The Cursed Beast Caught My Leash - Chapter 25

“Why do you follow such a cruel tradition?”

“Because it’s difficult to take one’s own life. Besides, it’s rather unsightly to behead someone who isn’t even a criminal.”

Stella swallowed hard, holding back the words that questioned whether voluntarily entering an iron cage to be shot by one’s subordinates was a good look.

However, it was the best method that had been attempted over many generations.

To allow Peruno to live as long as possible as a person and meet his death with dignity, the ritual had to be performed before winter came when he turned twenty-eight.

Sadly, by that time, he was nearing the period when he would become more monstrous, and his bloodline possessed a tenacious life force like that of a vine. Even if he drank poison, his innards would rot and fester, but he would not die.

Therefore, he would literally be shot with crossbow bolts until death. Compared to immediate executions like hanging or beheading, it was a method that maintained a minimal degree of dignity while being the most effective.

The reason for entering the iron cage was to ensure that Peruno, who could turn into a monster at any moment, couldn’t harm people. Entrusting his death to the hands of loyal subordinates was also an honorable ritual.

“So, stop thinking you’re wasting your time and do your best, will you? Even if you don’t find the gem, I’ll let you out once the time limit is over.”

“What if I’m not the Mind’s Eye you’ve been looking for?” Stella, who had been quietly listening, asked. Her slender hand began to fiddle with the pendant again.

Islay watched her bare anxiety and confusion before speaking softly, “I think it’s too early to conclude. I don’t want to give up the last hope I’ve found with my own hands.”

Stella’s eyes flickered as she gazed up at him. It wasn’t just the light from the campfire. She avoided his gaze, curling up her body. She breathed evenly, then opened her eyes wide.

She realized the identity of the complex emotion seeping into her heart like paint.

‘…This is absurd.’

To think she felt sorry for this man.

Stella sighed inwardly, placing a hand on her forehead. Despite being fully aware of her situation, she felt pity for Islay.

The man sitting beside her was much older than she was, the very person who had kidnapped her to Calis, and a sturdy man who wouldn’t blink even if stabbed with a knife.

To feel pity for such a man was preposterous, yet the warm feeling spreading in a corner of her heart wouldn’t easily fade.

Stella had also gone through a long period of unrest, but she had someone to rely on.

A relative whose fate was unknown, but just recalling the memories of their childhood together sometimes brought her comfort.

But Islay had nothing. She couldn’t even imagine the feelings of a boy who had to kill his father with his own hands at the age of fifteen.

“You should get some sleep. The nights in Calis are long, and it’s easy for anyone to fall into futile thoughts.”

“…I will.”

Stella pulled the tunic he had given her over her curled-up legs, completely covering them. Her toes peeked out from under the hem, wiggling slightly.

As he said, the nights in Calis were long. If only she could cast out the questions and thoughts filling her mind and sleep peacefully. She doubted it was possible to sleep in such a damp and dark cave, but…

Without a word, a damp silence lingered. It was impossible to tell how much time had passed.

Islay, who had been staring straight ahead with a dry expression, noticed the subtle nodding motion beside him. The thumping heartbeat that had been resonating seemed to have calmed, as Stella, half-conscious, was nodding off.

Her slightly upturned golden eyelashes fluttered slowly shut. Islay reached out to support her face as it repeatedly fell forward. As Stella jerked her head down, her soft lips brushed against his palm.

It was a tender and ticklish sensation. Islay froze, holding her face like a statue. It was strange. His heart hadn’t pounded this wildly even when he saw her dazzling naked body.

He gently leaned her small head against the cave wall. Stella, oblivious to the world, fell deeply asleep, unaware of the eyes staring intently at her.

A faint fragrance emanated from her exposed neck. Islay held his breath, heightening his senses. His keen sense of smell could detect the unique scent that every person carried, like a fingerprint.

Despite her dusty appearance, the woman exuded a sweet aroma. It was akin to the scent of blooming spring flowers, fresh and luscious fruits. If he were to describe it, it would be close to those. It was a scent that subtly bewitched him, like thin paper soaking in pale-colored paint.

A person’s scent was strongest where their pulse beat and where moisture gathered. If he buried his face in the dampest parts of her body, he could fully savor this sweet scent….

Driven by unconscious impulses, his pupils dilated so much that his red irises were barely visible.

Islay slowly leaned his face toward the sleeping woman, unaware that he resembled a black beast that had found its prey.

Her parted lips, revealing the tips of her small teeth, were rosy. Islay savored her erratic breaths before lowering his gaze.

Her neck, exposed beneath her lifted chin, was unusually straight and slender. Just imagining grasping it with one hand brought to mind her pretty face turning blue and struggling.

If he leisurely admired her face, bloodless and trembling, before releasing his grip, the mark left on her neck like a crimson band would be quite a sight.

Leaving a different kind of mark, like a scar, wouldn’t be so bad either, even if it wasn’t on her neck….

Base instincts flared up like flames. Islay, breathing intermittently, unconsciously reached out. Just then, a pendant came into view in his darkened eyes.

He redirected his hand to open the locket. With a clicking sound, a faded portrait was revealed.

The face was indistinguishable from frequent fiddling. He had heard it was a family portrait, and one could barely guess it depicted a single person. Only by paying close attention could one notice the golden hair, similar to hers.

“…Mmm.”

Stella, uncomfortable against the hard stone wall, shifted her shoulders and let her head fall gently onto his chest.

At that moment, a sliver of rationality appeared in Islay’s foggy mind, like mist clearing away. Regaining his focus, he silently exhaled and ran a hand over his face.

This was not normal. To be excited by the sight of a woman who had fallen asleep out of sheer exhaustion and fear. For a moment, he had almost completely lost his senses, his mind reeling.

Outside the cave, the soothing sound of rain pattering down could be heard.

He wondered if running out into the pouring rain and getting drenched would help. Perhaps the cold downpour could cool the heat that was building up within him.

However, instead of getting up, he carefully held Stella’s head and let it rest on his shoulder.

Even in her sleep, the woman continued to tremble. The effects of the Lobid were taking time to kick in, so he intended to share his warmth until then.

Stella breathed more deeply, seemingly comforted by the heat from their bodies. She wriggled slightly, burrowing closer to his chest.

Islay could only let out a soft sigh as she clung to him, unable to push her away. He clung to his sanity by a thin thread.

As the silent night passed, he spent those hours in complex contemplation. It was no surprise that he didn’t get a wink of sleep until the first light of dawn began to break.

***

Stella, who had been in a deep sleep, slowly regained her senses. Her vision was blurry, but she could make out the broad back of a man. The sound of crackling firewood and the savory smell of meat being roasted gradually reached her awakening senses.

Islay, who immediately sensed her stirring, turned to look at her.

“Awake?” His voice, coming from where he sat by the campfire, was slightly hoarse.

“…Yes.”

Rubbing her eyes, Stella sat up. The fabric that had been covering her up to her chin slid off. It was Islay’s cloak, now stiff and dry.

She didn’t remember using his cloak as a sleeping bag, so he must have covered her with it during the night. Moreover, she recalled a comforting warmth enveloping her tightly….

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m okay… much better.”

Stella glanced toward the cave’s entrance. Only the faint sound of rain could be heard; it was difficult to tell the time from inside the cave’s depths.

“Is it morning already?”

“Yes. Dawn is approaching. The rain should stop soon, so we can have breakfast and then depart.”

Islay, who had informed her of the plan, patted the spot beside him. It was an invitation to join him by the campfire.