Damn Family

A loud explosion echoes.

With clouds of dust, fallen stone pillars block out the midday sun.

People passing by that spot scatter in panic, while some managed to withstand it with magic.

“A minor scratch. It’ll heal soon.”

“Guh… Thank you.”

“And you?”

“I was just startled by the wall suddenly collapsing.”

Thanks to this, not many were seriously injured.

Given that it was a martial arts tournament, there were skilled individuals present, so the damage was lessened.

However,

This was only if they were at the edge of the collapsed wall.

Even the area hidden under the stadium floor covers nearly a quarter.

Looking at the massive weight and size of the debris pouring inward…

A chilling speculation arises.

‘This much rubble buried means…’

‘It’s terrifying. If you get crushed, it’s obvious what happens.’

‘People inside would have had a hard time getting out alive.’

Those in the cabinet directly faced those boulders.

They couldn’t properly deal with falling rocks at an unexpected time and moving their bodies was already difficult.

The weight was enough to make the ground sink, and hearing the sound would make you want to stop imagining how frightening it is.

It definitely didn’t look like they would be safe.

So, those who went berserk naturally started causing a commotion.

“Let go! Let go, I said!”

“Duchess! Calm down!”

“My child, my child is over there! How can I calm down?!”

“If you go in now, you will be in danger too!”

“Let go! Let go, I said!”

“Guard! Call the Guard!”

“Carsein, Carsein…”

Isabella screamed as she saw the pile of rubble in the center of the arena.

“Why can’t I? I’m going to save my younger brother! Why can’t I?!”

“Princess Claire!”

“Damn it, move! Move!”

Claire, her eyes rolled back, tried to force her way through the guards with magic.

“Wha-what… should I do… Carsein… It mustn’t hurt…”

Flora trembled with lifeless eyes.

And then.

“…”

Seeing the vivid bloodstains in front of them, someone starts to feel their breath being cut off.

*Ding!*

▶Hidden Episode. The blade cuts through skin is progressing.◀

***

The debris from the collapsing building.

The darkening surroundings and the vision blocked by the remains.

I threw myself onto the shadows cast by the debris.

Only after experiencing it a second time did I realize.

My memories in my head were slightly wrong.

The memory of going to a meat shop after the sports meet is still vivid.

That memory is still dirty and one I wish to forget, but similar situations brought it back.

But that wasn’t from the sports meet.

“When was it? My head feels fuzzy… I can’t remember well.”

Ah, I remember now.

After the sports meet, a bit later.

Yes, something entirely different happened right after the sports meet.

The feeling of unease that this felt like something from long ago began here.

The pillars of the gymnasium collapsing from the sky.

The field turning into shadows cast by debris blocking the sun.

One person under those shadows, and me throwing myself for that person.

The sports meet started with an accident and ended with one.

Just like I am now.

Why did I forget this?

It was a huge incident. Even if it weren’t, it wouldn’t be easy to forget.

“…Ah. Thinking about it, it makes sense I forgot.”

Now, with one side of my body throbbing and liquid seeping through my clothes, staining them.

Even just smelling the metallic scent, it’s stressful when it stains your clothes.

But, that’s not the real thing.

It’s family.

The second would complain the most about why I threw away all the clothes, grumbling.

The little one would hide and play tricks on me or pout.

The first wouldn’t need to say anything.

And that woman who wanted to go to the meat shop, surely she’d have something to say.

Because I got stressed out by my family, I tried to erase this memory.

Buried in the memory of going to the meat shop, I couldn’t bring it up. But experiencing it firsthand like this made me recall the past.

“Still, it’s not all bad memories.”

In the shadows cast by the collapsing building.

I remember the person who was there was unharmed.

“—Rusein, Car—ain!!”

From the energetic voice, they seem fine.

From shaking my body, they don’t seem injured either.

Yes, Ji-eun is perfectly fine.

But, how about me?

“…”

My head starts to feel fuzzy.

The liquid dripping from below my forehead blurs my vision again.

My whole body feels sluggish, and my eyes start to close. Why am I so sleepy?

I need to think about what happened behind this.

To plan how to escape from here, I need to know.

I can’t fall asleep.

If I fall asleep…

I can’t…

fall…

“Please don’t do that. Please, please don’t.”

I can’t understand what they’re saying. Can’t they speak louder?

No, rather than that.

\- I’ll do it. Please, please don’t do that!

It seems similar to what Ji-eun told me.

Ah, when Ji-eun said that to me with that expression, it must be true.

But…

I don’t know.

My head keeps getting fuzzy, making it impossible to think.

I’m so sleepy. I want to sleep.

\- But I can’t.

***

It all happened in an instant.

The seemingly sturdy stadium building suddenly cracked, and the absurd scene of it crumbling into pieces was revealed.

Without delving into why this happened, the royal family quickly moved.

Though participants were scattered, it wasn’t that no one was injured.

They reinforced manpower to bring council members, and rushed the injured to the hospital for treatment first.

And now, as the debris is cleared, people buried underneath are starting to be seen.

“Ugh, ugh… Save me…”

“We found someone here!”

“How is their condition?”

“It looks like both legs are crushed!”

“Don’t panic! If we move the debris carelessly, another spot could collapse. Move cautiously to prevent further collapse!”

\- Yes!

Soldiers started clearing the debris following Crown Prince Albert’s instructions.

With the first rescue, the royal family could finally lighten their heavy hearts.

“The western people helped identify locations by reading mana flow, making it easier to locate them. Thank goodness.”

But, there’s another person’s help involved in this effort.

“Thanks to you, Arshien. Your efforts in understanding the internal structure prevented a secondary disaster.”

“Huh, huh… We can’t relax yet. Big Brother.”

“I know. But, let’s stop here.”

“That’s…”

Gulp.

Albert pressed Arshien’s arm tightly.

Due to accurately pressing on the meridian of mana, the numb nerve caused pain.

“Ugh!”

“What are you saying in this state? Even with all the mana drained, you’re still feeling pain.”

Albert clicked his tongue.

“Rest. I’ll handle the rest. Otherwise, do you want me to see you become a corpse with my own eyes?”

In such a situation where he couldn’t use magic anymore, Arshien reluctantly nodded.

“Understood. The rest… I entrust to you, Big Brother.”

“Yes.”

Arshien, supported and helped to move, looked at her younger sister, and Albert sighed deeply.

“Brother, your words were too harsh.”

At Florence’s gentle criticism, Albert clicked his tongue.

“This is the only way they’ll understand.”

“Even so, you could’ve been more gentle.”

Gentle.

That’s impossible.

‘That’s the only way to protect that child.’

He had to be strict, even stricter.

As a family, he had to be more cold-hearted.

Otherwise, he couldn’t protect Arshien.

That was his fate as Crown Prince Albert.

“Stop talking nonsense and follow.”

“…Sigh. You’re so cruel.”

Florence, who knew the meaning behind his actions, could only feel regret.

“Over here!”

“We found two people here!”

“There’s a heavily bleeding victim. We need pressure bandages!”

“Call for a council member immediately!”

Continuous rescue operations followed.

Western people pointed out locations where victims were buried, and rescues succeeded.

Since those trapped in the cabinets suffered severe damage, many barely survived.

But, a problem arose here.

“Mana flow isn’t detectable?”

“Yes. They used several methods to suppress our power in certain areas. Without knowing the cause… we can’t read or sense mana.”

“Ha. Can’t we just lift the building?”

“If we tamper with this structure, one side might cave in. The same goes for the other side!”

“…This is a mess.”

Saving one side means the other cannot be saved.

Due to the immense weight of the debris, the choice has come down to this.

Albert wiped his face, trying to regain his composure.

“How many people are left?”

“Two, but…”

“Of course, it’s two.”

There are two people.

Two spaces.

Truly a dilemma.

If two people are divided into two spaces, they must save one and accept the death of the other.

If they were gathered, it would be fortunate. But, they can’t answer this now.

‘Especially since those two are…’

Both of those people were helpful to Arshien.

Even though they had strength, they couldn’t use it.

Albert clenched his sword tightly.

Amidst this,

\- Gugugu.

The space supporting one side started to crumble.

“Who was the idiot that moved recklessly…”

Eyes blazing, Albert turned around but soon had doubts.

No soldier had moved.

‘That means…’

He sharply turned his head to the opposite side.

\- Gugugu. Kung!

With one side collapsed, the other remained intact.

Therefore, there should be someone here.

“His Highness the Crown Prince…”

Indeed, there was.

‘But, this isn’t the time to relax.’

A metallic stench spreads.

At first glance, Harnier’s clothes are stained with blood here and there.

Judging from the amount of blood and its intensity, it’s clear that Carsein is in a very dangerous state.

“Carsein Bargrand. Harnier Teresia. Two people found. There’s little time. Have the palace ready for immediate treatment!”

Now, they planned to clear the debris and start treatment, but Harnier suddenly grabbed Albert’s sword.

“Sorry, Your Highness. Due to urgent circumstances, may I borrow it for a moment?”

“Lady Harnier?! What are you doing now?!”

Then, she stabbed Carsein’s flesh with the sword.

“What’s that for?!”

“Good heavens!”

The nobles gasped and covered their mouths.

The participants watching held their breaths.

It was understandable; stabbing an fiancé with a sword is incomprehensible.

Arina barged forward with her eyes rolled back.

“Lady Harnier. What are you doing?!”

\- Swish.

“…Your Highness?”

“That’s the right action.”

“What do you mean? Stabbing a sword into someone’s body like that?!”

“Heh.”

Albert sighed deeply and answered in a lowered tone.

“Unlike last year when you lost your mind and cut your younger brother’s skin, this fiancé sliced flesh to save a life. Arina Bargrand.”

---