Cannot Escape the Devil - Chapter 18.2

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“Why don’t you get some rest now?”

Marshall eagerly held on to Leah, who was carrying rations and relief supplies. She was no different from a sick person with bandages wrapped around her waist, arms, and legs.

“Do you think it makes sense for a patient to take care of another patient?”

“I’m fine except for a few broken bones.”

“How can you feel fine with some broken bones?”

“It’s uncomfortable one way or another, but if I can move, I am fine.”

At Leah’s words, Marshall sighed and took the medicine and food she had been carrying.

“You’ve done enough here. Go to Lady Asaya. Or go home and get some rest.”

“I said I’m fine.”

“It’s not fine. What would those reporters, who are trying to get inside, think when they see this? They would definitely think that the filthy Grand Duke of August is now exploiting labor even on the injured patient. Thinking again of the dramatized stories from newspapers, a migraine is coming already.”

Of course, it was true that Marshall has a nasty temper. Leah managed to hold back her laughter at his remarks.

“Since when did you care for your boss that much?”

“Being caring and having a hot temper are two different things. Originally, every employer in the world is seen as an evil in their employees’ view.”

“I was from outside the wall, I have experience about these things. I can be a good help here.”

“The situation is not so bad that a lady as yourself has to work.”

“I think you’re the only one who sees me as a lady.”

“Why? Because your hair is short? Because your outfit looks like a man? Because you are acting like a man? That doesn’t change your gender.”

“Apart from that, it’s common that people here don’t even treat people like me as human beings.  I don’t think there is anyone other than you who calls me a lady with respect.”

“I’m not as nasty as others. They say manners make the man. I’m always trying to live like a human being.”

Leah responded playfully to Marshall’s mischievous words.

“Does that mean your vicious employer with a hot temper is not a human being?”

“No way. Our lord has a hot temper, but he is not a vicious employer.  He pays well and is fair with his employees. That’s why I respect him.”

“I worked a lot today as well. Would I get paid for it?”

“Of course. Thanks to you and Miss Asaya, we were able to prevent a great catastrophe. There will be reasonable rewards for that. Even though it was dangerous, thank you for taking the initiative. Thanks to that, not many have died.”

Leah was somewhat embarrassed by Marshall’s attitude of expressing gratitude with all his heart. She felt perplexed for being praised.

“I didn’t say I did it to help you… If we let it go, our family would be in danger as well.”

“Here in Riverarden, you two will be heroes.  All the villagers are truly grateful.”

“It’s creepy to be a hero.”

“To me, both of you are heroes. I am truly in awe and admiration.”

Leah suppressed the rising embarrassment and avoided Marshall’s gaze. She wondered why such a small compliment would be so embarrassing, but she didn’t hate it. It made her blushed.

“Hmm, you told me to take a break, so I’ll go now.”

Marshall, who was staring at Leah as she took an uncomfortable step, naturally wrapped his hand around her shoulders and supported her.

“I will help you.”

“I can go by myself.”

“If we go together, you will be more comfortable.”

“It’s not comfortable at all.”

“Why, do I bother you?”

“No. It’s not like that!”

“Then just walk.”

Leah silently entrusted herself to his hand. She wanted to say thank you, but she felt so embarrassed so she couldn’t say it out loud. ‘Marshall Atlan’, Leah was pondering about the name of a young and caring gentleman, he was a very nice person.

It seemed that the unique warm atmosphere felt by Count Lubedoa in the old days was also incorporated in this man. Leah, who remembered Asaya’s father, Runeshard Lubedoa because of Marshall, smiled bitterly because she missed him for no reason. She had never thought of finding him in another man. ‘’Are you alive?’’ Her longing came like a wave.

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-Catch all the sinners! Don’t miss a single one!

The dark dawn, when even the moon did not rise, was exceptionally bright. Flames surrounded the mansion so no one could escape. The fire rose up with the mansion was dazzling and hotter than the midsummer sun.

-Uncle, what is this about? We are sinners? What sin have we committed? 

-It’s a crime you shouldn’t know.

-What?

 -Leah, take the family and runaway hurry.

-But we can’t escape because of the flames surrounding the house. The entrance is completely blocked. 

Armed soldiers came in terrifying momentum. They violently overwhelmed the people of the mansion, bound them with ropes, and searched every corner. Her favorite vase was smashed, her new dress was torn to pieces, and the necks of some servants were tumbled on the floor. Gray smoke filled the mansion. The pungent scent was smelled through the nose made muddled her head, and the bloody smell that oozed through the floor made her nauseous. Where did it go wrong? No one could know the answer.

-I’ll stop it somehow. 

 -No, Leah. If you rebel, you will be killed on the spot. 

 -But uncle. At this rate….

 -I’m sorry…

Runeshard Lubedoa laughed vainly as if he had known all these things in advance. It was the eyes of those who gave up. The moment Leah saw those eyes, her heart fell. She could see that something was very wrong.

-We found the Lubedoa family who tried to rebel! In case of rebellion, you can kill them on the spot!  

They were dragged with their hands and feet bound. Not knowing where they were going, they were dragged away and when they arrived, people from the family were gathered. It was about 50 people. They seemed to have failed to grasp the situation.

Asaya frantically looked for someone among those caught. Among the crowds, there were only the most familiar people. Among the captured vassals, there was no one from the Schrandel family, nor was Lishayas, one of the members of the Lubedoa family. Asaya was devastated. She should be glad that Reibene and Lishayas, the two people she loved were not caught, but anxiety and fear overcome joy. She felt cold. They loved each other like brothers and sisters.

The memories of wearing the same bracelet, drinking tea together in patronage, and going to the market together, passed by like a flash. And the last conversation with Lishayas rang in Asaya’s ears.

[Asaya Sister, I want you to be happier than anyone else.  Because I love you so terribly. I have always admired your life. I love everything that you love.] 

[As I always said, I love everything that you love because I love you terribly. But these days, I have a problem. Can we share love? l am greedy about all the things you love. I want to be with you in that love too, I can share everything with you, my sister… Why don’t you give it to me?]

[l realized, there’s nothing we can share. So, I have to take it from someone to have it. Right?] 

Asaya had rather not seen them in front of her eyes forever. She was glad to think that they escaped. However, she was naive. Why did they reappear? She wanted to ask why were they, who were her family, standing on the Church’s side and watching all the family members being escorted? Why were they the only ones who have survived this terrible tragedy? Why did they hold hands together? Why were they wearing the same bracelet?

“Ugh!”

Asaya opened her eyes. In a terrible nightmare, cold sweat was flowing all over her body. Tears filled her eyes while gasping for breath. She tried to hold back the tears by biting her lips and closed her eyes tightly, but it was in vain. It was because someone grabbed her hand from the side.

“Cry.”

Asaya turned her head to a calm voice. Edwin, who was in his street clothes, sitting by the bedside with a tired face. It didn’t matter why he was here or what happened. Asaya started crying uncontrollably at his calm and still word. He didn’t do anything. He just watched. There were no words of consolation or concern, but Asaya felt comforted for some reason. Like a fool, she cried for a long time without pride. Even until the moment the crying ceased and lost her consciousness again, Edwin remained by her side until the end.