. Money, of course, was the thread that bound everything.

“The sum is trivial to me. Better to make a killing now and vanish to a seaside life.”

“A killing?”

“Yeah. With that money, enjoy the sunny shore forever.”

A smile creased his lips, and a chill ran through me.

He meant to use me for profit—and not release me afterwards.

He readied another punch. I couldn’t withstand it; I fell and, crawling, crawled toward the eleven o’clock position.

“Haha, you really think you can run?”

A mocking laugh sounded behind me.

They found my state amusing, so neither of them hurried to finish me off. That bought me time.

I staggered forward and collided with the small table—then crash!

Clatter!

The decorative plate shattered; ceramic shards scattered like snow about me. I curled into myself to avoid cuts.

Torida’s laughter filled the air.

“Right—plan is to profit off you. Extract your information, then use your corpse.”

Beep. Beep. Beep.

The familiar alarm blared and pulled me back to awareness. This time I hadn’t been sedated; the sound woke me instantly.

But the scene had not improved: my hands were still bound, and the subterranean cell remained my prison.

Damn—fainted and thrown back in. That meant they did not plan to kill me yet.

I tried to rest, but Mo had woken me for a reason.

[Danger: an enemy is approaching.]

Enemy?

My senses strained in the dimness as muffled voices came from the corridor—two thugs.

“…We could have our fun with him, right? He’s doomed anyway…”

“True. He’s famous for wanting men… the two of us could—”

What?

The shivers chased down my spine.

This was indeed a crisis comparable to facing a monster.