Chapter 242

While I was alone, I took a look around the Surroundings.

Unlike last time, there weren’t many Harvesting Systems working inside. Back then, they even brought in people who weren’t originally supposed to work here.

Also, there’s another difference.

There are a lot of teenagers around Victoria’s age.

Not just one or two neighboring countries, but quite a few nations seem to send students here for study abroad programs. As far as I know, the Royal Academy didn’t have this many foreign exchange students before…

Some memories started glowing like search results popping up.

Suddenly, it was said that when one country sends many students to another, other countries feel pressured to reciprocate.

It’s apparently done as a form of reconnaissance, since you can’t really trust other countries’ intentions.

I wondered why they don’t just send spies instead, but apparently diving straight into their system is the most reliable way to understand them.

And yet, examples of failed espionage attempts kept popping up.

Humans sure love playing dirty tricks on each other, huh?

Anyway, I closed my eyes from the glowing memories and looked at them again.

In times like these, when the world is shifting, turning people into Harvesters would definitely give off a lot of Warmth.

But today, I’ll just sit still like a dummy. I’ve already done enough.

What if I step in and ruin everything I’ve built?

Besides, there’s still a world untouched by all this chaos.

Over there, an Evil Wizard uses me like a tool. But hey, I expect to gain plenty of Warmth from that arrangement.

When groups who don’t see others as humans get together, isn’t it obvious their results will be horrifying?

As I thought about the Fourth World, I found myself looking forward to it. Still, whatever is about to start feels far away. Right now, I’m hanging here like a pig waiting to be slaughtered—just waiting to be shipped out.

Though I won’t actually be shipped out. Instead, I’m waiting for some new experiment.

They’re setting up massive Machines right in front and behind me. Various Chimeras, including Chimera Harvester, are hard at work installing equipment.

A Chimera named Assistant is directing things from where Jeber usually stands.

I don’t know what kind of experiment this will be, but I hope something interesting happens when the time comes.

“Excuse me. Are you Bell?”

Someone suddenly spoke to me. Turning my head, I saw a middle-aged Man I didn’t recognize addressing me rudely. Following proper etiquette learned at School, I introduced myself.

The slight annoyance I noticed in his gaze wasn’t strong enough to indicate he disliked my presence outright.

Was he from another country? My introduction seemed correct, so maybe he was foreign.

He introduced himself as the King of a nearby nation. Though geographically speaking, his kingdom wasn’t directly adjacent—it was a bit further away.

“Do you have any business with me?”

“I heard you can heal people. Any kind of wound, any kind of curse.”

His tone grew heavier at the mention of curses.

That’s right. I’m famous for saving Aurora from Maleficent’s curse, meaning whoever hires me gets access to powerful Healing capabilities.

“I won’t know until I try.”

That’s true.

All I do is channel myself, and wounds heal while bodies grow stronger. From experience, I know the sensation of something being blocked by Light indicates a curse, but I can’t guarantee it works every time.

“Then heal my daughter.”

If only it were a son—it’d be easier to manipulate contracts through him. Aren’t there too many problematic daughters around?

No, that’s prejudiced thinking. Proper nobles don’t twist arms unless absolutely necessary—or they kill the evidence after using someone.

Such is the case in places obsessed with bloodlines.

And this world still values lineage highly, so perhaps making women more stable vessels for expansion makes sense.

“Yes.”

After I agreed, the man’s face lit up.

Still, shouldn’t Hyphion say something about this? If this guy thinks he can command me, shouldn’t someone control how I’m sold?

I still don’t fully understand the Royal Family’s intentions, but the man grabbed my wrist and quickly dragged me along. Almost against my will, he led me somewhere.

We left the Banquet Hall and headed outside.

Regardless of whether it’s greed or desperation, the only emotion visible on his face was earnestness.

Like a father clinging to a fraying rope.

And yet, the child suffers the worst fate because of his love.

What can you do?

Bad luck, I guess.

Strangely, no one stopped us as we climbed into a Car and drove away. Well, people did approach, but higher-ranking Soldiers intervened, seemingly following orders.

Thus, I left without interference.

And I was practically shoved into the car.

Vroom!

The car started moving.

Throughout the ride, he stared at me silently, his expression filled with anxiety. Someone unfamiliar might think he was glaring, but I knew better.

Intense longing, unease, and prayer radiated from him.

Eventually, the long silence ended, and we stepped out of the car.

Huh?

A familiar House stood right in front of us.

It was the Accommodation where I used to live.

Didn’t they say this place housed foreigners? So does this mean the King has a daughter attending the Royal Academy separately?

The foreign King immediately entered the house. Two guards, presumed to be his protectors, followed from the back seat of the car.

Judging by appearance, they were indeed foreigners.

Of course, a king would use his own nationals as bodyguards.

With that thought in mind, I walked inside.

“Welcome.”

Inside, the Butler—no, Montes Dormiens greeted me with a knowing smile.

Without asking questions, he guided us to a specific Room.

The foreign king knocked gently on the door before stepping inside.

The moment we entered, a strong medicinal smell hit us.

Some memories of this world identified it as the scent of drugs.

Mixed with labored breathing came faint groans.

“A thin, fragile voice reached my ears. The metallic sound indicated her vocal cords were completely damaged, likely from excessive screaming.

She couldn’t even produce proper sounds anymore.

“No more… Please, Daddy. It hurts. I don’t want it to hurt anymore. Give me medicine. Medicine.”

The man stood there silently, devastated by her words, then bowed his head toward me.

I nodded and pushed through the air thick with odors.

In the center of the bed lay something resembling a human figure. Despite being clothed, fluids seeped through, and all her hair—including eyebrows—had fallen out. Her entire body was covered in blisters.

Most illnesses could be healed with Magic.

If not, there must be another cause.

From the girl emanated a large orb of Light and countless tiny particles of Light.

Surely this world knows how to deal with parasites?

“There are many bugs inside her.”

My statement startled the man, who then began explaining with renewed trust.

The insects were created by powerful Sorcery and couldn’t be removed by Magic. The Temple had advised euthanasia as the best option for her.

The Temple?

Ah, right. This country may have moved past religion, but others haven’t necessarily done so.

After lengthy explanations, he cautiously asked if there was anything I could do. I replied honestly—I didn’t know—and approached the girl.

“I offer myself to you. In return, once everything is finished, you can take everything I possess. What do you say?”

But she didn’t respond.

It wasn’t due to drug-induced unconsciousness; I remembered techniques for reaching those unable to hear.

Contracts are never missed, no matter the situation.

I turned to the man.

Ethically, I didn’t want to burden him further, but Warmth was more important.

“This girl refuses. If she says ‘yes,’ I’ll attempt it. Can you persuade her?”

Desperately, the man rushed to her side, almost begging her to cooperate. However, the girl weakly whispered a plea to be put out of her misery.

That was the right answer.

Yet, it’s hard for a daughter to ignore her father’s desperate pleas when salvation seems within reach.

She made the wrong choice.

Finally, under her father’s relentless pleas, the girl reluctantly agreed.

So I returned to her bedside, took her hand, and recited the Contract Document.

Once she accepted, I submerged myself into the Light.

Instantly, her flesh began swelling explosively. Simultaneously, the small particles of Light vanished, and a minuscule amount of Warmth flowed into me.

Then another wave of Warmth arrived.

Hmm?

Oh—

Based on the mention of Sorcery, it seems the caster is dead.

Unexpected gifts always make me happy.

Anyway, the swollen skin hardened like stone and crumbled like pottery shards.

Out emerged a girl with long purple hair and pale blue skin: Tiana. She examined her newly restored body, muttering softly.

“Does my body… still hurt?”

“Tiana!”

Embracing her, her father James cried tears of joy while checking her condition.

Today, two became unhappy, and one found happiness.

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