Chapter 38: Oblique Lines (3)

"Encountered a monster that uses a scroll... is that what you're saying?"

Stion confirmed once again.

At Luss' nod, he let out a sigh.

"Ha..."

After hearing the story, Stion couldn't help but think that this must have been an unavoidable circumstance for the three women as well.

Who could have predicted such a thing?

There was nothing else to say except that luck wasn't on their side.

After hearing the story, Stion no longer wanted to treat them as enemies.

But pent-up anger still remained within him.

Stion looked at his sleeping younger brother intently.

He looked pale.

Stion would believe it even if he were told he was a breathing corpse.

"...Is it due to blood shortage?"

Unable to keep staring for too long, Stion turned his gaze away and asked. This time Vienna stepped forward to answer.

"...Yes."

"Have you still not found a blood donor?"

"Stachis... his blood is too unique."

Stion rolled up his sleeve hurriedly.

“Check mine too.”

Vienna gulped nervously.

A saintess next to her quickly took out a piece of accessory with a red gem embedded in it from her pocket and handed it to her.

This piece of jewel-adorned accessory indicates the type of a person's blood.

When the gem is brought close to a person's body, the color changes.

If the same color appears, it means blood transfusion is possible; if it's a different color, it's impossible.

Stachis’ color was white.

Vienna fervently prayed, her heart yearning for Stion's blood to also come out as white.

If it's this man - his brother - the blood color might actually match.

The gem was gently brought to his forearm.

-Flash

The color of the gem changed.

It was a bright blue color.

The three women, who had been eagerly looking at the gem, fell back into despair.

Vienna bowed her head deeply and clasped the jewel-adorned accessory tightly in her hand.

Stion also realized from their reaction that his blood wouldn't work.

"..Stion, let's check ours too."

Voices could be heard from outside the door.

They were the members of the party 'Aid.'

Everyone rolled up their sleeves, and Vienna approached each person to check one by one.

There wasn't a single person with white color.

"...Is there no one?"

"Stachis’ is white..."

Stion let out a heavy sigh, and as Vienna kept her arms and head down, the manager of the party 'Aid,' Sera, spoke up.

"Stion, there is only one way to save Starchis now.”

Luss, Lily, Vienna, and even Stion perked up their ears.

"What is it?"

Stion looked at Sera. His voice carried a determination to do anything.

"But it might be quite difficult."

"It doesn't matter. Tell us."

Sera glanced at the members of the party Aid…

Her face looked apologetic.

“We have to enter the dungeon. As long as we can go and get some vampire blood, Starchis would be fine.”

"A vampire?"

"Yes. Anyone can receive a blood transfusion from a vampire; they are A-class monsters after all. If we can capture one, we can use its blood for Starchis."

Vampires are among the top monsters even within the A-class category.

They are difficult to find and fighting them is dangerous, so it's one of the missions that even A-class parties avoid.

Therefore, there wasn't much information known about the items that came from them.

Luss asked, "B-But, then... if that's the case, won't Stachis also become a vampire?"

Sera shook her head.

“As long as we purify the blood, it'll be fine. The current problem is how to capture a vampire and also... whether Stachis can hold on until then.”

Lily, who had already heard that time was running out for Stachis, couldn't get excited about this new hope.

It was said that A-rank monsters typically take more than four days to deal with. And that's limited to low intelligence. Creatures like vampires, who have high intelligence and even have minions with them, would take even longer.

It just didn't seem possible to meet the deadline.

"We'll be fine, Stion. Let's go and capture one. It's risky, but... we've had experience capturing vampires not too long ago."

One of the female party members helped Stion make the decision.

However, Stion had a different thought.

"Sera, didn't we capture a vampire recently?"

"...It's been almost two lunar cycles since we captured one."

Sera replied, puzzled by the question.

Stion narrowed his eyes and blinked.

"...No, maybe..."

"Stion?"

Ignoring the call, Stion abruptly turned his body towards the door and said, "I have a place to go."

"Stion?! What about the dungeon?"

"We might not need to go in. Everyone should return to the lodging. If I need you, I'll talk to you again."

Before leaving, he paused for a moment and turned his head slightly to Luss, Vienna, and Lily.

"Take care of my brother until I come back. Whether you talk to him or do anything else, just make sure he’s okay until I return."

And then, he quickly disappeared.

****

The members of the 'Aid' party followed behind Stion.

As numerous people left at once, silence filled the room.

The two saintesses who remained in the room looked at each other cautiously, trying to gauge how they should act.

Vienna was the first to move. She returned the jewel-adorned accessory to the other saintess and clasped her hands in front of Starchis' bedside.

"Vienna... What are you doing?"

"I have to help Starchis endure."

And then she recited a prayer, infusing vitality in him. It was merely a life-sustaining treatment that offered no real improvement to the patient's condition, but Vienna continued to pray.

The two saintesses who stood nearby imitated Vienna’s actions.

Luss and Lily approached the bedside as well.

"... Chis."

Luss spoke to Starchis, whose eyes remained closed. 

Words did not come out, as if a massive stone blocked her throat. She couldn't figure out what to say.

No matter what she said, it would be too painful if her words turned out to be a farewell.

But if Starchis could hear her, and if it bought them a little more time, Luss was willing to do it.

Luss swallowed hard, attempting to clear the obstruction in her throat.

".. Chis, thank you."

Starchis continued to inhale and exhale in an unchanging, feeble breath.

“Again, I got your help.”

Luss recalled the sight of Starchis blocking the deadly blow with his body.

Tears welled up in her eyes.

"I should have stood by your side... It's my fault..."

As she spoke, Luss felt like she was nothing but trash.

Starchis protecting Luss, and Luss protecting Starchis - that’s what it should have been.

And Starchis had indeed fulfilled his role perfectly, protecting Luss, but Luss had not been able to do the same.

Everything seemed like Luss' fault.

Tears fell uncontrollably.

She wanted to convey her gratitude once more, but this time Luss sealed her lips. She didn't want to bring up anything negative in the current situation. She wanted to share words that would uplift Starchis.

"Chis, we finally completed our B-class mission. We've dreamed of this moment for so long... It's all thanks to you. So please, wake up soon. Okay? We should celebrate with a party."

She wanted to speak with an enthusiastic voice, full of energy, but it wasn't as easy as she wished.

Seeing Luss struggling, Lily took over the conversation.

"Yes, Starchis. Please wake up soon."

As she spoke, she remembered.

The dark sword that Starchis had blocked for her, if he hadn't been there, would have pierced her instead. 

The direction of the sword was aimed at her. The Chief Monkey had been targeting Lily. It seemed resentful as it had to endure all of her attacks.

"And... thank you."

That was all Lily could say, unable to find any other words.

"Thank you... thank you..."

She thought about Starchis, who taught her about love… and saved her life multiple times.

...And the image of him slowly falling to the ground crossed her mind.

-"It's cold..."

Lily clenched her fist tightly.

Starchis had said it was cold.

But he had to endure the cold until he fell unconscious, all because she was unable to activate a simple spell to generate warmth.

Blood dripped from Lily's clenched fists.

"Thank...sob..."

It felt like her heart was being torn apart with guilt.

"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."

"Lily!"

Vienna interrupted Lily while praying. She didn't want Lily to dwell on negative thoughts.

"But...! But...!"

Lily eventually broke down.

"I couldn't even provide warmth to Starchis when necessary! Sob... He collapsed, shivering... Heuuugghh..."

In the end, she couldn't return the warmth to the man who always shared it with her.

Luss and Vienna also couldn't find words to speak, as they thought they would likely cry too if they were in her situation.

"Ah... Starchis!"

Lily leaned over to Starchis.

Using magic, she gently provided a faint and cozy warmth to him.

"Starchis... What were you trying to say before you collapsed?" She asked as her tears gently fell onto Starchis' face.

Starchis had called out to them before he fell.

- "...Vienna... Luss... Lily noona..."

With his last ounce of strength, Starchis had uttered those words.

But she brutally covered his mouth, not wanting to hear it.

It was too frightening.

However, covering his mouth didn't change anything.

He still collapsed, unable to get up.

Now, she couldn’t help but ask what he wanted to say.

"Please, get up and tell us... Starchis."

What did he want to say?

Perhaps, as a mature individual, Starchis anticipated his own death and wanted to leave a final message.

Was it gratitude? Apology? Joy? Perhaps anger at their uselessness.

What were the words he was trying to convey? What was so important that he gave up even walking to say so?

If he didn't wake up like this, she felt that she would regret her actions of blocking his mouth for the rest of her life.

Vienna and Luss felt the same way.

Not being able to hear his last words before he collapsed filled them with deep regret.

****

Stion was blocked by two guards in front of an imposing mansion.

"Halt! What's your business here?"

“Tell Hian Nisty that Stion, the leader of the party ‘Aid’, has come to visit.”

"...Stion?"

Upon hearing his name, the guard's wariness visibly diminished. It was no secret that the Nisty family and the Aid party had a good relationship.

One guard made a gesture to the other guard.

Having received the signal, the guard sprinted towards the distant mansion.

But Stion was in a hurry.

"...I know that the permission hasn't been granted yet, but can't you let me in? It's an urgent matter."

"...Yes?"

The guard became noticeably more polite when he learned that the man in front of him was Stion.

Well, it was understandable. Stion was someone who obtained his position solely based on his combat abilities, so he exuded a different kind of authority.

"It's truly an urgent matter."

To control his emotions, Stion clenched and loosened his fist.

Although the guard trembled, he didn't want to do a sloppy job when it came to the safety of Hian Nisty, who had always treated him well.

"...Please follow the proper procedures."

"You know that I can break through and enter if I want to, right?"

"Uh... Well..."

The guard swallowed hard.

"Make a decision quickly... I don't think my patience will last much longer."

At that moment, a sound could be heard from the distant mansion, catching the guard's attention.

His savior had arrived.

The guard who had rushed towards the mansion was returning, accompanied by a man.

In the distance, a dignified figure could be seen—it was Hian Nisty.

Upon seeing him, Stion felt somewhat calmer.

The head of the family personally coming out to greet him was a significant gesture.

Approaching them, Hian lightly tapped the shoulder of the guard who had been sweating nervously.

"...What brings you here?"

Hian asked as he personally opened the gate.

He had rushed over, putting aside other matters, thinking that there must be an urgent reason for Stion to come alone to meet him.

“I’m here to ask a favor.”

After hearing his words, Hian noticed the hidden anxiety beneath Stion's firm expression.

"Shall we talk inside?"

He extended his arm towards the mansion, indicating for Stion to enter.

Stion nodded and walked towards the mansion, ignoring the guard’s whisper behind him.

-‘Shit. I think I peed…’

-‘.. What?’

Stion and Hian walked together, taking a short or perhaps long path.

Various servants bowed their heads as they entered the mansion.

The situation appeared grave, so nobody spoke a word.

"So, Stion. Please tell me the purpose of your visit."

Hian, a man exuding a deep and charismatic presence, held the weight of the conversation as he asked earnestly.

*Bam! Bam!*

But a loud noise disrupted their conversation.

-"Miss! Miss! Please come back!"

-"It’s a guest, Elsa!"

Stion turned his head at the sound.

‘Elsa?’

He focused on the name that reached his ears at an inopportune moment.

-‘What if it’s an important guest…!’

-'I've seen him once before. It's okay, Elsa!'

"Oh...Ugh!"

Hian couldn't hide his frustration. The serious atmosphere he had tried so hard to maintain disappeared once again.

On the staircase, a cute woman with pink hair and pink eyes appeared.

She was hastily followed by a maid.

Hian let out a sigh and grimaced, his expression filled with frustration, while Elsa, the maid, also wore a distressed look on her face.

Rose Nisty paid no attention to any of it. She cheerfully greeted Stion.

"Hello! Nice to see you again?"

"Yeah, good to see you too."

"Rose, go back quickly! It's an important guest!"

Hian scolded sharply. But from Stion's perspective, it seemed like Hian was more concerned with hiding Rose from him than genuinely caring for her well-being.

Rose ignored her father's words.

"You're alone today. Where is your brother? Stachis, right?"

She descended the stairs gracefully and asked Stion.

And when the name Stachis came from her lips, Stion regained his composure. He hurriedly turned and looked at Hian seriously.

"Hian... Actually, that’s why I came here. Do you happen to know the whereabouts of the vampire blood we delivered last month?"

– – – End of Chapter – – –

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