novelraw Chapter 35 : Chapter 35
Chapter 35 : Chapter 35
Chapter 35. Moltke (3)
While Iris was hesitating.
Isabel suddenly grabbed her hand.
“I won't ask why you became the leader of the Unseen Ones. But I don't believe this is all our relationship amounts to.”
“I’m not Iris……”
Iris couldn't continue.
Because Isabel had snatched off her veil in an instant.
“Look at this. You are Iris.”
Iris, as if stripped bare, blushed and stepped back.
Then she stretched out one hand and cried out.
“D-don't come any closer!”
This was not what she had intended.
She was trying to gain the upper hand as the leader of the Unseen Ones while hiding her identity, but,
‘This is the worst, really.’
Unlike the flustered Iris, Isabel slowly parted her lips from a distance.
“I didn't mean to anger you.”
“…….”
“But we are facing an unprecedented crisis we've never experienced before. You know it too, don't you? Primus is not someone we can face with a single force.”
Right. This was all because of that bastard named Primus or whatever.
If he was a figure from myth, he should have just stayed crumpled up inside a history book, Why did he have to pop out of the book and torment her like this?
Isabel’s persuasion continued.
“The Unseen Ones have amazing abilities, but they alone are not enough. But if we are together, we can surely overcome this crisis. Isn't that why you came all this way?”
Iris covered both her ears as if she couldn't hear and shouted.
“Stop it! I don't need you, and I don't need Frank!”
At her scream, Isabel wore a sad expression.
Then, wasn't she slowly approaching her?
“D-don't come!”
However, Isabel didn't stop for a moment.
Thump, thump.
A fleeting moment felt like an eternity.
Soon, Isabel reached Iris and moved her right hand.
Was she going to slap her?
Iris flinched, but her intention was different.
Isabel gently caressed her head.
“Poor Iris. You've had a hard time, haven't you?”
“……Why are you saying that? I am……”
“Shh. I know everything even if you don't say it. Because I am a figure like a mother to you.”
“That’s!”
“You were not originally this kind of child. I know that better than anyone.”
Iris' heart pounded like crazy.
Had there ever been anyone who affirmed her existence like this? There hadn't.
Everyone had only regarded her as a tool.
Hadn't even her father, Frank, been like that?
Money, money, money!
‘You have no talent in swordsmanship, and your aptitude for magic is weak, so you must earn money for your other sisters. Do you understand!’
That was the true nature of the man named Frank, who only ever talked about that damn money.
In contrast, Isabel's hand caressing her head was trembling slightly.
Iris could feel that she, too, was struggling to suppress her emotions.
This kind of warmth.
It wasn't bad.
No, it was too good to be true.
Perhaps what she truly wanted was this kind of affection.
Nevertheless.
Iris, who had never received love before, was suspicious of this situation.
Wasn't Isabel just trying to use her?
Iris discreetly glanced down at the floor.
‘Should I call Number 1, who's in the basement, even now?’
In the basement of the Oviedo castle, all of the Unseen Ones, including Number 1, were on standby.
If they were to raid this place all at once, the high-ranking officials of the Goddess Cult would be annihilated in an instant.
But was doing so the right thing?
After some thought, Iris pushed Isabel away.
“Iris?”
“Please give me a little more time to think.”
There were too many things to consider to make a decision all by herself.
***
After Isabel left.
Iris immediately moved to the cathedral basement.
This was the temporary shelter for the Unseen Ones that Daniel had prepared.
As long as he didn't betray them, there was no fear of being discovered.
‘If he intended to betray us, he would have done so long ago.’
Isabel decided to trust Daniel one more time and opened the door to the shelter.
As she stepped inside, dozens of figures instantly appeared in the previously empty space.
From Number 1 to Number 50.
All the Unseen Ones, except for Number 11 who was defeated by Anticus, were present.
All of them were her escort warriors, there to protect her.
‘That's right. I'm the leader of the Unseen Ones. Let's be confident.’
Having gained a sense of reassurance, Iris slowly parted her lips.
“I'm thinking of cooperating with the Goddess Cult.”
Number 1 frowned and said.
“You were persuaded by Number 7.”
“It's not like that.”
“It's best to let her words go in one ear and out the other.”
“I said it’s not like that.”
“Of course, the final decision is yours. We will simply follow that decision.”
However, a few of them strongly objected.
“Is there a need to cooperate with the likes of the Goddess Cult? Our strength alone is sufficient.”
“I agree with Number 9's thoughts. They probably don't even know the details about Primus.”
Iris looked at them and shook her head.
“There was a time I thought so too, but not anymore. After meeting the Saintess, I understand. They are strong. I think there's nothing to lose by cooperating with them.”
“Have you not considered that the decision might instead be a detriment? What about decision-making? Information exchange? We might even have to get their permission every time we deal with humans who oppose us.”
At those words, many nodded as if in agreement.
Iris, partially acknowledging his point, said.
“As you say, there will certainly be many difficulties. Nevertheless, if Primus is such a powerful enemy, the more allies we have, the better. Because I don't like disadvantageous fights.”
At Iris' spirited attitude, some of the opposing faction changed their stance.
“That does make sense.”
“We weren't on bad terms with the Goddess Cult from the beginning. The master's words seem more logical.”
Nevertheless, the opinions did not converge into one.
A war of words continued, each insisting they were right.
“Do you truly think we can trust them?”
“This is not a matter of trust, brother. This is a war, and in that case, as the master says, the more allies, the better.”
As the noisy situation continued, Number 1 struck the floor with one foot.
KUNG!
The floor shook so hard as if an earthquake had occurred.
It was a natural result that everyone fell silent.
“You're all noisy. The Unseen Ones do not have the right to think. That is a task only the master can do.”
“…….”
“If the master has decided, we simply follow. Is there anyone who opposes my words?”
No one could easily open their mouth.
To oppose was the same as asking to be killed right here and now.
“Good. Then, it's decided. From now on, we cooperate with the Goddess Cult. I will not permit any further objections.”
At Number 1's words, Iris smirked and looked at him.
Number 1 looked away with an impassive face.
What if her father had been Number 1 instead of Frank?
Iris found herself thinking that she might have lived a much happier life if that had been the case.
***
Meanwhile, at that moment.
Adel was heading to the basement with a tray in one hand.
It was to deliver food to Alvarez.
Only the head of the family could have the key to the basement.
She couldn't ask the servants to do this for her.
Knock, knock.
Adel knocked lightly and threw the door wide open.
A musty smell immediately stimulated her nose.
Even if there was a toilet inside, there were no windows, so it couldn't be ventilated, and since he hadn't washed for days, the stench of decay was overpowering.
Nevertheless, Adel entered without showing any sign of it and gave the meal to Alvarez.
However, Alvarez didn't even look her properly in the eye.
Looking at the floor, she saw that the food she had brought in the morning was untouched.
Adel's gaze returned to Alvarez.
‘He hasn't eaten anything for days.’
His body was as gaunt as it could be.
At this rate, he might die of malnutrition.
Once, she had tried to feed him directly, but the tray had been overturned by Alvarez's strong resistance, so Adel couldn't easily approach him.
Adel placed the tray she brought on the floor and picked up the tray she had left before.
Then she spoke forlornly.
“You might die if you keep this up.”
“…….”
“For the sake of your living parents……”
Adel couldn't continue.
Because Alvarez was glaring at her with a fierce look.
As she was about to turn and leave, she suddenly heard these words.
“You are being deceived, Adel.”
“I told you that's not it!”
“How much do you know about him? No. Has he ever given you any proper information?”
As soon as those words ended, Anceps strongly objected.
“Stop!!”
Adel looked down at Anceps and shouted loudly.
“Both of you, be quiet! I can't stand the sight of any of you!”
Did that scene seem strange?
Alvarez, who until now had only been badmouthing Frank with hazy eyes, had a glint in his.
He observed Anceps closely.
The gaze that was at first filled with curiosity gradually turned to suspicion.
And soon, to anger.
“The sword you are wearing. It's the Demon King's sword, isn't it?”
“Ugh.”
“The person who gave it to you must have been Frank.”
Adel strongly denied it, saying that wasn't true.
“No. I'm the one who chose this sword!”
“Do you really think that sword was your choice? Twin swords aren't common items, are they? Don't you think Frank might have subtly made it catch your eye?”
In that moment.
Adel felt as if she had been hit on the head with a blunt weapon.
Because what Alvarez said sounded plausible.
‘No way… No. It can't be. This is a sword I chose myself.’
But her pupils were trembling violently.
Noticing this, Alvarez raised his voice with momentum.
“It's not too late, Adel! Hurry up and release me, and let's leave this place together! And throw that sword away immediately! That's the cursed sword that killed Bill!”
Bill was Alvarez's younger brother, who was killed by the Demon King.
Feeling uncomfortable being there, Adel quickly picked up the tray, left the room, and went up to the ground floor.
An and Ceps grumbled, but their conversation did not reach Adel's ears.
Because Alvarez's words were still echoing in her head.
***
Should Adel be the one bringing food to Alvarez?
Alvarez held a torch for Adel, and the two were childhood friends.
They took the knight exam on the same day, with Adel passing at the top of her class
and that fellow passing as the runner-up.
As it was bothering me, I stood at the basement entrance and waited for Adel to come out.
I was going to tell her that it would be better for me to bring Alvarez his food myself from now on.
Soon, I heard footsteps, and the basement door opened.
‘What's wrong with her?’
Adel's condition was strange.
She was even breaking out in a cold sweat. Did she hear something strange from Alvarez?
I immediately grabbed Adel and asked.
“Adel, are you alright?”
Only then did Adel notice my presence, startled, and she stepped back.
It was as if she had returned to the time when she was initially wary of me.
I thought we had gotten much closer recently, so it would be a lie to say I wasn't disappointed.
Adel looked at me with a sorrowful face and asked weakly.
“Please answer me honestly.”
“What is it?”
“What are you hiding from me, Father? Do you truly think of me as your daughter?”
For a moment, I was angry.
If you weren't my daughter, then who in the world could be?
For your sake, I even had to make statements that were close to threats to the Marquis.
‘Are you still doubting me?’
But I was her father.
Reading the anxiety in Adel's eyes, I realized what I needed to do now was not to get angry, but to reassure her.
After taking a deep breath, I blurted out.
“Let's take a little walk.”
Fortunately, Adel also nodded her head.