The Monster Lady and the Holy Knight - Chapter 52

“Keeping the assimilated one close is dangerous.”

That was Leon’s counsel to the princess. The mention of the monster sparked something hot inside her again.

“Just so you know, just touching you makes me sick to my stomach.”

Until she heard those words last night, she hadn’t realized it at all. She sometimes thought he was being mean, but she never believed he truly hated her. She had no idea that he was merely suppressing his revulsion out of necessity.

“Thank you. It is an honor beyond measure.” Veronica clenched her fists tightly on her lap and offered her thanks to the princess, almost defiantly.

Knowing how Leon felt, there was no reason for her to stay at that inn any longer. She hated herself for feeling miserable instead of triumphant, but for now, she wanted to repay Leon somehow, even if it meant tearing away at her own heart. Now he would have to fear that Veronica might reveal everything between them to the princess.

The princess smiled at Veronica, who deliberately avoided eye contact, and spoke casually, “Whatever you’re doing, you must stop immediately and come whenever I call for you. Otherwise, you may use the archives freely during your time here. On that note, why don’t you show my new friend to an empty room?”

At her kind words, one of the maids approached Veronica. It was a polite way to dismiss her.

“From now on, allow no other guests in. I may be angry if I am interrupted,” added the princess gently.

Veronica chose not to think about what the two of them might do after she left. Sometimes thoughts are just self-inflicted torment.

“Oh, if you have belongings to collect, inform my maid. There’s no need to return to that inn.”

Veronica stopped in her tracks and turned back. Keeping her eyes on Leon, she responded with the utmost politeness, “Thank you, Your Highness, but I have nothing left there. My only possession, my sword, was broken yesterday.”

Clang.

The large double doors closed behind her.

Veronica followed the maid down the long hallway, with about half a dozen soldiers trailing behind them. Given that she was a monster who had crushed a man’s head the previous day, it was clear they were there not as guards but to keep her under surveillance.

At eye level, expensive glass windows lined the corridor, offering a panoramic view of the snow-covered Blasen Mountains framed like a magnificent painting. The white sunlight shattered across the snowy peaks and black cliffs. Somewhere out there lay Bahamut, still connected to her, curled up like a fetus in the womb.

Come to think of it, it had been a long time since she last saw a vision of “it.”

It was the moment she thought that.

Thump. Her heart pounded, and Bahamut, curled up in her mind, opened its eyes wide. A shiver ran from her head to her toes.

What is this vision?

Veronica froze mid-step, staring at the image. “It” was looking at her. She wasn’t sure if it made sense, but somehow she felt as if she was making eye contact with an imagination. This was logically impossible. Usually, she looked at the world from within it. This was different—like an illusion, perhaps.

Found you.

As the voice echoed in her mind, Veronica drew in a sharp breath, startling the maid ahead of her, who turned around with a puzzled look.

“Is there a problem?”

“…I need to go back.”

“What?”

“I need to go back. I have something to tell Her Highness.”

Veronica’s voice trembled as she spoke. The maid, briefly taken aback, quickly regained her composure.

“If you give me the message, I will report it when the time is right.”

“No. I need to tell her right now.”

Found you? What? Whom?

It was as if someone had found a mouse hiding secretly in her head. A dreadful premonition overcame her, as though something was about to happen. At the same time, her mind raced back to the vision she had previously seen. The Bahamut that had filled Aseldorf. They were at the inn where Veronica had stayed and all over the gates.

Veronica steadied her trembling legs and turned to the soldiers behind her.

“It’s urgent. One of you must go tell His Majesty, or anyone you can reach, that ‘it,’ which has been hibernating, has awoken. I have a bad feeling about this.”

One of the soldiers flinched at her gaze and even took a step back. It seemed something was off about her eyes.

Her heart pounded ominously, like a drum.

“Hurry!”

At her insistence, one of the soldiers exchanged glances with the others before backing away. She couldn’t be sure he would relay her exact words, but he would report something unusual.

If she had been an ordinary commoner, they wouldn’t have cared. But right now, they were genuinely terrified of her. The duel from yesterday had clearly spread rumors throughout the palace. It was fortunate, in a way. Even the high-ranking maid couldn’t refuse Veronica’s gaze and muttered nervously.

“T-then we shall return to see Princess Johanna. Follow me.”

The maid, frightened, quickened her pace.

Though she walked in a daze, it took them some time to return. As they neared the ornate doors, the maid turned around to say something. At that moment, a deafening noise erupted nearby. A scream, the maid collapsing, her vision shaking.

The ground shook violently. The servants standing in the hallway fell into chaos. Veronica managed to maintain her balance, but the impact did not cease.

Before she could comprehend what was happening, the sounds of explosions and tremors continued to follow.

She saw gray smoke rising beyond the window. She wasn’t sure, but it seemed like cannon fire—very close, too.

The next moment, the door burst open, and Leon walked out. He gestured at the knights standing guard by the door, issued a few instructions, and started down the hallway, only to stop in his tracks.

“What are you still doing here?”

It surprised her that he noticed her standing in the corner amidst the chaos. Veronica struggled to hide her confusion as she spoke.

“You’re going outside, aren’t you? Take me with you.”

“Not now. Move.”

“It’s me they’re looking for.”

She grabbed his arm as he tried to pass her, and Leon frowned, looking down. For him, it must not have been much strength, but he didn’t shake her off.

“I heard a voice. They’re firing around the palace on purpose to draw me out.”

Whatever response he gave was lost as the world turned white from another explosion. This one must have been right beside them—the windows shattered, and shards flew inwards. All sounds were swallowed by the explosion, leaving only a muted void.

A powerful force pulled her, and her vision went black. She regained her senses when something hot touched her cheek. Veronica looked up and froze. Blood was dripping down Leon’s face as he crouched over her protectively. He had been hit by a shard of glass.

“Blood…”

Why? Was it his instinct as a knight? Or was it because she was the assimilated one he needed to protect?

The moment she met his gaze, Veronica involuntarily pushed him away. Leon let her go without resistance, his expression unreadable.

“Are you hurt anywhere?”

She could only understand him by reading his lips amidst the chaos. When she numbly shook her head, the conversation ended. Leon grabbed her arm and started pulling her toward the stairs. Practically running to keep up with his quick pace, she winced at the pain in her wrist, and Leon immediately let go.

It was surely by accident, as he wasn’t one to care for her comfort.

“Where are you going?”

She finally found her voice as they reached the stables. Leon gave a curt response.

“The city wall.”

The horse kicked off the ground, galloping out of the palace. Veronica briefly wondered if Leon, tasked with guarding the princess, should be leaving her, but such doubts vanished as soon as she saw the surroundings.

The palace, directly hit by cannon fire, was in complete disarray. The memories from her past surged, and she trembled uncontrollably. Fortunately, the artillery fire had ceased. But as they approached the city wall, a different kind of doubt arose. There was no trace of Bahamut anywhere.

What on earth is happening?

Finally, as they reached a checkpoint controlling access, Leon dismounted and approached a soldier who seemed to be in charge. Apparently familiar with Leon, the soldier let them through without hesitation.

“We are currently investigating the situation. All soldiers stationed at the wall acted simultaneously, which delayed our response. We have neutralized and dealt with them all.”

The soldier explained, glancing nervously at Veronica, who was listening in. Leon quickly understood the implication.

“Were they assimilated?”

“Yes. Would you like to see for yourself? Sir Wittelsbach is also present.”

Assimilated? It wasn’t Bahamut invading?

Veronica’s eyes widened.

Assimilated humans couldn’t survive more than half a day. To move as they did, they would have had to encounter Bahamut within that time. But Kart was completely sealed off.

Her mounting questions were answered the moment she climbed the wall to see the bodies.

Bahamut stretched across the horizon as far as the eye could see. They hadn’t approached the wall but stood at even intervals on the snowy, partially melted ground. No matter where she looked, there were hideous red eyes dotting the landscape. The sheer number made her shiver. The assimilated humans who fired the cannons must have locked eyes with Bahamut beyond the wall.

Though she had glimpsed the scene in visions, seeing it in person was different. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from the changed landscape. Perhaps she, too, had been lulled by the seemingly cozy safety of Kart. How easy it was to forget danger just by not looking outside.

“Wasn’t it ordered that only soldiers in their early twenties be stationed on the wall?”

“Yes, that order was given, and we reassigned all older personnel to the rear for weapon management…”

The soldier hesitated, then lowered his voice to ask, “Wasn’t it only those who saw the statue in the wilderness twenty years ago who could be assimilated?”

Leon, just as puzzled, furrowed his brows. Veronica pressed her hand against her thudding heart. The bodies lay neatly lined up, surrounded by unfamiliar holy knights.

While Leon examined the bodies, Veronica stopped behind the guiding soldier, keeping her distance. There was no need to approach. Every corpse had died with eyes wide open, glaring in red—just like Bahamut, which had no eyelids.

Would I die like that too?

The thought crossed her mind as she glanced over the edge of the wall. Veronica’s breath caught in her throat. Bahamut’s crimson eyes were all fixed on her.