Beware of The Red Thread - Chapter 37

“Wow.”

I heard that I was going to meet Assand, but this palace was in Versailles. I couldn’t keep my surprise in check at the sight unfolding before my eyes. With two suns in the background, it was more like an imperial palace than a temple.

Passing by the half-human guards that resembled jackals, I saw cat goblins with huge fans like leaves standing proud, boasting sky-like skirts. When I read about it in writing, the sights had passed by with the words ‘Um, this is okay’ passing by. There were no other words.

I felt like a tourist, and I wanted a camera. It’s Assand! I woke up to the call.

When the noodle-like curtains were removed, I saw a man sitting in the middle of a throne. The structure gave off the illusion of a halo coming from behind.

“Assand, I have brought her to you as you have ordered.”

Ah, hot!

The fairy who was guiding me bowed her head to the floor, so I fell on my face, nearly burning my knee. I didn’t know if it was because I was wearing wooden shoes, but the marble floor was like an inferno.

Unable to bear it, I got up quickly. The bodyguards standing next to me looked at me as if I was being disrespectful.

It’s hot, what else can I say?

I rubbed my tingling knee, which was incredibly hot. It was a miracle that I didn’t get burned.

“Good work, now go away.”

With a single gesture of Assand’s hand, the maids flowed out of the room. Assand and I were left alone in the wide hall.

It was only then that I could see Assand properly. Bright, blonde hair with moderately tanned copper skin. His eyes were the color of gold. His firm chest was exposed due to the translucent material the priest vestments were made of. He was the definition of a handsome man. He was indeed the person the female lead chose.

“Are you the woman Karein brought?”

The sculpture-like man stared down at me, his elbows on the throne.

“Yes.”

“You’re human.”

Are you ignoring me just because I’m human?

The strange look he gave me left me feeling bad. Monsters would understand, they looked down on me even though they also had human forms. Whether I liked it or not, Assand sat their with his chin clenched.

“How interesting. Aside from the body of Saint Lucia, there are other humans who can survive in Valhalla.”

Assand’s words spurred my mind. Come to think of it, the heroine of the original story was a kind of possessed person, with the soul over the body called ‘Saint Lucia’. On the other hand, I fell here with my body as a whole. Maybe that was why I kept getting sick? As doubts flooded my mind, I was startled by the sudden conversation.

“I heard from Karein that you helped him get out of the Dark Age?”

“….yes?”

“You’re pretty good for someone who looks weak. You don’t look like you’re particularly special.”

When did you see me? Look at how this bastard is speaking.

I was taken aback by Assand’s behavior, who arrogantly raised his chin.

“Excuse me.”

“You are Karein’s benefactor, so I’ll allow you to stay here. It’s his request too.”

“No! I’m returning back to the Dark Age…”

“Do you know where the Dark Age is?”

He showed great interest in our conversation as his upper body rose from the backrest.

“Yes?”

“Karein doesn’t remember the location. Do you know?”

He asked in a monotone voice, similar to someone asking how the weather was. I shut my mouth tightly at the ominous atmosphere. Disappointment flashed across his golden features.

“No, I don’t know either.”

“Too bad. It would’ve been a good opportunity to hit those bastards first.”

Uh, what?

Doubting my ears, I saw Assand lean back and raise his eyes arrogantly. His golden eyes, which had previously been vibrant and full of color, now looked more like those of a carnivore. I knew that he hated Apocalypse, but I didn’t think that the man known as Solar’s guardian could use such language.

“Oh, and I’ve heard that you have a chronic illness. I’ll help you with all of my heart through Luce’s medical technology.”

His tone was similar to, but lower than Laytan’s. While I sat there in shock, Assand continued to speak with a dry expression.

“You’re not a God, and you don’t seem to have any special abilities. Thanks to Karein, you’re able to stay here. Thank Karein a hundred times. You thanked him, right?”

“Not yet…”

“Then you can go now. Show her a room where she can stay.”

“No, excuse me…”

“Just leave.”

Look at this jerk!

Assand, who uttered only what he had to say, waved his hand as if nothing had happened. In the end, I had to be led out of the temple, without spitting out a single sentence properly.

____________________________________________________________________________

“Oh, really!”

I kicked a stone that caught my foot. I told the guide I had been assigned that I was going to take a walk first. It had been so long since I last gave such an awkward smile.

Assand… who was he originally?

Wheezing as I thought about the original story, I recalled that it was originally written in the first-person perspective, more specifically, Saint Lucia’s. I didn’t recall ever reading about Assand treating others this way.

Even Assand wasn’t all that attractive to me-with my favorite being Karein after all-I didn’t even read about him all that carefully, so even if there was something about that, I wouldn’t have remembered.

No… even in the original story, the female lead told him not to kill Abel since Abel had fallen in love with her. He was so upset that he led her into the Dark Age.

I couldn’t remember because I never found it interesting.

Anyways, something went wrong quite a while ago. Since Assand had turned out like this, I felt more comfortable trying to find a way to sneak out.

“Miss Lian.”

However, as soon as I left the temple entrance, I happened to run into Karein, who seemed to be anxiously waiting for someone.

“Karein, what about your treatment?”

“It’s fine for now. Rather, what did Assand say?”

Karein stretched out his hand with a restless face, and I unconsciously took a step back from him. His expression, which had been bright for just a moment, turned dark. When he returned to Luce, his new appearance with silver hair made him look unfamiliar. His hardened expression gave off the same feeling.

“He told me to stay here.”

“Miss Lian…”

“Please send me back.”

He hesitated for a while, as if he was unsure how to answer, before slowly speaking up.

“Luce has advanced medical science, so it may be possible to cure Miss Lian’s illness. Until then, can you stay with me?”

I didn’t even know why I was sick, so how would I fix it?

I was moved, but seeing the sad face he wore, with an expression like he was going to cry, made me feel angry.

Who wants to cry now?

“It may sound like an excuse, but for Miss Lian…”

“I know. You’re a good person by nature, and you did it because you care about me.”

“…”

“But this isn’t the right way. You’ve never been like this.”

Karein averted his eyes. Not saying that he’d let me go until the end made my heart flutter.

“You must have been this kind of person.”

Not even denying it.

“I will go.”

I hope we don’t see each other for a while. I don’t want to be mad at you.

He groaned, turning around. Still, I felt like I didn’t want to dump all of my anger out in front of him because he had once been my favorite character. Leaving behind Karein, who was hardened like a stone, I headed for my room. I needed time.

When I returned to my room, huffing and puffing, I noticed the clothes I wore were neatly laid out on the bed. As for my belongings, I had nothing but emergency herbs and the pendants I carried just in case. I glanced at them intently before tossing them onto the table.

“Ack!”

I screamed unknowingly as the black thing bounced off my clothes. It looked like a half-deflated balloon.

Did I always have this?

Using the hairpin on the table, I poked it from a distance. When I did, it moved.

“No way… Wazowski?”

I picked it up in awe. It melted like an ice cream in the sun.

When did you come along?

As I removed the tangled red thread, one big eye burst open.

“How did you get here?”

It’s dangerous for you to be here.

I rolled my eyes, looking at the robe I was wearing. It was black, so it didn’t look like Wazowski would be visible if it was attached to me. It was nice to see the only dark color amongst all the painfully bright colors.

Were you so worried that you followed me? How nice.

I stroked his bouncy body, rubbing his face. It couldn’t speak, but it looked like it was having a lot of trouble.

How did we end up like this?

I hugged it tightly, crying. It trembled on my shoulders, it’s one large eye filling up with tears.

On that day, Wazowski and I cried together.

____________________________________________________________________________

“You dare steal my woman? I’ll chew on your gold teeth then eat you.”

“I don’t have gold teeth.”

“This bastard.”

I had a dog dream that morning. It was a dream full of Abel’s wrath. Sweat dripped from my body. It was far too hot. I felt like I was going crazy just from the sunlight pouring in. Still, much like a bustling city, the water supply was good, so I could take a cold shower.

“H…Hello?”

When I came out, brushing my wet hair, I saw a fairy arranging my clothes.

“I am Vivina. I’ll be in charge of attending Miss Lian. I look forward to working with you.”

It was a very pretty fairy with blue wings.

“Oh, nice to meet you, I’m Lian.”

When I asked for a handshake, the fairy panicked, wiping her hands on her clothes as she hesitated to shake. While the fairy finished organizing my clothes, I put on my original ones.

It was embarrassing to have a dedicated maid.

She’s been talking in my room, right?

I anxiously looked over at the blanket that Wazowski was hiding under. If Assand were to learn that I was carrying Wazowski, an evil spirit… ugh. I shook my head as the thought came to mind.

“Where are you feeling uncomfortable?”

“It’s nothing.”

How can I keep my mouth shut? I’m feeling restless.

“Can I get some cold tea?”

Vivina brought over a teacup. It was awkward for her to pour out the tea.

“Ah!”

Just as I was about to grab it, a pair of arms protruded from beneath Vivina’s sleeves, supporting the teacup.

“Ah, sorry!”

Butterflies belong to the insect family, so it wasn’t surprising that she had four arms. Vivina suddenly trembled, falling to the ground. Her droopy wings fluttered.

“Th-that was a mistake! Sorry! I’m so sorry!”

What? Why?

I was more startled by her violent reaction. I reflexively grabbed the blanket, the one Wazowski was under.

Calm down and speak.

She closed her eyes anxiously. Vivina spoke up first.

“Are… aren’t you offended? You’re human…”

Vivina, who’s eyes were tearing up, hid her two arms behind her back as she spoke. I understood what she meant. However, it was usually the opposite in Lemda Village. I used to not express it because I was afraid they’d be offended if I was surprised by their monstrous appearances.

Is it different in Luce?

Vivina stuttered.

“I thought humans would be offended by this appearance. The lady hated it so very much. I tied my arms behind my arms on purpose, but I was in a hurry so….”

The female lead?

Staring at the pair of forcibly tied arms, I was skeptical for a moment, but when I first met the monster I remembered that I too hated it and ignored it. It could be because she’s possessed. Well, that might change soon.

“It’s okay in front of me. Instead, Vivina, please keep a secret of mine.”

Really, don’t tell anyone.

She nodded her head confidently, promising me repeatedly. She jumped up in surprise.

“Ah, it’s a demon!”

“It’s my friend.”

“If the priests find out…”

If you don’t tell them, they won’t know. Keep it a secret, okay? Yeah? How harmless and kind you are! Do you keep looking at it because it’s cute?

After a long period of time passed, Vivina nodded her head reluctantly with eyes full of fear. Wazowski cried alone in the blanket.