FTA Ch 16

<Episode 16>

 

Like a drowning person desperately grabbing for a straw, Gloria gripped the hilt of the weapon in her hand tightly.

Though she’d sparred with formally trained knights from the temple, this was her first time confronting something non-human.

But she instinctively knew.

If she didn’t kill that monster, she would not leave this place alive.

There was no other explanation for why the others had left her here alone.

Since the manifestation of her stigmata, Gloria’s injuries always healed rapidly.

She had never been critically wounded, never close to losing her life.

And she knew that she was unlikely to die easily.

Not just her but everyone knew this.

That’s why they had no hesitation in leaving the ‘Child of Prophecy’ before a monster and walking away.

Someone blessed so wholly by the gods couldn’t possibly die.

No matter how deep her wounds, they would heal instantly.

That’s what the gods ‘blessing’ bestowed upon her.

Gloria clenched her teeth.

She tightened her grip on her weapon, which felt particularly heavy today.

 

‘Right… I won’t die thanks to my healing ability.’

She whispered this endlessly to herself, but her anxiety only deepened.

Of course, she was just a normal human being without any special skills aside from the divine blessing.

When wounded, she felt pain.

The sight of her own blood terrified her.

She hated hurting others, hated being hurt herself.

But everyone had forced her to take up arms and pushed her into the monster’s lair.

She resented those who had thrown her into this life or-death situation.

Still, survival was her only option.

Suddenly, the harsh screech of metal scraping against metal pierced her ears.

Blinking away tears pooling in her eyes, Gloria wiped them away with her sleeve and looked up.

The iron bars imprisoning the enormous nameless monster were slowly rising.

Gloria bit down hard on her lower lip as she watched.

It was her first time facing a monster.

So killing it without sustaining a single scratch was unlikely.

She might even suffer injuries so severe that death seemed preferable.

Or feel agony beyond bearing.

No doubt it would hurt.

And it would keep hurting, over and over.

But if enduring was the only option left…

At last, the iron bars were fully raised, and the monster leapt forward as if it had been waiting for this moment.

Gloria gripped her weapon firmly.

It was all she could rely on.

And she ran at the massive creature charging towards her.

 

* * *

 

“Gasp!”

 

Gloria jolted awake, sucking in a panicked breath.

 

“Another nightmare?”

 

The low voice beside her caused her to turn.

Leonard was watching her with concern in his eyes.

Wiping sweat from her face with her sleeve, Gloria sat up.

Though awake, she vividly remembered her dream.

 

‘What a disgusting feeling.’

 

Gloria swung her legs off the bed and didn’t bother tidying her messy appearance.

She simply swept her disheveled hair back and sat on the sofa.

 

‘Now that I think of it, that woman is probably undergoing the same training I once did.’

 

The thought suddenly popped into her mind.

Gloria felt a twinge of pity for Iriana Lotearis, a stranger she’d never met.

Surely, Iriana hadn’t imagined that the temple would subject the ‘Child of Prophecy’ to such harsh education.

The temple was supposed to be a place of compassion, a beacon of freedom open to all.

But to Gloria, it was nothing short of hell.

And Iriana would likely feel the same.

 

‘No way those bastards would treat her kindly.’ Gloria thought.

 

Gloria genuinely hoped Iriana would endure her education without suffering too much and escape safely.

After all, it was because of Iriana’s arrival that Gloria had been freed from the burden of being the ‘Child of Prophecy’.

 

“Has the carriage from the palace arrived?” Gloria asked.

“It should be here soon” Leonard replied

 

He closing the book he’d been reading and gazing out the window.

 

The midday sun lit the overgrown garden, now a wild tangle of weeds.

Neglect had long taken it’s toll, it resembled a ghostly mansion.

But Gloria’s presence had brought some semblance of life to the house.

 

“Have you been sitting here reading all night again?”

 

Given that Gloria had taken over his bedroom and his bed, she had little ground to complain.

Leonard shrugged, glancing at the culprit behind his sleep deprivation.

 

“I just woke up early, that’s all.”

“And immediately started reading…” Gloria rolled her eyes, exasperated.

 

Thus began their final preparations to leave, with the arrival of the jet black carriage Gloria had been waiting for.

“Anyway, if you were up. why didn’t you wake me? We need to get ready to leave before the carriage arrives.” Gloria said.

 

Gloria began gathering the scattered papers on the table sheets filled with her plans for what lay ahead.

After carefully arranging them in her bag, she handed it to Leonard.

Taking the bag, Leonard rose to his feet.

 

“You were sleeping so soundly, I didn’t want to wake you. Besides, there isn’t much to pack.”

 

His voice sounded oddly dry.

That Leonard had nothing worth packing in such a large mansion spoke volumes about the life he had led here.

 

“All I need is that.”

 

Leonard gestured toward an old, battered sword propped against the bedroom wall.

Gloria knew well how dull the blade was and how worn the sword had become.

It’s chipped edge looked like nothing more than a scrap of metal.

Yet, Leonard insisted on taking it.

That was indicating the weapon held some deep and personal significance.

 

‘Once we safely leave the capital, I should buy him a proper sword.’ Gloria resolved to invest in her cooperative partner.

 

She began pondering what else Leonard might need beyond a sword, healthy meals to aid his recovery, fine clothes for social gatherings, and even a few accessories.

One by one, Gloria made mental notes of the things she wanted to prepare for Leonard.

 

“…The carriage is here.” Leonard’s quiet voice broke into her thoughts.

 

Pulled back to reality, Gloria stepped toward the window.

Outside, a pitch black carriage had come to a halt in front of the estate’s gate.

It was the very carriage Gloria and Leonard planned to seize today.

 

“It is… Good.”

 

It had been several days since they dealt with the assassins sent by the crown prince.

And yet, the royal household had still sent the carriage as scheduled.

It seemed likely the assassination attempt had been a rogue act by the crown prince, without the emperor’s knowledge.

 

“There are too many useless people in this kingdom.” Gloria said.

“The problem is that all those useless people hold important positions.” Leonard explained.

“It’d feel so satisfying to sweep them all away at once.”

 

Gloria recalled the drunken crown prince Alexion rambling recklessly in the campaign barracks.

His ruthless nature was something Gloria knew well.

The man was as power greedy as the emperor himself.

 

‘But even so, why had he sent assassins to kill Leonard, his cursed uncle, while keeping it a secret from the emperor?’

‘No matter the reason, I can’t understand it.’

‘And I don’t want to.’

Gloria scowled, disgusted by the thought and tried to push the unpleasant memory aside as she looked at Leonard.

 

“Let’s go.” Gloria ordered.

 

Gloria hastily threw on a robe, pulling the hood low over her face.

She also grabbed her mace, which had been carelessly discarded on the floor.

Leonard quickly donned his own robe and strapped his sword to his waist.

With that, the two were ready to leave the capital.

All they needed to do now was successfully seize the carriage.

Throwing the window open, Gloria climbed up.

one leg already swinging over the sill.

 

“When I give the signal, grab my bag and come out.” Gloria ordered.

 

She grinned before vaulting out the window.

Dashing toward the gate, she crossed the overgrown garden in what felt like an instant.

The man unloading crates from the carriage froze in shock at her sudden appearance.

 

“Who… who are you?!”

 

Without hesitation, Gloria struck the man’s nape with the edge of her hand.

 

“Ughh!”

 

The man collapsed with a groan.

Turning around, Gloria waved both arms toward Leonard’s window.

Like her, Leonard swiftly leaped through the window and approached the carriage.

 

‘Seizing the carriage was easier than I thought.’

Gloria returned the crates to the carriage and smiling at Leonard.

however, he was crouching down, examining the unconscious man.

 

“Did you kill him?” Leonard asked.

 

Startled by Leonard’s words, Gloria looked at the man.

Now that she was paying attention.

She noticed a smear of blood near his lips.

 

“You said we shouldn’t kill unnecessarily.” Leonard said.

“I didn’t kill him.”

 

Gloria checked the man’s pulse just to be sure, then replied confidently.

A faint smile appeared on Leonard’s lips.

 

“How hard did you hit him for a man this strong to cough up blood?”

“…”

Gloria muttered softly, avoiding Leonard’s gaze.

She had used far less force than she had against the assassins last time or she thought.