My Demons - Chapter 235
Only Krnovel
My Villains Episode 235
48. Artist (2)
My chest feels tight and I can’t breathe.
Because of regret. I regret that I should have talked a little more and hugged her tighter.
The black disk, no, the dream gateway did not allow me time to suffer or to reflect on my brief encounter with Jiwon.
Unlike previous dreams where I was the first to pass through the gate, this time I was the last to step forward.
As soon as I landed on the flagstone floor, I looked around out of habit.
Following the quiet sound of waves, a cool breeze passed by my ears. Next, a familiar scenery came into view.
The shattered old moon, the night sea sparkling as if scattered glass fragments, a castle that is partly collapsed and partly blackened, a temporary lighthouse emitting bright light, and street vendors covered with cloth.
A place where I used to wander every morning, drooling, consumed by desire, in the darkness deep in my heart… … .
“It’s South Harbor.”
“… … “I see.”
Just as Utequai was about to say something, a figure suddenly jumped out from the shadows between the stalls.
“trunnion!”
A large conical hat, loose robes, hair like golden fleece, and eyes that look like they are studded with jewels. A girl so beautiful that the darkness quickly recedes.
“••••••Ellen!”
Ellen ran straight towards me, and I immediately picked up the guy who was in my arms.
“Poi 1”
“Ellen. Sorry, I’m late, right?”
“Yes, yes. It’s late.”
Ellen’s voice was full of moisture.
“Sorry.”
“no. “Because I came, because I came, it’s okay.”
Joy and relief surged at the finally reunion with Ellen, and the emotions intensified by meeting Jiwon were added to it.
Strength goes into the arms that hug my trembling shoulders and slender back.
“Uh, su, breath.”
“Oh sorry. “How long have you been waiting?”
“Well, I don’t know exactly. It feels like I’ve been waiting for days, and sometimes it feels like less than an hour has passed… …
Ellen wrapped her arms around my neck and hung on to me, burying her face in my chest for a long time. I gently stroked her head until she calmed down. The scent of lime that I smelled for the first time in a long time calms my hectic heart.
“We have to move.”
Hayla, who was looking around with quiet eyes, spoke quietly.
“I never know when this dream might collapse.”
“… … “This dream too?”
At those words, Ellen slightly raised her head. She shed so many tears that her eyelids are swollen.
“What does that mean?”
“Well, that is.”
I told him that this was a dream world created based on our nightmares and bad memories, that I had already crossed the dream gate seven times, and that most of the dreams I had passed ended with them collapsing.
Even as the brief explanation continued, Ellen was held in my arms the entire time. She seems to have no tongue before she wants to get away from me.
Moongchi, who was looking at the scenery of South Harbor with curious eyes, was suddenly circling around Ellen and me. While doing so, he glanced at Ellen with envious eyes… … .
Sorry, bunch. Because appeasing Ellen is the priority right now.
“… … “I guess the dream territory was built that way.”
Ellen sighed as she remembered Kelsene’s words from my explanation. Then she suddenly turned her head.
“however,”
The person whose bright blue eyes were aimed at was none other than Heyla.
“Why do I feel magical power? “It hasn’t been long since I gave you the potion.”
“Poy treated me.”
Hayla, who received attention, touched the Milky Way gloves on both hands and continued speaking.
“The magic suppression potion finished its effect during the treatment process.”
“••••••what?”
Ellen turned her head towards me and I shrugged.
“Hyla was seriously injured, so we treated her, and for some reason, her magical powers were restored.”
“What treatment did you do?”
“Blood transfusion. “This is the method I used when you were attacked by Luke, don’t you remember?”
“You did the same thing to that woman?”
«Ugh» Hmm*
“No, that’s… …
Ellen, whose lips were trembling for a moment, asked a question with a stern expression.
“At that time, wasn’t it an urgent situation, so it was written as an improvisation?”
“Oh, right. This time too, it was an urgent situation. “Hayla’s injuries are so severe.”
Before I could finish speaking, Ellen snapped back, looking angry.
“But still, you are a blood magician. “There’s no way that treatment that involves pouring blood would be good for you.”
“You say the same thing as Heyla. “I’m perfectly fine, so don’t worry.”
“but… …
The guy trailed off and bit his lower lip. And he glanced back at Heyla again.
“So, are you leaving her alone like that?”
“… … Uh, then?”
“I don’t have any potions right now, so I’ll have to take the magic tools and tie them up.”
“O uh…”
— rg •
I took a quick look at Hayla’s eyes. She had an expressionless face. Her eyes were the same as usual, so it was difficult to understand her intentions.
But one thing was certain: that expressionless expression did not mean emotionlessness. Hayla was not good at expressing herself, but she knew how to feel emotions like everyone else.
While I was worried about Hayla’s feelings, I also completely understood Ellen’s attitude.
He witnessed the massacre committed by Hayla in Longville and was even kidnapped by her. It’s strange if there’s no hostility. When I glanced back at the group, it seemed like no one was leaving.
Utequai was quietly observing the situation with his arms crossed, Munggi was looking at me with bright eyes, and Kol was scanning the unfamiliar port city with wary eyes.
In the end, as expected, I was the only one who could handle the situation.
“Well, Ellen. “You don’t have to worry about Hayla.”
“… … “What does that mean?”
“That means nothing like last time will happen again.” I said, ‘Right?’ Hayla glanced at Ellen as she gave her a glare, and then she slowly nodded her head.
Ellen, who was looking at the two of us in turn, burst into laughter as if she was dumbfounded.
“Ha, do you believe that?”
“Well, we made an oath, and we resolved any misunderstandings through conversation.”
“So, I’m asking you if you believe it.”
“… … huh. “So to speak.”
As Ellen’s face distorted, I quickly added.
“Of course, if you really want to, you can do as you say. But I wish I didn’t do that.”
“why?”
“Uh, that’s right… …
The person I was choosing to speak to, Ute Kwai, suddenly intervened.
“It’s creating traitors.”
“… … What are you talking about?”
“It means that your words and attitude create traitors and thieves.”
As Ellen narrowed her eyes, Utequoi crossed his arms and continued speaking.
“Heyla, I know it’s dangerous. As a warrior, I am suspicious and wary. Suspicion and vigilance are important for a warrior.”
“… … however?”
“Phoenix is different. “He is a warrior and a leader.”
I have always felt that Utequai must be quite an eloquent speaker.
“A bad leader, suspicious and oppressive of the group. Those who do not receive faith become traitors and thieves.”
Of course, my Milanese language is a bit awkward, but it wasn’t that difficult to understand thanks to the clear pronunciation and simple speaking style. It was a talent not very suitable for a berserker.
“A good leader hides suspicion and caution. It shows faith and the way. Those who believe in him become his subordinates and warriors.”
“… … So, we should trust Heyla?”
“right. If you cannot trust them, you must chase them out or kill them. “Do you want that?”
Ellen pouted her lips at Utequai’s hollow gaze. Judging by the expression on his face, it seems like finishing is up to me.
“Ellen.”
Oh O ”
As I gently brushed his hair and whispered to him, the fluffy hairs on his cute ears stood up.
“There’s nothing to worry about. “I will guarantee it.”
The guy shrugged his shoulders as if his ears were tickling, then buried his face in my chest, muttering, ‘Do whatever you want.’
Damn, it’s cute.
After somehow resolving the conflict, he comforted Ellen. And I carefully brought out the question I had been harboring for a while.
“By the way, Ellen.”
“huh.”
“Why South Harbor?”
“••••••what?”
“So, your dream.”
Did you not understand what I meant? Ellen made no reply.
“The dreams of Heilana Atalanta and Utequoi… … Hmm, should I say hometown? That was the setting.
So I thought your dream would be Tirin Mel or La-Palais Palace.”
The guy hesitated for a moment and then revealed his guess.
“… … “Maybe it’s because this is a space related to dreams?”
“What are you talking about?”
“I told you this every time. I meditate often, so I don’t dream often. So, the dream territory must have been built differently from others.”
“is it? But don’t you also have few regular dreams, and do you sometimes have nightmares?”
“That’s right, but… …
Ellen, who trailed off, soon frowned.
“Oh, I don’t know. The vampire who created the Dream Territory would know. And, this is a quasi-dimension influenced by the world of illusion.”
“Oh, that’s right.”
“It’s not strange that there is no regularity in the functioning of the circadian system, so why are you asking about that?”
I laughed and pinched the guy’s cheek as he looked like he was either upset or straight-faced.
“Ugh-”
“Uuu, why don’t you speak politely?”
“Oh, oh my,”
“It just kills me to be so proud of someone who only believes in a pretty face.”
“Hey, don’t say anything weird!”
Ellen threw away my hand and got angry with her face red. Her appearance wasn’t cute at all.
Meanwhile, regardless of what he said, I was able to roughly guess why Ellen’s dream was in this place.
It’s probably because I was stabbed by a guard’s spear the day I first arrived in South Harbor. At that time, he also lost one of his teacher’s keepsakes, the ‘Baton of the West Wind’, so it was no wonder that it remained a nightmare.
But when I compared this dream with that time, there were a few differences.
It was daytime at the time, but this dream is nighttime. The existence of temporary lighthouses and old turrets (M 砲塔) that were built after the creeping dragon, or rather, the underground lord ran amok… … .
Well, as Ellen said, questioning this level of difference was ridiculous. Because this is a quasi-dimension that is influenced by the world.
“Eh,”
It was then. The bundle that was looking at me almost in tears suddenly widened its eyes and turned its head toward the market.
“… … “Is it a bunch?”
“Someone is coming.”
I quickly tried to sense his words, but it was in vain. This is because the sound of people coming from far beyond the market was loud enough for anyone to hear.
Plop, plod.
“The sound of footsteps is the same.”
Just as Cole said, it sounded like someone was walking helplessly. The group naturally raised their weapons and took a alert stance,
“••••••no.”
Ellen, who was in my arms, became thoughtful and muttered something.
“This, this can’t be done.”
“Ellen?”
Ellen trembled and stuttered with a look of horror on her face.
“Go, we have to go, quickly!”
“You’re going, where are you going?”
“Uh, huh.”
Ellen, who was looking around, struggled to get out of my arms.
“Ellen, what are you doing!”
As if he couldn’t hear my voice, he took out a wand from his pocket and started reciting a spell at rapid fire.
“-Gelidus ventus, ostende te!”
Vibrations spread out from the tip of the gray wand. Then, cold air began to gather and freeze the surrounding air.
“Viotus, bestial”
Ellen swung the wand while spitting out the last starter word. Then boom! With a loud noise, a white figure appeared as if it had jumped out of the wand.
Crrrrr.
The monster made of frost and eyes growled fiercely.
The size of an ox, limbs and head resembling a wolf, wings that look like they were carved out of ice… … .
It was a ‘Frost Beast’ summoned with a rank 2 cold spell.
Plop, plod.
Footsteps rang again.
“Ite!”
At Ellen’s urgent cry, the frost beast kicked the ground.
The monster flapped its ice wings and leaped 4 to 5 meters at a time, disappearing in an instant in the direction from which it was heard.
“Ugh, follow me!”
After letting go of the frost beast, Ellen grabbed my wrist and started running towards a dock.
I wanted to ask what was going on, but the fear, anxiety, and desperation I felt from Ellen blocked my questions.
“Can we keep going like this?”
“That’s right.”
He picked Ellen up from behind and ran at full speed.
Perhaps they had learned a lesson from experiencing various dreams, but rather than trying to understand the situation, the group ran after us. It was a wise decision.
at that time,
“Ahhh-”
A beautiful singing voice, like that of a soprano, was heard.
”AA AA AA-!”
A sad voice and a strange tune that goes well with that tone.
It was a truly magical singing voice that held your ankles tightly.
“Do not look back!”
Ellen shouted desperately and chanted the spell again.
“Ventum av~em,”
A familiar order. It must be summoning the ‘spirit of dance’.
“Saltare!”
Guooooh.
The dancing spirit, divided into two streams, threw itself to the left and right of the pier, raising spray and whirlpools.
“AA AA AA. iced coffee-!” The singing voice reached its peak. Even though she was running with all her might, the dock seemed to have no end in sight.
“… … uh.”
No, isn’t it? Am I running right now? I think I’m just standing still and listening to the song.
Meanwhile, Ellen was memorizing the third spell. This is a very familiar order.
“Lumfere!”
As the blazing fireball flew over my head, I was finally drawn to the sound of a song and looked back.
“Aaaah, ahhh/”
There was a woman standing on the dock in the distance. The beautiful silhouette of her voluminous hair and bewitching body takes her breath away… … .
Just as I was looking at her face as if I was fascinated.
Quang!
A fireball exploded in the air.
For some reason, the frost beast that Ellen had summoned was caught in the explosion and the mountain was shattered.
At that moment, the vortex created by the dancing spirits was also crossing on the dock. Thanks to this, the explosion of the fireball swallowed up even the spray of water.
Cheeeeeek.
Due to the heat of the explosion, the stream of water rising into the air boiled violently.
“Lumfere!”
A second fireball exploded.
The water boiled again with a ‘chi-ik’ sound, and my vision became blurred as if there was fog… … .
“Come to your senses, you idiot!”
“Hey, X-arm.”
I woke up feeling mentally upset by Ellen’s yelling.
“What on earth is that?”
“Run first, run first, please!”
I quickly turned around and saw Ute Kwai staggering and regaining his bearings amidst the thick steam.
Munch and Kol were rolling around on the dock in a daze, and Hayla was holding on to their ankles and screaming.
“We have to run away before the song starts again!”
At those words, Utequai slapped his face. Then he started running again, carrying the bundle and call on his shoulders.
“Faster!”
While Utequai, I, and Hayla were running as fast as we could, Ellen, who was in my arms, was firing spells at the back.
Let’s do that for a while.
We finally reached the end of the dock and spotted a black disk floating in the sea.
“Go first!”
“Tsk, Poi, no! “Wait a minute-”
Ellen screamed urgently, but I suddenly grabbed him and threw him beyond the dream gate.
“Utekwai, hurry!”
“I am going right now!”
Utequai, which ran like a bull with a wad and call attached, stomped its feet so that the dock was turned off, and immediately disappeared inside the black disk.
“Ugh, huh-”
“Heyla!”
Finally, Hayla was running slowly, panting as if she would run out of breath at any moment.
“No, are you going to die just by jumping a little?”
My health is not 11 points, but 21 points?
I quickly ran over and picked her up as if by snatching her.
Hayla, who was hanging limply on my arm, was panting and muttering, ‘I’m not good at this.’
So what are you good at? I wanted to ask, but the song started again, so I gritted my teeth and played with my legs.
“Ahh, ah, ah.
The voice, which felt familiar after hearing it so many times, sang in a lyrical melody this time too.
I don’t know anything about music, but how come in that song… … The longing felt like an unreasonable emotion.
“Just once, just once, let me—
I wanted to turn my head to the mournful singing, but I bit my lip until it bled to steady myself.
And finally, I jumped into the gateway of dreams. Unlike before, a dim light was visible beyond the dark passage.