A Betrayed Master Will Not Return

37 – The Trembling Effect (8)

Nelson’s declaration of suddenly taking me away,

With the sudden thought of what nonsense this was, I drew out the sword I had put away, and asked.

“What does that mean? Are you saying you’ll take us, even if it means taking us as hostages?”

“heheheh…”

Nelson just laughed in response to my words as if finding them amusing.

Seeing her trickery of wanting to take something, anything, since Kale was already out of reach, me and the Devil Hunters coldly spoke, enveloping our weapons with magic.

“Tsk… So it ends up like this after all.”

“This year… Just when the teacher showed mercy and spared your life, what’s the matter?”

“You filthy scum! Fine, I get it, the British Empire and the Kingdom of Franz can’t coexist! I’ll finish you off right here!”

Due to the intense boss battle we just fought, both me and the Devil Hunters were in terrible physical condition.

But the same could be said for them as well.

Moreover, considering that we had the numerical advantage, there was no reason to think that we would lose.

But…

“I’m sorry, but I don’t really care about your intentions. I have no intention of repeating the mistakes I made in the past.”

-Snap!

With those words, Nelson flicked his fingers lightly.

And then,

Suddenly, dozens of Imperial soldiers poured into the cave that we had just passed.

“! This… this guy…”

“I told them to keep their distance in case they got caught in the surveillance net. Perhaps it’s the right answer to make sure they don’t leave any loose ends, right?”

“Damn…”

The Imperial soldiers completely surrounded us.

In the midst of it all, Nelson spoke with excitement in his voice,

While Gabriel glared at her with a face full of anger, as if he wanted to kill her.

This was a cunning trap that even I couldn’t have anticipated,

With our magic and stamina depleted, and even minor injuries, I had no chance of fighting back.

“Well then, let me make one proposal at this point. Even though it may not seem like it, I am someone who at least keeps my sense of loyalty.”

“My… Place?”

Nelson’s words, which did not feel at all warm in a situation that was already deemed the worst.

However, because of that, I had no choice but to listen to what she had to say.

Even if it was meaningless resistance, I held onto a faint hope that it might be better than someone dying.

“What is it that you want to say?”

“heheheh, well…”

Nelson blushed shyly, in a way that didn’t fit the atmosphere.

Then, she leaned closer to my ear and spoke in a quiet voice.

“Wouldn’t you like to be mine?”

“…What?”

“How dare you say such things in front of anyone…”

A momentary thought that made me wonder what this was about.

Looking at me with a blank expression,

Nelson spoke in a voice filled with anticipation, disregarding the anger expressed by Gabriel.

“It means literally leaving the Franz Kingdom behind and coming with me to Britain, not as a Devil Hunter, but as a proud soldier of Britain who will serve by my side for the rest of your life. How about it? This should be a great opportunity for someone like you, isn’t it?”

“…”

Her attitude showed determination to acquire a talented individual, not just empty words.

I remained silent for a while.

“If you willingly follow me, Gerard, the rest of these guys can go back unscathed. Of course, if you refuse, not only these guys here, but also the other two brats in Kale will all be dragged into a dangerous situation.”

“This… This filthy…! Ugh!”

Gabriel, who strongly resists Nelson’s words.

However, her actions were forcibly interrupted when the Imperial soldiers surrounding her aimed their guns at her head.

“Ma… Master…”

“…”

Janet called me with a trembling voice.

She, too, seemed to have partially resigned herself, realizing that there was no way out of this situation.

“It’s supposed to be a proposition… but it’s practically a threat…”

Honestly, it’s been over three years since I possessed this body, but that doesn’t mean I had any patriotism for the Kingdom of Franz.

But betraying Brinton Empire by crossing over from here…

To be precise, it could be considered an act of betrayal against Ellie.

The person who gave me a new path while I was stuck in the mountains,

And the woman who has already taken a deep place in my heart.

Betraying such a person was something I never wanted to do as the current me.

However,

Regardless of these personal feelings, I had no choice.

All my precious disciples and subordinates were held hostage.

They could all be dragged to the Empire and suffer a miserable fate.

Especially since they were all women, simply rejecting Nelson’s proposal out of loyalty alone could lead to a lifetime of guilt.

“…What else can I do…”

“L-Leader! No… Don’t do that. Such… Such a thing…”

Gabriel, persuading me with a pleading voice.

But, even if it means saving her right now.

I reluctantly decided to say the words I didn’t want to say.

“Promise me you will keep it.”

“…Excellent.”

Nelson had a satisfied expression at my words.

Continuing, I looked at her face and spoke in the most polite voice possible.

“As you wish, from now on I will serve you…”

Then.

-Pat!

“?”

“Oh?”

In the next moment, a sharp flash suddenly appeared behind me.

Feeling confused, I turned around.

What I started seeing in front of my eyes.

It was…

The imperial soldier who had just aimed a gun at Gabriel’s head disappeared in an instant.

And at the same time,

Above the dark night sky,

There were countless magical runes spread out, like the coalescence of stars.

A scene surreal, almost dreamlike, utterly unfitting for the present circumstances.

My gaze, momentarily stolen by it, began to hear Nelson’s voice—a tone now thick with rage unlike moments before.

“This b*tch…”

*

In a world shrouded in darkness, there, the person sat in silence, leaning against the chair with eyes closed. At a glance, they might seem lost in a deep sleep.

But,

The emotion harbored in her heart at this moment was far from tranquility.

Anger.

A fury so pure, directed towards the one who dared to spoil the painting she envisioned with ink.

Within that profound chasm of feeling,

She slowly began to awaken a dormant power within her body,

Unleashing a boundless magic like the endless expanse of the open sea.

A massive current of magic flowed, riding the dense darkness, not readily visible against the black night sky, yet it streaked across, hurtling northward at a terrifying speed.

And then,

The place where the flow of magic has reached.

There,

The immense scale of magic, so overwhelming it made people nauseous, began to take on a form.

Like countless stars twinkling in the darkness…

And.

When those forms finally took shape.

He slowly began to open his eyes.

Emitting a light as red as flowing blood.

*

“What… what is this?”

“What on earth…?”

The voice of the Britannian Imperial soldier filled with confusion.

As they saw their comrade who was just beside them evaporate with light,

A terrifying fear started to rise in their hearts.

“Ugh… don’t… don’t panic! Everyone, maintain your formation…”

Nelson trying his best to calm the soldiers.

However,

-Boom!

!”

Before her words could even finish, another flash of light flickered in the sky.

“Uh… uh…”

“Ah… uhahahaha…”

Another soldier of the Britannian Empire vanished in an instant.

Unable to react or even realize what was happening, the Britannian Empire, who had surrounded the Devil Hunters, began to panic.

And.

As if to strike that panic once again.

Another flash of light flashed in the sky.

“Uh… uhahahahaha!!!”

The flow of fear began to spread in an instant.

Realizing that they might be killed next if they stayed like this, the brave Britannian Empire soldiers released the hostage they were holding and attempted to flee somewhere.

However.

-Pat!

A white flash, precise and merciless, accurately aimed at them.

Swept away by it, the Britannian Empire soldiers began to vanish one by one,

And as chaos grew uncontrollably, the battlefield of the Empire’s forces, who were maintaining the siege, was quickly obliterated.

And,

Not missing the opportunity, Geralt shouted with a firm voice.

“Everyone, run!”

“Ah… understood!”

Following the leader’s command, Jaskier and Gabriel quickly started moving.

Meanwhile, Nelson tried his best to hold onto them, but for her at the moment, it was an impossible task.

Her body was already at its limit, and the soldiers had become uncontrollable.

On top of that, the flashes falling from the sky were still wiping out the imperial army without leaving even a corpse.

In the end, all she could do was try her best to handle the soldiers and escape…

To be precise, the only thing she could do was look at Geralt, who had slipped out of her grasp, with eyes filled with desire.

“Like this… I won’t let it end so easily. One failure in love is enough. Geralt Mura… I will make sure you become mine!”