SAAE 31

Chapter 31

‘A portal?’

So something like that existed.

The fakes were using it to move freely between these different spaces.

“What if we take that necklace from them?”

I asked again.

“Then they’d all be trapped here and wouldn’t be able to go anywhere else, right?”

The first nodded, saying that was correct.

“I see……”

If we could just get our hands on that necklace, we could shake them off.

I immediately shared this newly learned information with Isael as well.

To move to the other space with the door, we needed the necklace that the fake Beatrice had, and the key to open the door was in the possession of the fake Dominic.

“So we have to steal those from them to move on to the next floor.”

Isael nodded as if he understood.

“So either way, we need to secure the necklace they have.”

“Right.”

“Now we have a clear reason to take it from them, even if we have to kill them.”

Wow… that killing intent is intense.

‘Still, I’m glad Isael is here.’

He was incredibly reassuring.

The lower we went, the worse the environment became.

‘If I were alone, I’d be completely lost.’

No matter how much I knew, actually experiencing it was a different matter altogether.

Of course, I had the vengeful spirits with me.

But having someone I could rely on at my side was truly a huge blessing.

Isael jerked his chin toward the first and asked,

“Now that that thing is back, are we heading out right away as planned?”

I frowned deeply.

“That thing?”

“You mean the first, okay?”

“……”

When I called him out, he pressed his lips shut.

He clearly had no intention of calling him that, even if it killed him.

Clicking my tongue softly at Isael dodging the issue, I refocused.

Anyway, now that we knew the way out of here involved the necklace, we had to move.

But—

“I’ve changed my mind. I think we should regroup before going after them.”

“Regroup?”

“Yeah. I’m feeling uneasy.”

There were two items we needed to take from them.

But since we didn’t know how strong the fakes really were, I couldn’t help but worry.

Isael asked in a low voice,

“What’s making you uneasy?”

I let out a small sigh and turned around.

The third, still groaning in pain, came into view.

“I told you earlier. It seems like our kids’ powers aren’t working on them.”

“Yeah.”

It was probably because this was a special space created by demonic power.

That might be why the spirits’ abilities couldn’t fully manifest.

“If we can’t use their powers, escaping from here won’t be easy.”

The fact that my greatest asset—the power of the vengeful spirits—wasn’t effective was a huge variable.

Isael said he’d handle everything himself so I wouldn’t have to use my power, but…

‘That’s not possible.’

To escape this tower, even using all the resources we had might not be enough.

I took a bean out of my pocket, ate it, and began to speak.

“Actually, my mana’s been dropping pretty fast since earlier. So I was thinking…”

“I figured.”

Isael frowned.

“That thing’s continuously consuming your mana to maintain the spell, isn’t it?”

“Not that. It’s the third.”

“……”

Isael stared at me silently.

His expression clearly said, Is that really what matters right now?

I ignored him and rummaged through my pocket.

“Oh, right. I’ll give you some too.”

“No. I’m fine.”

Isael shook his head.

“I’ve rested enough, and unlike you, I’m not using mana.”

Convinced, I decided to save his share of the beans for later.

“Alright. But tell me immediately if you need it, okay?”

“Sure.”

I tightened the cloth pouch and tucked it inside my underwear.

Isael abruptly turned his head away like he’d seen something he shouldn’t have.

‘It’s not like this is the first time he’s seen me do that.’

It was oddly fascinating how he reacted like that every single time.

“Anyway, I think it’d be good to at least grab more weapons before we go—”

As I said that and looked around, Isael spoke up.

“If you’re looking for my sword, it’s not here.”

“Huh?”

“I looked earlier too. It’s gone.”

He continued casually.

“My sword broke when I fought the knights while entering the temple. That’s probably why it’s not in this room.”

…Hmm.

I didn’t know what to say.

‘He must’ve been desperate.’

To save his sibling, Isael must have fought those knights with everything he had.

I hadn’t seen it, but I could easily imagine what it was like.

Seeing me fall silent, Isael changed the subject.

“There’s an armory in the imperial palace.”

“An armory?”

Isael nodded.

“If this place was created based on my memories, then the armory should exist too.”

“Where is it? Is it close?”

“No.”

He shook his head lightly and explained.

“The armory’s in the annex. The passage to the annex is at the far north end of the first floor.”

“North…? That’s the complete opposite direction, isn’t it?”

We were currently on the third floor of the palace, at the very southern end.

I glanced at the third.

“Will our third be able to hold on until we get there?”

Before I could finish worrying, the first’s voice rang out.

—Possible.

The second lifted the third into their arms, and the first added firmly,

—Let’s go.

“Guys…”

The way the spirits tried so hard for our sake was unbearably touching.

“Alright. Let’s hurry and see if there’s anything useful.”

I said cheerfully, tightening my bag.

The second, holding the third, moved to my side.

When the first stood close beside me as well, Isael quietly opened the door.

A silent corridor was revealed.

“It doesn’t look like there’s anyone on this floor.”

Isael said after peeking out and scanning the surroundings.

“But we should stay cautious, just in case.”

Isael took the lead.

Together with the spirits, I followed him out of the bedroom.

That was when—

—Danger!

Something suddenly grabbed my arm tightly.

“Ah!”

Startled, I flinched violently and turned my head.

A pale—no, deathly white—arm was sticking out of the wall, gripping me.

A chill ran through my entire body.

“Rosette!”

Isael rushed over at my scream and reached out his hand.

I reached for him too.

But before our hands could touch, a powerful force yanked me away, and I was sucked straight into the wall.

“Are you coming to?”

A refined, antique-style reception room.

On the table at its center was a full spread of food.

And I was sitting in front of it.

‘What is this… a dream?’

I blinked blankly, unable to grasp the situation, when a voice tinged with amusement spoke.

“You must be hungry. Shall we eat first and talk afterward?”

I lifted my head and saw a familiar face smiling leisurely.

‘What would happen if I spat in that face…?’

Dominic.

No—more precisely, something wearing Dominic’s skin.

He was slowly cutting into a delicious-looking steak with a knife.

‘Disgusting.’

I blinked irritably a few times and looked around.

It was a very familiar place.

This was none other than the first prince’s reception room.

Back when I frequently came and went from the palace with Dominic, I often waited for him here while he spent time with the first prince.

Sometimes the three of us would drink tea here together.

“You’re not eating?”

“……”

“You must be really hungry. Why not eat a little?”

The fake Dominic urged me again as I sat there blankly.

I let out a hollow laugh.

‘Like I’d eat that, not knowing what might happen.’

No way.

Turning my head away from him, I focused on the faint presence I’d been sensing for a while now.

It was very weak, but I could feel the spirits’ energy.

‘The kids are bringing Isael here.’

I fumbled through my bag and gripped my dagger.

The key hanging around the fake Dominic’s neck looked extremely tempting.

“…Doesn’t seem like you plan to behave.”

He spoke as if he’d read my thoughts.

“I like good kids, you know.”

“……”

“Our Rosie used to be such a good kid. That’s why I liked you.”

“Cut the bullshit.”

When I snarled through clenched teeth, he burst into laughter.

“Haha. Why are you so angry?”

Do I look like someone who wouldn’t be angry right now?

I glared at him viciously.

“What do you want from me?”

“I told you already.”

He smiled slyly.

“I want to talk.”

What, did a ghost die because it couldn’t talk enough or something?

Still, at least he didn’t seem intent on killing me right away.

“What do you want to talk about?”

“Hmm…”

He stabbed the steak over and over with his knife before continuing.

“Well then, why don’t we start by talking about your power?”