Chapter 229

“Seriously, the leg that was cut off has healed cleanly…”

While Morris and his parents were examining Morris’s body, I stepped outside with Beatrice.

Judging by the awkward tension between Beatrice and Morris, they don’t seem to be on good terms.

“Would you like to make a contract too, Beatrice?”

I pointed at Beatrice’s body. Even though she’s covering up with baggy clothes, those scars aren’t ordinary.

And there are even scars on her face.

To get rid of just some scars, she’d have to give up something truly important.

“Will I end up like him?”

“Like him…”

“Only those who were right before death get that bluish skin tone.”

“Right before death…”

Beatrice repeated my words slowly. She’s starting to realize what I meant.

“You mean Morris was on the brink of death?”

“At least as far as I know, yes. Everyone who made a contract facing imminent death ended up with blue-tinged skin.”

Minor injuries like missing arms or legs are fine.

But those dying from fatal diseases or curses, or bleeding out with no way to stop it…

Their skin turns blue, like a mark for defying death.

Personally, I think bringing someone back is great. Maybe we can even revive those who’ve been dead not too long, since there’s still a little light left in their bodies.

You can recite the contract and make it work.

But reviving someone near death and someone already dead are completely different matters.

So when I encounter corpses, I usually just take their warmth.

Ah, not because I want to be worshipped or anything – though it does feel kinda weird.

If someone suggested it, I’d probably kill them without hesitation. I hate it that much.

I’d wear the mask of a god if needed for that warmth.

Still, reviving the dead is far riskier than healing the wounded. There are plenty of modern techniques for regrowing limbs or curing dangerous illnesses.

Approaching known technology differently is one thing.

And secondly…

I should explain that revival must happen while there’s still warmth, or rather light, remaining. But this era probably isn’t ready to accept that yet.

Unless we’re talking about Kunlun or Daegon’s world.

Why?

Because they have ways to revive people. In Daegon’s case, even those who’ve been dead for a long time.

Though there are two types:

One: The body is revived but with a new soul. Technically not entirely new according to Daegon’s records, but complicated rules apply. Anyway, it’s not strong enough to sustain the body long-term, so it’s more like temporary resurrection.

Two: Both body and soul are revived. However, if the soul has reincarnated, its current life must be sacrificed.

Simply put, using the present life as an offering to bring back the past life. Even then, the revived soul often develops defects requiring adjustment to survive.

So technically…

Personally, I have issues with reviving the dead. I just take their warmth.

Back to the story – I saw Beatrice contemplating making a contract with me.

Appearance is very important for women.

Being paired with a rejuvenated Morris would be tough to maintain. And who knows, maybe they’d break up over infidelity.

It happens all the time in human relationships.

The stronger partner leaves the weaker one for someone better looking.

However things really are!

So I said:

“Take your time. It’s not like your life is in immediate danger like Morris’s. Making a contract is easy.”

At this, Beatrice gave me a suspicious look.

Meanwhile, Morris introduced his daughter. Victoria greeted me somewhat awkwardly, and finally they exchanged introductions.

“No, making a contract isn’t that simple.”

“Why the sudden change of heart?”

Beatrice looked confused.

So I gestured toward the room.

“Victoria thought I belonged elsewhere and bid me farewell before leaving. Though she came back quickly, I need to return to the capital too.”

Yeah, I’m leaving now just like she did.

Even though I said I wouldn’t come back, here I am anyway. But that’s beside the point.

Since people expect me to honor promises, if Victoria wants to part ways, I should let her.

“That brat said that?”

“Haven’t you received any letters?”

In response to my question, Beatrice shook her long blonde hair, which was uneven in length. Actually, she’s hiding bald patches with her hairstyle.

From Morris’s memories, I learned she had her hair forcibly pulled out while fleeing from bad people.

She has permanent bald spots from being yanked so violently.

She’s camouflaging those areas with her hairstyle.

“I see.”

“Hey Bell, did you know about Morris’s situation?”

That’s right. Why did she follow me down here? Was it because of Morris?

“Isn’t it strange that she wouldn’t know after sending such a letter?”

Beatrice fell silent at my question.

I know. Back when I was still attending Mechanical Knight School, her letters were much more emotional during spring and summer. They mentioned missing each other and difficulties meeting with Morris.

They had a good mother-daughter relationship. Occasionally, short letters from Morris were included, but those stopped coming altogether.

“Guess you figured it out.”

Victoria must be regretting sending such a messy letter.

Anyway…

I approached Beatrice and suddenly lifted her long skirt like a mischievous kid.

Back in the days of Faded Memory’s world, even kids doing this would get punished, right?

Anyway…

“Severe.”

“Even as a woman, if you’re going to do this, you should warn me.”

I could see where her leg had been badly torn and poorly mended with magic.

It was a serious injury, but hey, she’s alive, so that’s what matters. I let go of her skirt.

There’s nothing urgent left to do here.

Should I head back to the capital?

No.

There’s one more thing I need to do. Since they left without me, I should do the same.

“Beatrice.”

“What?”

“Whatever happens next, don’t faint when you hear my story inside.”

Beatrice tensed up at my words.

She stared at me for a while before shifting her gaze to the door.

“Did Victoria go through a lot? Enough to drive a wedge between you two?”

“More than you’d imagine.”

Of course, I’m not planning to mention the mass killings, but you should at least understand what Victoria has been through, right?

I grabbed Beatrice’s arm and pulled her into the room.

“Hello.”

I entered with an unnaturally formal tone, releasing Beatrice’s hand as I did so.

But now that the people inside have seen Beatrice’s face, it’ll be hard for her to back out. Hehe, this body is still pretty small.

“Bell…”

Victoria looked at me with an extremely awkward expression. I immediately pointed at her.

“Victoria gave me the name Bell. What are your names, oh humanity?”

“Who exactly are you?”

Morris’s father, Gain, stammered.

“I’m an ancient monster. You are Morris Bet, Beatrice Bet, and Victoria Bet, your daughter.”

I deliberately pointed at each of them while stating their names and relationships. Do they understand what I’m implying?

“I’m Gain Bet, and this is my wife Rebecca Bet. First-”

Gain stepped forward and bowed before me.

“Thank you for saving our son.”

Technically, I threw him into the worst possible outcome, but that’s beside the point.

So I clearly denied it.

“No. I merely offered myself. I’ll be leaving soon, so I’d prefer you forget about that. There’s something else I need to tell you.”

While subtly avoiding unpleasant topics, I turned to Victoria. She avoided my gaze, looking uneasy.

She thinks I’ll run away, huh?

Not gonna happen.

Anyway…

I approached Victoria and covered her mouth.

“Mm!”

“It’s time to recount everything that happened to Victoria since this summer vacation. As responsible adults, shouldn’t you bear the burden of your child’s suffering?”

My slight provocation made everyone in the room look at me seriously.

Well then…

Not all adults are bad, right?

Looking at them, I slowly began recounting everything that happened to Victoria since this summer.

Starting with her encounter with Daegon’s vanguard, her battle with the witch Maleficent, her trip to Bern City following the suspicious letters…

Here Morris and Beatrice both went pale.

The enraged Victoria almost massacring everyone in Bern City, and actually having the capability to do so…

Then returning to the Academy only to find political turmoil causing chaos in the capital, leading citizens to attack and kill teachers and students at the Mechanical Knight School…

And how she personally pieced together the corpses at the scene…

Victoria grabbed my arm covering her mouth, her voice sharp.

“Bell.”

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