Chapter 369

News spread to the imperial capital that the demons had attacked the Rajinu Kingdom's Lajieren in the southern part of the empire. Specifically, they attacked the branch of the merchant guild on the outskirts of Rajinu, but they also attacked Rajinu itself. However, the damage was not significant as the number of attacking demons was very small. However, a very large number of casualties occurred in a place in the outskirts where there were no guards. The branch of the merchant guild in Rajinu's outskirts was that place. The list of victims included the name of Duke Arthur de Grandt. The imperial family was already aware of the revolutionary forces, but they had refrained from taking action due to the possibility of causing a huge problem. Berthus had a different judgment, thinking that if they eliminated the revolutionary forces in this way, it would be enough. The demons were a kind of source of all evil that could cause all incidents and turn everything upside down in the current situation. The traces of manipulated battles with many demon corpses and numerous sacrifices were in the newspapers with the names of the victims. Harrison held Liana's hand while Ellen gently embraced her shoulders. Liana stared blankly into space with unfocused eyes. The group stayed at Duke Grandt's residence, where the sensitive duchess did not show hostility towards them despite their involvement in the current situation. She thanked them for staying to take care of Liana. The next day, Duke Grandt's body was recovered and Liana looked into the open casket with a shocked expression. She did not cry, but her body began to convulse and she started to pull at her own hair. The sky began to flash with lightning and thunder, and blue sparks started to surround Liana's body. The group realized that this strange weather was caused by Liana's distress and tried to stop her before she caused harm. Translation: Before I could say anything.

-Shh!

Ellen ran towards Liana through the rain.

-Zap!

Ellen, with her magic enhanced, broke through the currents that began to boil around Liana and struck her neck with her bare hand.

In the midst of electric shocks that could not guarantee her life even if she was hit once, Ellen jumped without hesitation.

-Pop!

Ellen easily caught Liana's body, which was instantly paralyzed.

Everyone looked at Ellen with a bewildered expression, as if they didn't know what had happened.

Ellen prevented a second disaster from happening with her quick judgment in an already miserable situation.

Ellen speaks to the duchess.

"I'll take her inside."

"Y-yes.... Thank you...."

The duchess looked at Ellen with a complicated expression and nodded her head.

* * *

In her bedroom at the mansion, Liana woke up after a while.

"......"

Liana felt a headache that seemed to make her head ring.

Her body was as heavy as a soaked cotton ball. Liana was staring at the ceiling absentmindedly.

It might be a dream.

It might be a bad dream.

When you drink too much, you often have strange dreams.

So, it might be that all of this is just a dream, even if she doesn't know when she drank or when she collapsed.

Liana felt a vague breeze.

Dreams often last for a long time. It might be an extension of what happened.

Actually, didn't she just hear unrealistic sounds like something floating? Suddenly, her father died, the coffin came to the mansion, and what was inside it.

Everything she saw that she didn't want to admit.

Dreams break when they receive too much shock. She wanted to believe that she woke up from a terrible dream.

She wanted to deny that she was treated as the only reason her parents' failed marriage had to be maintained.

If she thought it was the last time, she shouldn't have treated it that way.

So, no matter who she faces or meets in the future.

She should think a little more and be more considerate when she might see this person for the last time.

Especially for her father.

She realized that she should apologize for what he said and not be a daughter who only worsens their already bad relationship, but at least not be a hindrance.

She regretted ignoring her father's efforts and only giving him a hard time.

If it was a dream.

Like that.

She was thinking.

It's not a dream.

It can't be a dream.

She was holding her right and left hands tightly, one was Adelia and the other was Harrison.

If everything was a dream.

They wouldn't be looking at her with such worried eyes and holding her hands tightly.

Liana closed her eyes tightly.

If it wasn't a dream.

She wanted to run away even in her dream.

But she couldn't even do that.

Tears of misery flowed down Liana's eyes.

* * *

-Bang! Translation: There was a funeral for Duke Grants. People in mourning clothes were digging the ground in the rain, and a priest sent by the Tuwan sect stood holding a scripture, talking about the peace and rest of the soul and purification of the spirit. After the prayer, people who came to pay their respects lined up and threw flowers into the grave. Liana watched the scene without an umbrella, feeling a mix of emotions in her eyes as she stood in the cold winter rain. Many nobles came to pay their respects, wearing black clothes and expressing condolences to the Duke's wife. Among the mourners were also first-year Royal Class students, including Charlotte de Gradiaus. She threw flowers and left without looking at Liana, and her guard Sabioline Tana was by her side. Liana felt guilty for giving her father a hard time and cried tears of misery. Teachers Epinhaus and Mustering also came to pay their respects, and Berthus de Gradiaus threw flowers into the grave with a stern expression. Berthus stood in front of Liana next. He seemed to be contemplating something as he looked at Liana, who was out of breath. Berthus had acted for the Empire. It would have been something Berthus had to do. But I was accused, and I killed Liana's father. I couldn't say it wasn't me, and Berthus wouldn't say it was him. With a stern expression, Berthus also said something to Liana as he stood in the rain. "I'm sorry, Liana." It was ambiguous. There was no one here who could understand that ambiguity. Liana seemed to realize that she was in front of the prince and took a deep breath. "No... thank you for coming, Berthus." Liana was thanking someone she should never be grateful to. I couldn't look at Berthus' face. No matter what expression he had, I couldn't help but punch him when I saw his face. Among the many mourners' flowers, the ground in Duke Grants' almost completely covered grave began to be filled with dirt. "I'm sorry, Dad." Winter rain was flowing down Liana's face. "I'm sorry, Dad." Even though her lips were turning blue from the bitter cold, Liana was looking straight at Duke Grants' tomb. "I did everything wrong." What was so sorry? What was so regretful? Liana finally began to shed clear tears that couldn't be rain. "I... I was wrong..." So shouldn't you come back? I'll do better now. I won't act like a crazy person. I understand now. I'll do better in the future. Shouldn't you come back? Liana muttered as she looked at the pile of dirt on top of the grave. Of course. Duke Grants did not come back.