As if the memory surged back, Theodore clutched his head, his body trembling.
That obsidian hand—the one that had tried to slay him.
When it brushed past him, strange sigils, like writhing insects, erupted from his flesh.
“Ah…”
Just then, a gentle warmth bloomed over his chilled hand.
Iris, her face filled with concern, had taken his hand in hers.
“It’s alright. You’re safe here.”
At the very least, those who had sought his life could not reach this place.
Reassured by her kind voice and comforting presence, Theodore bit his lip hard. Tears welled in his jade-green eyes.
‘It’s certain now.’
In his previous life, he hadn’t taken his own life.
Someone had slain him and made it seem a suicide.
‘Most likely…’
The one who engraved those runes into his flesh.
Even if the Divine Sword had not yet awakened, altering the fate of an innocent life was a worthy enough deed.
“You may stay here until the end of the Grand Hunt, then return.”
“Thank you, Honored Consort.”
Theodore smiled and nodded—then suddenly widened his eyes in panic, as though recalling something crucial.
His eyes reddened, on the verge of tears.
“Come to think of it… was I alone when I was found?”
“Is there someone you’re looking for?”
“My family…”
He spoke with a face drained of all color.
“I think they were taken… trying to protect me.”
“Do you remember what happened?”
Iris asked gently.
No matter how she looked at it, Theodore seemed to have fled in blind panic after being attacked.
“A dark hand burst out and attacked me…”
His words came slowly, as if dredging them up from the depths of fear.
“A voice.”
He hesitated, his tone laced with dread.
“Even as I ran, I kept hearing this voice—threatening me.”
“A voice, you say?”
“‘You must die. If you wish to save your family, return alone and tell no one—’”
Theodore froze, clearly shaken by the words that had slipped from his own mouth.
Hiccup.
So shocked was he, he began to hiccup.
“Don’t… tell anyone…”
His emerald eyes glanced at Iris awkwardly, unsure whether he had already said too much.
Iris was convinced that the voice Theodore had heard was tied to the cursed script etched into his body.
“So, even Young Master Hill knows little of it?”
“…Yes.”
Theodore lowered his head again, dispirited.
Iris decided to comfort him first. He had just come through a tribulation.
“You must be deeply concerned—with your family held hostage.”
“Yes… I must go to them, immediately.”
Though his jade-green eyes were still glazed with unshed tears, determination burned quietly behind them.
Iris asked him, “And you intend to go alone, just as that voice commanded?”
“…Because it’s the only way to save my family.”
Though he seemed resolved, Iris couldn’t help but worry.
How could he trust the words of one who cursed him?
She had thought him naïve at first glance, and now it was clear—he was inexperienced and overly earnest.
“So, you truly mean to return and lay down your life just because some unknown voice demanded it?”
“T-That’s not…”
He couldn’t answer.
“I understand your circumstances, Young Master.”
Iris looked him straight in the eye.
“But as you yourself must feel, walking into death just because someone told you to—it’s nonsense.”
“…Still, I want to go.”
Theodore bit his lip hard.
“Maybe to others they’re nothing… but to me, they’re the only family I have left. I can’t abandon them.”
“I’m not saying you shouldn’t go.”
Iris met his gaze directly, her voice steady.
“Then let me come with you.”
“B-But…”
“Don’t worry. I have my own reasons for confidence.”
Since the sacred sword had resonated with Theodore, Iris knew their paths were already intertwined.
I have the holy sword.
She hadn’t yet fully awakened it, but time and time again, in life-and-death moments, it had revealed its power.
The way it had absorbed the cursed script from Theodore was proof enough.
If this curse is truly tied to the holy sword…
Then the sword would be their greatest ally.
“From the moment I saved you, I became involved in this fate.”
Without wasting time, Iris left a letter—she knew Cedric would worry if she vanished without a word.
She also strapped on her rapier.
Theodore could only watch her in a daze.
Chapter 71