excel三国杀

Chapter 240: King of the Dead Subjugation (4)

Eve Ropenheim was restrained with her arms outstretched.

Everything just felt unpleasant.

She couldn’t understand the situation.

Is Baron Ropenheim a demon? Or perhaps he’s allied with them since he didn’t look like a demon.

Eve looked around.

She was imprisoned. The place was a damp underground cellar for criminals who committed crimes in the mansion.

A strong barrier, flowing with dark mana, was set up at the entrance, preventing most from entering or leaving. This was why Eve couldn’t summon her white tiger familiar, Devon, to attempt an escape.

There was another room with a firmly shut door, where many children were imprisoned.

A few days ago, she had witnessed men she didn’t recognize shoving the children into that room.

These men had shown interest in Eve, but Baron Ropenheim had forcibly intervened. There seemed to be a reason, and it likely wasn’t a good one.

So why was Baron Ropenheim colluding with demons and gathering children?

Human experiments, or sacrifices for black magic… it had to be something like that.

Eve could only think of the worst scenarios, and she lowered her head helplessly.

“Isaac…”

The only one she could think of was her beloved younger brother.

The image of young Isaac trying to stop her from leaving haunted her every night.

Eve reflected on her past choices and wandered through her thoughts.

She had thought she would only leave his side for a few years to ensure a better future for Isaac.

Enduring the harsh abuse and cold stares at the Ropenheim Barony was all for Isaac’s sake.

But now, she wouldn’t be able to return. Whatever fate awaited her, she would never see Isaac again.

This fact made her unbearably sad and distressed.

Sometimes tears welled up, but Eve bit her lips and held back her sobs.

“I miss you…”

If she had one last wish, it would be to see Isaac one last time.

***Eve felt a tremor.

She heard the children in the other room scrambling around in a panic.

A little later, the barrier shattered like glass.

A woman entered the cellar.

Eve’s eyes widened. It was someone she never expected.

“Student Council President…?”

It was Alice Carroll, the Student Council President of Märchen Academy. She walked down the corridor.

Following her were knights in platinum armor. They were powerful individuals Eve had seen before.

They were the forces of the Ice Kingdom, Düpfendorf.

All of them were minions of the Ice Sovereign, Isaac.

Soon, a familiar man entered the cellar. He easily cast [Frost Explosion] to break the cell and walked in to stand before Eve.

The cold air around him, the lamp illuminating the corridor, created a halo around him.

The chaotic noise faded from her ears. Eve couldn’t believe what she was seeing.

“It’s been a while, Sister.”

“Isaac…?”

Eve felt as if she was dreaming.

* * *Eve Ropenheim.

Isaac and Eve shared the same mother but had different fathers.

In ❰Magic Knight of Märchen❱, she was an insignificant NPC. A lunatic who looked at Ian with lifeless eyes and told unpleasant lies.

However, unlike my memories, the Eve I saw throughout Semester 1 Year 2 seemed perfectly sane.

Why hadn’t Eve become a lunatic? One of the most significant differences from the game that came to mind was Isaac’s death.

Isaac had taken his own life, and as a student of Märchen Academy, Eve would have naturally heard the news.

It was said that Baron Ropenheim had put psychological pressure on Eve, likely giving her a reason to leave Isaac’s side.

I wasn’t entirely sure of the reason.

However, it was clear that Eve had immense affection for Isaac.

She must have been devastated by the loss of Isaac, showing how special he was to her.

Given this, it was hard to believe she had agreed to be adopted into the Ropenheim Barony just to enjoy wealth and glory.

Kwaaaah!

I broke Eve’s restraints. She stumbled, unable to move properly after being restrained for so long and I caught her by the shoulders.

Eve couldn’t hold back her tears. She clung to my clothes and sobbed.

“Isaac, I’m sorry. I’m sorry… I missed you so much…”

She repeated the words she had kept locked away. I nodded once, unsure of what to say.

“Let’s go.”

I pulled out a coat from my magic pouch and draped it over her shoulders, then carried her on my back toward the garden.

Eve spoke in a low, calm voice.

“Why did you come here, Isaac?”

“I had some business to take care of.”

“...I was scared.”

“I know.”

“I missed you so much.”

“I know.”

“I’m sorry… for not being there when you needed me. I’m so sorry for being so helpless…”

“…”

Eve buried her head in my shoulder, repeatedly apologizing.

The one who deserved her apology was not me, but the previous Isaac, who had succumbed to despair and ended his own life.

Therefore, as the current Isaac, I didn’t accept her apologies and remained silent.

Meanwhile, Alice and the knights of Düpfendorf had led all the children outside.

There were sixty-five children, just as I had heard. I scanned the area thoroughly with [Clairvoyance] to make sure no child was left behind.

Alice had subdued and restrained the knights and wizards of the Ropenheim Barony with ease.

Adrian Ropenheim had fainted after I destroyed his right eye, causing him to lose his dark mana. His body was now encased in ice.

Adrian would be handed over to the Imperial Court to pay for his crimes.

The delay in the Empire’s response to this incident was due to the scheming of Calgart the Necromancer, who had moved people in secret.

Unless a major event occurred, the Empire wouldn’t be immediately informed of every little thing happening in a remote Barony.

Even I had only uncovered the situation by checking and investigating based on my knowledge of the game, so it was unlikely the Empire had already figured it out.

I guess the Empire owes me another favor.

I sat Eve on a garden chair. She looked at the miserable Baron Ropenheim with a mix of satisfaction, relief, and all sorts of complicated emotions.

I didn’t know the full context, and I didn’t feel much affection for Eve.

But she was the only surviving relative who had also been trampled by Baron Ropenheim, so I felt a strong desire to take care of her.

“Stay here, Sister.”

“Isaac? What about you…?”

“I have things to take care of. People will come soon. In the meantime, my minions will protect you, so you can relax.”

As I said this, Alice approached Eve.

Even though they were classmates, Alice was someone Eve admired from afar, making Eve feel awkward and self-conscious.

Alice greeted Eve politely.

“It’s the first time we’re properly introducing ourselves. Are you alright, Sister?”

“Sister…?”

What on earth is she saying?

Eve looked bewildered.

It was natural for her to react that way, suddenly hearing Alice calling out to her as “Sister”.

“Oh…!”

Understanding what Alice meant, Eve blushed and covered her mouth to stifle a gasp.

I quickly grabbed Alice’s wrist and led her away from there.

“Oh my, Darling”

“Stop calling me that… it’s over.”

Alice was my minion and had the responsibility of being at the forefront, so she accompanied me.

We needed to head to the place Adrian had informed us about.

Using [Clairvoyance], I discovered the underground kingdom and the undead legion. Realizing I had spotted him, Calgart seemed to prepare for battle, deeming it too late to escape.

If he intended to face us, we should gladly oblige. But we had to be wary of possible traps.

In the open area in the middle of Ropenheim Barony’s garden, the moonlight shone brightly. Alice and I stood side by side.

Though I felt the gaze of people on us, I ignored it, knowing we would leave soon.

“Baby.”

Alice spoke to me.

Her usual gentle smile was still on her face, but there was a hint of complex emotions. After living with Alice for a while, I could sense the changes in her mood.

Her soft, slender fingers gently slipped into mine, and our hands interlocked.

“I heard about it for the first time today.”

Isaac’s family history.

“It’s not something I wanted to share, and honestly, I didn’t know much myself. I’m in a similar position to you”

“…”

“Well, don’t worry about it.”

It was just one of those things. I mumbled this as I tried to summon Hilde. Since I knew where Calgart was, I planned to fly there quickly.

At that moment, Alice suddenly pulled my head onto her shoulder.

The summoning process was disrupted and it stopped. I was taken aback.

“Alice?”

“Baby, actually, my heart hurt a little earlier.”

Alice whispered softly as she gently stroked my hair.

She was still smiling, but her damp eyes and furrowed eyebrows showed a hint of tenderness.

“I hope you know what you mean to me.”

I remembered Alice’s reaction when we spoke with Baron Ropenheim. Her expression had grown cold, and I even sensed a strong murderous intent from her.

But Alice’s duty was always to protect me. She didn’t impulsively interfere with my family matters and faithfully followed my orders.

“Let me spoil you sometimes. I’m yours, you know?”

Alice knew that comforting me now was what I needed. I realized once more how precious I had become to her.

I pulled away from Alice’s embrace. She met my eyes with a gentle smile.

Saying I was okay or that I wasn’t sad seemed unnecessary. I only needed to say one thing.

“...Thanks.”

“You’re welcome, Daaarling~.”

Alice responded playfully, trying to lighten the mood.

Alice and I summoned our familiars.

Whoooo!

Mana gathered in the air.

Hilde appeared, scattering a pale blue chill as she spread her white wings.

Nightmare Dragon Jabberwock loomed menacingly, wrapped in crimson flames around its black wings.

Soon, Hilde and the Nightmare Dragon lowered their heads. I climbed onto Hilde and Alice mounted the Nightmare Dragon.

“Hilde, we’re going to hunt demons. Prepare for battle.”

[Yes, Master! I will crush them all!]

Hilde eagerly gathered her mana.

“Jabberwock, I’m counting on you too.”

The Nightmare Dragon flinched when I spoke. Memories of me defeating him seemed to resurface.

Hilde and Jabberwock flapped their wings and took to the sky. The resulting wind fiercely shook the plants in the garden.

The knights of Düpfendorf saluted as we left, and the remaining people watched us with their mouths agape.

Alice and I soared through the sky toward the place where Calgart the Necromancer awaited.