“You’re saying you can’t see your younger sister?”
“Yeah…”
After calming the woman down, I listened to her story.
She returned home early from work, but her younger sister was missing. Since the girl never went outside, it seemed like something had happened.
‘Hmm…’
I couldn’t bring myself to say she’d be okay. They say hope is the most terrifying form of torture; the higher the expectations, the harder the fall. I didn’t want to say something irresponsible.
All I had to do was extend my hand to the woman.
“I’ll help you. Let’s look for her together.”
As I offered my hand, the woman gently clasped it with both of hers.
“Thank you so much…”
“We need to help each other. My name is Hera.”
“I’m Dania. Please take care of me, Hera.”
Dania gripped my hand tightly as she spoke.
I said I’d help her, but…
How should I help?
Searching the vast city one by one would be incredibly inefficient. Normally, one would go to the security forces for help, but the chances of such manpower being in Drax’s Place were slim.
‘If only I could use magic…’
Just like mana exists, there were various types of magic that utilized mana. Among them, there was a search magic that could find traces of people, but I didn’t know the first thing about mana yet.
Should I really run around?
I felt I needed to do something, at least.
‘I’ll put off Bram for now… wait a second…’
Maybe Bram, who oversees this area, might have information about Dania’s younger sister. And even if he didn’t, there would be dozens of people acting on his orders. Searching this whole area might not be an impossible task.
I could talk to Bram and see if I could find a way. If words don’t work, well, I guess I could just beat him up.
Besides, this aligned perfectly with my original goal, so it seemed like the best approach.
As I was about to explain my solution to Dania, I looked at her.
GRIND…
She was so anxious that she was biting her thumb to the point of drawing blood. I gently took her hand and pulled it away from her mouth.
“Ah…”
“You’re bleeding, Dania.”
Embarrassed, her face turned bright red.
“I-I’m so sorry!… I was just really anxious…”
How could she stay calm when her family was missing? Dania must be burning with worry inside.
‘I need to hurry and take action.’
“Dania. Do you trust me?”
I spoke seriously while looking at Dania.
“Y-Yes??! What do you mean…?”
Is it just my imagination? Her face seems to be getting even redder.
‘Is she just shy?’
I explained my plan to her, who’s now blushing like a beet.
“Bram?!”
Dania gasped loudly at the mention of Bram.
“Yes. If it’s him, he should definitely be able to find your sister.”
“But… Bram…”
It seemed like Dania was quite afraid of Bram.
I can take him, Dania.
I held Dania’s hands securely with mine.
“Trust me, Dania. I will find your sister.”
As I looked into Dania’s unwavering eyes, she glanced at the men I had taken down earlier.
Then, she looked back at me with a determined expression.
“Okay. I believe you, Hera.”
*
Having convinced Dania, we arrived at the location I heard from one of Bram’s subordinates.
In front of us stood a large building.
It seemed quite grand, though damaged, as if a noble once lived there before the city was destroyed.
“This place is…”
Dania muttered, looking at the building.
“Do you know this place?”
“Yes. It’s sometimes used by merchants from the Empire to hold banquets.”
Though I’m not sure what they’re trading.
Dania added on, seeming to know quite a bit about Bram.
As we approached the mansion, the guards at the entrance raised their swords and shouted.
“Who goes there?”
I replied with a grin, “Me? I’m the one your boss is looking for.”
The guards observed me closely.
“A black-haired girl with red eyes… You’re the girl with incredible strength… and next to you is… Dania, right?”
Dania, right?
I looked at her questioningly, but she wore a rather sad expression.
“I’m here to find the boss. Let us in.”
Upon hearing Dania’s words, the guards began to converse. Soon, one of them slipped inside the building.
“Wait a moment; I’m going to report.”
Before long, the guard returned with a sly grin on his face.
“The boss has ordered you both to come in.”
I glanced at Dania, who looked apprehensive, and we entered the building together.
Inside, the mansion was spacious. The guards led us up to the stairs.
“The boss is waiting for you.”
We headed underground. The atmosphere grew darker as we descended.
“Hera… Is this really okay?…”
Dania looked at me with a worried expression. To reassure her, I smiled brightly.
“Don’t worry, Dania. I’ll protect you.”
Dania’s face flushed again as she timidly spoke.
“Y-Yeah…”
Before long, we reached a wooden door.
As I opened it, we found a large space filled with dozens of people.
From the innermost part, a low, deep voice resonated.
“Oh… So you’re the girl who took Rick’s head?”
A massive figure stood before us, resembling a bear. His face bore a large scar and an even more sinister expression. His appearance screamed ‘I am the boss.’
“And… Dania has come too, hehe.”
“…Bram.”
It seemed the two were already acquainted.
Once this matter was settled, I’d have to dig into this further.
“I was just looking for you two.”
Bram’s words perplexed Dania’s expression.
With a nod from Bram, the crowd parted to reveal a young girl lying on the ground.
“Lily!!!!!”
Dania rushed toward the girl.
“Lily… Are you okay? Lily!!”
With a desperate face, she shook the girl.
“Ugh… Yeah… Sis?…”
“Lily!!…”
As soon as she confirmed her sister was safe, Dania tightly embraced Lily, tears streaming down her face.
“Huh… sob… I’m so glad… so glad.”
“Sis… I’m sorry… I…”
“Am I being ignored?”
Bram chuckled as he watched the sisters.
“Bram!!!!!!”
Dania shouted, pulling a dagger from her cloak with a shaking voice.
WHOOSH
The dagger shimmered with a dark gray magic.
“Why did you mess with Lily?!”
Bram shrugged, “Oh dear. I’m the victim here, Dania.”
“Cut the nonsense, Bram.”
She glared at Bram, aiming the dagger at him.
“Ha-ha… Ask your sister. The one who attacked me first was that girl.”
“…What?”
Dania turned and noticed Lily avoiding her gaze.
“Lily…?”
“That girl came at me with a knife. Luckily, I dodged. Otherwise, she would have been seriously hurt.”
Bram pointed at his back, where a slight scratch indicated he had indeed been attacked.
“Lily. Is that true?”
Staring into Lily’s shaking eyes, it seemed the anger she had kept simmering erupted as she yelled at her sister.
“That person is the one bothering you!! If that person were gone, you wouldn’t cry!!”
For the first time, Lily raised her voice to Dania.
“I don’t want to see you cry… Sob… So…”
HUG
Dania embraced Lily tightly.
“I see… Lily… You were looking out for me. Thank you.”
“Sis…?”
After holding Lily for a while and then letting her go, Dania turned to Bram.
“Let Lily go.”
Bram opened his mouth with a feigned innocence.
“Why should I? She tried to kill me.”
Dania bit her lip, seeming to have no rebuttal. But then, as if she had made up her mind, she knelt before Bram.
“I’ll do whatever you want… Just please let my sister go.”
“Sis!!”
Lily desperately grabbed Dania, but Dania shot her a cold glance.
“Stay quiet, Lily. If you make things harder for me, I’ll get angry.”
Had she ever looked at Lily with such a cold expression? Lily seemed bewildered by her sister’s unfamiliar demeanor.
“Sis…”
“Hmm…”
Bram appeared to be deep in thought, tapping his fingers against the desk. He silently regarded Dania.
Soon, as if a fun idea had come to him, he grinned and spoke.
“Fine! I shall be magnanimous this time. But there’s a condition.”
“…Tell me.”
Bram pointed toward Dania’s dagger.
“Stab yourself. Then I won’t touch your sister again.”
“What?! You crazy bastard!!! That’s insane!”
Lily glared at Bram with anger.
“Dania!!!”
Dania shouted loudly at Lily.
“Please… Stay quiet, Lily.”
She spoke through gritted teeth, having bitten her lip hard enough to draw blood.
Lily, witnessing her sister in this state for the first time, was at a loss for words.
Dania closed her eyes.
‘There’s no way to beat Bram.’
Knowing Bram’s strength from her previous encounter, Dania was well aware of his overwhelming power and speed. No matter how much mana-infused strikes she attempted, she had easily crumbled under Bram’s attacks.
‘This is the only way to save Lily.’
After all, didn’t she decide to live for Lily? She could sacrifice anything for her sister, even her own life.
“How can I believe you won’t hurt her?”
Looking at Dania seriously, Bram replied, “I swear on my honor as a warrior.”
Though once a criminal, Bram was a warrior. He had slain countless enemies and built his reputation through considerable feats.
Until he killed his comrades.
“Believe it or not, it’s up to you. But you won’t have a choice, will you?”
Unwilling to admit it, Dania agreed with Bram’s words. It was impossible for both Lily and herself to escape unscathed from this situation. There was no time for hesitation.
Dania made up her mind firmly, looking at Bram.
“Please keep your promise.”
“SIS!!!!!!!”
With her eyes tightly closed, she grasped the dagger with both hands. Just as she was about to stab herself—
“Dania.”
A white hand seized her own tightly. Dania looked at the owner of the hand.
A chilling yet warm energy enveloped her.
It was Hera.
“Hera…”
Hera gently pulled the dagger from Dania’s hand and patted her head.
“Stay back.”
It was a voice that couldn’t be refused. Dania stared at Hera, as if enchanted, before retreating with Lily.
“You…”
Bram spoke quietly, his nerves fraying.
Hera faced Bram directly.
“You’d best brace yourself, Bram.”
The girl’s crimson eyes, stained with blood, glinted with both calmness and a sense of danger.
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
The site is fast and lightweight because there are no ads yet. However, the theme is different from Cybor-TL, so take some time to familiarize yourself.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.