Chapter 386
Chapter 386. A New Victim
— Aulitos Lake, somewhere in the north.
That night, a ship was anchored in the shallow waters. A slow-moving large cargo vessel.
“…It’s hot and humid.”
The man lying in a hammock in the ship’s cabin wiped the sweat from his forehead and stared at the ceiling, unable to sleep.
The man’s name was Liberto. He was a merchant based in the city-state of Aletai.
Recently, a series of ships have gone missing in the northern region—small boats and medium-sized fishing vessels, and even large cargo ships and passenger ships. Was it the work of magical beasts, or perhaps lake pirates? The cause remains unclear.
The Holy Church and the naval forces of various city-states are desperately trying to investigate the cause and restore order, but it feels as if they are grasping at fog, with time passing fruitlessly.
Occasionally, driftwood washes up along the lake shore, suggesting that ships have indeed been sunk. Many shipowners have become hesitant to set sail, fearing their losses.
Goods that should have arrived are not reaching their destinations, and vessels needed for transport have not come, causing the logistics of the northern waters to slow to a crawl.
However, it is precisely during such times that some individuals see a chance for victory—or even a business opportunity. Those willing to risk their lives and safety to seize wealth, or those forced by circumstances to dive into danger.
Liberto was one of them, leaning more towards the latter. He was a timber merchant, but due to the logistical paralysis, his cash flow was worsening, and if he couldn’t sell his products soon, he would have to close his business.
The livelihoods of his employees and family depended on it. Moreover, it was a critical period as his daughter was about to marry; he couldn’t afford to run away.
(If only… I could manage this deal…)
As the hammock swayed, Liberto clenched his fists tightly in the darkness.
This grand transaction could determine the fate of his business and family—he had decided to personally head to the lakeside town to broker the deal. Though his family had advised him to stay put until the cause of the missing ships became clear, some things couldn’t be helped.
— He had already prepared for his daughter’s wedding dress.
He wanted nothing more than for her to wear the dress without any worries.
(Whether it’s magical beasts or lake pirates, I’ve made all possible preparations.)
He reassured himself silently.
Alongside the strong sailors, he had also hired bodyguards from his company. Moreover, he had enlisted the services of a swordsman renowned for his exceptional skills, praised as “incredible” and “an unparalleled master.” While Liberto himself had some knowledge of swordplay, that swordsman indeed seemed extraordinary. Unless a Kraken showed up, he believed they could overcome any threat.
(I hope the watchmen are properly alert.)
Suddenly uneasy, Liberto got up from the hammock.
In preparation for any situation, he had bolstered the guards more than usual. They were stationed around the ship, each vigilant. They should notice immediately if something was amiss—
But if they all thought the same and ended up slacking off, it would be disastrous. Since he couldn’t sleep anyway and felt like catching the night breeze, Liberto quietly left his room.
— It was quiet.
With his back against the wall, he walked through the nearly pitch-black interior of the ship. The damp air and warm breeze enveloped him.
Everything was utterly silent. Only the sound of gentle waves murmured—once on the deck, the starlight would dimly illuminate his view.
“…Hey.”
Feeling anxious, he involuntarily called out. Were the watchmen really alert? Such thoughts crossed his mind.
“…”
No response. From anyone.
“Hey!”
This was odd. At least four watchmen should be on duty. Were they really sleeping?
Liberto quickly walked across the deck towards the watchman sitting on a chair at the bow. His posture looked strange, leaning oddly forward. Surely, he must be dozing off—
“Hey, you fool, don’t sleep on the job!”
Liberto tapped the man on the shoulder.
But—
Pat.
The too-light, dry sensation that transmitted to his palm sent a chill down his spine. Did he just slap a straw doll? Had the watchman left a intricately crafted doll in his place?
But no. The figure slumped down, collapsing—a former crewman turned into a dried-up husk, his hollow eye sockets staring up at Liberto.
“Wha…”
Startled, Liberto instinctively took a step back, only to feel something thud against his back, amplifying his shock.
“Oh dear. I didn’t think you would notice.”
— A calm male voice.
Turning around like he was jerked by a string, he found a strangely pale, handsome man in formal attire standing there.
Impossible! There was no one like this just a moment ago—
And that man’s eyes glowed red, ominously, in the darkness.
“Were you not just casually getting up?”
Then, from the side came a woman’s voice. The click of high heels echoed, and a beautiful woman in a dress, unfit for this cargo ship, appeared. She, too, was pale as if naturally—
Her eyes were red.
— Creatures of the dark.
“!!”
Liberto instinctively reached for the sword at his waist. But in the next instant, a strange sensation—cold yet hot—brushed against his right elbow.
With a dull thud, Liberto’s right arm rolled onto the deck. For a moment, he was dazed, and then awareness of sharp pain pierced through him as a scream clawed its way from his throat—
— Just before he could do so, the fresh blood flowing from his elbow twisted like a serpent and wrapped around his neck.
…I can’t breathe!! It hurts! It’s suffocating!!
“Gah…!”
“What a lively one. Everyone in the allied territory seems to be in good spirits.”
“It was truly worth the trouble to come all this way.”
They spoke nonchalantly, completely ignoring Liberto, who was writhing in agony.
“How about it? Can you still eat?”
“I’m just about full. But I could go for some dessert.”
“I was just thinking the same.”
They exchanged giggles, looking down coldly at Liberto, who was seated on the deck.
“Oh, it’s really nice to enjoy some fresh fare without worrying about the Reiju tribe.”
As the handsome man waved his hand, the blood from Liberto’s elbow pulsed.
“[Blood Bloom]”
It exploded.
His entire body burned as if scorched by a branding iron. It was only when he lost consciousness and collapsed onto the deck that he realized the pain. It hurts! It hurts so much!!! His whole body felt like it was on fire, and yet, it was such a humid night, but chills crawled up his spine.
It hurts. It’s suffering.
He couldn’t even voice a sound—
“Oh, this flavor. It’s distinctly different, isn’t it?”
Slurp, slurp.
Awful sounds. So close. What is that sound? He didn’t know. A voice filled with ecstatic pleasure—
“Beating it just makes the taste clearer. It’s perfect as a finishing touch…”
Slurp, slurp.
The man’s voice dripped with delight. Dark, cold, someone, anyone—
Lost in confusion and agony. But Liberto instinctively sensed the thick scent of death and continued to scream silently.
I don’t want this. No way! I can’t die. I can’t die yet. I haven’t even seen my daughter in her wedding dress. First, the deal. My family. The company. I still can’t collapse here. I must go back. I want to go back!
Someone, please help me.
Yet, even that wish was in vain as Liberto’s consciousness was swallowed by the darkness—
…
Suddenly, it felt as if he had been pulled up from underwater.
A rapid awakening. His vision opened wide.
— Where am I?
He found himself in a small, unremarkable room. There was no pain, and his body felt light.
— Was he saved…?
In front of him stood a youthful man with a noble face. Beside him was a delicate girl with silver hair and golden eyes. They both wore stern expressions yet looked at him with a somewhat sorrowful gaze.
— What is happening to me?
Though devoid of pain, he felt a strong urge to know what state he was in due to their pitying looks.
Before he could ponder further, Liberto suddenly gasped.
Because behind the young man, he noticed the translucent figure of a wild-looking beauty.
“Whoa! A ghost!!”
Startled, Liberto took several steps back, causing the beauty to blink in surprise and then smile wryly.
No, calling it just a wry smile might be an understatement—it had a bitter edge to it.
“Well, it’s mutual after all.”
Pointing at Liberto, the beauty spoke.
“…Huh?”
Only then did Liberto look down at his own body.
And he realized.
— He had the same translucent appearance as the beauty.
